Month: January 2026

“Iran protesters defy brutal crackdown amid ongoing internet blackout,” CNN, 1-11-26.

Blackmail of a sort.  “Iran threatens retaliation against Israel, US bases if Washington intervenes,” I24, 1-11-26.

“Death toll in crackdown on protests in Iran spikes to at least 538, activists say,” Politico, 1-11-26.

“As Death Toll Surges in Iran, Leaders Take Tough Line Against Protesters,” NYT, 1-11-26.

Desperate it seems.  “Trump says Iran proposed nuclear deal talks, as U.S. weighs military action,” Axios, 1-11-26.

“’There wasn’t even time for CPR’: Iran medics describe hospitals overwhelmed with dead and injured protesters,” BBC, 1-10-26.  I’ve heard that much more than 2,000 have been killed.

“Iran Death Toll Rises as Crackdown Intensifies,” WSJ, 1-10-26.  There is no particular demand (i.e., better economy, women’s head coverings, water scarcity) but instead a call for the Regime to step down, to leave.  The people have nothing to lose.  They want freedom.

“Iran’s Hackers Warn Israel’s Mossad—We Have Hacked Your Phones,” Forbes, 1-10-26.  “The mass protests in Iran are now lauded as the greatest domestic threat to the regime in decades. “What began as protests against a failing economy has turned into a potential overthrow of Ali Khamenei’s oppressive regime,” the Daily Telegraph reports.”

This blog has always had the focus of what the Regime says and does, and arguing that until Iran becomes “normal” that the Revolutionary impulse for Shia-Mahdi-based Islam will run off the rails at some point, besides being a danger for the region.  So to run the few Pres. Trump stories and U.S. foreign policy is not directly the purpose of this blog.  But here is one of those exceptions.  “Trump says U.S. is ready to help Iranians get freedom,” Politico, 1-10-26.  BTW, this is an appropriate time to respond to allegations that will arise in the future, perhaps even years from now.  You’ll remember the claims by a number of U.S. critics and certainly the ISI government, that the U.S. and U.K. overthrew PM Mosaddegh in 1953.  These statements rarely take into account the Iran citizens and officials’ actions, basically asserting that a handful of CIA or UK agents could somehow control thousands of persons and beyond to the general population.  Nor do those claims evaluate the Iranian people’s displeasure with Mosaddegh nor the appearances of his moving toward the USSR, and what that would mean.  Well, here we are again, with the U.S. making threats that it would assist citizens being slaughtered and the Mossad claiming to assist the protesters (but saying they are not involved in Regime change, just acting to protect Israel).  Please don’t take the position that the U.S. or Israel or anyone other than the Regime is responsible for influencing the people to protest and now revolt.  Even the NYT today tells us that economics is what set this off, not Pres. Trump or anyone other than the Ayatollah and his henchmen.  “Inside Iran’s Protests: How a Plunging Currency Set Off Wide Unrest,” NYT, 1-10-26.  This is not a U.S. coup.

“Iran’s exiled crown prince rises as a figure in protests, decades after leaving his homeland,” AP, 1-10-26.

If you protest, parade, march, chant, you are targeted for death.  (that’s not what the Ayatollah said!  but we knew from his history that he didn’t mean it).  “Protesters and those aiding them will be tried on the charges of ‘waging war against God,’ a death penalty charge,” I24, 1-10-26.  There’s another obvious point here–the Ayatollah and his cronies don’t speak for Allah, or for God.  I know that God doesn’t order governments to do this to their citizens.

“Protests in Iran near 2-week mark as authorities intensify crackdown on demonstrators,” AP, 1-10-26.

“Iran protests grow deadlier as regime internet blackout fails to stop uprising,” Fox, 1-9-26.

Only the privileged get to use the internet.  “Khamenei’s X account active as Iran stays offline,” Iran International, 1-9-26.

“UK lawmaker cites reports on Russian flights to Iran, gold airlift,” Iran International, 1-8-26.

“Video shows security forces firing tear gas at protesters as Iran crackdown kills dozens,” NBC, 1-7-26.  It looks like the killing has begun.  “The protests are diffuse and largely leaderless, and the president’s efforts at mediation — and the killings and arrests by security forces — haven’t persuaded the demonstrators to stay off the streets.”

“Report: US demands Venezuela stop selling oil to Iran, China, Russia,” 1-7-26.  The new VP has to decide whether to sever other ties to Iran.

“Iran’s top general warns US, Israel against ‘threatening rhetoric’ and protest support,” I24, 1-7-26.

“The deep roots of Iran’s economic crisis,” Engelsberg Ideas, 1-7-26.

“Iran protests have put the country’s political system on trial,” The Conversation, 1-7-26.

