Like Lebanon, Iraq must end Iranian proxies and their weapons if Iraq will be a sovereign state. “US pressure may break Iranian influence in Iraq,” Al Jazeera, 8-31-25.
Mass executions. Will the UN Sec Gen speak? “Iran to execute over 100 Evin prisoners after Israeli strike – Sunday Times,” Iran International, 8-31-25.
Iran proxy hindered. “Israel eliminates Houthi prime minister in Yemen airstrike targeting senior government officials,” Fox, 8-30-25.
This is not really a story about Israel’s competence as an intelligence entity or army. It is about the Iranian military and intelligence apparatus refusal to be competent, to protect their own leaders, and perhaps laziness or incompetence to act. “Israel targeted top Iranian leaders by hacking, tracing their bodyguards’ phones — report,” JPost, 8-30-25.
Not fearing retaliation per se, but fearing hostage taking. When will the UN Secretary General step up? “Germany tells nationals to leave Iran, fearing retaliation over sanctions,” Reuters, 8-29-25.
“Venezuela prepares for potential U.S. attack with armed drones designed by Iran,” Miami Herald, 8-29-25.
That’s the spirit. Regardless, under international law (really contract law in this case) Iran doesn’t have a leg to stand on. “Iran slams ‘illegal’ reimposition of UN nuclear sanctions, urges countries not to comply,” Times of Israel, 9-28-25.
What is illegal about the snapback sanctions? Iran agreed to them when they were put in writing. Note that the Regime doesn’t tell us why the sanctions are illegal under international law (because they are legal!). “Iran slams ‘illegal’ reimposition of UN nuclear sanctions, urges countries not to comply,” Times of Israel, 9-28-25.
Well, it has started. Iran hasn’t learned from the 12 Day War, and hasn’t understood that its intransigence to turn from nuclear weapons and to stop threatening others and to hope that Russia would save it, don’t work. In short, the theme of this blog continues. Until the Islamic Republic of Iran will stop striving to be a Revoluationary State and to aim to be a Normal State, the reaction of other countries will continue. See “European nations start process to impose a ‘snapback’ of Iran nuclear sanctions at UN,” PBS, 8-28-25.
“Iranian cleanup of nuclear site likely to erase proof of atomic work — report,” Times of Israel, 8-28-25.
He’s back! An appearance by former UN Ambassador and FM Mohammad Javad Zarif. We’ve missed him. I believe he is a cousin to Seyed Mousavian, the former Princeton professor who retired in embarrassment. See “Tehran’s Message to Trump: ‘Stop Listening to Bibi’,” Foreign Policy, 8-28-25. FP should respond, “Stop listening to Ali Khamenei” and see what Zarif says.
Note the pattern, here again. Deny, but never discuss evidence. “Expelled ambassador says allegations against Iran ‘baseless’ during Sydney airport exit,” Guardian, 8-28-25.
There is no due process in Iran. “Concern after Iran couple ‘whisked into court’,” BBC, 8-28-25.
“Melbourne man charged over synagogue arson linked to Iran,” AP, 8-27-25. The Quds Force playbook is to use a person in country who has ties to Iran, such as a relative, and to hire low-level criminals in country to do the dirty work.
COBRA is protecting Grossi. “IAEA chief gets special police protection over threats as deadline approaches over Iran sanctions,” PBS, 8-27-25. Too rich. During the 12 Day War, Iran officials and the Ayatollah blamed several for the success of Israel, including the IAEA and even Russia helping in alleged ways know where to target inside the country. So apparently an IAEA death threat was issued and steps begun toward such re its director. Now the Ayatollah is depending on this very person to clarify that Iran’s nuclear program is clean, but the threat against Grossi’s life continues. Talk about blackmail. I wonder if the UN Secretary General will get involved? “UN nuclear watchdog chief said to receive 24/7 security detail due to Iranian threat,” Times of Israel, 8-27-25.
“Germany, France, UK likely to start process of reimposing UN sanctions on Iran on Thursday, officials say,” CNN, 8-27-25.
