Let's talk Iran - Feb 16, 2021
TERRORISM
US ‘outraged’ by attacks on Iraq’s Kurdistan region: Blinken
The United States is “outraged” by the attacks that left one dead and injured several members of the US Coalition on the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said early on Tuesday. Multiple rockets hit Erbil and its surroundings at 9:30 p.m. local time, according to Reuters. LINK
Iran could deploy 200 missiles in Iraq to attack Israel
With tensions rising with Iran, Israel is concerned that the regime could deploy up to 200 long-range missiles in Iraq that could be used to attack the Jewish state. Iran is already believed to have hundreds of missiles that can reach Israel.
Reports also indicate Israeli cabinet to convene at 6PM Jerusalem time to "discuss a classified national security matter. LINK
Arab Coalition destroys Houthi drone heading towards Abha Airport
The Arab Coalition announced it had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia that was heading towards the Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. LINK
Saudi-led coalition: Houthi drone interception leaves shrapnel near Abha airport
The Iran-backed Houthis say they have launched attacks which have struck an airport or military air base in southern Saudi Arabia almost every day for the past 10 days. LINK
Assadi’s Conviction and Iran’s Calls for Retaliation Confirm Regime’s State-Sponsored Terrorism
On February 4, a court in Belgium convicted Iran’s incarcerated diplomat-terrorist Assadollah Assadi to 20 years in prison on charges of terrorism. Having received a major political blow, the regime’s officials and state-run media desperately call for “retaliation,” confirming once again mullahs’ state-sponsored terrorism. LINK
NUCLEAR
Israel hints it may not engage Biden on Iran nuclear strategy
Israel holds out the possibility of not engaging with U.S. President Joe Biden on strategy regarding Iran's nuclear program, urging tougher sanctions and a “credible military threat” against Tehran. LINK
State Dept Refuses to Explain Iran Envoy’s Talks with China
The State Department is refusing to provide details or even confirm statements by the Chinese government indicating the U.S.-#Iran envoy Robert Malley recently spoke to Communist Party officials about the Biden administration’s efforts to reenter the 2015 nuclear accord. LINK
The West and Iran’s Regime Nuclear Extortion
Western powers should not allow Iran's regime to continue its nuclear extortion campaign and should take a firm stance against the mullahs' terrorism and nuclear blackmail. LINK
HUMAN RIGHTS
Tortured Sufi prisoner dies in coma after receiving unknown prison medication
Behnam Mahjoubi, from Iran’s persecuted Gonabadi Dervish religious minority, passed away today in a hospital in Tehran four days after receiving an of unknown medication in prison. He was arrested by 20 plainclothes agents, beaten, held in solitary confinement with lights on 24/7, and interrogated without a lawyer present. LINK
Iranian prisoner of conscience dies in coma from unknown prison medication
Amnesty Intl wrote in Dec 2020 that Behnam “suffered from a serious panic disorder for which he needs daily medication prescribed by a doctor outside prison.” LINK
60 suicide attempts in 4 years by mostly women in Iran SW city
An Iranian human rights organization said today that mostly impoverished women had carried out 60 suicides in a southwestern city dubbed “city of suicides and self-immolation.” LINK
Iran censorship council orders monitoring of social media accounts, websites
In a new law passed yesterday, Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace said websites and social media accounts with over 5,000 viewers or members will be monitored by judicial and government agencies. LINK
OTHER
Three Kurd men injured after security forces attack, shoot locals in W Iran
Many kolbars (border porters) are university graduates and several are national athletes who have been forced into the life-threatening job for a meager pay. LINK
Europe-Iran Business Forum Would Invite Iran To Accelerate Its Malign Activities
If the Business Forum goes forward under current circumstances, it will only inspire a stronger sense of impunity among Iranian authorities by giving them the impression that the EU intends to pursue Iran 's trade relations without preconditions. LINK
Why is Iran's dictator Khamenei concerned about satellite Internet?
If satellite internet disrupts the regime's process of ideological and political repression over the Iranian people, there is no doubt that Khamenei should be even more terrified. LINK
Bulgarian prosecutors say heroin found in cargo from Iran
Bulgarian customs officials confiscated more than 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of heroin from a ship transporting goods from Iran, prosecutors said Tuesday. The drugs were divided in 487 packages and hidden among asphalt rollers the ship was carrying, prosecutor Vladimir Chavdarov said. LINK
