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Internet in the cities with ongoing protests is cut or partially throttled.

May 18, 2022, 10:07 AM

5 min read

LONDON -- Hundreds of Iranians have taken to the streets in cities across the country, protesting against the crippling political and economic situation. Unofficial reports say security forces have killed at least four people.

Coming from all walks of life, protestors shout slogans that target the top officials of the clerical system, including the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Ebrahim Raisi.

The internet in the cities with ongoing protests is either cut or partially throttled by the government in an attempt to control the spreading of the news.

The unrest started after the government cut subsidies on essential food items such as cooking oil, eggs and milk last Wednesday. For example, the price of cooking increased more than 400% overnight.

However, dominant slogans in the protests like "Down with Khamenei, Down with dictator" and "We don't want mullah's ruling" indicate that protesting the ailing economy follows another primary demand: overthrowing the system.

"The establishment suffers from lack of legitimacy," Mohammad Mosaed, a dissident journalist in exile, told ABC News. "It has failed to fulfill the promises it made 43 years ago like freedom and justice." Mosaed had to leave Iran after another series of protests in November 2019.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a meeting between Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Tehran, Iran May 12, 2022.

With hundreds of people killed and thousands arrested, the nationwide protests in 2019 were the deadliest since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The exact number of killings still remains unknown due to the strict censorship of the media and cutting off the whole country's internet for 10 days. Those protests also started after fuel went up three times its cost and soon spread all around the country, especially in small cities.

"The current protests are similar to those in 2019 as they are not bound to Tehran that has a bigger middle-class population, but are rather spread all over the country, especially in smaller towns which are economically deprived," Mosaed said.

Iran's state media has repeatedly blamed the West's economic sanctions for the hardship the country faces. They are the sanctions that mainly aim to restrict Iran's nuclear program.

In 2015, Iran committed to restricting its nuclear program in return for the West's commitment to easing the sanctions in a deal with the world powers known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, in May 2018, then-President Donald Trump pulled out of the pact, leaving it a matter of renegotiation. Four years later, after rounds of talks, the process of reviving JCPOA is still stalled due to disagreements between Iran and other parties -- the U.S., France, Germany, the U.K., Russia and China.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a meeting, in Tehran, Iran, May 12, 2022.

However, unlike the Islamic Republic's blame narrative, many believe Western sanctions are not the only reason or even the main reason for the situation.

"The recent crippling situation resulted from having totally incompetent leaders for years, widespread corruption, and then the sanctions," Mosaed said.

After four decades of giving several chances to different parties to lead the country, Mosaed believes that more and more people are coming to the understanding that the incompetency and corruption of the leaders must be the main subject of the protests.

"Many of these people used to form the main body of the establishment's loyal patrons, and now the former patrons have turned to fierce protesters," he added.

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Bloody protests in Iran are not just about food prices - ABC News

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While the U.S. and Iran have so far failed to agree on terms for a new nuclear agreement, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned that the Islamic nation is just weeks away from having the necessary materials for a nuclear weapon.

Gantz tweeted the claim in Hebrew when posting about remarks he delivered at Israel's Reichman University. The Jerusalem Post reported on the speech, relaying that Iran currently produces uranium at an enrichment level of 20% while already having 60 kilograms of 60% enriched material. Uranium enriched at a 90% level is needed for a weapon.

IRAN PROTESTS CONTINUE INTO SECOND WEEK AS STATE DEPARTMENT TWEETS MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FOR PROTESTERS

"Iran continues to accumulate irreversible knowledge and experience in the development, research, production and operation of advanced centrifuges," Gantz said during his address, stating that Iran is working on 1,000 new advanced centrifuges, including at an underground facility near Natanz.

Iranian President Ebrahim Reisi participates in an exhibition organized by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran on the occasion of the National Nuclear Technology Day at the International Conference Center in Tehran, Iran on April 9, 2022. Mohammad Eslami, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, accompanied the Iranian president during his visit to the exhibition. (IranianPresidency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Iranian President Ebrahim Reisi makes a speech during his visit to an exhibition organized by the Atomic Energy Agency of Iran on the occasion of the National Nuclear Technology Day at the International Conference Center in Tehran, Iran on April 9, 2022. (IranianPresidency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Gantz also said that Iran has been keeping inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency from accessing their systems.

Gantz said a "multidimensional" international response is needed to prevent all out war with Iran.

"Today, the prices for tackling the Iranian challenge on the global and regional levels are higher than they were a year ago and lower than they will be within a year," Gantz said.

The defense minister noted that Iran has been making a number of other improvements to their military capabilities, "including cruise missiles, surface-to-surface missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles that have a range of thousands of kilometers."

A nuclear Iran could pose an existential threat to Israel as Iran's leadership has threatened to destroy the Jewish state.

Meanwhile. the Biden administration has been trying to enter into a new nuclear deal with Tehran, years after then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the international Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that critics said did not do enough to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon in the long term or properly address their ballistic missile program.

IRAN PROTESTS SPREAD AS DEMONSTRATORS DEMAND CHANGE AND CHEAPER FOOD

Iran has been calling for the U.S. to remove their Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the State Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations as part of any agreement. So far, the administration has resisted, as veterans, Gold Star families, and lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have warned not to do this.

