“Naturalized Iranian identified as key player in major drug trafficking network in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, 9-18-25.
Marco Rubio is anything but “nonsense.” “Iran Reacts to Rubio’s Nuclear Missiles Comments,” Newsweek, 9-18-25.
“Iran withdraws resolution to ban attacks on nuclear sites following U.S. pressure,” Newsweek, 9-18-25.
“Iran’s Perilous Path Back to Power: Tehran Has Few Options, but the Best One Depends on China,” Foreign Affairs, 9-17-25. While accurately describing Iran’s reliance on China to rebuild defenses in the short term, particularly regarding air, and Iran’s desire to rebuild proxy networks, this article makes no mention of what Iran should really try to do if it wants to become great and powerful in its region—to act as a normal country, not a revolutionary. In the process, this article displays why Iran will continue to miss the mark for what it could be become, instead of remaining a pariah.
“U.S. Designates 4 ‘Iran-Aligned’ Militias in Iraq as Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” FDD, 9-17-25. “The State Department designated four Iraq-based, “Iran-aligned” armed militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) on September 17. The groups are Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN), Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (HAAA), and Kata’ib al-Imam Ali (KIA), all of which were previously assigned the status of Specially Designated Global Terrorists.“ As the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, Iran continues to provide support that enables these militias to plan, facilitate, or directly carry out attacks across Iraq,” the announcement stated, adding that the “groups have conducted attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and bases hosting U.S. and Coalition forces, typically using front names or proxy groups to obfuscate their involvement.” … All four designated groups are part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), a coalition of Iran-aligned Shia Islamist armed militias that have launched attacks against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, atrocities in Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.”
Never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. “‘Ball still in Iran’s court,’ European powers say after nuclear issues call,” Al Jazeera, 9-17-25.
“Iran executes man it says spied for Israel, activists say false confession,” Al Jazeera, 9-17-25.
“Iran Update, September 15, 2025,” ISW, 9-15-25.
“Israel will face more rounds of fighting against Iran, warns Defense Ministry director,” Times of Israel, 9-15-25.
“Ex-IRGC chief cmdr. warns Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq,” QINA, 9-14-25. This source would know.
“G7 and Allies Warn Iran Over “Unacceptable” Overseas Kidnap and Harassment Campaigns,” Kurdistan, 9-13-25.
Check other sources. “Iran Has Never Requested S-400 System from Russia,” Wanaen, 9-13-25.
“G7 and Allies Warn Iran Over “Unacceptable” Overseas Kidnap and Harassment Campaigns,” Kurdistan, 9-13-25.
Check other sources. “Iran Has Never Requested S-400 System from Russia,” Wanaen, 9-13-25.
“Treasury Sanctions Sudanese Islamist Actors to Counter Regional Instability and Support for Iran,” U.S. Treasury, 9-12-25.
And expel U.S. forces. And close Al Udeid Air Base. But consider the success rate of Iran’s missiles versus Israel’s attacks in the 12 Day War. “Iranian lawmaker suggests Qatar host Revolutionary Guards missiles,” Iran International, 9-12-25.
“Iran Update, September 12, 2025,” ISW, 9-12-25. “Iranian officials are using Israel’s September 9 strike in Doha, Qatar, to frame the United States as an unreliable security guarantor for Gulf states in an effort to break the nascent anti-Iran coalition in the region.”
He makes drones, that kill in Ukraine. “US seizes nearly $600k in crypto from Iranian tied to IRGC drones,” Iran International, 9-12-25. “Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi … is the founder and managing director of San’at Danesh Rahpooyan Aflak Co. (SDRA), a company that manufactures navigation system modules, including the Sepehr Navigation System (SNS), used in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military drone program.”
“Iran-linked hacker group doxes journalists and amplifies leaked information through AI chatbots,” Government of Canada, 9-12-25.
“Several suspects detained by Israeli troops in southern Syria in recent months were in terror cells and operating on behalf of Iran’s Unit 840, a clandestine unit within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force.” See “IDF says it nabbed suspected terror cells working for Iran’s IRGC in Syria,” Times of Israel, 9-12-25.
