Spanish National Describes Evin Incarceration As ‘Terrifying’

Albright, the founder and president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, DC, wrote “The unfortunate reality is that Iran already knows how to build nuclear weapons, although there are some unfinished tasks related to the actual construction of them.”

He asked “If the regime’s leadership decided to build them, how would it proceed? How long would it take?”

According to Albright, “The long pole in the tent of building nuclear weapons is essentially complete. Iran can quickly make enough weapon-grade uranium for many nuclear weapons, something it could not do in 2003. Today, it would need only about a week to produce enough for its first nuclear weapon. It could have enough weapon-grade uranium for six weapons in one month, and after five months of producing weapon-grade uranium, it could have enough for twelve.”

Albright, who worked as a weapons inspector for the United Nations in Iraq, titled his article: How quickly could Iran make nuclear weapons today?

An Iranian American expert on the Islamic Republic, Lisa Daftari, told Iran International, “It’s no surprise that Iran’s regime is closer than ever to a nuclear weapon, given that we have known their desire to work constantly in its pursuit, particularly over the last three years. As the Biden administration has made major concessions in tone and policy, Tehran understood there would be minimal to no consequences to its actions. To that end, the mullahs continued spinning the centrifuges and working on possessing vital components of their weapons program. “

Daftari, who is the editor-in-chief of the Foreign Desk, added “They also continued with other bad behaviors including the funding of regional terror proxies and carrying out wholesale-style executions at home. At this point, it is impossible for the West to reign in or deliver any message of deterrence, whether by targeted responses to the Houthi provocations or in pursuing a meaningless nuclear deal meant to curb further progress on their weapons program. “

The clerical regime’s fast moving nuclear weapons program coincides with its increased adventurism in the region, including arming the Houthis to attack vessels in the key Red Sea commercial passageway. Iran’s regime launched missile and drone strikes into Pakistan, Iraq and Syria on January 15 and 16.

Rich Goldberg, who served on President Donald Trump’s National Security Council, told Iran International “This administration has allowed Iran to run the ball all the way down the nuclear field to a point where our options have narrowed. We need to restore a strategy of pressure and deterrence to counter Iran’s wide-ranging threats while preparing military contingencies to deal specifically with the nuclear threat.”

In December, at the UN Security Council, the UK, France and Germany said they “remain determined that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon and must reverse its nuclear escalation.”

The UN’s atomic weapons watchdog agency IAEA raised alarm bells about Iran’s illicit enrichment of uranium in December. The IAEA said Tehran Iran rolled back a months-long slowdown in the rate at which it is enriching uranium to up to 60-percent purity, close to the roughly 90-percent weapons grade uranium.

In late December, France’s ambassador to the United Nations, Nicolas de Rivière, told Iran International “The level of threat has increased a lot so it's time for Iran to get back to compliance and the IAEA reported on that on December 26, again, and documented the violations. So of course, we are extremely concerned.”

Alireza Nader, an expert on Iran, urged the Biden administration to help breathe life and fire into the protest movement against the existence of the clerical regime. He told Iran International, “The best thing the US can do is to support the struggle for democracy in Iran through maximum pressure on the regime and maximum support for the Iranian people.”

Grossi emphasized the imperative for Tehran to adhere to the nuclear proliferation treaty, telling The National newspaper, “Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state which is enriching uranium at this very, very high level".

Trying to calm fears, he added, “I'm not saying they have a nuclear weapon, I'm saying this is sensitive. And when you're doing that … you abide by the rules".

The latest IAEA report disclosed that Iran has escalated its production of near weapons-grade uranium, reversing a slowdown initiated in mid-2023. Grossi linked Iran's intensified pursuit of high-grade uranium to escalating tensions in the Middle East, fueled by the Gaza conflict and the Iran-backed Houthi militia's attacks in Yemen, creating a shipping and security crisis in the Red Sea.

He said, “A snapshot shows a program which is galloping ahead, moving ahead with ambitious goals. We have nothing against that. But we say the visibility of the international inspectorate, the IAEA, must be commensurate with those activities.”

Western powers allege that Tehran's objective is to acquire nuclear weapons for threatening its adversaries, but the Islamic Republic claims its program is for civilian use.

