Iran: Smuggling fuel to neighboring Pakistan

Iran: Smuggling fuel to neighboring Pakistan

Trucks smuggling fuel from Iran to Pakistan

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

Iran, July 9, 2019 - In recent days, reports have emerged on social media claiming that huge amounts of fuel are smuggled to Pakistan over Iran’s eastern borders. Namely the Sistan and Baluchistan province in southeast Iran where the major part of the Sunni minority lives is blamed for the smuggling.

However, it is no secret that the main smuggling of fuel and especially oil in recent years isn’t done with 40-liter fuel containers. Organizing endless caravans of fuel tankers with thousands of liters of capacity each can’t be done without at least receiving the green light from authorities.

In 2018, the Fars news agency, affiliated to the terrorist-designated Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), published a video clip titled, “Organized smuggling of fuel/‌pipework on the seabed for smuggling fuel!” They also wrote about smuggling fuel with small boats: “In Hormozgan province, there are 50 launches [small boats] which smuggle 20,000 to 50,000 liters of fuel each, every day. That’s how millions of liters of the country’s resources are stolen every day.”

Smuggling fuel was a lucrative business in Iran even before the energy sanctions that prevented the Iranian mullahs from selling the country’s crude oil for hard currency. That is because fuel is subsidized in Iran and is sold way lower than free market prices. Profiteers with the right connections and assets can make a fortune by smuggling the cheap fuel to neighboring countries.

Also in late 2018, Abdollah Hendiani, deputy manager of the office of the fight against goods and currency smuggling in Iran, said during an interview with Iran’s state-run television, “Over the past three months, about one billion liters have been smuggled. This is about ten to 13 million liters of smuggled fuel every day.”

Smuggling this huge amount of fuel over the Iranian border per day requires a caravan of 500 fuel tankers with a capacity of 20,000 liters each. And every tanker needs to cross the border twice per day.

The amount of trafficked fuel is so high that Pakistani officials are calling for action to prevent further damages to their economy.

Fars news agency writes, “The Pakistani customs office announced in a report that smuggled fuel from Iran is damaging the country in the range of 300 million rupees per year, calling for increased supervision of the borders.”

“Reports show that about 50 to 60 percent of Karachi’s fuel is smuggled and foreign shipping companies and domestic fuel stations are the customer base of Iran’s smuggled gas,” Fars news agency further writes.

The situation is so bad that Iranian regime Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh acknowledges the fact that officials have a hand in the entire smuggling business. “Smuggling has increased. And it’s not only smugglers, everybody has [a hand in it],” he said.

Iran’s chief of the committee for combating trafficking also said that smuggling fuel is an “organized crime” and “it may be connected to some government institutions.”

Although smuggling fuel and crude oil can by no means compensate for the sales that the Iranian regime has lost due to sanctions, pundits expect further increases in smuggling in the coming months.

Iran mullahs systematically mining digital currencies

Iran mullahs systematically mining digital currencies

Bitcoin farm (File Photo)

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

Iran, July 8, 2019 - Facing an increasingly dysfunctional economy, political and economic isolation and the inability to sell crude oil, Iranian mullahs and their cronies are resorting to mining digital currencies to compensate for the financial means they have lost.

Late in June, first reports about the new phenomenon appeared in Iranian media but on July 4, the news became more concrete.

“Managing director of Varamin County’s electricity company broke the news of discovering 14 bitcoin mining farms across different regions of the county,” the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Bitcoin is the most famous digital currency. Miners lend their computing power to bitcoin’s global network and help to calculate the next block in its digital ledger. This is done through a series of complicated mathematical operations that require a large amount of electricity to solve.

IRNA further quoted Moslem Haji Mazandarani, Managing director of Varamin County’s electricity company saying, “Employees of Varamin County’s electric company investigated the power consumption pattern in different regions of the county and succeeded in discovering digital currency mining farms.”

