European Union Gives Iran January 25 Deadline

European governments will give Iran until January 25 to return to the bargaining table over its nuclear program or face harsher sanctions, Bloomberg reported. "Iran's persistent failure to meet its international obligations and Iran's apparent lack of interest in pursuing negotiations require a clear response, including through appropriate measures. The European Union stands ready to take the necessary steps," an EU statement read. EU leaders have indicated that if Iran fails to respond to international demands by the January deadline, its leaders will meet to map out a timeline for imposing stiffer sanctions against the regime. Here in the United States, lawmakers in the House will be voting on the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act the week of December 14. Click here to take action and ask your representatives to support this critical legislation.

Hamas Smuggling Advanced Iranian Weaponry into Gaza

According to a new Israeli military assessment, Hamas is smuggling advanced Iranian weaponry, long-range rockets and large missile silos into the Gaza Strip via hundreds of underground tunnels along its border with Egypt, the Jerusalem Post reported. The report also indicated that the Iranian-backed terrorist group has taken control of 80 percent of Gaza's mosques and is using them to store its weaponry and set up command-and-control centers.
During Israel's January 2009 conflict in Gaza, Hamas fired rockets from densely populated civilian areas, knowing that Israel would be reluctant to attack such areas as in response.

Israel Prepares for Missile Attacks on Tel Aviv

The IDF Home Front Command is preparing for the possibility that Hamas will fire missiles up to a range of 50 miles from the Gaza Strip in the event of a future conflict with Israel-far enough to strike Tel Aviv, The Jerusalem Post reported. During Operation Cast Lead, which began December 27, 2008, Hamas fired rockets up to a range of around 25 miles, hitting Ashdod, a major port city. In late September, Hamas fired a missile with a 37 mile range, but it landed in the Mediterranean Sea. The IDF believes that Hamas has obtained Iranian-made Fajr missiles, either the Fajr 3 or Fajr 5. The Fajr 3 is 16 feet long and can carry a 99 pound warhead. To increase the rocket's range, Hamas has the option of shrinking the warhead, enabling it to strike deeper into Israel. Hizballah in Lebanon also possesses such a missile.

Anti-Regime Protests Sweep Iran

Despite a concerted six-month effort by Iran's security services to squash public dissent, thousands of Iranian students on Monday held massive anti-regime protests at universities across the Islamic Republic, The Christian Science Monitor reported. The protesters chanted "Death to the dictator" and burned pictures of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Witnesses said riot police and pro-government militias used tear gas, batons and electric stun-guns against students and other demonstrators throwing stones. Watch video of the protests. Freedom House consistently ranks Iran as one of the most oppressive countries in the world, with nearly the worst possible ratings for political liberties and civil rights.

House Set to Vote on New Iran Sanctions

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) said Thursday he will bring new Iran sanctions legislation to the floor of the House for a vote by the end of December, Politico reported. "I intend to pass the bill by the end of this year," Berman said, referring to the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (IRPSA), which he sponsored with Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). The legislation currently has 340 cosponsors in the House. IRPSA would limit Iran's ability to import and produce refined petroleum products by requiring the president to impose sanctions on companies helping Iran in these areas. Additional sanctions would also be imposed on foreign exchange, banking and property transactions, including any organization that does business with the Central Bank of Iran. Click here to learn more.

Iranian Leader Reiterates Support for Hamas, Hizballah

Ali Larijani, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, reiterated on Thursday the Islamic Republic's continued support for the terrorist groups Hizballah and Hamas, Iran's government news agency reported. "The Islamic Republic of Iran supports Hizballah and Hamas because they are defending their countries' territories," Larijani said. "Iran does not conceal its support for Hamas and Hizballah and we openly declare that we support them." Earlier this week the Iranian regime reportedly "earmarked" $20 million to support terrorist groups opposed to Israel and the West. The State Department consistently lists Iran as the world's leading state sponsor of international terrorism. Hizballah has killed more Americans than any other terrorist group except al Qaeda; Hamas has also killed Americans in terrorist attacks.