Month: January 2025

Accurate.  “Fall of Assad ‘serious blow’ to Iranian axis, general says,” i24NEWS, 1-9-25.

I want to hear, and haven’t, what these cantons would work, and what Iran says in response.  “Israel mulls calling int’l conference to divide Syria into cantons – report,” i24, 1-9-25.

For the battlefield, targeting.  “Iran unveils new loitering drone, announces drone buildup,” Iran International, 1-9-25.

Actually, the story gets it wrong.  Ruhollah Khomeini was responsible.  “The Shah lost Iran not Jimmy Carter, aide says in eulogy,” Iran International, 1-9-25.

Don’t use too much of that ammo in practice, they probably think they need to store it up.  “Iran puts on show of force with war games ahead of Trump’s second term,” CBS, 1-9-25.

“Japanese crime leader pleads guilty to conspiring to sell nuclear materials to Iran,” NPR, AP, 1-9-25.  “The purported leader of a Japan-based crime syndicate pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges alleging that he conspired to traffic uranium and plutonium from Myanmar in the belief that Iran would use it for nuclear weapons. Takeshi Ebisawa, 60, of Japan, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court to weapons and narcotics trafficking charges that carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and the possibility of life behind bars. Sentencing was set for April 9. Prosecutors say Ebisawa didn’t know he was communicating in 2021 and 2022 with a confidential source for the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the source’s associate, who posed as an Iranian general. Ebisawa was arrested in April 2022 in Manhattan during a DEA sting. … Prosecutors said samples of the alleged nuclear materials were obtained and a U.S. federal lab found they contained uranium, thorium and plutonium, and that the “the isotope composition of the plutonium” was weapons-grade, meaning enough of it would be suitable for use in a nuclear weapon.”

“Iran faces another setback as US-backed Aoun elected Lebanese president,” Iran International, 1-9-25.  “His presidency, he added, would strive toward giving the state the exclusive right to carry arms, a statement likely aimed at Hezbollah and its vast array of weapons.”  Just think about that—Iran’s influence allowed a shadow army, Hezbollah, in a sovereign state.

“Macron: Iran’s nuclear program leading world down ‘path of no return,” JNS, 1-8-25.

Notice this quote of the day, the Supreme Leader acknowledges the ongoing Shia revolution.  “Iran’s Supreme Leader hits out at advocates of talks with Trump,” Iran International, 1-8-25.  Khamenei said, “America had effectively taken control of this country, but we wrested it away. Their grudge against our nation and revolution is profound.”

“Iran pushes China to let it sell $1.7 billion worth of stranded oil, sources say,” Reuters, 1-8-25.

Interesting how the Leader says the U.S. must be out of Iraq, but he pointedly tells Iraq what to do.  “Khamenei asks Iraq to expel US, urges reinforcement of Iran-backed militants,” Iran International, 1-8-25.

“Iran says it postponed plan to send human to space,” Iran International, 1-7-25.

This, of course, is a blog about Iran and its Regime’s drive to be a revolutionary force, not a normal country.  This news story below is from Israel, and how Iran’s targeting it since 1979 may now be reversable, not in regime change, but in targeting the weapons that Iran uses.  How will respond?  Like a normal country?  See “Trump’s return creates opportunity to remove Iran threat, says blue-ribbon committee,” Times of Israel, 1-7-25.

“UN says Iran executed over 900 people in 2024, including dozens of women,” Reuters, 1-7-25.

“Iran Pulls Most Forces From Syria, in Blow to Tehran’s Regional Ambitions,” WSJ, 1-7-25.  Quote of the Day:  “Rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has said his forces’ swift defeat of Assad has “set the Iranian project in the region back by 40 years.””  The introduction reads, “Iranian forces have largely withdrawn from Syria following the Assad regime’s December collapse, according to U.S., European and Arab officials, in a significant blow to Tehran’s strategy for projecting power in the Middle East. The Iranian withdrawal marks the demise of a yearslong effort in which Tehran used Syria as a hub in its broader regional strategy of partnering with regimes and allied militias to spread influence and wage proxy war against the U.S. and Israel. Iranian-backed armed groups in Syria have launched attacks on U.S. forces and aided in attacks on Israel. Members of Iran’s elite Quds Force have now fled to Iran and the militia groups have disbanded, a senior U.S. official said. The Islamic Republic spent billions of dollars and sent thousands of military personnel and allied fighters to Syria after the Arab Spring uprising in 2011, to prop up the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Syria was Iran’s main state ally in the Middle East and a critical land bridge to Hezbollah—the most powerful militia in Tehran’s self-labeled “axis of resistance” alliance. Iran, already reeling from Israeli airstrikes on its assets and partners in the region, began withdrawing personnel during the dramatic 11-day collapse of the Assad regime’s military late last year. When rebels in Syria launched an offensive in November, Iran’s government was already frustrated with Assad, who had remained on the sidelines over the prior year during Tehran’s multifront conflict with Israel. Iran’s network in Syria once spanned the length of the country, from the east where the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps helped transport weapons and fighters into the country, to Syria’s border with Lebanon, where it helped arm Hezbollah with weapons shipments.”

“Iran Update, January 6, 2025,” ISW Press, 1-6-25.

