Saturday, April 20, 2024
Search
Home Blog

The IRGC: A Pillar of Repression Targeted for Change

By
Mostafa Aslani
-
The IRGC: A Pillar of Repression Targeted for Change
The IRGC: A Pillar of Repression Targeted for Change

The Iranian regime Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a powerful force that props up the Iranian regime. Designating it as a terrorist organization would have significant consequences.

Weakening the Regime’s Grip:

The IRGC is responsible for both domestic suppression and foreign destabilization. Blacklisting them would limit their ability to crack down on Iranian citizens and support terror groups abroad. This could pave the way for greater stability in the Middle East.

Economic Stranglehold:

The IRGC controls a large chunk of Iran’s economy, including oil and gas. Sanctions imposed alongside a terrorist designation would deter companies from doing business with the IRGC, crippling their economic power and hindering Iran’s reintegration into global finance.

Curbing Regional Meddling:

The IRGC, particularly the Quds Force, has been a key player in Iran regime’s meddling in countries like Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Designating them as terrorists could hinder their ability to recruit, train, and fund proxy groups, ultimately reducing violence and sectarian conflict.

Empowering the Iranian People:

The IRGC’s Basij paramilitary has been instrumental in repressing Iranian citizens, especially women and youth. A terrorist designation could weaken the regime’s grip on power, emboldening Iranians to speak out against human rights abuses.

A Catalyst for Change, Not Conflict:

Critics fear retaliation from Iran. However, the Iranian regime has a long history of aggression. Designating the IRGC is not about starting a conflict, but about curbing their ability to wage war abroad and oppress their own people.

This action serves the best interests of the Iranian people, the Middle East, and the global community. It’s a necessary step towards a more peaceful and just future.

G7 Condemns Iran’s Attack on Israel, Demands End to Destabilizing Actions

By
Mostafa Aslani
-
G7 Condemns Iran's Attack on Israel, Demands End to Destabilizing Actions
G7 Condemns Iran's Attack on Israel, Demands End to Destabilizing Actions

The G7 foreign ministers issued a strong statement today condemning Iran’s recent actions in the Middle East, including a missile attack on Israel and the seizure of a Portuguese flagged vessel.

The statement expresses full solidarity with Israel and calls on Iran to cease its attacks and destabilizing activities. Here are the key points:

  • Condemnation of Attacks: The G7 strongly condemns Iran’s missile attack on Israel and the seizure of a commercial ship.
  • Call for De-escalation: The statement urges all parties to avoid further escalation and work towards peace in the region.
  • Concerns Regarding Iran’s Influence: The G7 expresses concern about Iran’s support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. They call for an end to the supply of weapons and technology to these groups.
  • Nuclear Program: The G7 reiterates its stance against Iran developing nuclear weapons and urges them to return to full cooperation with the IAEA.
  • Potential Transfer of Missiles to Russia: The G7 warns Iran against supplying ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia in support of the Ukraine war.
  • Human Rights Abuses: The statement expresses deep concern over Iran’s human rights violations and calls for an end to arbitrary detentions and harassment of dissidents.

The G7 concludes by emphasizing their commitment to holding Iran accountable for its actions and their readiness to take further measures if necessary.

The Perilous Wait: Two Million Iranian Project Workers Remain in Limbo

By
Jazeh Miller
-
The Perilous Wait: Two Million Iranian Project Workers Remain in Limbo
The Perilous Wait: Two Million Iranian Project Workers Remain in Limbo

Over 70 days have passed since a critical amendment to Iran’s labor law was supposed to take effect. This amendment, enshrined in Article Seven, mandated employers to convert the contracts of project workers into permanent positions. However, implementation remains elusive, leaving two million workers in a precarious state of job insecurity.

The issue was brought to light by the Etemad newspaper in a report titled “Two Million Project Workers Face Continued Job Insecurity.” The report delves into the reasons behind the employers’ reluctance to comply with the amended Article Seven.

Approved by the Council of Ministers on February 9th, 2024, the amendment established a four-year limit on non-continuous employment contracts. Note 1 of Article Seven, slated for implementation on the same date, aimed to bring clarity to the contractual status of countless project and company workers. This, in turn, would have provided them with the security and benefits associated with permanent contracts – a long-awaited taste of stability.

