Protests In Iran Continue Despite Use Of Lethal Force – Dozens Reported Killed

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November 19, 2019

Protests In Iran Continue Despite Use Of Lethal Force – Dozens Reported Killed

The spokesman for President Hassan Rouhani’s administration claimed in a news conference on Monday morning that compared to the previous day there have been less protest demonstrations in Iran on Monday.

Meanwhile he claimed some demonstrators have used weapons during the previous days. Ali Rabiee, a former Intelligence Ministry operative, spoke as if he was reporting about a full war between the government and those who protest a sudden hike in the price of gasoline.

He also said that protesters took some security officers hostage but did not elaborate further. Meanwhile he declined to give away information on the casualty toll of the first three days of the protests.

However, reports compiled by journalists and observers following reports from various regions of the country indicate a minimum of 100 and up to 200 people killed.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) issued its first statement on the protests Monday, echoing what other senior officials have said about protests being fueled by the United States and Iranian opposition abroad. IRGC also vowed to use all means to restore order.

Demonstrations have been going on in Iran for the fourth day after the Iranian government increased the price of gasoline Friday morning. Security forces have used lethal force, with tens of people killed.

Despite an all-out clampdown on information, it appeared on Monday that the government’s use of lethal force has so far failed to deter protesters.

In the meantime, Rouhani’s threats against the demonstrators during a cabinet meeting on Sunday has further damaged his image. Rouhani warned the nation that they are being watched and identified by security forces by CCTV cameras everywhere. He said he has seen some films and there were “only a few” demonstrators.

The common point in remarks by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Rouhani and Rabiee was their conspiracy theory about the involvement of foreigners in instigating the protests.

One or two economists accompanying Rabiee to the news conference acknowledged that the government had failed to convince the people prior to implementing the price rise.

Iran Briefing | News Press Focus on Human Rights Violation by IRGC, Iran Human Rights

Leaked cables revealed by NYT expose how Iran interferes in Iraqi political affairs

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November 18, 2019

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Leaked cables revealed by NYT expose how Iran interferes in Iraqi political affairs

Atrove of leaked Iranian cables recently revealed by The New York Times in collaboration with The Intercept exposes how Iran and the U.S. exploited Iraq in their “spy games,” and how the former “outmaneuvered the U.S. in the contest for influence.”

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Amid Severe News, Internet Blackout, Fears Of A Harsh Crackdown In Iran

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November 18, 2019

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Amid Severe News, Internet Blackout, Fears Of A Harsh Crackdown In Iran

Reports about the number of casualties and arrests in Iran’s protests have been rising since Saturday night, amidst the most widespread news blackout in the country in 40 years.

Revolution Is On In Iran, Security Forces Fire On Protesters

Tens of people were reportedly killed in two days of protests in Iran while in places such as Shahryar in the vicinity of Tehran at least one was killed and dozens are in hospital some in critical condition, local medical staff said before the Internet was cut off.

Meanwhile, hundreds of protestors have been arrested in the central Iranian city of Yazd, Iranian authorities said.

Authorities began to warn protesters Saturday afternoon that they were ready to use force, as Supreme Laeader Ali Khamenei called demonstrators “bandits”.

Protests started on Friday after the government increased the price of gasoline from 10,000 rial to 30,000 rial per liter while allocating 60 liters of gasoline ration for every car per month at 15000, rial per liter.

Because of the news and internet blackout it is not clear if protests continue with the same ferocity at midday Sunday. But reports indicate there was unrest in Tabriz University and the bazaar in Tehran was on strike. Some reports from Esfahan indicated protesters are preparing to come out in late afternoon.

In another development, in his first reaction to the protests, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Sunday morning expressed support for the price rise and called the demonstrators “thugs”.

Meanwhile, Khamenei attempted to distance himself from the decision by saying in a tweet that he is not an expert on oil price and that he has relied on and will support the decision made by the heads of the three branches of the government, i.e., President Hassan Rouhani, Majles Speaker Ali Larijani and Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Reesi.

