Entries will be made on the blog only intermittently in the next several weeks. Thank you for your patience.
Such a huge blackmail. Why won’t the NYT admit this? We know why. But here is what the NYT says, “Edging close to a bomb’s worth of fuel is seen as a tactic to pressure the Biden administration into agreeing to a quick renewal of the 2015 nuclear deal.” Tactic, not blackmail. See “Iran Nears an Atomic Milestone,” New York Times, September 13, 2021.
Because of a series of bad decisions, “more than any other country in the world Iran is witnessing continuously new peaks of the virus.” See “The Painful Reality of COVID-19 Vaccinations in Iran,” Iran Focus, September 13, 2021.
“Iran’s gasoline storage capacity stands at 3b liters,” Hellenic Shipping News, September 13, 2021.
“Iran’s Supreme Leader Reiterates Ban On Games With Israelis,” Iran International, September 13, 2021.
“‘Imagine an Iran that exports peace, knowledge, and friendship’,” Joe Donnelly, op-ed, Washington Times, September 13, 2021.
These two articles show that Iran is not destined or stuck as a revolutionary state—it is a daily decision by the Leader and the rest of the IRI government. They can make decisions that are rational and for their own good and even other’s good. But these articles also remind us that Iran’s Regime will often hide the ball and mislead in order to move the Revolution and the Shia Crescent forward. So, which is it today? Do these stories show a normal country or a revolutionary cause? We will soon find out if the cameras are turned on again and are under IAEA control. See “IAEA and Iran reach agreement to avert nuclear deal crisis,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, September 12, 2021. And see “Iran to allow IAEA to service nuclear monitoring cameras after talks,” Reuters, September 12, 2021.
Yes, Iran attempted to use suicide drones against U.S. forces. What should be the U.S. response? “US shoots down pair of Iranian drones attacking Iraq airport,” Yahoo, September 12, 2021.
Two articles on the topic of one important tool Iran uses to spread its Crescent. “Israeli minister says Iran giving militias drone training near Isfahan,” Yahoo, September 12, 2021.
“Gantz: Iran Is Training Militias to Employ Advanced UAVs, in a Base Called Kashan,” Hamodia, September 12, 2021.
“Nobel laureates to UN chief: Investigate Iranian massacre,” Jerusalem Post, 9-12-21. Dozens of Nobel Prize laureates signed a letter imploring UN Sec.-Gen. Antonio Guterres to investigate the 1988 mass murder of Iranian political prisoners.
“Iran is providing foreign fighters with drone training at an airbase near the city of Isfahan, Israel’s defence minister alleged a month after Tehran came under global scrutiny over a suspected drone attack on an Israeli-managed tanker off Oman. In what his office described as a new disclosure, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said on Sunday that Iran was using Kashan airbase north of Isfahan to train “terror operatives from Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon in flying Iranian-made UAVs.” See “Iran training Middle East fighters to fly drones: Israel,” Al Jazeera, September 12, 2021.
This is probably the last straw. Without minimum verification, the West will have to act. “IAEA will have no access to surveillance camera footage in Iran-state-run TV,” Reuters, US News and World Report, September 11, 2021.
Rightfully so. “Iranians worry that their new government is inept,” Economist, September 11, 2021.
Double-dealing by the Regime. “Iran vehicles continue to enter Karabakh despite Baku protest,” Azer News, September 11, 2021.
“Iran Gov’t to Run $16.7b Budget Deficit in Fiscal 2021-22,” Financial Tribune, September 11, 2021.
Pakistan’s ISI hosted a meeting of intelligence chiefs of China, Russia, Iran, and Tajikistan in Islamabad. “DG ISI hosts meeting of intelligence chiefs from Iran, Russia, China, Tajikistan,” Dunya, September 11, 2021.
“Iran Drug Mafia: 80 Percent of Drugs Are Not Observable,” Hoshang Amiri, Iran Focus, September 11, 2021.
“Iran’s Leader Congratulates Flotilla on Accomplishment of Mission,” IFP, September 11, 2021.
This article should be entitled “Iran”, not “Hezbollah.” See “Iran-backed Hizbollah tightens its grip on sinking Lebanon,” The Straits Times, September 10, 2021.
“The IAEA report published Tuesday revealed that Tehran has quadrupled its stockpile of 60 percent-enriched uranium since May, in open contravention of the 2015 accord with world powers that was meant to contain its nuclear program. The watchdog also told member states in its confidential quarterly report that its verification and monitoring activities have been “seriously undermined” since February by Iran’s refusal to let inspectors access IAEA monitoring equipment. The agency said that it estimates Iran’s stock of uranium enriched to up to 60% fissile purity at 10 kilograms, an increase of 7.6 kilograms since May. The country’s stockpile of uranium enriched to up to 20% fissile purity is now estimated at 84.3 kilograms, up from 62.8 kilograms three months earlier. Iran’s total stock of uranium is estimated at 2441.3 kilograms as of August 30, down from 3241 kilograms on May 22, the agency said. Tehran is only permitted to stockpile 202.8 kilograms of uranium under the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, which promises Iran economic incentives in exchange for limits on its nuclear program, and is meant to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb.” See “Bennett calls for ‘rapid international action’ against Iran’s enrichment surge,” Times of Israel, September 10, 2021.
“For its survival, Iranian mullah regime resorts to human rights violations,” Pressenza, September 10, 2021.
