Month: January 2024

“The ship’s 14 crew members were detained.”  For intelligence.  “Military ends rescue search for Navy SEALs lost in raid on ship with Iranian weapons,” Politico, AP, 1-21-24.

“Houthis seek more Iranian weapons to step up Red Sea attacks, intel shows,” Politico, 1-21-24.  “The shipments are a sign that Tehran is playing a direct role in fueling the crisis in the Red Sea …. “In addition to escalating against America in Iraq and Syria via militia groups to put pressure on America to end Israel’s war against Hamas, Iran also has a more localized logic at play,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “It is trying to create a cycle of violence that leads to the eviction of U.S. forces from the region, beginning with Iraq.” … As of Friday, Iran-backed militia groups had attacked U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria 140 times since October, according to the Pentagon. The attacks have typically been small-scale, using a combination of drones and rockets and causing little damage to infrastructure. But on Saturday, militants in Western Iraq launched a major attack on al Asad airbase, injuring a number of U.S. personnel. … Still, officials and experts maintain that Iran does not seek open war with the West. It’s significant that neither Iran nor Lebanese Hezbollah, a more sophisticated militant group than the Houthis also funded by Tehran, has gotten more involved in the fight in Gaza, said retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of all U.S. forces in the Middle East until 2022. Tehran’s three objectives are: preservation of the regime, destruction of Israel, and ending the U.S. presence in the region, McKenzie said. “Based on that, they do not seek large-scale war with the United States because they know the regime would be threatened by it,” he said.”

“Iranian Soldier Kills 5 Comrades Where IS Attack Killed Dozens,” AP, VOA, 1-21-24.

“Iran appears to spread misinformation to justify attacks on Erbil,” Rudaw, 1-21-24.

Red Alert.  “Iran has almost enough uranium for nuclear bomb, US expert reports,” Jerusalem Post, 1-21-24.

“Iran launches satellite that is part of a Western-criticized program as regional tensions spike,” AP, 1-20-24.  “The United States has previously said Iran’s satellite launches defy a U.N. Security Council resolution and called on Tehran to undertake no activity involving ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. U.N. sanctions related to Iran’s ballistic missile program expired last October. … The U.S. intelligence community’s 2023 worldwide threat assessment said the development of satellite launch vehicles “shortens the timeline” for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile because it uses similar technology. Intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used to deliver nuclear weapons. Iran is now producing uranium close to weapons-grade levels after the collapse of its nuclear deal with world powers. Tehran has enough enriched uranium for “several” nuclear weapons, if it chooses to produce them, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency repeatedly has warned. Iran has always denied seeking nuclear weapons and says its space program, like its nuclear activities, is for purely civilian purposes.”

“Iranian and Hezbollah commanders help direct Houthi attacks in Yemen,” Reuters, 1-20-24.

“U.S. personnel wounded in missile attack on Iraq airbase by Iranian-backed rebels,” CBS, 1-20-24.

We scratch our heads at what the UN allows.  “Iran to take Presidency of UN Conference on Disarmament,” Jerusalem Post, 1-20-24.

“Iran launches ‘Sorayya’ satellite into 750 km orbit, its highest yet,” India Today, 1-20-24

This relationship has been scary in the past.  “Sudan, Iran to reopen embassies following diplomatic rapprochement,” Sudan Tribune, 1-20-24.

“Iran’s overarching strategy in attacking targets in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan,” NPR, 1-19-24.

“Pakistan, Iran agree to ‘de-escalate’ tensions after tit-for-tat attacks,” Al Jazeera, 1-19-24.

And the drive for radical Shia revolution beyond its borders, part of its constitution.  “Why Iran Is the Common Link in Conflicts From Gaza to Pakistan,” NYT, 1-18-24.

This Iran proxy is back on the list.  Should never have been removed.  “U.S. lists Houthis as terrorists, rebels hit another US-operated ship,” Reuters, 1-18-24.

“Why are Iran and Pakistan striking each other’s territory – and what does it have to do with the Middle East?,” CNN, 1-18-24.

“Does Khamenei Want Iran to Be Bombed?,” Middle East, 1-18-24.

Target practice is rare, and costly.  “The Islamic Republic is now attacking random areas in Syria to show off its missile capabilities while using the cover of “striking terrorists” as a way to test the missiles’ precision. … There is no evidence that Iran struck ISIS. It appears that it attacked an area of Syria controlled by Turkish-backed extremist groups to show off the missile’s capability.”  See “Iran attacked Syria with long-range missile in message to Israel – analysis,” Jerusalem Post, 1-18-24.

Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Israel, U.S., Saudi Arabia, the list is long.  “Iran Says Missile Strikes Show It Will Be ‘Tough and Decisive’ With Foes,” NYT, 1-17-24.

“‘Unprovoked violation’: Iran strikes Syria, Iraq and Pakistan as Middle East tensions spike,” CNBC, 1-17-24.

So, Iran can control its proxies.  “Iran says attacks by its allies won’t stop until Israel’s war in Gaza ends,” CNN, 1-17-24.

“Iran struck Pakistan with missiles and drones as the 2 countries held a joint naval exercise,” Business Insider, 1-17-24.

“Putin and Iran’s Raisi to sign new interstate treaty soon – Russia,” Reuters, 1-17-24.

