Month: August 2020

The Saudis have shot down another Iranian drone, this one aiming for an airport.  “Saudi Arabia downs Iranian-backed threat on eve of Israel-UAE flight,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, August 31, 2020.

And speaking of deadly drone technology.  “Iran boasts of new bombs for drones in armed forces display,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, August 31, 2020.

It is time to use a Yiddish/Hebrew term to describe Iran’s behavior—Chutzpah.  Iran wants to restart flights to Kiev even though Iran hasn’t come clean or paid for the shooting down of Ukraine’s jetliner.  “Iran has called for the resumption of air traffic with Ukraine,” Steve Cowan, Free News, August 31, 2020.

“Mother of Iranian sons sentenced claims they were tortured,” Al Monitor, August 31, 2020.  “Bahieh Namjoo, the mother of Navid, Vahid and Habib Afkari, sent a recorded video to BBC Persian highlighting the cases of her three sons. Navid received a “double death sentence” for allegedly killing a police officer during the 2018 protests. Vahid was sentenced to 54 years in prison, and Habib was sentenced to 27 years. All of the brothers have also been sentenced to 74 lashes. In the video, Namjoo said that two years ago authorities arrested Navid and Vahid. After three months, authorities also arrested the third brother, Habib. Namjoo believes Habib’s efforts to get his brothers released are what led to his arrest. According to Namjoo, all three brothers were tortured during their imprisonment. Navid’s hand was broken, and Habib’s hands and legs were broken. She also claims that Vahid was psychologically tortured, which led to him attempting to take his own life twice.”

“Iran’s IRGC downplays rampant corruption and its implications,” Mohammed Al-Sulami, op-ed, Arab News, August 31, 2020.

“Iran’s Multiethnic Society Explains Why Tehran Fears Democracy,” Brenda Shaffer, The National Interest, August 31, 2020.

Daily deaths from Covid dropped for the seventh day to 103.  See “Iran’s Daily Coronavirus Cases Drop to Three-Month Low,” Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, August 30, 2020.

“How to Stop Iran From Terrorizing Dissidents Abroad,” Cameron Khansarinia and Kaveh Shahrooz, op-ed, Wall Street Journal, August 30, 2020.

“Grieving mother slams nine-year sentence for Iranian man who beheaded daughter,” April Roach, Evening Standard, August 29, 2020.

“Dervish Activists Reject Iran Official’s Claim Their Banishment to Poor Areas Is Not Deliberate,” Michael Lipin and Ramin Haghjoo, VOA, August 29, 2020.

Here is part of this story.  “U.S. authorities have targeted Luxembourg-based Clearstream for years in an investigation over whether it violated U.S. money laundering and Iran sanction laws. Deutsche Boerse has denied wrongdoing. In 2019, a Luxembourg court refused to enforce a U.S. ruling that would have helped families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks claim Iranian assets held with Clearstream. In 2012, a New York court found there was evidence to show that Iran provided “material support and resources to al Qaeda for acts of terrorism”. The militant group carried out the hijacked plane attacks on New York and Washington. That court awarded the plaintiffs damages of over $7 billion.”  See “Iran says to fight U.S. suit to seize $1.7 billion held by Deutsche Boerse unit,” Reuters, August 29, 2020.

“A group of 40 Iranian lawmakers has submitted a controversial draft bill to the parliament that could result in harsher online censorship by giving control of the country’s Internet gateways to the armed forces, including the notorious Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The bill also calls for the creation of a board that will oversee social-media platforms and deal with any violations. The board will include representatives from the judiciary and the government, as well as from the IRGC’s feared Intelligence Unit, which has, in recent years, arrested scores of activists, journalists, environmentalists, dual nationals, and others — including a Facebook engineer who recently spoke about his arrest and the pressure he faced from guards.”  See “Iran Proposes Bill For Tighter Online Censorship, ‘Military Control’ Of Internet,” Golnaz Esfandiari, Radio Farda, August 29, 2020.

“Is Russia Helping Iran Track F-35 Stealth Fighters?,” Peter Suciu, National Interest, August 29, 2020.

It is an open question, something which open sources are not providing an answer for.  My take is that if Iran could see an F-35 they would shoot without any hesitation, so I believe for now the Regime doesn’t know where they are.  “Is Russia Helping Iran Track F-35 Stealth Fighters?,” Peter Suciu, National Interest, August 29, 2020.

