Let's talk Iran - July 5, 2021

Ebrahim Raisi, the regime’s new president-select in Iran, is best known for his direct role in the summer 1988 massacre of thousands of political prisoners across Iran.

Ebrahim Raisi Will Unleash Mass Violence Upon Iran

Without a question, Ebrahim Raisi is the personification of a callous dictatorship that spares no effort to eradicate its opposition. Raisi, the regime's new president-select, will unleash mass violence upon Iran. He is best known for his direct role in the summer 1988 massacre of thousands of political prisoners. His impunity should end. LINK

Iran’s blackouts: Protesters take to streets in several cities

In protest of Iran’s blackouts, protesters took to the streets in several cities yesterday, gathering in front of the municipality, energy, and electricity company buildings. In footage circulating on social media, locals chanted “down with the dictator”, “down with the Islamic Republic” and “down with Khamenei” in Tehran. LINK

Iran News Update @IranNewsUpdate1

#BreakingNews "Death to the dictator, death to Khamenei," residents in the east of Tehran chant as a sign of their protests over frequent #Blackout in this district. Ayatollahs are sitting on a volcano and the people across the country wait for a moment to vent their anger!

State Media: Iran Profits $500 Million From Current Blackouts

The regime’s parliament is trying to profit $500 million in cryptocurrencies amid an extensive blackout. Besides, the regime continues exporting electricity to Iran’s neighboring countries. LINK

Iran: Power blackouts trigger protests in many cities

People in Tehran and other cities across Iran took to the streets on Sunday evening protesting continued electricity outages caused by poor management and the regime's destructive policies. LINK

Heshmat Alavi @HeshmatAlavi

July 5—Kazerun, SW #Iran Locals protesting continuous blackouts for the 2nd straight night. Iran has the world's 2nd largest natural gas & 4th largest oil reserves. The money goes to: -Syria's Assad -terrorists like Hezbollah -nuclear/ballistic missile programs #IranProtests

Iran: A ‘Real’ JCPOA Is Dead

Unofficial reports from the Iran nuclear talks indicate that the U.S. has agreed to cancel or suspend sanctions in six sectors (energy, petrochemicals, banking, motor industry, shipping, and insurance), as well as 748 names and positions. LINK

Goal of reviving Iran nuclear deal by July 15 not achievable, Russian envoy says

Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov has noted that the expectations to restore the Iran nuclear deal by July 15 are unrealistic.

"The break in the Vienna talks on restoring the JCPOA has lasted longer than expected. It is obvious that Iran, given the recent presidential election, needs more time for preparations. The expectations to complete the process by the sixth anniversary of the nuclear deal (July 15) are unrealistic," he wrote on Twitter. LINK

France, Germany and China call on negotiators to seize opportunity in Iran talks

Instead of weak calls to "seize opportunity," how about a strong demand from Tehran to fully comply with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA?

Or does that not fall into the appeasement narrative? LINK

Experts reportedly see major damage in attack on Iran centrifuge plant

Experts believe an attack on a facility producing centrifuge parts for Iran’s nuclear program caused extensive damage, destroying or disabling all equipment at part of the site. LINK

Heshmat Alavi @HeshmatAlavi

#BREAKING On June 23 #Iran denied reports of an attack targeting a site involved in centrifuge production. New satellite images from @TheIntelLab show a "40m x 15m piece of roof missing - Black coloration inside the structure likely caused by fire." Background in thread below

Heshmat Alavi @HeshmatAlavi

#BREAKING A sabotage operation against one of the buildings of #Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) resulted in major damage, despite denials by regime officials, The Jerusalem Post has learned. https://t.co/wqksGb1uSx

Iran executes two imprisoned brothers forced to “confess”

Two imprisoned brothers one of whom was paralyzed due to being beaten in prison were executed in Iran on Sunday. Authorities resort to torture to force arrestees into "confessions" against themselves. LINK

Iran : Tortured college students still detained in high-security ward

Nearly 15 months after intel agents arrested and and tortured Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi, they are still held in Tehran's Evin Prison and denied access to lawyers and relatives. LINK

Guards harass and insult women detainees in Amol Prison – Golrokh Iraee

Prison guards harass female detainees in Amol Prison, northern Iran, said political prisoner Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee in a message from this facility. To protest this situation, Iraee refuses to make telephone calls or go for visitations as an act of protest. LINK

Heshmat Alavi @HeshmatAlavi

Amir Hossein Moradi, a young man detained in the November 2019 protests against the mullahs' regime, is in critical condition due to being deliberately denied access to his medication in detention. #Iran #HumanRights

iran-hrm.comPolitical prisoner’s health deteriorated due to lack of medical treatmentAmir Hossein Moradi, a young man detained in the November 2019 protests against the Iranian regime, is in critical condition

Hezbollah top official involved in smuggling operation - IDF

The Israeli Defense Force believes that Hajj Khalil Harb, a top official of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, has been operating a drug and weapons smuggling operation over the border between Israel and Lebanon. Harb was a security advisor for Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah. LINK

Heshmat Alavi @HeshmatAlavi

LONG THREAD 1) Let’s talk about the important remarks made recently by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, saying how (#Iran-backed) Hezbollah has an active role in #Venezuela, as part of a “cocaine corridor.”

Iran: Power Struggle Inside Khamenei’s Office

Reports are circulating in Iran indicating that observers believe there is a longstanding power struggle among Khamenei’s trustees.

This can the regime highly vulnerable before an extremely restive public that have shown their hatred many times. LINK