US Sanctions Jeopardize Iran’s Investments in Syria

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Geographic map of Iran and Syria

Iran Focus

London, 27 April – A recent report published by the International Monetary Fund shows that the economy in Iran dwindled last year following sanctions that were leveled by the US. As well, it is expected to decrease by another 3.6 percent or more this year. Iran’s oil exports have declined by more than half, and the rial, its currency, continues to decline in value. The recent flooding has also added to the economic crisis. Now, with the new sanctions leveled at the Iranian government’s military institution — the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliates — an even more significant pressure will be put on the Islamic Republic.

What Is Happening With Iran and FATF?

Iran and FATF

By Mehdi

The US designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist group has significantly affected the fate of financial reform bills that the West demanded, according to the Secretary-General of the influential Expediency Discernment Council (EDC) in Iran.

Major General Mohsen Rezaei said on Wednesday, that the IRGC designation was a “well calculated and premeditated” American plan.

Intel Ministry: 60 MEK Activists Arrested in North-West Iran

60 MEK activists arrested in north-west Iran

By Jubin Katiraie

The Director-General of Iran’s Intelligence Ministry in East Azerbaijan Province announced 60 activists of the main opposition group People’s Mojahedin (MEK) have been arrested in the past year, according to the Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

What If There Was a Military Conflict Between Iran and the United States?

U.S. President Donald Trump by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton

By Pooya Stone

For the past four decades, the ruling system in Iran has made no secret of its hatred of the United States. Over the years, there have been many threats made to the U.S. – sometimes barely veiled threats, but more often, direct and clear threats.

During the Iran-Iraq war in the eighties relations became even worse. The U.S. deployed the Navy to escort tankers and ships through the Persian Gulf, resulting in exchanges of fire with Iran. Pretty much every time, the U.S. fared better than Iran.

World Must Support US’s IRGC Designation

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-IRGC

Iran Focus

London, 25 April – The US recently placed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on its list of foreign terrorist organisations, which is a bold move that complements the Treasury Department’s previous listing of the IRGC as a banned terror group. It was the first time that an entire division of a foreign government was formally labelled as a terrorist organization.

Iran Finally Responds to US Ending Sanctions Waivers

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

By Pooya Stone

After three days, the Iranian rulers have finally responded on Wednesday to the US decision to remove sanctions waivers on the eight countries still currently allowed to purchase Iranian oil.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei claimed: “America’s efforts in sanctioning the sale of Iranian oil won’t get anywhere… We can export as much of our oil as we need and want.”

U.S. Warns Iran to Keep Strait of Hormuz Open

Strait of Hormuz

By Mehdi

The United States warned Iran to keep the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab open, a State Department official said on Tuesday, after the U.S. ended sanctions waivers for buyers of Iranian oil.

“We call on Iran, and all countries, to respect the free flow of energy and commerce, and freedom of navigation” in the straits, the official said, Reuters reported.

MEK Announces Names of 28 Activists Arrested for Role in Iran Protests

Iran protests

By Jubin Katiraie

Iran’s main opposition group the People’s Mujahedin (MEK) on Tuesday announced the names of 28 anti-regime activists arrested, some as little as a month ago, for their role in nationwide protests against the regime.

The MEK, also known as the Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI), called for urgent international action for the protesters’ release.

Iran Bans U.S. Military in Move Analysts Say Will Have Zero Impact

Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran

Iran Focus

London, 24 April – Iranian lawmakers on Tuesday adopted a bill that labels all United States military forces as terrorist, state TV reported, a day after Washington ratcheted up pressure on Tehran by ending sanctions waivers on the purchase of Iranian oil.

The bill is a step further from the one last week, when Iranian lawmakers approved labelling U.S. troops in the Middle East as terrorist, in response to the U.S. terrorism designation for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards earlier this month.

No Grace Period for Iran Oil Sanctions

President Donald Trump-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and John Bolton- the White House's National Security Adviser

By Jubin Katiraie

The US vowed to eliminate in May all waivers granted to eight countries that allowed them to keep buying Iranian oil from November 2018 as part of the US campaign to increase pressure on Iran by cutting off their oil revenues.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that the US wanted to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero and had no plans to give any of the countries involved a grace period to comply with the sanctions.