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LONDON A British cultural organization said on Wednesday that one of its employees from Iran had been acquitted of espionage charges by that countrys Supreme Court and was back in Britain after spending more than three years in prison.

While visiting her grandmother in Iran, the woman, Aras Amiri, was arrested in March 2018 along with other Iranians with British connections, in what was thought to be an attempt by the authorities to gain leverage in an old dispute with Britain over more than $400 million in undelivered weaponry.

Ms. Amiri, an art student employed for five years by the British Council to facilitate greater appreciation of Iranian culture in the U.K., is an Iranian citizen who had lived in Britain for about 10 years before she was detained. Irans Supreme Court acquitted her in August, the council said, and she returned to Britain this week after the travel ban associated with her original detention was lifted.

She had been sentenced to 10 years in prison in April 2019, a punishment announced on state TV before she or her lawyer had been informed, according to a letter Ms. Amiri wrote in June 2019 from prison, which her cousin, Mohsen Omrani, sent to the Center for Human Rights in Iran, a New York-based advocacy group.

According to the letter, which was addressed to Ebrahim Raisi, then the judiciary chief and now president, Ms. Amiri said that she had been imprisoned because of her association with the British Council and that she had turned down an explicit invitation to spy for Irans Intelligence Ministry.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Ms. Amiris lawyer, Hojjat Kermani, said that Irans Supreme Court had determined that her earlier espionage conviction was against Shariah, or Islamic law.

We have always refuted the original charges made against Aras, the British Council said in a statement on Wednesday. We are very proud of her work in our London office as an arts program officer.

Ms. Amiri was incarcerated in Evin Prison, north of Tehran. Before her acquittal and return to Britain, Ms. Amiri had been released on furlough in April 2020 over concerns about the spread of coronavirus.

The case underscored the Iranian authorities targeting of dual citizens and Iranian citizens with Western connections as bargaining chips in geopolitical disputes.

A British-Iranian national, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2016 after she was accused of plotting to overthrow the government in Tehran. She was issued another one-year sentence and travel ban in April, under new charges of conducting propaganda activities against the Iranian government.

Several foreign and dual nationals are held in Iranian prisons, including Nahid Taghavi, a German-Iranian architect; Siamak Namazi, a businessman, and his father, Baquer Namazi, a former official with Unicef, both Iranian Americans; Dr. Ahmad Reza Jalali, a Swedish-Iranian physician and researcher; Morad Tahbaz, an Iranian-American environmentalist; and Emad Shargi, an Iranian-American who was working for an Iranian venture-capital fund.

Farnaz Fassihi contributed reporting.

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Aras Amiri Has Returned to the U.K. After Being Jailed in Iran - The New York Times

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A man with ties to Massachusetts has been charged with conspiring to illegally export U.S. goods, technology, and services to end-users in Iran,including the government of Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, according to a statement from federal officials.

Kambiz Attar Kashani, 44, a dual citizen of the United States and Iran, was arrested Thursday in Chicago, Illinois, according to the statement.

The arrest was announced by Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, assistant attorney general of the Justice Departments National Security Division, and Joseph R. Bonavolanta, special agent-in-charge of the FBIs Boston field office.

Kashanis arrest underscores the unrelenting resolve of this office and theDepartment of Justice to prosecute those who seek to profit by compromising our national security,Peace said.

Peace alleged that Kashani orchestrated an elaborate scheme to evade federal export laws and use the U.S. financial system in procuring U.S. electronic equipment and technology for the Central Bank of Iran, which has been designated by the federal government as acting for or on behalf of terrorist organizations, according to the statement.

According to officials, Kashani allegedly used two United Arab Emirates companies as fronts to procure items from multiple U.S.technology companies, including a company in Massachusetts.

We believe Mr. Kashani profited financially by strengthening the economy of one of the worlds most infamous state sponsors of terrorism, while circumventing critical U.S. lawsdesigned to protect our national security interests, Bonavolonta said.

As set forth in the complaint, according to the statement, Kashani conspired to illegally export goods and technology to the Central Bank of Iran.

The Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control has classified CBI as a SpeciallyDesignated National (SDN) signifying that CBI is acting for or on behalf of a terrorist organization, according to officials.

