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The 59 Tomahawk missiles the US fired at the Shayrat Air Base served to punish dictator Bashar Assad for his use of chemical weapons against civilians.

The strikes on April 6 also helped shine a spotlight on Irans role in Assads repeated use of nerve agents, because the mullahs Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps were at Shayrat.

What the rapid-fire news cycle didnt say early this month was that Tehran and Damascus jump-started a program to develop a sophisticated Syrian chemicals arsenal as early as 2004.

The British publication Janes Defense Weekly reported in 2005 that the Islamic Republic would work with Syria to build an innovative chemical warfare program.

Irans role was to build equipment to produce hundreds of tons of precursors for VX, sarin and mustard.

Assad first used sarin nerve gas to attack the Damascus suburb of Ghouta in 2013, killing nearly 1,500 civilians, including 426 children.

Then-president Barack Obama then infamously retreated from his redline, that Assads use of chemical weapons would trigger some kind of military response.

Obama reached a deal with the Russians and Assad to remove all chemical weapons from Syria in exchange for no military action.

Then-secretary of state John Kerry said in 2014: We got 100% of the chemical weapons [out of Syria].

Yet, the former head of Syrias weapons research program, Brig.-Gen. Zaher al Sakat, said last week that Assad hid sizable amounts of sarin gas and other lethal nerve agents after the deal was reached with Obama.

They [the regime] admitted only to 1,300 tons, but we knew in reality that they had nearly double that.

Sakat said Assads arsenal today may include several hundred tons of sarin.

The result of Obamas tenure for Syria, to cite a Tweet this month by Bill Kristol of The Weekly Standard: President Obama drew a redline & backed down. He left office 500,000 deaths later, Assad in power & with chemical weapons.

The international community now knows, at least since Assads April 4 sarin gas attack on civilians in Idlib province, that Kerrys assurance was empty rhetoric.

The sarin dropped by Assads air force in the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun killed more than 80 people and injured more than 500 others.

Irans Foreign Minister Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter, in connection with the attack: US aids Saddams use of [chemical weapons] against Iran in 80s, adding then resorts to military force over bogus CW allegations, 1st in 2003 [in Iraq] and now in Syria.

Rewind to 2007. According to a Janes report, Irans regime and its strategic partner the Assad regime accidentally caused an explosion while attempting to load a chemical warhead onto a Scud-C missile. It killed dozens of Syrian military personnel and Iranian engineers.

Once again, sarin gas, along with mustard gas and VX nerve gas, were at play in the 2007 explosion at the factory in Aleppo.

According to a WikiLeaks dispatch on Tehrans role in chemical warfare, New Zealand assesses that the cooperation is mainly driven by Irans desire for increased strategic importance in the region. New Zealand also assesses that Irans biotechnology sector is far more advanced than Syrias, and Iran does not mind sharing its knowledge with Syria.

The mounting evidence of the Islamic Republics role in developing Syrias chemical warfare arsenal coincides with both countries efforts to modernize their biological and chemical weapons systems.

Germanys domestic intelligence agencies (the rough equivalent of the Shin Bet) revealed in reports last year that so-called danger states, for example, Iran and North Korea, make efforts to obtain technology for atomic, biological or chemical weapons.

Iran also seeks missile delivery systems as well as goods and know-how for proliferation.

An intelligence report from Rhineland-Palatinate said Iran was one of the foreign countries that targeted German companies in the German state whose equipment could be used for atomic, biological and chemical weapons in a war.

Special attention was paid in the period covered by the report to proliferation relevant activities of Iran, Pakistan and North Korea, the intelligence officials stated.

The report added that Irans use of chemical warfare could serve to advance its political goals.

Political goals, based on Iranian jingoism in the Middle East, means the spread of its revolutionary Islamic ideology and the expansion of militant Shiite rule across the region. Weapons of mass destruction are central to Irans political agenda.

An intelligence report from the German state of Baden-Wrttemberg said that with respect to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs, Iran is not, according to current knowledge, in a position to produce certain production equipment, for example, gas ultracentrifuges. The country must procure essential parts and components from its allies or in the West.

In addition to vacuum technology, there is special interest in machine tools, high speed cameras, and climate test control chambers.

The German intelligence reports from 2015-2016 demonstrate that the Islamic Republic is wedded to biological and chemical weapons development.

Contrary to Irans assertions that it abhors chemical weapons and would never use nerve agents growing evidence shows Tehrans deep involvement in Assads nerve agent technology and role in this months attack in Khan Sheikhoun.

Sadly, missing from the heated debates over punishing Assad is Irans complicity.

Bill Kristol neatly captured the problem and solution on Twitter: Punishing Assad for use of chemical weapons is good. Regime change in Iran is the prize.

Benjamin Weinthal is a fellow for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

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How Iran enables Syria's chemical warfare against civilians - Jerusalem Post Israel News

In a critical move, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has recently met with Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in Tirana, Albania. They discussed Irans politics, the Islamic Republics role in the region, and the future prospects.

