Iran News Round Up - November 1, 2017

A Bahraini court sentenced a total of 29 Bahraini citizens to lengthy prison terms due to their alleged ties with Iran from October 30-31. Bahraini police convicted and sentenced 19 Bahraini Shias on charges of espionage, inciting public dissent, and conspiring against the Kingdom on October 30. Bahraini prosecutors indicated that the 19 individuals were connected to the Al Wafa Islamic Movement, a group with alleged ties to the IRGC and Hezbollah.  

• The additional 10 Bahraini men received life sentences on charges of “forming a terrorist cell and plotting attack” on October 31. The 10 individuals were accused of training in Iranian and Iraqi military camps in order to execute terror attacks in Bahrain. Bahraini authorities discovered a IRGC-linked bomb-making factory in Manama, Bahrain on September 30, 2015. (Bahrain News Agency) (E) (Kuwait Times) (E) (Reuters) (E)
• Parliamentary advisor responds to Bahraini prison sentences. Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Parliament Speaker Hossein Amir Abdollahian stated in a tweet that Bahrain continues to “suppress and issue cruel sentences against [its own] people” on October 30. Abdollahian noted the ongoing internal crisis in Bahrain and accused its government of being “incapable of pursuing a peaceful and political solution with its people.” (Twitter)

The Artesh Air Force held its annual Fadaeiyan-e Hareem-e Velayat military exercises near Esfahan on October 31-November 1. Babaei Artesh Air Base (Esfahan Province) Commander Capt. Brig. Gen. 2C Massoud Rouzkhosh stated that all Artesh aAir bBases would participate in the drills. Rouzkhosh highlighted that bomber and interceptor jets (Su-24, F-4, F-5, F-7, F-14, MiG-29, and the Iranian-made Saegheh), reconnaissance aircraft (RF-4), aerial refueling aircraft (Boeing 707 and 747), support and transportation aircraft (C-130), as well as UAVs equipped with guided missiles and long-range smart bombs will participate in the drills. Rouzkhosh indicated the exercises would showcase various air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface rockets. He also mentioned that the Artesh Air Force would test newly-upgraded and manufactured home-grown weaponry from Iranian universities, industries, the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), and the Artesh Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization. This was the seventh iteration of the Fadaeiyan-e Hareem-e Velayat drills. The sixth iteration took place in October 2016 at Shahid Babaei Air Base in Esfahan and showcased similar aircraft and weaponry. (Tasnim News Agency) (Tasnim News Agency) (E) (Defa Press) (Washington Post) (E)

IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari stated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s “policies” dictate that “the range of [Iran’s] missiles is limited to 2,000 km,” in comments to reporters on October 31. Jafari claimed that this range “is sufficient for now, because enough Americans are located within a 2,000 km radius of [Iran] and will receive a response in the event of an [American] invasion.” Jafari warned that if the U.S. increases economic pressures and sanctions on Iran, then Iran will increase the “amount, range, and accuracy” of its missiles. Jafari also addressed Iran-Russia relations. He stated that both countries face “similar pressures and sanctions” and that it is “natural for [Iran and Russia] to become more united.” (Mashregh News) (Sepah News) (Washington Post) (E)

Marie Donovan breaks down why a new strategy for dealing with Iran’s destabilizing behavior is necessary in “America needs a new strategy to deter Iran’s destabilizing behavior.”

Fred Kagan clarifies common points of confusion regarding the Trump administration’s decision on the nuclear deal in “Confusion over the Iran deal.”