Clarion Project: Arzhang Davoodi, an Iranian human rights activist has been sentenced to death by the regime after 11 years imprisonment. Neither he, nor his lawyer were permitted to be present at the court when the verdict was handed down. His crime was allegedly being a member of the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI), the main opposition group to the Iranian regime.
Iranian author, poet sentenced to death for human rights work
As U.S. kicks off crude exports, Iran casts a shadow in Asia
Reuters: The United States faces an awkward rival in its first attempts in 40 years to export crude oil – Iran. Iran, whose economy has been throttled by Western sanctions that have halved its crude shipments, is now selling higher quality and cheaper oil to China that leaves little room for the U.S. crude to enter the world’s top energy consumer.
State Department rejects real refugees
WND.com: The smell of rank hypocrisy and naked cruelty fills the air at the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. 2,400 real refugees from violence in Iran and Iraq are being denied visas out of fear of displeasing the tyrants in Tehran. What can we say about such cowardice and betrayal of American values? This denial of entry to the Iranian refugees deserves exposure and condemnation.
Does Iran genuinely support Hamas and the Palestinians?
Al Arabiya: Why is the Islamic Republic attempting to project the image that Iran is the only country backing up the Palestinian cause? Why do Iranian media and its officials repeatedly imply that other countries in the region are insensitive to the plight of the Palestinians and claim that solely Iran is courageous enough to support the Palestinians publicly with total consensus? Iran’s aspiration for regional hegemonic supremacy.
Iran confirms it is holding 4 journalists
AP: Iran confirmed on Friday that it has detained four journalists, including a reporter for The Washington Post and two freelance photographers, but did not disclose details about why they were being held. The Committee to Project Journalists, a New York-based organization that works to safeguard press freedom, called on Iranian authorities to immediately explain why the journalists were detained and called for their immediate release.
Senator: No arms to Iraq unless Congress gets info
AP: An influential Democratic senator threatened Thursday to block U.S. arms sales to Iraq if Congress doesn’t get an assessment of Iraqi forces and assurances the weapons won’t fall into the hands of extremist militants. In a testy exchange, Sen. Bob Menendez lashed out at senior State Department and Defense Department officials appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he chairs.
Iranian refugees in Iraq must be better protected, say peers
Barnet Today: Human rights lawyers, parliamentary peers and MPs came together last week to show support for Iranian refugees in Iraq and call for an end to the country’s current regime. Hendon MP Matthew Offord and members of the North Finchley-based Anglo Iranian Young Artists’ Group were among the delegates at an emergency conference on the plight of residents of Camp Liberty in Baghdad.
In Congress, an opportunity emerges on Syria
The Hill: Congress is rightly skeptical about President Obama’s request for funds to arm and train Syria’s moderate opposition. It would be a mistake, however, to reject the proposal outright. Members of Congress can instead recognize this standoff as an opportunity to develop a meaningful and effective strategy in Syria — one that offers an alternative to the tyrannies of the regime and jihadist extremists.
Boeing reaches plane parts deal with Iran
Reuters: U.S. planemaker Boeing has disclosed an agreement with Iran to provide airplane parts, relaxing a three-decade freeze in ties as part of a broader package of sanctions relief. The agreement sets out general terms and conditions for the “potential sale of certain goods and services related to the safety of flight,” Boeing said in a regulatory filing.
Iran collides with international community in Mideast conflicts
Roll Call: Civil wars that might have initially only threatened the two dictators are now endangering the entire region and global security. The main culprit for the growing instability is no other party but the repressive theocracy in Iran. This is the view shared by many of our former colleagues in Congress, evident in a series of recent hearings which addressed the destabilizing role of Tehran in the Middle East.
