“U.S. launches airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, Syria,” Tim Stelloh, Courtney Kube, and Saphora Smith, NBC, June 28, 2021.  “U.S. military forces carried out what a Pentagon official called “defensive” airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Sunday against Iran-backed militia groups that were behind drone attacks on American personnel.  Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement that the airstrikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one in Iraq. The facilities were used by at least two militias, Kata’ib Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Kirby said. The fourteenth brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group for a number of Iran-backed militias in Iraq, said four of its fighters were killed in the attack. The fourteenth brigade is made up of Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada members.”

“Report details China and Iran’s ‘pragmatic’ anti-U.S. partnership,” Jenna McLaughlin, Yahoo, June 28, 2021.

Notice two things.  Iran has attacked the U.S.  Second, the news needs to remember to put things in sequence—here, a few days ago Iran’s militias attacked U.S. positions in Iraq, then the U.S. responded.  Now Iran has attacked the U.S. again.  See “US forces in Syria came under rocket fire, a day after US carried out airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias,” Barbara Starr and Nicole Gaouette, CNN, June 28, 2021.

“Navid Afkari: Executed Iranian wrestling star’s voice is ‘everywhere now’,” Don Riddell, CNN, June 28, 2021.

This WPost op-ed portends what will happen.  Remember, IRGC, Raisi, and the Leader.  Too much invested to go backwards.  (like the Taliban—they are coming back).  There will be a limited JCPOA, but Iran will continue NOT being a normal state as long as the current management is in charge.  See “The U.S. and Iran near a breaking point,” Ishaan Tharoor, op-ed, Washington Post, June 28, 2021.

“Iran’s 7,000km range drone is a warning to Israel – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 28, 2021.

Mr. Simon is a good reporter.  But he stakes this article’s claim on one item only—that Iran is running out of foreign reserves.  “Iran Is Increasingly Likely To Accept A New Nuclear Deal,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, June 28, 2021.

“Iran should switch support from militias to Iraq, KRG: British ambassador,” Anis Ari, Rudaw, June 28, 2021.