Month: January 2022

Ouch.  The national legislature has to close due to Iran’s mismanagement of the virus.  “COVID: Iran’s parliament suspended amid rapid spread of Omicron,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, January 31, 2022.

“Iran moves centrifuge-parts production out of disputed workshop, IAEA says,” Francois Murphy, Reuters, January 31, 2022.

An accurate statement that this story concludes with – “Many countries in the region accuse Iran of interference in the domestic affairs of its neighboring countries.”  See “Iran Rejects Morocco’s Accusation Of Spreading Shiism In Africa,” Iran International, January 31, 2022.

Quote of the Day (and which will not happen):  “Luxury goods that have been smuggled in must be thrown into compactors and crushers,” Khamenei said on his official Twitter account.  See “Iran’s Khamenei orders crackdown on smuggled luxury goods,” Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, The Gazette, January 30, 2022.

It is nearly $10,000, but average salaries are $200 a month.  “Iran To Allow Buy-Out Of Military Service, For The Rich,” Iran International, January 30, 2022.

“Iran said beating out Assad regime for influence in key Syrian border province,” Times of Israel, January 29, 2022.

“Iran-Backed Militias Escalate Attacks on U.S., United Arab Emirates,” James Phillips and Nicole Robinson, Heritage, January 29, 2022.

“Iran’s Corruption of Justice Cannot Go Unpunished,” Struan Stevenson, National Interest, January 29, 2022.

“Iran Ready to Broaden Ties with Nicaragua: FM,” Tasnim, January, 29, 2022.

“Teachers, Nurses Protest In Iran Amid High Inflation,” Iran International, January 29, 2022.

“Iran nuclear talks reaching final stage – E3 negotiators,” Reuters, January 28, 2022.

“Iranian women allowed to watch landmark moment as Iran qualifies for World Cup in Qatar,” Aleks Klosok, CNN, January 28, 2022.

And Malley complimented Iran for allowing women into the soccer stadium.  “US nuclear negotiator congratulates Iran on qualifying for World Cup,” AFP, January 28, 2022.

OWP does not understand that jettisoning hostages does not result in peace.  The Regime has had years to quit taking hostages.  “No Decision Yet on Direct Talks with U.S.” – Iran Foreign Minister,” Miriam Donovan, Organization for World Peace, January 28, 2022.

“Dissidents hack Iran state TV, broadcast call for Khamenei’s death,” AP, January 27, 2022.

Incentive from FIFA works.  “Some women allowed into stadium as Iran secures World Cup spot,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, January 27, 2022.

“Though vulnerable, Tehran is the ideal Middle East partner in an alliance to destroy the U.S.-led order.”  See “Why Russia and China Build Up Iran,” Bryan Clark and Michael Doran, op-ed, WSJ, January 27, 2022.

“Full Iran-Turkey gas flow to resume in 10-15 days, Erdoğan says,” Daily Sabah, January 27, 2022.

“Qatar’s top envoy visits Iran as Tehran and Washington consider direct nuclear talks,” Parisa Hafezi and Andrew Mills, Reuters, January 27, 2022.

“Israeli researchers: Iran nuclear breakout could occur ‘within a space of weeks,’ regional cooperation necessary,” Israel Kasnett, JNS, January 27, 2022.

Shamkhani was the trial balloon for the Supreme Leader, and his comment that direct talks with the U.S. might be possible were derided by the hardliners.  “Top Iran security official retracts comments on talks with US,” Al Monitor, January 27, 2022.

“‘I got 12 years and 74 lashes’: Confess, the band jailed for playing metal in Iran,” Matt Mills, Guardian, January 26, 2022.

“Iran pushes to increase ballistic-missile range to cover Europe,” Michael Segall, JNS, January 26, 2022.

“Under Raisi, Iran’s Ongoing Persecution of the Baha’i Community Intensifies,” Iran Press Watch, January 26, 2022.

“Analysis: Lebanon slips further into Iran’s orbit as Hariri bows out,” Tom Perry and Laila Bassam, op-ed, Reuters, January 26, 2022.

“Iran president says nuke deal possible if sanctions lifted,” AP, Ynet, January 25, 2022.

“Ukraine Crisis Could Have an Unexpected Winner: Iran.” James Dorsey, Algemeiner, January 25, 2022.

