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Iran and Its Ballistic Missile Program

Iran ballistic missile program

Iran Focus

London, 8 Nov – The United States has been calling on Iran to stop manufacturing weapons that have the potential of carrying a nuclear warhead. Iran has not paid much attention to the demands and has continued to develop a growing number of long-range ballistic missiles. Furthermore, it has also been firing a number of shorter-range missiles in conflict situations.

A minimum of 17 people were killed and dozens more injured (many of whom were women and children) when Iran fired several Fateh-110 missiles towards Iranian Kurdish dissident groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Iran Gets Extension to Implement International Anti-Money Laundering Reforms

SWIFT

Iran Focus

London, 8 Nov – The intergovernmental body that promotes international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards will not call on its members to apply countermeasures against Iran, the Financial Action Task Force decided at its October meeting. The organization encouraged countries to watch over Iranian transactions without terminating certain types of banking networks with Iran.

In essence, this decision gives Iran an additional four months to enact anti-money laundering reforms that are in line with international standards. It also gives the European Union that much more political sway as it attempts to salvage the nuclear deal with Iran.

Bolton: Iran Sanctions Already Had “Enormous” Effect

National security adviser John Bolton

Iran Focus

London, 8 Nov – National security adviser John Bolton said on Monday that US sanctions on Iran have already had an “enormous” effect, driving Iran’s economy into a depression before they even came fully into effect.

Bolton said: “We’ve already seen the consequences in Iran… The rial, the currency, has declined by 70 per cent since the sanctions, inflation has quadrupled. The country is in recession.”

Turkey and Hamas Side With Iran

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Turkey and Hamas Side with Iran

Iran Focus

London, 7 Nov – The second round of US economic sanctions against Iran went into effect early this week. Regionally and internationally, it is now clear who defends this dictatorship, whether it is Arabs or foreigners, or left-wing or right-wing groups.

It was expected that the Lebanese Hezbollah, the Yemeni Houthis and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization have spoken out against these sanctions, they are part of the Khomeini body.

Bolton: Iran Sanctions Already Had “Enormous” Effect

National security adviser John Bolton

Iran Focus

London, 7 Nov – National security adviser John Bolton said on Monday that US sanctions on Iran have already had an “enormous” effect, driving Iran’s economy into a depression before they even came fully into effect.

Bolton said: “We’ve already seen the consequences in Iran… The rial, the currency, has declined by 70 per cent since the sanctions, inflation has quadrupled. The country is in recession.”

Protesters Sentenced on Vague National Security Charges

iran protesters

Iran Focus

London, 7 Nov – Iran has convicted at least 24 protesters on vague national security charges, with prison sentences ranging from six months to six years, according to Human Rights Watch. They were charged with “assembly and collusion against national security” and “disrupting public order”, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter.

Complaint for Morality Police’s Physical Attack on Two Women Rejected by Iranian Court

Iran-morality-police

Iran Focus

London, 7 Nov – Two young woman filed a complaint against Iran’s Morality Police for beating them, because their head covering was deemed ‘insufficient’.

State-run IRNA news agency reported that their attorney, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, said,“The 9th Branch of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Armed Forces Judiciary Committee overturned the case, arguing that there was not sufficient evidence.”

Aghasi tweeted on November 2nd, that the Armed Forces Judiciary Committee rejected the complaints of the students.

Iran: Neglect of Khuzestan

Ahvaz City in Khuzestan Province, Iran

Iran Focus

London, 7 Nov – Khuzestan has played a major role in the history of Iran. It was once regarded as a highly prestigious place with two important ports – Khorramshahr and Abadan. It was not just the people of Iran that held Khuzestan with such high regard – it was the whole of the region.

Even before the oil was exploited there, the province was extremely prosperous. Then came the Abadan refinery – one of the largest in the world. Complete more than a century ago, it was a pivotal part of the country’s history and culture.

Pompeo: Iran Will Face Sanctions Until It Acts Like a Normal Country

Mike Pompeo

Iran Focus

London, 6 Nov – Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed during a press conference on Monday that the US will put “relentless” pressure on Iran until it behaves “like a normal country”.

His comments came just hours after the US imposed crippling sanctions against Iran’s oil industry and central bank, with the US Treasury Department reporting that more than 200 individuals and companies in Iran’s shipping and energy sectors, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and 50 Iranian banks and their subsidiaries have been hit with sanctions. Pompeo promised that these sanctions will accelerate the rapid decline of Iran’s economy.

Trump Defends Waivers on Iran Sanctions

Trump and Mike Pompeo and John Bolton

Iran Focus

London, 6 Nov – Donald Trump defended on Monday his decision to give waivers to eight countries, including India and China, from the Iran oil sanctions in order to keep global oil prices down.

These ” toughest ever” sanctions on Iran, targeting the country ’s banking and energy sectors, are designed to alter the Iran’s malign behaviour and cut off the flow of money that funds it. Trump vowed earlier this year to get Iran’s oil exports to zero and bring in harsh penalties for countries and companies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere that do not comply.