“Iran Not Yet Allowing Inspectors Into Main Nuclear Sites, Says U.N. Atomic Agency Chief,” WSJ, 8-27-25. “Iran had produced enough highly enriched uranium for up to 10 nuclear weapons before the U.S. and Israeli strikes in June caused severe damage to many of its key facilities. … China and Russia can’t use their veto to stop the reimposition of sanctions. … The 30-day snapback timeline gives Iran a last chance to take steps to prevent the reimposition of sanctions. The European powers told Iran in July that they could agree to hold off on the economic measures for six months if Iran resumed full cooperation with the IAEA and re-entered nuclear negotiations with the U.S. … U.S. officials have been broadly supportive of European snapback diplomacy. Foreign ministers from the three European countries held a call Wednesday to make a final decision and spoke with Rubio to coordinate. … “Iran’s leadership should choose the best interest of their people over misguided ambitions of regional domination. That means engaging in meaningful direct talks with the United States and cooperating with the IAEA,” said a State Department spokesman. “We are closely coordinated with our E3 partners about snapback.””
The NYT does not give context in its headline nor article. That Iran is allowing IAEA inspectors in does not mean they get to go where they want, to the major nuclear sites. The WSJ (above) and others gives the fuller story. “After Blocking U.N. Nuclear Watchdog, Iran Allows Inspectors to Return,” NYT, 8-27-25.
“Bungling Arsonists, Antisemitic Attacks and a Diplomatic Rift,” NYT, 8-27-25. Hey NYT, did Iran do it? See the court filings, see the history, do your investigative journalism.
“Iran Trained Shiite Volunteers During Arbaeen Pilgrimage in Iraq; Plans To Use ‘5th Column’ in Next War With Israel,” Media Line, 8-27-25.
“Australia accuses Iran of directing anti-Semitic attacks, expels envoy,” Al Jazeera, 8-26-25. “Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia will also designate the IRGC as a ‘terrorist organisation’. … Albanese said Australia has also suspended operations at its embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and relocated all its diplomats to a third country. … Penny Wong, the Australian foreign minister, said Iran’s ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and three of his colleagues have been declared persona non grata and given seven days to leave the country. She said the move marked the first time that Australia has expelled an ambassador since World War II and that the country has also withdrawn its envoy to Tehran.” A couple of other things to mention. First, Australia knew its diplomats could be taken hostage in Iran, so moved them out before the announcement–where is the UN in condemning Iran for this? Second, the news mentions the IRGC, but what that really means is the Quds Force, which is a loose component of the IRGC. Last, Australians have been held in Iran before as hostages, and for long periods. No Australian should go to Iran for the foreseeable future.
“Iran warns Europe against triggering ‘snapback’ in Geneva meeting,” Iran International, 8-26-25. “In the talks, “the Iranians gave E3 representatives very little to work with in order to get an extension of the snapback,” Axios reported citing an unnamed source.”
“Scoop: IAEA inspectors return to Iran as top security council weighs green light for inspections,” Amwaj, 8-26-25.
“Australia expels Iranian ambassador over terror attacks,” 7NEWS Australia, 8-26-25. There are more attempted and planned attacks that are not mentioned in this story–it was the length and cumulative effort by Iran that made Australia blanch.
“Iran faces ‘snapback’ of sanctions over its nuclear program. Here’s what that means,” AP, 8-26-25.
It is not that they couldn’t agree. This whole line of stories spells out that Iran is not proposing anything, their men are simply showing up at the meetings and sitting at the tables. There are no propositions from their side. It is again delay, delay, delay. “European and Iranian diplomats fail to agree on how to avoid reviving UN sanctions,” Euronews, 8-26-25. Then we read “Iran says ‘negotiating with all our might’ to prevent sanctions snapback,” Times of Israel, 8-26-25 and you realize Iran says something in public that is absolutely not true.
