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The clock is ticking as Iranian regime gets closer to the bomb

Shahriar Kia
Originally Published At: FamilySecurityMatters.org

The G-8 held negotiations in Canada on new round of sanctions against Iran to stop its uranium enrichment ambitions last week. Agreements and progressions were reached among the eight industrial nations of the world regarding fresh measures against Iran, officials involved in talks said. Of course, what the negotiation results will accomplish, taking into consideration that the past eight years have only bought Iran time to inch closer to the bomb, is something time has to tell. In today’s world, political and security crises have different roots.

Tehran’s strategic defeat in Iraq

Alireza Jafarzadeh
The March 7 parliamentary elections have heralded a new era for Iraq, pushing aside the incumbent Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki and officials with ties to Iran while opening way for a new slate of politicians hoping to mend serious sectarian divides. But, as a U.S. military official in Iraq told the Washington Post, Maliki and his allies “have no intention of giving up their regime,” something that could threaten the hard earned post-election gains for progress and stability and harm US troops withdrawal timetable.

Dance Lessons Prohibited in Iranian Nursery Schools

Mullahs’ regime has been known for leading the way in inventing means and measures to make living in Iran as hell for its citizens. 

Imposing sex segregation in schools and universities and even buses and harassment of women in streets by Basijies for wearing makeup or loose scarves are just some examples.

The latest measure that knowing the mullahs would not come as a surprise is the prohibition of dancing lessons in kindergartens and nursery schools.

Iran – Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Dies leaving mullahs’ Regime in Shambles

Grand Ayatollah Montazeri
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri

Crowds walk the streets of Tehran once again, this time chanting in support of an Iranian top cleric who died only a day ago. 

Grand Ayatollah MontazeriGrand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri was once heir to the Ayatollah Khomeini himself, but later disqualified by the founder of the Islamic Republic due to his objections to the massacres of 1988 in which over 30,000 political prisoners –mostly members and supporters of the Mojahedin Khalq Organization of Iran (PMOI) –were executed in a very short period of time.  The PMOI later turned into the main opposition movement to the theocratic regime of Khamanie calling for an end to his dictatorship.

The chanting crowd walking the streets, congratulated the top cleric on his lastly found freedom in death; referring to the fact that the grand ayatollah had been mostly under house arrest since his disqualification and spent his time teaching Islamic theology. 

But since the uprising of the Iranian public started earlier this year, the ayatollah stepped in to the public scene once again, condemning tortures and executions taking place at the hands of the ruling mullahs saying their actions has nothing to do with Islamic teachings.

Iranian Protests – Clashes reported in Tehran

Iran Protests
Iran Protests

On a day historically known in Iran as the day Americans were taken hostage 30 years ago, Iranian protesters once again stage demonstrations against their government.Iran Protests

While a demonstration supported by the government in front of the now closed American Embassy was in progress, thousands of protesting Iranians took to the streets to show their discontent.

Clashes have been reported in different parts of Tehran and there are reports of teargas being fired and arrests taking place.  Large crowed has been reported at the Tehran University and also the Enghelab square chant anti-government slogans.

Iran – Woman Journalist, Hengameh Shahidi Freed from Prison

Hengameh Shahidi
Hengameh Shahidi

Stop Fundamentalism – Iranian woman journalist, Hengameh Shahidi, who spent the past 121 days in the notorious Evin prison, has been released, says HRA News Agency.

Hengameh ShahidiShahidi was arrested after the recent presidential elections in Iran which caused an outbreak of demonstrations and social dissent against the Iranian regime. 

Shahidi spent 50 days in solitary during her captivity.  She was on her sixth day of hunger strike when released.

Hengameh Shahidi, is a member of Etemad-Meli Party, headed by Iran’s former presidential candidate, Mehdi Karrubi.

Shahidi was subject to intense torture and abuse during her arrest.

Iran – Imprisoned Woman Journalist on Indefinite Hunger Strike

Iranian Journalist, Hengameh Shahidi
Iranian Journalist, Hengameh Shahidi

Stop Fundamentalism – Hengameh Shahidi, an Iranian woman Journalist and a member of Etemad-Meli Party, headed by Iran’s former presidential candidate, Mehdi Karrubi, has started a hunger strike in the Iranian notorious Evin prison, Iranian news sources say.Iranian Journalist, Hengameh Shahidi

Shahidi who has been detained for the past four months, started her hunger strike after she was transferred to the public ward of the prison.  She intends to continue her strike until she is freed.

Shahidi has been subject to intense torture and abuse in prison since her arrest.

 

Shahidi who is a reputable journalist was arrested after the unrest erupted following June elections in Iran.

Hunger strike Ends as 36 Ashraf Residents go free

Stop Fundamentalism – National Council of Resistance of Iran announced today in a statement that 36 Ashraf residents, who had been taken in custody of the Iraqi forces on June 28 during an attack on the camp, have been returned to the camp.

Those released where on their seventieth day of hunger strike and Sixth day of dry hunger strike. As reported, some were unconscious when they were returned to camp Ashraf. 

A resident of Ashraf indicated that the prisoners were taken directly to the camp hospital for immediate medical attention.

Iran – Women Political Prisoner Moved to Evin Prison

Stop Fundamentalism – A woman political prisoner by the name of Shireen Alam-Houie, 28 stays in ward 209 of notorious Evin prison in Iran, reports Hrana News Agency.

 

Ward 209 in Evin is known to hold political prisoners.

 

According to reports Shireen, an Iranian political activist from Kurdistan, is charged with membership in a Kurdish party.  She has been in prison since May 2008 and has been denied to have access to proper defense.  It is feared that she is in danger of receiving the death penalty.

 

Iran Press news has reported that seven other political prisoners have received the death penalty in southern city of Ahwas.

Iran – Ashraf Residents Moved; Third Day of Dry Hunger Strike

Attack on Camp Ashraf Residents by Iraqi Forces on June 28
Attack on Camp Ashraf Residents by Iraqi Forces on June 28

Stop Fundamentalism, October 4, 2009- National Council of Resistance of Iran, in a statement today said that Iraqi police has once again move the thirty six Mojahedin members it has in its custody to a new undisclosed location.

Attack on Camp Ashraf Residents by Iraqi Forces on June 28The members had been arrested late July after an attack by the Iraqi forces on camp Asharf north of Baghdad, where the PMOI members reside. 11 residents of the camp were killed and over 500 wounded during the attack.  Videos of the raid showing Iraqi police using chains, axes, and bulldozers to attack the unarmed civilians of this camp were distributed on YouTube and outraged the international community.