Month: January 2022

“Russia proposed interim nuclear deal to Iran, with U.S. knowledge, sources say,” NBC, Carol Lee, Courtney Kube, and Dan De Luce, January 21, 2022.

“Hezbollah faces rising dissent, efforts to end Iran’s ‘occupation’ of Lebanon,” Dalal Saoud, UPI, January 21, 2022.

“Despite Mass Slaughter of Muslims, Iran Arming Military Regime in Myanmar: Report,” Algemeiner, January 21, 2022.

“Iran’s Environmental Degradation,” Khalil Khani, op-ed, Eurasia Review, January 21, 2022.

“Iran drives antisemitism in the Muslim world – analysis,” Ksenia Svetlova, Jerusalem Post, Media Line, January 21, 2022.

An excellent article, and one which explains again why the JCPOA was a bad idea.  And the first piece I’ve ever seen that argues (really funny if it weren’t such a serious topic)—“Iran’s clerical leadership was ahead of Greta Thunberg in appreciating the dangers of climate change.”  See “Iran’s regime is the source of the Israel-Iran conflict,” Mark Regev, op-ed, Jerusalem Post, January 20, 2022.

Moral of the story—only fly Turkish or Emirates or any other external/foreign airline to Iran.  Don’t fly anything based in the country.  “Just cause for fear of flying in Iran,” Kourosh Ziabari, Asia Times, January 20, 2022.

“It is not just in Israel’s interest. It is in the interest of all relevant players in the Middle East that are threatened by Iran and the international community’s interests, especially the US, Russia and Europe.”  See “Why Israel is waging a shadow war with Iran’s IRGC in Syria,” Oubai Shahbandar, Arab News, January 20, 2022.

“With help from Iran, Venezuela doubles oil production despite U.S. sanctions,” Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, January 20, 2022.

“In Rare Move, China Discloses Oil Imports From Iran,” Torkel Nyberg, OilPrice.com, January 20, 2022.

“Under Ebrahim Raisi, Iran and Turkey may be entering a new phase of bilateral ties,” Hossein Aghaie Joobani, Atlantic Council, January 20, 2022.

“US mulling re-designating Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis as terrorist group – Biden,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, January 20, 2022.

“Kremlin offers no comment on possible loan to Iran for purchase of Russian weapons,” TASS, January 20, 2022.

“Iran Alone Among 193 UN Members To Oppose Holocaust Resolution,” Iran International, January 20, 2022.

“Iran, Russia, China To Hold Joint Naval Drill Amid Growing Ties,” RFE/RL, January 20, 2022.

“Interview: Iran, China “facing a new horizon of cooperation,” says Iran’s FM spokesman,” Xinhua, January 20, 2022.

Blackmail, pure and simple.  “This is the key point for Iran. It wants to remake the region and show that any country can be targeted with Iranian-backed weapons or Iranian proxies in Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. The attack on Abu Dhabi was a message to the region and the US, as well as the UAE.”  See “Iran reveals key details of Yemen Houthi attack on UAE – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, January 19, 2022.

“Tunnel complex at Natanz nuclear facility in Iran ‘deeper than expected’,” JNS, January 19, 2022.

“US Sanctions 3 Men For Financial Fraud To Help Iran-Backed Hezbollah,” Iran International, January 19, 2022.

“China, Russia, Iran to hold joint maritime exercise: report,” Leng Shumei, Global Times, January 19, 2022.

“Iran’s Revolution Is Eating Its Own,” Ray Takeyh, FP, January 19, 2022.

Does Russia favor Iran or Israel?  “In Moscow, Putin and Raisi hail ties during decisive moment for Iran nuclear deal,” AFP, January 19, 2022.

Excellent reminders about how Iran was acting irresponsibly During the JCPOA, and how it acted irresponsibly after the U.S. under Trump called them out, and how Iran controls how it acts in violation of the JCPOA now—this is not Donald Trump causing Iran to rain down missiles and drones and spin centrifuges.  “Trump isn’t responsible for Iran’s aggressive behavior,” Bobby Ghosh, op-ed, Seattle Times, January 19, 2022.

“Iran tries Arab dissident for terrorism,” Al Monitor, January 18, 2022.

“The U.S. bans the sale of goods and services to certain Iranian government agencies, including the Central Bank, on the grounds that they act for or on behalf of terrorist organizations.”  See “U.S. Citizen Arrested For Trying To Sell Technology To Iran’s Central Bank,” RFE/RL, January 18, 2022.

“Khamenei Advisor Says Iran Is A World Power Equal To Russia, China,” Maryam Sinaee, Iran International, January 18, 2022.

