“Continued Targeting Of Iranian Nationals And Dissidents In Europe,” UANI, June 22, 2020. UANI announced in full—“Last week, two mysterious incidents involving an Iranian national and dissident took place in Europe. On Friday, a former judge in Iran, Gholamreza Mansouri, was found dead at his hotel in Bucharest, Romania. Mansouri, who was a notorious jailer of journalists, was recently implicated in a high-profile corruption case. With recent calls for Mansouri to be prosecuted in Europe rather than face extradition to Iran, the timing of his death is suspicious. The next day, there was an attempted assassination of a Kurdish Iranian dissident, Sadegh Zarza, in the Netherlands. While the investigations are ongoing, there are already indications coming from Tehran of foul play. Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei has called Mansouri’s death a “murder” and Mashregh News, which has ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), proclaimed: “As of today, Romania is a point of strategic depth [for Iran].” With the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also passing a resolution last week condemning Iran for stonewalling its investigation into past nuclear activities, the threat of Tehran lashing out in response looms large. As President Hassan Rouhani warned in 2018, the West could see a “deluge” of drugs and terrorism if sanctions are re-imposed. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI)’s report, Iran’s Malign Intelligence Activities, tracks the regime’s history of using the West as a launching pad for assassination campaigns of dissidents and disruptors. Europe is particularly vulnerable, given past Iranian operations in Germany and France. UANI has also documented the regime’s record of targeting journalists in Iran, given the tenures of judges like Mansouri.”
“Iran’s IRGC says to set up permanent base in Indian Ocean,” Xinhua, June 22, 2020.
“Iran to Make 18 Satellites by Yearend,” Al Manar, June 22, 2020.
“Young Activist Returns To Prison Refusing To Ask For Clemency From Iran’s Khamenei,” Radio Farda, June 22, 2020.
“Telegram pledges to make anti-censorship tools for Iran and China,” Rita Liao and Natasha Lomas, TechCrunch.com, June 22, 2020.
With how many countries does Iran sign a cooperation agreement for 25 years? One. China. “Iran-China 25-year cooperation program,” IFP, June 22, 2020.
“Iran’s IRGC says to set up permanent base in Indian Ocean,” Trend, June 22, 2020.
116 deaths Saturday, reported Sunday. “Iran reports over 100 new virus deaths for third day running,” AFP, Jakarta Post, June 22, 2020.
“Iran to send black boxes from downed Ukrainian airliner to France: Zarif,” Thomson Reuters, June 22, 2020.
“Who is Iran’s Qalibaf and why does he matter?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 22, 2020.
“Israel expert says Iran’s influence in Iraq has declined,” Middle East Monitor, June 22, 2020.
This is classic intimidation by the Regime. They’ve arrested the charity’s founder, spokesman, and another employee. “The report gave no details or the reason for the arrests and the police did not announce any charges against the three or the charity, named after Imam Ali, the Shiite Muslim sect’s most revered figure after the Prophet Muhammad. Iranian hard-liners have in recent years criticized the charity, the Imam Ali’s Popular Students Relief Society, accusing it of misusing the organization for political purposes and defaming the system by highlighting Iran’s problems, as well as working with foreign countries and international bodies. The charity mainly organizes university students and other volunteers to help the poor and others in times of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.” See “Report: Iran arrests founder of student charity, 2 aides,” Your Valley, June 22, 2020.
If the price is right, Let’s Make a Deal. “Iran ready to swap prisoners with other countries amid COVID-19,” Outlook India, June 22, 2020.