Sahar Nowrouzzadeh was the Iran director for the National Security Council (NSC) during Obama’s administration. She is now working at the State Department where she is in charge of Iran and the Persian Gulf region for policy planning. Nowrouzzadeh once worked for a supposed Iranian regime lobbying group and was once employed by the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC) – the non-profit organisation that lobbies for the Iranian regime.
In a “historic turning point” in relations between the two countries, the Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman has just been welcomed to the White House by US President Donald Trump.
The meeting on Tuesday incurred moments of tension and a difference of opinions, but the next day issues were on the way to being resolved. In a statement, a senior advisor to the Prince said that on the first day of meetings “relations had undergone a period of difference of opinion” but the following day issues were “on the right track, and marked a significant shift in relations, across all political, military, security and economic fields”.
The Head of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs announced that the Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, ordered the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) to grant Iranian citizenship to the mercenaries fighting in Syria.
Mohammad Ali Shahidi said in an interview on Sunday that Khamenei asked him to grant Iranian citizenship to the Fatemiyoun Division forces, Afghan mercenaries and Pakistani mercenaries from the Zainebiyoun Brigade who are fighting in Syria on behalf of Assad.
Khamenei has said that Iran is “obliged” to welcome these fighters to the country and said that they should be granted citizenship and covered under the Foundation of Martyrs.
At a roundtable discussion “Women in Leadership, the Experience of the Iranian Resistance”, Mrs Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), spoke about the struggle for freedom and equality for Iranian women.
She emphasised that women in Iran are rising up against the misogyny and tyranny they are faced with. She said that since the 1979 overthrow of the Shah, women leapt forward and started to participate in street demonstrations. Women, and the wider society, was looking forward for ways to progress. However, the ruling regime was looking the other way and was trying to pull the country backwards.
Expressing his fear of youth protests on the Fire Festivals, Tehran Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Sajedinia resorted to threats, saying that “after coordination, Tehran Prosecutor has personally written a letter to me, authorizing police to, in case of disturbances, seriously deal with norm-breakers and hold them in police custody till the end of New Year’s holidays.”
He imploringly asked the families to avoid using any firecrackers as far as possible, and take the opportunity to get together and hold family soirees. And if their children are willing to attend passages, make sure that they only attend the alley where they live, as police won’t allow any streets, even side ones, to be blocked.
As tensions rise between Iran and the international community, the people of Iran are taking to the streets to protest the situation at home. Domestic unrest is on the rise.
Teachers in more than 20 cities across the country protested in the streets and urged the authorities to listen to their demands.
They participated in sit-ins in front of ministry of education buildings and chanted about the plundering policies of the regime and the repression and suppression they face. They held placards saying “No to prison”, “Detained teachers must be freed”, etc.
Iran is continuing with its habit of provoking the United States. Recently, Iranian vessels approached a US Navy ship in international waters causing the US to fire warning shots.
Iran is testing the United States and the resolve of its President.
Trump and numerous officials in his administration have spoken again Iran and its provocations and aggression and have vowed to ensure this changes. The US has declared itself committed to making sure Iran faces consequences if, or when, it violates the terms of the nuclear deal or United Nations sanctions.
Israel’s objection about a solution for Syria that would benefit Iran has been noted. It believes that if the war in Syria ends and Iran is still present, it will be a security risk for Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised that Israel is not objecting to a solution being made in Syria – rather it is objecting to the presence of Iran and its proxies.
It is not just at Israel that is at risk – other countries are at risk too, such as Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and the Gulf.
It has been revealed that the Islamic Republic of Iran is using civilian planes to send military personnel and ammunition to Syria and Yemen.
An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official told Armed News that troops are sent to the war zones on civilian flights where they are hidden at the back of the plane. They leave via a separate door at the back away from the other passengers on the flight.
These flights also bring home the dead or injured military personnel.
Iran has continued with its pattern of provoking other countries. One such example is when Iranian vessels approached a US Navy vessel at the beginning of the month. Then it did the same thing a few days later. The body responsible for these provocations is Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Since the sanctions relief, the IRGC has grown emboldened and became further empowered faced with the inaction of the international community.
It carries out these kinds of provocations to show its regional supremacy and to flaunt its military power.
