Eye on Iran: U.S. Moves Against Alleged al Qaeda Members in Iran

Join UANI               Top Stories WSJ: "The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned three alleged al Qaeda members the U.S. said are using Iran as a base to raise funds, acquire weapons and move fighters across the Middle East and South Asia. The Treasury's designations are the latest in a string announced in recent years outlining Iran's alleged complicity in al Qaeda's operations. The activities are a challenge to the Obama administration's hope to cooperate with Tehran in combating international terrorist organizations, like al Qaeda and Islamic State, in the wake of last year's landmark nuclear agreement... The Treasury said in its designation that an al Qaeda operative named Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi has used Iran as a base to raise funds for extremists fighting in Syria. Mr. Bayumi was also charged with liaising with Iranian authorities to free militants detained in the Shiite-dominate country. 'Bayumi is a veteran al Qaeda member who has been located in Iran since 2014 and a member of al Qaeda since at least 2006,' the Treasury said in its designation. The Treasury blacklisted two other Iran-based men who the U.S. believes are important logistical planners for the terrorist organization. Faisal Jassim Mohammed Al-Amri Al-Khalidi was accused of coordinating operations of al Qaeda-linked groups in Pakistan. Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn was accused of overseeing the funding and operations of al Qaeda members inside Iran. 'As of 2015, Ghumayn assumed control of the financing and organization of al Qaeda members located in Iran,' the Treasury said in its statement." http://t.uani.com/2abUS9j AP: "An Argentine judge is requesting that Singapore and Malaysia arrest an adviser to Iran's supreme leader who is accused of masterminding the South American country's worst terrorist attack. Ali Akbar Velayati was foreign minister of Iran at the time of the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires and is now an adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Velayati is visiting Southeast Asia to attend a regional summit. Argentine Judge Rodolfo Canicoba Corral told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his request seeks to reinforce existing arrest orders. Former Iranian officials have been on an Interpol capture list for years, but Argentine prosecutors have never been able to question them." http://t.uani.com/29Y5ffI CBS8 San Diego: "Friends of a San Diego man expressed their concerns Wednesday because they believe he was taken captive in Iran. Robin Shahini of San Diego was visiting family in Iran on July 11th when friends say he was detained by Iranian authorities. Shahini graduated from San Diego State University in May. He returned to Iran to visit his sick mother and is now behind bars, held in a secret location by Iranian authorities. Shahini's girlfriend spoke with CBS News 8 under the condition that her identity not be revealed. 'They searched the house, took his personal stuff. They showed him the paper they had - state-crime against the state,' she said... For a month-and-a-half, Shahini did not encounter any signs of problems until July 11th - when authorities suddenly arrested him. 'They don't need evidence to arrest American-Iranians. They simply suspect them of being American spies or dissidents, and if there's the slightest negative piece of information about them they'll arrest them,' said terrorism expert, Robert Baer." http://t.uani.com/29XeNUZ Nuclear & Ballistic Missile Program Tehran Times: "The Iranian parliament speaker asked the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) on Wednesday to prepare a plan for the re-opening of shuttered uranium enrichment facilities, reacting to the recent UN report on the implementation of the JCPOA. 'It is necessary for the Atomic Energy Organization (of Iran) to act in compliance with the law passed on the reopening of the nuclear plant to enrich uranium proportionate to the country's needs and prepare a plan and keeps the Majlis (parliament) posted on it,' Ali Larijani said... The remarks by Larijani come after the UN Security Council briefing on the first report of the secretary general on the implementation of resolution 2231 adopted immediately after the conclusion of the nuclear deal between Iran and great powers in July 2015. Iran has strongly objected to the report, calling it 'biased' and 'unrealistic.' While ambiguous, Larijani should be referring to the Natanz and Fordow facilities by the 'nuclear plant.' Clarifying Larijani's words, AEOI Director Ali Akbar Salehi said Larijani had meant reversing the stalled uranium enrichment program." http://t.uani.com/2ajcP6O AP: "The United Nations chief says that the Iran nuclear deal marked a fundamental change in the Middle Eastern nation's relationship with the Security Council and has provided Iran with an opportunity for greater engagement with the international community. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement commemorating the one year anniversary of the Security Council's approval of the deal on Wednesday that the agreement is the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program and realize the aspiration of the Iranian people. Ban called on all member states to support the full and effective implementation of the agreement, adding that it was 'of the utmost importance that (the nuclear deal) works for all its participants, including by delivering tangible benefits to the Iranian people.'" http://t.uani.com/2a2N1u9 U.S.-Iran Relations RFE/RL: "Iran's parliament speaker has accused U.S. officials of failing to implement last year's landmark nuclear deal and of pushing Tehran and Washington toward a 'confrontation.' Ali Larijani, a hard-liner who helped to gain parliamentary approval last year for the historic nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, said in parliament on July 20 that U.S. government officials are putting obstacles in the way of Iran being readmitted into the world economy. 