Month: July 2020

“Explosions heard near Tabriz in Iran,” Jerusalem Post, July 31, 2020.  Just a short story—those aren’t fireworks.  “Explosions were heard on Friday afternoon near the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz. Several Iranian sources claim that the explosions came from a military base belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Other sources claim that the explosions were merely fireworks.”

You’ll have to look at the picture.  The Supreme Leader is looking more frail, more ill.  This struck me when looking at this unrelated article (he again talks about no negotiations with the U.S.).  “Supreme leader says Iran won’t negotiate with US,” AP, SFGate, July 31, 2020.

“Hardliner Politician In Iran Reportedly Gets Light Sentence After Accusation Of Rape,” Radio Farda, July 31, 2020.

This lengthy report lays out how the IRGC is “poised to complete their takeover of all branches of Iran’s Government, increase their control over the economy, and continue relentlessly funding and driving their weapons of mass destruction programs and terror proxies across the Middle East.”  See “The IRGC is taking over Iran,” Ran Porat, AIJAC, July 31, 2020.

We have a competition for names.  Opposing the Homeland Cheetahs are the Cyber Avengers!  See “Iran group claim attacks on 28 Israeli railway stations,” Syed Zafar Mehdi, AA, July 31, 2020.

Quote of the Day.  “Even if we die, we will hold this year’s Muharram ceremonies splendidly,” Saeed Haddadian, a prominent eulogist, or “maddah,” who performs for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.  See “To Weep Or Not To Weep: Iran Debates Holding Muharram During Coronavirus Pandemic,” Golnaz Esfandiari, Radio Farda, July 31, 2020.

Many countries will discount reports of details while still in negotiations.  Iran does so here with China.  It will be interesting to see what aspects of the final agreement are made public, and what aspects are not.  Iran is desperate, and China in a different way, and this agreement is not the typical trade agreement that countries make.  See “Iran Dismisses Leaked Details of Proposed China Deal,” Ayaz Gul, VOA, July 30, 2020.

Former Parliament Speaker (and now on the Expediency Council) Ali Larijani is positive again with Covid.  Because of the lack of science on the number of times a person can get Covid, we’ll have to see if this is pneumonia or something else also.  But his diagnosis will not be a public type of thing.  Here is an excerpt from the article–“Many other officials including First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, spokesman of the cabinet of President Ali Rabiei as well as several lawmakers have tested positive for the virus. The Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been in self-isolation since the very early days of the pandemic and cancelled all his public appearances but he did make an exception for the visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi who he met in person on July 21.”  See “Former Iran Parliament Speaker In Hospital With COVID-19 For Second Time,” Radio Farda, July 30, 2020.

As this article reports as a possibility, we will see if Iran is supplying these weapons, for several reasons, next door in Afghanistan.  “Taliban fighters are reportedly using anti-tank missiles to down Afghan helicopters,” Jared Keller, Task & Purpose, July 30, 2020.

“Iran Releases Satellite Photos Of Largest US Base In The Middle East,” Kashmir Observer, July 30, 2020.

“Iranian Media Name Potential Candidates For 2021 Presidential Election,” Behrouz Turani, Radio Farda, July 30, 2020.

Twitter is an enabler of Iran.  It tells a Knesset committee that the Supreme Leader’s tweets calling for Israel’s destruction do not violate company rules, and are “foreign policy saber-rattling.”  See “Twitter to MKs: Unlike Trump tweets, Khamenei’s ‘eliminate Israel’ posts are ok,” Raphael Ahran, Times of Israel, July 30, 2020.