According to the U.S. government, CBI has materially assisted, sponsored, and provided financial, material, or technological support, goods, or services to LebaneseHizballah, a terrorist organization, and to the Qods Force of Irans Islamic RevolutionaryGuards Corps (IRGC).

The IRGC is a branch of the Iranian armed forces and represents the primary means of the government of Iran to direct and implement its global terrorism campaign, according to the statement.

Kashani allegedly perpetrated the illegal transshipping scheme through two separate United Arab Emirates (UAE) front companies for which he acts as principal, officials said.

From around February 2019 through June 2021, Kashani and his co-conspirators used the two UAE companies to procure electronic goods and technology from multiple U.S. technology companies for end-users in Iran, including CBI, without obtaining the required export licenses, according to the statement.

Officials allege that Kashani and his co-conspirators intentionally concealed from the U.S. companies that they intended to send the items to Iran, falsely claiming that the UAE front companies would be the ultimate end users.

The governments case is being handled by the Offices National Security and Cybercrime Section.

Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander A. Solomon andMeredith A. Arfa are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance provided by TrialAttorney S. Derek Shugert of the Justice Departments Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant United States Attorney Shawn McCarthy of the Northern District of Illinois.

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U.S.-Iranian citizen accused of sending U.S. technology to Iran - Boston.com

Six years after snapping their diplomatic ties, arch-foes Iran and Saudi Arabia are slowly moving toward rapprochement and preparing to reopen embassies, according to a senior Iranian lawmaker, reported Anadolu Agency.

Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, a member of the Iranian Parliament's national security and foreign policy commission, in a Twitter post on Saturday, said the two countries are on course to restore their fractured ties.

The two neighbours fell out in January 2016 after attacks on two Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad, triggered by the execution of a prominent Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr, in Saudi Arabia.

Efforts to repair the broken relationship have intensified recently with four rounds of tension-easing talks between the officials of the two countries held in Baghdad since April last year, brokered by the Iraqi government.

While Iranian officials have noted progress in the marathon talks, Jahanabadi's latest remarks suggest that a breakthrough could be just around the corner.

Read: Putin to host Iranian president next week for talks state TV

The senior reformist lawmaker, who previously headed the parliament's judicial and legal committee, said diplomatic ties between the two countries are being "revived," with preparations afoot to "open the embassies."

He said the rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh could contribute to "reducing regional tensions and increasing the cohesion of the Muslim world."

Jahanabadi, however, warned the country's security agencies and media about what he called "vicious activities of Zionists and imprudent acts of radicals" to thwart efforts being made to restore relations with Riyadh.

The negotiations to end the standoff were launched by the previous Iranian government and continued under the new administration led by Ebrahim Raisi.

Earlier this month, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed Tehran's "readiness" to continue talks with Riyadh, which were halted following the general elections in Iraq.

He said Tehran had presented "a set of practical proposals" to Riyadh, which elicited "positive response," paving the ground for the next round of talks in Baghdad.

Read: China confirms opposition to US sanctions on Iran

Last week, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said the next round of talks between Tehran and Riyadh was "on the agenda," without specifying the exact date.

On whether developments in Lebanon or Yemen would have any bearing on the outcome of talks, the spokesman said Iran has "tried to continue the talks despite the differences."

Experts, however, believe the war in Yemen could still act as a stumbling block in a full restoration of diplomatic ties, despite the new Iranian government's push to realign its foreign policy priorities from the west to the east.

In his first press conference after winning the election in June last year, Raisi said there was "no obstacle" in having a dialogue with Saudi Arabia and in reopening the embassies.

The restoration of diplomatic ties between the estranged neighbours will see Iranians going to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage first time in seven years.

Read: Biden will not allow Iran to have nuke, US says as talks hit critical phase

Originally posted here:
6 years after Nimr's execution, Iran and Saudi 'preparing to reopen embassies' - Middle East Monitor

JERUSALEM The president of the Iran Wrestling Federation, who used his position to call for the destruction of America, might not be permitted to travel to the United States for a slated dual meet between the two countries national teams in February following aFox News Digital expos.

Alireza Dabir, holder of a U.S. Green Card,urged "Death to America"in atelevision interview last week.