“Iran Uses Fake Airlines to Dodge Nuclear Sanctions,” Iran Wire, 9-12-25.
“Exclusive: With Khamenei Unreachable, Iranian Officials Fear for His Health and the Regime,” Iran Wire, 9-12-25.
“Iran Update, September 11, 2025,” ISW, 9-11-25. Nour News “described the Israel-Iran War as a turning point that demonstrated how global security is no longer guaranteed by international law. It claimed that international institutions tasked with preserving peace “proved powerless,” and that law has effectively been replaced by power. Nour News described this as a global transition from “law-based security” to “weapon-based security.” Convenient.
The FM says. “Iran says enriched uranium stockpile under rubble after US strikes,” Iran International, 9-11-25.
Ph.D. student hostage traded for Hezbollah member. Equal trade? “Israeli-Russian captive in Iraq Tsurkov was freed in exchange deal: Report,” Al Jazeera, 9-11-25.
“US offers $15 million reward over Iran’s Revolutionary Guards network,” Iran International, 9-11-25.
“Iran lawmaker calls Grossi a Mossad agent, urges arrest,” Iran International, 9-11-25. Threats make it difficult for the IAEA to do its job.
“Iran’s global network of goons,” ABC, 9-10-25.
This of course is not by accident or “Mother Nature.” It is the result of decades of mismanagement and overuse and corruption. Will the story be widely spread by the media? “Satellite Photos Show Middle East’s Largest Lake on Brink of Disappearing,” Newsweek, 9-10-25.
“Iran Steps Back from the Brink with UN Atomic Watchdog Deal,” Bloomberg, 9-10-25.
“Iran’s nomadic women fight for proper toilets, clean water,” DW, 9-10-25.
Notice what the IAEA says versus what Iran says. “IAEA chief says new Iran deal to cover all facilities, including bombed sites,” Iran International, 9-10-25. All sites. Iran blinked.
“New ‘Trump’ Corridor Leaves Iran Scrambling to Preserve Influence in the South Caucasus,” Stimson, 9-10-25. The article states “The new corridor would deprive Iran of lucrative transit fees and an important geopolitical lever over Azerbaijan, with which Tehran has often had tense relations in part because of Baku’s ties to Israel.” But this article doesn’t talk about the main thing—the reason the Regime doesn’t like Azerbaijan is because of Azeris in its midst, living mainly in the north central region of Iran. This ethnic group lives in both Iran and Azerbaijan. And the Azeris don’t like the abuses of the Regime.
“Opinion: With Traditional Proxies Sidelined, Iran Sets Its Sights on Sudan,” Washington Jewish Week, 9-10-25.
“Iran condemns ‘extremely dangerous’ Israeli strike on Hamas in Qatar,” Iran International, 9-9-25. The Regime is taking the tack that Israel is anti-diplomacy. I think the term should be communication. It is difficult to say diplomacy because that term connotes the types of interplay that states have, not states with terror groups. Regardless, Iran is having flashbacks.
“Iran’s Triple Crisis: A Bankrupt State, Crumbling Infrastructure, and Endemic Corruption,” NCRI, 9-9-25.
“Iran and U.N. Watchdog Meet to Discuss Resuming Nuclear Inspections,” NYTimes, 9-9-25. “Iran has not allowed inspections since its nuclear sites were bombed by Israel and the United States in June, but it hopes to stave off Western economic sanctions.” Also of note, “Iran’s government spokeswoman, Fatemeh Mohajerani, said on Tuesday that officials “do not have access” to Iran’s enriched uranium, but did not elaborate. “It is located in a place where access is not available,” she was quoted as saying by Iran’s state news agency, IRNA. Her comments seemed to indicate Iran may itself be unable to reach those stockpiles, which some experts have speculated could be trapped in facilities underground since the U.S. and Israeli bombardment. Last month, Mr. Grossi told reporters that Iran would have no obligation to dig out any site for inspectors to gain access. But he said the I.A.E.A. has equipment that can detect nuclear material even without full access.”
