“Iran May Bar Mass Ramadan Events Over Virus: Khamenei,” Asharq Al-Awsat, April 9, 2020.
“British Council worker temporarily freed from Iranian jail,” Paul Peachey, The National, April 9, 2020.
“916,000 In Iran Have Coronavirus: Expert,” Matthew Petti, National Interest, April 9, 2020.
117 died on Wednesday. “Iran says 117 new virus deaths take total past 4,000,” Deccan Herald, AFP, April 9 2020.
“Iran: Al-Kadhimi Named New Prime Minister-designate,” Republic, AP, April 9, 2020.
121 died on Tuesday per the Health Ministry, announced Wednesday. “Coronavirus death toll in Iran rises to 4,003,” Mustafa Melih Ahishali, AA, April 8, 2020.
“Pompeo Says Iran Will Have Less Money To Spend On Proxies,” Radio Farda, April 8, 2020.
“Previously Undisclosed Iranian Nuclear Weapons Site Identified,” Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, April 8, 2020.
“How Much Does Iran Actually Spend On Coronavirus?,” Matthew Petti, National Interest, April 8, 2020.
“WHO Official Says Coronavirs Numbers May Be Flattening In Iran,” Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, April 8, 2020.
“Iran Guards Censure Health Official For Criticizing China’s Coronavirus Data,” Maryam Sinaiee, April 8, 2020.
“Iranian proxy in Iraq threatens US-led coalition air base,” Caleb Weiss and Joe Truzman, FDD’s Long War Journal, April 8, 2020.
“Iran Nuclear Chief Says New Centrifuges To Come Online Soon,” Radio Farda, April 8, 2020.
“A member of the National Coronavirus Combat Task Force for the Islamic Republic of Iran revealed on Monday that half a million people in the country are suffering from the deadly virus. Hamid Souri told Iran’s news agency IRNA that many patients afflicted with the coronavirus have not been detected. … “The coronavirus curve has not flattened in any of the country’s 31 provinces,” Souri told IRNA.” … The current figures are officially 55,743 sufferers and 3,452 dead. The current death toll is apparently much higher. On Sunday, it was 12,380, according to Western security sources.” … Ebrahim Raisi, the Islamic Republic’s chief judge and a possible successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, ordered that thousands of coronavirus deaths be attributed to diseases such as heart failure or pneumonia.” “Iran has 500,000 people infected with coronavirus,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, April 7, 2020.
133 died on Monday in Iran. “Iran Says Coronavirus Death Toll Nearing 4,000,” Reuters, New York Times, April 7, 2020.
“Iran’s Parliament Rejects Bill To Introduce One-Month National Lockdown,” Radio Farda, April 7, 2020.
“Case Filed Against Iranian MP for Remarks over Downed Ukrainian Plane,” Asharq Al-Awsat, April 7, 2020.
“Iran Parliament Reconvenes Even as Coronavirus Infects Its Ranks,” Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, April 7, 2020.
Key conclusion—“Western states must remain cautious should Russia and/or China broker a deal to provide the IAEA access to locations in Iran. Especially if the deal’s provisions at the same time reduce the IAEA’s verification authority or effectiveness.” See “Is Iran’s Nuclear Future in the Hands of Russia and China?,” Mark Hibbs, Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, April 7, 2020.
“Speaking to reporters by phone in early March, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman said the spread of the virus has affected Israel’s enemies, who have decreased their hostile activities to focus on containing it. While he did not refer to Iran by name, he said “there are enemy countries that have been hit much more strongly than us by the coronavirus, and therefore their activities have decreased.”” See “IDF’s Military Intelligence adds coronavirus to list of ‘enemy’ targets,” Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, April 7, 2020.
“Israeli security agency says it arrested alleged Iran spy,” AP, April 7, 2020.
“Dozens Of Political Prisoners In Iran Moved To Unknown Location After Unrest,” Radio Farda, April 7, 2020.
“Iran Deploys Missiles Covering The Strait Of Hormuz,” H.I. Sutton, Forbes, April 7, 2020.
“Iran to give money to 23 million households amid ongoing coronavirus crisis,” AMN, April 7, 2020.
“Iranian officials contradict one another on coronavirus projections, state assistance,” Al-Monitor, April 7, 2020.
136 people died on Sunday. “Iran: Coronavirus death toll rises to 3,739,” Zehra Nur Duz, AA, April 6, 2020.
