THE CONTENT OF THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 9:30 PM CET
Gallagher, Cotton Introduce Iran Sanctions Resolution
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) today led 42 members of Congress in introducing a resolution opposing efforts to lift sanctions on Iran. The members released the following joint statement after introduction
MEK network in Iran supports uprising in Saravan
-in Sistan & Baluchestan Prov.
The internal network of the Iranian opposition hailed the protests in Saravan in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The Iranian Resistance Units, the network of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), installed posters and handwritten slogans in various cities supporting the Saravan protesters.
The Resistance Units organized vast activities in Tehran, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Karaj, Qazvin, Kazeroun, Sanandaj, and Borojen in support of the people of Saravan. They took to graffiti with the slogans “Saravan is not alone,” “Hail to the brave people of Saravan,” “The mullahs will pay for their bloodshed of the brave people of Saravan,” and “Down with the mullahs’ regime, we support Saravan.”
UPDATE: 3:00 PM CET
MEPs: Iran has the highest rate of executions per capita
#Iran has the highest rate of #executions per capita. In many cases the #deathpenalties are executed after flagrantly unfair trials marred by #torture-tainted confessions. Therefore we call on the 🇪🇺 leadership to condition relations with 🇮🇷 on its observance of human rights. pic.twitter.com/4r4yTYwOhO
— Anna Fotyga Biuro Poselskie (@AnnaFotyga_PE) February 26, 2021
EU Reporter: European politicians condemn upcoming business forum with Iran which ignores Iranian terrorism on European soil
A group of senior European politicians took part in an online conference to express outrage over the European Union’s silence vis-à-vis the recent conviction and imprisonment of an Iranian diplomat and three of his accomplices for terrorism and attempted murder in Belgium. The conference took particular aim at Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, who is scheduled to take part in the Europe-Iran Business Forum on March 1 alongside Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, writes Shahin Gobadi.
UPDATE: 9:30 AM CET
Iran: Coronavirus Death Toll in 486 Cities Exceeds 221,400
The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) announced on Thursday, February 25, 2021, that the Coronavirus fatalities in 486 cities had surpassed 221,400. The number of victims in Tehran is 52,636, Khorasan Razavi 14,710, Isfahan 14,270, Khuzestan 11,440, Mazandaran 9,357, Lorestan 9,153, West Azerbaijan 8,273, Gilan 7,916, Golestan 5,745, Alborz 5,573, Hamedan 5,213, Central Province 4,448, Semnan 3,430, and Ilam 2,276.
#Iran Coronavirus Update
More than 221,400 people have died of the novel #coronavirus in 486 cities checkered across all of Iran's 31 provinces, according to the Iranian opposition PMOI/MEK.
Full Reporthttps://t.co/0vxl21PEpc pic.twitter.com/ctD591UdBA
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 26, 2021
Iran: Protests continue in Suran and other cities in Sistan and Baluchestan
Suran – SE #Iran
Protests continue in Suran and other cities in Sistan and Baluchestan Province despite the heavy presence of security forces and the internet blackout. #IranProtests
Video source: RasadBaluchestan #سراون #سروان_تنها_نیست pic.twitter.com/sEDqU95luu— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) February 25, 2021
Iran’s Regime Sees MEK As Threat to Its Hold on Power
In June 2018, agents from the Iranian regime tried to carry out a terrorist attack on an Iranian Resistance rally near Paris where supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) were congregated.
The plan was foiled before an incident could take place but in November 2020, the leader of the plot and three accomplices were brought to trial where they were later convicted and sentenced. The key perpetrator, Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi, received a 20-year prison sentence.
Jafarzadeh: ‘Weak’ Iran regime needs nuclear weapons to appear strong
Feb. 25, 2021 – National Council of Resistance of Iran deputy director Alireza Jafarzadeh discusses U.S. potential rejoining 2015 deal
.@AmericaNewsroom: Jafarzadeh: 'Weak' Iran regime needs nuclear weapons to appear strong
Feb. 25, 2021 – National Council of Resistance of Iran dep director @A_Jafarzadeh discusses US potential rejoining 2015 deal#JCPOA #Terrorism @iran_policy @foxnewshttps://t.co/U8l7IqzK2U
— NCRI-U.S. Rep Office (@NCRIUS) February 25, 2021
Iran: Widespread support for protests in Saravan
Protests in Sistan and Baluchestan province continued late into the night on Wednesday, with more cities joining in the demonstrations that began on Monday, after the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) opened fire and killed fuel porters in Saravan county, near the Iran-Pakistan border.
Agnes Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial Executions, Iran’s government is now attacking not the substance of my work but my Mandate
The #Iran government had 2 months to engage with my report. They failed to do so and are now attacking NOT the substance of my work but my Mandate, proving that they know nothing of its history which includes the state responsibility to protect against unlawful deaths. https://t.co/lxJFD3MIv0
— Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) February 25, 2021
AP: US bombs facilities in Syria used by Iran-backed militia
The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service member and other coalition troops.
The airstrike was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, which in its first weeks has emphasized its intent to put more focus on the challenges posed by China, even as Mideast threats persist. Biden’s decision to attack in Syria did not appear to signal an intention to widen U.S. military involvement in the region but rather to demonstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq.
Iran news in brief, February 26, 2021
Read more: Iran News in Brief – February 25, 2021