Month: June 2020

“The domestic intelligence agency for the city-state of Berlin disclosed Thursday in a new report on antisemitism that Iran’s clerical regime is a leading sponsor of Jew-hatred. “Antisemitism and hatred of Israel were also massively promoted by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The leader of the Iranian Revolution Ayatollah [Ruhollah] Khomeini already described Israel as  the ‘little Satan’ and openly called for the destruction of Israel. Antisemitism has been part of Iran’s state ideology ever since [the founding of the Islamic Republic] and is regularly fueled by statements by state representatives,” wrote the intelligence officials. The Jerusalem Post reviewed the 49-page document that chronicles the various forms of antisemitism in Germany.”  See “German intel. says Iran ‘massively promotes antisemitism, Israel hatred’,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, June 30, 2020.

“Iran holding academic ‘for political aims’ says France,” AFP, Arab News, June 30, 2020.

“Iranian authorities move to block release of female rights activists,” Kate Hodal, The Guardian, June 30, 2020.

“It Is Time For All Nations To Support Extension Of Iran Arms Embargo,” Richard Goldberg, op-ed, Radio Farda, June 30, 2020.

“What’s on Iran’s shopping list if the UN arms embargo is lifted?,” Thomas Harding, The National, June 30, 2020.

“How Did Iran Manage to Reverse-Engineer a U.S. Howitzer with Soviet Features?,” Caleb Larson, The National Interest, June 30, 2020.

Iran on Tuesday confirmed 147 more fatalities, occurring Monday.  “Iran: Death toll from COVID-19 exceeds 10,800,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, June 30, 2020.

“Former President’s Daughter Says Iran’s Govt Is ‘Neither Religious Nor Revolutionary’,” Radio Farda, June 30, 2020.  “Faezeh Hashemi, a former Iranian lawmaker and the daughter of one of the founders of the Islamic Republic says Iran is neither a religious government, nor a revolutionary state. Taking part in a question and answer program moderated by prominent Iranian academic Abbas Milani, the director of Stanford University’s Program in Iranian Studies via video teleconference Hashemi discussed issues relating to the Iranian women’s movement. In another remarkable statement, Hashemi said support for Iran’s women’s rights by President Donald Trump and other leaders could strengthen the rights movement and that support should continue. Faezeh Hashemi is the daughter of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who played a key part as kingmaker in electing Ali Khamenei as the successor to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeyni in 1989. He also served two terms as president. Faezeh Hashemi is a vocal human rights activist and has spent six months in jail as a prisoner of conscience for supporting the reformist Green Movement in 2009. Asked what in her mind was the single most important right that has been denied to women in Iran under the Islamic Republic, she said: “There are many rights that have been denied in many areas, but the most important ones are the discriminatory laws enforced after the Islamic revolution and the glass ceiling that prevent women’s progress and their serious participation in social life.”

“Iran sentenced a once-exiled journalist to death over his online work that helped inspire nationwide economic protests that began at the end of 2017, authorities said Tuesday. Ruhollah Zam’s website and a channel he created on the popular messaging app Telegram had spread the timings of the protests and embarrassing information about officials that directly challenged Iran’s Shiite theocracy. Those demonstrations represented the biggest challenge to Iran since the 2009 Green Movement protests and set the stage for similar mass unrest last November. The details of his arrest still remain unclear. Though he was based in Paris, Zam somehow returned to Iran and found himself detained by intelligence officials. A series of a televised confessions have aired in recent months over his work.” See “Iran journalist who fueled 2017 protests sentenced to death,” Nasser Karimi, AP, June 30, 2020.

Just one more reason at the UN to continue the arms selling ban by Iran. “Iran’s arms shipments to Houthis fuel war in Yemen, experts say,” Saeed Al-Batati, Arab News, June 30, 2020.

A very concerning story, from individuals to states to Reporters Without Borders. “Alert: Judiciary spokesman: Iran sentences journalist to death whose online work helped inspire 2017 economic protests,” San Francisco Chronicle, June 30, 2020 Updated: June 30, 2020.

“New Profiles of Key Iranian Regime Leaders,” UANI, June 30, 2020.

And this seems to make sense.  Why would the IRGC inflame tensions further and take a plane down needlessly?  “Iranian military prosecutor: human error led to Ukrainian airliner downing,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, June 29, 2020.