Reports on social media received before the blackout said in many places protesters burned pictures of Khamenei. Also, on Saturday, several bank branches were set on fire in Eslam Shahr, Behbahan, Esfahan and in Tehran suburbs.

The news blackout imposed by the Iranian government has been so widespread that only a handful of tweets originating from Iran have been observed Saturday morning. Internet on cell phones has been totally cut off although some living in border areas have been using SIM cards from neighboring countries to connect to the world.

The blackout even affected Iranian news agencies whose websites are inaccessible or too slow. Even the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency has been extremely slow in updating its stories.

Iran Briefing | News Press Focus on Human Rights Violation by IRGC, Iran Human Rights

Revolution Is On In Iran, Security Forces Fire On Protesters

Human Rights

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November 18, 2019

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Revolution Is On In Iran. Security Forces Fire On Protesters. 8 Killed. Iranian Resistance Issues Warning To IRGC To Lay Down Arms. Legacy Media Ignores.

If you haven’t noticed, anti-Iranian protests have broken out in Iraq where scores have died after being attacked by Iranian-sponsored militias in Baghdad and elsewhere. Protests are also increasing in Lebanon against the presence of Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Now protests inside of the Islamic Republic of Iran are spinning out of control. Sparked over a hike in fuel prices, the demonstrations have quickly moved to regime change, fueled by resistance activities.

Today Iranian Revolutionary Guard Forces (IRGC) opened fire on the crowd and killed 8 protesters. The Iranian Resistance is pushing for the removal of the Mullah’s regime which has been in power since the fall of the Shah of Iran during the Carter presidency.

As protests rage in over 60 cities, the IRGC has cancelled all leave and sent staffers into the streets to attempt to control the demonstrations. In addition to those killed, a large number of protesters have been wounded.

Protesters have been confirmed to be shouting, “Down with dictator,…Down with Rouhani…Down with Khamenei”.

Just in – Multiple banks are reportedly on fire right now in #Iran, and the main office building where imams manage their mosques in the Islamic republic in Iran has been burned down, as protests are getting more heavy and stronger each day.

In the video below people are shouting in Behbahan, Iran, “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, I sacrifice my life for Iran”.In the video below people are shouting in Behbahan, Iran, “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, I sacrifice my life for Iran”.In the video below people are shouting in Behbahan, Iran, “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, I sacrifice my life for Iran”.

Iran Briefing | News Press Focus on Human Rights Violation by IRGC, Iran Human Rights

Iranian Revolutionary Guards Qods Force UAV intended to attack the US consulate

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November 17, 2019

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Iranian Revolutionary Guards Qods Force UAV intended to attack the US consulate

Wednesday November 23, 2019, several international news agencies, including the official government news agency, IRNA, reported that ; an unidentified drone crashed in the village of Magrnat, in the Shoaybiyeh section of Shushtar, on Wednesday afternoon.

Commander of resistance mobilization of Shushtar city confirmed this news, telling the IRNA:

this drone has been moved to a safe place to allow for further investigation.

Colonel Hussein Nisiizadeh added: No exact information has been released about the drone and we are waiting for the completion of the review by the team of experts.

The Fars news agency affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards also wrote about it stating:

The governor of Shushtar explained the fall of a drone in the village of Magrnat.

Hossein Panbeh Danehpour, in an interview with Fars, regarding the fall of this drone, stated:

This unidentified drone landed by the Maalek forces control, in the village of Magranat, Dou Sho’ibiyyah Shushtar , and it is currently protected by these forces.

There is no official photo of the drone crash but several unofficial and local sources have reported that the drone was armed and it bears no logo.

The next day, while all the news agencies, including the Tasnim and Fars news agencies, also wrote about the crash of an unidentified drone Fars News Agency wrote:

Yesterday, an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Revolutionary Guards Corps air force made an emergency landing near the village of Magranat in the Shoaybiyeh district of Shushtar province in Khuzestan province.

