Let's talk Iran - Feb 25, 2021
Internet blackout in SE Iranian province as protests continue
Reports from Chabahar, Iranshahr, Saravan, Zahedan and Zabol show that the internet was disrupted or completely shutdown since Wednesday afternoon.
Reminder: Iran’s regime cut off connections to hide the police’s violent response to mass protests in late 2019. LINK
Two Baluch protesters including 13-year-old boy shot dead by IRGC
At least two Baluch protesters, including a 13-year-old child, were shot and killed today by the IRGC forces in the Qaleh Bid Base during protests in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan Province. LINK
NUCLEAR
What I Learned in an Iranian Prison
U.S. foreign policy isn't to blame for the mullahs' deep-rooted hatred of America & Americans. "I was to be used as a pawn in exchange for U.S.-held Iranian prisoners and the release of frozen Iranian assets,” writes former American hostage Wang Xiyue. LINK
Iran Faces US Censure in First Diplomatic Showdown With Biden
"Iran must now cooperate fully with the IAEA so we may have assurance that the legacy of Iran’s past nuclear weapons work does not include undeclared nuclear material in Iran today.” LINK
Cotton Leads GOP Warning to Biden Against Iran Sanctions Relief
Senator Tom Cotton and more than 40 other Republican lawmakers introduced a resolution Wednesday opposing any move to lift sanctions on Iran, underscoring the resistance the Biden administration will face in trying to get back into the 2015 nuclear accord.
The resolution “rejects and opposes the reapplication of sanctions relief for Iran” and expresses disapproval of any move to reverse a ban that keeps Iran from accessing the U.S. financial system. LINK
Lawmaker Demands Biden Admin Disclose Secret Iran Talks with China
Why is the Biden administration keeping a lid on the details of U.S.-Iran envoy Robert Malley's talks earlier this month with China? Is this another concession to Iran's regime? LINK
Bahrain’s Crown Prince, Israeli PM say countries must be involved in Iran talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu & Bahrain’s Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Thursday discussed Iran & the possible involvement of the Gulf state in establishing a vaccine plant in Israel, the two countries said. LINK
HUMAN RIGHTS
Source: Iran Summons 8 Baha’is to Prison for Alleged Communication with Western Media
Iran has reportedly summoned eight members of the minority Baha’i community to begin prison terms after convicting them of security crimes for peaceful activities, including alleged communication with Western media and organizing educational programs for Baha’i children. LINK
Why Do Iranian Children Prefer To Die?
These days, suicide, particularly among children, teenagers, and women, has been general news in Iran. In the past month, at least eight children and teenagers committed suicide in various cities. LINK
TERRORISM
Europe-Iran Business Forum Signals Willingness To Overlook the Worst Malign Activities
Starting on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and several other figures from European political and business circles are expected to take part in the three-day Europe-Iran Business Forum. The event was originally scheduled for December but was postponed as a result of international outcry over the Iranian regime’s execution of opposition journalist Ruhollah Zam. LINK
Recent drone attack on Saudi royal palace launched from Iraq
Explosive-laden drones that targeted Saudi Arabia’s royal palace in the kingdom’s capital last month were launched from inside Iraq, a senior Iran-backed militia official in Baghdad and a U.S. official said. LINK