“Iran: One Nurse per 25 Patients,” Iran News Update, September 10, 2021.
“Which brings me back to Iran’s new cabinet. It is not surprising that the Islamic Republic’s new president, Ebrahim Raisi — a sadist who, as a regime prosecutor in the 1980s, supervised beatings, rapes and mass executions of prisoners — would appoint a bunch of thugs to his cabinet. But what is alarming is the silence of Western states on the unmistakable message that this cabinet sends. For this is not an occasion to defer to the principle of not commenting on political appointments in other countries.” See “Analysis: Islamism’s Brutal Face is Back on Display in Afghanistan and Iran,” Detroit Jewish News, 9-10-21.
“Iranian regime women’s affairs vice president supports child marriage,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, September 9, 2021.
“Iran’s Guards target Kurdish rebels in Iraqi Kurdistan –report,” Reuters, September 9, 2021.
“Iranian press review: Baby trafficking gang sold children for $600,” MEE, September 9, 2021.
“Iran: The Staggering Coronavirus Death Toll Exceeds 414,500,” NCRI, September 9, 2021.
“Three More Converts Arrested in Iranian Christian Community Plagued by Persecution,” Persecution.org, September 9, 2021.
The kettle calling the pot black. “Iran insists on ‘inclusive’ government in Afghanistan,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, September 9, 2021.
Since June, Iran has removed some of the cameras. “Nuclear Monitors Say Surveillance Gear Missing in Iran,” Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, September 8, 2021.
“Iran Sentences 8 To Public Flogging For ‘Economic Misconduct’,” Iran News Wire, September 8, 2021. ““The use of cruel and inhuman punishments such as flogging, amputation, and blinding are an appalling assault on human dignity and violate the absolute prohibition on torture and other degrading treatment or punishment under international law,” Amnesty’s Philip Luther said.” “As a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Iran is legally obliged to forbid torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment. It’s simply unacceptable that the Iranian authorities continue to allow such punishments and to justify them in the name of protecting religious morals.” More than 100 “offenses” are punishable by flogging under Iranian law. The offenses include theft, assault, vandalism, defamation, and fraud.”
5,000 mass executions in 1988—Raisi responsible. “Iran’s new president has blood on his hands,” Nasser Mohajer and Kaveh Yazdani, Iran Source, September 8, 2021.
Bakhtiari must be a mouthpiece for the Regime. In his efforts to show how well the Regime has done, he drastically (by 3-5 x) misreports the number of Covid deaths in Iran. “Iran vs. “unsanctioned” countries: who dealt better with the pandemic?,” Faranak Bakhtiari, Tehran Times, September 8, 2021.
“US Navy launches Mideast drone task force amid Iran tensions,” Jon Gambrell, AP, September 8, 2021.
“UN nuke watchdog: Iran pressing on with uranium enrichment,” AP, September 7, 2021.
This represents perhaps the largest effort to date against the Shia Crescent Program. A very important article that must be read between the lines also. “IDF chief says Israel accelerating Iran strike plans, acting throughout Mideast,” Times of Israel, September 7, 2021.
Apparently in contravention of U.S. sanctions. “Russia signs deal with Iran in bid to boost aircraft sales,” Clement Charpentreau, Aerotime, September 7, 2021.
“Why Israel’s transfer to US Central Command could help deter Iran,” Bradley Bowman and Behnam Ben Taleblu, op-ed, Defense News, September 7, 2021.
Keep in mind what Iran means by “partners”—drug runners, gun traders, money washing, proliferators, etc. See “Iran Looks for Partners in Latin America,” Julieta Pelcastre, Dialogo, September 7, 2021.
“Iran says two navy ships returned from unprecedented global voyage,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, September 7, 2021.
“Why Is Iran So Keen on Joining the SCO?,” Fardin Eftekhari, The Diplomat, September 7, 2021.
“Iran’s Foreign Minister in Talks With Former Afghan Leaders,” Yasna Haghdoost, Bloomberg, September 7, 2021.
“After The Taliban, Iran Eyes Victory Over US,” Dalia Al-Aqidi, op-ed, Arab News, September 6, 2021.
“Iran will dominate Antony Blinken’s schedule in 2021,” Omri Nahmias, Jerusalem Post, September 6, 2021.
“Examining Iran’s Ties to the Taliban,” Erfan Fard, Algemeiner, September 6, 2021.
“Iran says siege of Panjshir Valley contravenes international law,” Tehran Times, September 6, 2021.
“Reports: U.S. Arms Abandoned In Afghanistan Moved To Iran,” World Crunch, September 6, 2021.
“As its rivers shrink, Iraq thirsts for regional cooperation,” WHBL, September 6, 2021.
The fall of the Larijanis is almost complete. “Latest Resignation In Iran Might Signal The Post Khamenei Period,” Iran International, September 6, 2021.
“Former Iran army chief, who accused West of using lizard spies, dies of COVID-19,” AFP, September 5, 2021.
“New postal museums to open across Iran,” Tehran Times, September 5, 2021.
“Can Raisi Build A Million New Homes Every Year In Iran?”, Iran International, September 5, 2021.
“Iraq’s 27 Billion Energy Deal With Total Can Reduce Reliance On Iran,” Iran International, September 5, 2021.
“Malley: US ‘Can’t Wait Forever’ for Iran to Rejoin Nuclear Talks,” Algemeiner, September 5, 2021.