Month: March 2020

“Media in Iran are daring to question its official coronavirus death and infection counts, showing how the outbreak is challenging even the most authoritarian states,” Bill Bostock, Business Insider US, March 11, 2020.

The threats, criminal investigation, intimidation of relatives, death threats, defamation, and the freezing of assets continue for reporters in and of Iran.  “UN experts demand Iran ceases harassing BBC Persian staff,” BBC, March 11, 2020.

Former Iranian Pres. Ahmadinejad has written to the WHO suggesting that the worldwide coronavirus outbreak was caused by unidentified laboratories who spread the epidemic as part of a biological war.  Crazy Mahmoud!  “Former Iranian President Spreads Coronavirus Conspiracy Theory, Calls On World Health Organization to Identify ‘Perpetrators’ of ‘Biological War’,” David Brennan, Newsweek, March 11, 2020.

““Iran has now recorded around 9,000 coronavirus cases in the country, nearly a thousand more cases in one day, Kianush Jahanpur, a health ministry spokesman, said on Wednesday.  The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has reached 354, a rise of 63 in the past 24 hours, Jahanpur told state TV.  Wednesday’s tally is the highest single-day toll since the start of the outbreak in February.  Jahanpur added that 2,959 patients have fully recovered, and called on Iranians to avoid unnecessary trips and stay at home.  Iran is now the worst infected country in the Middle East and the third worldwide, following China and Italy.”  “Coronavirus: Iran records jump of 1,000 new cases as 63 die in 24 hours,” Middle East Eye, March 11, 2020.

“Strategic Partnership With China Lies at Root of Iran’s Coronavirus Outbreak,” Benoit Faucon, Sune Engel Rasmussen and Jeremy Page, Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2020.

“Iran closes museums, cultural centers during new year holidays,” Xinhua, March 11, 2020.

“Iran’s trade minister recovers from coronavirus,” Ahmet Dursun, AA, March 11, 2020.

“Iran agrees to send black boxes of downed airliner to Ukraine: official,” Allison Lampert, David Ljunggren, Reuters, March 11, 2020.

“Iran Says Virus Kills 63 More, Death Toll Climbs to 354,” AP, VOA, March 11, 2020.

“U.S. and coalition troops killed in rocket attack in Iraq, potentially spiking tensions with Iran,” Dan Lamothe and Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, March 11, 2020.

“Hezbollah officials test positive for coronavirus after meeting with Iran military,” Cleveland Jewish News, March 11, 2020.

So, Iran refuses to quarantine areas and provinces.  Coronavirus will continue to spread like wildfire.  Why won’t they do what China did?  “Iran’s top security body rejects lockdown of epidemic areas,” Al-Monitor, March 11, 2020.

“Six-Year Prison Sentence For Iran Activist Who Called On Khamenei To Resign,” Radio Farda, March 11, 2020.

It is my understanding that this “discovery” is hogwash, another untruth.  “Iran’s new drug able to relieve some of coronavirus’ severe symptoms, official says,” Trend News Agency, March 11, 2020.

“The first Friday without wishing for the death of other nations,’’ went one joke, shared on social media in Iran after Friday prayers were canceled on March 6.  No “Death to America” or “Death to Saudi Arabia” or “Death to Iraq” or “Death to Israel” or “Death to England” or “Death to Canada” or (you get the idea, they’ve used many countries over the years at the Friday Prayer meeting in Tehran, Mashhad, etc.).   “Coronavirus Ravages Iran All the Way to the Top,” Arsalan Shahla, Golnar Moteralli, Marc Champion, Bloomberg, March 10, 2020.

“Iran to call dead medical staff ‘martrys’ as virus kills 291,” Nasser Karimi and Amir Vahdat, AP, March 10, 2020.

“No Nowruz? Iran braces for major changes to New Year celebrations,” The New Arab, March, 10, 2020.

“After Soleimani, Iran Sends Shamkhani to Iraq to Take Control,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 10, 2020.

“Family of Longest Held US Captive Wins $1.5 Billion Lawsuit,” Megan Mineiro, Courthouse News Service, March 9, 2020.

