ANALYSIS: In the middle of election fever, Iran opposition gets major boost

As the regime in Iran is engulfed with major turbulence over its upcoming presidential election, scheduled for May 19, Tehran saw its concerns increase significantly as Senator John McCain, Chairman of the US Senate Armed Forces Committee and a very influential senior member of the Republican Party, visited Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in Albania on Friday.

McCain went on to meet with Maryam Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a conglomerate of different Iranian dissident organizations and individuals seeking regime change in Iran. The PMOI/MEK is the largest of five different organizations in the NCRI.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2017/04/18/ANALYSIS-In-the-middle-of-election-fever-Iran-opposition-receives-major-boost.html 

The Iran Regime's Terrorist IRGC Qods Force: We Are Engulfed in a Minefield

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/society/22544-the-iran-regime-s-terrorist-irgc-qods-force-we-are-engulfed-in-a-minefield

NCRI - Tasnim News, affiliated with the terrorist Qods Force, described the Iran regime’s fear of the impact of cyberspace on the upcoming presidential election in Iran; comparing it to a minefield that has surrounded the regime. According to the article, “Under such circumstances, we are engulfed in a minefield. Since the number of enemies has increased, they have a soft but imposing approach with the regime through the media and cyberspace. Therefore, we have to cope with this issue with reasonable and tactful approaches.”

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/economy/22545-iran-facing-state-run-media-rouhani-lies-again

NCRI - Following the crisis of holding a sham presidential election in Iran, the remarks made by Hassan Rouhani in the press conference on Monday, April 10th were slammed by his opponents. He talked of his clearance in the election and called his opponents liars and traitors. Meanwhile, on April 11th, the state-run Raja News accused Rouhani of betrayal, since he lied about his 100-day plans.

On Monday, April 10th, in response to a question asked by a journalist regarding his 100-day economic plans, Rouhani stated, “When did I say that I would solve the economic issues in 100 days? What I actually said was that I will announce my achievements in 100 days, if I win the election. We must not tell the people lies. This is actually called betrayal.”

Iran: Shocking Scenes of Cars and Passengers Being Dragged and Drowned in the Flood

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/society/22546-iran-shocking-scenes-of-cars-and-passengers-being-dragged-and-drowned-in-the-flood

https://youtu.be/n_kcO2qSRkA

Azerbaijan Province – North Western Iran: APRIL 14, 2017. severe raining since Friday morning caused a massive flood resulting more than 50 villages being destroyed and unknown number of people killed, injured and disappeared in the flood, the weather forecast was indicative of the flood and Rouhani’s trip to this province was cancelled but the authorities did nothing to caution people and take necessary measures to prevent and control the damages, and human lives losses.

Iran’s iron-fisted rulers ban familes from rallying for the condemned

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/04/irans_ironfisted_rulers_ban_familes_from_rallying_for_the_condemned.html#ixzz4eCjxGLuH

A few days ago, on April 9, Tehran witnessed a painful day for the family members of death row inmates, especially the mothers, whose beloved children are under imminent threat of execution in Iran's prisons.

The families held a protest in front of the parliament in Tehran on Sunday, demanding that the death verdicts against their loved ones be canceled and a law passed banning all executions in Iran, according to a wire posted by the "Human Rights Center of 'No' to Prison, 'No' to Execution.

پیک شادی - ترانه طنز فری فری روحانی

Comment by Shahin Gobadi, on the Amnesty International's Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran

Comment by Shahin Gobadi, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran on the Amnesty International’s report on human rights situation in Iran and extension of sanctions on the Iranian regime’s officials for human rights abuse by the European Union and upcoming sham presidential elections in Iran.

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/human-rights/22527-comment-by-shahin-gobadi-on-the-amnesty-international-s-report-on-human-rights-situation-in-iran 

Trump’s strike against Assad in Syria: The message for Iran

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2017/04/11/Trump-s-strike-against-Assad-in-Syria-The-message-for-Iran.html

The United States military took decisive action early Thursday morning through launching a total of 59 precision guided Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting a Syrian airbase north of Damascus.

This site was believed to be used by Bashar Assad to carry out a horrific chemical weapons attack last Tuesday, leaving more than 500 killed and injured in Idlib Province of northwest Syria. Entire families were devastated, such as Abdulhamid al-Yussof, who lost 25 members of his family, including his wife and 9-month twin babies, Ahmed and Aya.

US President Donald Trump ordered the military strike, carried out by two US warships, the USS Porter and USS Ross, prior to his meeting with the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Florida, possibly also sending a message also to North Korea about its nuclear ambitions.

