Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Reddit
Email
Print
Supporters of the Iranian Resistance gather for the NCRI conference in Rome, Italy, on July 31, 2025, calling for a free and democratic Iran
THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 9:00 AM CEST
In Rome, Iran’s Biggest Dissident Group Again Calls for World to Increasingly Isolate Iranian Regime
The head of Iran’s biggest dissident group on Thursday renewed calls for the global community to increasingly isolate the Iranian regime, while key U.S. and European figures backed the push for a secular, democratic alternative for the country.
Speaking at the Free Iran World Summit in the Italian capital, National Council of Resistance of Iran leader Maryam Rajavi called for the current Islamic theocratic government in Iran to be toppled, but warned against a return to a monarchy, which ruled Iran until its fall in 1979.
“For 120 years, the Iranian people’s resistance has waged a persistent struggle for freedom, against both the Shah and the mullahs,” Rajavi declared to a full auditorium at Rome’s Palazzo dei Congressi, referring to the deposed Iranian king and the clerics now running the country, respectively.
Don’t Look Away from Iran’s Execution Machine – Support the Iranians Who Resist
The execution machine of the Iranian regime keeps running. Since the 1988 massacre, 2025 is shaping up to be the deadliest year yet. Don’t look away, urges Hassan Kamali, a former political prisoner.
In recent weeks, we once again commemorate one of the darkest chapters in modern history: the mass killing of the summer of 1988 in Iran. In just a few weeks, around 30,000 political prisoners were executed on the orders of Ayatollah Khomeini.
The overwhelming majority of them (over 90 percent) were young men and women affiliated with the main opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK). This atrocity is often referred to as the largest post-World War II massacre.
UPDATE: 8:00 AM CEST
Iran: Change and a Democratic Republic with the Iranian People and Resistance
Maryam Rajavi’s speech: “Dear Compatriots, Distinguished Friends of the Iranian Resistance, We hold this summit as the religious dictatorship, through the execution of heroic PMOI members Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, is laying bare its desperation in the face of the people and the organized resistance. These were heroes, who never bowed, and said no to the executioners. Hail to these steadfast PMOI members, who—after three years of enduring torture, pressure, and threats—remained proud and unwavering, honoring their pledge to God and to the people. In his final message, Behrouz Ehsani wrote: “Under no circumstances will we ever surrender to this bloodthirsty and criminal regime.
“Mehdi Hassani declared: ‘I pledge myself to all the ideals of the proud organization, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), and I affirm that until my very last breath, I will not bow even slightly to the reactionary regime.’”
Forough Khosravi, School Teacher in Behbahan, Arrested by IRGC
Forough Khosravi, an elementary school teacher with a PhD in Education, was arrested on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in the city of Behbahan, Khuzestan province, by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization and transferred to an undisclosed location. Her arrest came after a previous incident on June 20, when six IRGC intelligence agents raided her home without her presence and without presenting any court warrant. During the raid, her phone and several personal items were confiscated. According to reports, Ms. Khosravi’s daughter was home at the time and witnessed the raid, which created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. On the morning of July 29, an unknown caller contacted Forough Khosravi and summoned her to appear at the courthouse. She refused, citing the lack of any formal notice or summons.
Iranians in Gothenburg Rally Against Executions in Iran, Marking 79th Week of “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign
Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered in Gothenburg to mark the 44th consecutive week of local participation in the global “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign. The movement protests the Iranian regime’s escalating wave of executions and systematic repression.
Human Trafficking of Iranian Women and Children under IRGC Control: A State-Stamped Crime
July 30 is recognized internationally as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. It serves to warn against one of the most heinous forms of modern slavery and calls for immediate international action. Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of individuals through threats, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or the exchange of payments or benefits for the purpose of exploitation. The core element that distinguishes it from other criminal acts, such as migrant smuggling, is the intent to exploit the person. This crime is strictly prohibited under international law.
Under the rule of the mullahs’ regime in Iran, the country ranks among the worst global perpetrators of organized human trafficking. Iran serves as a source, transit, and destination country. It lies on one of the principal routes for trafficking young women from Asia to Europe and the Gulf states. Iranian nationals are also trafficked to the Caucasus, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and neighboring Gulf countries.
Iran’s Oil Industry Faces Fresh U.S. Sanctions After 12-Day War
On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced its largest sanctions package against Iran since 2018, targeting over 115 individuals, entities, and vessels involved in Iran’s oil and shipping industries. The primary focus of these sanctions is the shipping network operated by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, a senior political advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader. According to the Treasury Department, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani has leveraged his father’s political influence to establish a sophisticated network of shipping companies, shell corporations, and vessels. This network facilitates the transport of oil, petroleum products, and other commodities from Iran and Russia to global buyers, generating billions of dollars annually. The operation employs covert tactics, including shell companies, foreign passports, and flag-hopping, to conceal ties to Iran and Russia.
Hunger Strike of Political Prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison Enters Sixth Day
The collective hunger strike by political prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison has entered its sixth day. Despite being under extremely harsh conditions and intense pressure in solitary confinement, they continue to resist the wave of executions, forced transfers, and violent repression. The hunger strike, which began on July 26, is a response to the brutal raid by special guard forces on Hall 4, the beating of inmates, their forced transfer to solitary cells, and the secret execution of two political prisoners, Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani Eslamloo.
These two prisoners were active supporters of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign and were accused of being members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Their death sentences were carried out without the process of a fair trial and without informing their families. Judicial officials have even refused to reveal the location of their burial—a pattern previously observed in the cases of other executed political prisoners.
U.S. Lawmakers Condemn Execution of Iranian Political Prisoners
Congressmen Cohen and McClintock denounce regime’s brutality, call for solidarity with Iranian people. On July 30, 2025 — In a strong bipartisan condemnation of Iran’s ongoing human rights abuses, Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Congressman Tom McClintock (R-CA)—co-chairs of the Congressional Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus—issued a joint statement denouncing the recent execution of two Iranian political prisoners, Behrooz Ehsani, 69, and Mehdi Hassani, 48.
The executions, carried out on Sunday, July 27 in Ghezel Hesar prison, were described by the lawmakers as a “horrifying display of brutality”, reinforcing the regime’s determination to quash dissent at all costs.
“This act of repression underscores the regime’s relentless assault on human rights and its unyielding commitment to suppress dissent,” the statement read.
U.S. Treasury Launches Largest Sanctions Action Against Iran Since 2018
Washington targets Shamkhani family’s global shipping empire fueling regime wealth and repression. On July 30, 2025 — In the most sweeping Iran-related sanctions initiative since 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned more than 50 individuals and entities and over 50 vessels linked to a powerful regime-affiliated oil smuggling and money laundering network led by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader.
The campaign, carried out by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), targets what officials describe as a “vast and corrupt shipping empire” that has generated tens of billions of dollars in revenue for the Iranian regime through illegal oil and cargo shipments—primarily to China and Russia—while disguising its true origins.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – July 31, 2025