Let's talk Iran - Feb. 5, 2021
TERRORISM
Europe and Iran: What Comes Next? | Opinion
"Europe must restrain from lifting economic sanctions against Iran. Instead, it can support and help the Iranian people in their quest for peace and democracy," writes former Columbian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. LINK
Time to crack down on Iran: European politicians
European politicians from across the political spectrum have urged the EU and its member states to take a harder line on Iran’s diplomatic presence on the continent, saying Tehran’s envoys are a security risk. LINK
Iranian diplomat convicted in bombing plot
Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi & his three accomplices was found guilty for attempted terrorist murder & participation in the activities of a terrorist group. Prosecutors said Assadi was operating under orders from the highest authorities in Iran. LINK
Iran Threatens Retaliation as Diplomat Convicted of Paris Terror Plot
Assadollah Assadi, 49, supplied explosives for the attempted bombing while he worked at Iran's embassy in Austria. Authorities foiled the attack and arrested Assadi in Germany in July 2018, where he could not claim diplomatic immunity. LINK
Assadi’s Conviction: A Historic Turning Point in Intl Community’s Relations With Iran’s Regime
Based on the undeniable evidence and over two-and-a-half years of investigations, the prosecutors concluded that the 2018 bomb plot was not Assadi’s personal initiative but rather an act of state-sponsored terrorism. Thus, Assadi’s trial could serve as a turning point in Europe-Iran relations. LINK
Iranian diplomat convicted in plot to bomb Paris meeting of dissidents
“The idea that the Ministry of Intelligence in Tehran and the Foreign Ministry are legitimate governmental enterprises is now impossible to consider." LINK
It’s time for a firm policy on Iran’s state-sponsored terrorism
Thursday marked an historic day for European justice and a turning point in the fight against terrorism. A Belgian court sentenced Assadollah Assadi, a Vienna-based Iranian diplomat, to 20 years in prison for his direct involvement in a bombing plot against a rally of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in 2018. His three co-conspirators received 15-18 years of prison each and were stripped of their Belgian citizenship. LINK
NUCLEAR
GOP Legislative Push Seeks to Stop Biden Admin from Unraveling Iran Sanctions
A legislative push by congressional Republicans seeks to tie the Biden administration’s hands as it pursues diplomacy with Iran and would codify in law a range of tough economic sanctions on Tehran’s global terrorism enterprise. LINK
Biden's drive to war in the Middle East
President Joe Biden's Iran policy was conceived and is being implemented by the same people who negotiated the JCPOA under Obama, who argued in favor of empowering Iran. LINK
HUMAN RIGHTS
Iran facing calls to be kicked out of Olympics after execution of boxer
Iran's regime imposed yet another extrajudicial death penalty on a champion athlete last week, sparking renewed calls from sports advocacy organizations for the regime to be banned from this year’s Tokyo Olympics. LINK
Over 100 Kurd activists summoned and detained in the past month
Iran’s intelligence and security forces have summoned and detained at least 100 Kurdish citizens in what appears to be an escalating crackdown Iran’s Kurdish minority. LINK
Iran Is Rich, So Why Are People Selling Their Organs to Survive?
Iran is a country rich in natural resources, including mineral stones, huge reserves of oil and liquid gas, forests and productive lands, mountains and massive rivers, and polar tourism.
However, the Iranian people are still living in extreme poverty because of the officials’ irresponsible and imprudent policies. In this Middle Eastern country, new stories emerging on a daily basis to show just how awful the conditions are. LINK
PROTESTS
Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Six Rallies and Strikes on February 3
On Wednesday, February 3, Iranians held at least six rallies, protesting officials’ failure to resolve their dilemmas. Retirees, workers, stockholders, customers, and citizens organized these rallies. LINK
MIDDLE EAST MEDDLING
In Saddam strongholds that fought America, Iraqis fear a U.S. departure
Iran-backed militias have been emboldened by talk of the U.S. drawdown. They have put their flags back up at some checkpoints they had planned to abandon. “We hope Biden won’t leave us in their hands,” one Iraqi says. LINK