Iran News Round Up - April 25, 2018

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) but also expressed hope to sign a “new deal” with Iran. Macron made his remarks during an official visit to Washington, DC on April 23. Macron noted that a “new agreement” with Iran should cover four topics; first, to block Iran from any nuclear activity until 2025; second, to prevent any future long-term Iranian nuclear activity; third, to end Iran’s regional ballistic missile activities; and fourth, to find a political solution to contain Iran’s activities in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. French officials have previously expressed their openness to holding “future consultations” that would “supplement” the JCPOA. (Washington Post) (E) (BBC Persian)

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated that Iran is free “of any obligation to remain in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)” if the U.S. withdraws from the nuclear deal. Zarif told Al Monitor during an interview that Iran could “resume [its] nuclear program in a much more advanced way” if Iran were to leave the nuclear deal. President Donald Trump threatened to discontinue sanctions relief mandated under the deal if Congress and the U.S.’s European allies fail to address Trump’s key concerns regarding the nuclear deal before May 12th. Zarif made his remarks on April 24 during his visit to New York City, New York. (National Interest) (E) (Al Monitor) (E)

The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) issued a directive prohibiting Iranian monetary and financial centers from using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in their financial transactions on April 23. The ban extends to all Iranian banks, financial institutions, and currency exchange offices but not the general public. The CBI cited concerns over money laundering and terrorism financing as the reason for the directive. The ban on cryptocurrencies follows a President Hassan Rouhani Administration-directed move to fix the value of the Iranian Rial to the U.S. Dollar at 42,000 rial per $1. The CBI’s directive likely aims to support regime efforts to stabilize Iran’s turbulent currency and banking system. (IRNA) (CNBC) (E) (Reuters) (E)

Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Shamkhani traveled to Sochi, Russia on April 24 to attend a conference with global security officials. Shamkhani told reporters before his departure that a “punishment for [Israel] is certain” but added that “naturally the time, place, and manner of the response to [Israel’s] evil action is at the behest and will of the Islamic Republic [of Iran].” Shamkhani’s statement was in reference to the April 8 Israeli strike on the Pro-Syrian regime T-4 Airbase in Homs Governorate, Syria that resulted in the death of at least seven Iranians. Shamkhani’s visit follows a “long and confidential” meeting with Russian Special Presidential Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev in Tehran on April 10. Unconfirmed reports claimed that Lavrentiev requested that Iran permit Russian long-range bombers to use the Artesh Air Force’s Shahid Nojeh Air Base in western Hamedan Province. Shamkhani also suggested to reporters that Iran could leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if President Donald Trump decides to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on May 12. (IRIB News)

• Shamkhani meets with Russian security chief. Shamkhani met with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev during his visit to Sochi, Russia on April 24. Shamkhani and Patrushev discussed regional affairs and counterterrorism. Patrushev praised the success of Russo-Iranian cooperation and denounced the U.S.’s “continuous efforts” to “strike political and economic [blows]” to Russia and Iran. (IRNA)

First Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri issued a directive on April 19 obligating all governmental organizations to perform all cyber activities and services on Iranian-borne domestic messaging applications. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs discontinued activities on their Telegram accounts and resumed activities on domestic messengers such as Soroush and iGap. The Education Ministry also issued a directive to prohibit the use of foreign messaging applications in Iranian schools on April 15. The directive bars school staff and faculty from using messaging platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram to share information with students. (IRIB News) (Telegram) (Defa Press) (ILNA) (Telegram)