State-run media is reporting that Iran has sent the black box flight recorder from a Ukrainian passenger jet that it mistakenly shot down in January to France for further analysis following months of delays.  But until we see the box actually delivered, this is “fake news.”  See “Iran sends recorder from downed Ukrainian jetliner to France, according to Iranian news agency,” AP, June 29, 2020.

“At least 192 Iranian boats illegally fished in Somalia and Yemen’s territorial waters last year, depleting food supplies in countries where millions are facing acute shortages of food, a new report has said. Global Fishing Watch (GFW) and Trygg Mat Tracking (TMT) said in a report published on Monday that the “activity taking place is likely one of the largest illegal fishing operations occurring in the world”. The organisations said that Iranian vessels had been illegally operating in the countries’ territorial waters between January 2019 and April 2020, with the scale of the operation only uncovered after the ships began using a collision-avoidance system that allowed their locations to be susceptible to tracking.”  See the article about this theft of fish in “Iranian ships conducted ‘world’s largest illegal fishing operations’ in Somali and Yemeni waters,” Middle East Eye, June 29, 2020.

Iran continues to refuse to make its football program independent from the government, meaning that it may be thrown out of FIFA.  “Iran wants more time to meet FIFA’s requirements,” Tehran Times, June 29, 2020.

Gen. Soleimani’s daughter Zeinab Soleimani just married Hassan Nasrallah’s relative and son of the likely successor.  “A match made in hell: Daughter of Iran’s terrorist mastermind weds Hezbollah heir,” Israel Hayom, June 29, 2020.

The 162 deaths were from Sunday, reported on Monday.  “Iran records highest daily death toll from COVID-19,” Reuters, June 29, 2020.

Solid proof that Iran can submit itself to an international court.  “The International Court of Arbitration (ICA) announced its verdict over the Iran-Turkmenistan gas row. IRNA said based on information from the Oil Ministry and the National Iranian Gas Company, Iran has been convicted for not paying for gas it bought from Turkmenistan from 2007 to 2013. As per the verdict, the details of which have not been disclosed yet, Iran should pay almost $2 billion to Ashgabat to settle its debt.”  See “ICA Rules Iran Pay $2b to Turkmengaz,” Financial Tribune, June 29, 2020.

162 died on June 28.  “Iran reveals its COVID-19 data for June 29,” Trend, June 29, 2020.

Another blow at the free flow of information and communication within the country of Iran.  “Iran’s conservative parliament moves to ban Instagram,” Al Monitor, June 29, 2020.

Remember, it was just a gas tank explosion per the Iranian government and media.  Of course, it makes more sense to think of this as just the latest untrue statement, whether it involves shooting down planes or other poor policies and mismanagement upon which the Regime is founded and continues.  “Iran ‘mystery’ explosion may have been at a secret ballistic missile site,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 28, 2020.

“U.S. sanctions, coronavirus make for Iran’s toughest year –Rouhani,” Devdiscourse, June 28, 2020.

The Supreme Leader has long ties with his former Chief Justice, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, long accused of sheltering corrupt judges and aides.  The Chief Justice follows the orders of the Regime, and the Regime has richly benefitted.  See “Khamenei Defends Iran’s Former Top Judge From Accusations Of Corruption,” Radio Farda, June 28, 2020.

Technically, former chief justice Larijani is correct when he says, “I’ve said before, and again I tell Your Excellency, that I have never supported a corrupt person and will never do so.”  That is because the sentence was singular, referring to only one person.  See “Amoli Larijani appreciates Leader’s support amid allegations,” Tehran Times, June 28, 2020.

“Iran meddles in US-Iraq strategic talks,” Maya Carlin, op-ed, Jerusalem Post, June 28, 2020.

Did Israel wait until the Quds Force head had left, or did they miss him at Al-Bukamal?  Interesting to note that Iran wanted to avoid embarrassment and removed the story on a website about Esmail Ghaani’s/Qaani’s trip to Syria.  “Warplanes said to strike Iranian base in Syria after visit by IRGC head,” Times of Israel, AFP, June 28, 2020.

Another fascinating story, not just about the terrorism and the ties between Iran and Hezbollah (Terror, Inc.), but even asking basic questions about marital authority.  “Slain Iran Commander’s Daughter Marries Son Of Senior Hezbollah Leader,” Radio Farda, June 28, 2020.

Iran reported 144 deaths for June 27, its highest death toll for a day in almost three months.  And masks are required now indoors until at least July 22.  “Iran To Require The Wearing Of Masks At Indoor Gatherings,” RFE/RL, June 28, 2020.