This was an Iranian UAV and the rumors that it was targeted and overthrown are untrue.

It is clear that this UAV has no sign and so on. Even local Revolutionary Guards forces have failed to recognize that the UAV belonged to the IRGC, but why ?

A source from the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards sent information to “Iran briefing”, which indicates that the UAV was prepared to attack the US consulate in “Basra” but in Shushtar, it fell out of the orbit and crashed.

“Iran Briefing” cannot independently reject, or confirm, the information., But why should an armed drone of the Revolutionary Guards fly without a logo in the Iranian sky that even the local Revolutionary Guards cannot identify it, or be notified of the fall by the Revolutionary Guards’ air force?

This can be some kind of confirmation of the information received that UAV was going on a military mission overseas and, because of the Revolutionary Guards’ efforts to not be identified, was flying without any identification marks.

Iran Briefing | News Press Focus on Human Rights Violation by IRGC, Iran Human Rights

Is Iran Losing The Middle East?

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November 16, 2019

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Over the past few weeks, frustrated and fed-up demonstrators have taken to the streets of Lebanon and Iraq to voice grievances against their respective governments. The perception of Iranian infiltration and influence certainly continue to impact this political shake-up in both countries.

These protests have toppled two governments in just three days. Saad Hariri, Lebanon’s prime minister, announced his resignation last week. Iraq’s President, Barham Sailh, stated that prime minister Abdul Mahdi had also agreed to resign from office once a successor is decided upon.

In both Iraq and Lebanon, political factions are divided by religions and sects. These government systems are designed to limit sectarian conflict by ensuring a share of power to different communities. However, in both regions, prominent Shia parties are conjoined with Iran. Since protesters are demanding an end to their governments’ power-sharing system, Tehran is in trouble.

Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei announced via Twitter on Thursday that “the [protesters] have justifiable demands, but they should know their demands can only be fulfilled within the legal structure and framework of their country. When the legal structure is disrupted in a country, no action can be carried out.”

This statement, riddled with irony, completely discounts the revolution which birthed the government Khamenei currently leads. The ayatollah also verified how deeply entrenched Hezbollah has become in Lebanon’s political fabric.

Hezbollah is certainly the Islamic Republic of Iran’s most successful export. For over two decades, Tehran has played the role of puppetmaster in Beirut, attempting to counter the influence of its enemies: The U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Hezbollah’s critical influence in the region was demonstrated both during the 2006 war with Israel and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp’s (IRGC) intervention in the Syrian conflict.

Although Hezbollah’s military wing, the IRGC, was rightfully designated as a terror organization in April by President Trump, the organization’s military and political wings work in tandem to export the regime’s disturbing agenda.

Iran Briefing | News Press Focus on Human Rights Violation by IRGC, Iran Human Rights

Why aren’t Israel and the US responding to Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Threats?

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November 16, 2019

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Why aren’t Israel and the US responding to Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Threats?

Rod Reuven Dovid Bryant and Jerry Gordon bring back Dr. Stephen Bryen to address Iran’s provocative nuclear and missile threats to Israel and the US. Dr. Bryen is a former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense during the Reagan Era, a noted military technologist and Asia Times columnist.

This timely discussion occurred on news of Iran further breaching the 2015 Nuclear deal with ramp up of uranium enrichment threatening to produce enough fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons within a year. Moreover, given recent strikes by cruise missiles in Saudi Arabia led Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Kochavi to warn of credible Iranian threats to launch precision missile strikes against Israel from Yemen, Syria and possibly Gaza. Iranian proxy in Gaza, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), launched a barrage of over 170 rockets against targets in Southern and Central Israel. Israel retaliated with air strikes killing PIJ leaders in Gaza.

