Iran

On Friday, Iran held parliamentary elections for the first time since nationwide protests in 2022-23. No one is holding their breath for the outcome.

Ideological diversity was non-existent: every candidate was vetted by the Islamic Republic’s Guardian Council, an assembly of 12 clerics controlled by the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamanei.

Elections are important for sustaining the regime’s legitimacy, particularly in the eyes of the Western media — CNN looked forward last week to “major elections” in Iran — but they have little actual political influence.

A Japanese crime syndicate played middleman for the mullahs.

Last week, the Justice Department released charges against Japanese criminal syndicate Yakuza leader Takeshi Ebisawa, who was caught in a Drug Enforcement Administration sting attempting to sell weapons-grade plutonium to Iran. In the midst of the Gaza war, which has seen tensions with Tehran continue to rise, nuclear trafficking almost entered the already hostile situation for American troops in the Middle East.

Trade between Iran and the European Union (EU) has flourished over the years; this economic and diplomatic partnership is a large art of what has been fueling the Ayatollahs’ support for terrorist groups and undermining regional stability. In recent years, the extent of their trade has reached significant levels, with billions of euros exchanged in goods and services. Behind these seemingly benign economic transactions, however, lies a troubling reality: the funds generated from Europe’s trade with Iran are being funneled into activities that are now prolonging violence and conflict across the Middle East and beyond.

Iran is recruiting British Muslims on pilgrimages in the Middle East to spy on Jews and dissidents in the UK, it was claimed last night.

Recruiters from the feared Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) approach British Shias visiting religious sites in Iran and Iraq.

They are told to return to the UK and gather information on prominent British Jews or targets such as synagogues, Israeli and British officials have separately told the Mail.

As Iran is on the verge of achieving a significant milestone in obtaining nuclear weapons, concerns are mounting over the Biden administration’s lack of a coherent strategy to prevent Iran from going nuclear. Since the Biden administration took office, Iran has been rapidly advancing its uranium enrichment, approaching levels of 83.7% close to the 90% needed for nuclear weapons capability.