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I'm an Iranian woman and have lived under the Islamic Republic for 20,5 years. I moved to Germany because I thought the values I considered important would be respected in "free" Western countries. People cannot even imagine how triggering it is for us to see the unholy unity of islamists and radical leftists. This is the very phenomena that changed the history of my country for the worse. I am beyond disgusted and disturbed. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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The European Parliament passed a resolution on Thursday condemning recent Iranian drone and missile strikes on Israel and calling for new sanctions against Tehran.
The resolution was backed by an overwhelming majority, with 357 MEPs voting in favor and only 20 against. It reiterated the European Parliament’s “full support for the security of the State of Israel and its citizens” and condemned Tehran’s actions. The April 13 retaliatory strikes were prompted by a deadly attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria two weeks prior, which killed seven senior officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force. Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the strike on the diplomatic mission. While the resolution said the MEPs “deplore the attack” on the consulate and underscore “the importance of the principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises,” it did not call for any action in response. Instead, it demanded more sanctions against Iran and its partners. “MEPs welcome the EU’s decision to expand its current sanctions regime against Iran, including by sanctioning the country’s supply and production of unmanned drones and missiles to Russia and the wider Middle East. They demand that these sanctions be urgently put in place and call for more individuals and entities to be targeted,” said the resolution. The parliament also explicitly called for designating Iran’s elite IRGC force as a terrorist entity, arguing that this was “long overdue due to malign Iranian activities.” The Iranian-backed Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, should also be placed on the list “in its entirety,” MEPs argued, apparently referring to both the militant and political wings of the group. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been sentenced to death for his role in the anti-government protests in 2022, his lawyer told the Iranian newspaper Sharq.
Salehi was arrested in October 2022 because he expressed support for the protest movement in his music. The death of 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Amini sparked months of protests against which the regime cracked down. The woman died after being violently arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely. The rapper was sentenced to six years in prison last year, and then avoided the death penalty at the hands of the Supreme Court. According to the lawyer, a revolutionary court in Isfahan has now ruled that Salehi will still receive the death penalty. According to the counsel, this judgment is contrary to the judgment of the court. “We will certainly appeal this ruling,” he says. German parliamentarian Ye-One Rhie (Member of the Bundestag for the SPD) also reports the verdict. She is Toomaj's political sponsor, which means she keeps his case in the spotlight and increases the pressure. Salehi was briefly released at the end of last year. In a video he then talked about torture in the cell. His arms and legs would have been broken. He also had to spend 252 days in solitary confinement. For two weeks now, the Iranian police have been enforcing the headscarf requirement for women more strictly. Videos are posted on social media showing police cracking down on women who do not adhere to the dress code. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Iran threatens to Wipe out Israel4/24/2024 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has threatened Israel with annihilation if it attempts to attack Iran again.
Raisi arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a three-day visit. He addressed the recent tensions between Tehran and West Jerusalem at an event in Punjab on Tuesday. “If the Zionist regime once again makes a mistake and attacks the sacred land of Iran, the situation will be different, and it is not clear whether anything will remain of this regime,” the state news agency IRNA quoted Raisi as saying. Israel never officially acknowledged an April 1 airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria that killed seven senior officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force. Tehran nevertheless retaliated on April 13, firing scores of drones and missiles at several targets in Israel. Iran has shrugged off a series of reported explosions near the city of Isfahan last Friday, which were rumored to be a response from Israel. West Jerusalem did not acknowledge the reported attack, while criticizing a cabinet minister who spoke about it out of turn. Tehran chose to ignore it rather than deliver the promised swift and severe reprisal. The Islamic Republic has vowed on multiple occasions to wipe out, destroy or annihilate the “Zionist regime,” as it calls Israel. Speaking in Lahore on Tuesday, Raisi vowed to continue “honorably supporting the Palestinian resistance.” He also denounced the US and the collective West as “the greatest violators of human rights,” pointing to their support for the Israeli “genocide” in Gaza. So far, more than 34,000 Palestinians in the enclave have been killed in Israeli military operations. Israel declared war on Hamas after the October 7 raids by the Gaza-based Palestinian group that claimed the lives of an estimated 1,200 Israelis. Raisi has promised to boost Iranian trade with Pakistan to $10 billion annually. Relations between the two neighbors have been rocky since January, when Iran and Pakistan traded air and drone strikes aimed at “terrorist camps” in their respective territory. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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A high-profile North Korean delegation is making a rare foreign visit to Iran, the state-run KCNA news agency has reported.
