Month: August 2024

“Iran’s mullahs and their deadly serious plan:  The total annihilation of Israel and the United States,” JNS, 8-18-24.

Second straight day in the international media to have a story about Iran and nurses.  “Iranian Nurses’ Exodus: A Crisis in Healthcare,” Iran News Update, 8-18-24.

Considering the positive statements by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt prior to the most recent talks, the blame for rejection lies solely with Hamas and its overseer.  “Hamas rejects new U.S. proposal for Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal,” Axios, 8-18-24.

“Iran’s Intelligence Minister claims Iran has identified ‘Mossad spies in 28 countries’,” JPost, 8-18-24.

“Yearning for electricity, Lebanese blame Hezbollah, Iran for national power outage,” Ynet, 8-18-24.

Misplaced priorities, chasing nuclear power, poor oversite of massive gas and oil reserves, fixation on U.S. and Israel and Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and incompetence, and dedication to Shia Revolution spreading are all reasons.  “Iran struggles with power outages blamed on ‘incompetence’,” Iran International, 8-18-24.

He has part of it right, that Iranian overthrew their own government in 1953.  “Pezeshkian:  Internal division behind US success in 1953 coup in Iran,” 8-18-24.

“Turkey seeks Iran’s involvement in Syria normalization efforts: envoy,” Tehran Times, 8-18-24.

“The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has explicitly said that our priority is to neutralize sanctions” [not reconstitute the JCPOA], this is the Quote of the Day from Abbas Araqchi, nominated to become Iran’s FM.  See “Araqchi maps out diplomatic plans if confirmed as Iran’s foreign minister,” Tehran Times, 8-18-24.

“Iran’s barbarity has no modern equal, and it goes largely unpunished – opinion,” JPost, 8-18-24.

“House Intelligence Committee chairman says Iran could “declare itself a nuclear weapons state by the end of the year”,” CBS, 8-18-24.

This made worldwide news.  “Iran coerces confession from woman shot by police over hijab,” Iran International, 8-18-24.

The Martyr Complex on full display.  “Intelligence apparatuses of 53 states have Iran desk: Proposed min.,” IRNA, 5-18-24.

“Iran Regime Seeks Chinese Satellite Technology To Boost Surveillance Capabilities,” Iran News Update, 8-17-24.  See also “Iran expands surveillance capabilities through Chinese satellite partnerships – report,” JPost, 8-17-24.

“Iran Is on the Cusp of Producing Nuclear Weapons,” National Review, 8-17-24.  Another warning.  Listen world.

Why would Iran want a ceasefire?  If it can be on their terms, a compete end to the war, and to allow its proxy Hamas to regroup.  “Iran expected to delay attack on Israel amid Gaza ceasefire talks,” Iran International, 8-16-24.

“Iran ready to transship Russian gas through its territory: Report,” Reuters, Al Arabiya, 8-17-24.

“Iran Update,” Institute for the Study of War, 8-17-24.

“Iran News: Mass Protests by Nurses Erupt Across Iran on August 17, 2024,” NCRI, 8-17-24.

“Hamas wants war between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran: Michael Oren,” Fox, 8-17-24.

For Caspian trade.  “Iran to acquire 7,000-ton Russian ship by fall,” IRNA, 8-17-24.

Regarding the recent post about whether alleged cooperation among the axis is real, here is a story from Iran’s controlled media (and quoting from Russia’s state-controlled media]—and it says the connections are a real thing, and will last decades (and through the UN) until the West (the U.S. and Europe) are defeated.  “Russia says actively uses experience of Iran,” Mehr, 8-17-24.  “’As far as anti-sanctions alliances are concerned we share experience. Iran has long been under sanctions, [same as] North Korea, Venezuela. We naturally have a close political dialogue with those countries, cooperation through intergovernmental commissions, cooperation between companies. We also use their experience in struggling with those restrictions,’ Dmitry Birichevsky [director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of Economic Cooperation] said at a Valdai Discussion Club event on sanctions against Russia, according to TASS.”

