“Iran vows revenge as it accuses Israel of killing of Hamas political leader,” Financial Times, 7-31-24.
“Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran: What to know, what’s next?,” Al Jazeera, 7-31-24.
“Iran denies role in Golan rocket attack as Israel prepares to retaliate,” Iran International, 7-28-24.
Size lends itself to location of smuggling and corruption. This is at the head of the Persian Gulf. “Khomeini Port accounts for 34% of Iran’s Total Transit,” Hellenic Shipping News, 7-28-24.
“Iran’s Khamenei formally grants Pezeshkian presidential powers,” Japan Times, 7-28-24.
Remember, the Druze soccer field with children was targeted (Hezbollah missiles from Iran can be accurate within a small circumference). Why would Iran authorize? Not surprising, a pattern. “Hezbollah hits Israel with deadliest attack in months-long conflict, IDF says, raising fears of escalation,” Fox, 7-27-24.
“3 Men and a Woman Executed in Khorramabad,” Iran Human Rights, 7-27-24.
“Iran’s elusive quest for Russian investments,” Iran International, 7-27-24.
“Severe heatwave in Iran forces shops and public institutions to close,” Guardian, 7-27-24.
“Iranians are planning terrorist attacks against the Israeli delegation and all Olympic participants.” See “Israeli FM says Iran, Islamists behind sabotage of French rail network,” I24, 7-26-24.
“Iran Orchestrating Online Campaign of Threats Against Israeli Olympic Athletes,” FDD, 7-26-24.
“2024 Olympics: Iran threatening Israeli athletes,” Arutz Sheva, 7-25-24.
Half a billion dollars. For Armenia. This was cleared by Moscow. And is a shot against Azeris. “Iran and Armenia sign secret $500 million arms deal,” Iran International, 7-24-24.
“The Uncomfortable Reality of Russia and Iran’s New Defense Relationship,” War on the Rocks, 7-24-24.
A really unusual story, trying to get the former and controversial president out of the way. “Iranian Ex-President Ahmadinejad Nearly Killed in Assassination Attempt: Report,” Newsweek, 7-24-24. And see “Iran’s Ahmadinejad escaped assassination attempt,” Iran International, 7-24-24. The steering and brakes failed at the same time—that doesn’t happen in cars.
“Germany carries out raids and bans a group accused of links to Iran and support for Hezbollah,” AP, 7-24-24. Read this, then read it again. “The German government on Wednesday banned an organization accused of being an “outpost” of Iran’s theocracy, promoting the ideology of its leadership and supporting Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group. Police raided 53 properties around the country, including a prominent mosque in Hamburg. The ban on the Islamic Center Hamburg, or IZH, and five suborganizations around Germany followed searches in November. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said evidence gathered in the investigation “confirmed the serious suspicions to such a degree that we ordered the ban today.” The IZH “promotes an Islamist-extremist, totalitarian ideology in Germany,” while it and its suborganizations “also support the terrorists of Hezbollah and spread aggressive antisemitism,” Faeser said in a statement. Her ministry said that “as the direct representative of Iran’s ‘Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,’ the IZH disseminates the ideology of the Islamic Revolution in an aggressive and militant way and seeks to bring about such a revolution in the Federal Republic of Germany.” This is a mission existing in multiple countries.
“Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah agree to form government,” AP, Politico, 7-23-24. With approval by Tehran.
“The curious international silence about Iran’s new reformist president,” The Interpreter, 7-23-24.
“The shadowy Iran ayatollah who is being ‘vilified’,” Iran International, 7-22-24.
“To Secure the Red Sea, Sink Iran’s Navy,” WSJ, 7-22-24. “Attacking the Houthis hasn’t kept up with the pace of Tehran’s resupply effort.” … “This carries the risk of escalation, but history shows that Iran typically backs down when attacked. Iran backtracked in 1988, after the Reagan administration sank roughly half of its navy, and in 2020, after the Trump administration killed Qasem Soleimani, which halted Iran’s proxy attacks for months.”
“Iran’s IRGC intercepts UAE-managed tanker, Ambrey says,” Iran International, 7-22-24. “The interception was likely a counter-smuggling operation by the IRGC, as the vessel’s “trading behavior was consistent with previous IRGC target profile.” … “The Betelgeuse vessel, along with its 12 crew members of Indian and Sri Lankan nationality, has been transferred to Bushehr anchorage and is under supervision,” the agency quoted the statement as saying. … Iran, which has some of the world’s cheapest fuel prices due to heavy subsidies and the plunge in the value of its currency, has been fighting rampant fuel smuggling by land to neighboring countries and by sea to Persian Gulf Arab states.”
“Iran seizes Togo-flagged oil tanker in Persian Gulf for ‘fuel smuggling’,” AA, 7-22-24.
“Tenfold rise in intelligence ministry’s budget raises eyebrows in Iran,” Iran Intelligence, 7-21-24.
“Raisi death remains shrouded in secrecy for Iran’s public,” Iran International, 7-21-24.