The U.S. hit the anti-ship ballistic missiles before they were launched.  Good move.  “US launches additional strikes against Houthis in Yemen,” CNN, 1-16-24.

“Deadly Iranian Strikes in Iraq and Pakistan Inflame Regional Tensions,” NYT, 1-16-24.  Miscalculation by Iran?  The killings in Erbil and in Pakistan against truly innocent persons, combined with the attacks the Regime ordered the Houthis to make against Red Sea international shipping, appear irrational.  But terrorism doesn’t always make sense—that’s why they aren’t a leader state or even in the community of respected international actors.  The NYT says, “Iran says its missile strikes were aimed at militant groups behind attacks on its territory, but Pakistan and Iraq rejected that explanation.”

“Iran Strikes Jihadist Group in Pakistan as Middle East Conflicts Spread,” NYT, 1-16-24.

“Hezbollah – a pawn in Iran’s aim to obliterate Israel – opinion,” Jerusalem Post, 1-16-24.

“Iraq recalls envoy to Iran after IRGC claims to fire missiles at Mossad site in Erbil,” Times of Israel, 1-16-24.

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.

“Iran executes nearly 20 Kurdish prisoners in two weeks: Watchdog,” Rudaw, 1-14-24.  “According to an Amnesty International report, Iran became the nation with the second-highest rate of known executions in 2022, having executed 576 people across the country, which was a staggering increase from 314 the year before. The surge of executions did not lose pace in 2023. In July, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported that at least 354 people, including six women, were executed in the first six months of 2023 and Iranian authorities reported only 43 of the recorded executions, which make up just 12 percent of the total. … Many of those who are executed in Iran are convicted based on confessions condemned by rights groups as often obtained under duress.”

“Iranian Official Faces Health Speculation Following Viral Video,” Iran International, 1-14-24.  Sanctioned by the U.S., and a key foreign adviser in Iran’s controversial and deadly foreign policy, Ali Akbar Velayati is now very ill (see the video).  FYI, Argentina is one of six persons with an arrest warrants for the 1994 BA Jewish Center (AMIA) bombing that killed scores.  He is on the Wanted list of Interpol.

First, check Webster’s for “defeated.”  Second, Pres. Raisi must be advocating for Military Darwinism when he says, “the Palestinians, on their own initiative, upgraded the war from a war with stones to a war with missiles and drones.”  Impressive, in such a short time frame!  See “Iran’s Raisi declares victory of Islamic world over ‘defeated Zionist regime’,” Times of Israel, 1-14-24.

“Oct. 7 was the opening attack in Iran’s ‘ring of fire’ war against Israel,” The Hill, 1-14-24.

A frightening prospect, one which has been on the mind of Jordanian and U.S. and Israeli and Saudi leaders.  “Jordan is at risk of falling into Iranian hands,” The Hill, 1-13-24.

Another op-ed, food for thought if the U.S. backs out or doesn’t stop the nuclear project.  “The US isn’t the biggest power in the Middle East any more. Iran is,” Guardian, 1-13-24.

“Tanker seized by Iran located off Qeshm Island in Persian Gulf,” Reuters, 1-13-24.  “Iran seized the St Nikolas, loaded with Iraqi crude destined for Turkey, in retaliation for the confiscation last year of the same vessel and its Iranian oil cargo by the US, Iranian state media said.”

Yes!  It is about time, after a month and many attacks.  The coalition responds to Iran’s Houthi actors’ attacks against world shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.  But none of the sites were in Iran.  “US, UK launch large-scale retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen,” ABC, 1-12-24.  “U.S. President Joe Biden, who had been under pressure to respond, but hoping to avoid risking wider Middle East conflict, issued a statement Thursday calling the move [over 70 targets in Yemen] a “defensive action” after extensive warnings. “Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces — together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands — successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways,” Biden said. “These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea — including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history. These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation.””

This is such an important development/news item regarding international law, reason, and genocide.  It is such an embarrassment for the ICJ to be hearing a case in which Iran supports South Africa in the accusation of genocide against Israel when there are no facts against Israel but instead exist for Iran.  Even if a person takes the position that any litigant/state should have ability to file their (baseless) claim at the World Court, just the fact that so many countries have not jumped on the bandwagon saying Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip are genocide should be enough for the UN Secretary General to speak up when this case was filed.  He did not.  He can’t claim the need for impartiality because, as the Israeli Supreme Court declared in the Eichmann case, no one can be impartial about genocide.  One last thought—it is so significant, and again a clear message to Iran, that the one state for which the genocide treaty was enacted (Germany, for the Holocaust against Jews (and others)) would now rightfully stand up in defense of Israel.  Thank you Germany for your courage.  See “Germany to intervene in Hague case to defend Israel against ‘baseless’ charge of ‘genocide’,” I-24 News, 1-1-12-24.  “’Hamas terrorists brutally attacked, tortured, killed, kidnapped Israeli innocents. Hamas’s goal is to wipe out Israel. Israel has been defending itself’.”

So ironic.  “Iran says US-UK attack on Houthis will fuel instability in region,” Reuters, 1-12-24.

Even though these distortions/lies were flagged and repaired, it may be that all Iran-related entries on Wikipedia will have to be put behind an editor-maintained firewall.  “Wikipedia Entries Manipulated In Line With Iran’s Propaganda,” Iran International, 1-12-24.