Fathollah Bayat, head of the Union of Contractual and Contract Workers, underscored the significance of the amendment in a February 3rd, 2024 statement. He stressed that workers whose employment extends beyond four years should automatically qualify for permanent contracts.

Two and a half months later, Bayat expressed his disappointment in an interview with Etemad. He indicated a complete lack of progress, suggesting that employers are disregarding the law. Bayat emphasized the transformative potential of this regulation: extensive job security for a significant portion of the Iranian workforce. He further argued that the practice of issuing short-term contracts (six months, three months, one year) for jobs exceeding four years should be deemed illegal.

Prior to the amendment’s implementation, labor activist Ehsan Sohrabi highlighted the crucial role of the Ministry of Cooperation, Labor and Social Welfare (MoCLSW) in enforcing the new regulation. Speaking to ILNA news agency in January 2024, Sohrabi stressed the need for the government to demonstrate a genuine commitment to implementing such laws – a commitment that, according to him, remained unseen.

Bayat echoed these concerns, pointing to a lack of serious resolve within the MoCLSW, particularly among the Minister and his deputies. He further contended that the dominance of pro-employer and capitalist perspectives within the government and parliament hindered the implementation process. Bayat believes that a more worker-centric approach would have resulted in clear communication of this legal requirement to labor offices nationwide within the past two months.

The labor activist painted a stark picture, highlighting how job insecurity plagues over 95% of Iranian workers due to the prevalence of illegal contracts. He argued that this widespread insecurity contributed to production challenges and economic stagnation. According to Bayat, the volatile state of the Iranian rial poses significant difficulties for employers, particularly in procuring raw materials. He highlighted the impredictable economic climate that hinders employers’ ability to plan for the future. In this environment, where the price of imported raw materials fluctuates wildly, Bayat contends that employers face a difficult situation.

Beyond job security for individual workers, Bayat further noted the lack of protection for worker representatives such as trade union members. He explained that worker representatives on dispute resolution boards risk dismissal or contract termination if they disagree with the employer’s views.

This disregard for worker rights comes against a backdrop of repeated protests across Iran. Workers have consistently voiced their discontent with temporary contracts and their precarious living and legal status. Unfortunately, these protests have largely fallen on deaf ears.

The Iranian regime’s failure to address these labor demands and the consequent protest gatherings coincide with reports in some media outlets and by analysts. These reports detail a potential stagnation in critical industries like steel and petrochemicals. The decline in investment rates, the suspension of projects, and the unprecedented drop in the stock market index are all viewed as potential indicators of recession.

In conclusion, the amended Article Seven in Iran’s labor law holds the promise of long-awaited stability for millions of workers. However, the lack of implementation creates a climate of uncertainty and discontent. Unless addressed swiftly and decisively, this situation carries the potential to exacerbate existing economic challenges in Iran.

US Sanctions on Iran in Response to Attack on Israel

By
Mostafa Aslani
-
US Sanctions on Iran in Response to Attack on Israel
US Sanctions on Iran in Response to Attack on Israel

Date: April 18, 2024

Reason for Sanctions: Unprecedented Iranian regime attack on Israel

Imposing Agencies:

  • US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
  • US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)

Targeted Sectors:

  • Iran’s UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Program:
    • Companies producing UAV engines (Mado Company) and servicing UAV engines (Aseman Pishraneh Co. Ltd)
    • IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force) Department 8000 (develops and supplies UAVs)
    • Kimia Part Sivan Company (KIPAS) (assists IRGC-QF with UAV program)
    • Individuals involved in UAV development, testing, supply, and proliferation (11)
    • Fateh Aseman Sharjf Company (FASC) (works with IRGC-QF)
  • Iran’s Steel Industry:
    • Khuzestan Steel Company (KSC) (one of Iran’s largest steel producers)
    • Companies facilitating KSC’s steel production and exports (5)
  • Bahman Group (Iranian automaker) and its subsidiaries:
    • Bahman Diesel Co. (produces vehicles for Iran’s armed forces)
    • Iran Docharkh Co. (sells motorcycles to Iranian military entity)
    • Iran Chassis Manufacturing Co. (purchases steel from sanctioned company)

Sanctions Implications:

  • Assets of designated individuals and entities frozen.
  • Transactions involving sanctioned entities and individuals prohibited.
  • Potential sanctions for entities engaging with sanctioned parties.

