• EU closer to new sanctions on Iran regime – envoys
European Union governments are showing more support for the idea of new sanctions on the Iranian regime proposed by Britain, France and Germany as a way of dissuading U.S. President Donald Trump from pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal, diplomats say. Diplomats also said EU governments were under more pressure to protest against the Iranian regime’s role in Syria’s civil war following an April 7 suspected chemical weapons attack near Damascus, which the West blames on Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
“It’s not a ‘done deal’ but several states have dropped their resistance,” one diplomat said, citing Spain, Austria and Sweden, which had recently joined a majority in favor, Reuters reported.
• Quake, at least 5.5 in magnitude, strikes southern Iran
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An earthquake of at least magnitude 5.5 struck in southern Iran near the country’s sole nuclear power plant on Thursday morning, shaking countries across the Persian Gulf. There was no immediate report of damage or injuries.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at 0634 GMT some 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Bushehr. That’s home to the Bushehr Nuclear Power, the only operating nuclear power plant in Iran.
• Iran regime official warns of ‘imminent return’ of popular protests
Gholam Reza Jalali, head of Iranian regime’s Passive Defense Organization and former IRGC commander, has warned of an imminent return of the popular protests because of the exacerbating crises in the country.
According to ISNA the state run news agency, Jalali warned in a speech on Tuesday of what he called “a group of threats and disturbances” in the near future. Jalali believed that the threats might be for the internal security, external military attacks, or popular protests that revolve around the people’s demands.
• Iran regime to replace US dollar with euro in financial reports
TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian regime has announced plans to replace the US dollar with the euro in official financial reporting, according to state-run media.
The move on Wednesday is seen as part of efforts to circumvent restrictions on accessing the US currency amid tensions with Washington, as well as prevent market instability generated due to fluctuations in the value of Iranian rial against the dollar. State-run IRNA news agency said.
• Countdown Starts for Banning Telegram
The countdown has started for the disappearance of Telegram instant messaging app as Iranian regime’s leader Ali Khamenei’s office said his account would shut down to protect national security. Similarly, VP Eshaq Jahangiri said that his office will longer update his channel and that it will use other native platforms instead.
• Bob Corker: No, Really, Trump is Gonna Kill The Iran Nuclear Deal
Daily Beast, April 18, 2018 – Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned on Wednesday that President Donald Trump will “absolutely” withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal in less than a month.
“I think many of the people around the president… would like to see a framework agreement achieved. I think that’s a better outcome for our nation both in the short and long-term,” Corker told The Daily Beast.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt at all” that Trump will pull the U.S. out of the agreement, the senator said earlier at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast with reporters.
• Mysterious Iranian missile on display in Army Day parade
An unidentified air-launched cruise missile, rarely seen, was on display at Iran’s Army Day parade on Wednesday. Marked with initials of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, the missile features trapezoidal grid fins ― most commonly associated with U.S. missiles ― and a seeker in the tip.
According to Ian Williams, associate director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project, this suggests the mysterious missile is equipped with some kind of homing guidance, possibly an infrared or TV seeker.
• Iran: 7 Prisoners Hanged In Gohardasht Prison Of Karaj
On Wednesday Iranian regime hanged seven men, all the victims were transferred to solitary confinement on Monday, in preparation for their executions.
According to the latest report of the Amnesty International, among all the recorded executions worldwide last year, more than 51 percent were carried out in Iran.
• Iran Executes Bahman Varmaziyar despite Extensive Criticism
Iran on Wednesday hanged Bahman Varmaziyar, in Hamedan Prison, state media reported.
However, 18 days after committing the rubbery, he turned himself to the police and returned all he had stolen to its owner, expressing his regret of his actions. The plaintiff had also dropped all charges.
Hundreds of human rights activists and Persian language social media users had asked the Iranian judicial authorities to stop Bahman Varmaziyar’s execution.