Bryen dismissed unconfirmed rumors by a Chinese news agency about Russia possibly obtaining a David Sling Stunner interceptor missile in Syria. The Stunner interceptor missile, jointly developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Systems and US partner Raytheon, is equipped with sophisticated digital radar, embedded software and electro optical systems enabling it to discriminate decoys from targets at a range of 190 miles. These Stunner interceptor capabilities makes it a valuable standoff air defense system for Israel against Iranian cruise missiles and drones. It is far superior to the US Patriot Missile air defense system that failed to intercept a swarm of ground hugging Iranian cruise missiles with advanced detachable warheads that made precision strikes on oil tanks in Saudi Arabia.

Bryen cited noted Israeli missile defense systems expert, Uzi Rubin, who noted that these Iranian precision cruise missiles with detachable warheads were equipped with optical homing systems with infrared capable of attacking fixed civilian or military targets. Israel must assure that it doesn’t lose deterrence against such threats. Given this sophisticated Iranian missile capability, Bryen said that Israel has three options: 1) shoot down incoming missiles; 2) attack launching sites; 3) conduct a general retaliation war against Iran and proxies in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Gaza. Bryen noted that Palestinian Islamic Jihad can acquire precision rockets and missiles from Iran via smuggling by sea with delivery by small boats and from the Sinai through tunnels into Gaza. Hezbollah receives such missiles via Iranian air deliveries to Damascus airport, despite frequent Israeli air and missile attacks.

Of mounting concern is Iran’s continual breaching of the 2015 nuclear agreement with news that the Tehran regime is loading gases into centrifuges at the underground Fordow facility near Qom, Iran. Bryen suggests that Iran will have enough fissile material within a year to produce multiple nuclear weapons. This presents a significant challenge to both Israel and the US, especially as neither is interested in a war with Iran. Instead, the Trump Administration is engaging in a campaign of “maximum pressure “including ratcheting up sanctions against key IRGC officials and controlled institutions. Despite this Iran pursued its nuclear program and regional support for proxies, estimated at $16 billion annually.

Bryen said that the US is not supporting regime change in Iran despite a large opposition in the country. He noted that former US national security adviser John Bolton left because he was at loggerheads with Trump as Bolton’s advice on these issues was not valued. However, the rise of violent protests in both Lebanon and Iraq against Iran Bryen thought was “good news”. These protests were pushback against Iran’s regional hegemony intentions in both countries. However, Bryen noted Hezbollah still has sway in Lebanon questioning continuing US support for Lebanon’s military that amounts to training, “the bad guys”.

Iran Briefing | News Press Focus on Human Rights Violation by IRGC, Iran Human Rights

Iran war alert as Tehran taunts Trump – ‘Don’t dare attack us, we’re ready if you do!’

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November 15, 2019

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Iran war alert as Tehran taunts Trump – ‘Don’t dare attack us, we’re ready if you do!’

DONALD TRUMP “would not dare” attack Iran because military commanders in Washington were wary of the country’s military power, a senior Iranian minister has claimed.

Meanwhile the country’s political leader, Hassan Rouhani, reopened his war of words with Donald Trump by claiming: “He can’t be trusted.” Relations between Washington and Tehran have taken a significant nosedive in recent years, especially since Mr Trump pulled his country out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed at preventing Iran developing nuclear weapons, citing repeated violations.

The USA consequently imposed stringent sanctions targeting Iranian oil experts, while Mr Trump said earlier this year he called off an airstrike over concerns about the heavy number of casualties which would result.

During an interview with Russian broadcaster RT, Seyed Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, said Washington would never attack his country because Mr Trump was wary of what he called Iran’s “high defence power”.

He said: “We are fully confident because we are completely prepared.”

Iran Briefing | News Press Focus on Human Rights Violation by IRGC, Iran Human Rights

Electors of Iran’s next leader cannot even protect themselves against IRGC

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November 14, 2019

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Electors of Iran’s next leader cannot even protect themselves against IRGC

Remarkably, the Assembly of Experts has not engaged in any effort to protect its own member, whose only sin appears to be his fight against the corrupt system.