Additional Actions:

  • BIS imposing new controls to restrict Iran regime’s access to technologies.
  • US to take further actions against Iran’s regime in the coming days and weeks.

Overall Impact:

  • Aims to disrupt key aspects of Iran regime’s malign activity, including its UAV program and steel industry revenue.
  • Targets financial resources used by Iran’s regime to support terrorism.

Note: The US and UK are coordinating these sanctions, with the UK targeting Iranian regime military organizations and individuals involved in UAV and ballistic missile programs.

Despite Violence and Arrests, Iranian Women Rise Up Against The Regime

By
Pejman Amiri
-
Despite Violence and Arrests, Iranian Women Rise Up Against The Regime
Despite Violence and Arrests, Iranian Women Rise Up Against The Regime

During a period marked by a heavy presence of Iran regime’s security and repressive forces on the streets, alongside an escalation in the suppression of women, members of the regime’s parliament are endeavoring to pass the so-called ‘hijab and chastity’ bill, aiming to ‘legitimize’ restrictions on women.

Mojtaba Zonnour, the vice-chairman of the regime’s parliament, asserted on April 17 that under the hijab law, individuals wearing an incomplete hijab will not face punishment; rather, their behavior will be subject to ‘reprimand, guidance, and correction’.

Simultaneously, he specified: ‘The severity of consequences applies to those deliberately flouting societal norms, including certain celebrities and individuals purposefully challenging the people’s norms, principles, values, and beliefs.’

This statement comes amidst recent imagery depicting regime agents engaging in brutal violence against women, apprehending them and transporting them to police vans and detention facilities.

The proliferation of images depicting the violent apprehension of teenage girls and women since Saturday, April 13, accompanied by reports of physical assaults and, in some instances, sexual abuse, illustrates the concerted efforts of the regime’s military, security, and judicial bodies to quash resistance against its inhumane norms among the nation’s women.

For the regime, its regressive and coercive hijab legislation has assumed paramount importance, such that neither the specter of conflict nor rampant inflation and poverty pose any hindrance to its pursuit of this agenda.

Presently, the primary conflict rages between the regime and the populace, particularly the women and girls of the nation, to the extent that some individuals on social media speculate that the risk of death from regime forces’ brutality and suppression exceeds that from Israeli military incursions.

Reports indicate that arrests have extended to children and teenage girls in certain cities, with two girls aged 12 and 14 detained for several hours in Karaj and Fuman for protesting mandatory hijab laws.

In Fuman, police officers from the guidance patrol detained a 14-year-old girl, resorting to aerial gunfire to disperse protesting onlookers. Meanwhile, in Azimieh of Karaj, guidance patrol agents apprehended a 12-year-old girl, denying her mother access to the police van and escorting her alone to a detention center.

Several videos capturing the sizable presence of white vans outside Tehran metro stations and the violent arrests of women opposing mandatory hijab have surfaced on social media.

Numerous men and women who previously shared accounts of harassment and arrests of acquaintances on social platforms have deleted their posts on X and Instagram, citing threats of arrest following contact with security agencies.

Concurrently, journalists residing in Iran have reported heightened closures of recreational venues, coffee shops, and restaurants due to the patronage of women opposing mandatory hijab. Arash Hashemi, a reporter in Mashhad, disclosed that within the last 48 hours, 12 such establishments were shuttered under the guise of upholding mandatory hijab laws.

Despite these measures, a notable surge in women opposing and resisting the regime underscores its failure to suppress women’s personal freedoms.

Conversely, the dissemination of accounts and images depicting violent arrests of women and girls on social media casts doubt on regime authorities’ claims that verbal warnings suffice for those opposing mandatory hijab laws.

It’s worth noting that these oppressive measures emerged subsequent to the regime’s recognition during the latest nationwide protests that women and girls have emerged as vanguards of resistance, posing a significant threat to its stability.

