Month: May 2021

“Is massive Hamas attack on Israel the assault Iran warned of? – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 11, 2021.

“Registration opens for hopefuls in Iran’s presidential vote,” Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell, AP, May 11, 2021.

But Iran won’t address the video of the incident. “I ran rejects US claim that speedboats sparked encounter,” Spokesman Review, May 11, 2021.

If the Biden Administration will authorize the sinking of just one of these boats that menace the U.S. Navy, that will substantially influence Iran’s irresponsible and dangerous acts.  They are on notice with the warning shots.  “Watch the Navy and Coast Guard’s Risky Encounter with Iranian Speedboats,” Stephen Losey, Military.com, May 11, 2021.

These events make you wonder why the U.S. negotiates on the JCPOA with Iran.  We DON’T have to shoot warning shots with any other country in the entire world.  “Six US Navy vessels were escorting a guided missile submarine, the USS Georgia, when they encountered a group of 13 IRGCN “fast attack boats,” Kirby told reporters. The boats approached the US Navy vessels “at high speed,” coming as close as within 150 yards. After the US tried “all the appropriate and established procedures involving hip blasts, bridge to bridge radio transmission and other ways of communicating,” US Coast Guard Cutter Maui fired approximately 30 warning shots, Kirby said. Following the second round of warning shots, the IRGCN fast boats “broke contact.” The episode follows a string of recent incidents between Iranian boats and US warships. Last month, Iran’s Navy came within 68 yards of US ships operating in the Persian Gulf. And earlier in April, four IRGC ships, including three fast attack craft and a support vessel, came within 70 yards of two Coast Guard cutters.”  See “US Coast Guard ship fired around 30 warning shots at Iranian fast boats in latest tense encounter,” Barbara Starr, Ellie Kaufman, and Paul LeBlanc, CNN, May 10, 2021.

“Iran’s Zarif speaks with Hamas chief, pledges support,” Syed Zafar Mehdi, AA, May 10, 2021.

“Iran Regime’s Blackmail for JCPOA Negotiations,” Shahin Mahmoudi, Iran Focus, May 10, 2021.

“Iran’s presidential election shrouds who really runs the country,” Micha Halpern, Jerusalem Post, May 10, 2021.

“The Second Step of Iran’s Islamic Revolution: Exploring the Supreme Leader’s Worldview,” Kyra Rauschenbach, Critical Threats, May 10, 2021.

So the question becomes will he remain in the service of the Regime, where he has been for over two decades, or will he accept relegation to the wayside?  “Iran’s Zarif denies bid for presidency,” Al Monitor, May 10, 2021.

“What is Iran’s goal in the Jerusalem crisis?,” Seth Frantzman, op-ed, Jerusalem Post,” May 10, 2021.

Another denial.  Then they hope the ownership question is dropped, just like other bad news stories.  “Iran denies knowledge of ship carrying weapons in Arabian Sea,” War is Boring, May 10, 2021.

“State-Run Media: Corruption Is the Root of Iran’s Economic Crisis,” Shamsi Saadati, NCRI, May 10, 2021.

“In attempt to undermine London, Iran operating fake profiles promoting independence of Scotland,” Mandi Kogosowski, Israel Defense, May 10, 2021.

“Iran denies sending Syria mercenaries to Yemen,” MEMO, May 10, 2021.

(1) Ouch, (2) Don’t try this at home, (3) This is what happens when you mess with Israel—All comments that can be made regarding this post.  “Iranian man ironically catches fire while burning an Israeli flag – Watch,” Tobias Siegal, Jerusalem Post, May 9, 2021.

“U.S. Navy seizes weapons in Arabian Sea,” AP, May 9, 2021.  “The U.S. Navy announced Sunday it seized an arms shipment of thousands of assault weapons, machines guns and sniper rifles hidden aboard a ship in the Arabian Sea, apparently bound for Yemen to support the country’s Houthi rebels. An American defense official told The Associated Press that the Navy’s initial investigation found the vessel came from Iran, again tying the Islamic Republic to arming the Houthis despite a United Nations arms embargo. … When laid out on the deck of the Monterey, the scale of the find came into focus. Sailors found nearly 3,000 Chinese Type 56 assault rifles, a variant of the Kalashnikov. They recovered hundreds of other heavy machine guns and sniper rifles, as well as dozens of advanced, Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles. The shipments also included several hundred rocket-propelled grenade launchers and optical sights for weapons. The Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet did not identify where the weapons originated, nor where they were going. However, an American defense official said the weapons resembled those of other shipments interdicted bounded for the Houthis. Based on interviews with the crew and material investigated on board, the sailors determined the vessel came from Iran, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. “After all illicit cargo was removed, the dhow was assessed for seaworthiness, and after questioning, its crew was provided food and water before being released,” the 5th Fleet said in a statement.”  Their statements were video tapped. … “Since 2015, the U.N. Security Council has imposed an arms embargo on the Houthis. Despite that, U.N. experts warn “an increasing body of evidence suggests that individuals or entities in the Islamic Republic of Iran supply significant volumes of weapons and components to the Houthis.”