“More German intel confirms Iran seeks tech for weapons of mass destruction,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, August 28, 2020.  “Iran’s regime has used German territory for surveillance and assassination operations targeting Iranian dissidents, pro-Israel advocates, and Israeli and Jewish institutions.” In addition, “[t]he domestic intelligence agency for the German state of Saarland added new weight to intelligence reports from its sister states that previously confirmed the Islamic Republic of Iran sought technology for weapons of mass destruction and missile carrier systems during time period of 2019. The Jerusalem Post reviewed the 112-page intelligence report, which was released last week, titled “Overview of the situation” that addresses security threats faced by the small West German state Saarland. “Iran, Pakistan and, to a lesser extent Syria, made efforts to procure goods and know-how for the further development of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems,” wrote the intelligence officials for the Saarland. “Delivery system” is typically defined as the capability to launch missiles. Israel, the United States and many Gulf nations believe Iran’s clerical regime seeks to develop nuclear weapons.”

“Detained Colombia businessman was negotiating with Iran for Venezuela, lawyers say,” Angus Berwick, WSAU, August 28, 2020.

“‘I Survived an Iranian Assassination Attempt’,” Nadette De Visser, Daily Beast, August 28, 2020.

“The Revolutionary Guards Are Poised to Take Over Iran,” Ali Reza Eshraghi and Amir Hossein Mahdavi, Foreign Affairs, August 27, 2020.

“Nasrallah in Lebanon and Iran focus on Israel tensions,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, August 27, 2020.

With pictures of the injuries after the protests.  “Locals in the Abolfazl Village in Ahvaz, capital of Iran’s Khuzestan Province were protesting the destruction of their homes and confiscation of their lands by one of Iran’s wealthiest bonyads owned by the regime’s Supreme Leader, the Mostazafan Foundation (Foundation for the Oppressed).”  See “Iran’s Security Forces Fire Shotgun Pellets at Protesting Villagers,” Iran HRM, August 27, 2020.

This article strongly indicates that China will become a, if not the, major importer of Iranian oil, not only challenging U.S. sanctions, but representing the largest impediment (even larger than Russia) to keeping Iran from moving away from its Revolutionary urge.  “China Resumes Reporting Oil Imports From Iran In July,” Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, August 27, 2020.

“A group of Iranian lawmakers is pushing to hand control of the country’s internet over to a committee composed of powerful elements of the regime, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Forty members of the Iranian parliament had signed the motion as of Monday, according to Radio Farda. The proposal—titled “Organizing Social Media Messaging,” would also ban foreign messaging apps and replace them with domestically-produced ones, which may hand the regime closer surveillance capabilities. The legislation would also introduce new penalties for anyone offering foreign messaging apps or ways around the restrictions, for example VPNs.”  See “Iran Pushes for Regime, Military Control of Internet After Year of Unrest,” David Brennan, Newsweek, August 27, 2020.  Likewise, remember that Iran has already blocked Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.  See also “Iran lawmakers launch motion to block all foreign messaging apps,” Middle East Monitor, August 26, 2020.

Amazing the amount of payments or “salaries” and corruption in the legislature.  “Lawmakers In Iran Abuse Their Power To Receive Free Housing And Cars,” Radio Farda, August 27, 2020.

Here’s the question—when the arms embargo on Iran ends in the month of October, what arms will Iran purchase from Moscow?  See “What’s next for Russia-Iran military partnership?,” Anton Mardasov, Al Monitor, August 27, 2020.

Perhaps the U.S. will seize the aluminum oxide under sanctions or to pay toward a judgment.  “Exclusive: Iranian vessel loads with Venezuelan alumina, amid closer ties – sources,” Maria Ramirez and Luc Cohen, Reuters, August 27, 2020.

“Chinese Data Shows Beijing Continues Iranian Oil Imports,” Tsvetana Paraskova, OilPrice.com, August 27, 2020.

“Germany, Israel agree continued Iran arms embargo important,” David Rising, AP, August 27, 2020.

Here is an article, the latest, about the Regime’s money-laundering in other countries, here it is in Bahrain.  “Bahrain fines Iranian banks implicated in money laundering,” Arab News, August 27, 2020.

117 died Wednesday per the Health Ministry.  “Iran reports 117 more virus deaths, nearly 2,200 cases,”  Ahmet Dursun, AA, August 27, 2020.

