Month: September 2020

“Iran’s Rouhani says US faces defeat in bid to reimpose UN sanctions,” Reuters, September 20, 2020.  And similar, “No U.N. support for reimposing Iran sanctions, secretary-general says,” AP, Politico, September 20, 2020.

“Jailed Iran human rights lawyer hospitalised after hunger strike,” Al Jazeera, September 20, 2020.

Bahrain said the foiled attacks were planned to avenge the January killing of Gen Soleimani.  “It said security forces foiled the plot after finding an explosive device in the Badei area meant to target a visiting foreign delegation. The newspaper said a case was being prepared against 18 accused individuals, of whom nine are now in Iran.”  See “Bahrain says foiled ‘terrorist attack’ backed by Iran in early 2020,” Akhar al-Khaleej, Reuters, September 20, 2020.

“Iran starts five-year tobacco-free national plan,” Tehran Times, September 20, 2020.

Latest news article about Iran and its decisions compared to other states.  “When Iran regime changes its behavior, there’ll be chance for true global stability in region: Pompeo,” Evie Fordham, Fox, September 20, 2020.

At the time in January, multiple accounts of Iran had high level personnel including the Leader the that revenge had been taken against the U.S. for the killing of Gen. Soleimani.  They used ballistic missiles against U.S. bases/personnel in Iraq.  But, as often with the Regime it is unclear where lines are, and now the pressure of the UAE and Bahrain agreements are making them issue more threats (and plans, such as threats to kill the SA Ambassador).  Today’s statement is from IRGC Gen. Salami.  BTW, an aside, this article (from AP) like so many does not identify the AP reporter—for several years major news sources have attempted to protect their reporters from Iran.  This practice is worthy of reporting about itself.  See “Iran vows ‘hit’ on all involved in US killing of top general,” AP, September 19, 2020.

So, for its continued movement of the Shia Crescent and continued threats to the region, growing missile threats, and support of terrorism, and unrelenting nuclear program, Iran’s refusal to change its overall behavior despite membership in the JCPOA led the U.S. under Pres. Trump to withdraw from that agreement.  Now we have arrived at the moment of snapback, as Iran has violated the JCPOA multiple times, but the European parties to the agreement refuse to enforce penalities/sanctions.  Iran continues to threaten them.  Russia and China want Iran’s actions to continue.  So the U.S. will lead on this issue and insist that sanctions are warranted.  Here’s one of many stories on this.  Note also that the reporter is identified because the story is about the U.S., not Iran, and the U.S. doesn’t threaten or imprison reporters or harass their families.  “U.S. says U.N. sanctions on Iran to be reimposed Saturday. What does that mean?,” Michelle Nichols, AP, September 19, 2020.

On any one day, cherry-picking can result in an interpretation such as the NYT.  But note the second article—the real threats continue unabated.  “As U.S. Increases Pressure, Iran Adheres to Toned-Down Approach,” Julian Barnes, David Sanger, Ronen Bergman, and Lara Jakes, New York Times, Jazeera, September 19, 2020.

“Iranian commander vows to avenge US assassination of top general,” Al Jazeera, September 19, 2020.

“Development projects properly underway at Imam Khomeini Port,” Mahnaz Abdi, Tehran Times, September 19, 2020.

Notice that the ammonium nitrate is stored by Hezbollah throughout Europe and has been used by past terror attacks—Hezbollah isn’t storing it for fertilizer for farming.  “Bombing in Bulgaria: Turning the Tide on Hezbollah,” Toby Dershowitz and Dylan Gresik, op-ed, Newsweek, September 19, 2020.

“US reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions,” J. Edward Moreno, The Hill, September 19, 2020.

They lost the four fingers of the right hand, leaving the thumb and palm, for conviction of theft.  “Three prisoners to have finger amputation for theft in NW Iran,” IranNewsWire, June 24, 2020.

“Turkey and Iran are engaging in new operations in Africa – reports,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, September 18, 2020.

This is frightening for the people of Ireland.  The New IRA is attempting to get weapons and explosives from Iran’s proxy Hezbollah.  They met at the Iranian Embassy, need we say more?  See “Irish terrorists in Hezbollah weapons sting met with Iranian embassy officials,” Thomas Harding, The National, September 18, 2020.

“Rampant Kitten spent six years hacking Iranian dissidents,” Alex Scroxton, ComputerWeekly.com, September 18, 2020.

“The hacking campaign used malware to attempt to steal the identities of thousands of U.S. citizens to accomplish unlawful acts and steal information related to U.S. aerospace and satellite technology.”  See “US Charges 3 Iranians in Connection With State-Sponsored Identity Theft,” VOA, September 17, 2020.

“With ‘hasty’ execution of wrestler, Iran sends defiant message to world,” Stuart Williams, Times of Israel, September 17, 2020.

“Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard: ‘Strike teams’ sent to patrol oil-rich province,” Bradford Betz,| Fox News, September 17, 2020.

“Trump eyes executive order to punish arms trade with Iran: Report,” Al Jazeera, September 17, 2020.