“Iran announces 43 new coronavirus deaths, raising toll to 237,” Times of Israel, March 9, 2020.

“Iran Releases 70,000 Prisoners Amid More Deaths, Infections,” Asharq Al-Awsat, March 9, 2020.

“Iran supreme leader cancels Persian new year speech because of coronavirus outbreak: official site,” Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, March 9, 2020.

“Head of Iran’s disaster management contracts COVID-19,” Mustafa Melih Ahishali, AA, March 9, 2020.

“Iran announces 43 new coronavirus deaths, raising toll to 237,” AFP, March 9, 2020.

“Iran Has Far More Coronavirus Cases Than It Is Letting On,” Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, March 9, 2020.

“IranAir stops all flights to Europe: IRNA,” Reuters, March 8, 2020.

“In Defiance, People In Northern Iran Threaten To Close Roads To Prevent Coronavirus Influx,” Radio Farda, March 8, 2020.

This article is a reminder to me that, long after 2011, IRGC Commanders (this one named Dabirian, friend of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah, killed trying to retake the historic town of Palmyra) are fighting in Syria, part of the Shia Crescent, and are in a place where the media absolutely refused to admit for many, many months that Iran even had troops.  “Iran Revolutionary Guard commander reportedly killed in Syria,” Washington Times, AP, March 8, 2020.

A government official tells IranWire that by the end of Friday, March 6, in Tehran alone 260 people had died from the coronavirus infection.  See “If We Don’t Move Quickly Up to 700,000 Iranians will Contract Coronavirus,” IranWire, March 7, 2020.

“Who Was The Man Who Took US Hostages, Established Hezbollah And Died Of Coronavirus,” Morad Vaisibiame, Radio Farda, March 7, 2020.

“Iran suspends officials’ oversea trips due to coronavirus outbreak,” Tehran Times, March 4, 2020.

An outstanding article by two Iranian doctors on why Iran’s coronavirus problem is so huge.  The article lists a number of reasons, and I think the only reason not included was the refusal to close shrines especially in Qom (where people dry and kiss and touch the metal bars at the shrines).  “How Iran Completely and Utterly Botched Its Response to the Coronavirus,” Kamiar Alaei and Arash Alaei, New York Times, March 6, 2020.

“Iran Army Called To Help With Virus Control In Qom As It Imposes Quasi-Quarantine,” Radio Farda, March 6, 2020.

Hossein Sheikholeslam has died—he was one of the student hostage takers responsible for the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis, and later for years in the Iran Foreign Ministry–and notably past Ambassador to Syria.  When you are ambassador to the Assads, that is not the mark of being a boy scout.  I shouldn’t even demean scouting with such a reference, as it is a deadly and discriminatory and anti-human rights and anti-United Nations and anti-everything position.  “Iran: 124 dead from virus including FM’s adviser, could use force to stop travel,” Times of Israel, March 6,  2020.

“Senior Iranian Security Official Succumbs to Coronavirus as Rouhani Describes Countrywide Infestation,” David Israel, JewishPress.com, March 5, 2020.

“Iran’s Caspian Sea retreat turns coronavirus hub,” Kourosh Ziabari, Asia Times, March 5, 2020.

“Iran cancels Friday prayers in major cities as the outbreak’s death toll rises,” Amir Vahdat, AP, March 5, 2020.

Iran uses persons to get information, and then hurts the persons about whom the information was obtained.  In short, Mariam Thompson and Monica Elfriede Witt are in the news today for their criminally revealing the names of some persons who were active in attempts to make the Regime change.  “FBI arrests US linguist in Iraq for sending classified information to “love interest” with ties to terrorists,” Star Tribune, March 5, 2020.

“Tanker War: Can America’s Navy SEALs Stop Iran’s Attacks On Oil Shipping?,” Sebastien Roblin, National Interest, March 5, 2020.

