Latest Iran-backed spy plot in Israel foiled, Israeli citizen arrested

“Whether it is Donald Trump or any other president, the strategy remains unchanged, and nothing will alter our path,” said Ramezan Sharif on Monday, speaking at an event in Amol, northern Iran, commemorating the late IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani.

Sharif added that Iran’s stance remains consistent in the face of 46 years of US hostility, adding, “While American leaders have clung to their positions, we have steadfastly upheld our revolutionary beliefs and principles.”

Earlier in December, US president-elect Donald Trump's newly appointed Middle East advisor, Massad Boulos, said the incoming administration would revive its maximum pressure strategy against Iran, signaling a clear intent to enforce the country's isolation.

Nour News, allegedly still controlled by the Council’s former secretary Ali Shamkhani, wrote, “Syrian sources have reported the emergence of resistance cells in response to escalating attacks by forces under the command of Jolani. Meanwhile, a prominent Arab tribal leader in Syria has confirmed intense clashes between Jolani’s fighters and Iraqi tribal groups.”

While Iran’s diplomatic officials have maintained a cautious tone when addressing Syria’s new rulers, earlier this month, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei openly called for resistance against the authority of Ahmad al-Sharaa (Jolani).

Several Tehran-based publications, along with hardline political and military figures, have voiced more blunt and critical opinions about the Islamist forces that have replaced former president Bashar al-Assad.

Nour news alleged in its report that the new authorities have committed multiple crimes in recent days leading to the formation of resistance groups.

Referring to unknown sources, Nour News wrote, “In the past three weeks, numerous crimes have been committed against Syrian citizens and minorities, particularly in the coastal regions of the country. The emergence of resistance forces in Syria could clarify the trajectory of developments, as public anger grows in response to the aggressions by Jolani's forces.”

Nour News went on listing a number of alleged incidents even in Damascus, and continued to label the new authorities as representing Tahrir al-Sham “terrorists.”

This stance by Iran’s security establishment may indicate a potential interest in destabilizing Syria under the new anti-Assad forces. However, Tehran’s levers of influence appear limited.

Its proxy groups in Iraq seem to have adopted a cautious approach, likely due to government pressure, while in Syria, Iran has little remaining influence to pose a significant challenge to Damascus.

In an interview with Al Arabiya at the weekend, Sharaa said: "We were expecting positive statements from Tehran.”

In a possible bid to reach out a hand to Tehran after its weakening position in the country, he said that "a broad segment [of the country] aspires to a positive Iranian role in the region" as the rulers of Syria move forward, and the Syrian population having seen both Iran and Russia siding with Assad in the 13-year-long civil war.

"Cecilia Sala, an Italian citizen, traveled to Iran on December 13, 2024, with a journalist visa and was arrested on December 19, 2024, on charges of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Her case is currently under investigation," a statement by the ministry said.

It added: "The arrest was carried out in accordance with relevant regulations, and the Italian Embassy in Tehran has been informed. Consular access has been provided to Sala during this period, and she has been in telephone contact with her family."

While emphasizing the country's openness to international journalists, the ministry did not specify the exact charges against Sala.

On Sunday, Washington urged Iran to release Sala, a case likely related to Italy's arrest of an Iranian businessman on terrorism charges at the behest of the United States.

Sala’s detention in Tehran may be linked to the arrest of a Swiss-Iranian businessman at Malpensa Airport three days earlier on a US warrant for allegedly violating sanctions on electronic exports, La Repubblica said citing his lawyer.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Saturday that Sala is in good health and is being held alone in a cell in Evin Prison. Tajani called for media discretion over the case and confirmed that Sala has spoken to her parents twice by phone. Italian Ambassador to Tehran Paola Amadei has also visited her in prison.

“With the increase in exchange rates and the instability of basic commodity prices, many workers are facing very challenging economic conditions, particularly tenant workers, whose wages can only cover three days of living expenses,” said Ayat Assdi, the workers’ representative in the Supreme Labor Council.

In March, Iran’s Supreme Labor Council increased the minimum monthly wage by 35%, setting it at 111,070,000 rials (approximately $185 at that time) including benefits. However, as the rial has dropped to around 810,000 per US dollar, this amount is now worth just $137.

Meanwhile, the estimated cost of living in Tehran exceeds 400 million rials (over $500), with smaller cities averaging over 250 million rials ($300).

The crisis is exacerbated by inflation, which is nearing 50%, with widespread shortages in essentials such as fuel and electricity.

Winter power outages and natural gas deficits have further compounded the difficulties for ordinary citizens. The steep devaluation of the rial has also increased the cost of imported goods.

Efforts to adjust wages to reflect these conditions have been stymied. Asadi noted that attempts to convene the Supreme Labor Council to determine wages for the next year have been blocked by government intervention. Many workers, unable to make ends meet, have turned to informal jobs to survive.

Economic pressures in Iran have ignited a wave of strikes, with business owners and employees in Tehran's historic bazaar staging a rare protest on Sunday against runaway inflation and soaring foreign currency rates.

The strike, beginning with shoe sellers in the 15th Khordad area, quickly spread to other sectors, highlighting the mounting frustration among merchants and workers grappling with declining purchasing power and unstable markets.

Videos shared online captured merchants chanting slogans like “Don’t be afraid, close up,” and “Brave merchants, support, support,” reflecting a spirit of solidarity amidst economic despair.

Iran’s economic struggles reflect a combination of internal and external pressures. In addition to domestic turmoil, international sanctions targeting the country’s financial and energy sectors have hampered trade and access to foreign reserves.

“The Bonbast channel, which determines the dollar exchange rate for all Iranian exchange offices starting at 9 AM, is registered in the US, and all its servers are also located there,” Mohammad Reza Farzin said.

Bonbast is widely known for publishing the free-market exchange rate of the rial against foreign currencies.

Iran has multiple official exchange rates but the free market rate reflects the true value of transactions. The rial has depreciated by over 25% since September, driven by regional conflicts and Iran’s setbacks in Syria and Lebanon.