December 11, 2022

Iraq's Parliament Speaker Confirms Killing Of Thousands By Iran-Backed Militia

Iran International 
December 11, 2022

Punished for Daesh's crimes': Displaced Iraqis abused by militias and government forces

Amnesty International
October 2016

https://www.amnestyusa.org/reports/punished-for-daeshs-crimes-displaced-iraqis-abused-by-militias-and-government-forces/

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/punished_for_daeshs_crimes.pdf?VersionId=wPYzyQ3ff9mMM6VHMcMYQ54rVKkHRTXS


After the liberation of Mosul, an orgy of killing

In the dying days of the battle of Mosul, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad followed Iraqi soldiers during the last push against Isis. But following their victory, a new wave of savagery was unleashed

By Ghaith Abdul-Ahad
The Guardian
November 21, 2017

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/21/after-the-liberation-of-mosul-an-orgy-of-killing


Mosul's bloodbath: 'We killed everyone - IS, men, women, children'

Iraqi soldiers receive brutal, final order in last days of battle with IS: kill anything that moves. The results can be found crushed into the rubble

Middle East Eye
August 27, 2017

https://www.middleeasteye.net/fr/news/mosuls-final-bloodbath-we-killed-everyone-men-women-children-1721780413


December 01, 2022

Iran defends strikes on northern Iraq, in letter to UN

Al Arabiya
AFP
November 24, 2022

Iran warns of more action over 'threats' from Kurds in neighboring Iraq

Al Arabiya
AFP
November 23, 2022

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2022/11/23/Iran-warns-of-more-action-over-threats-from-Kurds-in-neighboring-Iraq


Iran targets Kurdish groups in Iraq with new strikes

Al Arabiya
AFP
November 22, 2022

One killed in Iran strikes on northern Iraq: Kurdish party

Al Arabiya
AFP
November 21, 2022

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2022/11/21/One-killed-in-Iran-strikes-on-northern-Iraq-Kurdish-party-


Iran launches wave of cross-border missile strikes on Kurdish groups in Iraq

Al Arabiya
Reuters
November 14, 2022

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2022/11/14/Rocket-attack-near-Iraq-s-Erbil-kills-one-wounds-ten-Mayor


Iraq: Iran Attacks Kill Civilians in Kurdistan Region

Civilians, Refugees Injured, Killed, Displaced

Human Rights Watch
October 19, 2022

https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/10/19/iraq-iran-attacks-kill-civilians-kurdistan-region


October 19, 2022

Iran's missile and drone threat is advancing

By Michael Doran
Al Arabiya
November 11, 2022

https://english.alarabiya.net/views/2022/11/11/Iran-s-missile-and-drone-threat-is-advancing


Iran's terror drone pipeline to Moscow

By Emanuele Ottolenghi
Al Arabiya
November 10, 2022

Iran personnel 'in Crimea' helping Russia war on Ukraine: White House

Al Arabiya
AFP
October 20, 2022

US, Europe to raise Iranian drone transfers to Russia at UN

In the letter, Ukraine said "both Mohajer and Shahed UAVs meet the parameters" stipulated under 2231 "because they are capable of a range of equal to or greater than 300 kilometers."

Al Arabiya
Reuters
October 19, 2022

Iran agrees to ship missiles, more drones to Russia: Report

Al Arabiya
Reuters
October 18, 2022

September 02, 2022

Show US Congress full text of Iran nuclear deal, 50 lawmakers tell Biden

"Strengthened with an estimated one trillion dollars in sanctions relief over a decade, Iran and the IRGC would be an enormous danger to Americans at home and abroad, and to our allies," the bipartisan group of lawmakers says.

By Joseph Haboush
Al Arabiya 
September 1, 2022

Bipartisan Group of 50 Sound the Alarm on Looming Iran Deal

By Josh Gottheimer
New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District
September 1, 2022

Cash from new deal with Iran will give boost to Lebanon's Hezbollah: Report

The US State Department said in 2020 that Iran was providing Hezbollah with about $700 million per year.