The last time officials from Pyongyang made a publicly announced trip to Tehran was in 2019. A delegation headed by North Korea’s minister for external economic relations, Yun Jong Ho, departed for Iran by plane on Tuesday, according to the agency. KCNA did not reveal further details about the visit. In February, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Kim expressed confidence that “the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries forged on the road of joint struggle against imperialism will expand and develop in various fields.” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said last Tuesday that Washington is “incredibly concerned” about alleged cooperation between Tehran and Pyongyang in nuclear and ballistic missile development. The two countries remain under harsh international sanctions over their weapons programs. Last week, South Korea’s spy agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), said it is “keeping tabs on whether the North Korean technology was included in Iran’s ballistic missiles launched against Israel, given the North and Iran’s missile cooperation in the past.” On April 13, Tehran fired several hundred missiles and drones at military targets inside Israel, in response to an earlier strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, which left two generals and several other senior officers dead. Pyongyang has also faced accusations from the West that Palestinian armed group Hamas, which has ties with Iran, used North Korean weapons in its attack against Israel on October 7. At the time, KCNA rejected the claims as “a groundless and false rumour,” aimed to “shift the blame for the Middle East crisis caused by [the US] wrong hegemonic policy onto a third country.” North Korea and Iran have also been accused by the US and its allies of respectively providing artillery shells and drones to Russia amid the conflict with Ukraine. Pyongyang and Tehran have denied the claims, while Russia has insisted it relies on domestically produced weapons for its military operation. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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The headscarf requirement for women in Iran is more strictly enforced. Videos have been posted on social media in recent days showing police crackdowns on women who do not adhere to the dress code.
Last week, the Iranian police announced that they would take tougher action against women who do not wear a headscarf on the street. For example, images show a woman being roughly pulled into a van. Iran expert Peyman Jafari calls these images disturbing. He said that the stricter approach is causing unrest in Iran at all levels of the population. "Even among conservatives and religious people there are concerns about the timing. They believe that the country should not cause these problems now that it is in conflict with Israel. Other Iranians find it ridiculous that the government is once again increasing repression on the streets." In September 2022, major protests erupted in the country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. According to the moral police, she did not wear her headscarf correctly and was arrested with great force. She fell into a coma and died in hospital. Major protests followed. Iranians demanded freedom and the departure of the regime. The wave of protests was supported far beyond the country. Women worldwide cut off a piece of hair and shared videos of it online. Headscarves ended up on funeral pyres. The protests continued for months and the regime cracked down. More than 500 protesters were killed and thousands of people ended up in prison. The NOS previously reported about the forced confessions and torture in those prisons. Several Iranians have been hanged for their participation in the protest. Politically, according to Jafari, nothing was achieved because the protests were suppressed, but a change was visible on the streets. “There, Iranians gained the confidence not to wear a headscarf or to wear it in the way they want.” Jafari says that this change is mainly visible in the big cities. "The government wants to take back that space they have gained. They want to show who is boss every now and then. Especially when the summer season starts, they know that women will take a little more space. They want to sow fear with these performances." Yet, according to Jafari, the change from the population is irreversible. "People increasingly consider wearing a headscarf a freedom of choice and that change cannot be stopped." The Iran expert does not expect any new demonstrations in the short term. He sees people giving up the fight. "They just leave." He refers to the emigration of mainly young people, students and highly educated people. "So people have no hope for change, while there is great dissatisfaction." The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took aim at Israel’s recent strikes on an Iranian airbase, suggesting that West Jerusalem used US money to attack American-made jets, which were sold to the Shah during the Cold War era.