“Brian Hook on Iran: ‘economic pressure and diplomatic isolation works’,” Mina Al-Oraibi, The National, June 28, 2020.

“An expiring United Nations weapons embargo on Iran must remain in place to prevent it from “becoming the arms dealer of choice for rogue regimes and terrorist organizations around the world,” the U.S. special representative to Iran said Sunday. Brian Hook told The Associated Press that the world should ignore Iran’s threats to retaliate if the arms embargo set to expire in October is extended, calling it a “mafia tactic.” Among its options, the Islamic Republic could expel international inspectors monitoring Iran’s nuclear program, deepening a crisis created by President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrawing from Tehran’s 2015 atomic accord with global powers. The U.N. arms embargo so far has stopped Iran from purchasing fighter jets, tanks, warships and other weaponry, but has failed to halt its smuggling of weapons into war zones. Despite that, Hook argued both an import and export ban on Tehran must remain in place to secure the wider Mideast. If we let it expire, you can be certain that what Iran has been doing in the dark, it will do in broad daylight and then some,” Hook said.”  See “U.S. envoy urges United Nations to renew Iran arms embargo,” Politico, AP, June 28, 2020.

“Blast at Iranian ballistic missile plant ‘was caused by sabotage’, says security analyst,” Arab News, June 28, 2020.

See a good description of the Provincial Guards (IRGC-PG) just published at “These Are the Special Iranian Units That Crackdown on Domestic Unrest,” Saeid Golkar, The National Interest, June 28, 2020.

So true, so true, as recent experience in the Middle East and Africa has shown us.  Further, Brian Hook is correct—if the world gives in to Iran’s blackmail/threats to retaliate if the arms embargo is continued, Iran’s “mafia-like” behavior triumphs.  “Iran Would Be ‘Arms Dealer of Choice’ for Terrorists, if UN Embargo Expires, US Expert Says,” VOA, June 28, 2020.

The “gas tank explosion” occurred at “what analysts describe as Iran’s Khojir missile facility. The explosion appears to have struck a facility for the Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group, which makes solid-propellant rockets, said Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.”  See “Large blast in Iran came from suspected missile site, satellite images show,” Jon Gambrell, Times of Israel, June 27, 2020.

The Supreme Court makes the news two times in a row (yesterday’s news was the approval of cutting off of fingers).  Here is a quote from today’s news.  “Gholamreza Mansouri was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court by the ex-Chief Justice Sadeq Amoli-Larijani before he retired. The corruption case is highly damaging to the ex-Chief Justice who now heads the very influential Expediency Council appointed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.”  See “Exclusive: What Fugitive Iran Judge Told A Court In Romania Before His Mysterious Death,” Radio Farda, June 27, 2020.

Quds Force Commander Esmail Ghaani is going places.  “Iran news agency reports visit of new Quds chief to Syria,” Reuters, June 27, 2020.

Thank you Leader Obvious.  “Iran’s supreme leader warns economy will worsen if coronavirus spreads,” Arab News, June 27, 2020.

This speech by the Leader is in response to the death of the Iranian judge who had fled to Europe with half a million dollars and was found dead in his hotel in Romania.  BTW, where’s the money?  And the speech was to protect Sadeq Amoli Larijani, former chief of the Supreme Court.  “Iran’s top leader urges Judiciary’s constant fight with corruption,” Xinhua, June 27, 2020.

“Eight Iran Protesters Sentenced To Death In Isfahan,” Radio Farda, June 27, 2020.

“Iran Unveils New Domestically-Produced Armoured Personnel Carrier, Drone, Machine Gun,” Sputnik, The Iranian, June 27, 2020.