"We always chant Death to America but importantly is showing it in action," said Dabir, who won a gold medal in freestylewrestling at theOlympics in Sydney in 2000. He added that "A doctor [in Iran], he might even be wearing a tie, but he is doing his job well. He is saying Death to America. Some talk a lot but dont do much. We need to prove it [Death to America] with an action."

File photo - Iran's national flags are seen on a square in Tehran February 10, 2012, a day before the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.Iran's national flags are seen on a square in Tehran February 10, 2012, a day before the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. (REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl)

Iranian regime-controlled media are abuzz with discussions on whether Dabir will be barred from attending the dual meet in Arlington, Texas on February 12. "According to rumors, the US embassy may not issue a visa to the president of the Wrestling Federation,"reported the Iran Labor News Agency.

In response to the Fox News Digital article, the U.S. government news organizationVoice of America reportedthat Dabirs "anti-American" remarks might produce "the possibility of canceling the Iranian national wrestling teams trip to the United States."

A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday, "The U.S. and Iranian Wrestling teams are scheduled to compete against one another in an event planned for February 12, 2022, called The Bout at the Ballpark.

"Matters involving visa issuance for any individual members of the Iranian team are subject to Privacy Act concerns and will be adjudicated strictly in accordance with U.S. law," the spokesperson continued.

"As National Security Advisor [Jake] Sullivan said earlier this week, We are united in our resolve against threats and provocations. We are united in the defense of our people. We will work with our allies and partners to deter and respond to any attacks carried out by Iran. Should Iran attack any of our nationals it will face severe consequences."

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The U.S. spokesperson added, "The Bout at the Ballpark is a private, commercial sporting event hosted and operated by the Arlington, Texas-based REV Entertainment to be held at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Any questions related to its conduct or operation should be addressed to those entities."

Fox News Digital questioned the State Department about Dabirs claim following the Fox News Digital article that his Green Card had not been valid for seven years.

REV Entertainment did not respond to Fox News Digital media queries by press time.

Alireza Dabir of Iran, receives gold medal for 58 kg Freestyle Wrestling at Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games, photo on black (Associated Press)

Fox News Digital sent numerous press queries to Rich Bender, the executive director of USA Wrestling, and to all the sponsors of USA Wrestling, including the U.S. Marines and the multi-national sportswear corporation Nike.

Fars News, a news outlet controlled by IransIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corpsa U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizationreported that Iranian regime foreign ministry spokesmanSaeed Khatibzadehlashed out at Fox News for its reporting on Dabir. Khatibzadeh said, "We should not politicize sports," adding that "the direction of [Fox News] is clear."

Sardar Pashaei, an Iranian-American former star wrestler and ex-coach of Irans national Greco-Roman team, fired back atKhatibzadeh:"Isnt sending a wrestler to the U.S. with the slogan Death to America a political act?"

Pashaeitold Fox News Digital: "What about not allowing Iranian athletes to compete with Israeli athletes? What about the torture and execution of protesting athletes? People of the world should know that in Iran, if you compete with Israel as an athlete not only will you be banned from competing for the rest of your life but you and your family will be arrested."

The Islamic Republic of Irans Supreme Ali Khamenei made clear his discriminatory policy in September 2021.

"Any Iranian athlete worthy of the name cannot shake hands with a representative of the criminal regime in order to win a medal," Khamenei told Irans medalists from the Tokyo Games. Khamenei, who has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel and denied the Holocaust, added that "The genocidal, illegal Zionist regime attempts to gain some legitimacy by appearing in international athletic competitions. The worlds arrogant powers and their cohorts [the West] assist and support them in this."

Alireza Dabir of Iran celebrates gold medal win for 58-kilogram Freestyle Wrestling at Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games, photo on black (Associated Press)

Lawdan Bazargan, an Iranian-American human rights activist who was imprisoned in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison for dissent, told Fox News Digital, "How canU.S. Wrestling invite the wrestling team of the gender-apartheid Islamic Regime of Iran for a friendly match? They [Iranian women] are banned from participating in international competitions in several sports, including wrestling. Even in the sports that women can participate in, they are forced to wear a compulsory hijab that denies them the right to choose their clothes and makes them less competitive compared to the other teams with the appropriate uniforms."