On Friday, several media outlets reported that Israel had struck targets across Iran. The airstrike came nearly a week after Tehran launched a series of its own attacks on the Jewish state, using hundreds of drones and missiles. That strike was in response to what Iran says was a deadly Israeli raid on its consulate in Damascus, Syria. One of Israel’s strikes on Friday targeted Isfahan Airbase, home to an Iranian fleet of US-made F-14 Tomcats, according to the Iranian authorities. The fighter jets, which were discontinued in the US in 2006, were purchased by Iran’s Western-leaning government before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The scale of the damage to the airbase is unclear. Iranian media claims that several Israeli drones were destroyed during the attack. Tehran lost several F-14s during the grueling 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, although the 1970s-era warplanes have faced maintenance difficulties due to a lack of spare parts. Commenting on the strike on Friday, Musk pointed to the irony of the situation, writing, “our tax dollars somehow also blowing up our tax dollars.” In a separate post on X (formerly Twitter), he seemed to express dismay about the current standoff in the Middle East, saying, “we should send rockets not at each other, but rather to the stars.” Israel, a key American ally in the Middle East, has been one of the leading recipients of military aid from Washington. In 2016, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the US, under which West Jerusalem would receive $38 billion in assistance over the following ten years. The US also helped the Jewish state develop its Iron Dome air defense system, and the country is a member of the F-35 fighter program. The US Congress has been deliberating for months over a foreign aid package bill which would provide aid to Israel. While the bulk of it ($61 billion) is earmarked for Ukraine, it also includes $26 billion in support for Israel and the provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, which has suffered unprecedented devastation during West Jerusalem’s conflict with Hamas. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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UPDATE: Israel has attacked Iran4/19/2024 A loud blast heard near the Iranian city of Isfahan was caused by "air defense firing at a suspicious object," an Iranian senior military commander said, according to Iran's state-aligned Tasnim news agency.
There was no "damage or incident," said senior military commander Second Brigadier General Mihandoust in Isfahan Province, according to Tasnim. A US official told CNN that Israel had carried out a strike inside Iran. The Israeli military has not commented. Iranian state media are reporting that all facilities in the area are secure, including significant nuclear facilities. Three explosions were heard early Friday near the military base where fighter jets are located in the Isfahan province, Iran's semi-official FARS news agency reported. The Israeli army told AFP: “we don’t have a comment at this time” when asked about reports of strikes in Iran and Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office refused to confirm to the Times of Israel that Israel was responsible for the explosions heard in Isfahan. On April 1, Israel struck the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, Syria, killing seven senior officers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force. Iran responded by launching kamikaze drones and missiles at Israel on April 13. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the vast majority of the projectiles was successfully intercepted, and reported only minor damage on the ground. Reports of the explosions came hours after Iran’s Foreign Minister Houssein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN that Iran's response would be “immediate and at a maximum level,” if Israel takes any further military action against his country. “If the Israeli regime commits the grave error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them,” he stated, explaining that warning was sent to the White House via the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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What is Israel’s Iron Beam?4/17/2024 Israel's Iron Beam represents a cutting-edge addition to the country's multi-layered missile defence architecture. It is part of Israel's broader Iron Dome system, designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells.
