Let's talk Iran - March 2, 2021
Iran Cuts Off Internet in South as Deadly Protests Continue
Iran shut down the internet in its southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan this week in response to ongoing protests against the killing of local fuel traders by the regime's armed forces. LINK
Iran: IRGC vehicle attacked by Baluchi militants - state media
Ethnic Baluchi militants attacked a vehicle belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday in the southeast of the country, which has been hit by unrest in the past week. LINK
Iran: Expanding protests hint at what is to come
These are just signs of the explosive potential of Iran’s society, which, after four decades of tyranny, repression, and corruption, is more ready than ever for change. If five rounds of nationwide protests in the past three years are any indication, the next round of protests will happen soon, and they will be even more intense than what we’ve seen to this day. LINK
Sistan and Baluchestan Protests
Last week protests erupted in Sistan & Baluchistan province, southeast Iran, after IRGC forces opened fire on fuel traders, leaving dozens killed & injured. Public outrage is on the rise & may well lead to further protests across the country or even an uprising. LINK
NUCLEAR
Iran: New Information About the Iranian Regime’s Abadeh Nuclear Site
According to the latest IAEA report on February 23, the UN nuclear watchdog has found anthropogenic uranium particles at two sites in Iran. The regime had blocked access to these sites to IAEA inspectors for months. New information shedding more light. LINK
France to push ahead with Iran censure resolution at IAEA - foreign minister
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Tuesday that a censure resolution would be lodged at the International Atomic Energy Agency in the coming days to criticize Iran's decision to curb cooperation with the agency. LINK
Treasury deputy nominee vows to enforce U.S. sanctions on Iran
“Iran’s support for terrorism is a very serious concern and, if confirmed, I will work with colleagues at Treasury to closely monitor and seek to disrupt that support with all available tools,” Wally Adeyemo said in responses viewed by Reuters. LINK
The road to Joe Biden's foreign policy runs through Bob Menendez
Sen. Menendez ultimately came down on opposite sides of the Obama White House on several issues, including the Iran nuclear deal. He has taken a hard line on authoritarian regimes and he frowns on negotiations or deals that appear to give any concessions to those governments. LINK
Bipartisan House draft letter lays out middle path on Iran
The letter calls on Biden to employ both diplomacy and sanctions to address Iran’s ‘malign behavior’. Reps. Anthony Brown (D-MD) and Michael Waltz (R-FL) are collecting signatures from House members in both parties on a letter that suggests a framework for the Biden administration to approach potential negotiations with Iran. LINK
Israeli defense chief sees 'special security arrangement' with Gulf states
An Israeli statement said the two discussed prospects for developing regional and bilateral projects in a broad range of fields. Israel opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi in January. LINK
HUMAN RIGHTS
Four Arab Ahvazi political prisoners executed in SW Iran
This is not an isolated case. The execution of political prisoners is a tactic the Iranian regime uses to prolong its existence. The regime systematically tortures prisoners for coerced confessions. LINK
Three protesters in Iran sentenced to 13 years of prison and 222 lashes
The 102nd Branch of the Behbahan Criminal Court confirmed the sentences of three protesters detained in the November 2019 protests in southwestern Iran. According to another report 36 Behbahan protesters detained for participating in the November 2019 protests were sentenced to a total of 109 years behind bars and 2,590 lashes. LINK
Suicide Rising Amongst Women and Girls
Death through suicide is rising amongst Iranian women and girls, likely a direct result of poverty and violence, with even government officials and experts admitting to the increase. LINK
PS752
Victims' families want 'action,' not words over Iran's downing of Flight PS752
Families of Canadians killed in the downing of Flight PS752 say they are disappointed the minister of transport didn't take a stronger stance against Iran — in light of recent and damning findings — when speaking to a UN agency on Monday.
Agnès Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, released the results of a six-month investigation last week, rejecting Iran's official explanation for the deaths of 176 people in January 2020, when it shot down the commercial jetliner.
My take: This is another chapter in Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's appeasement of Tehran's regime. LINK
SANCTIONS
US sanctions two Houthi commanders: Treasury Department
The Treasury Department said Mansour al-Saadi and Ahmad Ali Ahsan al-Hamzi were being sanctioned for being responsible for “orchestrating attacks by Houthi forces impacting Yemeni civilians, bordering nations, and commercial vessels in international waters.” LINK
'No social media accounts for terrorists': House GOP pushes to block sanctioned foreign leaders from platforms
House Republicans are proposing legislation that would expand U.S. sanctions law to prohibit social media companies from allowing foreign individuals or entities sanctioned for terrorism from using their platforms.
The legislation, led by GOP Reps. Andy Barr, Jim Banks, and Joe Wilson, and cosponsored by 40 other members of the House Republican Study Committee, is titled the "No Social Media Accounts for Terrorists or State Sponsors of Terrorism Act of 2021."
Iran's dictator Khamenei should be the first to go. LINK