“The largest farms have been discovered in Tehran province, belonging to an active industrial center in the town of Salarieh and more than one thousand and 134 mining rigs have been discovered there,” the managing director further said.

“The center was consuming 800 kilowatts of electricity every day paid based on industrial tariffs. Comparatively, this amount of electricity is equal to the consumption of 1,200 households.”

Cheap electricity is vital for mining digital currencies to be profitable. Iran’s subsidized electricity distribution incentivizes higher energy consumption and its misuse.

In other news, Iranian media report that 500 bitcoin mining farms have also been discovered in Alborz province of northern Iran.

After the proliferation of bitcoin mining, it appears that the Iranian regime doesn’t tolerate it anymore and intends to monopolize it in the hands of its own cronies.

On July 5, Tabnak website reported that some leading Iranian mullahs have issued fatwas that make bitcoin mining “Haram” (forbidden under religious regulations), effectively paving the path for the regime’s forces to shut down mining farms and seizing the rigs.

Iran: State-run media confess to regime’s difficult situation after 2018 uprisings

Iran: State-run media confess to regime’s difficult situation after 2018 uprisings

Iranian people's uprising in January 2018

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

Iran, July 6, 2019 - "The 2018 protests, which spread to more than 100 cities, was a turning point" for the Iranian regime, Iran newspaper, the official publication of the government of Hassan Rouhani, wrote in reference to recent comments of the regime's president.

On July 3, Rouhani had said, "Some incidents happened in January 2018, which I don't want to discuss right now. There were also threats from the U.S., and we entered a new phase since January 2018 which has continued to this day. We've been through a very tough, 18-month period."

In this regard, Iran writes, "Rouhani divided his tenure into two periods, and the turning point was the January 2018 protests. He views those incidents as the beginning of a domino of developments that have led to the current situation in the country… We can't disregard the fact that those incidents indicate that there are problems and our society has been damaged… Poor living conditions, differences between upper and lower classes of the society, and a widening rift between old and new generations were some of the issues that manifested themselves during the January 2018 incidents."

Previously, on July 1, Rouhani's newspaper had written, "Before the 2018 events, every incident that happened, the government (in general) stood in the middle. But the 2018 event brought everything in front and center and expanded it to everywhere. Just look at the number of cities that were involved. More than 100 cities were involved."

This January, Ali Rabiei, Rouhani's previous Labor Minister and his current spokesperson, said, "In January 2018, protests spread to 160 cities and several were killed in these cities."

State-run Jahan-e Sanat newspaper mocked Rouhani and wrote, "By looking at people’s faces from behind the tinted window of his car, [Rouhani] decided that the fact that the people's table cloth is shrinking, [people's purchasing power is diminishing], is not important. Given the rise in prices, this outlook of the economy and the comments of high ranking officials only indicates that there's no confidence in the executive structure of the country and the promises of officials."

Hamdeli, another state-run publication, also referred to the explosive state of the society and wrote, “The state is experiencing dangerous conditions. In fact, several problems, which unfortunately intensify every day, have caused a kind of distrust in the various classes of society. Consequently, we are witnessing despair and disappointment. This can impose very dangerous and costly consequences and threaten the interests of the state.”

Arman, another state-run publication, remarked on the unequal distribution of wealth and wrote, "This means that the society is moving toward polarization and in conclusion, there is a probability of repetition of events like January 2018. So, in this situation, is it possible to find a solution? The answer, from a realistic perspective, is 'no.'"

On Iran, which side are you on?

On Iran, which side are you on?

A very simple question!!

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

Iran, July 5, 2019 - Which side are you on? A simple question, with a deep meaning, asked throughout the history, when fascism was spreading across the world, when the Holocaust occurred, during the War in Vietnam, and when a young French man had to choose between his mother and his country…

A simple question that has inspired dozens of musicians to compose memorable songs. Every one of us faces this question once or many times in our lives and our responses to this question shapes our future, our lives, and ultimate destination. Every man, woman, boy or girl, young or aged, has to choose a side, and history will define the righteousness or wrongness of this choice. History is indeed the greatest judge.

When we look at Iran, we can clearly hear the echo of this question: which side are you on? On one side are the ruling mullahs, with 40 years of terrorism in the Middle East, political assassinations abroad, daily torture and execution of innocent citizens, political purge and massacres such as the summer 1988 execution of 30,000 political prisoners, and state-conducted misogyny through the so-called police of integrity.

On the other side, are the Iranian people and their resistance movement, who have been on the receiving end of the tyranny of the mullahs who suffered and paid the price with their tears, blood, and lives?

Are you on the side of those brave people who took to the street in January 2019, and yearned for freedom and regime change in Iran?

Unfortunately, despite the clear voice of the Iranian people, some governments choose to continue chasing the dream of moderation and banking on the so-called moderate faction of the regime.

Yet people of Iran put an end to this illusion by chanting, “Reformists, conservatives, the game is over” during their protests.

Grappling with social crisis and facing the consequences of its warmongering and aggressive regional and international policies, the Iranian regime sees its imminent downfall.

On the other hand, the people of Iran and their organized resistance, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), enjoy political support across the globe, and vast social support within Iran and its resistance unit who operate on a daily basis are ready to take this regime down.

The strength of this resistance and its network has paralyzed and wounded the Iranian regime, and like a wounded wolf, it tries everything to survive. This includes terrorist plots including the foiled plot of bombing the Free Iran gathering in Paris, in July 2018, on the very same day that its president was in Europe to discuss trade.

The regime is trying to impose this illusion to the world that they must accept this moribund and disastrous regime and there is no other alternative. To this end, it engages in a widespread and costly demonization campaign to discredit the Iranian resistance.

Yet, the sacrifices and honesty of this movement and the price it has paid makes it impossible to deny the obvious fact that it is a democratic alternative, led by a tireless woman, Maryam Rajavi. It is empowered by a vast network of resistance units and huge support amongst the most distinguished politicians who abide by humanitarian values and know the importance of this resistance rather than vie short-lived economic interests.

On June 15, addressing the participants of the March of solidarity in Brussels, former Italian foreign minister Giulio Terzi chided European states for continuing to seek out so-called reformists in Iran and said, “The MEK and NCRI, the main force of opposition against this regime, are advancing every day. Yet still, some in Europe pretend there is no alternative to the regime. There is a viable alternative. It is the National Council of Resistance of Iran."

"It is important in this critical juncture of what is happening in the Persian Gulf today that we stand here and support the rights of the people of Iran," Terzi added.

Therefore, as the regime loses ground in the battle with the people of Iran and their resistance, it sinks deeper in the swamp of misery. The world shall stand on the right side of history by supporting the Iranian people and their resistance, not the regime and its homemade phony alternatives that aid to direct attention away from where the real solution stands.

Iran parliament speaker: PMOI/MEK created our nuclear mess around 20 years ago

Iran parliament speaker: PMOI/MEK created our nuclear mess around 20 years ago

Iran has a suspicious and clandestine network of nuclear sites

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

Iran, July 4, 2019 - Iran’s recent measures of violating the 2015 nuclear deal by increasing its uranium enrichment stockpile over the 300-kilogram limit and promising to elevate the enrichment level above 3.67 percent is facing stiff international condemnations and warnings. This includes strong remarks from the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the United States and European countries, and even Russia and China.

This turn of events is causing major concerns for senior Iranian regime officials in Tehran that are making remarks about the roots of the mullahs’ nuclear dilemmas.

“If you remember, around 20 years, when the [PMOI/MEK] revealed that story regarding our nuclear dossier, leading to [IAEA Director General Mohamed] El-Baradei coming to Iran. The Americans then started making a lot of noise… They launched their psychological tactics against Iran on the international stage and began placing pressures. To this day, it has been nearly 20 years that we are involved in this issue. Why? Iran says we do not seek nuclear weapons. When [Iranian regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei] issues a fatwa saying it is forbidden, they would not understand. All in all, things cannot be changed,” said Iranian regime Majlis (parliament) speaker Ali Larijani.

“It is very unfortunate that recently [U.S. President Donald] Trump has sanctioned [Khamenei]. All right, sanction all you want; what does he have for you to sanction. It shows how much they fail to understand that Iran’s leader is a religious leader with millions of followers. With your measures, you are installing hatred in all their hearts. This further goes to show how they fail to understand Iran’s culture,” Larijani added.

Despite all the brouhaha made by the regime’s apologists and lobbyists abroad about sanctions targeting Khamenei being futile, these remarks by Larijani further prove how deeply concerned Tehran truly is of the sanctions against Khamenei who owns hundreds of billions of dollars, according to US officials.

Iran’s regime officially violates the 2015 nuclear deal

Iran’s regime officially violates the 2015 nuclear deal

Iranian regime President Hassan Rouhani visiting a uranium enrichment site (File Photo)

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

Iran, July 1, 2019 - The regime in Iran has officially reneged on the 2015 nuclear deal by exceeding the 300-kilogram stockpile limit of low enriched uranium (3.67%), according to the Fars news agency citing an "informed source." The Fars news agency is affiliated directly to the terrorist-designated Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).

As part of the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran promised it would refrain from storing more than 300kg of uranium enriched to the low level of 3.67 percent fissile material, The Telegraph reported.

Enriching uranium to a low level of 3.67% fissile material is the first step in a process that could eventually allow the Iranian regime to amass enough highly-enriched uranium (above 90 percent) to build a nuclear warhead.

"Iran has vowed to begin enriching its stockpile of uranium to higher levels closer to weapons-grade later this month,” according to the Associated Press.

Iran has indicated the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), known as the United Nations nuclear watchdog, has weighed the amount of low enriched uranium.

A Wall Street Journal reporter based in Brussels said a Western diplomat confirmed to him that they have been informed by the IAEA on Tehran exceeding its low enriched uranium (3.67%) stockpile above the 300 kg limit set by the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA). Numerous reporters have cited the IAEA confirming Tehran has breached its agreement.

The European Union is now under increasing pressure on how to justify its maintenance of the deal and not imposing sanctions on the mullahs’ regime for this flagrant violation. This is especially true considering the fact that Iran has announced plans to further breach the JCPOA by July 8.

However, the EU may actually conclude that Tehran has left no option other than reimposing sanctions.

Sanctioning the main culprit in Iran

Sanctioning the main culprit in Iran

Iranian regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

Iran, July 1, 2019 - Sanctioning Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei and his apparatus, following hard-hitting sanctions on Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), and targeting Iran’s petrochemical industry as a key financial artery for exporting and aiding terrorism, is an important step toward economically crippling the entire clerical establishment in Iran.

This victory, obviously, did not come accidentally and overnight. It was the result of four decades of efforts and pain and blood paid by a Resistance movement that was constantly focused on the main enemy of the nation, the mullahs’ regime, in order to topple it.

The Iranian opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has time and again insisted on the need to designate IRGC and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO), in the United States and as terrorist entities by the European Union.

Tehran’s key financial arteries financing the Supreme Leader, his office and apparatus, and its Gestapo-type terrorist forces, being the IRGC and Quds Force, must be blocked.

Sanctioning the supreme leader and his office is tantamount to blocking the path to plundering the wealth and livelihood of a nation already forced under the poverty line.

Khamenei recently said, “Corruption is like a seven-headed dragon in fictitious stories.” However, it is worth noting that the main head of this dragon is in Khamenei’s apparatus.

Sanctioning Khamenei means blocking any assets in the US belonging to Khamenei or his office, anyone appointed by him or his office, or anyone who’s assisted or acted on behalf of the properties. They also bar any bank that facilitates a significant transaction with those parties from the U.S. financial system.