Let's talk Iran - Feb 7, 2021
NUCLEAR
Iran’s supreme leader says the U.S. must lift all sanctions if it wants Iran to return to its commitments to the nuclear deal with Western powers, state TV reported Sunday. LINK
Televised comments mark Khamenei’s first since Biden's inauguration. Iran is threatening to expel UN inspectors, increased uranium enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels & ramped up military drills, including firing cruise missiles. LINK
My takes:
-Khamenei needs to appear strong, especially domestically. -This ends all talk of
Iran’s FM Zarif hinting a solution, saying a top EU official could “synchronize” or “choreograph” moves. He has a CNN interview today with Fareed Zakaria.
-No fast solution. Impasse continues.
Biden says U.S. won't lift sanctions until Iran halts uranium enrichment
Biden said the U.S. will not lift sanctions against Iran unless the country stops enriching uranium, continuing a standoff with Iran's dictator has demanded that sanctions be lifted before the country returns to its nuclear deal obligations.
"Will the U.S. lift sanctions first in order to get Iran back to the negotiating table?" O'Donnell asked.
"No," Mr. Biden responded.
"They have to stop enriching uranium first?" O'Donnell asked.
Mr. Biden nodded affirmatively.
LINK
Window of JCPOA Closing, But in Which Direction?
It is clear that the Islamic Republic’s rush to lift sanctions and resort to an empty gun for ransom will not go anywhere, while these days in the positions of various U.S. and European officials, the international community insists on a stricter agreement on nuclear restraint of the world’s number 1 state-sponsor of terrorism. LINK
TERRORISM
Iranian terror plot must make West end its appeasement of murderous regime in Tehran – Struan Stevenson
When a Middle Eastern country orders one of its diplomats to bomb an opposition rally in Europe, prepares the lethal device, sends him to the EU on a commercial airliner with the bomb in a diplomatic bag, what should the West do? LINK
Intelligence officials fear revenge attacks from Iran after its diplomat was sentenced for trying to blow up a Paris rally
[Convicted Iranian diplomat Assadollah] "Assadi is a Quds Force guy," said a Belgian military intelligence officer who works under diplomatic cover in the Middle East, referring to the external-operations branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). LINK
Case of Iranian Terrorist Is Not Resolved in Absence of Broader Accountability
A high-ranking diplomat of the Iranian regime has officially been convicted of plotting a terrorist attack in the heart of Europe. The verdict that was handed down by a Belgian federal court on Thursday is the strongest official confirmation that has ever been presented regarding the overlap between Iran’s terrorist activity and its diplomatic networks. In its wake, the international community must seriously reconsider its approach to the Iranian regime’s affairs and take proactive steps to prevent the emergence of new terrorist threats. LINK
Iranian cyber groups continue to masquerade as American ‘patriot’ organizations that threaten US: officials
Iran cyber actors are likely behind an inflammatory website called Enemies of the People and continue to be active despite earlier warnings, via the FBI. The website contains, among other things, death threats directed toward U.S. election officials. LINK
Arab Coalition intercepts Houthi drone launched from Yemen targeting Saudi Arabia
The Arab Coalition intercepted & destroyed an explosives-laden drone launched by Iran-backed Houthi militia towards Saudi Arabia. More reason why the Houthis should be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). LINK
Lokman Slim's assassination adds to a series of recent murders in Lebanon
The assassination of prominent Lokman Slim, a critic of Iran-backed Hezbollah, has raised concerns of "chain murders" in Lebanon's southern regions. Chain murders are a modus operandi of Tehran's regime both inside Iran and across the region. LINK
HUMAN RIGHTS
Activist women arrested and detained in cities across Iran
Intelligence agents arrested and jailed several activist women in cities across Iran. The clerical regime has launched a wave of arrests of activist women in cities across Iran in recent months, to escalate repression in society and prevent the outburst of dissent and protests. LINK
Eleven-Year-Old Child Laborer Commits Suicide in Iran
Last week, another child laborer committed suicide & lost his life in Iran. In recent months, suicide cases have dramatically increased among Iranians, particularly women & children. Most are due to rampant poverty & families’ economic dilemmas. LINK
SANCTIONS
Iran Claims No Knowledge of Oil Cargo U.S. Trying to Seize
Iran said it knew nothing about a cargo of oil that the U.S. is trying to seize and which Washington claims was exported covertly by the Islamic Republic.
-Sanctions work. Need firm & lasting implementation.
-Tehran is desperate to save face. LINK