By Joseph Haboush
Al Arabiya
September 6, 2022

Iran Deal May Provide Billions in IRGC-Connected Sanctions Relief Prior To Congressional Review

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies
September 2, 2022

https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2022/09/02/iran-deal-may-provide-billions-in-irgc-connected-sanctions-relief-prior-to-congressional-review/


Nuclear Deal with Iran Would Further Empower Hezbollah

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies
August 30, 2022

https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2022/08/30/nuclear-deal-with-iran-would-further-empower-hezbollah/


Tehran's $1 Trillion Deal An Updated Forecast of Iran's Financial Windfall From a New Nuclear Agreement

By Saeed Ghasseminejad
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies
August 19, 2022

Another Iran Deal? Looking Back and Looking Ahead

By Jacob Nagel and Jonathan Schanzer
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies
August 18, 2022

EU proposes lifting pressure on Iran's Revolutionary Guards to revive nuclear deal

Non-US citizens would be allowed to do business with companies that have 'transactions' with Tehran’s ubiquitous military force.

By Matthew Karnitschnig 
Pilitico 
August 12, 2022

September 01, 2022

Iran's regional position no less satanic than the verses it opposes

By Makram Rabah
Al Arabiya 
September 1, 2022

'Kill Salman Rushdie, not the Iran Deal!'

By Bernard Haykel and Mohammed Alyahya
Al Arabiya
September 4, 2022

Muslim World League chief says Rushdie attack 'unacceptable' to Islam

By Tala Michel Issa
Al Arabiya
August 22, 2022

Salman Rushdie attack 'unacceptable' to Islam, says MWL chief Al-Issa

By Francesco Bongarra
Arab News
August 21, 2022

Events following Iran's fatwa against author Salman Rushdie

Al Arabiya
Reuters
August 12, 2022

Salman Rushdie Is on the 'Road to Recovery' Following Gruesome Attack

By Chas Danner and Victoria Bekiempis
New York Magazine
August 15, 2022

Part 1: Khomeini's Fatwa on Rushdie

Wilson Center
August 16, 2022

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/part-1-khomeinis-fatwa-rushdie
 
Part 2: Timeline of Iran's Fatwa on Rushdie
Wilson Center
August 16, 2022

Part 3: U.S. & Iran Reaction to Rushdie Attack
Wilson Center
August 17, 2022


August 04, 2022

Crisis in Iraq tests its stability and Iran's sway

Reuters
Al Arabiya
August 3, 2022

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2022/08/03/Crisis-in-Iraq-tests-its-stability-and-Iran-s-sway


Extract

It adds another destabilizing factor to a belt of fragile Arab states between Iran and the Mediterranean - Iraq, Syria and Lebanon - all of which fall within Iran’s sphere of influence and have suffered major conflict or crisis over the last decade, including the battle with ISIS.


Who is behind the chaos in Iraq?

By Abdulrahman al-Rashed
Al Arabiya 
September 1, 2022

Iraq's Qais al-Khazali decides to close militia's offices across Iraq

Al Arabiya 
September 1, 2022

Iraqi Protesters Enter Baghdad's Green Zone To Reject Iran's Interference

Iran International
July 30, 2022

Anti-Iran fever heats up as Iraq's political deadlock continues

As Iran-backed groups block the formation of Iraq's next government, frustrated voices are getting louder about Iran's meddling.

By Hassan Al-Saeed
Al-Monitor 
April 23, 2022

July 20, 2022

Why we should worry about Iran's ties to China

By Dr. Majid Rafizade
Arab News
January 23, 2022

The 25-year Iran-China agreement, endangering 2,500 years of heritage

By Ghazal Vaisi
Middle East Institute
March 1, 2022

Not "business as usual": The Chinese military's visit to Iran

By Tuvia Gering and Jason M. Brodsky
Middle East Institute
May 16, 2022

Iran seeks to expand its military cooperation with China

Iran's state media say President Ebrahim Raisi expressed his government's desire for closer cooperation with China during a visit to Tehran by the Chinese defense minister

The Associated Press
ABC News
April 27, 2022

Iran joins expanding Asian security body led by Moscow, Beijing

Reuters
September 17, 2021

What China's New Deal with Iran Says About Its Ambitions in the Region

By Joseph Hincks
Time
July 29, 2020

China-Iran Relations: The Myth of Massive Investment

Why the 25-Year China-Iran Strategic Cooperation Agreement isn't a "big deal," literally or figuratively.