“‘Trump more dangerous than coronavirus’: Iranian admiral,” April 6, 2020, and “Human Rights Watch Urges US to Ease Sanctions on Iran Amidst Growing Pandemic,” VOA. April 6, 2020. With regard to the calls from several to release sanctions because Iranians are suffering from coronavirus, I have four observations. The Regime for 40 years has squandered its immense hundreds of billions of dollars of oil and gas wealth to spread the Revolution, intimidate neighbors, and use terror. No other country acts as Iran. Second, this huge wealth was and is mismanaged and not spent on public health, schools, infrastructure, etc. as it should. Third, Iran refuses to comply with FATF global money-laundering rules. Last, in this year’s budget, just this budget year, if Iran would give up its regime of terror against other states it would have enough money itself to take care of its people and their coronavirus needs. Per capita, Iran has so much in sovereign wealth for its people if it would only choose to spend the money the way it should.
“Iranian official backtracks after calling Chinese Covid-19 figures a ‘joke’,” Patrick Wintour, The Guardian, April 6, 2020.
Didn’t take long for the previous story to be addressed. “Questioning China’s Coronavirus Numbers Causes Diplomatic, Political Uproar In Iran,” Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, April 6, 2020.
Pres. Rouhani says two-thirds of government employees will return to their offices on April 11. “Iran to resume low-risk economic activities amid COVID-19 crisis,” Al Jazeera, April 6, 2020.
“Iran’s funeral traditions crumble as bereaved mourn in coronavirus isolation,” Rohollah Faghihi, Middle East Eye, April 6, 2020.
“Ambassador lists China’s humanitarian aid to Iran,” Tehran Times, April 5, 2020.
“Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mousavi Says Tehran Has Not And Will Not Ask U.S. For Help Amid Coronavirus – State TV,” Reuters, April 6, 2020.
“Five missiles fired at ‘American’ oil company in Iraq – Iranian media,” Seth Frantzman, April 6, 2020.
It will be interesting to see if the announced funding actually reaches the transport businesses. “$500m Allocated to Compensate for Losses of Iranian Transport Companies,” IFP, April 6, 2020.
“Pro-Iran factions in Iraq maneuver to topple another PM-designate,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, April 6, 2020.
“300 medical workers infected with coronavirus in Iran,” MENAFM, AP, April 6, 2020.
Another claim that the U.S. caused the virus, but no production of evidence of such. “Iranian official calls for probe into US role in creation of coronavirus,” Jerusalem Post, April 6, 2020. The Head of Iran’s Civil Defense Organization, Brig. Gen. Gholam Reza Jalali, also said, “The US has been always [been] accused of having a role, either intentionally or accidentally, in the biological events, like the (outbreak of) Ebola.”
“Iran’s virus deaths soar over 10,000 as regime deceives public – report,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, April 6, 2020. A long posting from this article. “The rulers of the Islamic Republic of Iran have fabricated the number of Iranian coronavirus deaths in the Middle East’s epicenter of the deadly disease, with the real count of victims exceeding 10,000 people, according to Western security sources. “The number of corona deaths in Iran is many times higher than the authorities there have previously admitted… the death toll passed the 10,000 mark about 10 days ago when Iran officially reported slightly more than 2,000 deaths,” German paper Die Welt reported Sunday. The death rate in Iran is “four to five times higher than the regime admitted then,” the report said. “The current figures are currently officially 55,743 sufferers and 3,452 dead. The current death toll is apparently much higher. On Sunday, it was 12,380, according to Western security sources.” Ebrahim Raisi, the Islamic Republic’s chief judge and a possible successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, ordered that thousands of coronavirus deaths be attributed to diseases such as heart failure or pneumonia, Die Welt reported. The mass deception by Raisi involved directives to issue fake death certificates. “The cover-up by the mullahs is not only a health risk for the Iranians, but also for other countries,” the report said. “Around 50,000 Iranians traveled to Southeast Asia, Europe or Canada in the last two weeks of March.” Some 1,000 Iranians traveled to Germany and 900 traveled to the United Kingdom during the second half of March. … In late March, Radio Farda, the Iranian branch of US government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, said 4,298 people have died due to the virus. Tehran said 2,500 people have died. “The data collected by Radio Farda is also a very conservative estimate, and the real number of the victims could be much higher,” it said. “The data shows that most of the novel coronavirus victims belong to the provinces of Isfahan, Gilan, Mazandaran, Golestan, Khorasan Razavi, Tehran and Qom.” Iran refuses to release the number of coronavirus victims for each of the country’s 31 provinces.”
