This was Soleimani’s dream, and remains the Supreme Leader’s dream. “Soleimani’s vision was to exploit the defeat of ISIS in order to attain regional hegemony for Iran. The Revolutionary Guards, the Shi’ite militias of mercenaries, and volunteers from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, commanded by Soleimani and his officers – all sought to establish a significant Iranian foothold in Yemen, Iraq and Syria. Soleimani planned to deploy in Syria and to settle there 100,000 Shi’ite fighters, to house air force and intelligence bases, and missile sites aimed at Israel, and to bring thousands of teachers to Syria to augment its Shi’ite connection with Tehran.” See “Why Syria Isn’t Firing Its S-300 Missiles at Israeli Jets: The incredible behind-the-scenes story of how Iran’s Soleimani eliminated Hezbollah’s top commander – who dared to say no,” Yossi Melman, Haaertz, May 12, 2020.
“Sister of Detained Iranian Student: Iran Government Supporters Threatened Me,” Michael Lipin, Elham Yazdiha, Behrooz Samadbeygi, VOA, May 12, 2020.
“Iran launched a small satellite into orbit. But more importantly, it was Iran’s revolutionary guards, not the civilian space program, that did the launching.” See “Iran’s Satellite and the IRGC Space Program,” Arms Control Wonk, May 12, 2020.
Yes, U.S. sanctions are having some affect on Iran. For example, the cash-strapped Regime is reining in some of its forces in Syria because of American sanctions. “Intel: US sanctions squeezing Iranian forces in Syria, says US envoy,” Al Monitor, Elizabeth Hagedorn, May 12, 2020.
“Satellite images show Iran’s nuclear ambition unaffected by Covid-19 outbreak,” Callum Paton, The National, May 12, 2020.
“IRGC Space Command Chief Says Iran Plans To Put A Satellite In Geostationary Orbit,” SpaceWatch.global, May 12, 2020.
“No honor among thieves at head of Iran and Venezuela,” Struan Stevenson, UPI, May 12, 2020.
“Iran launched a small satellite into orbit. But more importantly, it was Iran’s revolutionary guards, not the civilian space program, that did the launching.” See “Iran’s Satellite and the IRGC Space Program,” Arms Control Wonk, May 12, 2020.
“Iran’s mishandled coronavirus response is triggering a backlash against the regime,” Cynthia Schneider and Nik Kowsar, op-ed, Business Insider, May 12, 2020.
“Iran progresses anti-Israel bill, plans to establish embassy in Jerusalem,” Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, May 12, 2020. Iranian MPs chanted “down with Israel” after the bill was approved, and want to create an Iranian embassy in Jerusalem for Palestine after the people of Israel are defeated and forced to leave the land.