Iran Focus

London, 15 Nov – Two Iranians were executed on Wednesday after being convicted of financial crimes in a grossly unfair “TV show” trial.

Vahid Mazloumin and Mohammad Esmail Ghasemi were convicted of illegal currency trading during the country’s ongoing economic crisis and the vague charge of “spreading corruption on Earth” in late September. It was part of the mullahs’ crackdown on alleged financial crimes as US sanctions started to take effect and further damage the economy.

Iran Focus

London, 14 Nov – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Newsweek on Monday of helping” Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif spread “lies” that the US is preparing to sanction food being imported into Iran.

Pompeo tweeted: “Shame on #FakeNewsweek for helping @JZarif spread lies. The truth is: The U.S. does not, and never did, sanction food and medicine. They are exempt from sanctions, as are financial transactions related to humanitarian needs.”

Iran Focus

London, 13 Nov – As the tenth day of the new round of strikes by truck drivers passed on Saturday, November 10th, Maryam Rajavi, president of the Iranian opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), hailed the strikers, saying that as long as Mullahs are in power, poverty, inflation, and unemployment will continue.

Iran Focus

London, 13 Nov – Another set of crippling economic sanctions on Iran have kicked in. The Trump administration has reaffirmed its goal to ensure all foreign countries reduce their imports of Iranian oil to zero. Time and time again, the Trump administration has said that it will not ignore Iran’s meddling, belligerence, extremism and terrorist activities.

His National Security Advisor John Bolton has said that the United States will continue to put pressure on Iran and that sanctions will be strictly enforced. He also said that there is the potential for further sanctions to be put in place.

Iran Focus

London, 12 Nov – Russia’s relationship with the Iranian Regime following the reimbursement of US sanctions is “not strategic”, according to the chair of the comparative politics department at Russia’s MGIMO University.

On Sunday, during the fifth Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, Dr Oxana Gaman-Golutvina said that Russia remains committed to strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia and ensuring regional stability.

Iran Focus

London, 12 Nov – Last week, the United States re-imposed further crippling economic sanctions that were in place before the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or 2015 Iran nuclear deal, was agreed. Former U.S. President Barack Obama lifted the sanctions in exchange for Iran abandoning its nuclear activities.