'With great sadness, [the Iranian] parliament warns the U.S. administration, House of Representatives, and Senate that the efforts to undermine the nuclear agreement have reached a point that leaves no option for Iran but confrontation,' he said." http://t.uani.com/29YIeXF Congressional Action Free Beacon: "The Obama administration hid from Congress key information about a secret deal with Iran permitting it to maintain critical aspects of its nuclear program, according to a leading member of Congress, who exclusively told the Washington Free Beacon that these disclosures invalidate the entirety of last summer's nuclear agreement with Iran. The revelation of the secret deal is being described by congressional insiders as further proof the Obama administration misled lawmakers and the American public about the terms of last summer's nuclear agreement, which was framed by top U.S. officials as the only way to stop Iran's march toward a nuclear weapon. There 'will be hell to pay' as a result of the disclosure, according to one senior congressional source apprised of the situation... Rep. Peter Roskam (R., Ill.), a leading critic of the deal who has spearheaded efforts to block U.S. institutions from engaging with Iran, told the Free Beacon that the Obama administration had 'not told lawmakers' about its secret negotiations with Iran." http://t.uani.com/2aj7cWs Business Risk Guardian: "The British Foreign Office has updated its travel advice on Iran, warning its citizens, especially those with dual Iranian nationality, of a risk of being arbitrarily detained. The British government relaxed its advice against all but essential travel to Iran in July 2015 after the landmark nuclear agreement. But a stalemate over the fate of at least two British-Iranians currently detained in Tehran appears to have led the FCO to amend its instructions, although it has not raised concerns to the same level as before the nuclear deal. 'British nationals - including dual British/Iranian nationals - face greater risks than nationals of many other countries,' reads the new advice, which was updated on Friday. 'The security forces may be suspicious of people with British connections. The risks are likely to be higher for independent travellers or students than for people travelling as part of an organised tour or business people invited by the Iranian authorities or companies.' The warning will be bad news for Iran as it struggles to strengthen economic ties with the UK and attract more foreign tourists." http://t.uani.com/2abcpgF Sanctions Relief Mehr (Iran): "France's Total S.A. has embarked on studies and economic evaluation for construction of a petrochemical complex in Iran's Parsian Special Economic Energy Zone. Undoubtedly, Total oil company of France has been the most active European firm in the Iranian oil, gas and petrochemical industries over the past six months. Following the signing of a contract to purchase 160 thousand barrels of Iranian crude per day, Total has also inked a confidentiality agreement for development of South Azadegan oilfield. Moreover, the French company has also conducted several talks with Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), National Petrochemical Company (NPC) as well as with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) over development of South Pars Phase 11. Along the same line, a delegation comprising Total representatives made a visit to Parsian Special Economic Energy Zone in southern Iranian province of Hormozgan." http://t.uani.com/29XSOBc Mehr (Iran): "A fresh round of talks between Iran's National Petrochemical Company (NPC) and Linde AG of Germany has begun over investment and participation in Iran's most strategic petrochemical complex. Six month after the implementation of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), no official agreement has been signed with a foreign firm for development, investment attraction of reopening of credit and finance lines in the country's petchem industries. Despite the inking of a contract with France's Total for construction of a petrochemical plant in southern Iran, as well as numerous talks with Japan's Mitsubishi and BASF of Germany to fund ongoing projects in Iran, neither negotiations nor MoUs have led to sealing of new contracts in the country's petrochemical industry... Accordingly, Linde of Germany has recently launched talks with NPC aiming to ink the first BOO (build, own, operate) contract for construction, completion and implementation of Damavand Petrochemical Complex." http://t.uani.com/2a6gRx4 Fars (Iran): "Managing director of Isfahan Oil Refinery said the facility has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea's Daelim Company for improving production procedures and optimizing the facility. Lotfali Chavoshi said on Monday that the process improvement and optimization plan of the refinery will bring the facility to its golden days. He said the MoU is an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with Daelim's financing. The CEO added that the plan will be carried out in a 4-year period with an investment of $2b. In the project, Daelim will cooperate with Iranian contractors and National Iranian Oil Engineering and Construction Company will serve as the operator, he added." http://t.uani.com/29RO5gQ Press TV (Iran): "India's Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) says it has paid $1.4 billion to Iran in outstanding debts for previous oil purchases. MRPL Managing Director H. Kumar has been quoted by the media as saying that his company owed Iran a total of $2.56 billion for purchases that still remain to be settled from 2013. Kumar has been quoted as saying by IRNA news agency as saying that the sanctions and channels of transfer of money that had been closed in sanctions era had prevented his company from paying its oil debt to Iran till now. Reports said in May that MRPL had paid Iran $500 million to clear parts of its debts to Iran." http://t.uani.com/29T9arQ Mehr (Iran): "IKCO CEO said the first joint product of Iran Khodro Industrial Group and Peugeot Car Company will become available in March 2017. Hashem Yekkeh Zare said the Iranian and French sides each deposited more than 15 million dollars in the joint account giving a total of about 30 million dollars indicating official launch of IKCO-Peugeot Joint Venture (IKAP); 'the new joint firm is scheduled to release its first product by March, 2017 on the basis of a contract which requires the French party to transfer new technology to Iran.' Pointing to the held negotiations for launching joint venture activities with other eminent automakers, the official said 'so far, talks have been conducted with six firms with two agreements going through final stages.'" http://t.uani.com/29Y6Zpo Terrorism AP: "A record terrorism-related forfeiture order benefiting families of some Sept. 11 victims and others was reversed on appeal Wednesday, leaving in doubt what will happen to a $1 billion Manhattan office building at the center of the legal case. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan rejected a judge's reasoning in ordering the sale of the 36-story office building and other properties to benefit family members of victims of terrorism attacks. The families and the U.S. government had sued the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corp., the building's partial owners. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara has said the sale of the buildings would constitute the largest ever terrorism-related forfeiture. In 2013, Judge Katherine Forrest said revenue from the buildings passed through a state-owned Iranian bank, violating a U.S.-trade embargo, and thus were eligible for forfeiture. They were to be sold by the U.S. Marshals Service, with proceeds distributed among 19 holders of over $5 billion in terrorism-related judgments against the government of Iran. The appeals court disagreed with Forrest, casting doubt on evidence that the properties were controlled by Iran. The 2nd Circuit decision written by Circuit Judge Richard C. Wesley said the buildings do not qualify as being owned by Iran under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act but a three-judge appeals panel left it for the lower court to determine at trial if they could be considered an agency or instrumentality of Iran under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act." http://t.uani.com/29PBXOy WashPost: "The Obama administration has begun to see Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, as a global threat that could eventually rival the Islamic State, echoing a Russian argument that it has long resisted... Nicholas Rasmussen, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, told Congress last week that senior al-Qaeda leaders are increasingly migrating to a 'growing safe haven in Syria.' Some have come from Pakistan and Yemen, where the group has suffered ­losses, while others may be among those recently released from years of detention in Iran... 'These leaders include individuals who have been part of the group since the time even before 9/11,' Rasmussen said. 'And now that many of them are in Syria, we believe they will work to threaten the U.S. and our allies.' The operatives are believed to include those involved in al-Qaeda's 'external operations' directorate. Rasmussen did not provide names, but there are strong indications that one of them is Saif al-Adel, an Egyptian who worked closely with Osama bin Laden and once served as al-Qaeda's military commander. Adel, who fled from Afghanistan to Iran in 2001, was released from a form of house arrest by that country last year in exchange for an Iranian diplomat being held hostage in Yemen. Others freed by Iran include Abu Kayr al Masri, who once ran al-Qaeda's management council, and Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, an Egyptian referred to in a 2008 classified U.S. document as the 'most experienced and capable operational planner not in U.S. custody.'" http://t.uani.com/2aeZBW5 AFP: "Kuwait's court of appeals Thursday upheld the death sentence to a Shiite citizen convicted of forming a pro-Iran cell and plotting attacks in the Gulf state. Hasan Abdulhadi Ali has been a member of Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah militia since 1996 and is 'the mastermind of the cell' of 26 members who had been accused of plotting attacks, the court said. An Iranian had also been sentenced to death by a lower court but the appeals court did not look into his case on Thursday as he is on the run and must be present for the verdict to be announced... Members of the cell had been charged with spying for Iran and hiding large quantities of arms and ammunition in underground depots, including highly explosive materials. In January, the lower court said that the Iranian cell member had recruited the Kuwaiti Shiites and arranged for their travel to Lebanon, where they received military training from Iran-backed Hezbollah." http://t.uani.com/29XjqOQ Domestic Politics Al-Monitor: "The Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) arrested Ali Rastegar Sorkhei, the former managing director of Bank Mellat, on July 19. Rastegar Sorkhei was recently removed after leaked documents exposed that managers and executives at state-run companies were receiving exorbitant salaries and misusing government funds... The head of the IRGC, Mohammad Ali Jaffari, said July 20 at a press conference that one of IRGC's intelligence projects is to 'monitor and review' economic corruption. He said that when the IRGC provided the judiciary with Rastegar Sorkhei's case, the arrest warrant was issued. Jaffari said that while Rastegar Sorkhei is 'certainly' linked to the high government salaries scandal in Iran, he was arrested for 'larger economic corruption.' He did not elaborate on what that was. When asked if other arrests would be made, Jaffari said, 'Other officials and individuals were involved.' Another report by Tasnim News Agency alleged that Rastegar Sorkhei using government funds to stay in presidential suites at luxury hotels in Dubai. The report also stated that Rastegar Sorkhei 'is close to Hossein Fereydoun,' President Hassan Rouhani's brother and his special adviser, who is also at the center of a number of corruption allegations." http://t.uani.com/29XhHJu         Eye on Iran is a periodic news summary from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) a program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Eye on Iran is not intended as a comprehensive media clips summary but rather a selection of media elements with discreet analysis in a PDA friendly format. For more information please email Press@UnitedAgainstNuclearIran.com United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a non-partisan, broad-based coalition that is united in a commitment to prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons.  UANI is an issue-based coalition in which each coalition member will have its own interests as well as the collective goal of advancing an Iran free of nuclear weapons.