Russia And Iran To Sign Partnership Pact Ahead Of New Trump Term

TOP STORIES 

Russia And Iran To Sign Partnership Pact Ahead Of New Trump Term | Bloomberg 

Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to host his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, for a summit on Friday to sign a new pact, as the two countries brace for the return of US President-elect Donald Trump to the White House. The comprehensive strategic partnership agreement seeks to deepen political and economic ties between Russia and Iran as they grapple with sanctions imposed by the US and its allies. The treaty will formalize commitments to closer defense cooperation, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. There won’t be a mutual-defense pledge of the kind included in Russia’s recent accord with North Korea, Iran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, told the state-run Tass news service on Thursday. 

Iran, Russia Enter Into Trump Crosshairs For New Oil Sanctions | Bloomberg 

The oil revenues of Iran, Russia and Venezuela have come into the crosshairs of President-elect Donald Trump, who is preparing a wide-ranging sanctions package that could have dramatic effects on energy markets. While plans are still in the early stages, advisers say the measures are being formulated to blunt three diplomatic thorns that have stuck in the side of multiple US administrations. Trump wants to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, which next month enters its fourth year. He said last week he’s open to meeting Vladimir Putin and getting a deal done. Trump is also keen on increasing pressure over Iran’s nuclear work, while punishing Venezuela because of its anti-democratic turn. But imposing new sanctions on three of the world’s largest oil producers would be challenging. 

Iraq Wants Iran-Backed Factions To Lay Down Weapons, Foreign Minister Says | Reuters 

Iraq is trying to convince powerful armed factions in the country that have fought U.S. forces and fired rockets and drones at Israel to lay down their weapons or join official security forces, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said. The push comes with a backdrop of seismic shifts in the Middle East that have seen Iran's armed allies in Gaza and Lebanon heavily degraded and Syria's government overthrown by rebels. The incoming U.S. Trump administration promises to pile more pressure on Tehran, which has long backed a number of political parties and an array of armed factions in Iraq. Some Baghdad officials are concerned the status quo there may be upended next, but Hussein played this down in an interview with Reuters during an official visit to London. 

UANI IN THE NEWS 

Calls For ‘Jihadi Lioness’ Boss Of UK Charity To Be Investigated | The Telegraph 

A UK charity is being scrutinised after reports that its boss has been hailed a “jihadi lioness” and was the recipient of an award from the “Butcher of Tehran”. Syeda Umme Farwa, who runs the British-registered charity Labaik Ya Zahra (LYZ), is also alleged to have given platforms to alleged extremists at her charity’s events and mourned an Iranian general as a “martyr”. A joint investigation by The Times and the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) found that Ms Farwa had been labelled a “jihadi lioness” in Iran. London-based LYZ calls for “women of today to be educated and independent” and pledges to “help mankind” by advancing the Muslim faith and women’s rights through workshops, conferences and protests. At a 2018 ceremony held in the Iranian city of Mashhad, Ms Farwa was filmed receiving an award in honour of her charity work in the UK from Ebrahim Raisi, the former hardline Iranian president known as the “Butcher of Tehran”.

Charity’s Ties Investigated Over Speaking Slots For Iranian Regime | The Times 

Officials are investigating a charity’s alleged ties to extremism and terrorism after The Times revealed that it gave a platform to Hamas and Hezbollah supporters at events and hailed a sanctioned Iranian general as a “martyr”. The Charity Commission confirmed on Thursday that it had opened a compliance case into Labaik Ya Zahra (LYZ), an Islamic women’s-rights charity based in London. The watchdog was alerted to the charity’s activities by United Against Nuclear Iran, an advocacy group campaigning to expose more than 30 entities in the UK with alleged links to the Iranian regime. A spokeswoman for the commission said: “We take any concern about possible links between a charity and extremism or terrorism very seriously, and will respond robustly to evidence of wrongdoing including making referrals to other agencies where appropriate. 

Pro-Hezbollah Teacher In London Vows To Make Children Holy Warriors | The JC 

A pro-Hezbollah teacher at an Islamic school located minutes from a London synagogue has vowed to make children holy warriors, the JC can reveal. Photos obtained by this newspaper show schoolgirls at Jaaferiya school in Tooting wearing green bandanas and a boy wearing a T-shirt that reads: “I don’t see death as anything but bliss.” The school’s walls can be seen plastered with images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s brutal Supreme Leader notorious for operating terror proxies across the Middle East, human rights violations and seeking the destruction of Israel… Kasra Aarabi, director of IRGC research at anti-regime campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran (Uani), said: “In the case of the Idra Jafariyeh, it is clear that this UK-registered charity, which has a Saturday school for British children, is promoting Islamist extremists in Iran’s regime, including the late Butcher of Tehran president and individuals affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). 

