Month: August 2024

Force against Iran works.  It has now been some weeks, well over a month, and they still haven’t carried through with their threats against Israel.  “How US Surged Forces to Middle East To Keep Iran at Bay,” Newsweek, 8-28-24.  See also “Mapped: U.S. rushes warships to Middle East in show of force to Iran,” Axios, 8-28-24.  “The U.S. has positioned about 18 warships including two aircraft carriers in and around the Middle East as it seeks to deter Iran and its proxies from conducting attacks that could evolve into all-out war with Israel.”

How nice of the Houthis and Iran.  “Yemen’s Houthis will let salvage crews access oil tanker they set ablaze in Red Sea,” Reuters, 8-28-24.

The Supreme Leader himself has always veered between two sides of any topic, and of course this important topic—survival of himself and the purpose of the Regime.  “Iran’s supreme leader open to new negotiations with U.S. on Tehran’s nuclear weapons program,” PBS, 8-27-24.

“Greek-flagged oil tanker appears to be leaking oil, Pentagon says,” Reuters, 8-27-24.

“The battle over Iran’s terror financing,” Politico, 8-26-24.  “While the war in Gaza makes the headlines, Europe and the U.S. are worried about Hezbollah’s illicit financing.”

“IRGC-backed Iraqi militia plotted attacks against central Asian Jewish centers – report,” I24, 8-26-24.

Quote of the Day—H.R. “McMaster noted that every presidential administration has people who try to manipulate the president and said that if Trump were given smart advice, the president often made good decisions. One of those, in McMaster’s view, was withdrawing the United States from the nuclear treaty with Iran in the spring of 2018.  …  Iran, McMaster said, is now a real threat. particularly given that Biden has backed away from some of Trump’s policies. Saying Iran “is willing to expend every Arab life, every Palestinian life, every Lebanese life, in pursuit of its objective of destroying Israel,” McMaster said that the Iranian threat needs to be taken seriously. “I think,” McMaster said, “that the narrative that you constantly hear about turning down the temperature, escalation management, the reluctance, really, to confront Iran directly and impose costs on Iran, that actually gives Iran license to escalate on their own terms, with impunity.”  See “Former national security adviser says Trump can be manipulated with flattery,” Politico, 8-25-24.

Yes, Iran-backed.  “Iran-Backed Hezbollah Says It Launched Over 320 Katyusha Rockets At Israel,” NDTV, 8-25-24.

“Iran’s Guard leader reiterated pledge of ‘revenge’ against Israel shortly before planned Hezbollah attack,” Times of Israel, 8-25-24.

Another Quote of the Day, from Pres. Pezeshkian’s new FM Abbas Araqhchi.  Iran “will maintain the Islamic Republic’s strategic approach toward Latin American countries, particularly Venezuela,” an IRNA report noted.  See “Iran’s diplomatic efforts can achieve its goals without having to attack Israel – analysis,” JPost, 8-24-24.

Abbas Araghchi, the new FM, said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the development of relations with the European Union in an environment based on mutual respect.”  Just remember, “mutual respect” doesn’t mean mutual respect like an English speaking person knows the phrase.  Iranian official have used this phrase for years, and it means “We can throw our weight around and be the regional power, just like the U.S. is a regional power.”  Of course, how Iran has become a regional power is not through mutual respect to its neighbors but through intimidation, military threats, proxies, terrorism, expansion of the Shia Crescent, proliferation, etc.  See “Iran’s new FM urges dialogue with EU, claims ‘right’ to retaliate for Haniyeh killing,” Times of Israel, 8-23-24.

“Iranian hackers targeted WhatsApp accounts of staff in Biden, Trump administrations, Meta says,” Politico, 8-23-24.

“Why Iran and Hezbollah have not yet responded to Israel’s assassinations,” MEE, 8-22-24.

“Iran’s parliament approves Pezeshkian’s unity cabinet,” Reuters, 8-21-24.

“Women in Iran keep protesting strict Islamic dress code despite police crackdown,” NPR, 8-21-24.

She’s actually not that good of a mouthpiece.  But Iran will use anyone, domestic or international, to put lipstick on a pig.  “Jesse Kline: The Canadian terrorist supporter who Iran loves,” National Post, 8-21-24.

“Iran warns wait for retaliation against Israel ‘could be long’,” NBC, 8-21-24.

“Khamenei’s calculus: Iran supreme leader faces a bitter choice on Israel,” Al Jazeera, 8-21-24.

“Government expert admits Iran gains little from oil deals with China,” Iran International, 8-20-24.

Drones, intelligence, etc.  Mistake by Armenia.  But they feel like they are between a rock (Turkey) and a hard place (Azerbaijan).  “Armenia-Iran Secret Arms Deal: Implications For The South Caucasus – Analysis,” Eurasia Review, 8-20-24.

In retaliation against German’s reaction to terror in Germany.  “Iran orders closure of German language institute in Tehran,” DW, 8-20-24.

“Iran’s psychological war against Israel part of Tehran’s strategy,” Iran International, 8-20-24.

High quality article on Iran’s involvement with Syria in producing the drug Captagon.  “How Syria and Iran fuel regional instability through illicit drug trade,” Iran International, 8-19-24.

Too much evidence the other way.  “Ceasefire in Gaza ‘unrelated’ to Iran’s retaliation plans, says Tehran,” Iran International, 8-19-24.

“Police, Shin Bet said to believe Iran, Hezbollah may be behind failed Tel Aviv attack,” Times of Israel, 8-19-24.

Mismanagement abounds in dictatorships.  “Natural and Man-Made Disasters in Iran: A Costly Challenge,” Iran News Update, 8-19-24.

One word, Yes.  “Will Iran Risk Sanctions by Selling Missiles to Russia?,” OilPrice.com, RFE/RL, 8-19-24.

“Iran’s Nuclear Weapon Plan: What We Know,” Newsweek, 8-19-24.

“Iran Update, August 19, 2024,” Institute for the Study of War, 8-19-24.

“Iran hacked Trump campaign, US intelligence confirms,” BBC, 8-19-24.  See also, “FBI concludes Iran was behind Trump campaign hack,” The Hill, 8-19-24.

Just pause and think about this—a country is not just trying to hack into a campaign website or officials’ emails, but they are also trying to kill a candidate who is a former president.  Shouldn’t our response be stronger?  This is just plain wrong in international relations.  And unique in U.S. history.  “Iranian hackers — and hitmen — eye Trump,” Politico, 8-19-24.

Great article about how ideology thwarts agency efficiency.  “Pezeshkian’s Cabinet Reflects Iran’s Institutional Stagnation,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 8-19-24.

Lots of news on 8-19-24.  “Iranian Universities Open Doors to Foreign Paramilitary Forces, Raising Concerns,” Iran News Update, 8-19-24.

Fascinating the two-faced approach.  Quote of the Day—“Iranian analysts estimate the profits from the IRGC’s censorship and sale of technology to bypass censorship can net the group upwards of $3 billion annually.”  See “Break the Revolutionary Guard’s Monopoly over VPNs in Iran, The Middle East Forum Observer,” 8-19-24.

“Joint ODNI, FBI, and CISA Statement on Iranian Election Influence Efforts,” CISA Press Release, 8-19-24.

“North Korea and Iran: A nuclear proliferation nightmare,” Washington Times, 8-19-24.