Read the last sentence.  “One of Iran’s most high-ranking and politically prominent clerics has warned the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that his regime’s popularity and legitimacy has been seriously damaged mainly because of injustice as well as economic and cultural problems.  In a letter to Khamenei on Saturday June 27, the 79-year old cleric from Qazvin, Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Mousavi Khoeiniha said that “What many people think and say, and their living standards are not consistent with a political system known to the world by its Islamic nature.” Khoeiniha, a former Prosecutor General, and an ex member of the Majles and the Assembly of Experts, is known for masterminding the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979 and taking over 50 U.S. diplomats hostage for 444 days. Khoiniha said he is sharing the letter with the nation, hoping that his account of the country’s situation would prompt Khamenei to contemplate and do something good for the people. He said in the letter to Khamenei, which was published by Ensaf News and re-run by many other Iranian websites on Saturday, “Increasing inflation and declining incomes have created backbreaking problems for the people that have led to abnormal behaviors and have given way to many concerns for the people about the future of their children.” “At the same time, many others are also unhappy about the country’s political and cultural situation which are marked by undeniable injustice,” said Khoeiniha. Characterizing Khamenei as “the main player” in Iran, Khoeiniha implicitly pointed at Khamenei’s responsibility over problems and shortcomings, adding that the current problematic situation are not simply the outcome of decisions made by managers who are transitional. He stressed that “From the point of view of the people”, the highest authority is the main player in all or most of the country’s affairs, adding that the continued that “the current situation cannot continue.” Khoeiniha said elsewhere in his letter that that “the people believe the highest authority in the country’s management should have prevented the cultural, economic and social chaos the country is facing today.”  See “Influential Cleric Tells Khamenei Iran’s ‘Current Situation Cannot Continue’,” Radio Farda, June 27, 2020.

It will be hard to return the stolen goods without having all their fingers. The Supreme Court of Iran has upheld a ruling for cutting the four fingers of the right hands of four men in the Central Prison of Urmia. The three men “were convicted in a joint case on November 19, 2019. Based on Article 278 of the Islamic Punishment Law, the four fingers of their right hands will be cut off for four counts of robbery. The fingers must be cut off from the bottom leaving only the palm and the thumb. According to Article 667 of the same law, they were also ordered to return the stolen goods.” Also of note, “Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Sharifian, Mehdi Shahivand and Kasra Karami announced that they had been made to confess under torture. … Amputation of limbs is considered an inhuman punishment banned by international conventions on torture and civil and political rights.”  See “Iran Supreme Court Upholds Cutting the Fingers of Four Inmates in Urmia,” Iran HRM, June 26, 2020.

“Why was there a massive explosion near Tehran in Iran?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 26, 2020.

“Iranian minister says continuation of gasoline exports to Venezuela depends on negotiations,” Xinhua, June 26, 2020.

Kadhimi gets tough against Hezbollah and Iran.  “The raid was the first sign that the government of Iraq’s new prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, intends to make good on pledges to take tough action against militia groups that have targeted U.S. installations and exert too much power in Iraqi politics.  See “Iraqi forces raid Iran-backed militia base in Baghdad,” Swiss Info, Reuters, June 26, 2020.

“Iran Health Official Says Up To 20 Percent In Tehran Contracted Coronavirus,” Radio Farda, June 26, 2020.

“‘Slipped the net’: Iranian judge’s mysterious death angers activists,” AFP, Arab News, June 26, 2002.

“Denmark gives Norwegian-Iranian 7 years for spying for Iran,” Jan Olsen, AP, June 26, 2020.

“Denmark jails Iranian-Norwegian for Iran-backed murder plot,” AFP, June 26, 2020.

“A Norwegian-Iranian man was sentenced to prison for plotting the assassination of an Iranian dissident leader with links to Saudi Arabia.”  See “Trial Exposes Iran, Saudi Battle in Europe,” Sune Engel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal, June 26, 2020.

“We lost the chance of putting the entire Iranian judicial system on trial.”  “‘Slipped The Net’: Iranian Judge’s Mysterious Death Angers Activists,” Barron’s, June 26, 2020.

“Iran explosion: large blast seen near military base outside Tehran,” Guardian, June 25, 2020.

“Exiled Activist: Iran Imprisons Arab Teacher Who Blamed Authorities for Poverty,” Michael Lipin, Ramin Haghjoo, and Behrooz Samadbeygi, VOA, June 25, 2020.

“Delivery of Kowsar Jets Proves US Sanctions’ Failure: Iran’s Hatami,” Al Manar, June 25, 2020.

They did not get a permit to gather.  A permit would not have been approved.  “University In Iran Suspends Students For Gathering To Honor Victims Of Downed Plane,” Radio Farda, June 25, 2020.

“Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi has announced that the number of the country’s manufactured satellites will increase to 18 by the end of the current Iranian year (March 19th 2021).”  See “Iran wants more ‘home made’ satellites,” Chris Forrester, Advanced Television, June 25, 2020.

“Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels near US Military ships at close range. EPA Iran’s unacceptable behaviour is disrupting the Middle East and Tehran will be held to account if it continued along the path of aggression, the region’s most senior British general has said.  The country’s military activities have led to a “destabilisation” of the Middle East and Iran faces further international isolation if it continues, said Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer.  “We have long said that that behaviour is unacceptable and must not be repeated,” he told The National in an extensive interview. “From our perspective Iran faces a choice – if you continue in this way or increase or ratchet up this approach you will face growing isolation from the international community.”  Once again, Iran must decide to act as a normal country or as a revolution/cause.  See “Iran faces further isolation if it keeps up aggression, says top British general,” Thomas Harding, The National, June 25, 2020.

“Iran on June 25 officially started building a 1,000-km (620-mile) pipeline to avoid the disputed Strait of Hormuz for its future oil exports, state television reported.”  See “Iran building pipeline to avoid disputed oil waterway,” SPGlobal, June 25, 2020.

Actually, this makes a great debate.  When democratic capitalist countries help other similar countries, we seen increasing economic progress individually and at the country level, and we’ve seen more political openness and less corruption and even greater happiness measured.  So I’d say that Iran is wrong—the U.S. supporting Israel is a good thing that the UN and other countries should recognize for the good it does humanity.  See “UN Security Council Weakened by US Support for Israel: Iran Envoy,” IFP Editorial Staff, June 25, 2020.

The new annual State Department’s Country Reports on Terrorism has been released.  Guess which country is featured?  “US terror report: Iran continues to plot global attacks,” Arab News, June 25, 2020.

“Iran Pressures Psychologists To Avoid Public Discussion Of Violence Against Women,” Fahimeh Khezer-Haydari and Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, June 25, 2020.

“Iran hunkers down in Syria after Caesar Act sanctions,” Ali Hashem, Al-Monitor, June 25, 2020.

“Iran’s president expresses solidarity with North Korea against ‘common enemy’ U.S.,” Guy Taylor, Washington Times, June 25, 2020.

Iran is making solid fuel for its ballistic missile fleet.  “Amid international sanctions designed to block its efforts to acquire advanced weapons technology, Iran has been secretly producing aluminum powder for use in its missile program, an investigative report published Wednesday by the Reuters news agency claimed. According to the report, based on testimony from a former Iranian government official and documents he shared with Reuters, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps has for the past five years been running a facility to produce the military-grade material in the northeastern North Khorasan province, near the country’s largest deposit of bauxite rock. Produced from bauxite, aluminum powder is a central ingredient in solid-fuel propellants used for launching missiles.”  See “Iran secretly producing aluminum powder to launch missiles — report,” Times of Israel, June 24, 2020.

A very important article.  “In a move unprecedented in Iran’s political dynamics, two top military commanders have openly lent support to Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raeesi, who is the most talked about candidate to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iran’s next supreme leader.”  See “Iran’s Top Military Commanders Praise Khamenei’s Likely Successor,” Radio Farda, June 24, 2020.

An absolutely fascinating story about one of the most noteworthy academics in Iran and how he has been discriminated against.  “Son Of Prominent Afghan Scholar Self-Immolates In Iran To Protest Discrimination,” Frud Bezhan and Shapoor Saber, RFE/RL, June 24, 2020.

“Death From 1,600 Meters Away? Iran’s Snipers Would Like You to Believe It,” Robert Beckhusen, The National Interest, June 24, 2020.

“Iran Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence For Three Young Protesters,” Radio Farda, June 24, 2020.

“Iran criticises Saudi Arabia over Hajj management for this year,” Middle East Monitor, June 24, 2020.

“In Iran, Half of the Country’s Population Does Not Have Access to Water Resources,” Iran Focus, June 24, 2020.

Not the first time, and the the last, that the U.S. makes this claim.  “US accuses Iran of sheltering Al Qaeda members,” Joyce Karam, The National, June 24, 2020.

“Suicide Or Murder? The Mysterious Death Of A Fugitive Iranian Judge In Romania,” Dominic Dudley, Forbes, June 24, 2020.

“Iran Exploits Iraq’s Discontent With U.S. To Strengthen Syria, Russia Ties,” Tom O’Connor, Newsweek, June 23, 2020.

“Convicted Hezbollah Financier To Be Released From U.S. Custody,” Counterterrorism Project, June 23, 2020.

“U.N. Security Council to start talks on U.S. bid to extend Iran arms embargo,” Michelle Nichols, Reuters, June 23, 2020.