More importantly, however, this strike, signaling a major shift in US policy, will be viewed as a strong message to Iran, being the main supporter of Assad regime throughout span of this atrocious six-year carnage against innocent civilians. And this turn of events couldn’t have arrived at a more critical timing, only weeks prior to Iran’s presidential election. Tehran will need to carefully evaluate the road ahead.

U.S. Senate Conference Discusses Revolutionary Guard's Terrorist Interventions

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/iran-world/22521-u-s-senate-conference-discusses-revolutionary-guard-s-terrorist-interventions

NCRI - A conference was held in U.S. Senate on Thursday April 6, 2017, in which prominent U.S. figures as well as terrorism and foreign policy experts had participated to discuss the nature of the Iranian regime’s Revolutionary Guards and its functions.

Describing the Revolutionary Guard’s key role as regime’s main lever of repression at home and export of terrorism and fundamentalism abroad, the speakers at the conference emphasized on the necessity of naming the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group and imposing comprehensive sanctions on it.

the Illicit Nuclear Activities of Iran Regime, a Threat to the Security of the U.S.

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/nuclear/22523-the-illicit-nuclear-activities-of-iran-regime-a-threat-to-the-security-of-the-u-s

The following is an excerpt of an article titled: “Dismantling sanctions emboldens Iran, Trump can forge a new policy” which appeared on ‘The Hill’ on April 11, 2017.edition.

U.S. President Donald Trump, with the apparent support of the Republican Senate, appears poised to unveil new targeted sanctions on Iran in the coming days. While the details of the sanctions are unclear, the administration’s acknowledgment and willingness to act strongly against Iran is a turning point for the Middle East. 

The time is right for a new approach in the region. After the iconic signing of the nuclear deal and the subsequent lifting of many sanctions, Iran has, without consequence, continued and perhaps, even ramped up its sponsorship of terrorism and its destabilizing efforts in the areas perhaps most important to U.S. foreign policy, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Bahrain. Rather than merely sponsoring and supplying actors that fight the U.S. and its allies, a vast number of soldiers from the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are fighting on the ground in Syria.

Norwegian Parliament: Iran Regime, the Source of Terrorism and Exporting Islamic Fundamentalism

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/iran-resistance/22524-norwegian-parliament-iran-regime-the-source-of-terrorism-and-exporting-islamic-fundamentalism

NCRI - A conference was held in Norway titled, “Islamic Fundamentalism: What is the solution?” in which Norwegian MPs from various parties, representatives of different embassies, including the Dutch Ambassador in Norway, and a number of Iranian Resistance supporters took part.

The speakers at this session, held by Hans Olav Syversen, Chairman of the Norwegian Parliament Finance Commission and Vice President of Norway’s Christian Democrat Party Parliamentary Group, were:

Ola Elvestuen, Chairman of the Norwegian Parliament Energy and Environment Commission, and Vice President of Norway’s Liberal Party Parliamentary Group;

Tom Siring, Fellow at the Oslo University Human Rights Center;

Former MEP Struan Stevenson;

Former Norwegian MP Lars Rise;

Iran: Depression Doubles in Past 26 Years/People Are Literally Hopeless

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/society/22525-iran-depression-doubles-in-past-26-years-people-are-literally-hopeless

NCRI - Iran’s Health Minister said in the past 26 years that the number of people suffering from depression has doubled.

“The people are victims of wrong decisions made by a number of policymakers and what we see today is unfortunately in a path of hopelessness,” Hassan Ghazizadeh said on Sunday at a World Health Day event.

“Issues such as unemployment, losing loved ones, road accidents and excessive use of narcotics have resulted in an increasing number of psychological disorders and depression,” he added.

Impact of Syria Attack on Iran's Presidential Election

NCRI - The U.S.attack on the Shayrat airfield in Syria immediately showed its impact on Iran’s presidential election. Various factions are attempting to take advantage of this development, turning it to their favor and against their rivals.

“Today, more than ever before, we must unite because it is not clear what visions the people in power now in the U.S. have for the region and the world. We must be very aware and plan very carefully, to be ready for a variety of probabilities. Good elections are the power of Iran and our nation…,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in his remarks on Saturday.