Sounds like a good negotiating partner.  Does the IRGC really want a new JCPOA?  “Iranian state TV airs video of US Capitol exploding,” Israel Hayom, JNS, May 9, 2021.

“Iran bans trading of crypto not locally mined,” Jet Encila, Micky, May 9, 2021.

Most likely lack of maintenance.  Corruption plays a part.  And Russian involvement in the program.  “Massive fire breaks out near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant – Watch,” Jerusalem Post,” May 8, 2021.

“[A] senior delegation of Israeli officials who met with their White House counterparts (and also with President Biden) concluded after their own talks that Biden would give Iran billions of dollars in sanctions relief without first fixing the nuclear deal’s flaws – which include, in their view, letting Iran proceed with an advanced centrifuge program in 2023 and without enhanced verification of Iran’s compliance with the deal.”  See “Judith Miller: Is Iran’s Supreme Leader near death? Why the answer is supremely important,” Judith Miller, Fox, May 8, 2021.

Notice the theme of the following three stories.  Destabilization.  Doesn’t happen by accident.  “Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah join to incite terror against Israel,” Seth Frantzman, op-ed, Jerusalem Post, May 8, 2021.

“Morocco Says Iran Working on Destabilizing North, West Africa,” Asharq Al-Awsat, May 8, 2021.

“Iran-backed PMFs are destabilising Iraq’s disputed regions,” Kamaran Palani, op-ed, Al Jazeera, May 8, 2021.

Happy Quds Day, right?!  Fortunately, most persons in Iran do not celebrate this despite the Regime’s best efforts at promotion.  “Iran’s Khamenei says fight against Israel is a public duty,” Reuters, May 7, 2021.

“Jask oil terminal Iran’s gateway to export oil from Oman Sea,” Hellenic Shipping News, May 7, 2021.

Notice how to Iran the military and diplomacy are one.  “Yemeni Minister: Iran’s Quds Force Commander Is De Facto Ruler Of Houthi-Held Areas,” Saeed Al-Batati, Arab News, May 7, 2021.  Iran’s Quds Force commander, Hassan Erlo, is acting as de facto ruler of areas controlled by the Houthi militia, a senior Yemeni official has said. Erlo (Irlo) is Iran’s ambassador to Sana’a. Erlo’s movements are highlighted by the Houthis’ media outfit, which confirms that he is acting as a leader, Muammar Al-Eryani, Yemen’s minister of information, culture and tourism, said on Wednesday. Eryani was quoted by state news agency SABA as saying that the Quds Force commander’s actions show that the Houthi leadership takes political, military and administrative orders from the Tehran regime. Iran sends its orders through Erlo, the minister added. He claimed that this highlights Iran’s attempts to impose its control on Yemen as part of an “expansion project in the entire region,” adding that the Houthi militia is “a dirty tool to implement this aim.” Without tough punitive measures from the international community and military pressure on the ground, Iran-backed Houthis will not offer concessions and will continue rejecting initiatives to end the war, Yemen experts said.

“The report states that Iran creates state-controlled “neutral” companies to hide the true nature of the purchase from buyers and establishes “illegal procurement networks which belong to the front companies and middlemen.”

Iran also uses “detour deliveries over ‘third states’ in order not to identify the final buyer” and “the use and misuse of inexperienced freight deliverers and transporters,” the report added. Iran also breaks down the deliveries of illegal deliveries into several “individual non-suspicious deliveries to avoid exposing the entire business.”  The report also said that Iran “conceals the end user” and the “individual, company or institution with which the goods ultimately remain.” The report cited Iran 19 times in the 218-page report, covering security threats to the state’s democracy.

It also said that states such as Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Syria and Russia strive to acquire dual-use goods, items which have both civil and military use.”  See “German report reveals how Iran uses proliferation to smuggle illegal goods,” Arab News, May 7, 2021.

