Let's talk Iran - March 17, 2021
NUCLEAR
Joe Biden Shouldn’t Return to the Iran Deal
Especially since the UN nuclear watchdog, IAEA, is reporting Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground Natanz plant with a second type of advanced centrifuge. LINK
Online Briefing – Iran Regime’s Ballistic Missile Program Threats – Necessary Response by the International Community
In an online briefing on Thursday, politicians and experts from the U.S. and Europe will provide their assessment on the threats posed by Iran’s ballistic missile program and the necessary steps needed by Europe and the U.S. to deal with these threats. LINK
The Iranian Khorgo underground ballistic missile site is almost operational after new launching positions were constructed, satellite images obtained by Fox News show.
Images taken by Maxar Technologies reveal four holes dug into the side of a mountain. Three of the shafts are hardened vertical launch positions in their final construction phase, according to a separate analysis done by the civilian intelligence group Intel Lab. LINK
Sen. Bill Hagerty warns Biden of 'increasing aggression' from Iran, says regime testing US resolve
Hagerty noted 11 instances of Iran-led/backed aggression -- including a number of Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia and an attack on Abha International Airport just days after the revocation of the terror label.
Additionally, he pointed to satellite tests by the regime, the seizure of a South Korean oil tanker and Iran-backed militia missile attacks in Iraq, including one that wounded Americans and killed a contractor. LINK
Boris Johnson warns of Iran nuclear breakout, threats to region
UK Prime Minister blasts Iranian regime for 'disruptive behavior' in the region as well as harming its own citizens.
SANCTIONS
US warns China it will enforce sanctions on Iran oil shipments
The Biden administration has told Beijing it will enforce Trump-era sanctions against Iran's oil as shipments from Tehran's regime to China have soared, a senior US official said. LINK
TERRORISM
Israel Concerned as Iran Provides Its Mideast Proxies With Better Weapons
Tehran is encouraging Hezbollah and Hamas to manufacture weapons. More reason why Iran should not receive any sanctions relief. LINK
HUMAN RIGHTS
Woman hanged on the eve of the Iranian New Year – 115th execution of women
Iran holds the record of the world’s top executioner with the highest number of citizens executed per capita. It is also the world’s top executioner of women. The executions are grossly unfair.
More than 4300 people have been executed in Iran during Rouhani’s 7-year tenure. They include 115 women. LINK
Iran Cyber Police arrests Instagram admin for “blasphemy” in SE Iran
In a new law passed in February, Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace said websites and social media accounts with over 5,000 viewers or members will be monitored by judicial and government agencies.
According to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Iran is included in the list of press freedom’s 20 worst digital predators in 2020. Iran is also ranked 173rd out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2020 World Press Freedom Index. LINK
OTHER
Iran final report blames air defense operator error for Ukraine plane crash
Iran's final report blames air defense operator error for the horrific downing of Ukrainian airliner PS752. Noteworthy is no mentioning of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) role in shooting down the passenger flight with multiple surface to air missiles. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lambasted the report in a post on Facebook. “What we saw in the published report today is nothing more than a cynical attempt to hide the true reasons for the downing of our plane. LINK
The Accidental Hard-Liner
“He spent more time among Iranians than nearly any other American who is not a dual national. During that period, he said he met no regime supporters. “But to my surprise, when I came back to the U.S., there were many sympathizers with the regime...” LINK
"After ‘Post’ report about 'crimes,' Columbia scrubs ex-Iran envoy off site"
The New York City-based Columbia University Middle East Institute in early March deleted an entry listing former Iranian regime UN ambassador Mohammad Jafar Mahallati as a visiting fellow. Mahallati stands accused of mass murder by Amnesty International. This is more proof Iran's regime enjoys dangerous influence in the West. And many are not informed. LINK
Once held in Iranian jail, ex-Marine fights espionage claims
Amir Hekmati was released by Iran as part of Obama's deal.
Now: "Newly filed court documents reviewed by The Associated Press reveal FBI suspicions that he traveled to Iran to sell classified secrets — not, as he says, to visit his grandmother." LINK
