Month: November 2021

More than 10,000 protesters in Isfahan.  The Supreme Leader can’t ignore.  “Dry River Triggers Mass Protest In Iran’s Third-Largest City,” RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, November 19, 2021.

“Iran’s Narges Mohammadi, voice of regime victims, imprisoned again,” Reporters Without Borders, November 19, 2021.

Two months without inspections.  New President Raisi continues to carry the water for the hardline regime–nothing is changing.  “Iran calls for depoliticization of IAEA after France urges it to act,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, November 19, 2021.

“A Facebook Employee Was Tortured in Iran. Shouldn’t the Company Be More Prepared for Situations Like This?,” Aaron Mak and Nitish Pahwa, Slate, November 19, 2021.

“UN Committee Passes Resolution Calling on Iran to Eliminate Religious Discrimination,” Globe News, November 18, 2021.

“Observers: Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite Militias Threaten Iraq’s Sovereignty,” Dale Gavlak, VOA, November 18, 2021.

Rhetorically, why are Hezbollah in Yemen?  “Arab coalition strikes Iran Revolutionary Guard, Hezbollah experts in Yemen,” Arab News, November 18, 2021.

“Why negotiate with an actor who does bad deeds?  “US says Iran government behind ransomware attacks,” AFP, November 18, 2021.

An outstanding piece of reporting.  “A Sign That Iran Is Still Pursuing Nukes,” The Dispatch, FDD, November 18, 2021.  “Iranian media have reported on the identity of the new head of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear research institute.”  …  “The name of SPND’s new chief, Reza Mozaffarinia, was not trumpeted in a formal press release, but rather relayed in passing amid a story unrelated to Iran’s nuclear program first detected by open-source analysts. The reason for the lackluster press is understandable. Mozaffarinia’s predecessor was targeted and killed last November in what many assume to be an Israeli attempt to stymie Tehran’s nuclear weapons efforts. In the years leading up to his death, Fakhrizadeh’s name appeared in International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports, books, articles, and even the atomic archive that Israel exposed in 2018, all of which put Fakhrizadeh at the nexus of Iran’s nuclear and military aspirations.”

“High-level UAE delegation to visit Iran soon -officials,” WTVB, November 17, 2021.

“Iran increases enriched uranium, prevents inspector access, says IAEA,” Al Monitor, November 17, 2021.

This debate, fueled by far-right religious Shia thought and the Supreme Leader, pops up every few years.  “Iran to bring in law that criminalizes keeping pets,” DPA, November 17, 2021.

“Iran’s Raisi tells Putin: Tehran is ‘absolutely serious’ about nuclear talks,” AFP, Times of Israel, November 16, 2021.

“Iran Resumes Production of Advanced Nuclear-Program Parts, Diplomats Say,” Laurence Norman, Wall Street Journal, November 16, 2021.

Not again!  A few years ago it was eight forwards and midfielders.  Now the goalie, a person named Zohreh Koudaei.  “After Losing to Iran, Jordan Claims Goalie on Women’s Soccer Team Is a Man,” Uzi Dann, Times of Israel, November 15, 2021.

When a helicopter files within 25 yards of a U.S. Navy ship, it should be shot down.  “US accuses Iran of unsafe helo maneuver near US Navy ship,” AP, November 15, 2021.

“Assad regime said to shun Iranian commander for nearly starting war with Israel,” Times of Israel, November 11, 2021.

“Assassination Attempt Shows Why Iraq Must Confront Iran,” Washington Post, November 9, 2021.

“Iran’s top nuclear diplomat to visit U.K., France, Germany,” JWN, November 8, 2021.

“Iran bans newspaper that linked supreme leader to poverty,” AP, November 8, 2021.

First, the Iran PMUs tried to take the Green Zone, now they try to kill the PM with drones at his house.  Will Kadhimi reconsider any cooperation with the Regime in Iran?  See “Is Iran behind the drone attack against Iraqi PM? – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, November 7, 2021.

Mossad stopped multiple attacks in three African countries, Tanzania, Senegal and Ghana.  Note the other countries, all widespread, mentioned in the article.  “Mossad thwarts Iranian attacks on Israelis in Africa – report,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, November 7, 2021.

“Iran sentences gay couple to death for adultery,” AFP, November 7, 2021.

“Backers of Iran-linked militias try to storm Baghdad’s Green Zone after election losses,” Louisa Loveluck and Mustafa Salim, Washington Post, November 5, 2021.

“Iran says has enriched over 210 kilograms of uranium to 20%,” AP, November 5, 2021.  “Under the historic 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the World Powers, Iran was not meant to enrich uranium above 3.67 percent. Enriched uranium above 90 percent can be used for nuclear weapons. … Kamalvandi also said that so far his agency has also produced 25 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, a level that only countries with nuclear weapons have the physical capabilities to produce.”