Month: August 2025

“Iran, European powers agree to resume nuclear, sanctions talks next week,” Reuters, 8-22-25.  Iran had no choice but to continue (or face snapback devastating sanctions), but the Regime will drag out these talks based on its historical record.

“Trump delivered strategic blow to Iran regime with bold Azerbaijan-Armenia pact,” Fox, 8-22-25.  Will this be followed through on?

A fascinating “counting” story.  “Ninety Percent Of The Time, The Missile Works Every Time: Iranian Missile Failure Rates During True Promise II,” Arms Control Wonk, 8-22-25.

“Iran seeks Belarus help to restore air defense systems, Ukraine’s intelligence says,” Kyiv Independent, 8-22-25. Which means help from the Soviets, er, the Russians.

“Narrative Intelligence:  Decoding Iran’s Influence Campaigns in Iraq,” FPRI, 8-22-25.

“Iran’s Water Crisis Worsened By Taliban Dam,” RFE/RL, 8-22-25.  The Taliban hydroelectric power station at the Pashdan Dam on the Hari River in NW Afghanistan looks like it will cut the main water supply to Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city with 3.5 million.  The Taliban began filling the dam in 2024 and started the station August 14.  “Iranian media say that with the diversion of the Hari River toward the Pashdan Dam, the Doosti Dam downstream — which supplies Mashhad — has nearly “dried up.””

Persons will sometimes ask, how can the Regime’s policies survive for 45 plus years?  How can they keep on doing what they are doing to their citizens and neighboring states, and really to the world?  Here’s an important part of that answer—the continuing support of Iran by Russia and China (for their own individual aims).  Those powerful countries are enablers, a term we have often used in this blog.  They use other countries also for their self-interest.  “Russia and China Give Iran Nuclear Deal Boost,” Newsweek, 8-21-25.  Note also the statement by Russia.  “Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said Wednesday on X: “In other words, an attempt by #E3 to trigger #SnapBack despite their own non-compliance would contradict the fundamental principles of international law.””  Absolutely untrue, whether based on treaty law (the JCPOA), UN Charter (provisions against threats and for self defense, and for international order).

“Iran’s Freeze on Nuclear Inspections Prompts UN-US Crisis Talks,” Bloomberg, 8-21-25.

“Iran holds military drills after big losses in war with Israel,” Reuters, 8-21-25.

Crocodile tears.  “Shipping line denies Iran ties after 16 of its vessels hit with US sanctions,” Financial Times, 8-21-25.

“Iran says it has developed new, better missiles; will use them if Israel attacks again,” Times of Israel, AFP, 8-20-25.

Best article I’ve seen so far guessing about the underground damage at Fordo.  “The Invisible Target in Iran,” NYT, 8-20-25.

“Belarus and Iran, both friends of Putin, plan to strengthen military and broader ties,” Reuters, 8-20-25.  Iran continues to choose beligerents and shady states to deal with, not peace-loving countries.

Observe the continuing revolutionary zeal of Iran, and its refusal to be a normal country, taking care of its people, and trading and being at peace with its neighbors.  “Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Defies US and Israel,” Bloomberg, 8-19-25.

“Tehran infighting escalates over moderates’ push for change of course,” Iran International, 8-19-25.

“Iran Military Warns of ‘Crushing Response’ to Israeli Threats,” Iran Wire, 8-19-25.

Who is Caucasian?  (a new question for this blog!).  “Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says in Yerevan that ‘governance in the Caucasus region must remain Caucasian.’  See “Armenia reassures visiting Iran leader it will control Azerbaijan corridor,” Al Jazeera, 8-19-25.

“Will China help Iran build a new air force?,” The New Arab, 8-19-25.

“Iran can strike US cities from the sea, claims all of Europe already within range, Iranian MP says,” JPost, 8-18-25.

Again, for anyone out there who thinks Iran learned its lesson during the 12 Day War, think again.  They continue to threaten, support proxies, develop nuclear weapons, work to control Lebanon, threaten Syria’s new government, support the killing of Ukrainians with drones for Russia, try to kill journalists, take civilians and hostages, and as this article points out continue to threaten war against Jews and Israel.  “Khamenei’s advisor: ‘New war between Israel and Iran may occur at any time’ – report,” JPost, 8-18-25.

“A Devastating Drought in Iran,” NPR, 8-18-25.  Iran’s country-wide drought and the mismanaged planning and response has resulted in capital Tehran about to run out of water.

