If I were a betting man, I’d say that the targeting information (regarding international shipping and military vessels) funneled from the Iranian ship near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait to the Houthis was manipulated by an adversary of Iran so that the Houthis would shoot at their master. “Houthis Fire Missiles at Cargo Ship Bound for Iran, Their Patron,” Bloomberg, 2-12-24.
“Iran asks FIFA to ban Israel over war in Gaza,” Vanguard, 2-12-24. Did Iran ask FIFA to bar Russia for its invasion of Ukraine?
Putting aside the military and security implications for other countries using the Strait, building bridges are generally praised by others who want developing countries to go forward. Iran has done to little bridge and school and clinic construction for the past four decades. “Iran Announces $700m Persian Gulf Bridge Project Funded By Oil Barter,” Iran International, 2-12-24.
And Argentina just authorized its embassy to move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It looks like it is trying to take a stand against Iran’s pressure on Argentina. “With Argentina’s help, U.S. seizes Boeing 747 used by Iran’s military,” UPI, 2-12-24. “The seized [Mahan Air] American-built aircraft was transferred by a sanctioned Iranian airline in a transaction that violated U.S. export control laws and directly benefited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is a designated terrorist organization.”
“Iran celebrates anniversary of 1979 Islamic Revolution,” ABC, 2-12-24.
“Iran plotted to assassinate a Swedish Jewish woman — this is her story,” Jerusalem Post, 2-12-24.
“Former Iranian-Owned Boeing Aircraft Successfully Returned to the United States,” Department of Justice Press Release, 2-12-24. “The pilot of the plane, Gholamreza Ghasemi, was identified as an ex-commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a shareholder and board member of a subsidiary of Mahan Air.”
“Iran And Turkey Seal 600 MW HVDC Line Deal For Cross-Border Energy Exchange,” Solar Quarter, 2-12-24.
“Iran’s aggressive maritime acts escalate tension and threaten trade in the region,” Dryad Global, 2-12-24.
Weapons and Ideology. Dangerous combination. “Why Sudan’s army is pivoting towards Iran,” New Arab, 2-12-24.