This blog focuses on the actions and decisions of the Iranian Government, including the Supreme Leader and the IRGC.  The story below reminds us that the people of Iran have aspirations and yearn for freedom.  They are not only hoping U.S. Pres. Trump can recover, they do not mind U.S. sanctions because they want Iran to change.  That being said, this professor is mighty brave to say these things publicly.  See “Iran university professor and government advisor says ‘ordinary Iranians’ are praying for Trump’s recovery,” Hollie McKay, Fox News, October 5, 2020.

235 died Sunday.  But the overall Covid news is worse.  “I ran reported its highest daily Covid-19 death toll and its largest single-day rise in infections on Monday, as the country imposed a second lockdown of its capital to contain a resurgent outbreak.”  See “Iran Sets Coronavirus Record as Capital Returns to Lockdown,” Aresu Eqbali and Sune Engel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal, October 5, 2020.

“Has Iran Deployed 200 Heavy Armor Tanks To Help Armenia Take On Azerbaijan?,” EurAsian Times, October 5, 2020.

“Iran: Father of political prisoner sentenced to death commits suicide,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, October 5, 2020.

I include this as a notice/reminder of a source/author not impartial.  “Iran’s New Doctrine: Pivot to the East,” Seyed Hossein Mousavian, The Diplomat, October 5, 2020.

A surprise.  But the State is listening.  “Iranian Inmates Can Now Meet Their Families Online,” IFP, October 5, 2020.

North Korea’s official newspaper on Monday ran an article on Iran’s upgraded submarine-launched missile and other weapons systems amid speculation that Pyongyang could unveil its own “new strategic weapon” during a military parade to mark this week’s key national anniversary. Quoting recent state media reports in Teheran, the Rodong Sinmun said that Iran succeeded in improving the range of Jask-II cruise missiles that can be launched from the Middle East country’s homegrown Fateh submarine. The paper also mentioned Iran’s new homegrown radar systems dubbed Soroush and Misaq. It is not rare for North Korean media to carry articles about Iran’s new weapons. North Korea and Iran are presumed to have maintained close ties in missile development since the 1980s.  “N. Korean paper carries article on Iran’s new weapons,” Yonhap, The Korea Herald, October 5, 2020.

“Prisoner In NW Iran Sentenced To Amputation Of Four Fingers For Theft,” Eurasia Review, October 5, 2020.