Really funny if this wasn’t so deadly serious.  Jalali either hasn’t read Samuel Huntington’s book (let’s have him take a test to see if he’s read it) or is flipping its thesis on its head and entirely distorting its message, to the benefit of Russia and Iran and China and other states.  See “Envoy: Iran and Russia stand against clash of civilizations,” NewsAZ, 8-17-24.

“Long Live Oct. 7!”  That’s what she said.  Over and over.  And she refused to answer the question of whether the Iranian government is financially supporting her.  “Iran gives human rights award to B.C. activist,” Global News, 8-16-24.  See also “Vancouver activist appears on Iranian TV months after rally arrest,” CTV News Vancouver, 8-16-24.  She’s a Winner.  And in legal hot water now that she is receiving awards for Iran and supporting its government positions.  And she claims that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, we’ll let her explain why.  It will be interesting to see if she returns to Iran, and whether she then returns to Canada.

“Iranian group used ChatGPT to try to influence US election, OpenAI says,” Reuters, 8-16-24.

“Israeli security officials warn government of imminent attack by Iran, Hezbollah: Report,” AA, 8-16-24.

“By Friday, Israeli intelligence had assessed that Hezbollah and Iran had lowered the level of alertness in their rocket and missile units, according to five Israeli officials.”  See “Tehran appears to be allowing mediators time to pursue cease-fire talks, according to multiple officials,” NYT, 8-16-24.

“Trump security increased before shooting due to unrelated Iran threat,” Axios, 7-16-24.

This lets us ask the age old question again, Why are there Iranian soldiers in Syria?  If you answer that correctly, you know what is the largest problem in the Middle East at present.  “IRGC colonel reportedly dies after wounded in alleged Israeli strike in Syria,” i24, 8-15-24.

“Woman shot by Iran police over hijab paralyzed, family told to stay silent,” Iran International, 8-15-24.

“Israel Wants to Trap Iran’s ‘Ghost Fleet,’ the Oil Tankers Financing Its Axis Under the Radar,” Haaretz, 8-15-24.  “A Haaretz investigation found that the Iranian tankers are registered by straw companies around the world and turn off their transponders to conceal their operations.”  …  “Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has issued seizure orders for 18 Iranian oil tankers affiliated with the Iranian regime that are used to finance operations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Quds Force and Hezbollah.”

“The Real Reason Iran Hasn’t Retaliated Against Israel,” OilPrice.com, 8-15-24.  “Analysts said the idea Iran is delaying its retaliation because it is relishing the psychological impact it is having is more of an excuse than a proper strategy. They agreed intense domestic debates, the complexity of coordinating with proxies, and assessing the risks associated with an attack have all contributed to Iran’s hesitation. Zimmt [Raz Zimmt, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv] said Iran is “facing a major dilemma” because while Khamenei and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) want to restore Iran’s deterrence vis-a-vis Israel, there are elements in Iran that worry a large-scale attack could drag Iran into a war with Israel and maybe even the United States.”

“US says Iran attack may come soon and with no warning, but no definitive info,” Times of Israel, 8-15-24.

Claiming that God is on your side, or that God talks to you, is quite questionable.  And dangerous.  “Khamenei warns of ‘divine wrath’ if Iran backs down amid Israel tensions,” Iran International, 8-14-24.

“Internal strife: Iran’s delayed retaliation to Israel sparks rift within terror proxies – report,” JPost, 8-14-24.  It is just too bad these actors don’t get along—“Hezbollah, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, various Iraqi factions, and the Houthis.”  But note that (they are unnamed) “[d]uring the meeting, the Hamas representative demanded the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in retaliation for Haniyeh’s death, warning that Hamas would not support the Iranian proposal otherwise, al Jarida noted.”  But Note to Hamas:  The Israeli PM heads up a state; Haniyeh and Sinwar head up terror organizations.

“Iran’s mixed signals leave some allies in the dark and set region on edge,” CNN, 8-14-24.  The Leader appears to be worried about another 99% loss such as what happened in April when Iran sent 300 weapons at Israel.

“Google confirms Iran-linked hackers targeted Trump, Biden campaigns,” Politico, 8-14-24.  “The Google Threat Analysis Group wrote Wednesday that APT42, a hacking group associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, had targeted “the personal email accounts of roughly a dozen individuals affiliated with President Biden and with former President Trump.” These included current and former U.S. government officials and people working on the campaign.”

