A closer look at the Iranian regime’s increased terrorist activities

The Iranian regime used its official embassies in Europe to plot a terrorist attack on the MEK meeting

 In its 40-year history, the terrorist and fundamentalist regime of Iran has done everything within its power to terrorize and destroy its dissidents and opponents. The regime has been engaging in terrorism across the world in different ways. This is a reality that parliamentarians and politicians have confirmed in the past years, and they have recognized the Iranian regime as the biggest state sponsor of global terrorism.

At the turn of the year, when protests erupted across Iran, the Iranian regime increased its efforts to strike at the Iranian opposition in hopes of stifling the uprisings. Following the remarks of the Iranian regime’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in which he emphasized the role of the PMOI/MEK in the uprisings, the Iranian regime engaged in several terrorist attempts. At the doorsteps of the Iranian new year in March, the Iranian regime dispatched a group of terrorist to Albania to detonate bombs at the annual gathering of the MEK. Again, in June, another team of Iranian regime terrorists tried to bomb a large Iranian opposition rally in Paris. Shortly after, a similar attempt was discovered in the U.S. If any of these terrorist attempts succeeded, it would have caused a disaster.

What’s significant about these terror attempts is the haste in which the Iranian regime has tried to carry out its plots, to the extent that it has overlooked all the sensibilities that surround its own present circumstances. The Iranian regime even overtly employed its embassies and diplomats in implementing its plans. The disclosures made by the Iranian opposition and the arrest of Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi in Germany and the other members of its terrorist network in Albania, France, Belgium, and the U.S. have become a diplomatic disgrace for the regime of Tehran.

Iranian regime officials are resorting to such measures while they are under international scrutiny. They are shamelessly carrying out terrorism through their embassies, which can only be described as a stupid move. While the world is rallying against terrorism, resorting to terrorist measures further arouses international anger at the regime. This is especially bad for Tehran because after the U.S. exited the Iran deal, the regime has become increasingly in need of support from European countries.

The regime’s hasty terrorist measures and its increase of domestic suppression and executions only hint at its desperate state in its final days.

On September 8, the Iranian regime executed three Kurdish political prisoners. At the same time, the regime attacked the headquarters of Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq, killing and injuring dozens of people. There is evidence indicating that the attack was staged from inside Iraq, through a missile base in Sulaymaniyah. If the allegations are proved to be true, it means that the Iranian regime has entered a dangerous game in the region.

History has seen many dictatorships, but the mullahs’ regime of Iran is unique in its own right, especially in terms of shamelessness. The officials of the Iranian regime describe Iran as “the most democratic country in the world” and claim that “there are no political prisoners in Iran.” They also claim that Iran is the most secure country in the world. What they don’t say is that the Iranian regime is the record-holder of executions in the world and it is the biggest state-sponsor of terrorism.

Another aspect of the Iranian regime’s shamelessness is it cyber-terrorism. Recently, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google shut down several online accounts linked to the Iranian regime because of their role in undermining public discourse and spreading propaganda. The Iranian regime’s huge cyber-terrorism machine is being run by the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), employing thousands of IRGC agents and hackers and spending millions of dollars out of the pockets of the impoverished Iranian people to spread misleading news and lies about the Iranian opposition.

What is evident is that execution, terror, missile attacks and other hollow muscle-flexing moves are being decided at the highest levels of power in the regime. But it won’t help the regime out of it current predicament. The Iranian people are determined to continue their uprisings, and the Iranian community is more vigilant than ever. The regime’s efforts are only further proving that the PMOI/MEK and the NCRI are the main Iranian opposition movements and the real alternatives to the mullahs’ rule.

We’re also witnessing that the international community is becoming increasingly aware of the need to stand against the terrorist regime that rules in Iran and to protect the Iranian opposition. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Iranian regime’s embassies shut down soon and the NCRI recognized as the real representative of the Iranian people.

Iranian opposition warns against an uptick in Tehran’s foreign terrorist activities

NCRI reveals the Iranian regime’s terrorist activities in Europe

In a press conference held in London, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) revealed new classified information from inside the Iranian regime showing Tehran is busy increasing its terrorist activities against the main Iranian opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), and the NCRI.

Ms. Dowlat Nowruzi, the UK representative of the NCRI, laid out details of the Iranian regime’s operations abroad and the role of its embassies in planning and coordinating terror plots against dissidents in European countries. The information compiled by the Iranian opposition also shows that, contrary to what some analysts have tried to portray, the foreign terrorist activities of the Iranian regime are not rogue operations and are being orchestrated at the highest levels of power in Tehran.

