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US Industrial Group, General Electric, Joins Corporate Exodus From Iran

General Electric, Joins Corporate Exodus From Iran

Iran Focus

London, 3 Jun – On May 8th, US President Trump unilaterally pulled the US out the nuclear deal with Tehran, and announced the return of sanctions for the country. Prior to the deadline set by the US for companies to end operations in Iran, General Electric has made the decision to suspend activities.

A source told AFP, “GE has decided to suspend its activities in Iran ahead of a deadline set by the US authorities for companies to re-impose sanctions on Tehran after the United States withdraws from the Iranian nuclear deal.” The source added that the US industrial group’s decision came in compliance with Washington’s request, which set a deadline of 180 days — until November 4th — for companies to cancel their Iranian contracts.

Eu Should Pressure Iran to Stop Support of Assad

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EU should pressure Iran to stop support of Assad

Iran Focus

London, 1 Jun – Europe should increase its pressure on Iran to end its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and withdraw its troops from the country, now that the US has withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear agreement, according to a Syrian opposition leader.

Nasr Hariri of the Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC) spoke in Brussels on Thursday about Iran’s malign influence in Syria. At this time he also pushed back against Assad’s comments about the US troops in Syria, which Assad had likened to a foreign invasion.

Funeral of Iconic Iranian Actor Sparks Fresh Anti-Government Protests

Funeral of iconic Iranian actor sparks fresh anti-government protests

Iran Focus

London, 1 Jun – The funeral of legendary actor Naser Malek Motiee in Tehran, on May 27, attracted thousands of Iranians, who once again called for regime change out of respect for the banned actor and out of hope that Iran will be free at last.

Malek Motiee, who passed away from kidney failure on Friday, May 25, was a beloved veteran of Iran’s golden age of cinema, but when the mullahs stole power in 1979, they banned him and others that were identified with the era of the Shah’s rule and did not conform to Islamic revolutionary values.

More Businesses Need to Cut Ties With Iran

BCP

Iran Focus

London, 1 Jun – It’s always been tricky to do business with Iran, but this has become even more so since Donald Trump announced that he would be withdrawing the US from the nuclear deal last month and reimposing sanctions on the mullahs.

Ever since Trump’s announcement on May 8, businesses have been pulling out of deals with Iran or promising to do so if they cannot get sanctions waivers – no business wants to get shut out of the US financial markets.

Tehran-Isfahan Highway Paralyzed by Striking Iranian Truckers

Tehran-Isfahan Highway Paralyzed by Striking Iranian Truckers

Iran Focus

London, 1 Jun – The truck drivers’ strike has paralyzed the country, leaving many Iranian cities reeling, and adding to Iran’s ongoing economic woes.

Social media is circulating a video that shows the main highway empty of trucks between the two most important economic centers in the Islamic republic – Tehran, the capital, and Isfahan, the second largest city.

Now grown to include 242 cities in 31 Iranian provinces, the striking truck drivers are joined by van drivers and cab drivers in Kermanshah and Buchan.

Iran Uses Yemeni Conflict to Advance With Europe

Iran uses Yemeni conflict to advance with Europe

Iran Focus

London, 31 May – Iran and Europe have been participating in talks regarding the situation in Yemen. Some analysts believe that Iran may use the crisis in Yemen as a way of getting US President Donald Trump to soften his stance on Iran.

A few weeks ago, Trump announced that he was pulling the United States out of the deal. He listed a number of reasons for this including the fact that the United States is no safer with the deal in place and Iran’s belligerence in the Middle East. Just over a week ago, his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listed 12 conditions that Iran must comply with before the US would even consider re-entering the deal.

Iran: Hezbollah Sanctions Are One Step in Curbing Iran’s Influence

Iran: Hezbollah sanctions are one step in curbing Iran’s influence

Iran Focus

London, 31 May – The political situation in Lebanon is in turmoil. The recent parliamentary elections had the aim of selecting representatives. However, one other thing became glaringly obvious – the power that Iran and Hezbollah hold there.

Iran has gained considerable influence in the country mostly due to its political alliances, especially that of Michel Aoun – the Lebanese president – and several political parties including the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) party.

Not forgetting Iran’s use of brute force and violence that it employs to eliminate the threat from opponents.

Iran: The Dire Situation for Women

Iran: The dire situation for women

Iran Focus

London, 30 May – The women of Iran have been brutally repressed for decades and they are treated like second-class citizens. They have very little freedom and are even subject to specific dress codes. However, this does not mean that the women in Iran do not have a voice – quite the contrary, in fact.

Iran: Tough Economic Sanctions Will Hit Harder Than Any Military Action Would

Iran: Tough economic sanctions will hit harder than any military action would

Iran Focus

London, 30 May – The 2015 Iran nuclear deal has been a major source of debate since the negotiations were taking place. Former President Barack Obama led the negotiations. He was so desperate to create his foreign policy legacy that he conceded to Iran on a large number of issues. Far from being an achievement, it has been a much talked about hindrance to the Trump administration.

Iran’s Continued Attempts to Divide Iraq

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Iran’s continued attempts to divide Iraq

Iran Focus

London, 29 May – In Iraq, talks about a new coalition government are underway. Many are wishing Iraq well and hope to see a stronger and more successful country emerge.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has reached out to Iraq and has given hope that there will be a strategic partnership in the coming years.

Following the elections earlier this month, there was no clear leader, however it was very clear that the Iraqi people in general are looking for change and want an independent leadership that rids Iraq of the corruption and political division that has plagued the country for years. The politicians and political groups that were most successful were the ones that support this stance.