Let's talk Iran - February 10, 2021
Iranian Regime Cannot Survive International Accountability and Growing Domestic Unrest
"The fact of the matter is that neither the regime’s hostile actions nor its callous indifference to its citizens has dampened the spirit of those seeking a democratic transition in Tehran." LINK
Iran’s 1979 Revolution 43 Years
On February 11 marks the 43rd anniversary of Iran’s anti-monarchical revolution. The ayatollah has brought the country to ruins. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes a duty.” LINK
‘Sobering and shocking’: Lawmakers pessimistic about new Iran nuke deal
Top Democrats are openly questioning the benefit of staying at the negotiating table in Vienna. Republicans argue for a return to Trump’s “maximum-pressure” doctrine. LINK
Senators raise red flags after Iran briefing
Dozens of Republican senators are vowing to block President Biden’s attempts to return the U.S. to the 2015 nuclear deal, underscoring how partisan divisions threaten the deal’s viability.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), joined by 31 other Republican senators, wrote a letter to the president on Monday suggesting that the administration is required to submit to Congress agreements reached with Iran related to its nuclear program.
The letter goes on to raise the possibility that submission of documents related to a deal with Iran will trigger a congressional review and “includes the possibility of Congress blocking implementation of the agreement.”
It adds that any treaty not ratified by the Senate "is subject to being reversed, and indeed will likely be torn up, in the opening days of the next Presidential administration." LINK
Biden Admin Won’t Commit to Legally Mandated Congressional Review of New Iran Deal
Biden poised to skirt Congress and break law to ink deal, GOP warns
With the United States poised to ink a new deal with Tehran that will unwind virtually all economic sanctions on Iran and provide the hardline regime with billions in cash windfalls, the State Department won't say whether the deal will be sent to Congress for sign-off. Under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 (INARA)—which was passed after the Obama administration signed a deal without congressional approval—President Joe Biden must submit any deal to the Senate for it to be considered American policy. LINK
Inside the Biden-Bennett call on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urged President Biden during a phone call on Sunday not to return to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, saying "nothing will happen if you don't sign it.” Bennet also said the financial benefits Tehran will gain from a renewed deal will far outweigh any non-proliferation benefits. Bennett said that with a deal, Iran will gain billions of dollars that Israel believes will fuel malign activities in the region, Israeli officials said. LINK
Israel puts Iran nuclear breakout time at 4–6 months with deal
Israeli officials learned that a renewed nuclear deal will not include destroying Iranian advanced centrifuges, which they were not allowed to use according to the 2015 agreement. LINK
As nuclear talks resume, Iran's oil exports increase
Thanks to Biden's appeasement (not enforcing sanctions), Iran's oil exports have risen to more than 1 million barrels per day for the first time in almost three years, reflecting increased shipments to China.
Meaning—More money for Iran's terrorism, clandestine nuclear program, ballistic missiles, domestic crackdown machine and... LINK
Iran unveils long-range missile as Vienna nuclear talks resume
Iran unveiled a new domestically-made missile with a range of 1,450 kilometers on Wednesday, state TV reported, a day after Tehran and Washington resumed indirect talks to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal.
Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programs in the Middle East, says its ballistic missiles have a range of up to 2,000 km (1,200 miles) and are capable of reaching its arch-foe Israel and U.S. bases in the region. LINK
Biden administration believes it has until end of month to salvage Iran nuclear deal
The Biden admin began saying they only have "weeks" left to save the Iran nuclear deal back in December. We're in February now. Iran's regime relishes on these signs of appeasement, as they continue to make demands. LINK
Germany, France, UK cannot ignore the Iranian threat - Lapid
"The E3 countries [Germany, France and the UK] cannot ignore the threat posed by Iran beyond its nuclear project. It’s Hezbollah in the North, Hamas in the South. Iran is an exporter of terror from Yemen to Buenos Aires," said Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. LINK
Analysis | Awash in Oil Money, Iran Has All the Time in the World – Unlike Israel
"The Iranian foot-dragging, along with the weakness of the U.S. administration and its refusal so far to adopt a resolute approach, reinforces the Israeli intelligence assessment that the chances of an agreement are slim." LINK
At least 12 people injured after drone intercepted above Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport
Saudi air defenses intercept drone launched by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen targeting airport in southern Saudi Arabia. At least 12 people of different nationalities were injured as a result of the attack. Abha, near Saudi Arabia’s southern border with Yemen, is a regular target of drone and missile strikes launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
Reminder: In his first weeks in office Biden delisted the Houthis as a terrorist organization in a concession to Iran. LINK
White House holds meeting on redesignating Iran-backed Houthis as terrorist org
White House National Security Council is more open to redesignate the Houthis, while the State Department supports targeting specific Houthi leaders with sanctions, but not the Houthis as an organization. LINK