“Statue of slain commander Soleimani torched in Iran hours after unveiling,” AFP, Times of Israel, January 7, 2022.

Notice two quotes from this story.  First, “The Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday that Iran has begun the process of paying the $150,000 compensation its government promised to victims’ families at the end of 2020, and will continue to hold court sessions with families present to bring to account the 10 unnamed people it has indicted.”  Second, “Canada, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom said in a statement that Iran has explicitly told them it will not engage in group dialogue, so they are now determined to resolve the issue through international law.”  So the headline is deceiving—Iran won’t say who it has paid, nor is it paying enough, nor is it negotiating with the countries, nor will Iran say who it is prosecuting.  See “Iran says it has begun paying families over downed Ukraine plane,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, January 7, 2022.

I’m waiting to hear what kind of corruption or connection to Regime actions resulted in this.  “Sides have licenses withdrawn by Asian Football Confederation, with Gol Gohar Sirjan also missing out.  AFC says officials determined clubs ‘had not satisfied all of the mandatory criteria’.”  See “Asian Champions League: top Iran sides Persepolis and Esteghlal kicked out of competition,” Reuters, January 7, 2022.

Actually, no.  Unless SArabia does what Iran tells it to do.  “Iran ready to restore ties with Saudi Arabia ‘at any time,’ FM says,” Reuters , i24News, January 7, 2022.

A good way to influence others and build friendships.  “Iran displays missiles amid nuclear talks with world powers,” AP, January 7, 2022.  “State television says missiles in central Tehran are the same types as those used to strike US bases in Iraq after Soleimani killing.”

Spying on the civilian housing blocks and apartment floors by the IRGC.  Scary.  “Iran Aims To Set Up Basij Paramilitary Bases In 11,000 Neighborhoods,” Iran International, January 7, 2022.