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/iran-world/22526-impact-of-syria-attack-on-iran-s-presidential-election 

To confront Iran, halt the IRGC's commerce

Last week the leading Iranian opposition group held a press conference in Westminster to highlight some aspects of the ever-growing commercial empire being maintained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as well as the ways in which the paramilitary's wealth contributes to the ongoing operations of terrorist groups throughout the region.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) specifically identified the sites of some 90 docks operated exclusively by the IRGC within Iranian ports. The information was obtained from the network of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), which has assets within the clerical regime and the IRGC itself and made international headlines in 2002 when it revealed key details about the regime's nuclear program.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/to-confront-iran-halt-the-irgcs-commerce/article/2619884# 

Iran’s Presidential Candidates: Two of the Same

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/04/irans_presidential_candidate
 s_two_of_the_same.html

The presidential election in Iran, scheduled for May 19th, witnessed a major development last Thursday when Ebrahim Raisi, of the “principalists” faction and considered a close confidant of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, announced his candidacy. A few weeks ago, 50 members of the all-clerics Assembly of Experts, the body in charge of appointing the next supreme leader, issued a letter to Khamenei calling for Raisi to become the regime’s next president. Raisi himself had informed the regime’s various factions he will participate only if he enjoys Khamenei’s blessing.

Iran elections: The West must stand with Iranians against their abusive regime5

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/iran-elections-west-must-stand-iranians-against-their-abusive-regime-1616735

The world is watching on as Iran plans to hold its presidential elections in less than six weeks, but it's important to look at its consequences through the prism of human rights.

While critics point out, correctly, that an election whereby all candidates must prove their loyalty in heart and deed to the Supreme Leader, and are filtered stringently by a Guardian Council whose members are themselves appointed by the Supreme Leader, can hardly be considered to represent the free will of the nation, the prospective choice of candidates offered to the Iranian people is itself a stark indicator of the fate that Iranians are expected to face.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/iran-elections-west-must-stand-iranians-against-their-abusive-regime-1616735 

The Tale of the Small White Fish in Iran

On a cold winter night in late February, in a large lake near the city of Ahwaz, the capital of the oil-rich Khuzistan Province in southwest Iran, an old and wise fish gathered around the 7,500 small and baby fishes of his school. He was preparing to tell them something important.

The frightened fish quickly gathered around him to listen carefully. The old fish, with his deep voice, told them he had heard some news he wished to share with them.

You have to make an important decision, he said. There is a war coming. You have to prepare yourselves.

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/04/the_tale_of_the_small_white_fish_in_iran.html#ixzz4e2zWz1cp 

اخبار الكويت: مريم رجوي : إسقاط نظام الملالي امر لا بد منه ، ولا لعمامة بيضاء ولا لعمامة سوداء في إيران

دسمان نيوز – في تجمع حاشد لاعضاء منظمة مجاهدي خلق الإيرانية في ألبانيا بمناسبة الذكرى السادسة لمجزرة اشرف التي وقعت في 8 أبريل 2011 بيد المالكي وبأمر من خامنئى، أكدت السيدة مريم رجوي رئيسة الجمهورية المنتخبة من قبل المقاومة الإيرانية على ” أنّ معظم الكوارث والدمار والفساد التي حلّت ببلدان بالشرق الأوسط، يعود مصدرها إلى التنازلات التي قدّمتها الدول الغربية وبالتحديد الولايات المتحدة إلى نظام الملالي. تصوّروا، لو كان هذا الردّ والتصدي الذي جاء جواباً للقصف الكيماوي للنظام الأسدي وقتل الشعب السوري العزّل والأطفال الأبرياء، لو كان قبل 4 سنوات في سوريا، ألم يكن وضع المنطقة وملامحه مختلف تماما مما هو عليه الآن مع 11 مليون مشرّد سوري وملايين من طالبي اللجوء؟ “

http://www.wisalnews.com/Kuwait/744541.html 

خطوة مهمة نحو مستقبل أفضل!بقلم:عبدالرحمن مهابادي

ولو تأخر الا أنه لابد من مضي مدة لكي تصل الدول العربية إلى إجماع على «قضية مهمة» وتفكر في اتخاذ تدابير حولها، ألا وهي مسألة قطع أذرع النظام الإيراني في المنطقة. 

ومنذ يوم وصول نظام ولاية الفقيه في عام 1979إلى السلطة بسرقة منجزات نضال الشعب الإيراني، فكانت للدول العربية رؤى مختلفة تجاه هذا النظام متأثرة من سياسات الدول الغربية حياله بحيث نظمت كل واحدة منها علاقات معه حسب موقعها الداخلي والجغرافي ولكنها كانت تدرك أن النظام الحديث العهد الحاكم في إيران هو نظام توسعي وعدواني ومن نوع «اسلام متشدد(!)». لأنه اضافة إلى شعاراته وسياساته المعلنة، قد أجج نيران الحرب مع العراق منذ البداية. 