Time for the bizarre at the end of July, but this is not really strange in the world of Twelvers.  I will let the story and his quotes talk for themselves.  “Iran’s former Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said during a recent interview that the moon landings are a lie, and that travel to other planets will only become possible once the Hidden Imam arrives. Mohammad-Hadi Homayoun, a professor at Imam Sadegh University, told Iran’s Channel 4 on July 17 that when this happens, there will be no more diseases and people will be able to communicate with jinns. “Enormous things are going to take place,” said Homayoun. “Those who want regimes that are just must know that this will certainly happen [when the Hidden Imam appears]. If somebody wants to travel to other planets—this is also going to become possible. People say that [man] has gone to the moon and stuff like that, but they are almost certainly lying. Man has not yet left planet Earth. We have not yet gone to the moon.” Homayoun added that “according to our tradition, we will be able to go to other planets only after [the Hidden Imam] appears.” Communicating with jinns “will also become possible, and the jinns will serve man,” said Homayoun. “We won’t be afraid of the jinns like we are now. I am talking about God-fearing jinns.” He added that once the imam arrives, there will be no more disease.””  See “Iranian professor: Space travel will only be possible after Hidden Imam’s arrival,” MEMRI, Jewish News Syndicate, July 30, 2020.

What a crucial moment it would be one day if Iraq would decide to buy its electricity and gas for energy from the GCC states, and not Iran.  The Iraq PM trip to Washington will be an important step in keeping Iran from skirting U.S. sanctions.  “Issue of Iran-backed militias to top agenda of Kadhimi’s US visit,” Arab Weekly, July 30, 2020.

The Nour-1 was not peaceful, as Iran claimed.  “Iran Uses First Military Satellite to Map, Publish U.S. Base in Qatar,” David Brennan, Newsweek, July 30, 2020.

A new report explains that management, corruption, and other factors may explain the recent explosions as somewhat consistent with historical events in the country.  “Not every explosion or fire in Tehran is the result of foreign subterfuge. Recent research carried out by Tiziana Corda, a political science PhD candidate at the University of Milan, revealed that such events frequently occur in Iran. Thus, she argues that these present occurrences are not necessarily anomalies. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency’s archive, there were at least ninety-seven fires or explosions between mid-May 2019 and the end of July 2019. That averages out to more than one per day over a period of 2.5 months. The data shows that, just like this year, there were explosions or fires in power plants, factories, hospitals, research centers, naval vessels, and arms depots in 2019.”  See “When it comes to Iran, not everything that goes boom in the night is sabotage,” Raz Zimmt, Atlantic Council, July 30, 2020.

No word yet of what type or pictures of the Iranian arms-carrying ship.  “US informs Security Council of detention of Iranian ship off Yemen coast,” Middle East Monitor, July 30, 2020.

This is key, isn’t it?  The IRI’s past behavior, over 40 years, is indicative of future behavior.  “U.S., UANI Warn That Ending Restrictions On Iranian Arms Will Accelerate Global Terror Campaign,” UANI, July 30, 2020.

Quote of the Day.  “We will stand fast against the world of arrogance. We will not rest until we have raised the banner of Islam over the White House.”  Ali Shirazi, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s representative in the Quds Force, in “Unrealistic to expect Iranian regime to change its behavior,” Majid Rafizadeh, Arab News, July 30, 2020.

“Iran-Syria air defense pact could cause Russian-Iranian friction,” Mark Katz, MENA, July 30, 2020.

Despite the drill in Hormuz, if you step back and think about it, the situation can even be described as comical.  Almost a dozen explosions over the past month that Iran cannot explain, and their only recourse is to tow a barge into Hormuz and shoot at a sitting duck.  This is a very low-tech shooting range, and so unsophisticated compared to the external or internal agent(s) that have afflicted the Regime during July.  See “Iran launches underground ballistic missiles during exercise,” Amir Vahdat and Jon Gambrell, AP, July 29, 2020.

Talk about funny money.  Well, the economics of it will eventually dry up this market except for criminal enterprises.  “Power Plants in Iran Now Authorized to Mine Bitcoin,” Kevin Helms, Bitcoin.com, July 29, 2020.

Ashura yes, funerals no.  “Iran to Hold Religious Gatherings and Exams Despite Virus Surge,” Golnar Motevalli and Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, July 29, 2020.

Iran has allowed one of its militias in Iraq, Harakat Hezbollah Al-Nujaba, to use Telegram to threaten the UK ambassador in Baghdad, Stephen Hickey.  “UK envoy to Iraq threatened by pro-Iran militias,” Arab News, July 29, 2020.

“Iran records 196 more deaths from COVID-19,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, July 29, 2020.

