A lot of news today. This blog will begin now after a short absence, picking up with the stories on 7-16-24 of Iran attempting to kill former Pres. Donald Trump, along with several of his staff targeted due to the operation against Gen. Soleimani in 2020. These include Pompeo, Bolton, O’Brien, Hook, and the 2-3 high ranking U.S. military officials. The viable threats have forced more than a million dollars of cost to the USG/month. Iran really needs to be careful, as killing a head of state will most likely be an act of war. “US officials have gathered increasing amount of intel about Iran plotting to assassinate Trump,” Politico, 7-16-24.
See also “Exclusive: Secret Service ramped up security after receiving intel of Iranian plot to assassinate Trump; no known connection to shooting,” CNN, 7-16-24. “US authorities obtained intelligence from a human source in recent weeks on a plot by Iran to try to assassinate Donald Trump, a development that led to the Secret Service increasing security around the former president in recent weeks, multiple people briefed on the matter told CNN.” … “Warnings about that operational planning have coincided with a noticeable surge of online messaging from Iranian accounts and state-backed media mentioning Trump, which has raised security concerns among US officials, one of the sources told CNN.”
“Iran’s new cabinet will be facing old problems,” Iran International, 7-16-24. “The process to form a new cabinet in Iran has officially begun with President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian appointing former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as the head of the Strategic Council for Transition.” Zarif if fluent in English, having lived in the U.S. for years for graduate school and posting at the UN Iranian Mission as Ambassador.
This reporter asks a good question, but then never answers why Pres. Saied is moving closer to Iran. Sounds like a research question. “Why are Tunisia’s Relations with Iran Warming Up?,” Informed Comment, 7-16-24.
“Iranian TV presenter stabbed in London moves abroad for safety,” Guardian, 7-16-24. Iran International, “the London-based channel received repeated threats from Iran, with UK intelligence services foiling at least 15 plots to either kidnap or kill employees of the TV station. … [Reporter] Zeraati is among many calling for the British government to proscribe the IRGC, an arm of the Iranian state, as a terrorist organisation. … Iran International says it provides independent coverage of events in the country but the regime in Tehran has declared it a terrorist organisation and said its workers would be pursued by its security services.”
“Iran’s Shiite Muslims mark Ashoura with mourning, processions,” VOA, 7-16-24. “Ashoura, a remembrance of the 7th century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, that gave birth to their faith. … Shiites represent more than 10% of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims and view Hussein as the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad. Hussein’s death in battle at the hands of Sunnis at Karbala, south of Baghdad, ingrained a deep rift in Islam and continues to play a key role in shaping Shiite identity.”
“Here’s what you need to know about Iran. They don’t just call Khamenei supreme leader,” Fox, 7-16-24. “Khamenei is the sole power in Iran. [And] Forget claims that the new president-elect is a reformer.”
Another hardliner speaks, Kani, who will likely be named FM. “Exclusive: Iran Says Israel’s Foes Are Winning,” Newsweek, 7-16-24.
“July 16: PM says Iran has been planning multi-front attack on Israel: ‘Sinwar fired too early’,” Times of Israel, 7-16-24.
Ploy for more time for the program to complete. “Iran open to resuming nuclear accord talks – acting foreign minister,” Reuters, 7-16-24.
“Iranian intelligence recruited Israeli citizens for espionage – Shin Bet,” JPost, 7-16-24.
“‘We will repeat Munich 1972’: Israeli Olympic athletes threatened ahead of Paris Games,” Times of Israel, 7-16-24.