ويأتي مؤتمر القمة العربية الأخيرة التي عقدت في الاردن، ليكون تحولا مهما يبرز هذه الحقيقة حيث كانت خطابات المتكلمين معظمها (من وزراء وزعماء) تشير إلى تدخلات النظام الإيراني في دول المنطقة مشددة على ضرورة التنسيق والتعاون بين الدول العربية لدرء شر هذا النظام. كما أكد الملك سلمان والملك عبدالله عن قلقهما عن تدخلات النظام الإيراني في الشؤون الداخلية لدول المنطقة ومحاولاته لاثارة الفتن الطائفية ومساندة الإرهاب (صحيفة الشرق الأوسط 28 مارس).

https://pulpit.alwatanvoice.com/articles/2017/04/09/433769.html 

 

لو كان بيكاسو حيًا لبكى

لكم المسافة الزمنية بعيدة والبلدة الباسكية الاسبانية غيرنيكا عن بلدة خان شيخون السورية، كم المفارقة عجيبة والالم متشابه، ففي 4 ابريل 2017 قصف سكان شيخون بالغاز المحرم غاز السورين لتبدو حدقات الاطفال جاحظة فزعة لتذكرنا باطفال ونساء لوحة الغرينكا لبيكاسو، وكأنها العيون تشكل لوحة الفضاعة تلك، اليوم يتكرر كتاريخ الفظاعة ذاك من 26 ابريل من عام 1937، ثمانون عاما فاصلة بين غيرنيكا سورية وغيرنيكا اسبانية، حيث يلتحم ويتداخل نزيف الدم الانساني وقشعريرة البدن والضمير عبر تلك اللوحة والذاكرة الاسبانية والعالمية حاضرة وخجلة، تخفي دمامتها الفاشية والنازية. 

بعد شهرين من مجزرة التدمير لبلدة غيرنيكا كانت اللوحة الجدارية لبيكاسو جاهزة تطوف أرجاء العالم لتنقل وتشرح الترويع خلال الحرب الاهلية الاسبانية، تحولت اللوحة لرسالة احتجاج وادانة لمأساة الحرب ومعاناتها، اليوم تحولت اللوحة بعد ثمانين عاما صوتا يوقظ الضمير العالمي من اجل مناهضة الحرب وتجسيدًا للسلام.

http://www.alayam.com/Article/courts-article/405862/%D9%84%D9%88-%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%88-%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%8B%D8%A7-%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%83%D9%89.html 

إنه صوت الحق الذي لايعلى عليه أبدا بقلم:حسيب الصالحي

https://pulpit.alwatanvoice.com/articles/2017/04/09/433806.html

في خضم الازمات الحادة التي يعاني منها نظام الجمهورية الاسلامية الايرانية و التي أوصلت البلاد الى حد إن أکثر من 45 مليون مواطن إيراني بإعتراف النظام نفسه لايجدون مايسدون بهم أودهم، وفي ظل التهديد المحدق بهذا النظام في مشروع القرار المقدم في مجلس النواب الامريکي بإدانة النظام الايراني لإرتکابه مجزرة صيف عام 1988، والتي راح ضحيتها أکثر من 30 ألف سجين سياسي من أعضاء و أنصار منظمة مجاهدي خلق و تقديم مرتکبيه للمحاکمة الدولية کي ينالوا جزاءهم، في هذا الوقت تحديدا يبادر هذا النظام و بکل وقاحة الى عزمه عن ترشيح رجل الدين ابراهيم رئيسي لمنصب رئيس الجمهورية في الانتخابات الصورية المزمع إجرائها في 19 أيار 2017، من دون أن تدرك و تعي بأن هذا الرجل مشبوه و مطلوب للعدالة الدولية على خلفية کونه أحد من خمسة إئتلاف"جمنا" و يقترن اسمه بملف إعدامات عام 1988.
إذاعة دويتشە فيلا التي وجهت إنتقادا ضمنيا لاذعا للنظام تتساءل فيه کيف يمکن ترشيح هکذا رجل کان عضوا في لجنة الموت التي قامت بإعدام 30 سجين سياسي إيراني على أثر فتوى ظالمة من الخميني بأثر رجعي، لمنصب رئيس الجمهورية، يأتي في وقت صار فيه هذا النظام مکشوفا أمام العالم کله ولم يعد بوسعه أن يمارس ألاعيبه و مسرحياته المثيرة للسخرية من أجل التمويه على الحقائق، وإن هکدا موقف مثير ليس للسخرية فقط وانما للشفقة أيضا ليس بإمکانه إطلاقا أن يحرف و يزيف أبجديات و احداثيات الواقع التي تتجه کلها ليس لإدانة النظام السوري فقط وانما نظام الجمهورية الاسلامية الايرانية أيضا الشريك الاساسي للنظام السوري.

http://www.women.ncr-iran.org/articles/3743-proud-struggle-of-iranian-women-for-150-years

http://www.women.ncr-iran.org/articles/3743-proud-struggle-of-iranian-women-for-150-years

Iranian women's struggles date back to 150 years ago. They have paved a long and tortuous path in the struggle against several dictatorial regimes who denied women's rights.

