Iran Focus
London, 12 July – US President Donald Trump will be meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on 16th July. The purpose of the visit is to soothe the tense relations between the two countries and it is a much anticipated meeting between the two leaders.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has spoken about his interest in the outcome of the meeting and has said that he is anticipating the “deal of the century”.
Iran Focus
London, 12 July – Oil refineries in Asia are now seeking alternatives to Iranian oil from the other Middle Eastern oil-producing countries following the US’s announcement that they would be renewing sanctions on Iran and not issuing waivers, according to Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) Chief Executive Officer Nizar al-Adsani.
Al-Adsani, who spoke to Reuters at an event in Beijing on Monday, said that KPC has increased its output by 85,000 barrels per day (bpd) in order to meet its commitment in an agreement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which also includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, but that output may rise again if OPEC agrees.
Iran Focus
London, 10 July – The US is looking to halt all of Iran’s crude oil exports from November and in relying on Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing countries to fill the gap.
They are hoping that by cutting off Iran’s oil exports, they can further destabilise the Iranian economy enough to bring it back to the table for a new nuclear deal or enough that the people can make a major change.
Iran Focus
London, 10 July – The senior commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has made a terrifying threat against Israel in a speech this weekend.
Hossein Salami said that Iran had created an “Islamic army” near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in Syria, which he warned would be used to “end” Israel.
The Times of Israel reported that Salami had said: “Today, an international Islamic army has been formed in Syria, and the voices of the Muslims are heard near the Golan. Orders are awaited, so that the eradication of the evil [Israeli] regime will land and the life of this regime will be ended for good. The life of the Zionist regime was never in [so much] danger as it is now.”
Iran Focus
London, 10 July – The clerical government in Iran is known for its suppression of the people. Freedom is something that the Iranians have been denied for decades and it affects them in many different areas of life. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to dress as one likes, etc. are just a few examples.
Recent reports from Iran indicate that a young woman – Maedeh Hojabri – has been arrested because of the content on her Instagram page. She was filmed dancing to music.
Iran Focus
London, 10 July – The brother of an Iranian Kurdish activist on death row has reported that prison authorities the dissident that he would be executed or killed behind bars.
Amjad Hossein Panahi tweeted on Thursday, July 5, that his brother Ramin had been told by the security guards “You are not going to leave this block, and will either be executed, or killed in the prison”.
Iran Focus
London, 7 July – The US military’s Central Command announced on Thursday that the US Navy will protect commerce and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) threatened to blockade foreign oil shipments in retaliation for US sanctions.
Central Command Spokesman Navy Captain Bill Urban said: “The US and its partners provide, and promote security and stability in the region. Together, we stand ready to ensure the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce wherever international law allows.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani threatened on Tuesday, while at a meeting in Vienna, to blockade oil shipments from the Gulf countries, after Donald Trump made additional efforts to persuade China, Japan, and India, among others, to ditch Iranian oil to avoid upcoming US sanctions.
Iran Focus
London, 7 July – U.S. Navy vessels in the Persian Gulf were consistently harassed until the Trump administration took over, a Navy spokesman said.
Over a 20-month period starting in January 2016, the Iranians averaged 2.5 “unsafe and/or unprofessional interactions” monthly, according to 5th Fleet spokesman Lt. Chloe Morgan.
At around that same time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG) detained a pair U.S. Navy riverine command boats belonging to Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf.
Iran Focus
London, 6 July – Last Friday, the purified-water shortage in southwestern Iran saw the staging of one of the largest water-related protests in Iran this year. Residents of the Khuzestan provincial cities of Khorramshahr, Abadan, and Ahvaz say their water supplies have been polluted for days despite pledges by Iranian authorities to quickly resolve the problem.
Iran Focus
London, 6 July – According to a statement from the State Department, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo will “travel to Abu Dhabi from July 9-10, where he will meet with UAE leaders to discuss ways to further strengthen the US-UAE partnership and advance our common security and economic priorities.”
Expected discussion will include the US pressure campaign on Iran, its role in Yemen, and Persian Gulf security. UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation met Pompeo in Washington last month, but this is the secretary’s first trip to Abu Dhabi as Secretary of State.
