Iranian courts since April have sentenced at least 13 people to prison terms solely for peacefully protesting the Iranian forces’ deadly attack on the Ukraine civilian airliner and the government’s initial denial of responsibility.  “Iran: Prosecutions for Protests About Plane-Downing,” HRW, May 8, 2020.

“Unbridled Poverty, An Inherent Outcome of Iran’s Systematic Corruption,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, May 8, 2020.

“Iran leaving Syria? Not so fast, says US Syria envoy,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 8, 2020.  U.S. Amb. James Jeffrey said the US has not seen any strategic Iranian changes in Syria when it comes to using the country as a “second launchpad for long-range weapons against Israel.”  In short, the infamous Shia Crescent and the effort to provide Hezballah more lethal and more modern precision-guided missiles to threaten Israel continues.

“Iran Urges Europe To Prevent Israel From Attacking Syria, Lebanon,” Orkhan Jalilov, Caspian News, May 8, 2020.

Hackers linked to Iran have targeted staff at U.S. drug-maker Gilead Sciences in recent weeks, according to publicly-available web archives reviewed by Reuters and three cybersecurity researchers, as the company races to deploy a treatment for the COVID-19 virus.  Iran wants to steal the research.  See “Iran-linked hackers targeted Gilead Sciences,” Fox, May 8, 2020.

“Iran: Prosecutions for Protests About Plane-Downing,” HRW, May 8, 2020.

55 deaths Thursday, reported on Friday.  “Iran: Death toll from coronavirus rises to 6,541,” Ahmet Dursun, AA, May 8, 2020.

“Sanctioned Businessman Helps Maduro With Iran Oil Scheme,” Tsvetana Paraskova, OilPrice.com, May 8, 2020.

“Maduro to Tap Snctioned Dealmaker to Ship Gold to Iran,” Patricia Laya and Ben Bartenstein, Bloomberg, May 8, 2020.

“Iran, Afghanistan scramble to normalize ties after spat,” Syed Zafar Mehdi, AA, May 8, 2020.

“Iran seeks to benefit off Venezuela boat raid fiasco,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 8, 2020.

“Tehran Is Contaminated With the Coronavirus – Top Iranian Official,” Iran News, May 8, 2020.

“Exclusive: Afghan lawmakers say 45 migrants drowned after Iranian guards forced them into river,” Abdul Qadir Sediqi, Storay Karimi, Reuters, May 7, 2020.

“Israeli water facilities – report,” Alex Winston, Jerusalem Post, May 7, 2020.

“British-Australian academic has repeatedly attempted suicide in Iranian jail: rights group,” Reuters, May 7, 2020.

“The covid-19 crisis could strengthen Iran’s ‘invisible government’,” Amir Hossein Mahdavi, Washington Post, May 7, 2020.

What do you know.  The U.S. has 11 Iranians that it is trying to deport for various reasons back to their home country of Iran.  Iran refuses to take them, instead saying the U.S. is holding Iranians hostage.  Hmm.  “US Eyes Deal to Free American in Iran, Pushes Back on Swap,” AP, May 7, 2020.

“Facebook posts from 2012 show early Iranian attempts to manipulate U.S. politics,” Kevin Collier, NBC, May 7, 2020.

“#Iran judiciary admits arresting two elite university students,” EU Reporter, May 7, 2020.

“Iran attacks Israeli water infrastructure: report,” Esat Firat, Fox, May 7, 2020.

“Tehran Parking Lot Turns Into a Drive-In Theater, Lifting Iran’s 41-Year-Old Ban,” Zack Sharf, IndieWire, May 7, 2020.

“Iran: Amazing qualities of our new long-range ballistic missiles,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 7, 2020.

“Iran faces further allegations of corruption in coronavirus fallout,” Hollie McKay, Fox, May 7, 2020.

“The Iran Nuclear Deal: What’s Wrong With It And What Can We Do Now?,” UANI, May 7, 2020.

“How the coronavirus is cementing Iran’s tilt towards China,” Ali Dadpay, IranSource, May 7, 2020.