Another Iran-ordered hit, this one against an advanced U.S.-owned cargo ship. Looks like disaster averted as the ship continues in the Gulf of Aden. But this is a reminder that what the Biden Administration ordered against Yemen this past week was not a strong enough set of hits to make Iran stop. “U.S.-owned ship hit by missile from Yemen in Gulf of Aden,” i24News, 1-15-24.
“US senators ask Panama to investigate tankers trading oil to Iran,” SeatradeMaritime, 1-15-24. Corruption is the explanation for the 189 Panama-flagged vessels. “The ships in question represent around 50% of the 383 “ghost fleet” vessels identified by non-profit organisation United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) as dedicated to the transfer of oil from Iran, despite widespread US sanctions against the nation and its oil industry in particular. The senators say that no other flag represents more than 5% of the identified ghost fleet vessels, and that AMP has de-flagged just 28 of the 217 vessels of concern.”
“Shin Bet exposes Iran’s attempts to manipulate discourse on hostages,” i24News, 1-15-24.
In short—Iran’s vast oil and gas resources have been squandered since 1979 due to the quest for radical Shia revolution. “Iran is grappling with a significant infrastructure deficit of $500 billion, yet the political elite is largely unaware of the problem, according to an economist in Tehran. Economics professor, Vahid Shahri, told local media that the government’s annual budget deficit of a few billions of dollars is not the most serious issue. What is crucial is the declining energy and water resources in the country, serious imbalances in the economy, lack of money in the government pension funds and other shortages. These imbalances will add pressure to the government every year and require larger operating budgets. … Iran is facing a serious economic crisis since the United States withdrew from the JCPAO nuclear accord and imposed sanctions in 2018. However, the country’s economic vows go much deeper, as the Islamic regime failed to leverage its oil export revenues to properly invest in infrastructure and development since the 1990s. It is estimated that Iran sold around $1.5 trillion of oil in the past two decades, yet it faces a bankrupt government that has a stranglehold over 80 percent of the economy.” See “A $500 Billion Economic Deficit Pushes Iran Toward ‘Catastrophe’,” Iran International, 1-15-24.
“Iran judiciary files new hijab case against released journalists,” BBC, 1-15-24.
“Hamas fights with a patchwork of weapons built by Iran, China, Russia and North Korea,” AP, ABC, 1-15-24.
This is a story we’ve been waiting to see in print. “Iran’s Revolutionary Guard deployed in Yemen,” Semafor, 1-15-24. “Commanders and advisors from Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are on the ground in Yemen and playing a direct role in Houthi rebel attacks on commercial traffic in the Red Sea. The IRGC has stationed missile and drone trainers and operators in Yemen, as well as personnel providing tactical intelligence support to the Houthis … The IRGC, through its overseas Qods Force, has also overseen the transfer to the Houthis of the attack drones, cruise missiles, and medium-range ballistic missiles used in a string of strikes on Red Sea and Israeli targets in recent weeks.”
“Iran says final agreement reached with India on Chabahar Port: Report,” Economic Times, 1-15-24.
“Iran sentences imprisoned Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi to an additional prison term,” AP, 1-15-24.
This is simply Iran attacking because Iran wants to. And announcing because it wants to. This is close to war it seems, as countries just don’t shoot at another country. At least normal countries don’t. “Iran launches ballistic missiles towards U.S. forces in Iraqi Kurdistan,” i24News, 1-15-24.
“Iran Turns to Dirty Heavy Fuel Oil amid Gas Shortage,” OilPrice.com, 1-15-24. And this is despite having all the oil and gas they could ever need.
“Ships and aircraft search for 2 Navy SEALs missing after mission to confiscate Iranian missile parts,” AP, 1-15-24.