Not part of the jurisdiction argument this week, but will Iran argue that it can hold hostages and commit terrorism under the treaty of friendship?  “Tehran tells World Court U.S. sanctions breach friendship treaty,” SwissInfo.com, September 16, 2020.

“The German government-funded athletic organization said in a statement that “the killing of Navid Afkari by the Iranian regime is a terrible act against humanity and an intolerable violation of the human rights of an athlete. This act cannot remain without consequences for Iran. Its government instrumentalizes sports for its purposes and has made an example of Navid Afkari, a protesting athlete. Iran is not the only country in international sports that disregards human rights, but with the killing of the 27-year-old wrestler Navid Afkari it has crossed a line.” Iran’s regime executed Afkari on Saturday, triggering a global outcry over the murder of a reportedly innocent wrestler for protesting the regime’s corruption in 2018. The Iranian authorities claim Afkari killed a water company security guard during the nation-wide protests. But overwhelming evidence, including a widely-confirmed forced confession, show Iran’s regime likely framed Afkari to silence the social and labor unrest unfolding in Iran.”  See “German athletes association urges Iran be banned from Olympics,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, September 16, 2020.

“Justice Department indicts two Iranians accused of stealing sensitive data in multiple countries,” Maggie Miller, The Hill, September 16, 2020.

“Iran’s annual butter production capacity at over 70,000 tons,” Tehran Times, September 16, 2020.

Hmm.  “Iran’s Islamist leaders have a history of carrying out assassinations beyond their country’s borders, as well as taking hostages, since seizing power following a popular uprising in the late 1970s, Politico reported. In recent decades, Iran has generally avoided directly targeting US diplomats, although Iranian-backed militias have long attacked US diplomatic facilities and personnel in Iraq.”  See “Iran denies seeking vengeance in South African plot,” Dave Makichuk, Asia Times, September 16, 2020.

“A new look at Iran’s complicated relationship with the Taliban,” Barnett Rubin, War on the Rocks, September 16, 2020.

All you need to know.  “Iran’s Revolutionary Courts and the judiciary are known for their lack of due process, forced concessions, and for denying detainees access to lawyers. As Human Rights Watch’s Deputy Middle East Director Michael Page explained: “Iranian authorities have a history of targeting dissidents’ family members on bogus charges and, after nearly two months, they have failed to provide an iota of evidence against Younesi and Moradi. The prolonged solitary confinement, lack of access to a lawyer, and the judiciary’s history of coerced confessions signal that there’s almost zero chance that the due process rights of these two students will be respected.””  See “Iran regime’s paranoia over future widespread protests,” Majid Rafizadeh, op-ed, Arab News, September 16, 2020.

The Regime, with the economy in deep trouble, will have to talk to the U.S. administration.  See “For Iran, Negotiations Aren’t Optional,” Ariane Tabatabai and Henry Rome, Foreign Policy, September 15, 2020.

“Iran: Gov’t distances itself from execution of wrestler Afkari,” Amnesty International, September 15, 2020.

A group of independent United Nations human rights experts strongly condemned the execution of Navid Afkari in an Iranian prison on Saturday, following the champion wrestler’s controversial allegations of killing a security guard during anti-Islamic Republic protests in 2018.  “UN Experts Disturbed by Navid Afkari’s Execution in Iran,” Radio Farda, September 15, 2020.

“‘Iran Must Praise Kuwait, Saudi for Rejecting Peace with Israel’,” IFP, September 15, 2020.

Discussing infrastructure and transport links.  “Iran, Azerbaijan to Boost Transportation, Rail Cooperation,” IFP, September 15, 2020.

“Iran reported 156 deaths Monday from the virus, the highest single-day figure since Aug. 18, when 168 deaths were reported.”  See “COVID-19 cases, deaths see fresh spike in Iran,” Syed Zafar Mehdi, AA, September 15, 2020.

Interesting way to put it, but true—“The Abraham Accord is threatening decades of foreign-policy planning in Tehran.”  See “Israel’s Peace Deals Are a Strategic Nightmare for Iran,” Maysam Behravesh and Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Policy, September 14, 2020.

Iran draws an unreasonable line about when interference is not allowed—if judicial norms are not followed such as lack of due process and right to attorney or having time in court or being tortured into a confession or not having evidence presented that the defendant committed the crime.  Deputy Judiciary Chief for International and Human Rights Affairs Ali Bagheri strongly protested against calls by European embassies when the Regime executed the Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari.  He said they were spreading “lies like an opposition group.”  See “Iran strongly protests European embassies’ interference,” Tehran Times, September 14, 2020.

“UN inspectors to gain access to suspected Iran nuclear site in days,” Callum Paton, The National, September 14, 2020.

“UPDATE 1-Israel deal protects Bahrain’s interests amid Iran threat, minister says” Reuters, September 14, 2020.

“Officials: Iran weighs plot to kill U.S. ambassador to South Africa,” Nahal Toosi and Natasha Bertrand, Politico, September 13, 2020.  And what a shocking headline this is, too.  For what other country is it now publicly known that they are planning to assassinate another country’s ambassador?  This is not what countries do.