The news is really big, and I’ll just quote it.  “The IranWire news site reported on Wednesday that Iran’s first vice president Eshaq Jahangiri has tested positive for coronavirus and is undergoing treatment.  IranWire cited an “informed source”. There was no immediate confirmation from Iranian officials.  Several Iranian officials have been infected with the coronavirus and one senior official died from a coronavirus infection on Monday.”  See “Iran’s first vice president has coronavirus, IranWire reports; no official confirmation,” Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, March 4, 2020.

“Iran sets up checkpoints between cities; closes schools and universities,” Holly Ellyatt and Saheli Roy Choudhury, CNBC, March 4, 2020.

This story is a reminder that if your loved one was killed on the Ukrainian airliner shoot-down, you’re out of luck.  Iran isn’t going to help you one bit.  And if you complain and ask for compensation or that the military be held responsible, you are putting your life and your family’s life at risk.  “Husband of Iran plane crash victim warns of intelligence agency’s actions,” Hannah Hepner, Jerusalem Post, March 4, 2020.

“Lawyer says award-winning Iran filmmaker summoned to prison,” Amir Vahdat, AP, March 4, 2020.

“Iran rallies religious leaders to expel US forces from Iraq,” Hamdi Malik, Al Monitor, March 4, 2020.

“Threatened by Iranian regime, family of Flight 752 victim flees to Edmonton,” Stewart Bell, Global News, March 4, 2020.

“Iran says 92 dead amid 2,922 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the Islamic Republic,” Washington Times, AP, March 4, 2020.

“UN nuclear watchdog finds Iran has nearly tripled its uranium stockpile,” Nicole Gaouette, CNN, March 4, 2020.

“Coronavirus has spread to nearly all Iran provinces – Rouhani,” Jerusalem Post, March 4, 2020.

This looks like another announcement without legs, like many of the new jet fighters and drones and missiles that do not work (there are obviously some that do, but Iran seems to “lead the world” in deception regarding new weapons systems).  The proof is yet to be seen of Iran making a vaccine for coronavirus, and of course spent a couple of months denying it was even a problem in Iran.  See “Iran’s IRGC claims it’s close to producing coronavirus vaccine,” Al-Monitor, March 4, 2020.

“Iran still won’t give up the black boxes.  “Canada urges Iran to give access to downed airliner’s black boxes,” AFP, Arab News, March 4, 2020.

“Iraqi Militias Split Over New Iran-Backed Head, Reflecting Wider Divisions,” Crispin Smith, Just Security, March 4, 2020.

And I thought the virus started from a wet market in China.  “Virus is biological attack on China and Iran, Iranian civil defense chief claims,” Times of Israel, AFP, March 4, 2020.

This is the way to ignore international agreements and keep your nuclear program humming along, free from oversight by the IAEA, which you have agreed to come inspect you.  Here is the story in quotes, “Tehran has no obligation to grant the UN’s nuclear watchdog access to sites in Iran when it deems the requests are based on “fabricated information”, Iran’s UN ambassador in Vienna said on Wednesday. “Intelligence services’ fabricated information… creates no obligation for Iran to consider such requests,” said a statement from Iran’s ambassador to the UN in Vienna, Kazem Gharib Abadi.  It comes a day after a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reprimanded Iran for refusing access to two sites which diplomats believe could be connected to the country’s historic nuclear activity.”  See “Iran says ‘no obligation’ to let International Atomic Energy Agency into certain sites,” Economic Times, March 4, 2020.

“Iran’s coronavirus response: Pride, paranoia, secrecy, chaos,” Farnaz Fassihi and David Kirkpatrick, New York Times, March 4, 2020.

So I saw this story originally on Daily Beast and other less reliable outlets.  Now that it is on CNN and WSJ and has been looked at through other more traditional sources I can post it on my blog.  “Iran to temporarily free 54,000 prisoners as coronavirus spreads,” Mohammed Tawfeeq and Angela Dewan, CNN, March 4, 2020.  And here is another “Iran Releases Prisoners on a Temporary Basis to Halt the Spread of the Coronavirus,” Aresu Eqbali and Isabel Coles, Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2020.

