THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 7:30 PM
Obama Administration Prevented FBI From Arresting ‘Known Terrorists’ And Others Linked To Iran During Nuclear Deal Negotiations, GOP Senators Say
The Obama administration stymied multiple FBI arrest operations against individuals on US soil linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs – including “known terrorists” – in order to further negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal, two Republican senators said Wednesday.
The startling allegations were made to Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) via legally protected whistleblower disclosures.
The senators on Wednesday presented unclassified internal FBI emails obtained from the whistleblowers to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland showing the “obstruction” effort in a letter which also demanded more records related to the Obama administration’s nuclear deal negotiations.
UPDATE: 6:30 PM
Stevenson: Could Raisi’s Death Bring Freedom to Iran?
It’s somewhat ironic that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the “Butcher of Tehran,” met his end in an American helicopter.
When the U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter plummeted into a mountainside in Northern Iran on May 19, it ended the life of one of the greatest criminals in Iranian — and for that matter, world — history.
Raisi was killed alongside Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian; Malek Rahmati, the governor of East Azerbaijan Province; and several others. For Raisi, it was a fittingly fiery end to a murderous career. I have been a key supporter of the main democratic Iranian opposition movement and a target for the mullahs’ regime for more than 20 years.
UPDATE: 9:00 AM
Congresswoman Tenney Condemns Biden Administration Condolences for President of Iran’s Death
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today sent a letter to the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning the Biden administration’s decision to express condolences for the passing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Additional members who joined the letter include Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL), Carol Miller (R-WV), Pete Stauber (R-MN), John Rose (R-TN), Randy Weber (R-TX), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Don Bacon (R-NE), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), and John Rutherford (R-FL).
President Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024, was commonly referred to as the Butcher of Tehran for his barbaric treatment of the people of Iran. He was a U.S.-designated terrorist and had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department. Since the 1980s, Raisi has violently imprisoned, tortured, and killed thousands of anti-regime Iranians. This includes supporting the violent crackdown on protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman killed for not complying with Iran’s dress code. Tenney’s letter follows the State Department’s statement offering condolences for his death.
President Ebrahim Raisi, the Butcher of Tehran, persecuted & brutally murdered thousands of his own people, silencing any Iranians who dared to speak out against the regime.
The Biden admin must answer for why they mourn the death of this terrorist, an enemy of America & the… pic.twitter.com/0ZWuninQjX
— Rep. Claudia Tenney (@RepTenney) May 22, 2024
EU Countries to Add 10 New Individuals And Entities to Iran Sanctions – Sources
BRUSSELS, May 22 (Reuters) – EU countries have agreed to add 10 new individuals and entities to the Iran sanctions list, sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.
One of the sources said the move is related to Iran’s support of armed proxies in the Middle East and the Red Sea region as well as the country’s military support for Russia.
European Union leaders previously agreed to step up sanctions against Iran after Tehran’s missile and drone attack on Israel.
Iran: President Raisi’s Death Must Not Deny Victims Of His Grim Human Rights Legacy Their Right To Accountability
The death of President Ebrahim Raisi must not deny people in Iran their right to justice, truth and reparation for the litany of crimes under international law and human rights violations committed since the 1980s during his time in the echelons of power, said Amnesty International today, following his passing in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province.
Ebrahim Raisi, who at the age of 20 was appointed as Prosecutor General of Karaj, Alborz province, in 1980, quickly rose through the ranks to assume various senior judicial and executive positions, before becoming president in 2021. Over the past 44 years, he was directly involved in or oversaw the enforced disappearance and extrajudicial executions of thousands of political dissidents in the 1980s, the unlawful killing, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and torture of thousands of protesters; and violent persecution of women and girls defying compulsory veiling, among other serious human rights violations.
UPDATE: 7:00 AM
The Celebration of A Murderer’s Demise
One of the most meaningful and instructive aspects of the fall and death of Iranian regime president Ebrahim Raisi was the explosion of joy and celebration among people across the country following the news.
People, especially freedom fighters and freedom lovers, rejoiced as soon as they heard the news. Bereaved mothers, families of martyrs, and all those who had lost loved ones distributed sweets and congratulated each other in gratitude for the death of the “Butcher of 1988.”
This widespread and immediate celebration was reminiscent of the joy and public enthusiasm when the bloodthirsty executioner of Evin, Assadollah Lajevardi, was killed.
The Role of Iran’s Regime in Recurring Natural Disasters
Raging waves of flood, this recurring tragedy in the geography of Iran, has brought tears to the eyes of Iranians and ignited the burning pain in their hearts. This time it was Mashhad’s turn, which had no escape from the cries. But the leaders and officials of the regime are not disturbed by the images of floating and swirling cars in the muddy floodwater and the cries of trapped children inside them.
If we ask the officials and supporters of this regime why a 30-minute rainfall in Mashhad caused such devastating floods, they immediately attribute the answer to God’s wrath and say that the cause is immodesty, unveiled women, and an increase in immoral behavior, which must be a result of the distance young people have taken from the sacred and divine system of the Islamic Republic. They attribute the catastrophic effects of their brutal rule over Iran for more than four decades to God and the people, to shirk responsibility for their crimes.
Babak Alipour and Vahid Bani Amerian, Two Political Prisoners, Have Been Accused of Armed Rebellion
On May 21, 2024, Babak Alipour and Vahid Bani Amerian were charged with rebellion by Branch 5 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran. This accusation could lead to severe sentences, including the possibility of execution. Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM) would like to remind you that the charge of rebellion can potentially lead to severe punishments, including execution, crucifixion, amputation of the right hand and left foot, or banishment.
Babak Alipour: Political prisoner Babak Alipour, along with his brother, Ruzbeh Alipour, was arrested on November 4, 2018, while working at the Tarabar Market in Rasht. Babak Alipour was summoned and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht to serve his sentence on July 20, 2019. He had previously been released from Evin Prison in 2023 after enduring two years of imprisonment. However, he was arrested again in the winter of 2024.
Celebrations in Iran after Raisi’s Death, Signal Hope for the Regime Change
On the night of May 19, 2024, Iran experienced a unique event. After hours of confusion and conflicting reports, the government’s news suggested that the helicopter carrying Raisi and his entourage had crashed. It was almost certain to most people that under such circumstances, Raisi and his companions were dead. However, the government needed to delay announcing the news and finding the remains of the deceased to prepare its apparatus.
Iran had two prevailing expectations during the few hours before the final announcement. The first group consisted of government affiliates, guards, and all those whose livelihoods depended on the regime’s survival. They were worried about the fate of Raisi and his entourage.
Freedom-Loving Iranians in Norway and Sweden Celebrate the Death of Raisi, the Mass Murderer of Iranian Youth
May 20, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in Norway (Oslo), and Sweden (Stockholm) organized rallies and celebrated the death of Ebrahim Raisi the mass murderer of Iranian youth.
Freedom-Loving Iranians in London, Paris, Luxemburg, and Bucharest Celebrate the Death of Raisi, the Mass Murderer of Iranian Youth
May 20, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in London, Paris, Luxemburg, and Bucharest organized rallies and celebrated the death of Ebrahim Raisi the mass murderer of Iranian youth.
Freedom-Loving Iranians in the US and Canada Celebrate the Death of Raisi, the Mass Murderer of Iranian Youth
May 20, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in the United States (Los Angeles, Plano Texas), Canada (Toronto) organized rallies and celebrated the death of Ebrahim Raisi the mass murderer of Iranian youth.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – May 22, 2024