THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 10:00 PM CEST
U.S. Detected Iranian Plot to Kill Trump Separate from Last Weekend’s Shooting
U.S. intelligence agencies were tracking what they considered a potential Iranian assassination plot against former President Donald J. Trump in the weeks before a gunman opened fire last weekend, several officials said on Tuesday, but they added that they did not believe the threat was related to the shooting that wounded Mr. Trump.
The intelligence had prompted the Secret Service to enhance security for the former president before his outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, officials said. Yet whatever additional measures were taken did not stop a 20-year-old local man from clambering on top of a nearby warehouse roof to shoot at Mr. Trump, grazing his right ear and coming close to killing him.
The Trump campaign was told about the threat not long before Saturday’s shooting, according to a person briefed on the situation.
Senator Vance Praises Trump’s Decision to Eliminate Qassem Soleimani in Fox News Interview
United States Senator James David Vance who was announced as former President Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick, praised Trump’s decision to assassinate former IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani during an interview with Fox News. Senator Vance emphasized the necessity of strong actions against the Iranian regime, criticizing previous limited efforts.
“A lot of people recognize that we need to do something with Iran,” Vance stated. “Not these little bombing runs. If you’re going to punch the Iranians, you punch them hard and that’s what we did to Qassem Soleimani. By the way, with that action, people said we might get a wider war but it actually checked the Iranians and slowed them down a little bit.”
Vance also highlighted the importance of cutting off the regime’s oil revenue as a strategy to control the regime, criticizing President Joe Biden’s handling of the issue. “If you want to check Iran, the way to do it is to withdraw their oil money,” he added.
UPDATE: 2:00 PM CEST
U.S. Forces Destroy Houthi Drones, Report Attacks on Merchant Vessels
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on Monday that its forces successfully intercepted and destroyed five drones operated by Iranian regime-backed Houthi rebels in the past 24 hours. The drones, three of which were shot down over the Red Sea and two over Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, were deemed imminent threats to U.S. and coalition forces, as well as commercial shipping. CENTCOM’s actions come amidst a series of attacks by the Houthis on merchant vessels in the Red Sea. The MT Bentley I, a Panama-flagged tanker, was targeted by three Houthi-operated surface vessels, including an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and two small boats. Despite the aggression, no damage or injuries were reported.
Further escalating tensions, the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile at the MT Bentley I from Yemen. The missile failed to cause damage or injuries.
In another incident, the MT Chios Lion, a Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker, was struck by a Houthi USV, resulting in damage to the vessel. The MT Chios Lion has not requested assistance, and no injuries have been reported.
UPDATE: 8:00 AM CEST
The Truth About The Iranian Regime’s New President
The day after the announcement of the results of Iran’s sham presidential election, Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei summoned the remaining members of the government of former regime president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19. In his remarks to them—indirectly addressing new regime president Massoud Pezeshkian—he warned him and reminded him of the “model” of the president in the regime.
The supreme leader repeatedly mentioned Raisi and said, “He is truly a model; we must all learn from him.” He then reiterated the concept of “heartfelt belief and practical commitment” to the regime, which Pezeshkian, like all the election candidates, had committed to. Khamenei stated, “Dear Raisi demonstrated as a model that one can possess these mental, heartfelt, and practical qualities as the president of a country and follow them in practice.”
Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions: A Ticking Time Bomb
The specter of a nuclear-armed Iran looms larger than ever, with recent developments suggesting that the Iranian regime is on the brink of becoming a nuclear power. During a recent visit to Tehran, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi issued a stark warning: Iran could potentially assemble a nuclear weapon within weeks.
Grossi’s alarm bells were further amplified by recent statements from high-ranking Iranian officials, hinting at this chilling possibility. In May, the IAEA disclosed that Iran had amassed enough weapons-grade uranium to manufacture multiple nuclear bombs in mere days. Moreover, there are indications that Iran has already embarked on advanced “weaponization” work, including computer modeling and procurement of crucial components to construct deployable warheads.
Nasim Gholami Simiyari: Continued Uncertainty in Evin Prison after 400 Days
Nasim Gholami Simiyari, who is accused of armed insurgency (Bagh-ye), remains in Evin Prison without clear legal status despite 425 days have passed since her arrest.
Nasim Gholami Simiyari, born on July 13, 1988, has been in detention for nearly fourteen months. Despite a court session being held on June 30, 2024, in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, no verdict has been issued for her yet. This prisoner continues to remain in uncertainty in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.
Zarrin Taj Meshkini Ghalam: over a Month of Uncertainty in Evin Prison
Zarrin Taj Meshkini Ghalam (Parivash), a 58-year-old political prisoner, remains without a clear status over a month after her arrest in Evin Prison.
She was apprehended by security forces in May this year and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Intelligence.
Finally, on May 28, 2024, she was relocated to the women’s ward of Evin prison.
Political Prisoner Reza Arabpour: 20 Months in Sheiban Prison without a Clear Charge
Reza Arabpour, a political prisoner from Izeh and one of the detainees of the nationwide protests in 2022, is still in a state of uncertainty after twenty months of detention, as he remains in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Hossein Ali Hatami, the defense lawyer of this political prisoner, has stated regarding the latest situation of Mr. Arabpour: “Despite more than one year and eight months passing, Reza Arabpour is still in detention in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.
Furthermore, the court session for the charges against this citizen, along with Mohsen Ahmadpour, Bahman Bahmani, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, and Esmaeil Mousavi Nezhad, who are involved in a joint case, including charges such as armed rebellion, spreading corruption on Earth, and forming a subversive group, was held on the 29th, 30th of June and July 1st, in the Fourth Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz. Each of the defendants attended the session separately and defended themselves against the charges.”
MEK Supporters Rally in Düsseldorf: Denouncing Sham Trial of MEK Members, Supporting the PMOI
Düsseldorf, Germany—July 13, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally against the regime’s sham trial of MEK members. They expressed their full support for the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran against the regime’s criminal actions.
MEK Supporters Rally in Stockholm: Denouncing Sham Trial of MEK Members, Supporting the PMOI
Stockholm, Sweden—July 13, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally against the regime’s sham trial of MEK members. They expressed their full support for the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran against the regime’s criminal actions.
MEK Supporters Rally in Hamburg: Denouncing Sham Trial of MEK Members, Supporting the PMOI
Hamburg, Germany—July 13, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally against the regime’s sham trial of MEK members. They expressed their full support for the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran against the regime’s criminal actions.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – July 15, 2024