Month: December 2024

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“Iran scrambles to build ties with Syrian leaders as regional influence wanes,” Guardian, 12-20-24.

Fascinating.  Iran is not getting this far with HTS.  “Top US diplomat says Iran won’t have future role in Syria after meeting HTS leader,” Al Arabiya, 12-20-24.  “Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf revealed that she had told al-Sharaa that Washington would no longer pursue the $10 million bounty on his head. It is unclear whether or not the US will revoke al-Sharaa’s terror designation and remove the HTS from its terror blacklist. Leaf said al-Sharaa vowed to not allow terrorist groups to operate in Syria or threaten the US or neighboring countries. Asked about Iran’s future role in Syria, Leaf said: “If I’m to judge by today, Iran will have no role whatsoever, and it shouldn’t.” She added: “Frankly, Iran has had decades now of the most predatory destructive behavior and presence in Syria and during the war itself, of course, mustered foreign militias, its own IRGC forces, Hezbollah fighters, and really preyed upon and really viciously brutalized the Syrian people.””

“US charges Iran Revolutionary Guards officer for 2022 murder of American in Baghdad,” Times of Israel, 12-20-24.

We’ve been waiting for this type of story.  “Jerusalem Post: Hamas documents uncover Iran’s weapons smuggling routes,” Iran International, 12-20-24.

Funny if not so serious.  “Iranian officialdom struggles to make sense of Syria exodus,” Iran International, 12-20-24.

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“Widespread closures continue across Iran because of a severe cold wave, an energy crisis and escalating air pollution. According to Iranian media reports, much of Tehran is expected to come to a complete halt Tuesday. Government offices, banks, schools, universities and judicial institutions will remain closed.”  See “VOA Persian: Iran faces energy crisis with widespread closures, fuel shortages,” 12-16-24.

This representative of the new Syria is no fan of Iran’s actions and appears to want “to reduce Tehran’s influence in the country.”  See “Who is the new Syrian leader’s Iran point man?,” Iran International, 12-16-24.

This is surprising, as Iran usually takes the hard line.  “The decision to pause its implementation suggests the government fears it could trigger another wave of mass protests, like those seen two years ago.”  See “Iran pauses controversial new dress code law,” BBC, 12-16-24.

“Energy deficit forces Iran’s government to shut down offices,” Iran International, 12-16-24.

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“Prominent Iranian figure threatens to destroy Qatar,” Iran International, 12-14-24.  “A former member of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team and a frequent voice on international media defending Tehran’s policies has said Qatar should be bombed if Iran’s nuclear facilities are targeted.  Mohammad Marandi, speaking about a possible US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, tweeted, “Slight problem. The US Al Udeid air base in is tiny Qatar. In case of aggression, the natural gas facilities and infrastructure in Qatar will be totally destroyed. Hence, there will be no natural gas from Doha. Hence, there will be no Qatar. Things won’t end there either…”

“Could Iran’s new hijab law bring down Khamenei?,” JPost, 12-14-24.  Not by itself.

This is old news now.  Would have been great if the media would have highlighted this dark-themed supply route regularly to the world.  “Hezbollah Loses Supply Route Through Syria, in Blow to It and Iran,” NYT, 12-14-24.

“Iran sentences an Iranian-American journalist to 10 years in prison,” 12-14-24.

“Iran postpones implementation of new hijab law following backlash,” Iran International, 12-14-24.  Surprising.  But the Regime is feeling the heat from its people.  “The Islamic Republic has officially postponed the implementation of the controversial hijab law that imposes severe penalties on women and girls who defy veiling requirements, following huge backlash from the public and the international community. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in a letter to the parliament on Saturday, requested that the process of implementing the Hijab and Chastity law be halted so that an amended bill can be submitted to the parliament by the government, said a member of the Parliament’s presiding board. The ‘Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab,’ comprising 74 articles, was set to take effect yesterday. It imposes severe penalties on women and girls who defy veiling requirements, including exorbitant fines, prison terms, flogging, and even death penalty.”

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“Israel’s (not-so) secret plan to prevent a nuclear Iran and create a new Middle East,” Times of Israel, 12-13-23.

Iran can’t hide Syria’s loss.  “The Syrian Upheaval Has Iranian Leaders Reeling, Too,” NYT, 12-13-24.  “The brash public debate is nothing short of extraordinary, given that for years Iranian leaders portrayed their support for Syria and allied militant groups fighting Israel as a nonnegotiable principle of the Islamic revolution and critical for national security.  …  Mr. Khamenei appeared outraged at the open criticism.  The comments, he said, were “a crime” because they were sowing fear among the public. Within hours, Iran’s judiciary announced a criminal investigation into a list of prominent figures and news outlets that have been leading the criticism. The list included Mr. Falahatpisheh, the former lawmaker, who revealed that Syrian debt to Iran amounted to about $30 billion.  For over 40 years, Syria served, in effect, as Iran’s central command base in the region. Its access to territory, shipping ports and airports was so unimpeded that a senior military commander once described Syria as a province of Iran.  Iran controlled military bases, missile factories, tunnels and warehouses that served the supply chain for its network of militants. From Syria, Iran funneled weapons, cash and logistical support to Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and militants in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Iraq.”  It would have been nice for the NYT to feature this information regularly.  You can’t be afraid of the Leader or of truth.

Not a good blue ribbon.  “US names Iran top state sponsor of terrorism for 39th year in a row,” Iran International, 12-13-24.

“Iran’s IRGC races to offload unsold oil in China before Trump takes office,” Iran International, 12-13-24.

“Iran: Detained Activists Denied Medical Care,” HRW, 12-13-24.

“Hostage diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The case of Europeans detained in Iran,” IFRI, 12-13-24.

“Iran-linked crew used custom ‘cyberweapon’ in US critical infrastructure attacks,” The Register, 12-13-24.

“Amid rolling blackouts in Iran, some blame power-intensive cryptocurrency mining,” AP, Times of Israel, 12-13-24.  “The US Treasury and Israel have targeted bitcoin wallets that they’ve alleged are affiliated with operations run by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard to finance allied terror groups in Mideast war zones.”  So, the people run out of electricity, and the IRGC spread the Revolution.

“Satellite Pics Reveal Iran’s New Aircraft Carrier-Like Drone Ship,” NDTV, 12-13-24.

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Par for the course.  “Iran blames fall of Assad on Israel, US, ‘neighboring country’,” I24, 12-11-24.

Some of the answers to the questions I asked earlier about Russia spiriting Assad away.  “Russia pressured Assad to flee, helping him disappear without trace,” I24, 12-11-24.

UK, France, Germany—enough is enough.  “Europeans tell UN ready to ‘snap back’ Iran sanctions if needed,” Reuters, 12-11-24.

The Economist doesn’t get it, asking “Will the weakened regime reform, or race for the bomb?”  Instead, since 1979, Iran only backs down when forced.  Otherwise, they will continue to race for power, and for years that has been aiming to get a bomb.  “The fall of Bashar al-Assad is a blow to Iran,” Economist, 12-11-24.