It took just over a year.  But that is fast compared to the years that Brits, Americans, and many other persons, who have committed no crime, are being held by Iran.  The Regime most likely traded something to Pakistan for these people.  But it goes to show that Iran will release on “humanitarian” grounds if it so decides.  See “Iran extradites 14 Pakistani inmates,” Trend, July 29, 2020.

“The Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, has written to Iran’s Foreign Minister, Muhammad Javad Zarif, condemning the recent escalation of the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran, the largest non-Muslim religious minority in the country. The letter is part of a new wave of support for Iran’s Baha’is by Members of the European Parliament (EP) as well as numerous parliamentarians and prominent figures in Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Finland and Ireland.”  See “Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Writes to Iranian Counterpart in Wave of Support for Iran’s Persecuted Baha’is,” Iran Press Watch, July 29, 2020.

To pressure the UK, and to punish the professor.  “British-Australian woman jailed in Tehran moved to Iran’s notorious and remote Qarchak prison,” Stephen Sorace, Fox News, July 28, 2020.

In contrast to the story yesterday of the Supreme Leader’s controversial NGO called the Mostazafan Foundation, here is an NGO that really fights poverty, the Imam Ali Society.  But because the government can’t own it or control it, the NGO’s officers have been arrested and the organization will be shut down.  “More Than 500 Public Figures In Iran Call For Release Of Anti-Poverty NGO Founder,” Radio Farda, July 28, 2020.

And again, no causalities.  Other than the gas leak at the clinic in North Tehran (19 dead there), it is amazing how few deaths.  “Fuel tank explosion in Iran latest in string of mystery blasts,” Al Monitor, July 28, 2020.

Charles Dunaway, a “political commentator” from Oregon, (and what are his qualifications?) is one of the few Americans who support the Regime.  “The world is fortunate that Iran is dominated by clear-headed thinkers, says American analyst,” Amir Mohammad Esmaeili, Tehran Times, July 28, 2020.

Monday deaths were 235, reported Tuesday.  “Iran registers a record 235 coronavirus deaths in 24-hour period,” WHTC, July 28, 2020.

China’s enabling, and trying to get ahead, is empowering Iran.  “While China Says No Oil From Iran In June, Three Tankers Arrived In Recent Weeks,” Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, July 28, 2020.

To help us understand why the Regime can spend more on its own people, and not spend money on terror.  “Iran’s External Debt Is $8.6b, Assets $54b,” Financial Tribune, July 28, 2020.

These types of projects didn’t work in the USSR.  Iran says it will transfer water from the Gulf to Iran’s southwestern Kerman Province, a 300-km pipeline with 7 pumping stations for 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water.  The start is the Bandar Abbas desalination plant.  See “Iran plans to transfer Gulf water to Kerman province in SW,” Xinhua, July 28, 2020.

“Iranian Ballistic Missile Launch Briefly Raises Alarm at Al Udeid, Al Dhafra,” Brian Everstine, Air Force Magazine, July 28, 2020.

Khamenei, by many measures already the world’s richest or second-richest man, increased his wealth by at least 34% the in the most recent Iranian fiscal year.  The Mostazafan Foundation, at a press conference, said their revenues increased $2.5 billion in the Iranian calendar year ending March 20.  The Supreme Leader and the several organizations he controls pay no tax and are not required by the Parliament or any law to provide financial accountability or reporting.  The Foundation is the second-largest economic entity in Iran after the National Iranian Oil Company, and owns nearly 200 factories and many financial firms including a bank as well as numerous real estate holdings.  The Mostazafan Foundation (the Foundation for the Underprivileged) is meant to be a charitable foundation with the mission to eradicate poverty.  It does perform some nominal projects.  (But the rest of us are obviously in the wrong line of work.)  See “Khamenei-Controlled Financial Conglomerate In Iran Nets $2.5 Billion In Profits,” Radio Farda, June 27, 2020.

What to make of this story?  “Farhikhtegan [The Learned] newspaper, affiliated with the hardliner, conservative-dominated Islamic Azad University, dedicated its front page on Monday to the matter and also wrote on its Twitter page that “Less than 100 days before the U.S. presidential elections, some Iranian political groups are advocating the illusion of a good America.” The daily added that there seems to be “a task force in Tehran formed of those who support presidential candidate Joe Biden.””  See “Iran Papers React To Democratic Party’s ‘No Regime Change, Return To JCPOA’ Policy,” Behrouz Turani, Radio Farda, July 27, 2020.