An uptick in terrorist activities

In the past year, the Iranian regime has increased its espionage and terrorist activities abroad. In March, authorities in Albania stopped a terrorist bombing plot against a gathering of MEK members in Tirana. The plot was planned in Tehran and involved two Iranians who had traveled to Albania under the guise of journalists.

In June, European law enforcement agencies stopped a terrorist attack against a large gathering of the Iranian opposition in France. The convention was attended by tens of thousands of Iranians from across the world, featuring speeches by NCRI President Maryam Rajavi and dignitaries from the U.S., Europe, Middle East and other regions.

Two months later, in August, U.S. authorities apprehended two Iranian men who had been spying on Iranian dissidents—namely people tied to the MEK and NCRI—at the behest of Tehran’s regime.

“No doubt we are facing a new wave of terrorist activities by the mullahs’ regime outside Iran,” Nowruzi said in her remarks. The NCRI representative also stressed that according to specific information from within the regime, the decision to carry out the operations, including the attempted bombing of the Paris gathering, was taken in January 2018 in the Supreme National Security Council, headed by Hassan Rouhani.

High profile authorities of the Iranian regime were involved in the decision making process, including the regime’s foreign and intelligence ministers, the Supreme Leader’s closest advisors, the commander of the IRGC and Qassem Suleimani, the head of the regime’s terrorist Quds Force.

“Further discussion on the extent of this operation took place in the months of January and February in the Supreme National Security Council, and the plan was taken by Hassan Rouhani to Khamenei for final approval,” Nowruzi said.

The role of the Iranian regime’s diplomacy in terrorist plots

According to the NCRI, the “Organization of Foreign Intelligence and Movements,” is the specific department in the Iranian regime’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) responsible for terrorist activities in Europe and U.S. This is one of the most important departments within the MOIS, coordinating espionage and terrorist operations between MOIS stations in different countries, which include the Iranian regime’s embassies.

“As a sign of focusing more on terrorism, the status of this department within the MOIS was elevated from directorship to organization on 8 February 2017. That means expanding the department with more budget and personnel,” Nowruzi warned.

The Iranian opposition’s information indicate that the OFIM is headed by Reza Amiri Moghaddam, a top security official reporting directly to the Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi. “He plays a key role in the regime’s terrorist activities in Europe and the U.S.,” Nowruzi said.

Reza Amiri Moghaddam, head of the Iranian regime’s “Foreign Intelligence Organization,” in charge of Tehran’s terrorism operations outside of Iran

A former IRGC commander, Moghaddam was involved in terrorist attacks against coalition forces in Iraq following the 2003 U.S.-Iraq conflict. An Iranian Resistance investigation has found that Moghaddam was at the head of an Iranian regime delegation that held three-way negotiations with the U.S. and Iraq.

Moghaddam was also in charge of the coordination of the terror attack against the Iranian opposition convention in Paris and delivered orders and instructions to Assadollah Assadi, an Iranian diplomat and the head of the MOIS intelligence station in Vienna.

Assadi, a terror mastermind who has had experience carrying out terrorist activities in various countries, was in charge of planning and executing the attack with a sleeper cell in Belgium. Assadi was apprehended by German police two days before the Free Iran rally, after he had delivered explosives to his accomplices.

“For your information, Assadollah Assadi since 2014 has been head of all intelligence stations of the MOIS in Europe. Given the sensitivity of the operation, he was instructed to be personally engaged in the execution of the plan,” Nowruzi said.

Assadollah Assadi, head of the MOIS intelligence station in Vienna

Assadi has also served in the Iranian regime’s embassy in Iraq from 2004 to 2008, serving as third secretary. “According to our information, Assadi played a key role in terrorist plots, bombings and kidnappings against PMOI members, Iraqi citizens and collation forces from 2004 to 2008,” Nowruzi said.

The NCRI’s representative warned that the Iranian regime’s embassies in Europe play a key role in the regime’s terrorist activities in different aspects. “The NCRI has done thorough research on this issue, and the outcome will be released today for the first time. The regime’s embassies, in addition to collecting intelligence, provide logistics up to the point of the operation including weapons, explosives, money and other facilities required for the terrorist act,” she said.

The Iranian regime’s fear of nationwide protests

The increase of terrorist activities are happening while the Iranian regime is reeling from the effects of an ongoing uprising that started last December. Against all security provisions, the people of numerous Iranian cities poured into the streets to protest against poverty, unemployment and government corruption. The demonstrations soon turned into anti-government protests that called for the overthrow of the regime in its entirety. The regime’s officials have blamed the MEK for organizing protests and are trying to retaliate against the Iranian opposition to keep their tenuous hold on power.