“The Iran Opportunity – Foreign Affairs,” Foreign Affairs, The CSS Point, 1-6-25.  It remains baffling why academics like Haass think Iran should retain its nuclear program.  They have all the oil and gas they ever need for energy.  Let’s require no nuclear project, it only tempts them.  In addition, Haass subtitles this article “What America Needs to Do to Achieve a Breakthrough”—what about what Iran needs to do?  Let’s remember who calls and acts out against “Satans.”

The subject of I.Q. and Iran don’t usually make this blog.  Considering the considerable “brain drain” fleeing out of the country for years, I question.  The article cites “the International IQ Test, updated on January 1,” which I will let someone else explore the validity of this story.  It is probably Regime propaganda.  “Iran ranks 2nd in Intl. IQ TEST 2024,” 1-5-25.

“Resistance Axis cannot be eliminated by weapons, martyrdom of leaders: Iran FM,” Press TV, 1-5-25.  Thanks to Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi, we see most recently that the Axis of Resistance is a “holy cause” “that cannot be destroyed by weapons and the martyrdom of its leaders.”  We also remember the problem that Iran has with former Pres. Trump’s killing of General Soleimani.  Note that Araghchi says publicly that the martyrdom of persons in the “Axis of Resistance” results “in the formation of an “indestructible” force throughout the region.”  He says the Axis is “a cause that cannot be eliminated by weapons. It is not dependent on a person and does not perish by the martyrdom of a commander and a leader.”  “The top Iranian diplomat also noted that the blood of martyrs is the main weapon of the resistance school of thought.”  Well, I thought that Axis meant to win by military victory.  If they want to win by martyrdom, let’s see how that works out.

“Su-35s in Iran: Reports suggest possible deployment by 2025,” Bulgarian Military, 1-5-25.

Yemen can hold the Bab-el-Mandeb strait hostage, but it is no land bridge to Lebanon.  “Yemen takes Syria’s place in Iran’s security doctrine, says former commander,” Iran International, 1-4-25.

The Regime just won’t stop.  Despite setbacks in Gaza and Bahrain and Lebanon and Syria, the Leader and the government won’t.  “Iran’s plot to assassinate dissident artist in Germany exposed,” Iran International, 1-4-25.

“Iran providing Houthis with more arms after collapse of other armed allies – Telegraph,” Iran International, 1-4-25.

Note that the discussion, at least what official press reports, does not address economic steps.  “Iran’s top officials meet to discuss rial depreciation,” Mehr, 1-4-25.

“Road Accident Fatalities in Iran at Highest Level In 10 Years,” Iran Focus, 1-4-25.  More than 20,000 in 2024.

Hostage taking doesn’t get clearer.  And this reporting is another sign why the Regime tries to assassinate these reporters.  “Iran tells Italy it seeks prisoner swap for jailed Italian journalist,” Iran International, 1-3-25.

“Iran executes over 1K prisoners in 2024, highest total in 30 years, report says,” Fox. 1-3-25.

Way to go Lebanon!  Guts.  And they found the cash in the bag of the diplomat on board the Mahan Air flight.  “Lebanon said to stop transfer of funds to Hezbollah through Iranian flight to Beirut,” Times of Israel, 1-3-25.

Wow, what a big story.  The ISIS-inspired attack in New Orleans is leading the news again today, but that China is facilitating the Iranian-controlled Houthi takeover of the Red Sea passage is really a huge story.  What will the U.S. do?  What will Israel do?  What will the UN Sec Gen say?  What will Saudi Arabia do?  “China helping Houthis obtain weapons for unmolested Red Sea passage,” i24, 1-2-25.  Note that the story tells us that the U.S. and Israel will act.  But the story doesn’t mention Iran, the fulcrum in this.  “A secret collaboration between Beijing and the Houthis has been uncovered, revealing a vast network of supply of sophisticated armaments that threatens the stability of the Red Sea. According to American intelligence sources speaking to i24NEWS, the Iran-backed Yemeni terror group is using Chinese-made weapons in their attacks, in exchange for immunity for ships flying the Chinese flag. US intelligence services have identified a complex supply chain set up by the Houthis in China since the beginning of the attacks in the Red Sea. This network allows them to acquire advanced components and guidance equipment for their ballistic and cruise missiles. Even more worrying, Houthi leaders are reportedly planning to manufacture hundreds of cruise missiles capable of striking Persian Gulf states, using these same Chinese components. Washington has repeatedly passed on this information to Beijing since September, including detailed lists of Chinese companies involved in this arms mechanism. “Houthi officials have visited China several times last summer and fall, probably for meetings with high-ranking officials of the regime,” says a diplomatic source. In the face of Beijing’s inaction, the United States now threatens to act jointly with Israel to cut off these Chinese trade networks from the global financial system. This revelation comes as the Houthis seek to establish lasting control over one of the world’s most crucial maritime routes, directly threatening international trade and regional stability.”

“US President Biden weighed options on striking Iran nuclear sites – Axios,” Iran International, 1-2-25.  “White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan presented President Joe Biden with potential military options for striking Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran advances toward a nuclear weapon before January 20, Axios reported, citing three sources.”

“Iraq-Iran fuel oil barter deal pays down debt backlog,” Iraq Oil Report, 1-2-25.

“Saeed Massouri: An Execution Every 2.5 Hours in Iran, a Bloody Christmas with Nearly 25 Executions,” 1-1-25.

“Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, UK, Germany on January 13: Report,” Al Jazeera, 1-1-25.