By Editors of The Free Iran Herald

Updates on events unfolding in Iran

Saturday, December 7th, brought the surprise news that Tehran had agreed to free Xiyue Wang, an American student who, as a graduate student at Princeton University doing research on Iranian history, had been arrested in Iran in 2016. Sentenced to 10 years of incarceration on false charges of espionage, Wang was freed in return for a regime agent, Massoud Soleimani, being released from US police custody and returned to Iran. Soleimani, a biologist, had been arrested in October 2018 on charges of conspiring to illegally ship banned biological substances from the US to Iran. Soleimani who travelled to the U.S. in fall of 2018 was arrested as he landed in Chicago and an Atlanta court has charged him and two of his former students, Mahboobeh Ghaedi and Maryam Jazayeri, of conspiring and attempting to export biological materials from the US to Iran without authorization, in violation of US sanctions.

Upon his release, Wang was immediately flown to Switzerland, which handles official diplomatic relations between the US and Tehran, where he was met by Brian Hook, US State Department representative on Iran.

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Can’t wait to welcome you back home, @FreeXiyueWang. pic.twitter.com/C7yyeJIA5W — Department of State (@StateDept) December 7, 2019

US President Donald Trump Tweeted his congratulations to Wang, and also pointed out that Wang’s arrest occurred during the Obama administration, after it had already signed the JCPOA (the Iran Deal) with the regime and given it billions in cash. Indeed, as with all other incidents of western hostage taking, Wang was detained because Tehran knew it could use him as a bargaining chip, to extort something from America. The hostage-taking processed only increased after Tehran saw that Barack Obama would accede to anything it demanded.

Taken during the Obama Administration (despite $150 Billion gift), returned during the Trump Administration. Thank you to Iran on a very fair negotiation. See, we can make a deal together! https://t.co/rZaY9p8xzV — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2019

Four Americans remain incarcerated in Iran, most notably former FBI agent Robert Levinson.

Iranian Given Death Penalty for “Insulting the Prophet Mohammad”

According to Iranian news media, a 39-year-old man, identified only by his first named of Meysam, has had his death sentence, for the crime of insulting Mohammad, the prophet of Islam, affirmed by the regime’s supreme court. Meysam was alleged to have posted anti-Islamic content on the social media website, Telegram. He was also convicted of possessing anti-regime materials, and of drinking alcohol.

New US Ambassador to the UN Warns Tehran, Says America Will Continue Applying Maximum Pressure

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In her first press conference since becoming US Ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft spoke, on Friday the 6th, in support of the Iranian protestors. “What I care about is the government is mistreating and abusing the people,” Craft said. “We have not seen any change in this behavior,” especially in the Middle East. She pledged that the Trump administration would continue its maximum pressure campaign against the Tehran regime, and warned that if current policies don’t achieve the desired ends, the US has “other tools. “We have a lot of tools to use and we will continue to use those with Iran. We are taking this very seriously, and there are other tools that we will use against Iran if they continue this malicious behavior.”

The United States currently holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Condemns Khomeinist Regime

Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations’ High Commissioner on Human Rights, released a statement on Friday that described the regime’s suppression of the protests last month as “multiple violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” “Verified video footage indicates severe violence was used against protesters, including armed members of security forces shooting from the roof of a justice department building in one city, and from helicopters in another,” Bachelet stated. “We have also received footage which appears to show security forces shooting unarmed demonstrators from behind while they were running away and shooting others directly in the face and vital organs – in other words shooting to kill. These are clear violations of international norms and standards on the use of force, and serious violations of human rights.”

She also expressed concern for the thousands of Iranians detained after the protests, “We also have reports of severe overcrowding and harsh conditions in detention centers, which in some cities include military barracks, sports venues and schools in addition to official detention facilities. There are also reports that individuals who were wounded or otherwise injured during the crackdown are being denied medical treatment in detention.”

The Khomeinist regime has refused to accept international human rights standards since its establishment in 1979.

As more information gradually filters out of #Iran in the wake of the recent protests, @mbachelet is alarmed by the lack of transparency about casualties & the treatment of thousands of detainees + continuing arrests reported across the country 👉 https://t.co/r55UzwCDmU pic.twitter.com/NnG6tW4hf3 — UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) December 6, 2019

Protests Continuing in Both Iran and Iraq

Saturday, Students Day in Iran, saw multiple protests by university students across the country, despite regime attempts to prevent gatherings.

At Tehran University

تجمع #دانشجویان دانشگاه #تهران ۱۶ آذر ۹۸: ایران لبنان فرانسه/ سرکوب وغارت بسه- خیابونا خونی شد / آزادی قربانی شد-جواب ما تفنگ نیست/این همه کشته کم نیست- فقر کشتار گرانی/مردم شدن قربانی pic.twitter.com/6x3ImuwiM3 — اعتراض مدنی بازار (@EterazB) December 7, 2019

At Anooshirvan University in the northern city of Babol

اجتماع #دانشجویان دانشگاه انوشیروانی #بابل برای دومین روز

۱۷ آذر pic.twitter.com/PsTeCUE2Oy — اعتراض مدنی بازار (@EterazB) December 8, 2019

University in the north-western city of Tabriz

#دانشگاه #تبریز ۱۶ آذر دانشجویان تمام با شعار دادنشون تمام مسولین دانشگاه رو بیرون کردن pic.twitter.com/FvcGArJF1G — اعتراض مدنی بازار (@EterazB) December 7, 2019

In Iraq, meanwhile, a prominent anti-Khomeinist activist, was assassinated in Karbala, while others in the southern part of the country were attacked by pro -Tehran militiamen.

