Iran didn’t have a choice, Hamas is too weak.  33 to be released in phases, more food into Gaza, other parts of deal not announced yet.  “Qatar announces historic ceasefire, hostage release between Israel and Hamas,” i24, 1-15-25.

Look, Zarif is back in the news!  If true, his statements are embarrassing to the ISI because they couldn’t spot it, nor the pagers.  Hey Zarif, why are those Western sanctions in place?  “Iranian VP accuses Israel of planting explosives in centrifuges,” i24, 1-15-25.

“Another Iranian terrorist attempt foiled in Azerbaijan,” i24, 1-15-25.  “Azerbaijan is a frequent location for IRGC attempts to carry out terrorist attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets, with the highly experienced local security service foiling most plots.  …  Azerbaijan is a preferable target for the IRGC due to its alliance with Israel. Most of the fuel in Israel comes from Azerbaijan, which also procures Israeli weapons, needed to guarantee its security from the hostile neighbors. In 2013 the now-late IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani created and named a special proxy organization for spreading Khomeinist ideology inside Azerbaijan, Hussainiyoun. Its purpose—to overthrow the secular Azerbaijani government, which Tehran calls a “Zionist proxy.””

“Iran president denies plot to kill Trump, calls for him to pursue peace,” Al Jazeera, 1-15-25.

“Tehran analyst foresees regional dynamics shifting in Iran’s favor,” Iran International, 1-15-25.

“Iran’s navy unveils its first signals intelligence ship,” Reuters, 1-15-25.

Iran wants Russia’s backing for the three disputed islands in the Persian Gulf.  “Iran Spurns Russia’s Crimea Annexation in New Strategic Treaty,” Newsweek, 1-15-25.