Great point by U.S. vets—pay them first for $60 billion of outstanding terrorism judgments against Iran before providing one cent of sanctions relief to Iran.  See “US Military Victims of Iranian Attacks Ask Biden for Frozen Funds,” Carla Babb, VOA, January 18, 2022.

After attacking three fuel tanker trucks in the UAE, three killed.  “Entire UAE Within Houthis’ Reach, Minister Tells Iran Agency,” Maryam Sinaee, Iran International, January 17, 2022.  And see “Deadly Drone Strikes on UAE Raise Gulf Tensions, Roil Oil Market,” Mohammed Hatem, Dana Khraiche, and Zainab Fattah, Bloomberg, January 17, 2022.

“Iran: Poverty Increases As Regime Mismanages Economy,” Hamid Enayat, op-ed, Eurasia Review, January 17, 2022.

“Iran to pilot national cryptocurrency soon,” Tehran Times, January 17, 2022.

“Former Iran hostage Barry Rosen goes on hunger strike to campaign for prisoners in Tehran,” The National, January 17, 2022.

Remember, Iran says it is a country of peace.  And that it promises to never develop or possess nuclear weapons.  And that somehow the U.S. leaving the JCPOA forced (?) Iran to move out of the JCPOA and develop its nuclear program?  “In threat to Europe, Iran increases ballistic missile range,” Neta Bar, Israel Hayom, AP, January 17, 2022.

“Iran tries to turn Qassem Soleimani into a national hero,” Najmeh Bozorgmehr, FT, January 17, 2022.

“China and Iran Since the 25-Year Agreement: The Limits of Cooperation,” William Figueroa, The Diplomat, January 17, 2022.

“Putin to Host Iranian President Next Week for Talks – State TV,” Reuters, January 16, 2022.

Usually the media does not know about these types of dumping arrangements among countries.  There is real value in letting the public know what Putin and the Supreme Leader are doing here.  “Russian Lead-Tainted Wheat Gets License For Consumption In Iran,” Iran International, January 16, 2022.

Not smart during JCPOA talks.  Instead of a carrot for France, it is negotiation by intimidation/blackmail.  “Iran returns French academic to prison, saying she violated house arrest,” AFP, January 16, 2022.

“Twitter finally bans account linked Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei after posting Trump assassination video,” Tommy Taylor, Daily Mail, AFP, January 15, 2022.

The friends you keep.  “Denmark accuses Russia, China, Iran of espionage threat,” Jacob Gronholt-pedersen, Reuters, January 13, 2022.

Iran only gives up hostages in exchange for something valuable, here from the British.  We will learn what ransom was given by the U.K.  “Aras Amiri: Iran frees British Council employee accused of spying,” Guardian, January 12, 2022.

“US military links prolific hacking group to Iranian intelligence,” Sean Lyngaas, CNN, January 12, 2022.

“Iran sends French-Iranian academic back to jail at key point in nuclear talks,” AFP, January 12, 2022.

“Iran, US Lock Horns Over Sanctions Relief, Nuclear Curbs in Vienna Talks,” VOA, January 12, 2022.

$63M.  “US grants Iran sanctions exemption to South Korea,” Lahav Harkov, Jerusalem Post, January 12, 2022.

“Iran, Venezuela, Sudan among 8 countries losing right to vote at UN over unpaid dues,” AFP, January 12, 2022.

A reminder of the lack of a free press in Iran.  “Hardliner Paper In Iran Slams Media For Interview On Downed Airliner,” Iran International, January 11, 2022.

Excellent descriptors, one of the few open source places I’ve seen these descriptions.  “Who’s on Iran’s current nuclear negotiating team? Some have controversial pasts,” Mehrzad Boroujerdi, Atlantic Council, January 11, 2022.

Not smart.  “Iranian Parents Take On Powerful Revolutionary Guard As They Seek Justice Over Jet’s Downing,” Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL, January 11, 2022.

“Iran to allow crypto payments for international trade: Report,” Coin Telegraph, January 11, 2022.

“Iran issues ‘sanctions’ on 52 US officials to match 52 hostages,” Daniel Greenfield, JNS, January 11, 2022.

“Iran Harassed, Intimidated Famil

es Of Downed Airliner Victims,” Iran International, January 11, 2022.

“Iran reveals ‘untold story’ of arming Palestinians in Gaza,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, January 11, 2022.  “Soleimani’s strategy “was able to multiply the power of the resistance against the Zionist regime” by arming them.”

“Expectations grow for a deal to emerge from Iran nuclear talks,” Lazar Berman, Times of Israel, January 11, 2022.

“Argentina protests Iranian suspect at Nicaragua event,” AP, Washington Post, January 11, 2022.