Bipartisan House Resolution Condemns Iranian Regime’s Brutality

By
Mahmoud Hakam
-
Bipartisan House Resolution Condemns Iranian Regime's Brutality
Bipartisan House Resolution Condemns Iranian Regime's Brutality

More than 140 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have joined a resolution that condemns the Iranian regime’s violence and calls for the protection of Iranian dissidents.

Highlights of the Resolution

  • The resolution was introduced by Texas Republican Rep. Randy Weber and has been signed by 145 members of Congress.
  • It highlights the weaknesses of the Iranian regime and calls for the protection of Iranian dissidents who have been targeted by the regime.
  • The resolution does not call for U.S. military support, but rather focuses on helping Iranian citizens who are calling for regime change through protection and recognition of their rights.
  • It supports the 10-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, to establish a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear Republic of Iran.

Reaction from Lawmakers and Dissidents

  • President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) Mrs. Maryam Rajavi praised the resolution, saying it offers a “correct solution to the Iranian problem” and that the only way to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is to overthrow the regime.
  • Rep. Randy Weber said the “rogue regime needs to be overthrown immediately” and that the U.S. must support the “freedom-loving citizens of Iran” who are trying to remove the “murderers” in Tehran.
  • Rep. Don Bacon said the goal is to “help the people reclaim their country” and allow Iranians to live without fear of their government.
  • Rep. Brad Sherman underscored the imperative of establishing a secular, democratic, non-nuclear republic of Iran. He also shed light on the regime’s involvement with the Houthi rebels and their destabilizing actions in the region, as well as the regime’s support for terrorist organizations and grave human rights abuses.
  • Rep. Tom McClintock condemned the regime’s increasing boldness and recklessness, noting its direct attacks on Israel. He highlighted the bipartisan support for the resolution and the need to support the Iranian people in their quest to overthrow the oppressive regime.
  • Rep. Danny Davis delivered an impassioned speech, drawing inspiration from the words of Frederick Douglass and the teachings of his Baptist faith. He commended the supporters and members of the Iranian Resistance for their dedication to the struggle for freedom and independence.
  • Rep. Lance Gooden emphasized the solidarity of the U.S. Congress with the Iranian people and condemned the oppressive actions of the Iranian regime, particularly towards the residents of Ashraf 3 in Albania.
  • Rep. Steve Cohen expressed his support for the resolution, highlighting the regime’s aggressive and reckless behavior in the Middle East and its aspirations to exert influence and impose its ideology on neighboring countries.
  • Rep. Pete Sessions highlighted the collaborative efforts of Republicans and Democrats in addressing the challenges posed by the Iranian regime, stressing the significance of unity in overcoming these obstacles.
  • Rep. Don Bacon emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the Iranian regime and the Iranian people, advocating for stringent economic sanctions to weaken the regime’s grip and curb its support for terrorism.

Iran’s Economic Growth Expected to Decline

By
Mostafa Aslani
-
Iran's Economic Growth Expected to Decline
Iran's Economic Growth Expected to Decline

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts a slowdown in Iran’s economic growth for 2024 and 2025. Their quarterly report on the global economy states that Iran’s oil-fueled growth of 4.7% in 2023 (1402 in the Iranian calendar) is likely to drop to 3.3% this year and 3.1% next year.

The report highlights a lack of momentum in both the oil and non-oil sectors compared to the previous year. While Iran’s oil exports surged 44% in 2023, reaching 1.3 million barrels per day, this growth appears to be plateauing. Daily oil production reached 2.86 million barrels in 2023, but the first quarter of 2024 saw only a negligible increase of 0.5% compared to the previous quarter.

High Inflation Remains a Challenge

The IMF also forecasts inflation to remain high at 37.5% in 2024. Iran has grappled with inflation exceeding 30% since 2018, and this trend is expected to continue.

Geopolitical Tensions Add Uncertainty

In a March 2023 report, the IMF warned of potential economic consequences for Iran in case of escalating regional conflicts. A limited involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict could have resulted in negative growth of 5%, while a wider war involving Hezbollah in Lebanon could have shrunk Iran’s economy by 20%.

Recent attacks on Israel and the potential for retaliation raise concerns about a similar economic impact in Iran. The Iranian currency market experienced significant fluctuations after the attacks, with the dollar briefly reaching 70,000 tomans.

