PHOTO: Centrifuges at Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment plant


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Implementing a key part of the July nuclear agreement with the 5+1 Powers, Iran has shipped almost all of its stockpile of low-enriched uranium to Russia.

US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed on Monday that the Iran exported more than 25,000 pounds (11 metric tons):

The shipment included the removal of all of Iran’s nuclear material enriched to 20% that was not already in the form of fabricated fuel plates for the Tehran Research Reactor.”

This removal of all this enriched material out of Iran is a significant step toward Iran meeting its commitment to have no more than 300 kilograms of low-enriched uranium.

A Russian diplomatic source confirmed, “This procedure has been completed.”

Under the nuclear deal, Tehran agreed to give up all 20% enriched uranium, either sending it outside the country or diluting it to 5%. No more than 300 kg (660 pounds) of 5% uranium will be retained inside Iran.

The Rouhani Government is hoping for confirmation by early January that it has complied with the terms of the agreement. Upon confirmation by the International Atomic Energy, the US and European Union will begin the removal of sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.


Guardian Council to Review Election Candidates From January 17

The Guardian Council will begin reviewing candidates for February’s Parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections from January 17.

Iranian authorities said, that provincial screening of those seeking to stand for Parliament, the Council will submit a list of approved candidates on February 16. The list of those accepted to run for the Assembly, which chooses the Supreme Leader, will be confirmed on February 10.

More than 12,000 people have registered as candidates for the 290 seats in Parliament — up from about 5,300 in 2012 — while more than 800 are standing for the 86-member Assembly.

President Rouhani has challenged the Council’s power to vet and disqualify candidates, but there is no sign that this will be limited.

Spokesman Nejatollah Ebrahimian said that the Council will disqualify any applicants involved in mass protests after the disputed 2009 Presidential election, as they must not have “partnered or cooperated in the illegal acts that occurred”.

The head of the Council, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, used the Tehran Friday Prayer to push back Rouhani:

I don’t understand where this culture in which some are saying that the people must determine qualifications came from. This means the law is nothing. If you can wipe this pillar [the Guardian Council] from the Constitution, velayat-e faqih [the guardianship of the Supreme Leader] could also be eliminated with a referendum.

He then indicated that the Council will strike down applicants:

Do all 800 people who registered for the Assembly of Experts consider themselves clergymen? Aren’t some of them incapable of clearly reading even one phrase in Arabic, the Quran, or a single book of religious jurisprudence?….It is the same for those who registered their candidacies for Parliament!

Jannati used the 2009 protests to swipe at former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, who is hoping to regain the chair of the Assembly: “Now that this sedition has been silenced, why did some remain silent, not go alongside the people, and support or defend them off and on with [only] insinuations?”

Other Friday Prayer leaders backed Jannati. Ayatollah Imani said in Shiraz:

The 2009 sedition is a red line for people who say that we believe in the Constitution and in the guardianship system….It is expected that this red line will be completely observed and maintained [in the elections], meaning that individuals should declare what their stances are in relation to sedition.

(hat tip to Iran Tracker for translations)


Ministry Blocks Leading Musician’s Latest Album

The Culture Ministry has blocked distribution of the latest album by prominent musician Majid Derakhshani.

The album Khoroosh (Roar), with Derakhshani’s music sung by Mojtaba Asgari, has been held up for two years by Iran’s bureacuracy.

The Ministry said Derakhshani is banned from musical activity for his collaboration with the Mah Banu musical group. In December 2014, Derakshani was banned from travelling abroad because of his work with the group.

Members of Mah Banu have been summoned by security forces on several occasions in the past year.

Derakhshani says he believes the restrictions are because of “the presence of women in Mah Banu and the widespread video clips of their music”.


Supreme Leader: Enemies Seeking Internal War Among Muslims

The Supreme Leader has told an international conference in Tehran that Iran’s foes are trying to start in-fighting among Muslims.

“The aim of the enemies today is to set off an internal war among Muslims which they have unfortunately succeeded to some extent,” the Leader said Tuesday on the occasion of the Prophet Mohammad’s birth.

“They are destroying countries one after another. They are destroying Syria, Yemen and Libya. They have Muslims in Bahrain under pressure,” Ayatollah Khamenei asserted.

He criticized the leaders of Islamic states, without naming them: “I am disappointed with the Islamic World’s politicians, but I am hopeful about those Muslim religious scholars and intellectuals for whom the West has not become a mecca.”

KHAMENEI 29-12-15