An innocent and emaciate aid worker held for over a year is traded for an Iranian diplomat convicted of attempting to bomb exiles in France. “Belgium, Iran conduct prisoner swap in Oman, freeing aid worker and diplomat convicted in bomb plot,” AP, 5-26-23. But also notice the value the West puts on innocence, and the danger of the U.S. taking this action too—“Despite the contentious optics, Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne said he would do it again, anytime. “There is a moral compass. If you have the choice between freeing someone innocent or keeping one, or 10 guilty in prison, then you always have to choose the fate of the innocent,” he told VRT network. He compared the exchange to last December’s U.S.-Russian prisoner swap between WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout following her trial and conviction on drug possession charges in Moscow. “The United States did it too,” Van Quickenborne said, adding that it is his “absolute duty to help every innocent Belgian.”
“Iran is using its cyber capabilities to kidnap its foes in the real world,” Iran Source, Atlantic Council, 5-24-23.
“Israel concerned Iran will begin enriching uranium to near weapons-grade purity,” Israel Hayom, 5-24-23.
Empowerment by the country with more Muslims than any other. “Indonesia, Iran sign preferential trade agreement,” Reuters, 5-23-23.
“What to expect after change of Iran’s top security official?,” Al Jazeera, 5-23-23.
“Iran is stepping up pressure on its proxies to join forces against Israel,” JNS, 5-16-23. Iran is pushing to establish a “joint operational mechanism”/headquarters in southern Lebanon for Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, to create a ring of terror around Israel and to coordinate rocket attacks. I would predict this will be repeatedly bombed by Israel.
“Iran’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Down To A Fraction Of Deposits,” Iran International, 5-16-23. Iran has spent most of its national sovereign wealth fund in the past decade or so amid sanctions, the chairman of the national inspectorate said. Iran has only $10 billion saved, which is negligible compared with other oil-exporting countries.
We’ll choose this story to lead only because what Hezbollah says is patently false. There are years of activity from multiple countries and continents, and multiple intelligence agencies otherwise. “Hezbollah denies connection to drug dealer killed in Jordanian bombing in Syria,” Jordan News, 5-13-23.
“Russia Starts Building Ships for North-South Trade Route to Iran,” Financial Tribune, 5-13-23.
“Syria Owes $50 Billion To Iran, Leaked Document Reveals,” Iran International, 5-12-23. “Syria owes Iran $50 billion according to leaked documents from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, with fears for Assad’s possible assassination creating fear in Tehran the money may never be recouped.”
“France says 2 citizens held in Iran have been freed from prison, are on way to Paris,” AP, Courthouse News, 5-12-23. Nearly a half-dozen other French citizens are thought to be held in Iranian prisons.
Iran has a long history of saying one thing and doing another. “Iran still smuggling weapons, narcotics to Yemen, U.S. envoy says,” Reuters, 5-11-23.
Strict control over women is the aim of the Shia theocracy. “Iran: Women’s cars can be impounded if they’re caught without hijab,” Jerusalem Post, 5-11-23.
Correct, the corrupt system of human rights state violators supporting each other distorts international politics. “Iran secures top spot at UN Human Rights Council after hanging 2 men for blasphemy,” Fox, 5-11-23. The UN Human Rights Council appointed Iran as chair of a forum focused on using technology to promote human rights, the Human Rights Council Social Forum, which has sparked much anger and indignation because Iran actually uses technology to terrorize its own people and spy on them. This is as ironic as it gets.
Notice that Iran decides and orders Hezbollah and Syria to comply. Here the topic is Suleiman Franjieh, a person Iran wants as president of Lebanon. “Hezbollah chief met with Syrian president after Saudi-Iran deal: Report,” The Cradle, 5-10-23.
It has been asked before—the start of Axis powers? “Iran increases trade with BRICS including China, as it eyes to join bloc,” Al Monitor, 5-10-23
“US military seizes $80 mln heroin shipment from Iran,” Al Arabiya, 5-10-23. Also seized was methamphetamine. But the Regime says it does not participate in the international drug market.
“182 academics, professionals, and thinkers from 36 nations, including China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Oman, Syria and Iraq, are participating in the conference.” I think that I’ll skip this conference due to Iran’s track record—I really don’t think they can improve on the time-tested Western, capitalist, rules-based, human rights-respecting model. See “Iran holds international conference on new world order,” Tehran Times, 5-10-23.
Surprise, surprise, surprise. “Leaked Docs: Iran hid Weapons in Earthquake Aid to Smuggle Arms to Syria to Attack U.S. Troops,” Kurdistan24, 5-10-23.
The word “defensive” can be struck. This is not news. “Iran ready to supply latest defensive weapons to Syria,” MEMO, 5-10-23.
You heard this right. “Gravitas: Iran to put cultural heritage sites up for auction,” WION, 5-10-23.
“Iranian Activist Matalabzadeh Assaulted by Security Forces, Summoned to Court,” Iran Wire, 5-10-23.
“Iran Executes 7 More People As Activists Slam 2-Week Long ‘Hanging Spree’,” AFP, 5-10-23.