Government Budget Faces Challenges

The head of Iran’s parliamentary budget commission predicts a significant deficit of 300 trillion tomans in the 2024 budget. This deficit will likely be financed through bank loans or bond issuance, both carrying their own risks. Heavy reliance on bank borrowing in previous years has already led to a substantial government debt.

Central bank data reveals a more than 55% increase in government and state-owned company debt to the banking system between February 2022 and 2023. This figure has doubled since the start of Ebrahim Raisi’s administration.

While regime officials claim a balanced budget due to increased tax revenue and oil income, independent forecasts suggest a deficit of 550 trillion tomans in 2023, likely covered by borrowing.

Uncertainties Remain

The full extent of government borrowing remains unclear. Iran faces a confluence of economic challenges, including declining growth, persistent high inflation, and potential consequences from regional conflicts. These factors raise concerns about the long-term health of the Iranian economy.

Iran’s Gasoline Imports Add to Trade Concerns

Adding to concerns about Iran’s trade balance, the government was forced to import $2 billion worth of gasoline in 2023. This information comes despite attempts to inflate export figures by including items like oil, electricity, and technical services. However, Iran’s customs data excludes these imports from their total import statistics.

Previously, Iranian authorities acknowledged starting gasoline imports in spring 2023. However, this is the first time a specific import value has been revealed. The need for imports highlights the gasoline shortages Iran has faced since summer 2022 (1401 in the Iranian calendar).

U.S. and Allies Plan Sweeping New Sanctions on Iran Over Attacks and Regional Destabilization

By
Poorang Novak
-
U.S. and Allies Plan Sweeping New Sanctions on Iran Over Attacks and Regional Destabilization
U.S. and Allies Plan Sweeping New Sanctions on Iran Over Attacks and Regional Destabilization

The United States says that in response to the attack of the Iranian regime on Israel, it will announce a new round of sanctions against the regime, focusing on the country’s oil sales, within the next few days.

The European Union has also said that it will review new sanctions, including against the export of Iranian regime drones. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, on Tuesday, that new sanctions will be imposed against the regime.

These sanctions can be focused on reducing the capacity of the Iranian regime to export oil. She said that in response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) missile and drone attack on Israel, as well as Yemen’s Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, the USA will try to impose new sanctions against Iran with the cooperation of its allies and a global coalition.

Because the country has caused instability in the region and the global economy. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also said on Tuesday that the United States will impose new sanctions against the missile and drone program of the Iranian regime and the institutions that support the IRGC and the Ministry of Defense in the coming days.

He added that he predicts that the allies and partners of the United States will soon impose new sanctions against the regime too.

The White House also announced on Tuesday that the US president Joe Biden, in addition to coordinating with the leaders of the two congressional parties, is coordinating with the allied and partner countries of the United States, including the Group of Seven, and it is expected that these countries will soon impose their new sanctions against the regime.

Officials of the US government announced the imposition of new sanctions against the regime hours after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved three plans related to the regime that increase sanctions and pressure on this regime.

The US government has imposed extensive sanctions against the regime in the past years. In a report, Reuters has detailed the actions taken against the regime and the new US sanctions.

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington’s sanctions against the regime have banned almost all US trade with the country, frozen the Iranian regime’s assets in the US, and banned foreign aid and US arms sales.

The CRS reported in a report last year that thousands of individuals and companies, both Iranian and foreign, were targeted under the sanctions program as Washington sought to limit the regime’s power and change its behavior.

U.S. concerns include the regime’s nuclear program, human rights abuses, and the Iranian regime’s support for groups the U.S. has registered as terrorists. According to the Congressional Research Service, US sanctions against the regime are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the United States has imposed against another country.

Peter Harrell, a former US National Security Council official, said U.S. options for further sanctions include targeting the regime’s oil export flows and playing a more aggressive game to go after major Iranian regime companies and investors.

He told Reuters that one of Washington’s most important steps is to force the European Union and other Western allies to impose multilateral sanctions against Tehran, as the United States currently imposes most of the sanctions against the regime.