“Who Says Iran Is Impervious to Pressure?,” Bobby Ghosh, op-ed, Bloomberg, August 27, 2020.  Here is an excerpt:  Critics of the Trump administration’s sanctions campaign against Iran have long argued that the Islamic Republic is impervious to pressure. This claim never had a strong foundation: After all, extreme duress — prolonged diplomatic isolation, coupled with crippling economic sanctions — forced Tehran’s theocrats to begin negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear deal with the world powers. More proof, if it were needed, of Iran’s susceptibility to pressure came this week, when the regime pledged to expand its cooperation with inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. This announcement came soon after the United Nations nuclear watchdog rebuked Iran for failing to provide access to two sites where previous nuclear activity is thought to have taken place. On Wednesday, during a visit to Tehran by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, the regime said it had agreed to give inspectors access to the two sites. A joint statement didn’t say when the inspections would take place, but that dates for access have been agreed. The statement allows Iran to claim that it was “voluntarily” providing access to the sites. Grossi seems inclined to draw a curtain of charity over some of Iran’s more dubious behavior during previous inspections: In October, Tehran bizarrely claimed an IAEA inspector had tried to smuggle explosives into the enrichment facility in Natanz. But Grossi retains the right to yank the curtain back.”

Pressure works.  From the U.S., and from the IAEA.  “UN watchdog: Iran to allow access to 2 suspected nuke sites,” WGEM, August 26, 2020.  “The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency says Tehran has agreed to allow inspectors in to two sites where Iran is suspected of having stored or used undeclared nuclear material. The International Atomic Energy Agency said on Wednesday that Iran was “voluntarily providing the IAEA with access to the two locations specified by the IAEA.” It said dates for the inspections had been agreed, but did not say when they would take place. Iran had been resisting providing access to the sites, which are thought to be from the early 2000s, before it signed the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, maintaining the IAEA had no legal basis to visit them.”

“Russia and Iran’s Dangerous Energy Gambit in the Caucasus,” Irina Tsukerman, Algemeiner, August 26, 2020.

“As Turkey and Iran build dams, Iraqis watch twin rivers dry up,” AFP, August 26, 2020.

Kudos to NBC News for investigating how Iran is trying to sell oil (for continuing terrorism and its Revolution), and how U.S. pressure helps flagging states make a decision about who they will do business with—freedom-siding states or terror-siding states.  Pressure works.  See “Oil tankers stripped of flags after breaching U.S. sanctions to secretly ship Iranian oil,” Raf Sanchez, NBC, August 26, 2020.

This is also a result of pressure (there’s that word again) felt by Iran from the UAE agreement with Israel.  “Iran relents on IAEA inspections at two sites, ending standoff,” Parisa Hafezi and Francois Murphy, August 26, 2020.

Bad news if you’re an Iranian citizen.  And for those who insist that U.S. sanctions aren’t making a dent in Iran’s behavior or resources for terrorism, consider that the Supreme Leader is saying Iran is stuck for the next decade.  “Design Iran’s economy as if sanctions will apply for another decade says Khamenei,” bne IntelIiNews August 26, 2020.

“Four Americans Indicted for Conspiring to Illegally Sell Iranian Petroleum to a Chinese Refinery,” Jerry Lambea, Law and Crime, August 26, 2020.

Thank you St. Kitts and Nevis for following international law and aiming for peace and well-grounded economic relations.  “St. Kitts & Nevis Strips Oil Tankers Of Flag For Breaching US Sanctions On Iran,” Charles Kennedy, OilPrice.com, August 26, 2020.

Great, even if short, article displaying both the effects of sanctions but also the decision points that all countries must make—do they want to remain tied to violence and poverty, or turn toward freedoms and prosperity?  Let’s hope that Sudan moves away from Iran and toward the West.  See “US vies to weaken Sudan ties to Iran,” France 24, August 25, 2020.

Readers of this blog know the effects of the U.S. sanctions to date, how they have resulted in a gigantic economic squeeze on Iran and limited its available funds for terrorism and forced it to not be as robust in Syria as it would prefer.  We would certainly prefer if the UN would recognize the same need in response to Iran not living up to its commitments under the JCPOA—already the Europe-3 have called for consideration of these violations but put the consideration of such on hold.  The UK, France, and Germany need to hold Iran accountable.  And the UN itsel, UNSC Pres. Djani said Tuesday that the U.S. cannot snapback sanctions on Iran because that mechanism has not been triggered due to lack of UNSC member consensus.  U.S. Amb. Craft then criticized most members for not agreeing the U.S. has snapback power, and said “I only regret that other members of this council have lost their way, and now find themselves standing in the company of terrorists.”  See “U.S. cannot ‘snapback’ sanctions on Iran, U.N. Security Council president says,” Sommer Brokaw, UPI, August 25, 2020.

An unusual and fine article, teaching and reminding readers of the seeming cultural demise of the country.  It is so unfortunate that the glories of Iran’s wonderful history are de-emphasized by the Regime—the country thus lacks due to this purposeful twisting and ignoring of history.  See “Iran’s neglect of its cultural heritage backfires,” Kourosh Ziabari, Asia Times, August 25, 2020.

