“US deploys guided-missile destroyer to Middle East after Iran threats,” Al Arabiya, 7-16-23.
“US to send F-16 fighter jets to Gulf amid Iran shipping tensions,” Al Jazeera, 7-15-23. Force, not diplomacy, seems to be the coin of the realm.
“Iranian president tours Africa after 11 years| Iran seeking new allies as isolation grows,” WION, 7-15-23.
“Gallant: Iran has attempted over 50 terror attacks globally against Jews in recent years,” Jerusalem Post, 7-13-23.
“Iran Paid for Su-35 Jets, But Russia Won’t Deliver Them,” Bourse and Bazaar, 7-13-23. The relationship isn’t ironclad—Russia sometimes uses Iran for its own purposes.
More facilitators. “Iranian president welcomed in Zimbabwe with anti-West songs on the last stop on his Africa trip,” AP, 7-13-23.
But they are not in lockstep, as Russia and Iran will use each other when needed. “Iran summons Russian ambassador over comments on Persian Gulf territorial dispute in a rare spat,” AP, 7-12-23. Russia made its point “after a meeting in Moscow between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. In the statement, the ministers affirmed their support for efforts “to reach a peaceful solution to the issue of the three islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice,” according to the Saudi Press Agency. Iran took control the three islands after British forces withdrew in 1971 and considers them an “inseparable” part of its territory. The United Arab Emirates also claims the three islands and has long pressed for a negotiated solution. The three islands dominate the approach to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Iran says the islands have been part of Persian states from antiquity up until they were occupied by the British in the early 20th century. It also says an agreement reached with Sharjah, one of the UAE’s seven emirates, gives it the right to administer Abu Musa and station troops there. There is no such agreement on the other two islands. The UAE says they belonged to the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah until Iran seized them by force days before the Emirati federation was formed.”
“The man who burnt Quran in Sweden was Mossad agent: Iran’s Intelligence Ministry,” Tehran Times, 7-11-23. No evidence. No author attribution, and doesn’t make sense why Israel would even do such a thing. Iran’s state media embellishes.
“Iran sentences popular rapper to 6 years in prison for involvement in protests,” AP, 7-10-23.
“US court mandates Iran to pay US-based activist $3.3m in damages,” Middle East Eye, 7-10-23. “While ruling doesn’t specify where money should come from, it says Iran must pay nearly $3.3m to human rights activist Masih Alinejad.”
“Iran’s President To Set Out On Rare Africa Tour,” AFP, 7-10-23.
Believe it when you see it. “Iran Football Boss Says Women Can Attend Top League Matches,” VOA, 7-9-23.
“UK to sanction Iran after credible threats from regime,” BBC, 7-6-23. “Since January 2022 there had been 15 credible threats by Iran’s regime to kill or kidnap Britons or UK-based people.”
“Princeton University student kidnapped by Iran-backed militia group in Iraq — in March: officials,” New York Post, 7-5-23. Don’t be fooled by the recent diplomacy/normalization overtures by the Regime toward other countries. They keep on taking hostages, terrorism, drone production, ballistic missile production, support for terror groups, etc., etc. Iran refuses to act as a normal country. Last observation–this Princeton student has just lost 2-3 years of her life. See also “Israeli Woman Held for Months in Iraq by Shiite Militia Linked to Iran,” NYT, 7-5-23.
“Saudi Arabia And Kuwait Claim Rights Over Gas Field Eyed By Iran,” AFP, 7-5-23.
“Navy stops Iran from seizing 2 commercial ships,” Politico, 7-5-23. “Iran has tried to seize vessels in the Gulf of Oman and has targeted 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels since 2021 according to public information from the U.S. Navy.” Remember, this is a form of hostage taking.