Joseph Borrell, the head of the European Union’s foreign policy, said that after the attack of the regime on Israel, the European Union has started work on increasing sanctions against Tehran. He said the member states agreed to use all their diplomatic efforts to avoid the conflict spreading and turning it into a ‘regional war’.

He says that the European Union intends to intensify sanctions on the supply of weapons by the regime, including drones, to Russia and its proxy groups in the Middle East. The European Union has already sanctioned Iran for equipping Russia with drones in Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

He also said that some EU members raised the prospect of sanctioning the IRGC. The Republican leaders of the House of Representatives have accused Joe Biden, the President of the United States, of being unable to implement existing measures and have said that they will approve a series of new plans to intensify sanctions against the regime.

Late Monday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act, which expands sanctions against the regime by requiring annual reports to determine whether Chinese financial institutions have been involved in Iranian oil deals.

It prohibits US financial institutions from holding accounts for any Chinese entity involved in those transactions. US sanctions against the regime have targeted nuclear capabilities, energy and defense sectors, government officials, banks and other aspects of the regime’s economy.

The United States has imposed sanctions on the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and other companies it says are linked to the regime’s nuclear program, as well as dozens of banks, including the Central Bank of Iran.

Washington has also targeted the National Iranian Oil Company and the Ministry of Petroleum in an effort to block the regime’s revenues from the energy sector, and has sanctioned companies outside Iran – including in China and the United Arab Emirates – for doing business with Iran’s petrochemical sector.

The United States has also imposed a series of sanctions against the IRGC and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support, as well as individuals and entities allegedly associated with them.

Washington has identified the IRGC and the Quds Force as terrorist organizations. In the sanctions imposed by the United States, high-ranking officials of the regime, including the regime’s president Ebrahim Raisi, have been targeted.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The United States and European Union are planning new rounds of sanctions against Iran in response to Iran’s attacks on Israel and support for Russia.
  2. The new US sanctions will focus on reducing Iran’s oil export capacity and targeting the Iranian regime’s missile/drone programs, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Ministry of Defense.
  3. The US is working to get its allies and partners, including the G7 countries, to also impose new sanctions on Iran.
  4. The US sanctions on Iran are considered the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions the US has imposed on any country.
  5. The sanctions target Iran’s nuclear program, human rights abuses, support for terrorist groups, as well as key sectors of Iran’s economy like energy, banking, and defense.
  6. The European Union is also planning to increase sanctions on Iran, including on the supply of weapons like drones to Russia and potential sanctions on the IRGC.

US Republican Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Sanction Iranian Terrorist Proxies

By
Mostafa Aslani
-
US Republican Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Sanction Iranian Terrorist Proxies
US Republican Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Sanction Iranian Terrorist Proxies

A coalition of 60 Republican House lawmakers has filed legislation that would impose sanctions on 11 Iranian terrorist proxy groups operating across the Middle East. The bill, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, was filed on Monday by Rep. Greg Steube (R., Fla.) and his GOP colleagues.

Targeting Iranian Proxies

The legislation targets several of the most dangerous Iranian allies, requiring the Biden administration to formally classify them as designated terror organizations. Currently, Iranian-controlled groups operating in Iraq, Yemen, and Syria are not formally classified as foreign terrorist organizations, allowing them to carry out Tehran’s agenda while moving money and weapons across the region.

Combating Terrorism

“Iran has long utilized proxy forces to execute their terror agenda throughout the region. Iranian proxy forces have American blood on their hands dating back decades,” Steube said. The bill aims to combat this threat, with the Republican Study Committee (RSC), Congress’s largest GOP caucus, already indicating its support.

Enforcing Sanctions

As part of the bill, Secretary of State Antony Blinken would have to apply sanctions on Iran’s terror proxies, including those that aid the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in attacking American outposts. The State Department would also have to report to Congress on its efforts to enforce these sanctions and alert lawmakers if it detects any additional Iranian proxy groups that meet the requirements for a terror designation.

Bipartisan Consideration

The legislation is likely to attract interest from Senate Republicans and could be considered by the upper chamber as lawmakers from both parties consider their response to Tehran’s recent strike on Israel. “As we have seen with the unprecedented attacks on Israel this weekend, there’s no real difference between Iran and its puppet militias,” said Rep. Kevin Hern (R., Okla.), the RSC’s chairman.

