Iran is allowing itself to be used by China to hold back India. “Four years after India and Iran signed an agreement to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan, the Iranian government has decided to proceed with the construction on its own, citing delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the project.” India has hesitated because of U.S. sanctions and the instable situation in Iran, but has increased its work at the Chabahar port (which China wants to push India out of). “The development comes as China finalises a massive 25-year, $400 billion strategic partnership deal with Iran, which could cloud India’s plans.” See “Iran drops India from Chabahar rail project, cites funding delay,” Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu, July 14, 2020.
Quote of the Day. Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative to the IAEA, said, “Resolution was prompted by the fact that Iran had difficulties in providing access to the IAEA inspectors to two locations where nuclear activities could have taken place about 20 years ago.” See “IAEA resolution against Iran ‘only makes things more complicated’: Ulyanov,” Tehran Times, July 14, 2020.
Consider the company that you keep. “Abbas Mousavi, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said they were happy to see the opening of Hagia Sophia for Islamic worship. Mousavi commented saying: “For the opening of Hagia Sophia for worship, which was accepted with satisfaction by the people of Turkey and Muslims, we also felt joy.” … Maulana Masood Azhar, leader of Pakistani terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad, said he welcomed the conversion of Hagia Sophia. The Palestinian terrorist organisation Hamas congratulated Turkey for its decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque. “Opening of Hagia Sophia to prayer is a proud moment for all Muslims,” said Rafat Murra, head of international press office of Hamas, in a written statement as reported on Greek City Times.” See “Iran ‘felt joy’ when Hagia Sophia was converted,” Paul Antonopoulos, Greek City Times, July 14, 2020.
Tehran is paid $133 million a year by Qatar for use of airspace due to the blockade by Saudi Arabia. “UN aviation ruling could deny Iran hundreds of millions of dollars,” Eric Shawn, Fox News, July 14, 2020.
Iran has executed a former employee, Reza Asgari, of the defense ministry who was convicted of spying for the CIA, passing on information about Iran’s missiles threatened and used against other countries. See “Iran executes defense ministry staffer as alleged CIA spy,” AP, July 14, 2020.
“Iran Rebuilds U.S. Navy Global Hawk UAV It Shot Down,” H.I. Sutton, Forbes, July 14, 2020.
The U.S. sanctions against Iran will result in Chinese businesses getting sanctioned if those two countries sign the proposed 25-year agreement. “Oil tanker wanted by US is hijacked, now anchored near Iran: reports,” Greg Norman, Fox News, July 14, 2020.
“China and Iran are reported to have quietly drafted a comprehensive military and trade partnership. The deal would make way for about $400 billion worth of Chinese investments into Iran’s key sectors, such as energy and infrastructure, over the next 25 years. According to US officials, the agreement could also make way for Chinese military bases in Iran, fundamentally changing the region’s geopolitics.” See “The China-Iran strategic partnership, and how it can change geopolitics in the Middle East,” The Print, Srijan Shukla, July 14, 2020.
Just as Libya weaseled its way into the communications networks of multiple African states some years ago, I wonder if China is aiming to do the same thing under its proposed agreement with Iran. Seeing this article made me wonder how much the agreement will use Huawei to spy on Iran? The key sentence from this article, and what led PM Johnson and his government to change their mind regarding the UK, is “Having previously advised ministers that the risk from Huawei could be mitigated, UK intelligence chiefs warned Mr Johnson that they could no longer be confident that new kit used by the Chinese company was secure.” See the article at “UK orders ban of new Huawei equipment from end of year,” George Parker, Nic Fildes, and Helen Warrell, Financial Times, July 14, 2020.
These were on Monday. “Iran reports 179 more fatalities from coronavirus,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, July 14, 2020.
“Iran says it has executed Iranian agent linked to CIA,” WHBL, Thomson Reuters, July 14, 2020. According to Iran, Reza Asgari, while serving at the defense ministry, had sold the CIA information about Iran’s missile program.
“A judicial official in Iran has threatened that knowingly spreading the coronavirus should be punishable by death, based on the Islamic principle of an eye for an eye. A local news website quoted the Deputy of the Justice Minister for Human Rights and International affairs, Mahmoud Abbasi as saying, “Someone who is fully aware of his infection and without wearing a mask sneezes and coughs…spreads the coronavirus to others and ultimately causes their death. This means deliberate murder and is subject to Qisas”. In Islamic law, relatives of a murder victim can demand Qisas, or an eye for an eye. Abbasi called for hanging offenders.” See “Iran Official Says Those Who Knowingly Spread Coronavirus Must Be Hanged,” Radio Farda, July 14, 2020.