“Insignificance Of A Teacher’s Job In Iran (On Occasion Of International Teacher’s Day),” Cyrus Yaqubi, Eurasia Review, May 7, 2021.

“Kadhimi Orders Removing Billboards of Key Iranian Political Figures,” Asharq Al-Awsat, May 7, 2021

“US slams Iran-backed Yemen rebels for snubbing UN envoy,” Matthew Lee, AP, May 7, 2021.

“Israel ‘not a country, but a terrorist base’: Iran’s Khamenei,” AFP, The Australian, May 7, 2021.

“US weighs unfreezing $1 billion in Iranian funds,” Natasha Bertrand, CNN, May 7, 2021.  You can tell how this is written, and to CNN, that this appears to be a real source and not hearsay.  Let’s hope the channel to send the humanitarian aide through the Swiss channel does not involve using the Swiss official in Tehran who died under mysterious circumstances.

When you lose three years as a hostage, and see up close how Iran is an abusive nation-state, it leads you to speak out like no one else can.  “No Ransom Payment for Iran,” Wang Xiyue, op-ed, Newsweek, May 6, 2021.

Remember, Iran is the only country in the world regularly calling for the destruction of another country—annually at Quds Day, the last Friday of Ramadan.  “Iran Guards chief threatens to disrupt Israeli maritime trade operations,” Times of Israel, May 6, 2021.

“Danish high court upholds conviction of Norwegian man in Iran spy case,” Reuters, May 6, 2021.

I’d like to see the UN Secretary General call out Iran for a violation of the UN Charter for threatening another country.  “Top 10 ways Iran has claimed attack on Israel, MidEast region – IRGC,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 6, 2021.

“Baghdad residents celebrate removal of Iran’s Khomeini, Soleimani billboards,” Al Arabiya, May 6, 2021.

“US says Iran sanctions relief is possible,” Argus, May 6, 2021.

“Iranian press review: Scandal as budget for police and propaganda covertly boosted,” Middle East Eye, May 6, 2021.

“Turkey and Iran: Parallel Islam imperialist ambitions for the Middle East,” Jonathan Spyer, Jerusalem Post, May 6, 2021.

“U.S. official: Reviving Iran nuclear deal ‘absolutely’ possible by mid-June,” Darryl Coote, UPI, May 6, 2021.

Tehran prosecutor Ali Alqasi-Mehr accused Valiollah Seif, who led the central bank from 2013 to 2018, of “wasting” more than $30bn and 60 tonnes of gold reserves” Tasnim news agency reported. “Ex-boss of Iran central bank indicted over ‘wasting’ of funds,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, May 5, 2021.

Here is the next clue in this story. “Iranian emergency services spokesman Mojtaba Khaledi said the diplomat’s body was found by a gardener after an employee who arrived at her apartment early on Tuesday noticed she was missing, the news agency Fars reported. “This person was the first secretary of the Swiss embassy,” Khaledi told Mehr news agency. “The cause of her fall has yet to be determined,” he told Fars.” See “Senior Swiss diplomat in Iran found dead after fall from high-rise building,” Reuters,” May 5, 2021.

The rep for Carnegie Endowment for International Peace believes that a piece of paper binds action.  They need to judge on action, though, in the past and for today, let alone tomorrow.  “US, Iran signal possible breakthroughs in nuke talks,” Laura Kelly, The Hill, May 5, 2021.

“About these European reports. First, they were nowhere to be seen on the front pages of The New York Times or Washington Post, which cover the Iran nuclear talks closely.”  See “Iranian Compliance and the JCPOA Negotiations,” Blog Post by Elliott Abrams, Council on Foreign Affairs, May 5, 2021.

“Iraqi president: Talks between rivals Iran and Saudi ongoing,” Intelligencer, May 5, 2021.

“They give the name of the diplomat as Sylvie Brunner and say that a newspaper named Hamshahri has provided a different account. This account says a loud noise “like an explosion” was heard after midnight on Tuesday. This was eight hours before the body was discovered. “Hamshahri said a cleaner discovered the body and immediately informed the building’s management. It quoted an expert from the coroner’s office confirming death occurred eight hours before the body was discovered.”  See “Death of diplomat in Iran feeds gossip and conspiracies – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 5, 2021.