“Iran could target Israelis in Bahrain, expert warns,” Dean Shmuel Elmas, Israel Hayom, September 13, 2020.

“Iran says 1,044 centrifuges being used to enrich uranium at Fordow plant,” Xinhua, September 13, 2020.

This enables Iran, to reinstate the JCPOA but then negotiate outside it missiles, hostages, Crescent, terrorism, etc.  Biden’s position is Obama’s position, and then we’re back on the “sanctioned” (seemingly authorized) path to nuclear weapons.  See “Joe Biden: There’s a smarter way to be tough on Iran,” Joe Biden, op-ed, CNN, September 13, 2020.

The International Olympic Committee, by letters from IOC President Thomas Bach, made direct personal appeals to the Supreme Leader and to Pres. Rouhani this week, asking mercy for Navid Afkari, who had also been tortured to force a false confession.  The IOC was ignored.  Will the IOC penalize Iran?  See “IOC Statement on the Execution of Wrestler Navid Afkari in Iran,” IOC Press Release, September 12, 2020.  And see “Iran executes wrestler who said he was tortured for false confession,” Danielle Haynes, UPI, September 12, 2020.

Note that Tabari was executive deputy under judiciary chief Sadegh Larijani from 2009 to 2019.  “Iran Ex-judiciary Official Gets 31 Years For Graft,” AFP, September 12, 2020.

Iran’s currency dropped to the lowest value ever versus the dollar, and fallen 30% since June.  “Money exchange shops traded the Iranian rial 262,000 for a dollar. The rial had traded at 256,000 to $1 on Thursday, and markets were closed Friday, the start of the weekend in Iran. The rial has tumbled from a rate of 200,000 in late June. Iran’s currency was at 32,000 rials to the dollar at the time of Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.”  See “Iran’s currency hits new record low against the dollar,” AP, Star Tribune, September 12, 2020.

Not showing the colors of the religion of peace.  “Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday that Bahrain would face “harsh revenge” from its own people and the Palestinians over the Gulf Arab state’s move to normalise ties with Israel. “The executioner ruler of Bahrain should await the harsh revenge of the Mujahideen (Islamic fighters) aiming to liberate Quds (Jerusalem) and the proud Muslim nation of this country,” the Guards said in a statement posted on their website.”  See “Iran Guards Warn of ‘Harsh Revenge’ Against Bahrain by Bahrainis, Palestinians Over Israel Deal,” Reuters, September 12, 2020.

“Iran says Bahrain normalising ties with Israel ‘shameful’,” Reuters, September 12, 2020.

“Iran’s Power Plants Allowed to Mine Cryptocurrencies,” IFP, September 12, 2020.

Beyond the instructiveness of the headline, it is informative what this article does not include—any comment by Canadian authorities.  The article only quotes Iranian officials and their perspective.  “Iran Denies Receiving Canada’s Lawsuit over Ukrainian Plane Tragedy,” IFP, September 11, 2020.

A group of three tankers are bringing Iranian oil to Venezuela and are taking the Cape Horn route to try to avoid U.S. forces following the seizure of four cargoes in August.  While it make it more expensive for the U.S. to interdict these ships, I believe it will happen. Watch the news around Sept. 15 or 16.  See “Iranian fuel tankers reported off coast of South Africa,” Al Monitor, September 11, 2020.

Just look north toward Venezuela.  Then ask if Uruguay should be inviting closer relations.  “Iran holds exhibition in Uruguay,” Trend, September 11, 2020.

Not a good idea.   “Iranian Banks Allowed to Invest in the Stock Market,” Financial Tribune, September 11, 2020.

“Iran, Ireland national museums discuss ways to broaden ties,” Tehran Times, September 11, 2020.

“Fully Iran-made submarine makes debut in Zolfaqar-99 Maneuver,” Trend, September 11, 2020.

Two young girls were removed from the cover of a textbook, symptomatic of a broader problem.  “Iran Removes Girls’ Image From Math Textbooks,” Radio Farda, September 11, 2020.

Rare that one entity in Iran would sue another.  Here, there are corruption questions, safety questions, and the growth of the military complex which has drawn concern.  The “city’s line 7 metro was granted to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)-linked Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters (KCH) under pressure from Tehran’s former mayor. IRGC Brigadier-General Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who served as mayor of Tehran for twelve years, is currently the speaker of the Iranian Maijes parliament.”  See “Tehran City Council Sued For Granting Project To IRGC,” Radio Farda, September 11, 2020.

While this article is about China, it has a good map showing how the Belt and Road Project runs through Iran—in two different ways.  See “China could signal increased engagement with Iran but doesn’t,” James Dorsey, Modern Diplomacy, September 11, 2020.

“Iran To Link Its Power Grid To Russia, Azerbaijan,” Tsvetana Paraskova, OilPrice.com, September 11, 2020.

While this article is about China, it has a good map showing how the Belt and Road Project runs through Iran—in two different ways.  See “China could signal increased engagement with Iran but doesn’t,” James Dorsey, Modern Diplomacy, September 11, 2020.

“Iran Tobacco Company’s Monthly Output Hits Two-Year High,” Financial Tribune, September 11, 2020.