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Iran’s Violence in Syria Mirrors That Violence Towards the Iranian People

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Iran Focus

London, 10 Apr – We must not become indifferent to the huge loss of civilian life in Syria, which is currently being perpetrated by Syria, Iran, and Russia. If those responsible are not held to account, then the situation will only get worse and more innocent people will lose their lives.

There have been many attacks on the Syrian people since the start of the war, including many chemical attacks, by the axis of evil who hope to crush the people’s resistance and maintain the rule of Dictator Bashar Assad.

Trump’s Weapon Against Iranian Oil

Iran Focus

London, 10 Apr – With the nomination of Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State and John Bolton appointed National Security Advisor, the prospect of sanctions on Iran becoming effective again are much greater now, according to analysts at Citigroup Inc., Societe Generale SA, Royal Bank of Canada, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

Many banks are now including a so-called ‘snapback’ plan for Iran in their base-case energy scenarios. Still, they seem assured regarding the impact on oil supplies from the country. Which is surprising, as SocGen sees 500,000 barrels a day of exports at risk; the others, around 350,000. Previously, sanctions cut Iran’s production by more than 1.2 million barrels a day at their peak.

Iran: The Backdrop of Suppression of the MEK

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By Jubin Katiraie

It looked like the Iranian Revolution was on its last legs by the autumn of 1980. It has faced many protests against the rule of the mullahs, for amongst other things rigging the election and hijacking the revolution.
Many people hoped that this would be a chance for the Iranian people to take their country back, alongside their organised democratic resistance group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Unfortunately, this was not to be.

Iranian Rial Plunges Again

Iran Focus

London, 09 Apr – This weekend, the Iranian rial dropped again against the dollar. This is an effect of the uncertainty regarding a return of economic sanctions.

When the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was agreed, Iran benefited from the lifting of crippling sanctions. However, United States President Donald Trump may soon reimpose these sanctions – or at least some of them.

Trump warned the European signatories of the deal that he would stop issuing waivers on the sanctions if they were unable to fix the numerous flaws it contains. He also called on them to ensure that the Iranian ballistic missile program is addressed – something that Iran managed to keep out of the nuclear deal negotiations by claiming it was a non-nuclear issue.

Several Iranian Fighters Killed in Air Strike in Syria

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Iran Focus

London, 09 Apr – It has been reported that dozens of civilians were killed and hundreds injured in the chemical weapons attack that happened a few days ago in Douma in Eastern Syria.

Humanitarian agencies and aid workers confirmed that most of the dead were women and children. Images of adults and children that were caught up in the attack circulated on social media, many of them showing horrific suffering, gasping for breath and foaming at the mouth.

Iran-Backed Houthis Must Not Be in Power-Sharing Yemeni Government Whilst Still Armed

Iran Focus

London, 09 Apr – Iran relies on three militias to export its Islamic revolution across the Middle East: Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.

Of these terrorist groups, Hezbollah is undoubtedly the strongest and most successful. It controls a section of the Lebanese Parliament and has other Hezbollah factions around the world. This is due, in large part to the astronomical amount of funding they receive from Iran – billions of dollars every year. Another factor is that former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri approved the disarming of all factions after the civil war, except for Hezbollah, who then had complete control over Lebanese territory.

Iranian Farmers Protest Water Diversion Caused by Corruption

Iran Focus

London, 09 Apr – Iranian farmers staged a protest at a major site in the capital city of Isfahan Province on Saturday, April 7, despite the suppressive security forces’ attempts to disperse them.

Videos posted on social media show the angry farmers chanting anti-government slogans near the historic Khaju Bridge, with chants targeting President Hassan Rouhani and the state-run media.

Some of these chants were: “Water of Zayandeh Rood is our absolute right”, “Farmers Moaning, Zayandeh Rood wailing” and “[Energy Minister] Ardakanian Yazdi! You’re water mafia!”

Advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Calls Iran’s Regional Behavior an Internal Issue

Iran Focus

London, 07 Apr – Iran’s Adviser for International Affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, has rejected a discussion of ballistic missiles and Tehran’s regional role with the West, calling it “an Iranian internal affair.” Velayati added, “There is no doubt that the Islamic Republic of Iran never seeks anyone’s permission in its defensive sector.”

After a meeting with Faisal Mekdad, the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister, Velayti defended Iran’s policy in the region, saying Tehran continues its support and active presence in the region, indicating that it will support allies.

Khamenei Warned in Open Letter From the Coun-Try’s Most Conservative Factions

Iran Focus

London, 07 Apr – An open letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was sent by a group of 300 of Iran’s most conservative figures and Basij officials. It outlined their concerns about Iran’s internal conditions, and criticized the country’s policy regarding the nuclear deal and efforts toward regional dominance.

Although they have always supported the regime’s supreme leader, they warned him about their worry for the future of the country, as seen in the the gap between the people and the authority, and stressed that the internal problems include all bodies of the authority.

It’s Time to Impose Sanctions on Iran’s Khamenei

Iran Focus

London, 06 Apr – Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the richest autocrat Iran has ever had and yet he preaches about how his starving citizens need to be less greedy. Political scientist Dr. Majid Rafizadeh believes it’s time to impose sanctions on the Khamenei himself.

Khamenei is worth at least $95 billion, making him likely the richest man in the world. Some reports even state that members of Khamenei’s family hold billions of dollars in foreign banks. Most of this money was gained after he became Supreme Leader in 1989, through a series of shadowy deals, no oversight, and, of course, some dipping into the public purse.