Bazargan noted that "Iranian athletes such as Shirin Shirzad and Shiva Amiri had to flee to the West and wrote about their experiences in the #LetUsTalk Campaign, experiences such as discrimination, compulsory hijab, and even assault and sexual harassment."

She called for a boycott of the dual meet set for Texas.

Pashaei, who won a Greco-Roman wrestling world championship title for Iran, told Fox News Digital that USA Wrestling should pull the plug on the dual meet with Irans regime.

He sent a letter from the United for Navid organization to Bender at USA Wrestling, stating: "On behalf of thousands of Iranian athletes we urge you to refrain from inviting Iranian government-sponsored athletes as long as the government tortures and executes athletes, deprives women of participation in competitions, and chants Death to America in their media. Refrain from inviting officials and athletes who are government propaganda tools that are anti-women and anti-American."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The United for Navid campaign seeks justice for the late champion Greco-Roman wrestler Navid Afkari. The Islamic Republic of Iran hanged Afkari in September 2020 for his role in a demonstration against the regimes corruption.

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Fate of Irans America-hating wrestling boss in jeopardy over Death to America call - Fox News

An eighth round of talks on reviving the Iran nuclear deal has begun in Vienna, with Iran saying participants have been largely working from an acceptable common draft text and that its team was willing to stay as long as it takes to reach an agreement.

The Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said he wanted the focus of the coming round of talks to be on how Tehran could verify US sanctions had genuinely been lifted. The landmark 2015 deal, from which Donald Trump withdrew the US, had lifted sanctions on Iran in return for controls on its civilian nuclear programme.

We must reach a point where Iranian oil can be sold easily and without any restrictions so money for that oil can be transferred in foreign currency to Irans bank accounts, Amir-Abdollahian said.

He said the negotiators were working from two joint draft texts. The first broadly covers the nature of all the sanctions related to the nuclear deal that the US must lift and the second is on the staging and details of the steps Iran must reverse to come back into compliance with the deal, such as reducing its nuclear stockpile and ending the use of advanced centrifuges.

In terms of the third paper on the verification of the lifting of sanctions, Iran has spoken in terms of a fixed volume of oil and industrial exports that must be completed before it need take reciprocal action by returning fully to its compliance with its side of the deal.

Iran is concerned western companies will be reluctant to invest in Iran because of fears that a future Republican US president could reimpose sanctions in 2025, putting their investments in jeopardy, as happened in 2018 when Trump pulled out of the deal.

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a speech in February that sanctions had to be lifted in practice, not just on paper. Research from the Iranian parliament set out the number of barrels of oil to be exported a day and the required value of transactions taking place in Iranian controlled banks in Europe.

Although the talks will be difficult, Iran seemed intent on injecting some optimism into a process that began in April.

In an important announcement the day before the eighth round, Irans atomic energy authority gave a public pledge that it would not seek to enrich uranium above 60%, a promise that came as a relief to Russian negotiators concerned that if Tehran pushed ahead to nuclear weapons-grade 90% enrichment, the European and US delegations would abandon the talks.

Western diplomats have said they will not allow the talks to drag on much longer, possibly with early February as the final deadline. They point out the talks first started and were then paused for three months while a new Iranian government reviewed its negotiating position. Israel meanwhile claims Iran is procrastinating while its scientists take Iran secretly closer to a nuclear bomb. Western diplomats accept Iran is closer to breakout time than ever before, but this is not the same as being close to possessing a nuclear weapon.

Iran, China, Russia, France, Germany, the UK and the EU attended the talks, with a US delegation indirectly involved a cumbersome procedure upon which Tehran has insisted even though it has delayed progress. Iran has complained in recent weeks that the European countries, especially France, have taken a position that is indistinguishable from the US.

The degree to which Iran needs western sanctions to be lifted to be able to produce a viable budget is contested within the country. The leadership team around the new president, Ebrahim Raisi, claims it can avoid lifting costly subsidies on petrol and still produce a viable budget, a claim rejected by many Iranian economists.

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Iran nuclear deal: eighth round of talks begins in Vienna ...