“French Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Iran Prison for Spying,” Reuters, January 25, 2022.

We quickly see Iran’s response to yesterday’s news from the U.S., that hostages (human pawns) must be released.  Iran says No.  “Iran Rules Out U.S. Prisoner Release as Nuclear Talks Precondition,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, January 24, 2022.

Very unlikely based on the Regime’s track record on these types of questions.  “Iran Will Consider Direct Nuclear Talks With U.S. For ‘Good Agreement,’ Hints At Prisoner Swap,” RFE/RL, January 24, 2022.

“In Iran, women do not choose to wear the hijab, it is enforced. In fact, recent polling revealed that 72 percent of people in Iran oppose the compulsory hijab.”  See “#LetUsTalk: Stop Silencing Iranian Women,” Kasra Aarabi, op-ed, Newsweek, January 24, 2022.

“UAE intercepts 2 ballistic missiles over Abu Dhabi fired by Iran-backed Houthis,” Times of Israel, January 24, 2022.

“Iran can achieve nuclear capability within weeks, INSS annual report says,” Itamar Eichner, Ynet, January 24, 2022.

“Taking up Tehran’s offer, US says ‘prepared to meet directly’ with Iran,” Times of Israel, January 24, 2022.

Quote of the Day.  “The policy of cooperation with the East and comprehensive development with China and Russia has astonished and inactivated Western enemies and regional rivals,” Major General Rahim Safavi told the National Conference on Iran and Neighbors.”  See “Leader advisor: A new era has begun in Iran’s foreign policy,” Tehran Times, January 24, 2022.

So, Iran feels confident enough to shoot more ballistic missiles at SA and UAE, and Iran is not getting a red light from Russia or China.  “Houthi missiles target Saudi Arabia and UAE as escalation grows,” Al Jazeera, January 24, 2022.

This is such a bad idea, to fund Iran’s due in exchange for Iran’s pressure on SK.  It is also a bad idea to reward Iran by allowing it to vote again at the UN.  Iran wants the peer attention in NYCity, but SK and the U.S. have just empowered Iran’s presence there instead of forcing Iran to decide how to spend its own money and pay its bills.  See “S.Korea says Iran to regain UN vote after delinquent dues paid with frozen funds,” Reuters, Japan News, January 23, 2022.

This is exactly the right statement by the U.S. official.  The world must demand that hostages not be taken, they become pawns.  Iran has done this since 1979….  “Exclusive-Iran Nuclear Agreement Unlikely Without Release of U.S. Prisoners -Malley,” Reuters, January 23, 2022.

Stopped by the U.S.S. Cole no less.  “US Navy seizes 40 tons of key bomb ingredient on suspected Iranian boat heading for rebels in Yemen,” Luke Ridley, GB, January 23, 2022.

In addition to the 25-year agreement with China, now Iran is agreeing to a 20-year formal relationship with Russia.  A new type of Axis.  “MP: Iran, Russia agreed on frameworks of 20-year cooperation document,” Tehran Times, January 23, 2022.

As we’ve shown multiple times with posts from a variety of sources, these government numbers are regularly underreported.  “Iran reveals COVID-19 data for January 23,” Azer News, January 23, 2022.

Drug connection between Iran and Yemen on display.  “UK Royal Navy seizes more than $20 million worth of drugs in Gulf of Oman,” Duarte Mendonca, CNN, January 23, 2022.

“With chants against US and Saudis, Gaza terror group stages massive pro-Iran rally,” Times of Israel, January 23, 2022.

“US detains ship loaded with bomb-making compound heading from Iran to Yemen,” Isabel Debre, Times of Israel, January 23, 2022.

“Iran rights defender sentenced to 8 years jail, flogging:  husband,” Times of India, AFP, January 23, 2022.

“US Advocacy Group Exposes Two More Tankers Transferring Iran’s Oil,” Iran International, January 23, 2022.

“Iran: The Killing Field for Athletes and National Heroes,” Farid Mahoutchi, NCRI, January 23, 2022.

“Why we should worry about Iran’s ties to China,” Majid Rafizadeh, Arab News, January 23, 2022.

“Venezuela doubles oil output despite US bans thanks to Iran’s help,” Press TV, January 22, 2022.

“Iran Releases Statement on Dissociation from UN Holocaust Resolution,” Tasnim, January, 22, 2022.