The point of this blog is cover news about Iran, showing (regularly) how it does not act as a normal country.  We sometimes deviate to see stories of how Iran is enabled by other countries.  This is also a reminder that the world is really not an East v. West place, or maybe not even a Clash of Civilizations strictly speaking, but instead a place where the debate is about democracy, rule of law, human rights, economic progress, etc.  Here is a story about Iran today that showcases this.  Think about how China enables Iran, and think about how Iran covers for China.  “Iran says decisions by China about country’s national rule considered China’s internal affair,” MENAFM, March 13, 2021.

“Iran: Four Bahais Sentenced To 12 Years Of Prison,” Iran News Wire, March 13, 2021.

These persons have been desperate for good government for a long time.  “Report: Crowd attacks Iran coast guard after smuggler shot,” AP, Yahoo, March 13, 2021.

So, after Blinken’s comments, and this story, we can confirm that the earlier stories by the Iran about SK paying 1B already were propaganda and designed to pressure SK.  Iran will keep the SK ship for now.  “Iran: Central Bank Chief Criticizes South Korea For Not Releasing Assets,” Tasnim News Agency, March 13, 2021.

“Turkey, Iran say will cooperate with Iraq on water issues,” Khazan Jangiz, Rudaw, March 13, 2021.

This story is worth posting also because of the headline.  “Iran enrolls with group of countries in forming alliance against use of force,” MENAFN, March 13, 2021.

Since Pres. Rouhani said Iran’s steps to control COVID-19 could function as a “roadmap for posterity, a source for the university courses, and a model to fight contagious diseases” that may break out in future, it sounds like Tanzania Pres. John Magufuli must be visiting Iran to learn from this model because no one has seen him in Tanzania for about two weeks.  “Iran’s War on COVID-19 A Model for Containing Contagious Diseases: President,” Tasnim, March, 13, 2021.