Grossi argued that whether Iran's nuclear program is intended for civilian use or not, it is failing to fulfill its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

France, Germany, and Britain, signatories to the JCPOA, have also expressed concern, issuing a statement in December about Iran revoking authorization for inspectors critical of its nuclear dossier. Iran confirmed the activities of 127 inspectors but barred "three or four biased European inspectors" from continuing their activities at Iranian sites, as announced by the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran on October 4.

In January 1991, as the Gulf War loomed, I was a college student in Italy, witnessing a tumultuous period in the Middle East. The eight-year-long Iran-Iraq War had just concluded in 1988, and it was evident that Iraq's military might stand no chance against the American-led coalition of 42 nations. However, to my astonishment, my Arab classmates, predominantly Lebanese and Syrians, were fervently cheering for Saddam Hussein, firmly convinced of his imminent triumph over the US and its allies.

When I expressed skepticism about Iraq's prospects against such overwhelming odds, they were resolute, insisting that "Saddam has a plan." Even as we watched the news, seeing Saddam's tanks and army being decimated, my classmates continued to chant "Allahu Akbar," confident that Saddam would soon launch an attack against the US and its allies. This anecdote illustrates the lengths to which people can go to protect one of their own, often disregarding basic principles of truth, facts, decency, and fairness.

This episode from my college days reveals a disturbing truth about how pride, honor, tribal loyalty, and culture can sometimes overshadow moral principles. Suddenly, Saddam Hussein's past transgressions seemed to fade into insignificance. The atrocities committed during the eight-year war against Iran, the invasion of Kuwait, the brutal treatment of the Kurdish people, and even the suffering inflicted upon his fellow Iraqis ceased to matter. What became paramount was Saddam's defiant stance against the United States and his refusal to withdraw troops from Kuwait.

Fast forward to today, and we find a troubling pattern of antisemitic protests sweeping across the world, all under the guise of defending the people of Gaza. These protests, while ostensibly about solidarity with Palestinians, have taken on a disturbingly anti-Semitic and anti-US tone. It is essential to separate legitimate criticism of Israeli policies from the blatant hatred directed at Jews, as these protests frequently conflate the two.

Furthermore, it is concerning to note that some pro-Gaza protesters openly express support for terrorist groups like Hamas, the Houthi rebels, and Hezbollah, glorifying the brutal attacks of October 7, 2023, and chanting slogans like “from the river to the sea, Palestinians will be free,” and "Jihad." These slogans are not innocent chants.

Michael Calvin McGee, a scholar known for his work on the role of ideology and ideographs in political discourse, underscores ideology's subtle and pervasive nature within language and discourse, reminding us that even seemingly innocuous interactions can carry underlying political implications. Understanding this aspect of language is essential for recognizing how ideology shapes our perceptions and behaviors in society. 

Hamas, the Houthi rebels, and Hezbollah have been designated as terrorist groups by various countries and international bodies due to their involvement in acts of violence, terrorism, and the promotion of extremist ideologies. Associating with such groups and glorifying them undermines the credibility of the protests and raises serious security concerns.

Hamas and other Gaza militants captured some 250 people during their deadly October 7 attack on southern Israel. They killed some 1,200 other people, most of them civilians, and have been responsible for launching rocket attacks on Israeli civilian population, leading to the loss of innocent lives on both sides. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have caused a humanitarian catastrophe with their violent actions, while Hezbollah has been involved in numerous acts of terrorism across the Middle East. Chanting "Jihad" in support of these groups sends a chilling message and undermines any legitimate grievances related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

These developments should serve as a wake-up call to those participating in or sympathizing with such protests. While it is essential to advocate for the rights and well-being of Palestinians, aligning with extremist groups only deepens the divisions and exacerbates the suffering of all parties involved. Peaceful dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable paths toward a lasting resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and they should be prioritized over expressions of hatred and support for terrorism.

The situation in Gaza is undoubtedly complex, marked by a long history of conflict and suffering on both sides. Palestinians have endured hardships, and their plight deserves attention and empathy. However, using their suffering as a pretext for anti-Semitic expressions and actions is inexcusable.

The protests around the world have seen an alarming rise in incidents of anti-Semitism. Synagogues have been vandalized, Jewish businesses targeted, and innocent Jewish individuals harassed. This wave of hatred against Jews is unjustifiable and condemnable. It is vital to emphasize that being critical of Israeli government policies should never be a license for bigotry or hatred toward Jews as a whole.