The killing of Soleimani continues to pay dividends for the future of region.  “Iran running out of options in Syria,” Baha al-Awam, The Arab Weekly, March 4, 2020.

“‘Suicide Prevention Committees’ To Form In Iranian Universities,” Radio Farda, March 4, 2020.

“Exclusive: U.N. nuclear watchdog plans alert on Iranian stonewalling – diplomats,” Francois Murphy, John Irish, Reuters, March 2, 2020.

“One Iran Minister Accuses Another Of Deceit For Claiming It can Produce Millions Of Masks,” Radio Farda, March 3, 2020.

“Sweden halts flights from Iran over coronavirus fears,” The Local, March 2, 2020.  Sweden has become the first country in the world to ban flights operated by Iran Air to help contain the coronavirus.  The Swedish Transport Agency announced it was temporarily suspending the flight permits of Iran Air – currently the only airline flying directly between Iran and Sweden – saying they were responding to a request by Swedish health officials.  “We trust in the competence and expertise of the Public Health Agency of Sweden,” Simon Posluk, head of the department for maritime and air traffic at the transport agency, said in a statement.  …  Sweden has 14 confirmed cases of the virus, including two who had travelled to Iran. Around 1,000 people have been tested for the virus in Sweden, but all the others have come back negative. The Middle Eastern country has reported 1,501 cases, including 66 deaths in total. “To continue to take in large groups of passengers from Iran under present circumstances would severely complicate the work to limit the spread of COVID-19,” Johan Carlson, director of the Public Health Agency of Sweden, said in a statement.  It added that “responsible authorities in Iran are not in control of the situation” and it feared the spread of the virus in Sweden.  Speaking to AFP, Carlson said the agency was not planning any similar measures for other airlines flying to other heavily affected countries.  The agency did not ask for any bans of flights to and from China, which Carlson said was because they had better working relationships with Chinese authorities and airlines.  “This is a very exceptional situation and it goes back to that we are not really confident in what’s happening in Iran today,” Carlson said.

“Iran finds millions of hoarded gloves as coronavirus deaths hit 66,” Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, March 2, 2020.

“Coronavirus reopens religion versus science debate in Iran,” AFP, Livemint, March 2, 2020.

“Iran Crosses a Key Threshold: It Again Has Sufficient Fuel for a Bomb,” David Sanger and William Broad, New York Times, March 3, 2020.

“Coronavirus kills 77, infects 2,336 in Iran – deputy health minister,” Reuters, March 3, 2020.

“Why Iran Is Such a Coronavirus Threat,” Amir Afkhami, Politico, March 3, 2020.

“These 3 Magic Numbers Could Stop Chinese, Iranian And Russian Cyber Attacks,” Davey Winder, Forbes, March 3, 2020.  The publication of the annual CrowdStrike Global Threat Report shows its report (with “high confidence”) that Iran will continue using cyber-espionage against the Middle East and North Africa region and North America. The Iranian Fox-Kitten espionage campaign against the U.S. and Israel, ongoing for the last three years, is a good example. The targeting of persons critical to the regime will continue and extends to social media disinformation campaigns.

In Tehran? Why not Qom? It just doesn’t make sense to invite Putin and Erdogan to Tehran, especially since both have cut off air and ground travel to Iran due to Iran’s poor response to coronavirus. “Rouhani has invited Putin to hold next Astana talk’s summit in Tehran: diplomat,” Tehran Times, March 3, 2020.

Latest example of Iran using Kataeb Hezbollah in Iraq. “Pro-Iran militia in Iraq warns of ‘war’ if president appoints intelligence chief as PM,” Alex MacDonald, Middle East Eye, March 3, 2020.

“U.N. watchdog claims Iran may have three undeclared nuclear sites,” MarketWatch, AP, March 3, 2020.

I’m not interested in whether the Supreme Leader wears gloves to protect against coronavirus, as this picture shows. Instead, I’m interested in why would he plant a new tree so close to a large established tree? The placement seems odd. “Iran Orders Troops to Fight Coronavirus Outbreak as 77 Dead,” VOA, AP, March 3, 2020.