Iron Beam, however, is distinct in its focus on intercepting low-trajectory threats, such as mortars and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with a laser-based weapon system. To truly appreciate the significance of Iron Beam, one must delve into its history, development, and technical capabilities. The concept of using lasers for defence purposes is not new, but Israel's Iron Beam represents a significant advancement in this technology. The idea of using directed energy weapons to intercept incoming threats has been explored for decades, but it is only in recent years that advances in laser technology have made it a practical reality. Israel, with its formidable defence industry and constant security threats, has been at the forefront of developing such systems. The development of Iron Beam can be traced back to Israel's experience with rocket attacks from Gaza and other hostile entities. The need for a system capable of intercepting short-range threats with precision and minimal collateral damage led to the exploration of laser-based solutions. Unlike traditional missile interceptors, which rely on kinetic energy to destroy incoming projectiles, Iron Beam uses directed energy to disable or destroy targets. One of the key advantages of Iron Beam is its speed and accuracy. Traditional missile interceptors must physically collide with their targets to neutralize them, which can be challenging when dealing with small, fast-moving threats like mortars or UAVs. In contrast, Iron Beam can deliver precise bursts of energy to rapidly and effectively neutralize incoming threats, minimizing the risk of damage to nearby structures or civilians. Moreover, Iron Beam offers a cost-effective solution compared to traditional missile defence systems. While interceptors must be manufactured, deployed, and replenished, Iron Beam relies on electricity to power its lasers, making it more sustainable and affordable in the long run. This cost-effectiveness is particularly important for Israel, which faces constant security threats and must allocate its defence budget wisely. From a technical standpoint, Iron Beam utilizes high-energy lasers to track and destroy incoming threats. The system is equipped with advanced sensors and tracking algorithms that enable it to detect and engage multiple targets simultaneously. When a threat is identified, Iron Beam calculates the optimal firing solution and directs its laser at the target, delivering a burst of energy that either destroys it outright or disrupts its flight path, causing it to fall harmlessly to the ground. Despite its impressive capabilities, Iron Beam is not without its limitations. Like all directed energy weapons, its effectiveness can be affected by atmospheric conditions, such as fog or smoke, which can scatter or absorb the laser beams. Additionally, the range of Iron Beam is currently limited compared to traditional missile interceptors, although ongoing research and development efforts aim to extend its reach. In conclusion, Israel's Iron Beam represents a significant advancement in missile defence technology. By harnessing the power of directed energy, Iron Beam offers a fast, precise, and cost-effective solution to the threat of short-range rockets, mortars, and UAVs. While challenges remain, Iron Beam demonstrates Israel's commitment to innovation and security in the face of evolving threats. As development continues and the technology matures, Iron Beam has the potential to become an indispensable component of Israel's defense arsenal, providing a critical layer of protection against asymmetric threats. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Israel's war cabinet has decided on “clear and decisive” action following Iran’s mass missile and drone attack on Saturday.
The response will have to comply with the will of the US, however, according to Israeli media. Tehran launched a barrage of cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones, in retaliation for the bombing of its consulate in Damascus, Syria earlier this month that killed several senior officers of the Islamic revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) say that they shot down the vast majority of the incoming projectiles, with the help of the US, UK, France, Jordan, and others. “This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,” IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said on Monday. Halevi spoke from the Nevatim Air Base near Beersheba, one of the sites hit by the Iranian attack. The IDF has reported “minor damage” to the facility, but released no details. “Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel – that is something that had not happened before,” said Halevi, adding that the IDF had prepared ‘Operation Iron Shield’ to counter the strike. “Israel is very strong and knows how to deal with it alone, but with a threat so numerous and so far away, we are always happy to have [the US] with us,” Halevi added. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet has agreed to mount some kind of action in response to Tehran, the prominent Israeli outlet Mako reported on Monday evening. According to the publication, the retaliation will need to be acceptable to the US and “comply” with the rules set by Washington, while also be measured in such a way as to “not degenerate the region into a war.” Another issue that has come up is the need not to damage the ad hoc coalition assembled to repel the Iranian strike, which includes Jordan and reportedly even Saudi Arabia. Both Halevi and Defence Minister Yoav Galant have insisted that “it is forbidden under any circumstances” to endanger the coalition, Mako noted. Tehran has announced that it would respond “within seconds” if Israel decides to launch any form of attack against Iran. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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