No good reason other than paranoia.  “Iran still jamming local GPS users in wake of Israel war,” Times of Israel, 8-17-25.

Did it?  Are any other news sites carrying this?  Notice the source, consider the track record.  “Domestic investment in Iran’s free zones rises 80% in 4 months on year,” Tehran Times, 8-16-25.

“Iran’s president to visit Armenia, Belarus,” Xinhua, 8-16-25.

“Iran moves toward dramatic internal conflict and another war,” JNS, 8-16-25.  “Amid a water crisis and internal criticism of President Masoud Pezeshkian, assessments of a high likelihood of another war hang in the air.”

“Iran Supreme Court Upholds Political Prisoner Sharifeh Mohammadi’s Death Penalty,” Iran Human Rights, 8-16-25.

“External threats fail to halt Tehran’s infighting, move against president,” Iran International, 8-16-25.

Well said.  “Iran’s insistence on uranium enrichment risks another war, ex-official warns,” Iran International, 8-15-25.  But he has it wrong on the “right” to enrichment.

“Iran looks to China to rebuild its missile capabilities, Israelis concerned,” Ynet, 8-15-25.  See also “Iran Turns to China for Missile Boost: Report,” Newsweek, 8-15-25.

A point this blog has emphasized.  What Iran claims (under “international law” it says) is not accurate under international law treaty, custom, etc.  Notice the source, well-respected.  “Actually, the NPT doesn’t guarantee a right to make nuclear fuel,” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 8-15-25.

“Iran Update, August 15, 2025,” Critical Threats, 8-15-25.

It is make or break time.  “Hezbollah warns Lebanon ‘will have no life’ if state moves against it,” Reuters, 8-15-25.  Lebanon’s government may have to eliminate Hezbollah’s new leadership in order to attack the cancer, as Israel did some monts ago when he acted against Nasrallah and others.

The IRGC is still at it, supplying the Houthis and Hezbollah.  “Yemeni forces bust Iranian weapons shipment bound for Houthis, including chemical weapons – report,” JPost, 8-14-25.

“Analysis | Iran Scrambles to Shore Up Regional Clout as Domestic and Bilateral Crises Mount,” Haaretz, 8-14-25.

Remember, these are all hardliners, but there is a spectrum across the ruling group of the Regime.  Rouhani is a “moderate” hardliner.  “Former president joins growing push for overhaul of Iran’s rule,” Iran International, 8-14-25.

Truly choice—Notice the dissidence between the FM saying Iran does not interfere in Lebanese politics and the Iranian official at the end of the article saying that Lebanon couldn’t tell Iran to not be involved in arming Hezbollah inside Lebanon.  But also note, probably the first time ever, that Syria told Iran it couldn’t fly over its territory.  This means that Iran continues to meddle in Syria to this day.  See “Syria denied Iran security chief’s flight passage en route to Lebanon – Israeli paper,” Iran International, 8-14-25.  BTW, it is this kind of great reporting that the Regime tries to assassinate Iran International reporters in the U.K. and elsewhere.

“Diplomacy or defiance: Iran’s rulers face existential choice after US-Israeli strikes,” Reuters, 8-14-25.

This is crucial.  Who controls Lebanon?  Does Hezbollah?  Does Iran?  The State of Lebanon should be the entity who controls Lebanon.  Until Hezbollah and its controller Iran are defeated within Lebanon, the proxy and dangerous condition will remain.  This is a crucial point for Pres. Aoun and Lebanon, they will have to be strong.  “Lebanon rejects foreign interference, president tells Iran official,” Al Jazeera, 8-13-25.

“Iran Issues New Threat to US,” Newsweek, 8-13-25.

Mahar Air caught again carrying money from Iran to Hezbollah.  “Lebanon tells Iranian flight it can’t land, after IDF’s Hezbollah smuggling claim,” Times of Israel, 8-13-25.

Pres. Pezeshkian didn’t say that Hamas is taking the food, nor did he say that Israel is at war.  “Iran’s president mocks Netanyahu over pledge of help in water crisis,” AP, 8-13-25.

Iran won’t negotiate, so they may get penalized.  “UK, France and Germany ready to reimpose sanctions on Iran over nuclear programme,” BBC, 8-13-25.

“Iran fears ‘existential threat’ over Britain’s nuclear sanctions,” Telegraph, 8-13-25.