Iranian Bodybuilder Wins 2024 Arnold Classic

Of the 35, seven were detained, with two transferred to prison. Eight more were summoned to judicial and security institutions.

Governmental entities lodged complaints against six journalists, one convicted by the press court and 12 receiving sentences ranging from imprisonment to fines and deprivation of their journalistic profession.

The most common charges included “disseminating falsehoods" and "propaganda against the system” among others.

The report also exposes numerous violations of legal rights, such as closed-door trials, property confiscations without warrants, and denial of access to legal counsel. Additionally, six media outlets faced legal scrutiny, with one outlet being seized and three outlets convicted in political and media courts.

As of the end of February, at least 10 journalists remain imprisoned in Iran's facilities, contributing to the nation's status as the world's third-largest jailer of journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Iran has long held one of the world’s worst press freedom rankings, at 178th out of 180 countries.

The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the actions, particularly in the wake of Mahsa Amini's death, reporting over 100 journalists detained and more than 21 sentenced to a total of 77 years in prison.

Major exchange dealers have even shut down their price announcement boards, according to reports received by Iran International.

Following the parliamentary elections in Iran, the currency and gold markets witnessed historic highs, with the US dollar reaching the 600,000 rial mark at one point during Saturday. Sources in the Tehran market and currency information websites reported that the dollar reached 602,000 rials in the early hours of Saturday trading, marking a three percent increase from Thursday's closing rates.

The dollar's doubling against the rial since March 2022, coupled with failed nuclear negotiations with the US and its European allies, has contributed to this economic turmoil. On Saturday, the euro was traded at 656,000 rials and the British pound at 764,000 rials in the free market, indicating increases of over three and 2.5 percent, respectively, compared to Thursday's rates.

Moreover, the price of 18-carat gold surged to around thirty million rials per gram, reflecting a 3.5 percent increase from the previous week.

Observers and experts had anticipated further economic complications following the parliamentary elections, which amid voter apathy and lack of competition, propelled hardliners to gain absolute majority in the legislature.

The continuous devaluation of the rial, particularly since the US withdrawal from the JCPOA nuclear deal in 2018, has fueled inflation and plunged millions into poverty. The economic crisis has eroded the government's legitimacy, with a historic low voter turnout in the March 1 elections.

Meanwhile, according to Iran’s Statistical Center, the prices of canned tuna and red meat in February increased by 133% and 100%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

In a report published on Saturday, Etemad daily analyzed the data provided by Iran’s Statistical Centre on the state of the food market. Entitled “The Three-Digit Inflation of the Proteins,” the report reviewed the average prices of 53 selected food items in urban areas.

Of these, 48 items have increased in price over the past 12 months. Some of these items recorded a three-digit annual inflation rate, with canned tuna at the top of the list with a 133% price increase.

Next in line is red meat which has an annual inflation rate of about 100%. The price of one kilogram of lamb meat in February last year was 2,850,000 rials ($5.7), which increased to 5,360,000 rials ($10.72) in February 2024.

According to the report, the prices of chicken meat and salmon have also risen by 55% and 65%, respectively, in the same period.

Meanwhile, Eqtesad 24 daily reported that nearly one-third of Iranians struggle below poverty line. The report projected a concerning escalation in poverty rates, foreseeing that by the end of the current Iranian year [March 20], “the proportion of individuals below the poverty line could soar to 37 to 40 percent.”

The forecast attributes the surge to the combination of soaring inflation rates and stagnant wages, exacerbating the financial strain faced by many Iranians.

In January, Iran announced that the new base monthly salary would rise to approximately $200 with a 20-percent increase. However, the constant decline in the value of the rial now pegs it to around $160.

The number indicates an 8-percent increase in his vote share compared to the previous election, Tasnim added. Raisi was unopposed in the electoral district.

This will be his third consecutive term representing the province in the Assembly of Experts, which is tasked with choosing a successor to Iran’s 84-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the event of his death.

In January, Iran’s Guardian Council barred all candidates from running in the Assembly of Experts election in South Khorasan except Raisi.

According to Moussa Salimi, the secretary of the election office in the province, of the five people that had registered to run in the election, one withdrew, and three others were disqualified by the Guardian Council. The last candidate was an unknown individual with little chance of getting votes.

The move sparked a backlash among Iranian social media users, with many rejecting it as a mockery of the principle of elections.

Earlier in February, the opposing candidate said his aim was not to win against raisi but make the elections more real.

Iran’s parliamentary and the Assembly of Experts elections were held Friday while many political activists, opposition parties and large sections of the public had boycotted the event.

The IRGC-affiliated Fars news website claimed a voter turnout of more than 40% in the controversial elections, despite numerous reports indicating lackluster participation.

The group has called for Hajipour's immediate release, urging the authorities to dismiss his sentence and the expunge all charges from his record.

Julie Trébault, director of Artists at Risk Connection, expressed deep concern over Hajipour's sentencing, denouncing it as another “attempt to suppress the independent voices who channel the demands of the Iranian people for basic freedoms.

“The Iranian government is attempting to silence a powerful movement spearheaded by musicians who believe in freedom and women’s rights,” added Trébault.

During Iran's parliamentary elections on Friday, Hajipour took to Instagram to share the news about his sentence, revealing his conviction on charges of "propaganda against the system" and "inciting protests." Additionally, he has been subjected to a two-year travel ban and instructed to compose a song focusing on "US crimes" while disseminating related content online.

Hajipour, known for his support of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, gained international recognition for his protest song "Baraye" ("Because of"), which won the prestigious "Song for Social Change" at the Grammy Award. His arrest in September 2022, following the song's viral success, led to charges of inciting dissent.

The sentencing of Hajipour is part of a broader crackdown on artists and activists in Iran. According to PEN America's Freedom To Write Index, Iran ranks as the world's second-highest incarcerator of writers, with at least 57 Iranian writers arrested in 2022 alone. The international community continues to call for the protection of freedom of expression and the release of unjustly detained individuals in Iran.

Mohammad Mehdi Sajjadi, CEO of the Red Crescent, said on Saturday that "Water levels have risen up to half a meter and even more in many flood-affected villages," illustrating the gravity of the inundation.

He further noted, "The floods are severe to the extent that even rescue operations are challenging, and teams sent to deliver supplies to areas besieged by floods could not return and are trapped in the region."

Earlier, Mohammad Hassan Nami, head of the Crisis Management Organization, reported inundation in 16 counties due to recent heavy rainfall.

Nami detailed the extent of the damage, stating, "The cities of Nikshahr, Qasr-e Qand, Dashtiyari, and others have suffered damage," with over 9,447 villages affected by floods.

Meanwhile, the deputy of Chabahar's governor announced the absence of medical helicopters in flood-affected areas, exacerbating the plight of stranded individuals, including pregnant women.

In response to criticisms of evacuation efforts, the Red Crescent CEO claimed, “the residents are reluctant to leave their homes, complicating relief efforts.”

As the flood crisis persists, concerns mount over potential casualties and the region's infrastructure. With crocodiles reportedly leaving their habitats, residents face heightened risks.

Officials claim that no casualties have been reported thus far, but Baluch sources say at least five have lost their lives. Challenges persist as freezing temperatures loom over the northern half of the province, compounding the ongoing disaster.