This meeting highlights a significant development in establishing further communication with Irans opposition.

Today, the Iranian government and media outlets reacted immediately and harshly to this visit by denouncing the United States. Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi condemned the U.S. and stated that the US will pay for its mistakes.

Senator McCain praised MEK members by pointing out "You have stood up and fought and sacrificed for freedom, for the right to live free, for the right to determine your own future, for the rights that are God given. I thank you for being an example, an example to the whole world, that those people who are willing to fight and sacrifice for freedom will achieve it, and you are an example to everyone in the world that is struggling for (freedom)."

He also praised Mrs. Rajavi's leadership, and hoped for a free Iran by adding, "Someday, Iran will be free. Someday, we will all gather in that square."

The National Council of Resistance of Iran

Previously, In an unprecedented move, a 23 member bi-partisan group of senior former US officials signed a critical letter and delivered it to President Donald Trump. The letter suggested new policy options regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran and the need for the US to open up a meaningful channel of communication with the Iranian opposition, namely the coalition, National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

This is something that has never been done under any other administration. The letter was signed by senior former US officials including Rudy Giuliani, Joseph Lieberman, Patrick Kennedy, General Hugh Shelton (a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Bill Clinton) to name a few. It explains that revised policies toward Iran are needed because Iran has used every opportunity since its establishment to scuttle US foreign policy objectives and damage US national, geopolitical, economic and strategic interests with the assistance of its proxies.

More importantly, the officials urged Trump to cooperate with Irans opposition, as other countries are doing the same Bush publicly credited the resistance [NCRI]. It is time to end the fundamentalist regimes undue influence over US policy and establish a channel of dialogue with the NCRI, as many other governments have done, consistent with the longstanding US diplomatic practice of dialogue with political opposition groups worldwide. For Iranian leaders, the NCRI is a serious threat to their hold on power. They fear foreign governments cooperation with the NCRI because it would put significant pressure on the ruling clerics and tip the balance of power against them. Iranian leaders fear that Iranian opposition might inspire the disaffected youth in Iran to protest against the government. Khamenei has repeatedly shown that his main concern is such infiltrations.

More fundamentally, an Iran without the current ruling clerics in power would be a powerful US ally, rather than being an enemy sworn to consistently strive to damage US security and national interests. An Iran without the ruling clerics in power would fundamentally shift the regional and global balance of power in favor of the US.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran

Senator McCain said he believed that the Iranian regime, Bashar Al-Assad and Daesh (ISIS) were all intertwined. He emphasized on confronting Iran and Assad. In addition, Mrs. Rajavi praised Senator McCain for his support of the MEK members in Ashraf and their relocation out of Iraq. She pointed out, "Today, there is a consensus in the Middle East about the clerical regime's destructive role and that the religious fascism ruling Iran is the primary source of war, terrorism and crisis in the region."

A fundamental change in Irans government would be a critical step to end human rights violations and bring stability to the region. Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission, some of the U.S. Embassy staff in Tirana, Albania, as well as several of Senator McCain's advisors accompanied him in this visit. Before this visit, Senator McCain visited one of the MEK headquarters in Tirana, with Maryam Rajavi.

The National Council for Resistance of Iran

In her speech to the gathering, Mrs. Rajavi thanked Senator McCain for his efforts in support of the MEK members "The relocation of MEK members was a great achievement. Their persistence and sacrifices, coupled with international support made the relocation possible. You played a key role in the safe relocation of Camp Liberty residents and for that the people of Iran are grateful to you," she added. She also stressed that the Iranian Resistance was determined to continue its efforts "During the 2009 uprisings in Iran, while the Iranian peoples desire for freedom and democracy was brutally crushed, the U.S. Government regrettably remained silent. But the Iranian people have never given up their desire for regime change. We are more determined than ever to establish freedom and democracy in Iran. As the regime is beset by deepening crises, we are closer than ever to achieving our goal....From all indications, the clerical regime is at an impasse socially, politically, and economically and as such is quite vulnerable. The Iranian people and Resistance are more determined and prepared than ever to overthrow the ruling theocracy and establish democracy and popular sovereignty in Iran." Regarding the recent developments in the region, Mrs. Rajavi said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for many conflicts and humanitarian tragedies including in Syria.

Addressing the MEK members, Senator McCain congratulated them on their successful relocation from Iraq. He added "There is no doubt that the people in this room have suffered. They have suffered not only themselves but in the loss of their loved ones because of the Iranian tyranny, and I express my condolences to everyone in this room who has lost a loved one as a result of the Iranian tyranny and terrorism." Senator McCain also met with a some MEK members as well as former political prisoners.

Finally, from my perspective, it is critical to point out that Iranian leaders fear the soft power of oppositional groups more than the military and hard power of foreign governments. That is why Iranian leaders and media outlets have reacted forcefully and anxiously to this visit. Irans oppositional groups can be a very powerful tool to counterbalance the Islamic Republic.