Here’s the followup later today. “Iran and U.N. Watchdog Reach Agreement to Resume Nuclear Inspections,” NYT, 9-9-25. We don’t know details yet, but “I.A.E.A. inspectors have been unable to verify Iran’s near bomb-grade stockpile since the start of the war.” And “Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said in a statement released by Iranian state media that Tuesday’s agreement was reached in light of the “new situation following the United States illegal attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.” Note the claim of “peaceful.” Finally, blackmail continues, as FM Araghchi “added that any agreement with the I.A.E.A would be voided should Iran again come under attack. “In the event of any hostile action against Iran, including the reinstatement of annulled U.N. Security Council resolutions, Iran will consider its cooperation with the agency to have come to an end.”
“Iran taps Doha to broker nuclear talks, signals flexibility on uranium stocks,” Iran International, 9-9-25.
“Inaccessible.” See “Iran Releases Statement on Missing Nuclear Materials,” Newsweek, 9-9-25.
“Khamenei aide’s son warns of possible assassination plot against leader,” Iran International, 9-9-25.
“Iran, UN nuclear watchdog reach understanding on cooperation,” Al Monitor, 9-9-25. But this article doesn’t tell us the terms of the agreement. That’s almost completely useless news.
“Couple held in Iran in ‘dire’ situation, says son,” BBC, 9-9-25. Sad but true. Iran takes ordinary people hostage and abuses them and trades them like pawns.
“Assessing Defense Cooperation Between Iran and China in the Wake of the 12-Day War: MENA Defense Intelligence Digest,” Hudson, 9-9-25.
“Cartel connection: Hezbollah and Iran exploit Maduro’s Venezuela for cocaine cash,” Fox, 9-7-25. Just in case you didn’t know, so this is a long post. “Citrinowicz said the group uses family ties, language and community institutions to cement its influence across Latin America. “They appoint imams, fund religious centers and control educational programs… through these networks, Hezbollah can interact with local cartels, sell drugs and channel the profits back to Lebanon through elaborate schemes.” He said this role as a connector makes Hezbollah indispensable to Iran’s strategy in the Western Hemisphere. “The connection starts and ends with enmity towards the West in general, specifically to the United States,” he said. “As long as Maduro is there, the Iranians will be there. But if Maduro goes, Iran will lose the most important stronghold of its activity in Latin America.” Townsend stated the partnership works for both sides. “Iran’s partnership with Maduro enables Hezbollah to operate in Venezuela. Iran gets to safely operate, through Hezbollah, in the West without prosecution, and Maduro and his officials get paid well. Ultimately, Iran uses and exploits Maduro. Maduro doesn’t care — he and his friends benefit financially.” Both experts pointed to state complicity as the key enabler. “Under Maduro and Chávez, Venezuela has become a major transshipment hub for Colombian cocaine,” Townsend said. “There have been several indictments in the U.S. and Treasury OFAC designations that tie senior government officials directly to the use of state infrastructure — ports, air bases, even military convoys — to move massive shipments of cocaine. Cartel of the Suns, high-ranking military officers, run and protects these shipments. Who launders all of this drug money? Hezbollah.” Citrinowicz emphasized Iran’s investment in Venezuelan power structures. “The enhancement is illustrated by several aspects: first and foremost, the military cooperation, especially Iranian factories building UAVs for the Venezuelan army, and constant Quds Force flights from Iran through Africa toward Venezuela,” he said. “Iran is also teaching Venezuela how to bypass sanctions and has invested billions into the economy.” Experts say Washington’s best leverage lies in choking the finances. “We need to aggressively target and choke these financial networks,” Townsend said. “The priority is to attack the financial and logistical networks, indict everyone we can and pressure Maduro. If we can cut off the financial arteries, the cocaine won’t be as profitable.” Citrinowicz agreed that the strike fits into a broader effort. “By weakening Maduro, the U.S. weakens the Iranian presence in Latin America and weakens Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. soil,” he said. “The best way to weaken Venezuela is also to aim against the Iranian presence over there.”