Regulator Investigates Islamic Charity After Possible Links To Extremists Reported | Civil Society 

The Charity Commission has opened a compliance case into an Islamic charity after allegations of “possible links” to extremists and terror organisations in Iran were reported this week. A joint investigation by the Times and advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) this week alleged that Labaik Ya Zahra (LYZ) has given a platform to extremists who have ties with US and UK-sanctioned organisations at the charity’s events. The UK-registered charity, which promotes the Islamic faith and women’s rights through educational workshops, held its 20th annual conference in Iran last year. According to the joint investigation, the charity partnered with organisations that are sanctioned by the US and the UK, one of which being the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, the head of which has been sanctioned by the UK since 2020. 

That Is Why The Hamas Terrorists Are Now Celebrating | Bild 

According to Israeli sources, the last obstacles have been removed in the negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza war. Israeli hostages are to be released. In return, Israel is to release Palestinian terrorists and stop the fighting. How strong is Hamas still – and how quickly could it recover from the military setbacks of the past 15 months? Current US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (62) said Hamas had almost been able to compensate for the losses of its fighting troops with new recruits… "There is a real risk that Hamas will be rearmed by Iran if Israel gives up operational control of strategic locations in Gaza," Middle East expert Jason Brodsky (Middle East Institute, among others) told BILD. 

Zionists Call For Military And Destabilizing Measures Against Iran In Trump’s First 100 Days | Tehran Times 

The recommendations published on the United Against Nuclear Iran’s websites seem to advocate a stricter continuation of the so-called maximum pressure campaign Trump adopted during his first term in office which lasted from 2017 to 2021. What the UANI hopes Trump would do: The anti-Iran group’s plan is characterized by broad sanctions, military threats, and efforts to destabilize Iran. Here's a breakdown of all UANI recommendations for Trump’s 100 days in office: Escalatory military threats: The UANI calls for a clear U.S. policy of military intervention against Iran's nuclear program and retaliation for Resistance groups’ operations against illegal American bases in West Asia. Even more sanctions: The Zionist entity calls for a total embargo on Iranian oil, coupled with secondary sanctions on those who continue to purchase it (including China). 

NUCLEAR DEAL & NUCLEAR PROGRAM 

Iran Says ‘Good Progress’ At Final Nuclear Deal Talks | Forward 

Nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers are making good but slow progress as they work towards a June 30 deadline for a final deal, Tehran’s senior negotiator said on Friday. Diplomats are negotiating to fill the gaps in an April 2 framework agreement that would curb Iran’s nuclear program, allaying Western fears it could develop an atomic bomb, in return for relief from international sanctions. Iran, which denies seeking nuclear weapons, has said sanctions must be lifted as soon as any final deal is signed. The United States wants a gradual lifting of restrictions. “The progress is good… We are at preliminary stages and the pace is slow but it is good,” Iranian state television quoted negotiator Abbas Araqchi as telling reporters in Vienna. 

Iran Acknowledges Israeli Sabotage Of Nuclear Program | Sri Lanka Guardian 

A senior Iranian official Mohammad Javad Zarif has confirmed that Israel's Mossad intelligence agency was behind a series of sabotage operations targeting Iran's nuclear enrichment program. This admission sheds new light on the ongoing covert efforts to disrupt Tehran's nuclear ambitions, which have been a focal point of regional tensions for over a decade. Zarif, who previously served as Iran's foreign minister and now holds the position of vice president for strategic affairs, disclosed the information during an interview with an Iranian media outlet aligned with reformist views. His comments represent the first official acknowledgment of Israeli involvement in the sabotage of Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Zarif explained that Mossad exploited Iran's reliance on third-party suppliers, a consequence of the international sanctions imposed on the country, to introduce explosives into key components of Iran's nuclear program. 

SANCTIONS, BUSINESS RISKS, & OTHER ECONOMIC NEWS 

Trump Team Readies Oil Sanctions Plan For Russia Deal, Iran Squeeze | Bloomberg 

Advisers to President-elect Donald Trump are crafting a wide-ranging sanctions strategy to facilitate a Russia-Ukraine diplomatic accord in the coming months while at the same time squeezing Iran and Venezuela, people familiar with the matter said. The outgoing Biden administration on Friday imposed the most disruptive sanctions on Russia’s oil trade by any Western power to date. The move created an open question about how Trump views the measures, given his commitment to quickly ending the war in Ukraine. There are two main approaches under consideration by the Trump team. One set of policy recommendations — if the incoming administration believes a resolution to the Ukraine war is in sight — involves some good-faith measures to benefit sanctioned Russian oil producers that could help seal a peace deal, said the people, requesting anonymity as the deliberations are private. 

PROTESTS & HUMAN RIGHTS 

Iran Knows My Son Is Innocent, Says Mother Of French Man Held In Evin Jail | The Guardian 

The mother of a French traveller detained in Iran for two years has said authorities “know he is innocent” but continue to hold him in the country’s notorious Evin prison. Olivier Grondeau, 33, was arrested from his hotel room in Shiraz, in the south of Iran, on 12 October 2022, just weeks into the Woman, Life, Freedom anti-government protests that engulfed the country. The writer, poet and bookseller was in the country as part of a world tour. For two years, he had asked his family to keep his case private so not to hinder diplomatic efforts. After those efforts stalled, he decided this month to go public by allowing his family to publish an audio recording of him accusing Iran of using him for “political blackmail” against France. 