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Harvard-educated, Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a businessman, a leading American political scientist, president of the International American Council on the Middle East, and best-selling author. He serves on the advisory board of Harvard International Review.

Dr. Rafizadeh is frequently invited to brief governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as speak, as a featured speaker, at security, business, diplomatic, and social events. He has been recipient of several fellowships and scholarships including from Oxford University, Annenberg, University of California Santa Barbara, Fulbright program, to name few He is regularly quoted and invited to speak on national and international outlets including CNN, BBC World TV and Radio, ABC, Aljazeera English, Fox News, CTV, RT, CCTV America, Skynews, CTV, and France 24 International, to name a few. . He analyses have appeared on academic and non-academic publications including New York Times International, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Farred zakaria GPS, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, The Nation, The National. Aljazeera, The Daily Beast, The Nation, Jerusalem Post, The Economic Times, USA Today Yale Journal of International Affairs, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, and Harvard International Review. He is a board member of several significant and influential international and governmental institutions, and he is native speaker of couple of languages including Persian, English, and Arabic. He also speaks Dari, and can converse in French, Hebrew. More at Harvard.

You can contact him at Dr.rafizadeh@post.harvard.edu or follow him at @Dr_Rafizadeh.

Dr. Majid Rafizadeh

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Senator McCain Praises Iran's Largest Oppositional Group - Huffington Post

By Irina Slav - Apr 17, 2017, 10:22 AM CDT

Iran, which has been exempted from the OPEC oil production cut agreement closed last November, is now ready to join the initiative as long as there is consensus among the cartels members. Thats what Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh told media yesterday, adding that most OPEC members seem to be already in favor of the extension.

The minister did not go into any details as to how much Iran would be willing to cut off its daily output or from what monthly production level the cut will be effected.

The remarks suggest that Iran has reached an oil output level that it is comfortable with for the time being, or that serves as a sufficient base for it to continue to ramp up production until May 25, when OPEC will meet in Vienna to decided on the extension. The country was exempted from the initial agreement and allowed to increase its crude output to about 4 million barrelsthe production level before Western sanctions were imposed on the country.

According to OPECs latest Monthly Oil Market Report, Iran produced 3.79 million barrels daily last month, down slightly from the 3.82 million bpd in February but higher than the 3.78 million barrels in January. The country is pushing ahead with its energy industry revival, shortlisting 29 companies to bid for oil and gas exploration in future tenders and striking deals with Lukoil and Total for the development of local deposits. Related:2020s To Be A Decade of Disorder For Oil

However, recently Zanganehs ministry has run into a stumbling block in the shape of the Supreme National Security Council. The body is still reviewing the International Petroleum Contract drafted by the Oil Ministry that aims to motivate international oil majors to return to Iran, granting them the right to book local reserves and acquire stakes in local companies two things that were missing from the traditional buyback scheme and that face severe opposition from Irans conservatives.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Iran Ready To Join OPEC's Production Cut Extension - OilPrice.com

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in what appeared to be a defiant message to President Trump, said Saturday that Tehran will seek no ones permission to build missiles.

"The strengthening of the capability of the Iranian armed forces ... is only for defending the country and we will ask no one's permission to build up the armed forces, and to build missiles and aircraft, Rouhani said at an event showcasing some of Irans military hardware, according to Reuters.

He added that Iran never had "aggressive aims, but peace is not a one-way road and if we decide to be peaceful the other party ... may not. So there is a need for vigilance."

Rouhanis comments come more than a week after the U.S. fired nearly 60 tomahawk missiles at a Syrian air base which was where jets from Bashar al-Assads regime took off to initiate a gas attack in a Syrian town. Rouhani reportedly called the strike a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty.

The Iranian president is also facing reelection in which he needs to ramp up his rhetoric against the West in the face of critics who accused him of being too eager to appear world powers after the landmark deal to curb Tehrans nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Trump had criticized the nuclear deal during his election and had vowed to put an end to Irans missile program. Trump said in January Iran was playing with fire after the country tested a new ballistic missile.

Click for more from Reuters.

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Iran says it will seek 'no one's permission' to build up military - Fox News

DUBAI: Most oil producers support an extension of output cuts by OPEC and non-OPEC countries, and Iran would also back such a move, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying.

"(Zanganeh) stressed that most countries want OPEC's decision to be extended," the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported.

"Iran also supports such a decision and if others comply, so would Iran," Zanganeh told reporters late on Saturday, according to ISNA.

The market has been oversupplied since mid-2014, prompting members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and some non-OPEC producers to agree to cut output in the first six months of 2017.

OPEC meets on May 25 to consider extending the cuts beyond June. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and most other OPEC members are leaning towards this if agreement is reached with other producers, OPEC sources told Reuters last month.

(Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Sandra Maler)

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Most oil producers want extension of output cuts: Iran minister - Channel NewsAsia