By William Figueroa
The Diplomat 
April 6, 2021

Tehran's Ties With Beijing and Moscow

 United Against Nuclear Iran 

July 15, 2022

Joint naval drills reflect growing ties between China, Russia and Iran

New exercises in Indian Ocean come as all three test Washington's resolve

By Mike Glenn 
The Washington Times 
January 20, 2022

Russia to launch Iran satellite into orbit after Putin's visit to Tehran

Al Arabiya
AFP
August 4, 2022

Russia, Iran agree to new plane supplies deal, plan to increase flights between countries: report

Iran and Russia will increase flights between the two countries

By Peter Aitken 
Fox News
July 27, 2022

Iran's President Presents 20-Year Agreement Draft To Putin

By Maryam Sinaee
Iran International 
January 19, 2022

Iran and Russia's 20-Year Agreement Is a Warning Shot to the West

The potential of a twenty-year Iran-Russia pact is perhaps more significant for the West than it is for Iran and Russia themselves.

By Arash Toupchinejad
The National Interest 
February 19, 2022

Russia and Iran Keep Growing Closer

By Anna Borshchevskaya
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
July 26, 2022

Iran and Russia's friendship is more complicated than it seems

By Nadeen Ebrahim
CNN 
July 21, 2022

Russia keeps Iran waiting on advanced weapons

Russian officials are quite aware that selling advanced weapons to Iran would jeopardise not only Moscow's ties with Israel, but would lead to additional tensions with Washington.

By Nikola Mikovic
The Arab Weekly
January 11, 2022

Russian/Iranian defense agreement for Su-35 and more, to be signed soon

By Gastón Dubois
Aviacionline
December 26, 2021

How Russia Could Earn Billions From Biden's Revival of the Nuclear Deal With Iran

By Andrea Stricker
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
April 12, 2022

July 12, 2022

Khamenei Backs Moscow On Ukraine, Says Iran And Russia Must Cooperate

Iran International 
July 19, 2022


Khamenei Backs Putin in First Public Reaction to Ukraine Invasion

Iran Wire 
March 1, 2022

Russia has likely used Iranian drone in Ukraine: UK intelligence

Al Arabiya
Reuters
September 14, 2022

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/09/14/Russia-has-likely-used-Iranian-drone-in-Ukraine-UK-intelligence


New US sanctions on Iran for shipping drones to Russia

Another three Iranian companies and an Iranian national were designated for their work on drone production for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its air force and navy.

By Joseph Haboush
Al Arabiya
September 8, 2022

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/09/08/New-US-sanctions-on-Iran-for-shipping-drones-to-Russia


Russia gets its first drones from Iran as the two countries strengthen ties

Sharing a common enemy in the U.S., Moscow is looking to Tehran for help. But there are technical issues with the first Iranian drones it has received, U.S. officials said.

By Dan De Luce, Josh Lederman and Ed Flanagan
NBC News 
August 30, 2022

Russian officials trained in Iran as part of drone deal, U.S. says

By Simon Lewis
Reuters 
August 11, 2022

Russia Obtained Hundreds Of Drones From Iran - Report

Iran International 
August 26, 2022

Iranian Drones to Russia: Capabilities and Limitations

By Farzin Nadimi
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy 
August 1, 2022

Iran preparing to provide Russia with drones to use in Ukraine: Senior US official

Al Arabiya
July 12, 2022

Russia 'using weapons smuggled by Iran from Iraq against Ukraine'

The Guardian 
April 12, 2022

July 11, 2022

High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
February 21, 2020
Extract