U.S.-IRAN RELATIONS & NEGOTIATIONS 

Netanyahu Seeks US Visit, Promises From Trump On Iran | Y Net News 

Behind-the-scenes discussions have been taking place in recent days on a possible visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, a few days after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Several dates are being considered, though nothing has been finalized. It’s expected that the visit could happen as early as February, with the timing also dependent on Netanyahu’s health condition. Trump reportedly mentioned in private conversations that Netanyahu would be the first or one of the first world leaders to be invited to the White House. Such an invitation would also serve as a gesture by Trump toward Netanyahu, especially after his willingness to agree to the hostage and cease-fire deal in Gaza. 

RUSSIA, SYRIA, ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH, LEBANON & IRAN 

Russia And Iran Have A Troubled History Despite Their Current Alliance | Associated Press 

Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting his Iranian counterpart Friday for the signing of a broad pact between Moscow and Tehran. The Kremlin says the “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement between Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will take their cooperation to a new level. The signing comes ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to broker peace in Ukraine and take a tougher stance on Iran. What to know about the Russian-Iranian relationship: Russia and Iran fought wars in the 18th and 19th centuries, with the Russian Empire capturing broad territories in the Caucasus and the Caspian region previously controlled by Persian rulers. In the early 20th century, Russian troops occupied large parts of northern Iran, but the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution ended their presence. 

With Iran Banished, Syria Wants Israel Out Of Buffer Zone | Iran International 

Israel has no justification to keep its forces inside a UN-demarcated buffer zone inside Syria now that Iran and its allied groups have been banished from the country, de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Thursday. “Israel’s advance in the region was due to the presence of Iranian militias and Hezbollah. After the liberation of Damascus, I believe that they have no presence at all,” al-Sharaa said in a joint press conference with Qatar’s prime minister Sheikh Mohammed al-Thani. “There are pretexts that Israel is using today to advance into Syrian regions, into the buffer zone,” al-Sharaa said, adding that he would welcome the United Nations peace-keeping forces there. Israeli military units advanced to the UN-designated demilitarized region that separates Israeli and Syrian-controlled parts of the Golan Heights after president Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition forces led by al-Sharaa’s radical Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). 

Russia, Iran To Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement On Jan. 17 | The Kyiv Independent 

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, will sign a strategic partnership agreement during the latter's visit to Russia on Jan. 17, the Kremlin's press service said. The two leaders are also expected to discuss expanding Russian-Iranian bilateral cooperation in "trade, investment, transport, logistics, humanitarian sphere, and current issues on the regional and international agenda," the statement read. In December 2024, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced plans to pen the deal by the end of January. The agreement is expected to cement the growing military and political partnership between Russia and Iran. According to The Moscow Times, the Russian-Iranian partnership agreement will focus on transport, energy, defense, and regional cooperation. 

GULF STATES, YEMEN, & IRAN 

Mysterious Airstrip Appears On A Yemeni Island As Houthi Rebel Attacks Threaten Region | The Washington Post 

A mysterious airstrip being built don a remote island in Yemen is nearing completion, satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show, one of several built in a nation mired in a stalemated war threatening to reignite. The airstrip on Abd al-Kuri Island, which rises out of the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden, could provide a key landing zone for military operations patrolling that waterway. That could be useful as commercial shipping through the Gulf and Red Sea — a key route for cargo and energy shipments heading to Europe — has halved under attacks by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels . The area also has seen weapons smuggling from Iran to the rebels. 

TURKEY & IRAN 

Turkish Airlines Forbids Iran, Israel Nationals Access To Flights To Syria | Middle East Monitor 

Turkiye’s national carrier has announced a ban on Israeli and Iranian nationals boarding flights to Syria’s capital, Damascus, in accordance with guidelines ordered by the new Syrian government. Earlier this week, Turkish Airlines announced its plans to relaunch flights to Damascus from 23 January on a schedule of three flights per week, in a decision to resume operations in Syria after 13 years of conflict. Amid that resumption in operations and the reopening of airports in Syria, however, the new Syrian authorities – who took power after the rebel takeover and the toppling of the Assad regime last month – have reportedly implemented a new set of guidelines for passengers arriving in the country on international flights. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Iran President In Tajikistan Amid Warming Ties | Al Arabiya News 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was visiting Tajikistan on Thursday to seal a rapprochement with the Central Asian state after years of frosty relations. Despite linguistic and cultural ties, relations between Tehran and Dushanbe have been strained since the Tajik civil war in the 1990s. “I feel like I’m in Iran. I don’t feel like that anywhere else in the world,” Pezeshkian said in a statement to the media after Tajik President Emomali Rahmon had welcomed him “home” and praised improving relations. Iran sees boosting its foothold in Central Asia as a strategic priority, in a region where Russia and China are the dominant players. Turkey and the West are among other countries vying for influence, sensing a possible opening amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.