It is too early, not enough information known, to know if this was government-based or criminal in nature.  “US-Based Zoroastrian Priest Killed On A Visit To Iran,” AFP, July 27, 2020.

“Iran government spokesman tests positive for coronavirus,” Reuters, July 27, 2020.

The Homeland Cheetahs?  As a sort of pun, would corruption and mismanagement been at fault in at least some of these explosions?  “Who — And What — Is Behind Mystery Explosions In Iran?,” David Hambling, Forbes, July 27, 2020.

Completion of this line to Basra I think has a good chance of actually being completed, and not just an announcement that Iran never carries through (there have been scores of infrastructure declarations over the years that were never funded or completed).  “Construction of Major Iran-Iraq Railway Will Begin Soon,” MENAFN, July 27, 2020.

The 25-year agreement with China begs otherwise.  “We have a balanced foreign policy approach vis-a-vis both China and India, says Iran,” Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, The Economic Times, July 27, 2020.

The Regime’s “support” of Lebanon is not the regular support of one country of another in international relations—Iran basically controls Lebanon through Hezbollah.  “Iran says it supports Lebanon, warns Israel against ‘madness’,” Tehran Times, July 27, 2020.

“Multiple Explosions Hit Iraq Weapons Depot Used By Pro-Iran Militia,” Radio Farda, July 27, 2020.

Because Iran needs buyers, Hezbollah (run by Iran) is inflating the need for Lebanon to buy oil from Iran.  See “Does Lebanon Really Need Iranian Or Iraqi Fuel Supplies?,” Noam Raydan, Forbes, July 27, 2020.

“Two key questions logically arise from last week’s announcement from Iran’s Petroleum Ministry that it has awarded a US$1.3 billion development deal to more than double oil production at the supergiant South Azadegan oilfield, the second such oil project signed this month, the other being a US$300 million development contract for Yaran. The first question is, given the fact that Iran is technically bankrupt, how can it afford such projects? The second is, given the swingeing U.S. sanctions still in place – including against the main tanker fleets of the National Iranian Tanker Company and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line – where is any of this increased oil supply meant to go? The answer to both questions is the same – China”.  See “China Signs Series Of Deals To Develop Supergiant Oilfield In Iran,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, July 27, 2020.

“First Swiss deal with Iran via humanitarian channel goes through,” Al Jazeera, July 27, 2020.

It is too early, not enough information known, to know if this was government-based or criminal in nature.  “US-Based Zoroastrian Priest Killed On A Visit To Iran,” AFP, July 27, 2020.

Died Sunday, reported Monday.  “Iran records over 210 more deaths from COVID-19,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, July 27, 2020.

They couldn’t sink it the first time?!  “Iran Looks Set To Blow Up Its Fake Aircraft Carrier Again,” Joseph Trevithick, The Drive, July 27, 2020.