Baluch People Deprived of Wealth in Iran

By
Mostafa Aslani
-
Baluch People Deprived of Wealth in Iran
Baluch People Deprived of Wealth in Iran

The Iranian regime is keeping the Baluch people of the country in poverty and deprivation. A report from a local Telegram channel in Sistan and Baluchistan province reveals this bitter truth.

The report states: “The Kahnuj titanium mine is a symbol of the wealth hidden in Kerman, from which the poor people are gaining nothing.”

According to local media, “The Kahnuj titanium mine is one of the largest titanium mines in the world, with proven reserves of 150 million tons.”

However, this news has not been officially published by the regime’s state-run media. Many profit-generating stories are often suppressed by this regime.

Untapped Potential of Kahnuj Titanium Mine

The Kahnuj titanium mine and factory, with 150 million tons of proven reserves, will resume operations in the next two months after a 25-year hiatus.

The project administration has announced 94% progress. They stated that once operational, the mine will produce 70,000 tons of slag and 50,000 tons of pigment.

This titanium mine, located in the Baloch areas of Rudbar Zamin (south of Kerman), has immense potential for economic prosperity and job creation in the deprived region.

The ore reserves are estimated at 42 million tons, with 2.2 million tons of ilmenite. Experts estimate the total alluvial and ore reserves at 600 million tons.

Locals Demand Control of Local Resources

Many residents of Kahnuj protest against the mines not being handed over to them. The deprived and oppressed people argue that the mines in this region and Sistan and Baluchistan province should be operated by the local population to create jobs, rather than being given to non-indigenous companies.

This issue has led to public dissatisfaction, and the locals demand the right to exploit and create employment from these mines.

Untapped Economic Potential of Southern Kerman

In recent years, attention has been paid to southern Kerman, but the depth of deprivation is such that solving these problems requires years of effort and investment.

Economic experts believe that southern Kerman province is a unique treasure trove of various economic potentials that have remained untapped.

If the mines in these areas are activated and local forces are empowered, the future of southern Kerman can be much brighter than most parts of the country.

The extensive copper, chrome, magnesium, and chromite mines in the region can become an important economic foundation, not only for Kerman province but for the entire country.

The Kahnuj titanium mine is undoubtedly one of Iran’s most significant mineral reserves. Titanium products are highly valuable in global markets, with prices reaching up to $25,000 per unit in some cases.

Disturbing Executions in Iran Demand Global Condemnation

By
Mostafa Aslani
-
Disturbing Executions in Iran Demand Global Condemnation
Disturbing Executions in Iran Demand Global Condemnation

Iran’s regime has carried out a horrifying wave of executions in recent days, including the brutal killing of a young woman who was just 16 years old at the time of her arrest. These heinous acts demand immediate global condemnation and action to halt the unjust executions.

Executions of Minors and Innocents

On April 11th, the regime’s henchmen executed 19-year-old Marjan Hajizadeh and her husband Esmail Hassaniani in Zanjan Central Prison. Marjan was only 16 when initially arrested, making her execution a grave violation of international laws prohibiting the death penalty for minors. Their executions cruelly coincided with Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

In a separate tragic incident on April 13th, 20-year-old Mehrdad Abdollahzadeh from Sardasht was killed by regime officials while working as a kolbari (cross-border porter) near the Beitush border heights. He fell to his death after being shot at by the criminal authorities.

Recent Wave of Executions

Over the past two weeks, the Iranian regime has executed at least six other prisoners across various prisons:

  • April 14: Arsalan Hashemi in Hamedan Central Prison
  • April 13: Abuzar Salem in Isfahan Central Prison
  • April 7: Alireza Marzban in Shiraz Central Prison
  • April 5: Hassan Ali Mirza Nia in Khorramabad Central Prison
  • March 25: Abbas Aghaei in Tabriz Central Prison

Additionally, five prisoners in Qezelhessar Prison in Karaj were recently transferred to solitary confinement, likely facing imminent execution.

Global Action Needed

The Iranian Resistance strongly condemns these brutal executions and calls on the United Nations, relevant human rights organizations, the European Union, and member countries to take immediate action. Concrete steps must be taken to save the lives of prisoners on death row and establish an international investigation into the dire human rights situation in Iranian prisons.

