“Iran says it will execute man convicted of spying on Soleimani for CIA,” Parisa Hafezi, Retuers, June 9, 2020. ““Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd, one of the spies for the CIA and the Mossad, has been sentenced to death … He had shared information about the whereabouts of martyr Soleimani with our enemies,” judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said in a televised news conference. “He passed on security information to the Israeli and American intelligence agencies about Iran’s armed forces, particularly the Guards,” Esmaili said.”
The Regime aims to keep chaos and mayhem alive in Afghanistan and attempt to drive the U.S. out. “Iranian Links: New Taliban Splinter Group Emerges That Opposes U.S. Peace Deal,” Frud Bezhan, RFE/RL, June 9, 2020.
“Iran Passes Child-Protection Law Following Gruesome Killing Of Teenager,” Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL, June 9, 2020.
“Venezuela Receives COVID-19 Medical Aid From Iran,” RFE/RL, June 9, 2020. And whatever else was on the flight from Tehran, also.
“Iranian Links: New Taliban Splinter Group Emerges That Opposes U.S. Peace Deal,” Frud Bezhan, RFE/RL, June 9, 2020.
We’ll see. “Iran Ready for Talks on Ukrainian Jetliner’s Flight Recorder, Compensation,” IFP, June 9, 2020.
“Removing the embargo will amount to a capitulation to Iran, rewarding the regime for gross violations of international law. For years, Tehran has repeatedly disobeyed—flagrantly and systematically—UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) forbidding Iran to export all types of weapons and related materials to other countries, non-state actors, and terror organizations.” See “Removing the UN arms embargo on Iran will reward Tehran’s malign actions,” Udi Evental, Atlantic Council, June 9, 2020.
“Russia, China build case at U.N. to protect Iran from U.S. sanctions threat,” Michelle Nichols, Reuters, June 9, 2020.
“Iran’s Health Minister Replaces ‘Coronavirus Spokesman’ Who Was Too Active,” Radio Farda, June 9, 2020.
“U.S. Treasury Publishes New List of Iran Regime’s 125 Sanctioned Ships,” Mohammad Sadat Khansari, NCRI, June 9, 2020. This is identified in “Non-Proliferation Designations; Iran-related Designations Updates,” Office of Foreign Assets Control, June 8, 2020.
Named as “Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi Majd, an Iranian citizen. The spokesman for the judiciary, Gholamhossein Esmaili, said Majd had given information on Suleimani’s movements to the CIA and the Israeli intelligence agency in return for cash.” See “Iran to execute ‘CIA agent’ over Gen Suleimani’s death,” Patrick Wintour, Guardian, June 9, 2020.
“State Department launches new push to free American hostage Morad Tahbaz from Iran,” Louis Casiano, Fox, June 9, 2020.
“U.S. to cut off Iran-Venezuela trade by sanctioning oil tankers,” Saleha Mohsin, World Oil, June 9, 2020.
“Sanctions on Iran have produced ‘excellent results’ says Brian Hook,” Arab News, June 9, 2020. This is an article for the naysayers—that the U.S. should not sanction Iran, and has accomplished nothing, and that sanctions hurt the common man. Here is a quick list of why the sanctions have had excellent impact so far, and will continue to do so. First and foremost, the strong sanctions send the message that Iran must negotiate—the door remains open to diplomacy. Second, they have deprived the Iranian regime of billions of dollars that could have been used on add’l terrorism. The sanctions deprive funds for some arms, regardless of whether there is an arms embargo on Tehran. They send the message that the U.S. will not stand for Iran destabilizing the region, which add’l billions would have gone straight to places like the slaughter in Syria. They have resulted in Iran being an isolated country and not having international support (they have few friends). The sanctions send a message to Russia and China and North Korea and other actors. Also, additional stability in the Middle East. And less support for militant proxies.