by Azita Carlson
Tehran unveiled its proposed budget, which comes with significant tax hikes and increases in fees and duties. The new budget increased by six percent from last year’s, but inflation is reported to be at almost 10 percent, nullifying the effects of any budget growth in terms of services that benefit the Iranian people.
by Armin Baldwin
Thousands of Iranian militia are stationed in Iraq to extinguish ISIS threats there. Now that ISIS has effectively been neutralized by U.S.-advised troops, and Iranian and Russian attacks, H.R. McMaster, the White House National Security Adviser, has a team who is developing a new post-ISIS strategy that focuses on containing the threat of Iran to Israel and U.S. forces.
Staff writer, SF
The Saudi government reported today that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have fired another ballistic missile into Saudi Arabia. Once again, the missile was successfully intercepted today by Saudi air defenses. According to the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information, this occurred south of the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
by Atousa Pilger
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal explained how Washington will begin pinpointing its focus and resources on the larger and more dangerous threat posed by Tehran, in the post-ISIS world.
The destructive policies of Tehran have become unacceptable, and the Trump administration made that very clear.
by Armin Baldwin
Spokesman of Islamic Republic’s foreign ministry, Bahram Qassemi, announced on December 15, that the legal status of the Caspian Sea issue has not been resolved, contrary to claims that an agreement on the legal status of the Caspian Sea is “practically ready” by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Qassemi said further, that reaching an agreement was not even on the agenda of littoral states’ meeting held in Moscow on December 4-5.
Staff writer, SF
Iran’s Sixth Development Plan has been blasted by a top Iranian environment official as being detrimental to soil and water resources. On December 11th, Issa Kalantari, head of the Iranian Environment Department, said at a ceremony celebrating World Soil Day, “Such plans are forced on the government without taking soil and water capacities into account.”
by Armin Baldwin
Three Arab agents, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Popular Mobilization appear to be among the greatest current threats posed by Iran.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, noted during the recent Manama Dialogue, that these three Iranian agents in the region are who we must focus on to prevent terrorist activities that serve Iranian interest and harm our security and stability, from being carried out by them.
by Navid Felker
Qais Khazali, the head of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) militia was reported as having visited Kafr Kila on the Lebanon-Israel border. The Iraqi PMF is said to be affiliated with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Therefore, in the context of the ongoing regional conflict, this can be seen as a dangerous development.
by Azita Carlson
Tribal insurgents in Yemen launched a ballistic missile to the outskirts of Riyadh at the beginning of the month. The warhead exploded near the capital’s international airport and thankfully there were no casualties. However, UN investigators looking at the debris have been able to look into claims that the Houthis in Yemen are using missiles provided by Iran.
by Armin Baldwin
Celebrating her children’s birthday in prison for the third year in a row, political prisoner and deputy of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran, Narges Mohammadi, lit a candle.