“Iran’s Government Fights to Control the Internet and Its So-Called National Information Network,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, June 23, 2020.

Over six months later.  “Iran commits to handing over PS752 black boxes, start compensation talks: Ottawa,” Coast Mountain News, June 23, 2020.

The Golsan is a standard-sized cargo ship.  If what Iran’s government says is accurate about the ship supplying Venezuela’s first Iranian supermarket, there are two points to be made.  First, this must be the world’s largest supermarket.  (what else was the boat?).  Second, why do they need to create an Iranian supermarket?  (how many Iranians are in Venezuela?) (and why?)  See “U.S. navy ship navigates near Venezuelan coast after Iranian cargo ship arrives,” Reuters, June 23, 2020.

The massive discrimination continues against the Bahai.  “Lengthy Prison Sentences for 30 Iranian Baha’is,” Kian Sabeti, Iran Press Watch, June 23, 2020.

This just sounds fishy.  He had no reason to take his life unless …  “The police said that hotel staff had found a guest dead in the lobby after he appeared to have fallen from a higher floor from inside the building’s circular staircase. Iran’s foreign ministry has confirmed Mansouri’s death and called for a thorough investigation. It said he had been arrested in Romania on the basis of an Iranian warrant, after having visited the Iranian embassy to discuss the possibility of returning to Iran.”  See “Iranian judge in Romania died of impact from fall, autopsy says,” Reuters, June 23, 2020.

“Iranian Assassins,” Struan Stevenson, NCRI, June 23, 2020.

It is okay for the UN to take sides if that is where the evidence takes them.  And it is okay for the UN and the General Secretary to declare that Iran and Russia are wrong.  There really is a good and bad in the world at times, and calling a spade a spade is one of the best ways for international organizations and international relations to actually work.  See “Iran, Russia Dispute U.N. Findings on Saudi Oil Attack,” Polygraph.info, June 23, 2020.

“In a tweet on Tuesday, Sadeq Zibakalam, a prominent reformist figure, said the biggest crime of the charity is their independence. “The system will generally not tolerate any independent group, even if their work is offering service to people”. Imam Ali’ Popular Students Relief Society was founded in 1999 and says it is a non-political, non-governmental, independent popular organization.”  See “Iran Charity Founder Arrested For Allegations Of Insulting Leader – Statement,” Radio Farda, June 23, 2020.

“Cooperating with Trump ‘unconstructive’, Iran tells Australia,” Tehran Times, June 23, 2020.

“Essential Geopolitics: Iran’s Cyberwarfare Strategy,” Stratfor, June 23, 2020.

“Writers, Artists In Iran Issue Call For Freedom Of Speech, Warning Of ‘Social Collapse’,” Radio Farda, June 23, 2020.

“The end of the honeymoon between Iran and Russia in Syria,” Aref Bijan, Modern Diplomacy, June 23, 2020.

This takes place during the COVID-19 crisis and shows that Iran can continue to advance for electricity and other things nuclear despite difficulties.  “Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant reconnected to grid,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2020.

“US State Department insists no ‘back-room deal’ behind release of Hezbollah financier,” Joyce Karam, The National, June 23, 2020.

“Saudis Say They Intercepted Missiles, Drones Launched By Iran-Backed Houthis,” Radio Farda, June 23, 2020.

About 80 Baha’is face a new wave repression for their religious faith.  See “Iran’s regime escalates violent persecution of Baha’is,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, June, 23, 2020.

“Iran Exploits Iraq’s Discontent With U.S. To Strengthen Syria, Russia Ties,” Tom O’Connor, Newsweek, June 23, 2020.

“Iran Reports Highest Virus Deaths Since April,” Asharq al-Awsat, June 23, 2020.

“Iran’s chief rabbi attacks Zionism in a rare interview,” Tobias Siegal, Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2020.

“Iranian Student Sentenced to Prison, Flogging for Commemorating Victims of Plane Crash,” Iran HRM, June 23, 2020.

“Iran Steel Exports Halve to 661,000 Tons in Two Months,” Financial Tribune, June 23, 2020.