“From the outset [of the protests], the highest-ranking officials of the regime blamed the PMOI (MEK) for the uprising and stated that they would respond in the harshest manner,” Nowruzi reminded.

Nowruzi also observed that since January 2018, the Iranian regime has had no solutions for responding to the people’s needs. “It sees its only solution as striking a blow to the organized Resistance and the alternative to its rule, in particular via terrorism. Given the urgency and serious nature of the matter, it is willing to pay any diplomatic price in this regard,” she said.

Nowruzi compared the Iranian regime’s methods and tactics to those of the extremist group Islamic State, and warned that continued relations with the Iranian regime is “as legitimate as having diplomatic relations with ISIS.”

“Silence in the face of the mullahs’ unbridled state terrorism, which has now openly reached Europe, is tantamount to ignoring this threat. It is equal to placing false hope on dialogue and the continued policy of appeasement, with biased and political objectives and destructive and deadly consequences for Europe, and playing with the lives of innocent people who will be the victims of this state terrorism. We should not allow the Iranian regime, in its phase of demise, to threaten the lives of Iranian refugees and opponents and the security of European countries,” Nowruzi said.

Nowruzi concluded her remarks by making three clear demands:

• The detained terrorists in Germany and Belgium must be prosecuted in Belgium without any political considerations.
• The Intelligence Ministry’s mercenaries and spies in European countries, including in the UK, must be arrested, tried and expelled.
• The Iranian regime’s embassies and diplomatic missions in Europe must be shut down. 

Blacklisting Iran’s IRGC

Right Honorable Sir David Jones, a Conservative British MP, discussed the threats of the Iranian regime launching a broad new surge of terrorist activities spanning across Europe and even reaching the U.S.

The UK government must do more than just express concerns over the terrorism of Iran's regime. London should make it clear it supports the extradition of Tehran's diplomat. Furthermore, the UK government should consider blacklisting Iran's Revolutionary Guards & implement more effective measures,” Jones said.

Iran regime officials are continuously acknowledging how the PMOI/MEK is playing a major role in current protests throughout the country, the MP emphasized, adding  London should be engaging the Iranian resistance movement, being the NCRI & Mrs. Maryam Rajavi as the movement’s President-elect.

You can’t talk to terrorists

Lord Ken Maginnis of Drumglass touched on his decades-long experience of studying and battling terrorism to emphasize the importance of tackling the threat posed by the Iranian regime.

“We do very little from actually stopping terrorism from happening again. We must attack Iran's terrorists here at home. I am critical about the indecision of our government,” he said in strong remarks.

“Assadollah Assadi is a diplomat organizing terrorism in our democracies. We must highlight this threat… You can't talk to terrorists. We are committed to forcing our government to taking effective action. There are a lot more Assadollah Assadis waiting. A lot more being put in place. They will not go away,” Maginnis warned.

Referring to his relationship with and knowledge about Tehran’s mullahs and main Iranian opposition, Lord Maginnis highlighted how imperative it is to stand alongside the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom and democracy.

“Nothing has changed for the Iranian people despite Iranian regime President Hassan Rouhani coming to power. I hope we begin to see the heroes of Iran's resistance, the people who have seen consistently and often having been threatened and attacked. We've got to think of Iranians as people who do not deserve that,” he added.

Signaling the media’s sensitive role, Lord Maginnis delivered final remarks underscoring the importance of this medium in informing the public about the grave threat of Iranian regime terrorism at hand.

“Can I emphasize the need for our press to listen to us. We will not mislead you. A consistent media approach is needed to realize that you have a responsibility. As an 81 year old, I'm still motivated to fight this battle. There is a lack of communication or lack of decision among our political leaders in terms of what we do about our security difficulties. This is carelessness at government level. Various parties are guilty. This leads to negligence by the press,” he said. “You have a responsibility outside and beyond your front door.” 

The Iranian regime must be held to account for state-sponsored terrorism

UK Conservative MP Bob Blackman highlighted on the very recent history of the Iranian regime’s terrorist plots targeting the PMOI/MEK.

“I'm here to emphasize the threat of terrorism supported by Iran's regime. Since March there have been three terrorist plots by Tehran across Europe & the U.S against the PMOI/MEK… Iran's operatives have been arrested in Albania, Belgium, Germany, France & the United States involved in plotting terrorism against the PMOI/MEK,” he explained.

Iran's regime must be held to account for state sponsored terrorism, the British MP continued, adding how a cross-party effort in the British Parliament is gaining support for an early day motion against Tehran-sponsored terrorism.

