• Rouhani: Many have lost trust in Iran’s future following US sanctions
Pressures mounted on Iranian Regime President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday as lawmakers summoned him to answer questions on weak economic growth and rising prices, but the parliament was not convinced with his answers and referred the case to the judiciary.
Rouhani said the economic troubles only began when Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran, but many lawmakers did not find that answer satisfying according to vote results at the end of the session reported by Tasnim news agency.
Rouhani also said “be aware that sabotage creates destruction. Be aware that painting a bleak picture of people’s lives will lead to further darkness.”
During the speech Rouhani also argued that the January protests in Iran encouraged President Donald Trump to withdraw from the the JCPOA.
• Pompeo: U.S. will ‘vigorously defend’ against Iran court challenge
The United States will “vigorously defend” itself in the International Court of Justice against Iran’s challenge to the reimposition of US sanctions, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday.
Iran demanded in The Hague that the top UN court suspend the unilateral US sanctions, which were slapped back on three weeks ago following the US withdrawal from a landmark 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran.
“We will vigorously defend against Iran’s meritless claims this week in The Hague,” Pompeo said.
He said Iran’s filing with the International Court of Justice was “an attempt to interfere with the sovereign rights of the United States to take lawful actions, including re-imposition of sanctions, which are necessary to protect our national security.
• Ramin Hossein Panahi Seals Lips
Ramin Hossein Panahi seals lips as word spreads of his execution. His brother Amjad Hossein Panahi is keeping everybody updated on social media. The latest from this young political prisoner is that he sealed his lips to go on hunger strike. His brother has no further news since last night and Ramin is refused any communication.
One tweet suggests Ramin Hossein Panahi was beaten in jail and has been taken away. The last report had him held in Rajai Shahr Prison, Tehran where he can be far from home. In Marivan protesters called for Ramin’s complete release and no to his execution. The international community has also been very strict to give Tehran the halt message.
The Campaign of Defense for Civil and Political Prisoners stated that Ramin Hossein Panahi was severely beaten while taken to solidarity confinement. His condition was so bad he had to be taken to the hospital. Ramin’s latest condition and fate have added to his family’s great concern for their young boy.
• Iran student gets 7 years for taking part in university protest
A 21-year-old student in Iran has been sentenced to seven years in prison for taking part in university protests, her lawyer and Iranian media said on Monday.
Parisa Rafei, an arts student at the University of Tehran, was convicted of “assembly with the intention of acting against national security, propaganda against the system and disrupting public order,” according to newspaper Shargh.
A total of 45 of her fellow students are also behind bars for their part in much broader unrest that swept the country later in December, according to an article in the Etemad newspaper.
It said at least two of the students have been given sentences of eight years, without providing details, and that all the cases were due to be completed within the next month.