For those of us harboring hope to peacefully climb Damavand one day—“In an odd and unprecedented ruling Iran’s Supreme Court has handed over the ownership of part of the country’s highest mountain, Mount Damavand, to an organization that operates under the direct supervision of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Hamshahri newspaper in Tehran reported on Sunday July 26 that an official title deed has been issued to Iran’s Endowments Organization for one eleventh (1/11th) of Mount Damavand and the slopes leading to the summit. The “endowment” title deed gives 18,000 hectares (45,000 acres) of highlands to the organization which is part of Iran’s Culture Ministry, but its chief is directly appointed by Khamenei and is the administrative body in charge of shrines and holy sites and appoints clerics in charge of endowments it acquires. The Endowments Organization on Sunday afternoon denied the issuance of such a title deed and explained what has been donated is a pasture at the foot of the mountain, not part of the summit. But it is not clear who endowed such a large area and if the land already belonged to the state and simply deeded to organization that clerics control. Based on traditions and rules of the religious canon Shariah, endowments are “bequeathed for pious use” such as habitations for the poor and books for the use of learned men and women. Traditionally, many schools, water reservoirs, gardens, farmlands and other public facilities are part of the “endowments” bequeathed to be used for the good of the public. The ruling by the Iranian Supreme Court has been met with objections by environmentalists and members of the public. Mohammad Rajab Ali Pisheh, an official at the Natural Resources Office of Mazandaran Province told Hamshahri that the ruling has been issued without consulting the Forests and Pastures Organization. Meanwhile, the former chief of Iran’s Environment Protection Organization, Massoumeh Ebtekar has said in a tweet that what has been done is “against the Constitutional Law.” She said that the summit of Mount Damavand has been put under the protection of the Environment Protection Organization in 2002 and that based on the law, “the summit may not be delegated or exploited as real estate.” … Some Iranians on social media have said that the land has been given to the Friday Prayer Imam of Sari in Mazandaran Province to be used for development and building villas. The director General of Natural Resources Office in Mazandaran has called on Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeesi to intervene in the matter and avert the decision. The Judiciary has still not reacted to the appeal. … Reports in recent years have estimated the annual income of 1,800,000 endowments under the organization’s control as more than 10 trillion rials or around $240 milion. According to Iranian media, the organization’s officials have never released a transparent report about its financial status and transactions. Almost all large organizations with business activities under the supervision of clerics and the Supreme Leader are never audited in a transparent fashion.”  See “Court Donates Part of Iran’s Highest Mountain To A Religious Organization,” Radio Farda, July 26, 2020.

Died on Saturday.  “Iran: 260 new virus deaths rise tally to 15,700,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, July 26, 2020.

“An alarming anniversary: The Iran deal, 5 years later,” David Weinberg, op-ed, Israel Hayom, July 26, 2020.  Weinberg takes the position that the 2015 JCPOA emboldened Iran’s hegemonic march across the Middle East, and has not halted Iran’s march towards nuclear weapons.

“A China-Iran partnership would make China the Middle East arbiter,” Dov Zakheim, op-ed, The Hill, July 26, 2020.  Zakheim makes a compelling argument that China will become the decision-maker for the Middle East, at least as far as Iran is involved.  And “Despite America’s major military presence in the region, in practice it will be China that will mediate between Tehran and Jerusalem in order to ensure that its sources of oil, gas and technology remain stable and secure.”

“Hezbollah will try to attack Israel’s gas rigs, top naval official warns,” Hanan Greenwood, Israel Hayom, July 26, 2020.

A threat against Jordan by Iran.  “Nour News also threatened Jordan that its support for U.S. military operations can have “consequences” and demanded Jordan’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran be summoned.”  “Iran Unofficially Accuses Jordan Of ‘Role’ In Interception Of Iran Airliner,” Radio Farda, July 26, 2020.

Veggie Tales makes Iran’s hit list.  Fars News Agency “published an antisemitic attack last week on the VeggieTales animated children’s movie “Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen.”  Nayime Movahed, writing for Fars News, argued that the show about Esther was “a Zionist hero [who] has infiltrated our streaming services.”  See “Iran stokes antisemitism about ‘Esther, The Girl who became Queen’,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, July 25, 2020.

Agreements with Russia, China part of Iran’s balanced policy – diplomat,” TASS, July 25, 2020.

“Allowing Iran Snapback Sanctions to Expire Would Be a Security Disaster,” Thomas Spoehr, National Interest, July 25, 2020.

“195 More Iranians Die of COVID-19 in 24 Hours,” IFP, July 25, 2020.

And while they’re at it, the passengers on the Mahan Air flight can also sue the pilot who strayed from the flight path, did not identify himself when called, and over-reacted when realizing an American jet was about 1,000 feet away.  Regardless, passenger claims under these facts, and international law under sovereign immunity, cannot proceed.  See “Iran says airline passengers can sue US after near collision with American jets,” Middle East Eye, July 25, 2020.

A fascinating analysis.  Apart from the Ministry of Intelligence not knowing what country(ies) are responsible for the explosions, this op-ed provides an explanation of the possibility that many of these explosions are due to internal competition in Iran.  “Iran regime grapples with its worst crisis, hamstrung by internal power struggle,” Avi Issacharoff, Times of Israel, July 25, 2020.

