HOW CHINA HELPS THE IRGC
Several Chinese firms are helping finance the global activities of the Quds Force, the elite paramilitary unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to a new Western intelligence report. The analysis, reviewed by Reuters, details that a number of Chinese firms receive funds from Iran's Central Bank via the Bank of Kunlun, a Chinese financial institution - and that these funds are then funneled to the Quds Force for use in its covert activities worldwide. "The money transfers from accounts held by the CBI with Bank Kunlun are initiated by the Quds Force and transferred to Chinese companies connected to the Quds Force in order to meet its financial needs," the study is reported as saying. The exact sums transferred via this financial channel have not been disclosed, but are believed to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually. (Reuters, November 18, 2014)
NEW NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
Amid ongoing negotiations with the P5+1 powers over its nuclear program, the Islamic Republic is getting a helping hand with its atomic ambitions from the Kremlin. On November 11th, Russian and Iranian officials signed a deal in Moscow under which Russia may eventually build as many as eight nuclear reactors in Iran. The plan, agreed to by representatives of Russian and Iranian state nuclear agencies, calls for the construction of two additional reactors at Bushehr, with two more optional reactors to be added to the facility at a later date. The agreement stipulates that an additional four reactors will be constructed elsewhere in Iran. (Radio Free Europe, November 11, 2014)
A BROADCASTING CONTROVERSY
Iran's Supreme Leader has created a firestorm by appointing Mohammad Sarafraz as the president of the IRIB, Iran's state broadcasting agency. Sarafraz is currently blacklisted by the European Union for taking part in systematic human rights abuses in Iran. Specifically, Sarafraz - the former head of the IRIB World Service, the agency responsible for running foreign language channels such as PressTV - is alleged to have cooperated with regime security services to broadcast the forced confessions of detainees and political prisoners. (EuroNews, November 9, 2014)
IRAN'S COVERT NUCLEAR WORK CONTINUES
Notwithstanding the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 powers, the Islamic Republic is continuing work on a covert program to acquire an offensive nuclear capability. That's the conclusion of a new report from the International Committee in Search of Justice for Iranian Democratic Opposition. "Tehran has worked systematically on all the necessary aspects of obtaining nuclear weapons, such as enrichment, weaponization, warhead, and delivery system at some stage," notes the study, which was authored by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, former Undersecretary of State Robert Joseph, and former European Parliament Vice-President Alejo Vidal Quadras. "In other words, Iran has worked on specific programs and projects to master all necessary aspects of obtaining a nuclear weapon."
Iran's weaponization effort, the study points out, is longstanding. "No serious indications that Tehran has stopped or abandoned this project or intends to do so were observed" by international monitors in recent years. "On the contrary, all the available information points to the conclusion that it has resorted to further secrecy and concealment to keep its program intact and unhindered." The conclusion, the authors say, is inescapable: that "a military program and military related activities are at the heart of the Iranian nuclear program." (Washington Free Beacon, November 20, 2014)
IRANIAN BLOGGER RELEASED
Iran's government has pardoned prominent blogger Hossein Derahkshan. Derakshan, commonly known as the "blogfather" of the Iranian internet for his role in helping to animate Iran's blogosphere, was jailed by the Iranian government in 2008 on charges of espionage for Israel and "insulting Islam" — crimes for which he received a 19 year prison sentence. His release coincides with the pardoning of thousands of prisoners in an amnesty marking the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad and the 35th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (London Guardian, November 20, 2014)
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