“Germany must extradite Iran's diplomat terrorist Assadollah Assadi to Belgium… Iran's assets in the UK must be frozen to stop Tehran from deploying terrorist plots. There is enough evidence that says Iran's operatives must be held to account,” Blackman continued.

Providing an in-depth perspective on Iran’s need for terrorism, the British MP highlighted the mullahs’ weakness in confronting growing troubles back home.

“Tehran is increasing its terrorism in Europe because it is weak in the face of protests across. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) is a viable opposition,” he added.

Why and how to tighten the screws on Iran

Irans nuclear activities cannot be isolated from other Iranian issues. focus on the nuclear issues distracts from the Tehrans terrorism sponsorship, regional intervention, human rights abuses

by Alireza Jafarzadeh
Washington Examiner, August 30, 2017 - Two years ago, nuclear negotiations concluded between Iran and the P5+1 group of nations, with the U.S. at its head. The resulting Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the Iran nuclear deal, has accomplished little in the time since.

Some may argue that the agreement succeeded in slowing Iran's progress toward a nuclear weapon. But the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear program are limited, as is the access that international inspectors have to the country's illicit facilities.

Meanwhile, in areas unrelated to the nuclear agreement itself, the Iranian regime's behavior has only gotten worse over the past two years. Anti-Western rhetoric has been backed up by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has, among other nefarious activities in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, deliberately sought out close encounters with American warships, boasted of new Iranian military equipment, and declared readiness for war.

These and other provocations justify the Trump White House's efforts to enforce a harder line on Iran policy than had been established in the lead-up to JCPOA. That is why the president's signature on H.R. 3364, titled 'Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017,' presents a step in the right direction.

Tehran officials, attempting to discourage the Trump administration from intensifying sanctions, have insisted such measures as violations of JCPOA, even though non-nuclear sanctions are unaffected by the terms of the deal. The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and other officials claim Iran is prepared to restart and escalate full-scale enrichment of nuclear materials. This assertion already implies that nuclear improvements never halted despite an Iranian facade of following the JCPOA's restrictions.

In June, the National Council of Resistance of Iran revealed details of the escalation of the Iranian missile program, proving the nuclear threat to be real. The opposition coalition identified more than 40 sites for missile development, manufacturing, and testing, all of which were under the control of the IRGC. What's more, at least one of those sites was known to be collaborating with the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its Farsi acronym SPND, the institution tasked with weaponization activities related to the Iranian nuclear weapons program.

Such revelations clarified what should already be common knowledge: Iran's nuclear activities cannot be isolated from other Iranian issues. A myopic focus on the nuclear issues distracts from the Tehran regime's terrorism sponsorship, regional intervention, and human rights abuses.

If the IRGC continues to acquire more wealth through its large-scale control of the de-sanctioned Iranian economy, combined with continued lack of access to the nuclear sites of SPND, Iran will undoubtedly deliver a nuclear weapon.

To its credit, the US has taken steps toward addressing the underlying problem of the IRGC's expanding control over Iranian affairs. Soon after taking office, President Trump urged the administration to review designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization. With the new Iran sanctions bill now signed into law, the administration should expand all anti-terror sanctions to the whole of the IRGC, including its affiliated entities and associated financial and economic arms.

This is a meaningful start to a new Iran policy that is comprehensive in its aims and in its enforcement. Toward that end, the US should work with the UN and EU to evict the IRCG from the combat zones in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. This will help protect the West and its allies, as well as empower the Iranian people, who are seeking regime change and are more than capable of bringing it about on their own, under the right circumstances.

Those circumstances are very much attainable, without serious sacrifice from Western powers. But to achieve these conditions, different paths must be taken than the one that has been pursued throughout the implementation of the JCPOA.

The Iranian regime must be more isolated and financially handicapped. It must also be subject to pressure not just over its nuclear program but also over a range of current and past crimes, including illicit missile testing, its escalation of regional and sectarian conflicts in the Middle East, and the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.

The U.S. should single out all major human rights violators of the Iranian regime, including dozens involved in the horrific 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners. Many of the perpetrators of the crime currently hold key positions in the Iranian regime.

These pressures will make a profound difference in the future of Iran. And if they succeed in diminishing the power and influence of the IRGC, they will bolster the Iranian people, their organized opposition, and the prospect of the emergence of a truly democratic Iranian government.

 

Alireza Jafarzadeh, the deputy director of the Washington office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran is credited with exposing Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz and Arak in 2002, triggering International Atomic Energy Agency inspections. He is the author of 'The Iran Threat' (Palgrave MacMillan: 2008). He can be reached at Jafarzadeh@ncrius.org.