“Continued Targeting Of Iranian Nationals And Dissidents In Europe,” UANI, June 22, 2020.  UANI announced in full—“Last week, two mysterious incidents involving an Iranian national and dissident took place in Europe. On Friday, a former judge in Iran, Gholamreza Mansouri, was found dead at his hotel in Bucharest, Romania. Mansouri, who was a notorious jailer of journalists, was recently implicated in a high-profile corruption case. With recent calls for Mansouri to be prosecuted in Europe rather than face extradition to Iran, the timing of his death is suspicious. The next day, there was an attempted assassination of a Kurdish Iranian dissident, Sadegh Zarza, in the Netherlands. While the investigations are ongoing, there are already indications coming from Tehran of foul play. Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei has called Mansouri’s death a “murder” and Mashregh News, which has ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), proclaimed: “As of today, Romania is a point of strategic depth [for Iran].” With the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also passing a resolution last week condemning Iran for stonewalling its investigation into past nuclear activities, the threat of Tehran lashing out in response looms large. As President Hassan Rouhani warned in 2018, the West could see a “deluge” of drugs and terrorism if sanctions are re-imposed. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI)’s report, Iran’s Malign Intelligence Activities, tracks the regime’s history of using the West as a launching pad for assassination campaigns of dissidents and disruptors. Europe is particularly vulnerable, given past Iranian operations in Germany and France. UANI has also documented the regime’s record of targeting journalists in Iran, given the tenures of judges like Mansouri.”

“Iran’s IRGC says to set up permanent base in Indian Ocean,” Xinhua, June 22, 2020.

“Iran to Make 18 Satellites by Yearend,” Al Manar, June 22, 2020.

“Young Activist Returns To Prison Refusing To Ask For Clemency From Iran’s Khamenei,” Radio Farda, June 22, 2020.

“Telegram pledges to make anti-censorship tools for Iran and China,” Rita Liao and Natasha Lomas, TechCrunch.com, June 22, 2020.

With how many countries does Iran sign a cooperation agreement for 25 years?  One.  China.  “Iran-China 25-year cooperation program,” IFP, June 22, 2020.

“Iran’s IRGC says to set up permanent base in Indian Ocean,” Trend, June 22, 2020.

116 deaths Saturday, reported Sunday.  “Iran reports over 100 new virus deaths for third day running,” AFP, Jakarta Post, June 22, 2020.

“Iran to send black boxes from downed Ukrainian airliner to France: Zarif,” Thomson Reuters, June 22, 2020.

“Who is Iran’s Qalibaf and why does he matter?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 22, 2020.

“Israel expert says Iran’s influence in Iraq has declined,” Middle East Monitor, June 22, 2020.

This is classic intimidation by the Regime.  They’ve arrested the charity’s founder, spokesman, and another employee. “The report gave no details or the reason for the arrests and the police did not announce any charges against the three or the charity, named after Imam Ali, the Shiite Muslim sect’s most revered figure after the Prophet Muhammad. Iranian hard-liners have in recent years criticized the charity, the Imam Ali’s Popular Students Relief Society, accusing it of misusing the organization for political purposes and defaming the system by highlighting Iran’s problems, as well as working with foreign countries and international bodies. The charity mainly organizes university students and other volunteers to help the poor and others in times of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.”  See “Report: Iran arrests founder of student charity, 2 aides,” Your Valley, June 22, 2020.

If the price is right, Let’s Make a Deal.  “Iran ready to swap prisoners with other countries amid COVID-19,” Outlook India, June 22, 2020.

“Trusted IRGC General Appointed Commander Of Key Base In Iran’s capital,” Radio Farda, June 21, 2020.  The former deputy of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization has been appointed as the operational commander of its base in Tehran, tasked to defend the capital. Brig. Gen. Hossein Nejat has replaced Mohammad Kowsari, who was the operational commander of the Sarallah base since June 2017. Interestingly, Nejat was in charge of protecting Supreme Leader Khamenei for almost a decade in the 2000s. The IRGC Intelligence Organization and the Sarallah base are the two most important units of Iran’s security apparatus. While the intelligence unit has increasingly become the main power center persecuting opponents, the Sarallah base goes into action when serious protests takes place in Tehran and its surrounding area. The base and its soldiers are the most important IRGC ground force HQ in Iran consisting of several of its most important units, which protect key institutions and the offices of the government. The base is also tasked with thwarting both foreign and domestic threats against the capital. Officially, Sarallah’s commander is the same as the IRGC commander, however, from an operational standpoint it has a deputy commander who in fact leads its forces on day-to-day basis. Sarallah units have played a major role in suppressing anti-regime protests in Tehran and nearby regions in the past 20 years. The Sarallah command also coordinates other forces of the regime during unrest; such as the regular police, Basij forces, and intelligence units in the capital.  See also on this same topic that “Sarallah’s new commander Hossein Nejat, is one of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s most trusted officers. He has previously served for 10 years (2000 – 2010) as the commander of the IRGC’s Vali Amr Unit which is Khamenei’s own special guard. Hossein Nejat, whose real name is Mohammad Hossein Zibaee Nejad, has been serving with the IRGC for 40 years now.”  This quote taken from “A New Appointment At IRGC May Signal Concern Over Unrest In Iran,” Morad Vaisibiame, Radio Farda, June 21, 2017.