U.S. releases information that the Mahan Air plane strayed out of its flight path and into the 55 mile restricted zone that circles Tanf, would not respond to radio inquiries, flew over the base, and that the F-15 distance was 3,290 ft.  Undoubtedly there have been several flight crew meetings in Tehran about this now to get their pilots back “on course.”  See “New Details Emerge About F-15 Intercept Of Iranian Airbus Over Syria,” Joseph Trevithick, The Drive, July 24, 2020.

A contractor!  Not Israel!  Not the U.S.!  Not Saudi Arabia!  A local news site reports that the IRGC has concluded that Ershad Karimi, a facility contractor, is responsible for the Natanz explosion.  “Iran names alleged perpetrator of blast at Natanz nuclear site — report,” Times of Israel, July 24, 2020.

“Another Iran Regime Agent Expelled From Albania for Spying on MEK,” Mohammad Sadat Khansari, National Council of Resistance of Iran, July 24, 2020.

“Russia, China, Iran Trying To Interfere In U.S. Election, Counterintelligence Chief Warns,” Alison Durkee, Forbes, July 24, 2020.

Reported Friday that 215 died Thursday.  “Iran reports 215 more deaths from coronavirus,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, July 24, 2020.

“Ukraine: Black boxes confirm interference with jet downed in Iran,” Al Jazeera, July 24, 2020.

This clearly presents the IRGC Intelligence Organization as an arm of the Judiciary.  “The Revolutionary Guard’s Intelligence Unit has a free hand in arresting and interrogating politicians, journalists, student activists and even ordinary Iranians such as social media celebrities for what they call “breaking the norms of the society” and has a strong cyber-policing outfit.”  Frightening for Iranian citizens.  See “Iran’s IRGC Highlights Role As Judicial Enforcer With New Arrests, Business Closures,” Radio Farda, July 24, 2020.

A dangerous thing to say by Deputy Parliament Speaker Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh, “that the US. has wrongly assessed the results of its targeted killing of Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani, and seeks to repeat the action against other commanders of the “resistance front.””  See “Top Iranian official: US has decided to kill Hezbollah chief Nasrallah,” Neta Bar, Israel Hayom, July 24, 2020.

“Iran Central Bank Spent Nearly $1 Billion Recent Days To Support Falling Currency,” Radio Farda, July 24, 2020.

Al Tanf is in the news again, as the U.S. inspects a Mahan Air plane that apparently overflew (on purpose?) the U.S. military base, which is located inside Syria on the road between Baghdad and Damascus and intended to block overland weapons and missile deliveries from Iran to Syria and Hezbollah.  I’m guessing the U.S. has communicated beforehand that the regular flights from Tehran should not fly over Al Tanf (for surveillance purposes or to act as a suicide plane), and that on this particular flight the IRGC decided to send the U.S. a message.  Maybe pilot error.  So the U.S. sent the F-15 for a  look-over.  Most media are not covering the Al Tanf basis for the entire story, and are only reporting that the U.S. intercepted an Iranian commercial plane, came within 100 feet (the video doesn’t support that), and that a drop in altitude resulted in several injuries on board to persons not seat belted.  See  “US admits to intercepting Iranian passenger plane,” DW, July 23, 2020.   See also, “Iran says passenger plane ‘harassed’ over Syria by US jet,” Amir Vahdat, AP, July 23, 2020.

Al Tanf is in the news again, as the U.S. inspects a Mahan Air plane that apparently overflew (on purpose) the U.S. military base, which is located on the road between Baghdad and Damascus and intended to block overland weapons and missile deliveries.  I’m guessing the U.S. has communicated beforehand that the regular Tehran to Beirut flight should not fly over Al Tanf (for surveillance purposes or to act as a suicide plane), and that this particular flight decided to send the U.S. a message.  So the U.S. sent a message back with the F-15 look-over.  See  “US admits to intercepting Iranian passenger plane,” DW, July 23, 2020.

President Hassan Rouhani’s recent announcement that 25 million Iranians may have been infected with the coronavirus, a figure drastically higher than the country’s official tally, has left many perplexed and fearful.  “Confusion And Fear as Iran Says Millions May Have Virus,” Amir Havasi, Bourse & Bazaar, July 23, 2020.