“Wash your hands, Iran’s Khamenei says, as coronavirus toll rises,” Reuters, March 3, 2020.

“‘We’re beyond desperate’: Officials fear the spread of coronavirus to Americans and Europeans held in Iran’s cramped prisons,” John Hudson, Washington Post, March 3, 2020.

 

“Iranian Shias lick, kiss shrines in defiance of coronavirus outbreak,” Jerusalem Post, Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, March 2, 2020.

An Expediency Council member has now died from the virus.  “Member of Iran Advisory Body to Supreme Leader Dies From Virus,” Yasna Haghdoost, Bloomberg, March 2, 2020.

“Iran calls on people to stay at home as death toll rises to 43,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, February 29, 2020.

“Iran’s Rouhani Orders Minister To Investigate Hoarding Of Masks For Coronavirus,” Radio Farda, March 2, 2020.

“There Is No Face Mask and Disinfectant in Iran’s Capital Tehran,” Jubin Katiraie, Iran Focus, March 1, 2020.

 

“Iranians burn clinic that may be quarantine for coronavirus patients,” Jerusalem Post, March 1, 2020.  The story is subtitled, “Rumors claimed that 10 infected people were transported from Qom, a religious city that has been the epicenter of the virus outbreak in Iran, to the Towhid Clinic.”

“What is the real size of the coronavirus epidemic in Iran?,” CNA, March 1, 2020.

“False or misleading medical advice, fake letters or remarks attributed to senior officials, and a number of conspiracy theories about the origin of the virus have appeared on Iranian social media and messaging apps in recent days.”  See “Coronavirus: Misinformation and false medical advice spreads in Iran,” Shayan Sardarizadeh, BBC, February 29, 2020.

Of all the experts you could select, and not select from other countries (remember, Iran is still the country who won’t allow help examining the black box of the Ukrainian airliner it shot out of the air), it turns to China.  “China Sends Team to Aid Iranian Response to Surging Coronavirus,” Sune Engel Rasmussen and Aresu Eqbali, Wall Street Journal, February 29, 2020.

At least five Members of Iran’s Parliament have coronavirus, and one male MP has already died, Ali Ramazani Dasta.  This instant story pertains to female MP Massoumeh Aghapur Alishahi.  “Female Lawmaker Says She Contracted Coronavirus In Iran Parliament,” Radio Farda, March 1, 2020.  See also “Iranian MP dies from coronavirus as Saudi Arabia resists infection,”  Arab News, March 1, 2020, and “Iran’s death toll from coronavirus jumps to 54, with 978 infected,” Reuters, March 1, 2020.

“Israel Seizes $4M Transferred from Iran to Hamas,” Asharq Al-Awsat, February 28, 2020.

“Trump fights Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ in Latin America,” Giorgio Cafiero, Atlantic Council, February 28, 2020.

I missed this story last summer, but saw it today.  Corruption ate up medicine and medical equipment funds.  “One Billion Euros Allocated For Importing Essential Goods ‘Disappears’ In Iran,” Radio Farda, July 21, 2019.

Another weak if almost meaningless response.  “Iran Ready to Implement Joint Health Protocols with Russia in Coronavirus Fight,” Tasnim News Agency, March 1, 2020.

If this wasn’t a real story, it might be humorous.  Brig. Gen. Heidari, the Army ground force chief, has announced, “Our experts working for the army’s self-sufficiency department have planned and built several unique equipments which should go under test by the Health Ministry. If everything goes well the equipment will be a great achievement in rapid diagnosis of the novel coronavirus.  One of the army’s capabilities, which was unveiled in the ceremony today, was turning anti-bacterial liquids into fog to spray it over vast regions.  We enjoy anti-pollution systems which are currently utilized by our forces across the country,” the commander said, adding, “According to the pre-planned program, the Army’s Ground Force is in charge of sanitizing hospitals and medical centers in Tehran.”  Well, they did a great job already with pollution!  See “Army produces unique equipment to intensify coronavirus fight,” Tehran Times, March 1, 2020.