An activist & friend of mine from #Baghdad tells me that one activist assassinated in #Karbala tonight, another survived an assassination attempt and another activist from Amarah city southern #Iraq been attacked and brutally beaten. Photo very disturbing.#IraqProtests #العراق — Lawk Ghafuri (@LawkGhafuri) December 8, 2019

Another activist shot and killed in #Karbala by unknown armed men. A video from the CCTV which is dated today (8/12/2019) shows the moment a couple of armed men opens fire against the activist.#IraqProtests #العراق pic.twitter.com/EHaGQ2ZLl9 — Lawk Ghafuri (@LawkGhafuri) December 8, 2019

On Friday, as-yet-unidentified armed gangs attacked protestors in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, killing 17. Though no one has claimed responsibility, most believe the men to have been from either the Hashd al Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces), Tehran’s main proxy force, or another Shi’a militia, the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq.

Here is a clear view of the armed group who are wearing civilian clothes started to shoot the protesters in Khilani Square tonight in #Baghdad. So far only in Baghdad tonight at least 15 people died and more than 60 wounded according to @AP. #IraqProtests #العراق pic.twitter.com/lBKTLJXEe6 — Lawk Ghafuri (@LawkGhafuri) December 6, 2019

Live ammunition is still on in Khilani Square to disperse the protesters. According to @AP at least 15 people have been killed tonight in #Baghdad as unknown armed group opened fire against protesters after US sanctions on Hashd al-Shaabi senior leaders. #IraqProtests #العراق pic.twitter.com/gx1dMNyQaR — Lawk Ghafuri (@LawkGhafuri) December 6, 2019

Tahrir Square is packed today with protesters who are facing live ammunition from the armed groups in Baghdad. The protester sent this video claims that the protesters are ready to face the pro-Iranian militias & their “Snipers” tonight. #IraqProtests #العراق pic.twitter.com/wTUgApKSwi — Lawk Ghafuri (@LawkGhafuri) December 6, 2019

The attacks came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo placed sanctions on four Hashd al Shaabi and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq leaders; Qais al-Khazali, head of the AAH, his brother and cohort Laith al-Khazali, Husayn Falih ‘Aziz al-Lami, an Iraqi officer of the IRGC, and Khamis Farhan al-Khanjar al-Issawi , a corrupt Iraqi businessman.

On the same day we sanctioned four Iraqis for targeting protesters and stealing Iraq’s public wealth, we see new reports of violent attacks in Baghdad against patriotic Iraqis. #Iraq‘s leaders and government must investigate and prosecute those behind these attacks. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 7, 2019

Iranians Remind Britons of Jeremy Corbyn’s ties to Tehran

As the United Kingdom braces for an election this coming Wednesday, the 12th, Iranian human rights activists there have been recalling and re-exploring the close relationship Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn has with the Khomeinist regime. Specifically, they have been referencing the disclosure made in October that an organization called the “Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC),” a virulently pro-Tehran propaganda maker, was being funded by British taxes, and had been publicly praised by Corbyn. The IHRC, “represents all that’s best in Islam concerning the rights of individuals to free expression,” Corbyn had said.

The IHRC has called the West, “the enemy,” Britain a “Stasi state,” London an “apartheid city” and the English language a “colonial language.” Its founder, Massoud Shadjareh, is a hardcore Khomeinist who has spoken at several conferences in Iran, and he has denied that the Tehran regime violates human rights.

Corbyn, for his part, was previously a paid commentator for Tehran’s English-language propaganda outlet, Press TV.

Afghans Angered by Tehran’s Friendly Relations with the Taliban

Many Afghans, especially those who have been the direct victims of Taliban terrorist attacks over the past several years, were incensed that Tehran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, invited and welcomed a Taliban delegation to Iran. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a high-ranking Taliban leader, and head of its overseas office in Qatar, led the delegation.

In response, Mir Rahman Rahmani, speaker of the The National Assembly (also known as the Parliament of Afghanistan), demanded that Afghan foreign ministry officials testify about what he described as a violation on Afghanistan’s sovereignty. He further asked the ministry to issue a statement reading that no country has the right to invite the Taliban to visit, under any circumstances.

Abdul Qayum Rahimi, the Governor of Herat Province, which borders Iran, said, “hosting a terrorist group is not the right thing to do, and we expect our neighbor to establish contacts with the Afghan government and people instead of nurturing links with the Taliban.”

Tehran has armed, funded, and provided logistical support to the Taliban for many years, according to many sources, including the Afghan government.

Nigeria Arrests Leader of Khomeinist Proxy Group

On Saturday, Nigerian police arrested Ibrahim Zakzaky, a Shi’a cleric and leader of the Islamic Movement, a Tehran-funded terrorist group in that country that seeks to turn Nigeria into a Khomeinist-style theocracy. Zakzaky was detained upon returning from India, where he had gone in pursuit of what he claimed was medical treatment. First arrested by Nigerian authorities in 2015, and charged with multiple counts of homicide, India denied him residence status due to his ties with the Tehran regime.

The Islamic Movement was founded during the 1980s, after Zakzaky visited Iran and converted to the Khomeinist version of Shi’a Islam. The group is armed and has received training from both the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.