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Europeans Call for Emergency JCPOA Commission Meeting Faced With Latest Developments in Iran

Flag of the European Union and the flag of Iran

By Jubin Katiraie

It was confirmed earlier this week that Iran had followed through on its threat to breach the enriched uranium limits set out in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). A number of countries had called on Iran to rethink its course of action before it went ahead and breached the agreement limits, but Iran went ahead anyway.

U.S. Sanctions Hezbollah Officials for Assistance to Iran

This combination of three photo shows, from left, Wafiq Safa, a top Hezbollah security official, and Lebanon Parliament members Muhammad Hasan Ra'd and Amin Sherri in Beirut. The U.S. Treasury Department is imposing sanctions on the three men.

By Pooya Stone

The United States is currently subjecting Iran to a “maximum pressure” campaign, which so far is proving to be effective.

Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would be exiting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He gave a long list of reasons, citing Iran’s belligerence and spread of chaos in the region, its ballistic missile program, its extensive support to terrorist militias and proxy groups and its horrific treatment of the people at home.

Increase in Dissidents’ Arrests in Iran: 3 Alleged MEK Supporters Arrested

Iran Protests Against The Iranian government, on December 2017.

By Jubin Katiraie

Three Iranian social activists, active against the regime, have been arrested in Robat Karim, near Tehran, according to the Mehr news agency, affiliated to the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS).

Mehr news agency did not mention any names, but accused the arrested of having links with the opposition Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK or PMOI) and having planned activities in the cities of Robat Karim and Nassir Shahr.

Former Iran President: Distrust in Reformists Will Lead to Regime Change

Iranian students protest at the University of Tehran during a Protests Against The Iranian government, on December 2017.

By Pooya Stone

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, a member of the so-called ‘reformist’ faction, said that the “dangers” of regime change by and for the people of Iran will only increase as the public become more disillusioned with the supposed reformists.

Khatami, who was once called the “leader of the reform”, was speaking before a group of engineers when he made these comments, according to the state-run Jamaran website.

Bolton: US Will Continue to Ramp up Pressure on Iran

White House national security adviser John Bolton

By Jubin Katiraie

The United States will continue to increase pressure on the Iranian regime until Tehran abandons its pursuit of nuclear weapons and cease their violent activities in the Middle East, White House national security adviser John Bolton said on Monday.

In a speech to the Christians United for Israel summit in Washington, Bolton said: “We will continue to increase the pressure on the Iranian regime until it abandons its nuclear weapons program and ends its violent activities across the Middle East, including conducting and supporting terrorism around the world.”

Pence: US Will Defend Its Troops in Middle East

Vice President Mike Pence

By Pooya Stone

Vice President Mike Pence said that the US is prepared to protect their troops and citizens in the Middle East as tensions rise with Iran over the Gulf country’s malign nuclear program.

Pence, speaking on Monday to an evangelical Christian group that advocates for support for Israel, said: “Let me be clear: Iran should not confuse American restraint with a lack of American resolve. We hope for the best, but the United States of America and our military are prepared to protect our interests and protect our personnel and our citizens in the region.”

Iran Vows to Tun Gulf Into “Sea of Blood”

Iranian missile boats patrol territorial waters in the Gulf

By Jubin Katiraie

Iran has threatened to turn the Persian Gulf into a “sea of blood” filled with the corpses of US troops, as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.

Top cleric Mohammad Ali Movahedi-Kermani delivered a sermon during Friday prayers where he warned Donald Trump that Iran is ready to “abandon all constraints” and go to war.

Nuclear Watchdog Confirms Iran Has Breached Terms of Nuclear Deal

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

By Pooya Stone

Iran recently warned that it would ignore the limits set out by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with regards to the amount of enriched uranium it can hold. Despite pleas from a number of countries including Japan, the United States, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, Iran has gone ahead and surpassed the limits.

Iranians Urge Europe to End Appeasement of Iran’s Rulers

Great Rally of Iranians in Berlin

By Pooya Stone

Some 15,000 Iranians gathered in Berlin on Saturday, July 6, to protest the EU’s ongoing “appeasement” of Iran’s clerical establishment and show their support for the Iranian opposition, its leader Maryam Rajavi, and her 10-point plan for a free Iran.

Rajavi addressed the protesters via a video message that they were essential in helping to overthrow the “mullahs’ regime”, noting that their activism is showing the Iranian people not to give up in the fight for democracy and sovereignty in Iran, expressing to Western governments that a strict anti-appeasement policy on Iran is welcomed by Iranians, and telling the Iranian regime that its time is nearly up.

World Reacts to Iran Nuclear Breach

The Iranian flag flutters in front the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

By Jubin Katiraie

The US has said Iran will face additional sanctions for expanding its nuclear program by increasing the amount and purity of the uranium it stockpiles above that agreed in the 2015 nuclear deal.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted on Sunday: “Iran’s latest expansion of its nuclear program will lead to further isolation and sanctions. Nations should restore the longstanding standard of no enrichment for Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s regime, armed with nuclear weapons, would pose an even greater danger to the world.”