The misogynous rulers did not even allow the history of women's struggle be registered and even fully narrated. What our generation knows of 1.5 centuries of struggle of the women of Iran is only a small part of her heroism and bravery and a meager portion of her suffering and torment retrieved from heavy distortions and censorship.

Iran: I would rather die than to give in to oppression - Atena Daemi

Civil and children's rights activist Atena Daemi published an open letter on April 9, 2017, insisting that she would continue her hunger strike until she is granted her demands.

Ms. Daemi started a hunger strike on April 9 in Evin Prison to protest the prison sentences issued for her sisters, Ensieh and Hanieh Daemi.

http://www.women.ncr-iran.org/iran-women-news/3827-iran-i-would-rather-die-than-to-give-in-to-oppression-atena-daemi

 

Iran: Nargess Mohammadi deprived of furlough

Judiciary officials refused to grant furlough to human rights activist Nargess Mohammadi who is presently detained in Evin Prison. This is while they have already received a 600-million-touman bail bond for her.

Ms. Mohammadi has finished serving a six-year sentence for her first case. She has started serving another 10-year sentence as the second stage of her case which began on March 15, 2017.

The NCRI Women's Committee issued a statement on May 19, 2016, demanding revocation of Nargess Mohammadi's unjust verdict and her release.

http://www.women.ncr-iran.org/iran-women-news/3828-iran-nargess-mohammadi-deprived-of-furlough 

Iranian Resistance Strongly Condemns the Massacre of Christians in Egypt

NCRI - The world’s conscience is offended by the shocking news of the deadly explosions in the churches of two Egyptian cities of Tanta and Alexandria and killing of dozens of innocent people.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, strongly condemns these anti-human killings. While expressing condolences to the people and government of Egypt, It wishes speedy recovery for the injured, the committee calls for that the perpetrators of this horrible crime against humanity to be brought to justice.

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/terrorism-fundamentalism/22512-iranian-resistance-strongly-condemns-the-massacre-of-christians-in-egypt 

Iran: Execution of a Prisoner After Heart Attack

In a heinous crime on April 5, 2017, a seriously ill prisoner was hanged in Esfahan prison. Houshang Servati was executed while two days earlier, after his transfer to solitary confinement, had suffered a heart attack. He had five children.

The regime’s henchmen keep persecuting and torturing prisoners to the last moments and their transfer to solitary confinement for the implementation of death sentence is accompanied by beating and insults.

On April 4, another ill prisoner was executed after four years detention in Tabriz prison. Before his arrest, he was exempt from military service because of mental illness.

In another development, on the morning of April 6, Gohardasht prison guards raided halls 30 and 35 of Ward 10 of the prison, insulted and humiliated prisoners and destructed their belongings, and took away their medications.

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/ncri-statements/human-rights/22513-iran-execution-of-a-prisoner-after-heart-attack 

Iran's Rouhani Contacts Syrian Dictator, Backs Chemical Massacre

Khamenei told Rouhani to certainly register as a candidate: Iran’s Industry Minister

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed his support over the phone for Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s killing of this country’s people, claiming the Idlib chemical attack is “false and without evidence”, outrageously accusing the opposition for the attack.

“The use of chemical weapons… was aimed to diverse the general public’s attention from the truth. We must not permit terrorists use such weaponry, then accuse others and provide pretexts for measures in violation of international regulations,” he said. (Iranian state media – April 9) 

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/ncri-statements/terrorism-fundamentalism/22510-iran-s-rouhani-contacts-syrian-dictator-backs-chemical-massacre

IRGC Is Arm of Iran Regime's Exporting of Terrorism

http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/terrorism-fundamentalism/22511-irgc-is-arm-of-iran-regime-s-exporting-of-terrorism
NCRI - An expert panel met with the U.S. Senate to discuss Iran’s upcoming ‘elections’ and the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Middle East. Various officials within the U.S. have been debating the wisdom of designating the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. Current legislation in from of Congress would impose harsher sanctions on the IRGC, but would not go so far as to designate it a terrorist organization.