The world cannot stand idly by as the Iranian regime perpetrates such egregious violations of human rights and human dignity. Global pressure and accountability measures are urgently needed to halt these disturbing atrocities.

Dire Consequences of Appeasement: Why the World Must Change Course on Iran

By
Pejman Amiri
-
if the international community remains passive, we will witness further devastation and atrocities at the hands of the Iranian regime.
if the international community remains passive, we will witness further devastation and atrocities at the hands of the Iranian regime.

Perhaps throughout centuries past, there has been no conflict where adversaries coordinated their attacks with such precision in timing and method. What implications does such a strategy, employed by the attacking force or government, carry?

What does such an approach reveal about the attacking side? Does it signify political and strategic acumen or desperation and deadlock?

More than two weeks after Israel’s strike on the Iranian regime’s consulate in Syria, viewed as a significant blow to the regime’s warmongering machinery, the desperate regime attempted to boost the morale of its constituents with a flurry of activity.

This culminated in a missile assault on Israel, involving at least 331 missiles and drones. In doing so, the regime compounded its series of errors since October 7th. This attack underscored the escalating weaknesses within the regime’s military infrastructure.

Undoubtedly, the repercussions of this blunder, along with past warmongering and support of terrorism, will recoil upon the regime itself. The regime’s folly in launching drones and missiles serves as a harbinger of the return of warmongering repercussions to its doorstep.

From the onset of this conflict, it became evident that contrary to claims by the regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and other officials of non-involvement, the impetus for war, aimed at quelling uprisings and revolutions in Iran, emanates from the ruling mullahs.

This attack yielded no military gains for the regime. Instead, it exacerbated its isolation and garnered international condemnation, ultimately holding the regime accountable for its warmongering and terrorist backing.

Social media and virtual platforms have become arenas for exposing the regime’s atrocities, echoing the collective desire to overthrow it. Even state-controlled media outlets have begun scrutinizing their leaders.

The repetition of Khamenei’s misguided policies marks a pivotal step toward the regime’s collapse and overthrow. At such junctures, dictators become ensnared in a cascade of folly, forfeiting the ability to envision the future or devise strategies.

The acceleration of this decline often coincides with the clamor of revolution, rendering it impossible for the regime to rectify its mistakes or regain the trust and support of the populace. Over the past decade, it has become apparent that the Iranian people are resolute in their quest for another revolution.

Two recent manifestations of Khamenei’s folly are the retention of the notorious Kazem Seddiqi, a thief and forger, as the Friday prayers leader of Tehran, which even met with resistance from the regime’s supporters.

We must not overlook the significance of Friday prayers as a pillar of the regime’s security, politics, society, religion, warmongering, repression, and demagoguery. Additionally, the dispatch of repressive and corrupt police units to suppress and intimidate women under the pretext of enforcing the regime’s draconian dress code rules underscores the regime’s profound political and social impasse, particularly following the 2022 uprising and the abysmal failure of the last March elections.

Now, more than ever, the international community, especially world powers, must not repeat past mistakes in dealing with this regime.

A retrospective examination, particularly since 2001, illustrates the dire consequences of appeasement policies pursued by world powers vis-à-vis this regime, impacting the daily lives of Middle Eastern populations.

A glaring example that emboldened the regime and its proxies in the Middle East to persist and expand their destructive endeavors was the feeble and even humiliating response of the international community and world powers to Bashar Assad’s Ghouta chemical attack, undoubtedly sanctioned by the regime in Tehran (Syria crisis: ‘chemical weapons use a big mistake, Hizbollah told Iran’). This event catalyzed a chain of catastrophes in the region.

The conclusion is clear: if the international community remains passive, we will witness further devastation and atrocities at the hands of the Iranian regime.

123...733Page 1 of 733

About Us

About Us: Precious analysis and exclusive details have become the Iran News Update a trusted counterweight to the state-run censorship in Iran...

Read More

Categories

Human RightsIranian OppositionTerrorismNuclearGeneralProtestsMiddle EastEconomySocietySanctionsIran PoliticsBlogNews DigestWomen