At the same time, Iranian leadership faces pressure from its own people, who have been protesting in response to a floundering economy.

The protests began last week when the government slashed food subsidies on eggs, milk, chicken, and cooking oil leading to price rises of some 300%. Since then, protests have spread to many areas of the country and according to observers have taken on a much more anti-government current.

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Protesters, showing no fear of retribution by the state security services have been heard shouting, "Death toKhamenei!Death to Raisi!" referring to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who has promised to create jobs, lift sanctions, and rescue the economy.

Over the weekend ,reports said up to five people were killed following a crackdown by authorities. A semi-official government news agency put the number of dead from the protests at one according to the Associated Press.

Fox News' Ben Evansky and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Iran weeks away from acquiring materials for first nuclear weapon ...

Iran is attempting to complete the manufacture and installation of 1,000 IR6 advanced centrifuges for its nuclear development program, according to Defense Minister Benny Gantz. Addressing a May 17 conference at Reichman University, Gantz said Iran was placing the centrifuges in various locations, including in a new underground facility it was building near the existing central enrichment facility in the central Iran town of Natanz.

Iran stands just a few weeks away from accumulating fissile material that will be sufficient for a first bomb, holds 60 kilograms of enriched material at 60%, produces metallic uranium at the enrichment level of 20% and prevents the IAEA from accessing its facilities, he added.

Gantzs remarks reflect Israels latest intelligence assessments to the effect that Iran is taking advantage of the stalled negotiations with world powers on the future of its nuclear program to continue advancing the project. Israel reportedly believes the advanced centrifuges are designed for a nuclear breakout at some point and uranium enrichment to 90% military-grade level within a short time.

In light of these Iranian activities, Israel is seriously concerned about the lack of progress in the Vienna negotiations. Despite objections to the current version of the agreement, Israel had long been hoping for a speedy signature of the document, which would have at least set back the Iranian program until such time as Israel completes its preparations to attack Irans nuclear facilities.

Reports these days suggest negotiations have reached a dead end over substantive issues and no breakthrough appears in sight. Meanwhile, as Iran forges ahead with its program, the feeling in Jerusalem is that Israel is the only country in the world still trying to stop it. This is the backdrop for Gantzs departure for Washington the day after his speech for meetings with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. He brings with him the latest intelligence information and an Israeli request to up US pressure on Iran.

Israeli security sources say Israel would like to see increasingly harsh sanctions on Iran, more significant US activity to curb Irans emerging nuclear capabilities and, of course, a credible US military threat to destroy them. Israel believes such a threat would validate the military option that it is readying.

However, Israel is not holding out too much hope in the Biden administration in this regard in light of recent messages from Washington indicating that Irans nuclear ambitions are not a high priority for the administration.

Israel, for its part, is advancing plans to strike Iran on its own. A large-scale,monthlong military drill launched last week to simulate a multifront war will reportedly include a long-range air force flight simulating a widespread attack in Iran. The flight will take place in the fourth week of the exercise, between May 29 and June 2, with the participation of American refueling planes that would enable Israels fighter jets to cover the 2,100-kilometer (1,300-mile) distance in real time.

The very publication of the upcoming drill is evidently also designed to serve as a threat against Iran by indicating that Israel was making preparations but would need up to one year to develop initial attack capability. The broader attack plan would apparently be ready within three years or more, Israeli officials say.

The Chariots of Fire drill was scheduled for May 2021 but was aborted due to the breakout of hostilities with Gaza and ensuing riots in mixed Arab-Jewish cities in Israel. The military considered scrapping this years exercise too, in light of the recent spate of Palestinian terrorist attacks on Israeli urban centers, but eventually decided to go ahead after making needed adjustments.

According to the imaginary drill scenario, several members of Irans proxy militia in Lebanon, Hezbollah, are killed during an Israeli air raid on Iran-linked targets in Syria, prompting retaliation by the terrorist organization. The ensuing skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah escalate into full-scale war. The Palestinian Islamist Hamas and Islamic Jihad organization in Gaza join the fray, firing missiles into Israel, while Palestinians in the West Bank take to the streets and launch terror attacks against Israelis. At the same time, militants from among Israels 21% Arab minority come to the aid of their brethren by rioting and blocking major roads and intersections to delay the advance of Israeli forces.

Irans proxies, according to his scenario, also send unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into Israels air space. On May 17, Gantz personally confirmed reports that Iranian drones were intercepted over Iraq in February. He said the UAVs appear to have been launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and because of the parachutes attached to them, Israel believes they were expected to land in Judea and Samaria. This week, the Israeli military announced that it had shot down a drone belonging to Hezbollah that crossed over from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

Gantz also said Iran was developing different operational precision systems such as cruise and ballistic missiles and drones able to fly thousands of kilometers. The quantity of this strategic weapon in the hands of Iranian emissaries has increased significantly in the past year. In Iraq, there are hundreds of [munitions]; many dozens have been added this year. In Yemen, the number of [munitions] has increased in the past year, and the Houthis hold dozens of them.

