The “cost of vaccination of the entire population of Iran is estimated to be 5 billion dollars at most which shows the benefit of buying the vaccine is much greater than the economic loss.”  And remember, Iran has the 5 billion.  See “Why Iran Is Not buying COVID Vaccine,” Cyrus Yaqubi, op-ed, Eurasia Review, December 26, 2020.

Iran’s Supreme Council of Labour’s salary committee reports this.  “Sixty-Four Percent of Iran’s Workers in Poverty,” Iran Focus, December 26, 2020.

134 died Friday.  “COVID-19 claims near 55,000 lives across Iran,” Mehr, December 26, 2020.

“Iraqi PM Seemingly Wins Tug-of-War With Pro-Iranian Militias Over Rocket Attacks on US Embassy,” Edward Yeranian, VOA, December 26, 2020.  Iraqi PM Mustapha al-Kadhimi is reportedly holding the alleged leader, Zeriawi, behind the attacks on the U.S. embassy, a member of the Asa’ib Ahl al Haq militia.  And “Pro-Iranian Shi’ite leader Muqtada al-Sadr said in a statement Saturday that he supports the prime minister.”

“Iran, Uzbekistan to hold meeting on implementing trade agreement between them,” MENAFN, December 26, 2020.

Big news.  “All Religions in Iran Equally Respected: Official,” IFP, December 26, 2020.

“43% of Houses in Iran Built Without Skeletal Structures,” Financial Tribune, December 26, 2020.