Let's talk Iran - Feb 17, 2021
NUCLEAR
France to discuss Iran with Germany, UK and U.S. counterparts this week
The planned meeting on Thursday comes after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demanded “action, not words” from the United States if it wants to revive Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, the latest challenge to new President Joe Biden to take the first step towards a thaw. LINK
Head of IAEA to visit Tehran ahead of inspection deadline
The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog will travel to Tehran on Saturday, Iran’s ambassador to the organization said, days before a looming deadline for the suspension of some inspections. LINK
TERRORISM
Joe Biden Gets Tested in Iraq
Joe Biden has said his Presidency won’t be a third Obama term, and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to prove it. The latest comes after a rocket attack by an #Iran-linked group against the U.S.-led coalition in Erbil, Iraq. LINK
The Deterrent Message Iran Needs to Hear
If the US reacts with words alone, the Biden admin will show Iran that such attacks are cost-free. And Tehran will learn that the Biden admin’s desire to return to nuclear diplomacy will permit Iran to risk American lives whenever it wishes. LINK
Holding the Iranian regime accountable for terrorism
Iran subsidizes terror in Middle East, supports proxies in Syria and Iraq and imprisons or murders dissidents. The regime should be condemned not only for this terrorist act, but its terror and repression over previous decades. These countries and their leaders should align themselves with the hopes of the Iranian people for freedom. As a specific policy orientation, the Iranian opposition NCRI should be recognized as the alternative to the existing regime. That is the ultimate condemnation of their terrorism. LINK
Biden administration won’t rule out retaliation for rocket attack in Iraq
“The president of the United States and the administration reserves the right to respond in a timely manner of our choosing,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. LINK
Biden administration fails Iran's attack test
This appeasement of calculated Iranian aggression is dangerous for another reason. It will only encourage Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and its more capable allies to pursue further aggression. LINK
Iran's meddling must be tackled before Iraq elections, U.S. tells U.N.
The United States said on Tuesday that creating a conducive environment for elections in Iraq later this year includes tackling Iran-backed militias & Iran’s destabilizing activities. LINK
Arab Coalition forces intercept explosive-laden Houthi drone targeting Saudi Arabia
Arab Coalition forces intercepted on Wednesday an explosive-laden drone launched by the Iran-backed Houthis towards Saudi Arabia. This comes a day after the coalition destroyed yet another Houthi explosive drone that was launched towards the Kingdom’s Khamis Mushait. LINK
Houthi offensive on Yemen’s Marib threatens mass displacement, UN warns
Escalations by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen coincide with a new US/UN push to end the war, which the UN says has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The push includes Washington revoking a terrorist designation of the Houthis. LINK
Iran’s government is a terrorist regime. British Ministers must face this truth – and act on it.
Were Iran’s human rights to be put at the forefront of the Government’s foreign policy, those who control the Iranian regime would soon come to realize that its inhumane actions and spread of terror across the world has severe consequences for it – thus providing the only incentive that can bring about legitimate change within the country. LINK
Community welcome sentencing of Iranian diplomat after foiled bomb attack
"The UK must now hold the leaders to account for their involvement in terrorism through prosecution and imposing punitive sanctions. In addition, the UK must proscribe the IRGC in their entirety to prevent another planned attack." LINK
Officials fear Iran may try to poison Israel's water, country unprepared
Israel is preparing for a widespread cyber attack by Iran, given the fear that the regime will try to poison the drinking water.
Reminder: Last week a Florida city's water supply was also the target of a similar cyber attack. LINK
State-Run Media Highlights Iran Terrorism
The reaction from Iranian state-run media over the recent conviction and imprisonment of their diplomat Assadollah Assadi on terrorism charges in Belgium highlights how the regime is actually responsible for state-sponsored terrorism.
https://www.iranfocus.com/en/terrorism/46338-state-run-media-highlights-iran-terrorism/
Iran FM Acknowledges Assadi Conviction
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has acknowledged the huge blow dealt with the regime over the conviction of its diplomat Assadollah Assadi on #terrorism charges in Belgium.
https://irannewsupdate.com/news/terrorism/iran-women-fighting-regime-2/
HUMAN RIGHTS
Iran hangs seven including woman in Rajai Shahr Prison
Iranian authorities executed seven prisoners today, bringing the total number of those executed in February to at least 13. The clerical regime seeks to prevent escalation of popular protests by these executions, extensive arbitrary arrests, and other repressive measures. LINK
Execution of a woman — 42 with two children — in a prison in Karaj
Execution of a woman — 42 with two children — in Gohardasht Prison (Rajaiishahr) of Karaj, marks the execution of the 114th woman during the "moderate" Hassan Rouhani’s tenure as #Iran's president. LINK
Sister: Iranian Political Prisoner’s Health Worsens After Iran Denied him Treatment
The family of a jailed Iranian dissident Hamed Ghareoghlani recently sentenced to 14 years in prison for peaceful activism has begun speaking out about his case, saying his health is worsening as Iranian officials deny him treatment for severe epilepsy after forcing him to confess to security crimes. LINK
Security forces fatally shoot Baluch man in southeastern Iran
Iranian security forces shot and killed a 19-year-old Baluch man in an impoverished province in southeastern Iran bringing the total number of fatal shootings by regime forces to at least seven in February. LINK
Former official says Iranians “tired and disenchanted”, warns of major protests
A former Iranian official called for “strategic elections” to prevent major nationwide protests. Speaking to the state-run ILNA News Agency, Mostafa Tajzadeh also said Iranians were “tired and had lost hope." LINK
SANCTIONS
Instead of Reaching Out to Iranian Businesses, Europe Should Punish Its Top Officials
On March 1, European diplomats and business leaders will be joining virtually with their Iranian counterparts for a three-day conference to discuss the future of commercial opportunities and trade ties between the two regions. The event had previously been scheduled for December but was cancelled by its European organizers at the last moment, after Iran raised global outcry with the execution of an opposition journalist Ruhollah Zam. LINK
Europe-Iran Business Conference Reinforces Iran’s Impunity, Puts EU Security at Risk
Last month, dozens of European lawmakers signed a statement addressed to the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, condemning “any policy of appeasement and concessions to the Iranian regime” and demanded “serious and effective measures” as an alternative. Specifically, the statement called for the severance of European trade relations with the Iranian regime, pending action by the Iranian regime that demonstrates a commitment to improving its record regarding human rights and the promotion of terrorist activity beyond its borders. LINK
West Should Side With the People, Not Iran’s Government
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell seems set on pursuing a “maximum diplomacy” [read maximum appeasement] strategy & even participating in the “Europe-Iran Business Forum” next month with #Iran's chief apologist Zarif. LINK
Iran: The truth behind the budget bill dispute between the government and parliament
The one thing that did not change in #Iran's budget is the conditions of the people, who will continue to suffer increasing inflation, skyrocketing prices, increased taxes, and a declining economy. LINK