For many years Iran was silent on its arming of Hezbollah.  Now it is blatant.  “Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, the chief of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, had told Hizbullah’s al-Manar TV on Saturday that “all the missile capabilities that Gaza and Lebanon possess were achieved through Iran’s support.” “They are the frontline for the confrontation” against Israel, he added.”  See “Aoun Responds to Iranian General’s Remarks about Lebanon,” Naharnet, January 3, 2021.

“Iran, Siemens Bring First of Several New Gas-Fired Plants Online,” Darrell Proctor, Powermag, January 3, 2021.

We don’t read something this funny about the Quds Force too often.  “Former Mossad director Shabtai Shavit told the Post that, “the Iranians’ patience is never-ending.” Shavit said that the killing of Soleimani in January 2020 along with the assassination of Iran military nuclear program chief Mohsen Fakrhizadeh in November was “a double blow against its military activity in the Middle East” which it has not recovered from. The Mossad chief between 1989-1996 said that Esmail Ghaani who replaced Soleimani “isn’t at a level even close to the same capabilities and importance and managerial ability.” Whereas Shavit said there is a continuous debate about whether assassinations make sense, he said in the cases of Soleimani and Fakrhrizadeh, there was no doubt. “Some say they are not useful because one goes and the next one comes into line and replaces him…the level of talent of the one who entered his [Soleimani’s] shoes disproves that argument,” said the former spymaster.” Shavit’s comments about Ghanni are consistent with other reports.  See “Mossad chiefs: Iran may avenge Soleimani killing after Biden inauguration,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, January 3, 2021.

Two comments.  First, isn’t Nasrallah still hiding underground in Tehran?  Second, notice this paragraph, and that the Supreme Leader doesn’t want to attack Jerusalem.  “A top Iranian commander said Saturday that Khamenei had given an order for Tehran-backed terror groups to destroy Haifa and Tel Aviv if “any foolishness is committed against Iran,” warning that the Islamic Republic has been working for years on developing the capabilities of its proxies in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.”  See “A year on, Hezbollah says Iran ‘doesn’t need help’ avenging its top general,” Times of Israel, January 3, 2021.

“Iran’s Cabinet Passes Bill on Preventing Violence against Women,” IFP, January 3, 2021.

Here is the latest quote I’ve seen that the ballistic missile attacks in Iraq were supposed to be the retaliation for the killing of Soleimani, this one from Mahmoud Vaezi, the Iran president’s chief of staff.  ““In terms of the military response, you definitely know that the Islamic Republic of Iran poured missiles down on the American base involved in the assassination of martyr Soleimani. This targeted attack sent a clear message to the Americans that attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran and crossing its red lines will certainly not pass without a response,” Vaezi said in an interview with Al-Ahed News.”  See “Full pullout of U.S. from the region is main response to Soleimani assassination: Iran’s Vaezi,” Tehran Times, January 3, 2021.