by Azita Carlson

The Iranian regime for nearly four decades, has attempted to suppress Iranian dissention. Efforts to discredit or eliminate any group that opposes them include diplomatic pressure, mass arrests and imprisonment for participation or membership, and recently, attacks in news media and as well as on social media. 

Iran’s regime has created many online front groups, web pages, and blogs that are dedicated to discrediting any Iranian opposition group and give to the impression of a social media wave of support for its policies. Specifically targeted by these regime false fronts is the National Council of Resistance of Iran, an umbrella opposition group housing various resistance efforts such as the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) or otherwise known as the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK).

Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State under Richard Nixon, has warned the Trump administration against allowing the Iranian Regime to take control of lands liberated from the so-called Islamic State.

The former top diplomat wrote an op-ed for CapX, in which he explained that the Iranian Regime’s only goal in helping to defeat ISIS has been to take control of the Iraqi and Syrian territory once ISIS has been driven back, which would allow the Iranian Regime to create a “radical Iranian empire” across the Middle East.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini and other EU officials will be attending the inauguration of Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president that has just been re-elected for a second term. The EU sees the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as an effective way of ensuring the security of the world. 

US President Donald Trump’s opinion of the nuclear deal could not be any more different. Even before he took office, Trump said that the deal was the worst he has ever seen and vowed to scrap it. He has not, yet, scrapped the deal but he is very well aware that Iran is not acting in accordance with the deal and has identified the country as the greatest threat to peace in the Middle East and beyond.

The US, along with three European allies, increased pressure on the Iranian Regime on Wednesday, over its supposed space launch last week.

In a letter to the United Nations Security Council and Secretary General António Guterres, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and envoys from Britain, France and Germany wrote that the satellite that Iran launched into orbit was “inherently capable of delivering a nuclear warhead”.

On July 31, 2017, Apple announced in a message to Iranian parties that the Company will remove Iranian software from App Store due to new U.S. sanctions against the Iranian regime.

In response to Apple’s removal of software, the Iranian regime’s state TV news agency said: “Apple has not yet provided a reason for this. Removed software are programs in which there is a possibility to pay by Iranian currency, the Rial. Apple has sent a message to the developers that it is no longer able to support Iranian software.”

The annual “Free Iran” rally hosted by the Iranian Resistance in Villepinte, in the suburbs of Paris, took place three weeks ago. 

Since then, the regime has been upset over the massive reception this event garnered, both inside the country and on the international scene. 

Meanwhile, the Justice-Seeking Movement has been calling for retribution for the victims of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners, and the regime has been criticized for its crimes against the countries in the Middle East.

On July 28, 2017, member of Iranian regime parliament, mullah Mousavi Largani, said: “If the new sanctions are approved by the US Congress, a plan should be drawn up to oblige the government to place 20% enrichment (of uranium) on the agenda.”

He added that new sanctions against Iran regime have been approved by the US Congress, while Tramp has accused the regime of violating the nuclear agreement (JCPOA) in recent days…