“Iran’s military did “well” by downing Ukrainian plane, MP says,” Staff, Jerusalem Post, April 6, 2020. “Iranian MP Hassan Norouzi told media in the country that the Iranian military did “well” by downing a civilian Ukrainian airliner in January during an Iranian missile attack on the Ain Al-Asad base in Iraq, according to Al Arabiya. … Norouzi told the state-run Hamdeli daily on Sunday that the military “carried out their duties well. The movement of the plane was very suspicious.” “The plane was no longer under the control of the watchtower and appeared to have come under America’s control,” Norouzi said, according to news outlet Al Arabiya. “The plane was in Israel the week before and was tampered with.” Norouzi claimed that the plane had “special targets” in Iran.”
“Iran: China leading fight against COVID-19, generously aiding other countries,” Tehran Times, April 6, 2020.
“French researcher chronicles nine months of misery in Iran jail,” AFP, April 6, 2020.
“Iran to gradually ease anti-coronavirus restrictions,” Daiji World, April 6, 2020.
“Iran taps sovereign wealth fund to fight coronavirus,” Lauren Meier, Washington Times, April 6, 2020.
151 on Saturday. “Iran’s deaths from coronavirus reach 3,603,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, April 5, 2020.
I’ve seen the proposed destroyer mentioned in a handful of news stories this week, but hesitated at first to mention it—too many announcements are bluster or some type of warning, but the weapon or system is never built or doesn’t function as threatened. Only because I’ve seen this story again, I’ll post this one. “Iran To Start Construction Of 6,000-Ton Destroyer,” Orkhan Jalilov, Caspian News, April 5, 2020.
Similar, near the port city of Bandar Abbas supposedly, here is a video of missile launchers. But when was it posted? It is a threat. But will Iran really keep the trucks by the sea for very long? No. “Iran deploys missile launchers along Strait of Hormuz as tensions with US increase: video,” Almasdar News, April 5, 2020.
Why would Iran (Fars) report something about a Hezbollah officer, if Iran doesn’t control Hezbollah? “Hezbollah official assassinated in south Lebanon: Iranian media,” The National, April 5, 2020.
“Iran prosecutes whistleblower doctor for unraveling state cover-up,” Iran Human Rights Monitor, April 4, 2020.
“Iran’s Government Withdrew Money From National Reserve To Pay Salaries – Lawmaker,” Radio Farda, April 4, 2020.
Iran’s government has issued a statement that it is very transparent regarding the coronavirus crisis, and is supported in its position by WHO. For anyone who scans the news of Iran daily, or who reads the news of Iran daily posted on this blog, they know that statement to be categorically false. A number of authoritarian states are known for their tight control and misleading statements, so they can hide truth and stay in power. Iran is one of those countries whose officially-released Covid-19 numbers and information are so unreliable that other countries do not include them in models. “Iran likens remarks by German health minister to April fool’s joke,” Tehran Times, April 4, 2020.
158 dead on Friday, reported on Saturday by the Health Ministry. See “UPDATE 1-Iran escaped prisoners back in jail amid coronavirus epidemic,” Reuters, April 4, 2020.
Pres. Rouhani had ordered the Health Ministry to provide separate reports on the number of the victims in each province. This has not happened yet, and I doubt it will because it will show that the parts together do not equal the reported sum. This is how Radio Farda’s experts and others know that Iran in underreporting their nation-wide death numbers—they are less than those daily reported from the major cities and regions. “Radio Farda Estimates 78,000 Infected By Coronavirus In Iran,” Radio Farda, April 4, 2020.
“Iran completes oil products storage terminal, names it after Soleimani – ILNA,” Reuters, April 4, 2020.
“Economists In Iran Warn President Of Possible Unrest Amid Coronavirus Damage,” Radio Farda, April 4, 2020.
“Iran Steel Output Rises 40.5%,” Financial Tribune, April 4, 2020.
“Iran’s Military Is a Mighty Missile Machine,” Caleb Larson, National Interest, April 3, 2020.
134 deaths Thursday. “Iran’s coronavirus death toll rises to 3,294 – Health Ministry,” Reuters, April 3, 2020.
This is an odd story—why can’t the government bring things through customs? I think this article is implying that the government is confiscating items held at the border, that belong to a private entity/business. “Rouhani: Iran to facilitate release of necessary goods from customs,” MENAFN, April 3, 2020.
“Two Million Iranians Lost Their Jobs In Coronavirus Crisis,” Radio Farda, April 03, 2020.
New Quds Force head Esmail Ghaani does not want al-Zurfi to be the next Iraq prime minister. Wonder why? Iran can’t control him. “Iran General Visits Baghdad, Tries to Forge Political Unity,” AP, Haaretz, April 2, 2020.
