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UPDATE: 4:00 PM CET
EU Presses Tehran on Nuclear Compliance
During the meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, the European Union expressed strong concern regarding the Iranian regime’s non-compliance with its nuclear commitments.
In a statement issued on November 23, the EU stated, “The EU is gravely concerned that in this reporting period, Iran has not made any progress in resolving the remaining outstanding safeguards issues, despite numerous resolutions of the Board and many opportunities provided by the DG over a number of years. In November last year, the Board decided in its resolution that it was “essential and urgent in order to ensure verification of the non-diversion of nuclear material” that Iran clarify all outstanding safeguards issues. We expect that Iran acts promptly to implement its safeguards obligations so as to restore confidence by entering into full, substantial, and constructive cooperation with the Agency. All safeguards issues will remain under our close scrutiny until the DG reports that they are no longer outstanding.”
The European Union, based on the IAEA’s assessment, called on the Iranian regime to promptly address outstanding safeguards concerns, de-designate experienced inspectors, implement modified Code 3.1, and rectify discrepancies in nuclear material at UCF. The EU also emphasized the urgency for Tehran to fulfill its commitments, urging swift and substantial cooperation.
UPDATE: 9:30 AM CET
Man Connecting with Iranian Regime Convicted of Terror Act in Germany’s Dortmund
Dortmund (dpa) – Eleven months after a spectacular anti-terror operation in Castrop-Rauxel, the Dortmund Regional Court has pronounced the verdict against a 26-year-old Iranian. The defendant was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment followed by preventive detention. “He was determined to carry out a terrorist attack with toxic substances,” said presiding judge Dirk Kienitz in the verdict.
The young man and his brother were arrested in January following a tip from an intelligence service. Chats with several people who are said to be close to the Islamic state [Iranian regime] had caught the attention of the terror investigators regarding the Iranian national.
During the trial, it turned out that the man had actually received instructions on how to produce the toxins ricin and cyanide. In addition, he had already started to procure the necessary ingredients. In the chats, it was said in several places that the attack was to be carried out on New Year’s Eve 2022. Until that day, however, the 26-year-old did not have all the ingredients together.
UPDATE: 8:00 AM CET
Why Iran’s Regime Is Opposed to Peace in the Middle East
While nearly 50 days have passed since the Middle East crisis and the tragic war in Gaza, a global consensus has formed around the “two-state” solution as the path to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas emphasizes this solution based on previous international agreements. However, the one exception to this international consensus is the Iranian regime. This opposition highlights the enmity of the Iranian regime towards the Palestinian government and the sole representative of the Palestinian people, namely the Palestinian Liberation Organization led by Mahmoud Abbas. It serves as evidence of the Iranian regime’s hostility towards peace in the Middle East. The immediate meaning of this hostility is that the Iranian regime does not see a future for itself except in times of crisis and war due to its inherently reactionary nature.
The Iranian Regime Must be Held Accountable
The appeals trial of a former Iranian regime prison official implicated in the 1988 massacre of political prisoners recently unfolded in Sweden as a consequential chapter in the ongoing struggle for accountability.
The proceedings not only laid bare the gruesome events of that dark period but also underscored the protracted conflict between the main Iranian opposition and the Iranian regime. Kenneth Lewis, serving as the attorney for multiple plaintiffs in the trial, argued that the clash between the opposition and the Iranian regime should not be classified as an international armed conflict as claimed by the Iranian regime and its proponents. Instead, he described it as a non-international armed conflict dating back to June 20, 1981.
Iran’s Growing Energy Challenges
Iran is grappling with a severe energy crisis, marked by a substantial electricity deficit and gas shortages, despite being the second-largest holder of gas reserves globally. In the first seven months of 2023, Iran’s Ministry of Energy reported that only 20% of its electricity production growth targets had been achieved.
This crisis has prompted the CEO of the state-run Tavanir energy company, Arash Kordi, to announce the doubling of electricity imports from Turkmenistan over the next 18 months. This move comes as a response to Iran’s pressing energy needs and the persistent challenges it faces in meeting its electricity consumption demands.
Currently importing 350 to 400 megawatts from Turkmenistan, Iran is on the verge of completing a new transmission line that will double these imports, addressing a significant portion of its electricity deficit. Turkmenistan, in addition to being a crucial energy partner for Iran, is also the largest exporter of electricity to Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
State-sponsored and Institutionalized Violence against Women and Girls in Iran
In Iran, the government not only fails to protect women from violence but actively endorses it through laws and actions. This endorsement has led to a drastic rise in violence against women and girls, including shocking instances of beheadings by husbands and fathers. Research indicates an alarming prevalence, with statistics suggesting a disturbing trend, often unreported due to lack of transparency. In 2020, an Iranian expert, a sociologist, said Iran ranks first in the world as far as domestic violence against women is concerned. Another research said two out of every three Iranian women experience domestic violence in Iran. This figure is double the world average which is one in every three women are victims of domestic violence.
The clerical regime systematically promotes various forms of violence against women and girls, perpetuating physical, mental, economic, and political abuse. The lack of comprehensive prosecution further exacerbates this dire situation.
Inspection Bans Limit Capacity to Monitor Iran’s Program, IAEA Warns
Rafael Grossi, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, criticized the cancellation of the entry permits for several inspectors of the organization in his press conference on November 22, stating that it is a serious blow to the agency’s work.
During the press conference, which took place after the start of the agency’s Board of Governors’ annual session, Mr. Grossi described Iran’s action of revoking the inspectors’ licenses as a serious blow to the agency’s ability to verify Iran’s nuclear activities. He emphasized that the regime’s authorities have revoked the licenses of one-third of the main group of inspectors.
Gothenburg, Sweden—November 21, 2023: MEK Supporters Rally in Solidarity With the Iran Revolution, Commemorating Iran’s November 2019 Uprising
Gothenburg, Sweden—November 21, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally and exhibition in solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. This demonstration served as a tribute to the martyrs of the nationwide Iranian uprising in November 2019 and 2022.
Exhibition in Lucerne, Switzerland, Advocates for the Iranian Revolution: Freedom Enthusiasts and MEK Supporters Unite on November 22, 2023
In Lucerne, Switzerland, on November 22, 2023, Iranians passionate about freedom and advocates of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a book exhibition in support of the Iranian Revolution.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – November 23, 2023