Iran

In June 2016, Iran committed to address its strategic deficiencies. Iran’s action plan expired in January 2018. In February 2020, the FATF noted Iran has not completed the action plan.[1]
In October 2019, the FATF called upon its members and urged all jurisdictions to: require increased supervisory examination for branches and subsidiaries of financial institutions based in Iran; introduce enhanced relevant reporting mechanisms or systematic reporting of financial transactions; and require increased external audit requirements for financial groups with respect to any of their branches and subsidiaries located in Iran.
Now, given Iran’s failure to enact the Palermo and Terrorist Financing Conventions in line with the FATF Standards, the FATF fully lifts the suspension of counter-measures and calls on its members and urges all jurisdictions to apply effective counter-measures, in line with Recommendation 19.[2]
Iran will remain on the FATF statement on [High Risk Jurisdictions Subject to a Call for Action] until the full Action Plan has been completed. If Iran ratifies the Palermo and Terrorist Financing Conventions, in line with the FATF standards, the FATF will decide on next steps, including whether to suspend countermeasures. Until Iran implements the measures required to address the deficiencies identified with respect to countering terrorism-financing in the Action Plan, the FATF will remain concerned with the terrorist financing risk emanating from Iran and the threat this poses to the international financial system.

-

[1] In June 2016, the FATF welcomed Iran’s high-level political commitment to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, and its decision to seek technical assistance in the implementation of the Action Plan. Since 2016, Iran established a cash declaration regime, enacted amendments to its Counter-Terrorist Financing Act and its Anti-Money Laundering Act, and adopted an AML by-law.
In February 2020, the FATF noted that there are still items not completed and Iran should fully address: (1) adequately criminalizing terrorist financing, including by removing the exemption for designated groups “attempting to end foreign occupation, colonialism and racism”; (2) identifying and freezing terrorist assets in line with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions; (3) ensuring an adequate and enforceable customer due diligence regime; (4) demonstrating how authorities are identifying and sanctioning unlicensed money/value transfer service providers; (5) ratifying and implementing the Palermo and TF Conventions and clarifying the capability to provide mutual legal assistance; and (6) ensuring that financial institutions verify that wire transfers contain complete originator and beneficiary information.
[2] Countries should be able to apply appropriate countermeasures when called upon to do so by the FATF. Countries should also be able to apply countermeasures independently of any call by the FATF to do so. Such countermeasures should be effective and proportionate to the risks.
The Interpretative Note to Recommendation 19 specifies examples of the countermeasures that could be undertaken by countries. 

* This statement was previously called

* High-risk jurisdictions have significant strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and financing of proliferation. For all countries identified as high-risk, the FATF calls on all members and urges all jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence, and in the most serious cases, countries are called upon to apply counter-measures to protect the international financial system from the ongoing money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing (ML/TF/PF) risks emanating from the country. This list is often externally referred to as the “black list”.

United States Commends FATF for Re-imposition of Countermeasures on Iran

U.S. Department of State
February 21, 2020

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Calls for Countermeasures on Iran, Evaluates U.S. AML Framework, Releases Digital Identity Guidance

U.S. Department of Treasury
February 21, 2020

2016 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
U.S. Department of State
March 2016
Extract

Countries/Jurisdictions of Primary Concern - Iran

Iran is not a financial hub, but the imminent lifting of sanctions, including financial sector sanctions, pursuant to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), could expand Iran’s regional financial significance, as investors and companies explore opportunities for new deals in Iran. Iran has a large underground economy, spurred by restrictive taxation, widespread smuggling, sanctions evasion, currency exchange controls, capital flight, and a large Iranian expatriate community. Iran is also a major transit route for opiates smuggled from Afghanistan through Pakistan to the Persian Gulf, Turkey, Russia, and Europe. At least 40 percent of opiates leaving Afghanistan enter or transit Iran for domestic consumption or for consumers in Russia and Europe. Iran’s Minister of Interior estimated in February 2015 that the combined value of narcotics trafficking and sales in Iran is worth $6 billion annually. Narcotics traffickers use illicit proceeds to purchase goods in the domestic Iranian market, often for exportation to and sale in Dubai. Iran’s merchant community makes active use of money and value transfer systems, including hawala and moneylenders. Counter-valuation in hawala transactions is often accomplished via trade, thus trade-based transactions are a prevalent form of money laundering. Many hawaladars and traditional bazaari have ties to the regional hawala hub in Dubai. Around 400,000 Iranians reside in Dubai, with an estimated 50,000 Iranian-owned companies based there. According to media reporting, Iranians have invested billions of dollars in capital in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in Dubai real estate. Money launderers also use Iran’s real estate market to hide illicit funds. There is pervasive corruption within Iran’s ruling and religious elite, government ministries, and government-controlled business enterprises.