Happens all the time.  “The Iranian judge apparently fell out of a window in the Duke Hotel in Bucharest on Friday.”—a quote from “Iran seeks Romania’s permission to probe fugitive judge’s death,” Xinhua, June 21, 2020.

“Iranian Hijab Protester Speaks Up About Cruelty Of Fugitive Judge,” Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, June 21, 2020.

You learn something every day.  20+ Shiite religious centers in Latin America, and associated with crime, drugs, and terrorism.  Not the type of thing that religious students and teachers should be involved with.  Here’s the long and informative quote—“An institute directly supervised by the Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Al-Mustafa International University (MIU), has in recent years trained an unknown number of Shiite missionaries to promote the faith in Latin America, especially in Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. Meanwhile, MIU also takes newly converted Shiites to Iran for religious studies and tours in Qom and Mashhad. Qom and Mashhad are home to important Twelver-Shiite seminaries in Iran, respectively. During the coronavirus outbreak in Iran, MIU was singled out as the main factor in spreading the virus. MIU hosts hundreds of Chinese Muslims of Uighur ethnic minority who initially spread the deadly virus in the city of Qom south of the Iranian capital city Tehran. First a medical school dean and later the Sunni Friday Imam of the city of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid announced that the coronavirus had entered Iran through Chinese students linked to MIU. The revelation led to MIU’s denial, accusing the Sunni Friday Prayer Imam of spreading lies. MIU has so far trained 50,000 students from 122 nations. One teacher and advisor at Al-Mustafa, Mohsen Rabbani, served for decades as the Islamic Republic’s top intelligence officer in Latin America and is wanted for his role in the 1994 AMIA terror attack in Buenos Aires, which claimed 85 lives. Rabbani’s top disciple and graduate of Al-Mustafa, Edgardo Ruben Suhail Assad, has established more than twenty Shiite religious centers in Latin America. Al-Mustafa and the Islamic Development Organization closely coordinate their efforts in sending missionaries abroad.” See “Iran Prayer Imam Says ‘Our Missionaries Being Killed’ In Latin America,” Radio Farda, June 21, 2020.

“Bolton reveals type of nuke material Mossad found in Iran,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 21, 2020.

Another threat from Iran to attack Saudi Arabia or Bahrain or other states.  “Special Aide to the President of the Islamic Parliament of Iran in International Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the comments at a memorial service on Saturday for former secretary general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ramadan Shalah. He further said that “normalization with the Zionist regime will not help the security of Bahrain or Saudi Arabia.”  See “Iran warns Arab states not to normalize ties with Israel,” Eden Ronen and Neta Bar, Israel Hayom, June 21, 2020.

“Iran’s regime watched Trump’s Tulsa rally for signs of ‘deal’,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 21, 2020.

“And negotiations with European countries should be held with maximum distrust,” he said.  See “No Talks with US, Whatsoever: Iran Parliament Speaker,” Iran Front Page, June 21, 2020.  IFP is controlled by the Regime.

“Iran is Assisting Turkey and GNA in Libya: So Is The United States,” Benjamin Minick, Modern Diplomacy, June 21, 2020.

Supposedly as of July 4.  I wasn’t able to confirm this headline when I saw it today.  “Iran Resumes Direct Flights to Manchester,” IFP, June 21, 2020.

Not blackmail, but an improper request that Iran is apparently trying against Canada.  “Concerns grow that Iran will use downed Flight 752 to reopen ties with Canada,” Raisa Patel and Ashley Burke, CBC News, June 21, 2020.

“Mossad Iran Snatch Probably Yellowcake,” Zalman Ahnsaf, Hamodia, June 21, 2020.

“IDF chief warns Iran now the ‘most dangerous country’ in Middle East,” Times of Israel, June 21, 2020.

“EU says its arms embargo on Iran to remain in force until 2023,” Tehran Times, June 21, 2020.