Iran must release all hostages belonging to any of the P5+1 states, and pledge to take no more because it will be punished for doing so, before the negotiations begin. This hostage taking (a practice since 1979) must stop. It is not normal for any country to hold people as pawns in international relations. See “U.S. in Contact With Iran on Detained Americans, Biden Aide Says,” Tony Czuczka, Bloomberg, February 21, 2021.
Note two things. First, the U.S. sanctions are forcing Iran back to the negotiating table, exactly what the U.S. hoped. (this is something the media is not yet picking up on). Second, the sanctions are not the fault of the U.S., they were imposed because of Iran’s actions. (this is something the media will not admit). See “US sanctions inflicted $1 trillion damage on Iran’s economy: FM,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, February 21, 2021.
An accurate and concise statement—“Iran’s deafening silence on China’s Uighur Muslim repression speaks volumes about Tehran’s reliance on Beijing’s money.” See “Why Iran won’t cross China on the Uighurs,” Kourosh Ziabari, Asia Times, February 21, 2021.
Again, just words. Iran’s FM says things like this headline, but there are no resulting actions. “Iran Says Ready for Talks With Arab States Without Preconditions,” Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, February 21, 2021.
This article is an example of the Leader and his Regime making rational calculations to move toward what they want—reduced sanctions, and not losing the ability to acquire ultimate weapons. “Iran’s Compromise With Nuclear Monitors Limits Escalation,” Jonathan Tirone and Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, February 21, 2021.
“The Influence of Persian Racism on Status of Azerbaijani Turks in Iran,” Elchin Hatami, Modern Diplomacy, February 21, 2021.
Reuters says, “Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners in recent years, mostly on espionage charges. Rights activists have accused Iran of using them as bargaining chips, something Tehran denies.” But Reuters, who has years of reporting on Iran’s hostage taking, refuses to run a story on whether the U.S. citizens are criminals/terrorists/etc. Why won’t Reuters do an investigative story on those held in Iran and those held in the U.S. And for other countries? This is not rocket science. See “Any U.S.-Iran communication over detained U.S. citizens has been via Swiss – official,” Reuters, February 21, 2021.
So Iran will follow its domestic law and end snap inspections under the JCPOA Additional Protocol. Using later domestic-passed law to obviate international agreements is actually a violation itself of treaty principles—every International Law treatise includes this. Further undermining Iran’s position here is that the Regime will not follow the letter of the law passed by the Majlis—it will instead allow three months of limited snap inspections as a compromise with the IAEA. See “IAEA strikes deal with Iran to cushion coming blow of slashed access,” Francois Murphy, Reuters, February 21, 2021.
Reuters is making a lot of news today. This goes back to my point about not reporting about the true nature of the hostages. “White House says U.S. communicating with Iran over detained Americans,” Michael Martina, Reuters, February 21, 2021.
“Non-oil trade” is the key phrase. Regardless of U.S. sanctions, keep your eye on the ball about what is being shipped—especially if it’s not on the manifest. “Iran to launch direct shipping line to S. Africa, Latin America,” Hellinic Shipping News, February 21, 2021.
A novel definition of “non-breach” of an international agreement—FM Zarif says “All our steps (to breach the deal) are reversible…The move on Feb. 23 is not abandoning the deal,” Zarif said in a televised interview with Iran’s English Language Press TV.” Under international law, whether a step is reversible or not does not constitute the definition of breach. (I am having to offer too much international law guidance here—why isn’t the media interviewing international law scholars in the same article to refute what the FM claims?). See “Iran’s Zarif Says Ending IAEA Snap Inspections Doesn’t Breach Nuclear Deal,” Asharq Al-Awsat, February 21, 2021.
Sometimes this blog carries news of countries that enable or influence Iran’s behavior. Here is one of these. “No matter how warm relations between Washington and Delhi become, history shows that some level of non-alignment will always be part of India’s policies.” See “What India’s Relationship with Iran Means for America,” Larry Wortzel, National Interest, February 20, 2021.
It is really interesting and informing to read the types of stories carried by TASS. “Russia, China seek to comply with nuclear deal, Europe does not – Iran’s foreign minister,” TASS, February 21, 2021.