“Iran vows reciprocal action after Australia expels ambassador,” Al Jazeera, 8-26-25. It is almost always ironic in diplomacy to see how these things work out. Country A does something bad, Country B expels Country A’s diplomats, and Country A then expels B’s diplomats. The bad actor gets two kisses at the pig.
“Influential Iranian leader alleges Russian treachery,” Eurasianet, 8-26-25. “Describes Tehran’s strategic partnership with the Kremlin as “worthless”” by informing Israel of Iranian air defenses.
“Iran’s Khamenei calls US issue ‘unsolvable’ amid nuclear standoff,” Reuters, 8-25-25.
A cluster bomb from Iran’s proxy will also get a response from Israel. “Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthis rock Yemen’s capital,” AP, 8-25-25.
“Iran’s Surprise New Neighbor,” Asharq al Awsat, 8-25-25.
“MIKE POMPEO: How Trump can save Lebanon from Iran’s influence,” Fox, 8-25-25.
Iran won’t give concessions now, and is refusing IAEA inspections. But here’s the sweet thing—Russia/Putin is proposing another six months, a delay, to allow for more negotiations for Iran. Such nerve, that is how he handles Ukraine. See “Russia drafts UN resolution to delay snapback of Iran sanctions,” Iran International, 8-25-25.
“‘It Has Turned Into Hell’: Iran Starves 1,000 Women Prisoners Under Cover of Power Outage,” Iran Wire, 8-25-25.
Shirin Ebadi speaks truth. “Iranian Nobel Laureate: Islamic Republic Has ‘No Future But Collapse’,” RFE/RL, 8-25-25.
A really good article. “Iran Sanctions Snapback at the UN,” International Crisis Group, 8-25-25.
“Iran backs Hezbollah in its refusal to disarm,” JNS, 8-25-25. “The message was clear: Hezbollah [and the Iranian Regime] would resist at any cost and would not accept dictates from the government.
From 60% to 20%? We will believe it when we see it. “Iran ready to cut uranium enrichment to 20% to avert another war – Telegraph,” Iran International, 8-24-25. The unnamed Iranian officials spoke on the say day Khamenei rejected negotiations with the U.S. “The United Kingdom, France, and Germany (E3) have warned Iran they would restore UN sanctions by the end of August by triggering the so-called snapback mechanism unless Tehran reengages in talks on its nuclear program immediately and produced concrete results. The “snapback” or “trigger mechanism” is part of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under Resolution 2231, any party to the accord can file a complaint accusing Iran of non-compliance. If no agreement is reached within 30 days to maintain sanctions relief, all previous UN sanctions automatically “snap back,” including arms embargoes, cargo inspections, and missile restrictions.”
Threats continue, haven’t stopped. “Oil could hit $200 if Hormuz Strait closed, Khamenei representative warns,” Iran International, 8-24-25.
“Turkey Breaks Ground on Strategic Railway Linking Kars to Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan,” Media Line, 8-24-25. It is happening, and Iran wants to stop it.
I don’t think this is true, in the traditional sense of weapons factories. But for more than two decades Iran has been providing components to its proxies who assembly on the field, so in that sense this is old news. “Iran Says It Has Built Weapons Factories In “Several Countries,” NDTV, 8-23-25.
“Iran forces kill six militants, IRNA reports, Israel link seen,” Reuters, 8-23-25. Restive groups wanting independence have made their presence known for years. This story is different because the IRI makes the allegation “IRNA said evidence showed the group was linked to Israel and may have been trained by Israel’s Mossad spy agency.”
Very unwise to travel there solo or in groups. More likely to be nabbed if by yourself or in pairs. They are not against taking whole groups, whether a shipping crew, etc. BTW, check to see if travel insurance is available—I don’t think so. “No solo travel: Iran now requires tourists to book via tours, report says,” Iran International, 8-23-25.
“Iran intensifies crackdown on Baha’i religious minority,” Telegraph, 8-23-25.
“Still in Shambles, a Notorious Iranian Prison Is Holding Dissidents Again,” NYT, 8-23-25.