On November 21, 2011, the U.S. Government identified Iran as a state of primary money laundering concern pursuant to Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act. The FATF has repeatedly warned of Iran’s failure to address the risks of terrorist financing, urging jurisdictions around the world to impose countermeasures to protect their financial sectors from illicit finance emanating from Iran.

In 1984, the Department of State designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Iran continues to provide material support, including resources and guidance, to multiple terrorist organizations and other groups that undermine the stability of the Middle East and Central Asia, such as the Houthi group Ansarallah in Yemen, the Asad regime in Syria, and multiple Shia militia groups in Iraq. Hamas, Lebanese Hizballah, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) maintain representative offices in Tehran, in part to help coordinate Iranian financing and training.

Following the lifting of sanctions pursuant to JCPOA, Iranian financial institutions are expected to have access to financial messaging services. In recent years, international sanctions had curtailed Iran’s ability to send and receive international wires. While nuclear sanctions will be lifted following JCPOA implementation, the United States will continue to enforce sanctions targeting Iran’s support for terrorism, destabilizing regional activities, and ballistic missile activities.

For additional information focusing on terrorist financing, please refer to the Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism, which can be found at: https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/index.htm

-

For nearly two decades the United States has undertaken targeted financial actions against key Iranian financial institutions, entities, and individuals that include legislation and more than a dozen Executive Orders (E.O.s). Noteworthy actions taken against Iran under E.O.s include designating one state-owned Iranian bank (Bank Saderat and its foreign operations), which were designated for funneling money to terrorist organizations (E.O. 13224); the Qods Force, a branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designated for providing material support to the Taliban, Lebanese Hizballah, and PIJ (E.O. 13224); and the Martyrs Foundation (also known as Bonyad Shahid), an Iranian parastatal organization that channels financial support from Iran to several terrorist organizations in the Levant, including Hizballah, Hamas, and the PIJ, designated along with Lebanon- and U.S.-based affiliates (E.O. 13224).

In October 2007, the FATF issued its first public statement expressing concern over Iran’s lack of a comprehensive AML/CFT framework. Since 2009, the FATF has urged all jurisdictions to apply effective countermeasures to protect their financial sectors from the money laundering/terrorist financing risks emanating from Iran and also stated that jurisdictions should protect against correspondent relationships being used to bypass or evade countermeasures or risk mitigation practices. Most recently, in October 2015, the FATF reiterated its call for countermeasures, urging all members and jurisdictions to advise their financial institutions to give special attention to business relationships and transactions with Iran, including Iranian companies and financial institutions. The FATF, in its October 2015 Public Statement, said it remains concerned about Iran’s failure to address the risk of terrorist financing, and the threat this poses to the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF continues to urge Iran to immediately and meaningfully address its AML/CFT deficiencies, in particular by criminalizing terrorist financing and effectively implementing suspicious transaction reporting requirements.

July 10, 2022

Lessons on Iran from Putin's Playbook: How to Avoid Miscalculating Khamenei

Understanding the mistakes that led to the Russian invasion offers critical lessons for future Iran policy.

By Kasra Aarabi and Saeid Golkar
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy 
April 26, 2022


July 08, 2022

Six reasons why Iran won't change

Nothing can change. It is in the nature of the mullahs' regime, if it stays untouched, to wreak havoc in the region.

By Ali Sarraf
The Arab Weekly 
June 2, 2019


July 07, 2022

Stop Being Complicit

Too many nations are content to let Iran keep terrorizing its own people and the world.

By Lamont Colucci
Associate professor of politics
Ripon College
U.S. News & World Report
January 8, 2018

Extract

Simply put, Iran is not only a terror state terrorizing its own populace, but also the number one state sponsor of terrorism in the world. Any deal kept or made with such a regime makes those nations complicit in Iranian actions. Any nation placing this deal over the lives of the protesters is worse than the regime itself.