Let's talk Iran - April 29, 2021
Lawmakers urge Biden to push Iranian regime on rights abuses, amid bipartisan support for resolution
Two lawmakers have written to President Biden urging him to place human rights, and holding human rights abusers accountable, at the center of his Iran policy -- just as a resolution backing a secular and democratic Iran has picked up majority support in the House. LINK
Lawmakers tout bipartisan support for resolution criticizing Iran's government
Lawmakers on Tuesday sent a letter to President Biden, noting that support for the bill was expected to “steadily increase” in the House, while telling the president that lawmakers were “encouraged to know that you are standing up for democracy and human rights around the world.” LINK
Congressional leaders urge Biden to take tough stand on Iran
“HR 118 delivers a truly urgent message to the Biden administration within its first 100 days, that the Congress urges it to hold Iran’s corrupt regime accountable for its crime against its people and its continued sponsorship of global terrorism,” said Republican sponsor Tom McClintock (R-CA), who noted that more than 120,000 civilians have been murdered by the Iranian regime. LINK
IRAN’S DOMESTIC POLITICS
Iran: Zarif Promotes False Narrative of Competing Factions in Iran’s Regime
Another perspective into the Zarif tape leak:
Hardline political dominance is ingrained in the structure of the regime ruling Iran. Within that structure, the only function of "reformists" is to deceive the world into believing it could be otherwise. LINK
Another blow to Tehran’s moderation facade
In the last 42 years, the regime in Iran has always tried to play the card of “reformist-principalists” as a way to put up a façade of democracy toward the international community. Zarif's leaked tape is another nail in the coffin of that myth. LINK
Iran Media Warns That Infightings Could Mean Low Turnout at Election
Infighting amongst Iran's factions is intensifying as the regime's presidential election draws near and state media outlets are warning that these divisions could further push the people into protests that might bring down the entire system. LINK
Iran Floods Clubhouse to Drown Out Debate
The regime ruling Iran is flooding Clubhouse "to create a façade of democracy ahead of presidential elections in June to boost voter turnout, which the state has often used as a badge of legitimacy." LINK
NUCLEAR
Biden’s $90 Billion Bailout to Tehran
"Right away, [Iran's] regime could receive a payday of around $90 billion the moment Biden ends sanctions.... and it will not take any time for the suitcases of cash to find their way to Hamas or Hezbollah." LINK
Biden, Congress Should Defend Missile Sanctions Imposed on Iran
During a March 2021 appearance before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged not to make any concessions to Iran regarding its missile program while persuading Tehran to return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Less than one month later, however, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price refused to rule out missile-sanctions relief as an inducement for the regime to rejoin the deal. LINK
Mike Pompeo: John Kerry and Iran – American people deserve an explanation from former secretary of state
Iran must never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon because it is a danger to Israel, the Middle East, the United States and the rest of the world. Obama's highly flawed and failed JCPOA put them on that path and the Maximum Pressure Campaign took them off it. LINK
TERRORISM
Hezbollah trafficking drugs into Saudi Arabia
Saudi and Lebanese accusations: Iran-backed Hezbollah is operating a network for smuggling drugs to Saudi Arabia and the region; It has turned Lebanon into a base for exporting drugs and terrorism. LINK
Morocco’s Message: Beware Iran’s African Inroads
Iran is expanding its footprint across Africa, emboldened by increasing appeasement from the West. “It’s no longer accurate to just speak about Iran in West Africa,” one high-ranking official says. “The Iranians are all over the continent now.” LINK
What Else Should Iran Do To Be Called a Menace?
No country in the region is immune from the suffering caused by the regime ruling Iran. The question here is why does the international community insist appeasing the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism? LINK
PROTESTS
Security forces open fire on locals protesting government land grabs in western Iran
Riot police in Sarab Kahman village, western Iran opened fire yesterday on locals, who were protesting the cutting down of their walnut trees by government agents as the second stage of a plan to seize their lands. LINK
30 women wounded in the crackdown on Sarab-e Kahman village
The crackdown by the State Security Force on the people of Sarab-e Kahman village, in western Lorestan Province, left 30 women wounded.
The SSF troops attempted to cut down the walnut trees in this village on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. But they met staunch resistance of the residents of the village because the trees are their source of income and they have spent years to grow them. LINK