Under extreme economic pressure from the United States and on the brink of war with Saudi Arabia, Iran is also facing a succession crisis: Who will replace octogenarian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as supreme leader and who gets to elect that leader?

On the surface, the answer to the first question is fairly clear: The 88-member Assembly of Experts is constitutionally mandated to designate and dismiss the leader. However, there is every reason to doubt the powers of the institution because the Assembly of Experts can’t even protect its own members. The arrest of Seyed Rouhollah Sadr al-Sadati by the intelligence organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) provides a point in case.

Sadati is not your usual Iranian cleric. Just 36 years old, the native of the holy city of Qom represents Hormozgan province in the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body empowered to designate and dismiss the leader of the Islamic Republic.

More remarkably, the young seyed went into a minor occultation September 4, when he, his brothers Mehdi and Reza, along with a fourth person, inexplicably vanished prior to a planned flight from Tehran to Sadati’s constituency in Bandar Abbas.

There is no news of the whereabouts of Sadati and his companions but, 48 hours after the planned flight, a message posted on Mehdi’s Instagram account indicated they had been in the custody of the IRGC Intelligence Organisation.

The Sadati brothers gained certain fame by disclosing economic corruption among Iranian elites. In December 2014, Mehdi al-Sadati initiated an Instagram campaign against diverting water from the Karun River in Khuzestan province to the Zayanderud River in Isfahan. A few months later, he disclosed details of the exorbitantly expensive wedding party of Mohsen Moradian, son of Iran’s ambassador to Copenhagen.

In August 2018, Mehdi al-Sadati released photos of the luxurious lifestyle of Mehdi Mazaheri, a poet and son of the former Iran Central Bank governor, asking where the poet got his money. In a separate campaign, he asked how family members of Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Supreme National Security Council secretary, could afford real estate in fabulously expensive Lavasan county. The campaigns gained Sadati more than 300,000 followers on Instagram.

Iran Briefing | News Press Focus on Human Rights Violation by IRGC, Iran Human Rights

The Iraqi people are rising up against Iran

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November 14, 2019

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The Iraqi people are rising up against Iran

Since the US-led invasion of Iraq, and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s despotic Baathist regime, violent unrest has never been far from the surface of Iraqi daily life. But the protests now sweeping a host of southern Iraqi cities, with the eye of the storm in the capital Baghdad, are different to those that have gone before.
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Protests In Iran Continue Despite Use Of Lethal Force – Dozens Reported Killed

Leaked cables revealed by NYT expose how Iran interferes in Iraqi political affairs

Leaked cables revealed by NYT expose how Iran interferes in Iraqi political affairs

Atrove of leaked Iranian cables recently revealed by The New York Times in collaboration with The Intercept exposes how Iran and the U.S. exploited Iraq in their “spy games,” and how the former “outmaneuvered the U.S. in the contest for influence.”

Amid Severe News, Internet Blackout, Fears Of A Harsh Crackdown In Iran

Revolution Is On In Iran, Security Forces Fire On Protesters

Revolution Is On In Iran. Security Forces Fire On Protesters. 8 Killed. Iranian Resistance Issues Warning To IRGC To Lay Down Arms. Legacy Media Ignores.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards Qods Force UAV intended to attack the US consulate

Is Iran Losing The Middle East?

Why aren’t Israel and the US responding to Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Threats?

Iran war alert as Tehran taunts Trump – ‘Don’t dare attack us, we’re ready if you do!’

DONALD TRUMP “would not dare” attack Iran because military commanders in Washington were wary of the country’s military power, a senior Iranian minister has claimed.

Electors of Iran’s next leader cannot even protect themselves against IRGC

The Iraqi people are rising up against Iran

The Iraqi people are rising up against Iran