“Projectiles Fired by Iran-Aligned Militia Miss U.S. Base Near Syrian Gas Field,” OilPrice.com, 8-14-24.

I tend to look at articles like this (I post articles on both sides of the Iran debate) and ask the authors why their view of Iran and other bad actors represents about one out of 50.  That is the ratio I’d guess among IR observers.  Certainly those who follow realism.  And seemingly reflected in an overwhelming way by the evidence the international and domestic media report on of agreements, military movements, trade, support at international organizations, drug trade, proliferation (nuclear and conventional arms), the list is long of cooperation and bad acts, from Asia and the China Sea to the Middle East to Eastern Europe to South America to Central America.  Am I missing something?  “The ‘Axis of Evil’ Is Overhyped,” FP, 8-14-24.

“Google says Iranian efforts to hack US presidential campaigns are ongoing and wide-ranging,” CNN, 8-14-24.

Triggers.  “Iran advancing research on nuclear bomb detonators, nuke expert tells ‘Post’,” JPost, 8-14-24.

Finally.  “The U.S. Is Working to Curb Iran’s Oil Exports,” OilPrice.com, 8-14-24.

“US eyes Iranian oil exports as threat of Israel attack grows,” Politico, 8-13-24.

“Iran dismisses European restraint calls as contradicting international law,” Al Jazeera, 8-13-24.

“A ship in the Red Sea is attacked 3 times by suspected Yemeni rebels, including with a drone boat,” AP, 8-13-24.

“Iran ‘will bear responsibility’ for attacking Israel, warn UK, France and Germany,” Politico, 8-12-24.

Dem. candidate and VP Harris needs to be careful and wait for the facts to come out in the Iran-Hamas War v. Israel, which is good way to oppose Iran.  “Israel-Iran latest: Kamala Harris condemns Israeli strike on Gaza school saying ‘far too many civilians have died – yet again’,” AOL, 8-11-24.  I24 is reporting no women or children present in the targeted attack, which only was on the second story of the school.  “Amid global criticism, Israel names 19 it says it killed in terror HQ at Gaza school,” Times of Israel, 8-10-24.

Amazing.  And Instructive.  This is the first (?) time that Israel has forced Iran and the Supreme Leader to back off, even if for a short while.  Power against Terrorism, and Advanced Technology, and Other Factors have resulted thus.  “Report: Khamenei agrees to postpone attack on Israel; US opens hotline,” I24, 8-11-24.  Also, the article claims “New Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian convinced Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to delay his attack on Israel until his new government is sworn in, according to a Kuwaiti report.”

Iran has spoken.  “Hamas says it won’t take part in Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal talks,” Axios, 8-11-24.

“IDF, Shin Bet confirm 31 terrorists killed in Taba’een school in Gaza,” I24, 8-11-24.  Waiting for a Correction Statement from VP Harrison.

“Israeli intelligence believes Iran has decided to attack Israel, says Axios,” Reuters, 8-11-24.

“Iran on verge of launching direct attack on Israel: Reports,” Iran International, 8-11-24.

“Iran’s president taps nuclear negotiator as foreign minister, woman for housing post,” Reuters, Times of Israel, 8-11-24.

The pressure put on other countries by Iran is evident in this story.  Jordan has to have two narratives.  “Report: Jordan to allow Israel to use its airspace against Iran,” I24, 8-10-24.

“Order by Iran’s Khamenei to ‘punish’ Israel will be implemented: IRGC,” Al Jazeera, 8-9-24.

“Iranian hackers target U.S. presidential campaign official, Microsoft says,” Axios, 8-9-24.

“Iran Is Better Positioned to Launch Nuclear-Weapons Program, New U.S. Intelligence Assessment Says,” WSJ, 8-9-24.

“Iran’s new president battles revolutionary guard to stop all-out war with Israel,” Yahoo, 8-9-24.

“Iran set to carry out leader’s order to ‘harshly punish’ Israel, Guards deputy chief says,” Reuters, 8-9-24.