Iran and Hezbollah trained and funded planned attacks by a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine cell, which were prevented by Shin Bet it was announced today. It is a very detailed article. See “Shin Bet thwarts attacks by Iranian-backed PFLP cell in the West Bank,” Anna Ahroneheim, Jerusalem Post, July 21, 2020.
From the top—the ballistic missle attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq were not enough, despite what Iran said at the time. The Leader has spoken, more attacks are required. “Khameni: Iran to strike reciprocal blow against US for killing Soleimani,” Jerusalem Post, Reuters, July 21, 2020.
The Sanctions Club. The world’s newest international organization. By invitation only. Of course, there are other words that could be inserted for “Sanctions.” Wouldn’t it be nice if the rest of the world’s countries called out bad actors? Well, Iran gets credit for the idea of this club. See “Iran Diplomat Proposes Sanctions Club With Russia, China, to Resist U.S.,” David Brennan, Newsweek, July 21, 2020.
Numbers are from those who died on Monday. “Iran Hits Record 229 Deaths From Coronavirus in Past 24 Hours,” Reuters, Haaretz, July 21, 2020.
The newly-proposed 25-year deal between Iran and China threatens promises made to India and Pakistan, and the associated billions of dollars of investment for the future. Which Arabian Sea port will be the winner—Jask (Iran), Chabahar (India), or Gwadar (Pakistan)? “China-Iran deal overshadows Pakistan Belt and Road project,” Adnan Aamir, Nikkei Asian Review, July 21, 2020.
This article does not mean the courts have ruled on the appeal. It records the “dismissive” comments by the court’s spokesman. “Iran’s Judiciary Dismisses Online Campaign To Stop Executions,” Radio Farda, July 21, 2020.
A good reminder about why the Regime fights in Yemen. “Iran Sets Its Sights on Mecca,” Irina Tsukerman, Algemeiner, July 21, 2020.
“Whether Mansouri’s death was a suicide or a murder [by falling out his hotel window] is not immediately clear. Given the Islamic Republic of Iran’s history of extraterritorial assassinations and the weight of Mansouri’s secrets, a targeted killing by the Iranian state is not beyond the realm of possibility.” See “The defenestration of Bucharest: How Europe can help Iranian survivors of rights abuses,” Gissou Nia and Amanda Ghahremani, Atlantic Council, July 21, 2020.
“Former diplomat says Iran-China partnership will threaten U.S. hegemony,” Tehran Tims, July 21, 2020.
“Well-Connected Suspects In Large Corruption Cases In Iran Are Often Off The Hook,” Radio Farda, July 21, 2020.
So, the 20-year agreement with Russia? This goes along with the proposed 25-year agreement with China. Iran is trying to line up powerful friends for cover. And to keep on it current “Revolutionary” trajectory. What are the terms? What are the unwritten terms? “Iran’s Zarif Offers A New Long-Term Cooperation Agreement To Russia,” Radio Farda, July 21, 2020.
PM Kadhimi is more than the Supreme Leader bargained for. He wants sovereignty. “The people of Iraq want good relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of both countries,” he told the news conference, carried live by Iranian state television. See “Iraq PM vows he ‘won’t allow threats’ to Iran from Iraqi soil,” Al Jazeera, July 21, 2020.
According to Mission Network News, “the new law makes online ministry or Christianity in nearly every conceivable form illegal. Online church services, teaching seminars, discipleship chat sessions, or distributing Christian material are all considered psychological manipulation. It’s not just creators of this kind of content; anyone downloading or viewing these materials could face legal action, too. If it’s Christian and digital, it’s criminal.” See “New law leads to wave of arrests of Iranian Christians,” Alex Anhalt, Mission Network News, July 21, 2020.
Another power struggle in Iran, this one between the Guardian Council and the Parliament. “Iran’s Hardliner Watchdog Aims To Expand Power Over Parliament,” Radio Farda, July 21, 2020. The main player in the Guardian Council, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, has announced expanding the body’s authority, for the Council to draft laws and have the authority to remove “wrong-doing” lawmakers from Majles. Ouch. What is Parliament for? And not only will the GC select persons for the election ballot, it could remove members later!
“US Allows Iran To Use Financial Channel For International Humanitarian Aid,” Radio Farda, July 21, 2020.
The background conversations and threats between the advisers of both countries before this meeting, and the actual conversation between the Leader and the Iraq PM must have been fascinating. Iran continues on its dangerous quest of trying to control Iraq and must rid the region of the U.S. But Iraq wants to be a sovereign state, so it is a balancing act by the Leader when the PM is before him. “Iran will strike a reciprocal blow against America for killing of top commander Soleimani: Iran supreme leader,” KFGO, Thomson Reuters, July 21, 2020.
Another Quote of the Day, several of these recently. “Reacting to more than 11 million tweets calling for an end to executions in Iran, the Islamic Republic Judiciary spokesman has said, “We are not obliged to listen to the counter-revolutionaries, aggressive opposition movements and the media empire.” Furthermore, Gholam Hossein Esmaeili dismissed the record-breaking and unprecedented online campaign as “produced by robots.” The hashtag, “No to Death Penalty,” launched July 14 was initially used to stop the execution of three young men who were arrested during last November’s protests in Iran. But the hashtag quickly turned into a call to abolish capital punishment. … The trio sentenced to death are in their twenties and identified as Mohammad Rajabi, Amirhossein Moradi, and Saeed Tamjidi. They were arrested for taking part in the nationwide protests in November 2019, triggered by economic hardship and anti-regime sentiments.” “Iran’s Judiciary Dismisses Online Campaign To Stop Executions,” Radio Farda, July 21, 2020.