“Iran Parliament Decision To Distribute $600 Million ‘Free Asphalt’ Ticket To Corruption,” Radio Farda, July 23, 2020.  “Critics say providing free asphalt to road construction contractors to help the development of rural roads only benefits the contractors and claim that contractors often use less asphalt in building roads than is actually required and sell the extra in the open market or illegally export it.”

Good detective reporting.  And notice where the advertising eventually ended up.  “Spain’s El Mundo on Thursday reported that the Economic and Fiscal Crime Division of the Spanish Police (UDEF) has announced that between 2012 and 2015 the media company belonging to Pablo Iglesias, the leader of the leftist, anti-corruption Podemos Party, received more than nine million euros from Iran through other companies. El Mondo said evidence gathered by the Police and anti-money laundering committee indicates that the 16 companies suspected of money laundering injected a total of 9.3 million euro of illicit Iranian money into the leftist politician’s company. … Hispan TV is run by Iranian citizen Mahmoud Alizadeh Azimi and its programs mainly target Latin American states such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Nicaragua and Mexico.”  See “Spanish Officials Say Anti-Corruption Party Received Money From Iran,” Radio Farda, July 23, 2020.

221 died on Wednesday, reported on Thursday, July 23.  “25 of Iran’s 31 provinces on coronavirus watch list,” Al Monitor, July 23, 2020.

Environmental protection has never been a priority of the Regime.  “According to the Statistics Center of Iran, the area of Iran’s forests in 1900 was about 19 million hectares, but this figure decreased to 14.4 million hectares by 2012, and in 2015 Iran’s forest areas shrunk to 10.7 million hectares and were destroyed by 43%.  …  The head of the Iranian Forestry Association says we predict that you may not see any forests in the north of the country in the next 30 years.”  See “Experts Warn That Iran’s Environment Is Moving Towards a Point of No Return,” Jubin Katiraie, Iran Focus, July 23, 2020.

“Iran’s Deteriorating Economy, Raging Coronavirus Have Raised Fears Of Renewed Street Protests,” Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL, July 22, 2020.

“Iran’s maximum pressure on Iraq to remove US forces,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, July 22, 2020.

Good for a smile.  “Iran’s supreme leader to Iraqi PM: Iran does not interfere in Iraq-US relations,” Ali Mamouri, Al Monitor, July 22, 2020.

“Explosions in Iran not toppling Ayatollahs – experts,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, July 22, 2020.  “The experts gave around a dozen reasons why Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rule was not endangered, including: outside pressure causes Iranians to unify internally; support from a plethora of interest groups in Iran linked to the regime; the absence of a leader for disparate opposition groups; and the country being used to decades of sanctions and pressure.”

But these “youngsters” are in their 50s, they’re not really young—the young in Iran (in their 30s) do not support the government/Regime.  “To Secure His Legacy, Khamenei Is Packing Iran’s Government With Young Radicals,” Saeid Golkar and Asha Sawhney, FP, July 22, 2020.

219 died Tuesday, reported Wednesday, according to the Health Ministry.  “Iran reports 219 more deaths from coronavirus,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, July 22, 2020.

“Iran’s maximum pressure on Iraq to remove US forces,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, July 22, 2020.

From my perspective, and because of how the Regime continued its nuclear weapons program, missile program, human rights abuses, and expansion of the Crescent, and don’t forget terrorism, that Biden’s revisiting the JCPOA would only exacerbate the Iranian Problem.  “Democrats’ Presidential Platform Commits to Return to Iran Nuclear Deal,” Amir Tibon, Haaertz, July 22, 2020.

“First, Iran must admit its international legal responsibility for shooting down the Ukrainian plane. Second, Iran must apologize and provide assurance that such events will never happen again. Third, Iran must conduct a technical investigation in accordance with the requirements of the Chicago Convention. Fourth, Iran must conduct an impartial and independent criminal investigation and bring all the guilty to justice. I emphasize, all the guilty. Fifth, Iran must pay proper compensation,” Kuleba said.  See “Ukraine Rejects ‘Human Error’ As Iran’s Explanation For Downing Jetliner,” Radio Farda, July 22, 2020.