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Israels army simulates attack on Iran - Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the ...

Kuwait's plans for economic development, such as the "Silk City project", includes developing mutually beneficial economic ties with Iran (similar to Iran's current economic ties with Dubai of the United Arab Emirates).[8][5]

Despite American pressure on Kuwait's foreign policy, Kuwait continues to maintain friendly relations with Iran. Kuwait declined to follow Saudi Arabia's lead in severing diplomatic relations following the 2016 attack on the Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran.[5]

After U.S. President Donald Trump announced the United States withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, Kuwait opted to maintain formal ties with Iran[9] while Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates voiced strong support for the withdrawal.[5]

During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kuwait provided US$10 million in humanitarian aid to Iran.[10][11]

On March 26, 2022, Iran said that an agreement signed this week by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to develop the Durra gas field was "illegal" since Tehran has a stake in the field and must be included in any move to operate and develop it.[12]

On April 13, 2022, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait invited Iran to conduct talks on Wednesday to define the eastern border of a combined, energy-rich offshore area, according to the Saudi state news agency SPA.[13]

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IranKuwait relations - Wikipedia

Enrique Mora, the European Union official coordinating the Vienna nuclear talks, visited Tehran this month for the purpose of enticing Iran back to the table. The Iranians had walked out after a bipartisan group of American senators objected to Iran's demand that the Biden administration remove the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from the U.S. State Department's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Recognizing that the IRGC was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American service personnel in Iraq and the wounding of thousands more, the senators stymied the Biden administration's hopes of appeasing Tehran.

Mora's meetings, however, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell "had gone better than expected" and, Borrell told the G7 foreign ministers, were no longer "stalled" but "reopened." The Iranian Foreign Ministry backed him up, saying the meetings in Tehran "have set the right course and were moving forward."

How did Mora manage it?

According to Politico, "Western diplomats are expecting Tehran to put forward potential alternative demands, giving Washington a chance to think about other concessions it could offer. The aim is to find a way around the IRGC hurdle that will let both governments sell the deal domestically."

Three things are of note in this account of the Biden administration's diplomatic stance. First, its aim is not to make a deal to constrain Iranian nuclear capabilities; it is to "find a way around" the senators' objection.

Second, its aim is not to remove the Iranian nuclear threat from the region and the world; it is to make it easier for Washington and Iran to "sell the deal" to their people.

Third, its aim is not to make Iran live up to its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal and to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); it is to find "other concessions" Washington can make.

"Alternative demands" from Iran are not much of a deal, Mr. Mora.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov placed the onus for restarting the talks on Washington, saying, "We are waiting for the U.S. to return to the legal framework of this nuclear deal, and we are also waiting for the lifting of the illegal sanctions." In the interim, according to The Times of Israel, "Moscow had received guarantees from the U.S. on its ability to trade with Tehran."

Why does Russia get to make pronouncementslet alone make demands or get guarantees from Washington?

The U.S. is not in the room at the talks, because Iran refused to sit with us. The Biden administration should have left Vienna when that happened. Instead, our EU allies, plus China and Russia, are talking with Tehran. Even after it invaded Ukraine, we relied on Russia to be our voice.

This is in line with the Biden administration's habit of handing out bribes to get an Iranian signature on a piece of paper. The president took the terrorist designation off Iran's Houthi proxy and withdrew American support from Saudi Arabia in the Yemen war, pressed South Korea to release frozen Iranian funds, waived sanctions to permit Iran to sell electricity to Iraq and oil to China, downgraded the Abraham Accords between Israel and Arab States concerned about Iranian threats and removed American support from the EastMed Pipeline consortium.

Those are, indeed, excellent bribes, but Iran wants more.

Now Iran insists that the 2019 State Department designation of the IRGC as a terror organization be lifted. This would have some implications for the organization, although the U.S. government has considered the IRGC a terrorist organization since 2007, when the Quds Force was first listed by the Treasury Department, followed later by other listings. Only President Donald Trump's terror designation appears at issuepresumably because the Iranians thought the Biden administration would be happy to undo another piece of Trump administration policy. But for the senators' objection, they might have been right.

President Barack Obama was wrong when he said the alternative to his 2015 nuclear deal "is war." That deal, unsigned by either Iran or the U.S., ran concurrent with a war started by Iran decades before. Iran and its proxies, through overt and covert conventional activity, have killed hundreds of thousands of people combined in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Israel and elsewhere. Iranian precision missiles have been exported to militias in Iraq, as well as to Hezbollah and proxy groups in Syria, Gaza and Yemen. Tehran's first covert nuclear program was discovered in 2002 and a second one in 2009. The IAEA announced in 2011 that "Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device." Much of what we thought we knewor knew we knewwas confirmed in 2018 when Israel stole nuclear archives from Tehran.

Iran is a conventional and nuclear menace in the Middle East and beyond. It should not be offered the opportunity to press for additional concessions from America and the Westand the Biden administration should stop begging.

Shoshana Bryen is senior director of the Jewish Policy Center and editor of inFOCUS Quarterly.

The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.

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Why is Washington Looking to Make Even More Concessions to Iran? | Opinion - Newsweek