“France concerned about Iran’s ‘destabilizing activities,’ says FM Le Drian,” Arab News, August 25, 2020.

Another threat.  “UAE to Blame for Any Israeli Move against Iran, Spokesman Warns,” IFP, August 25, 2020.

To give us warm, fuzzy feelings.  “‘There is no limit to expansion of Iran-Venezuela ties’,” Tehran Times, August 25, 2020.

“IAEA chief in Iran for key meeting on Monday,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, August 24, 2020.

“Iran sets June 18 as date for next presidential election,” ABC, AP, August 24, 2020.  “Iran’s constitutional watchdog on Monday set June 18 as date for the country’s next presidential election, a vote that will choose the successor to President Hassan Rouhani who has served two four-year terms in office. The watchdog, the Guardian Council, approved the date, Iranian election headquarters chief Jamal Orf told the official IRNA news agency. Candidates hoping to run in the balloting are to apply in early April for approval; the final list is to be announced in early June. Under Iranian law, an incumbent president cannot run for a third term if he has already served for two consecutive terms in office. Rouhani was first elected in 2013 and reelected four years later. … In February, Iran held parliamentary elections that saw a turnout of 42.57% — the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and a sign of widespread dissatisfaction and the state of the economy amid intense U.S. pressure. The newly elected house is dominated by conservative lawmakers.”

The thesis is that “Over the past couple of years, an alliance forged between the IRGC and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has gradually assumed near total control of all branches of the regime.”  See “How radicals conquered Iran’s government,” Ran Porat, ASPI Strategist, August 24, 2020.

“Veterans Sue Iran Over Alleged Terrorist Attacks in Iraq,” Martina Barash, Bloomberg Law, August 24, 2020.  “The Iranian state funded and supplied various terrorist groups in order to kill and maim members of the U.S. armed forces in Iraq, dozens of wounded veterans say in a new complaint. Families of service members killed in attacks in Iraq are also among those who sued Iran and several agencies and state-controlled businesses in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Aug. 21. The Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for acts of terrorism, “extrajudicial killings, attempted extrajudicial killings, torture and hostage takings,” the veterans and families say.”

“Iran plane crash: Cockpit exchange recorded after missile hit Ukraine jet,” BBC, August 23, 2020.

“Venezuela and Iran sign trade agreements,” Prensa Latina, August 23, 2020.

“Iran’s Navy to be equipped with long-ranged cruise missiles,” Mehr, August 23, 2020.

This story is not helpful.  It provides statements both ways, and does follow-up with any sort of explanation for the statement.  “Iran official says sabotage caused fire at Natanz nuclear site – TV,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, August 23, 2020.

Excellent article.  “The Iranian Nuclear Program as a Catalyst for the Israel-UAE Peace Agreement,” Raphael Ofek, Algemeiner, August 23, 2020.

Sad but true.  “Iran Convicts Fourteen Activists While Those Who Killed Protesters Remain Free,” Radio Farda, August 23, 2020.

“Middle East’s extremism and sectarianism can be traced back to Iran,” Mohammed Al-Sulami, op-ed, Arab News, August 23, 2020.

It seems to be a sign of the winds shifting, and Iran opposes these changes.  “The UAE-Israel announcement proves the folly of warming to Iran,” Michael Oren, op-ed, CNN, August 23, 2020.

“Compensation talks for victims of downed jetliner to start in October: Iran,” Penticton Western News, August, 23, 2020.

3% or 15% or More?  “Rouhani Underestimates Impact Of Pandemic On Iran’s Economy, Khamenei Demands Reforms,” Radio Farda, August 23, 2020.

Be wary of pro-Regime news sources like Xinhua, the official state-run press service of the PRC, and be wary of headlines like the below.  Iran may say that it is ready to pay, but notice that the article doesn’t say how much compensation.  That is because Iran is not prepared to be a fair amount, just a low amount and close the file.  See “Iran says ready to pay compensations in crashed Ukrainian plane case,” Xinhua, August 22, 2020.

“Maduro Says Venezuela Buying Iranian Missiles ‘a Good Idea’,” Reuters, New York Times, August 22, 2020.

“Parts of Iran’s beloved Mount Damavand ‘could be turned into luxury villas ‘,” James Rothwell and Ahmed Vahdat, Telegraph, August 22, 2020.

“Now Is the Time to Force Hezbollah out of Lebanon,” Carine Hajjar, National Review, August 22, 2020.

“Iran Seizes UAE Vessel in “Tit-for-Tat” Over Death of Two Fishermen,” The Maritime Executive, August 22, 2020.

“Hardliners Attack Veteran Football Coach Saying Iran Must Recognize Israel,” Radio Farda, August 22, 2020.