“Iranian-backed Houthis attack Saudi Arabia with drones again,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 16, 2021.

“Iran denies involvement in Iraq attacks, more attacks hours later,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 16, 2021.

“The unproven assessment is based partly on accounts from four independent but unnamed sources who say Hekmati approached Iranian officials offering classified information, as well as the fact he abruptly resigned his contracting position and left for Iran without notifying supervisors, the FBI says. An FBI computer forensics search concluded that while in Afghanistan, he accessed hundreds of classified documents on Iran that agents believe were outside the scope of his job responsibilities, the documents say.”  So, this person may have made a  poor choice.  But that does not justify torture or holding as a hostage.  See “Once tortured in Iranian jail, ex-Marine fights spy claims,” Eric Tucker, AP, Star Tribune, March 16, 2021.

Agreed.  “Tehran is directly responsible for the violence carried out by its proxies and must be held accountable.”  See Blame Iran for Rocket Attacks in Iraq,” Ranj Alaaldin, FP, March 16, 2021.

“Iran: Execution of Six Prisoners, Including a Woman, in Three Days,” NCRI, March 16, 2021.

But did Russia and Iran work together?  “Russia and Iran tried to interfere with 2020 election, U.S. intelligence agencies say,” CNBC, March 16 2021.

“Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground Natanz plant with a second type of advanced centrifuge, the IR-4, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said in a report obtained by Reuters on Tuesday, in a further breach of Tehran’s deal with major powers.”  See “Iran enriching uranium with new advanced machine type at underground plant –IAEA,” Yahoo Finance, March 16, 2021.