The first death from a high rise occurred in Romania almost a year ago.  So, now we have the second ranking Swiss diplomat dead from an 18 story fall in Tehran—this person helped take care of U.S. communication with the Regime.  Who else was in her apartment?  “A Swiss diplomat in Iran has died after mysteriously falling from a high-rise building, state media says,” Sinead Baker, Business Insider, May 4, 2021.  See also “Senior Swiss embassy official in Iran dies in high-rise fall,” Swiss Info, May 4, 2021.  See also “Fugitive Iranian Judge Dies After Fall From Hotel in Romania,” Farnaz Fassihi and Kit Gillet, New York Times, June 19, 2020.

“Flurry of diplomatic contacts fuel Iran deal speculation,” Matthew Lee, AP, May 4, 2021.

“Dozens of former UN officials call for inquiry into 1988 Iran massacre,” John Bowden, The Hill, May 4, 2021.

Through “gambling and drug smuggling operations through casinos in Vancouver.”  See “Canada Says Hizbullah, Iran Involved in Money Laundering,” Naharnet, May 4, 2021.

A chief enabler, with benefits for itself—China.  Remember this as the JCPOA is being debated and negotiated.  “China and Iran: A dangerous strategy for an unstable region,” Bob Feferman, op-ed, Jerusalem Post,” May 3 2021.

$1M for each of 57 ransoms.  Do we believe it?  “Iran’s Ahmadinejad: Former Qatar emir paid ransom for IRGC soldiers in Syria in 2012,” Middle East Memo, May 3, 2021.

“Mixed messages on Iran-US deals and ‘prisoners’ – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 3, 2021.

“Iran threatens to kill brother of executed Olympic wrestler,” Arab News, May 3, 2021.

International crime by the Regime.  “Iranian hackers release information of Israeli logistics company Veritas,” Jerusalem Post, May 3, 2021.

“Iran wants to use China to counter US – what are the implications?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 3, 2021.

“Report: Iran likely behind cyber attacks on Israeli supply chain companies,” JNS, May 3, 2021.  Most likely Natanz revenge attacks.

“Scottish election 2021: Iranian regime ‘peddling disinformation’ in attempt to swing Scottish election,” Beth Murray, The Scotsman, May 3, 2021.

This is what intelligence agencies from the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany say.  “Iran sought nuclear weapons, technology for WMDs last year, reports find,” Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, May 3, 2021.

Way to go Iraq!  “Iraq seeks $15 billion in gas investments to lower dependence on Iranian imports,” Dania Saadi, S&P Global, May 3, 2021.

October!  That is forever from now.  Mismanagement, corruption, and spending money on terrorism and missiles and the Arc.  “Iran to begin general people vaccination in October,” Mehr, May 3, 2021.

“Iran and Afghanistan inaugurate cross-border railway,” Times of Central Asia, May 3, 2021.

“Iran cyber misinformation campaign takes aim at Scottish independence,” Christopher Hamill-Stewart, Arab News, May 3, 2021.

Please, please, please.  Do not pay ranson for hostages, and do not exchange prisoners for hostage.  Simply tell Iran we’re not doing anything until they release U.S. hostages and forswear taking any others.  This is not rocket science.  The President, Secretary, NSA, and others need to do this to break the hostage cycle.  And if Iran won’t change, I’m reminded of the Barbary Pirates and the brave response by Dem. Pres. Thomas Jefferson.  “US denies Iran claims of prisoner deal; UK plays it down,” Jon Gambrell, Isabel Debre, and Matthew Lee, AP, May 2, 2021.

Follow the example of the 1975 Helsinki Accords, which required human rights observance and helped bring about the Soviet collapse.  “The U.S. Can Support Freedom’s Ferment in Iran,” Ray Takeyh, op-ed, Wall Street Journal, May 2, 2021.

“Alert: Iran state TV, quoting anonymous official, says deal made between US and Tehran for prisoner swap, release of $7 billion,” Ridgefield Press, May 2, 2021.

“US denies report of Iran prisoner swap deal, release of $7B in frozen funds,” Peter Aitken, Fox News, May 2, 2021.

“UK says Iran’s treatment of Zaghari-Ratcliffe is ‘torture’,” Arab News, May 2, 2021.

“[I]t was not in Moscow’s interests for Iran to normalize relations with the West.”  Another enabler.  See “Russia still steering Iran nuclear talks against US,” Eli Lake, op-ed, Bloomberg News May 2, 2021.

“Follow the example of the 1975 Helsinki Accords, which helped bring about the Soviet collapse.”  See “The U.S. Can Support Freedom’s Ferment in Iran,” Ray Takeyh, op-ed, Wall Street Journal, May 2, 2021.

“Huge blaze reported at Iranian chemical factory near Qom; cause unclear,” Times of Israel, May 2, 2021.