Ghaani makes the news again, as a target. This is amazing, and may be a result of the U.S. targeting Gen. Soleimani when he was planning attacks on Americans. Thus, Israel may have used the same justification—that he was planning attacks against Israel. Israel planes shot from Lebanon to target Iranian military transport aircraft and a meeting of IRGC and Lebanese Hezbollah commanders, as well as the chief of al-Quds Force Esmail Ghaani. “Israel Targets Iranian Commanders in Syrian Base Near Homs,” Asharq Al-Awsat, April 2, 2020.
“Exclusive: Hackers linked to Iran target WHO staff emails during coronavirus – sources,” Joseph Menn, Christopher Bing, Raphael Satter, and Jack Stubbs, Reuters, April 2, 2020.
“Iran’s Parliament Speaker Larijani Quarantined With Coronavirus,” Yasna Haghdoost, Bloomberg, April 2, 2020.
“Iranian resistance group, citing documents, says regime knew of coronavirus cases in January,” Adam Shaw, Fox News, April 2, 2020. The opposition group NCRI published documents that Iran had multiple cases in late January, weeks earlier than stated by authorities. The documents are mission reports from the government’s National Emergency Organization, and with the emblem of the country’s Health Ministry, that describe multiple suspected cases (with symptoms) of the virus, all from the Chinese Embassy in Tehran. One document was dated Jan 28. This is in contrast with claims by Iranian officials in early February that there were no coronavirus cases in Iran. The allegations include that the Regime suppressed the information to ensure participation by the public in the national anniversary of their coming to power on February 11 and the parliament election on February 21.
“124 deaths (“officially”) on Wednesday,” Reuters, Algemeiner, April 2, 2020.
“More Evidence Suggests Iran’s Nuclear Shopping Sprees Persist,” Andrea Stricker and Behnam Ben Taleblu, Radio Farda, April 2, 2020.
“Trump Says Iran Is Planning ‘Sneak Attack’ And Warns Country Will Face ‘Heavy Price’,” Jack Brewster, Forbes, April 1, 2020. More information on this planned IRI attack will be provided soon from the USG to the media.
Not an April Fools Joke—only Iran would threaten another country for that country’s installing defensive weapons. “Iran warns US after Patriot missile deployment to Iraq,” Al Jazeera, April 1, 2020.
This does feel like an April Fools Joke, but it really happened. “The activities of schools, universities and other organizations may be resumed after April 8 in Iran, said Minister of Interior Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli.” See “Minister: Activities of all organizations may be resumed in Iran after April 8,” Elnur Baghishov, Trend, April 1, 2020.
“Iran Allocates $10b to Address Corona amid Tough US Sanctions: Rouhani,” IFP, April 1, 2020.
“Sanctions relief isn’t necessary to assist Iran’s coronavirus response,” Katherine Bauer and Dana Stroul, op-ed, The Hill, March 31, 2020.
“U.S. believes Iran was ‘directly involved’ in killing of Iranian dissident in Turkey,” Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters, April 1, 2020.
138 deaths on Tuesday, reported on today. “Iran’s coronavirus death toll rises to 3,036: health ministry official,” Reuters, April 1, 2020.
“Two more government officials die of coronavirus in Iran,” Trend, April 1, 2020.
Finally. German Health Minister Jens Spahn has effectively banned flights from Iran to Germany due to coronavirus. He justified his decision because “the actual events in Iran are very non-transparent.” In March, German airports and authorities defied an announced ban from Transportation Minister Andreas Scheuer. See “German health minister stops flights from Iran due to lack of transparency,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, April 1, 2020.
“As Coronavirus Spreads, Iranian Doctors Fear the Worst,” Esfandyar Batmanghelidj and Abbas Kebriaeezadeh, Bourse & Bazaar, March 31, 2020.
“Aide to Iran’s Khamenei cautions against U.S. ‘provocative actions’ in Iraq,” Reuters, April 1, 2020.
This deceptive story is repeated, touting greater numbers. “Over 65 Million Screened for Coronavirus in Iran,” IFP, April 1, 2020.
“Future Bank, which is operating under the supervision of Bank Melli Iran and the Export Development Bank of Iran, has carried out thousands of international financial transactions while providing covers for the Iranian entities there through deliberate concealment or removal of basic information while remitting money via the SWIFT network.” See “Bahrain Sentences to Prison Suspects in Money Laundering Cases Related to Iran,” Asharq Al-Awsat, April 1, 2020.
“Iran or Allies Are Plotting Against U.S. Forces in Iraq, U.S. Intelligence Suggests,” Gordon Lubold and Nancy Youssef, Wall Street Journal, April 1, 2020.
