Kingdom Assembly of Iran
Kingdom Assembly of Iran | |
---|---|
Also known as | Tondar |
Founding leader | Frood Fouladvand (MIA) |
Leader |
|
Spokesman | Iman Afar |
Foundation | 2004 |
Headquarters | United States |
Active regions | Iran |
Ideology |
|
Kingdom Assembly of Iran (
Organization
The Kingdom Assembly of Iran formerly ran a satellite television from London, named 'Your TV'.[4] It stopped broadcasting in 2008.[5] API then initiated radio and television broadcasts from Los Angeles[5] named 'Radio Tondar'.[6]
Exact membership of the API remains unknown. In 2010, the group claimed "100,000 members in the U.S.", despite experts estimating it to have a size of a few hundred worldwide.[5]
Ideology and platform
The core ideology of the Kingdom Assembly of Iran is
The group is staunchly against
The group considers anyone associated with the Iranian government to be a "traitor", and makes no distinguish between the
The API is considered a racist and violent organization of nationalist nature.[8] In a 2010 interview with The Wall Street Journal, spokespersons for the group acknowledged that the group has "fighters" who seek replacing of Iran's current system with monarchy.[5] On its Facebook page, as of May 2010 the API called for "the overthrow of the Islamic regime... by ALL MEAN[s]!!!!".[5] The API's official website observed by Al-Monitor in August 2020, made references to charges from Iranian government about its involvement in violent attacks, but did not deny them.[9] Iranian intelligence minister had said in 2020 that the group planned 27 attacks, many of them foiled before orchestration.[9]
Activities and alleged activities
Bombings
2005
In 2005, 56 Iranians staging a sit-in against the Iranian Islamic government were arrested at the Brussels airport for refusing to leave a Lufthansa plane. At least one protester, Armin Atshgar, identified himself as a member of the group and told the press that "We want the European Union to remove the Islamic leaders from Iran."[12] The group was also reportedly active at the annual Nowruz Persian parade in New York City.[13]
2010
In 2010, the Iranian regime accused the organization of planning terror attacks in Iran.[14] The group runs pro-Iranian opposition radio and television stations and has called for the overthrowing of the Iranian government.
The group members have denied that the group is a terrorist organization and denied involvement with the attacks in Iran.[15][16]
Iran analysts said Iran may be pointing the finger at Tondar because it prefers to "blame the internal dissent and tumult on outside forces".[15]
2020
On 1 August 2020, Iran's
See also
References
- ^ "DERAFŠ-E KĀVĪĀN". Encyclopedia Iran. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ Iran hangs alleged dissidents to warn opposition, January 29, 2010
- ^ a b Iranian Monarchist Group Claims Responsibility for Shiraz Mosque Attack, Terrorism Focus, Volume: 5 Issue: 20, May 20, 2008
- ^ a b Zambelis, Chris (20 May 2008), "Iranian Monarchist Group Claims Responsibility for Shiraz Mosque Attack", Terrorism Focus, 5 (20), Jamestown Foundation, retrieved 10 February 2022
- ^ a b c d e Audi, Tamara (10 May 2010), "U.S.-Iran Feud Hits L.A.", The Wall Street Journal, retrieved 10 February 2022
- ^ ISBN 978-0822348788.
- ^ ISBN 9780292757493
- S2CID 210577582
- ^ a b "Iran arrests US-based leader of exile group", Al-Monitor, 3 August 2020, retrieved 10 February 2022
- ^ Iran 'executes two over post-election unrest' BBC News, 28 January 2010
- ^ "Iran activist sentenced to death for election protests", Robert Tait, The Guardian (8-10-2009).
- ^ "Iranian protest ends in Brussels", BBC News, 11 March 2005
- ^ Alicia Colon, "Tehran Condemns Persian Pride", The New York Sun, March 16, 2007
- ^ Yitzhak Benhorin. Iran: LA Terror group working against us.
- ^ a b U.S.-Iran Feud Hits L.A.. Wall Street Journal. May 2010
- ^ Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center Archived 2010-01-21 at the Wayback Machine. Spotlight on Iran.
- ^ "Iran Says It Detained Leader Of U.S.-Based Opposition Group In 'Complicated' Operation". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.
- ^ "Iran says it detains leader of California-based exile group". Arab News. August 1, 2020.