Just as my Arab classmates rallied behind Saddam Hussein in the face of his transgressions, we are witnessing a similar phenomenon on a global scale. Protesters, driven by their convictions or misled, are prioritizing their cause above all else, even at the expense of perpetuating hatred against an entire community. This parallels the selective amnesia displayed by my classmates, who chose to ignore Saddam's actions in favor of his defiance against the United States.

It is essential to call out and condemn these actions unequivocally. Combating anti-Semitism should be a collective effort, irrespective of one's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We must recognize that anti-Semitism, like any form of hatred, erodes the moral fabric of society, leading to violence, discrimination, and division.

Education and dialogue are crucial to addressing this issue effectively. People should be encouraged to engage in respectful conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, acknowledging its complexities and seeking peaceful solutions. It is essential to recognize that specific Quranic verses, such as those related to the Battle of Khaybar, contain elements of "hate speech." Muslims must embrace the imperative of letting go of grievances that have persisted for centuries, particularly those stemming from historical conflicts involving Prophet Mohammad and Jewish tribes.

Indeed, it is disconcerting that certain individuals find it acceptable to chant "from the river to the sea." Millions of dollars in Qatari aid flew into Gaza to enhance its inhabitants' lives. Regrettably, these funds were misappropriated by Hamas, who diverted resources toward tunnel construction, acts of aggression against Israel, and the abduction of innocent civilians. This support for terrorist entities must be brought to an end, fostering an environment conducive to peace and stability.

It is disheartening to see the legacy of hatred and tribal loyalty repeating itself in today's world, with anti-Semitic protests cloaked as support for Gaza. It is incumbent upon all of us to denounce anti-Semitism and ensure that the pursuit of justice for any group does not come at the expense of fostering hatred towards another.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily the views of Iran International

In an interview with CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian claimed that people from Yemen and other regional countries defending the Palestinians are acting independently in spite of Iran having backed the group militarily and financially for years.

“The people of Yemen and other countries in the region who defend the Palestinian people are acting according to their own experience and through their own interests, and they are not receiving any orders or instructions from us,” he said, though the order to blockade Israel came publicly and directly from Iran's Supreme Leader.

It followed Israel's relentless retaliatory attacks on Gaza in response to the October 7 massacres in which 1,200 mostly civilians were murdered by Iran-backed Hamas and over 250 more taken hostage.

The Houthi militia initiated dozens of drone and missile attacks on Israeli territory and shipping in the Red Sea since November. On Monday, the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile at a US-owned commercial vessel, as reported by the US Central Command. The Red Sea accounts for 12% of global shipping.

In the ongoing conflict, Iran supports Hamas in its confrontation with Israel and continues to supply weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah which has targeted Israel's north in support of Hamas. Responding to the Houthi attacks, the US and its allies have initiated strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Amir-Abdollahian also cautioned the US against “tying their destiny” to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fate, asserting that Washington's full support for Israel is a root cause of insecurity in the region.

Addressing the media regarding the upcoming "extraordinarily challenging summer," Mehrabian claimed “the successful management of significant imbalances” in the power industry over the past two years by utilizing mostly untapped capacities. Despite these efforts, he emphasized the need for “more stringent measures to address the persistent imbalances.”

For several consecutive years, Iran has struggled to meet its annual electricity growth plan, falling behind as a result of rapidly increasing consumption driven by remarkably low prices. The government, which oversees the energy sector, allocates an annual subsidy of up to $60 billion to individuals and businesses.

As summer approaches, the peak demand season due to the need for high energy air conditioning systems, Iran is grappling with a substantial electricity deficit, leading to widespread and prolonged power outages across the nation. To meet the escalating domestic demand, the country requires an annual electricity generation growth of at least 5 to 7 percent.

The primary contributors to the power shortage are the insufficient investments in expanding power generation capacity and natural gas production. The gas sector alone necessitates $40 billion to enhance production and keep pace with demand. Hydro-power plants, facing a significant decline in power generation due to severe droughts, play a significant role in the overall decrease in power generation.

Despite experiencing an average of 300 sunny days annually, Iran's renewable energy sector, particularly wind and solar power, remains underdeveloped, constituting only 0.5% of the total domestically generated power.

Thermal power plants, dominating with a share exceeding 90% in the country's electricity generation, resort to burning billions of liters of polluting mazut and diesel during cold months due to a massive gas deficit. The practice results in severe air pollution, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions.