Iran violates the Mediterranean coast, supports terrorism and enriches uranium

Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar

The Iranian regime believes that its continued diplomatic and military escalation – following President Donald Trump’s announcement of the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal in May 2018 – will work, without considering the nature of the dispute between the current regime and the previous one that signed the nuclear agreement in 2015.

The mullah regime was not content with only taking four steps to reduce its commitments to the nuclear deal, including raising the ceiling for enriched uranium, operating centrifuges, and restarting nuclear facilities such as the Fordow plant on November 6. Instead it went further with more provocative statements and actions.

Serious statements

In terms of irresponsible behavior and unruly statements, a commander of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Hossein Mortazavi, announced during his speech on the occasion of the Mawlid (Prophet’s birthday) on Thursday, November 14 that the directives of the Iranian leader brought about the arrival of Iranian forces and their followers on the Mediterranean coast.

The IRGC commander believes that the terrorist militias, which are affiliated with his country and which he described as “resistance”, succeeded in creating a strong presence in the regional perimeter of Tehran, referring to Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq, adding that these forces succeeded in “securing the perimeter of Iran completely.”

Not the first confession

This confession was not the first of its kind since the recent nuclear crisis. In October 2019, Iranian Army Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri announced in a televised interview with the Chinese network Phoenix that the Revolutionary Guards had provided logistical and military support to the Houthi terrorist forces in Yemen.

Bagheri added that his country has not stopped supporting its allies in Yemen, but has extended the support of Iranian militias in Syria and Iraq that intervene extensively in the political life of those countries.

Iran towards the abyss

US President Donald Trump announced in an official White House statement on May 8 that he wanted a comprehensive meeting with Iranian leaders to reach a new agreement, offering 12 conditions as the basis for a complete agreement, as confirmed by US Special Envoy for Iran Brian Hawk. However, Iran considered the US move as a concession from Washington, and instead of going to the negotiating table, it continued its arrogance and provocation by carrying out its nuclear activities, as well as its explicit support for terrorism.

Hassan Hashemian, an expert on international affairs, said in televised remarks that Iran’s interference in the countries of the region is clearly known, due to the existence of a conflict between the IRGC forces and the Iranian government, as well as Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani’s control over foreign policy, his desire to face US decisions, and his conviction of Iran’s ability to face the US sanctions.

Hashemian said that Iran controls large numbers of individuals in its militias, especially in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon, which take orders from the Iranian leader and Soleimani, acting as military countries within Arab countries. He added that they must be confronted, considering Tehran’s recognition of these interventions is a clear challenge to Arab countries in particular and to the international system in general.