11th Day.  “Violent clashes reported as Iran protests spread to more areas,” BBC, 1-7-26.  “The protests have so far spread to 111 cities and towns across all 31 provinces, according to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA). It has reported that at least 34 protesters and four security personnel have been killed during the unrest, and that 2,200 protesters have been arrested. … Vice-President for Executive Affairs Mohammad Jafar Qaempanah said President Masoud Pezeshkian had ordered that “no security measures” be taken against peaceful protesters. “Those who carry firearms, knives and machetes and who attack police stations and military sites are rioters, and we must distinguish protesters from rioters,” he added. (keep in mind that the Basji and police are authorized to carry bicycle chains, clubs, machetes, etc, but are not considered rioters!) The protests have been the most widespread since an uprising in 2022 sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. More than 550 people were killed and 20,000 detained in a violent crackdown on those protests by security forces, according to human rights groups.”

“Videos from multiple cities taken by protesters and passers-by showed crowds chanting “Death to the dictator,” and “Freedom, freedom, freedom,” and “Don’t be afraid, we are all together.” In many places protesters demanding the end of the nearly five-decade rule of the Islamic Republic targeted the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, shouting, “Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is void.””  See “Protests Spread in Iran, and Crackdowns Escalate,” NYT, 1-7-26.

“Iran Protests Swell in Tehran’s Bazaar,” WSJ, 1-6-26.  “Iran arrests hundreds, disrupts internet as currency falls to new low and protests enter a second week. … The government has acknowledged the economic complaints of the protesters but has also used its security forces in hopes of keeping the demonstrations under control. At least 1,200 people have been arrested and at least 29 killed in unrest that has now spread to 88 cities, the group Human Rights Activists in Iran said late Monday. The group said authorities have also implemented localized internet disruptions to disrupt communication among protesters. Online traffic abruptly fell by an average 40% in Iran on Sunday compared with the seven previous days and again by 9% early Tuesday, according to cybersecurity company Cloudflare. The traffic then went back to normal, Cloudflare data shows.”

“Iran on the brink as protesters move to take two cities, appeal to Trump,” Fox, 1-6-26.

“Iran anti-government protests spread to majority of provinces, videos show,” BBC, 1-6-26.

“Protests and US warnings shake Iran at its weakest point in years,” BBC, 1-5-26.

“Iran offers citizens $7 monthly payments as protests spiral over economic crisis: report,” Fox, 1-5-26.

“Report: Senior Iranian officials acknowledge Iran had been thrust into survival mode amid protests and military threats,” I24, 1-4-26.  “Last week, Pezeshkian held two emergency meetings with his economic advisory committee, asking for guidance and written talking points if the crises deepen, two officials familiar with the meetings told the outlet. Some advisers reportedly suggested that the president emphasize Iran’s dual-power structure, noting that key decisions are made by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.”  The president will be in hot water for criticizing the Leader, which is in essence what happens when you identify him as responsible for decisions.

Syria’s former president is in Moscow, too.  But do consider this–a first story, ever, of a Supreme Leader abandoning his post.  Would this mean the end of the Islamic Republic of Iran?  See “Ayatollah Khamenei plans to flee to Moscow if Iran unrest intensifies,” The Times, 1-4-26.  BTW, Assad could not deliver many assets to Putin; Khamenei controls, at least for the moment, more than $100 billion through Setad.

“When Khamenei speaks, Iran’s crackdown on protests hardens – analysis,” JPost, 1-4-26.

As this Jan. 3 begins, this blog turns to events in Venezuela, because after all, if your rearrange the letters you get Iran (or Hezbollah).  Same for Cuba.  The best news coverage is on BBC.  Follow the NYT also.  Here’s one of many stories in other sources, “Iran, Hezbollah condemn, Russia offers mediation after US operation on Venezuela,” JPost, 1-3-26.  And see “Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader Machado welcomes US intervention,” BBC, 1-3-26.  “The opposition leader of Venezuela – and Nobel Peace Prize winner – Maria Corina Machado has welcomed the US intervention, saying the country’s “hour of freedom” has arrived. She said on social media that President Maduro was removed from power after refusing a negotiated exit, and the opposition’s candidate for the 2024 elections – Edmundo Gonzalez – should now “assume” the presidency.”

“Iran Supreme Leader says will not yield as protest simmer and US threatens,” Reuters, 1-3-26.  Let the words of the Leader remind us, that when he says the Regime will only “talk to protesters”, not rioters, that he believes all protesters are rioters.  He will talk to no persons on the street.  The Regime will soon begin a heavy hand of arrests, beatings, and death.  They have no other pattern, history, or playbook.  See “Iran’s Khamenei says rioters ‘must be put in their place’ amid protests,” Al Jazeera, 1-3-26.  Similar, “Khamenei labels protesters ‘enemy mercenaries,’ backs crackdown,” Iran International, 1-3-26.  Anyone who walks, marches, chants, they’re all rioters to Khamenei, and are to be dealt with.

This blog finds opportunity to mention international law fairly often, and here again today but in the context of Iran and its Latin American partners/proxies.  A problem that some have is they don’t remember that international law is made and codified by countries, not persons or international organizations.  We remember Eichmann, Noriega, and now Maduro.  The UN Secretary General has not pushed for Maduro to give up power after he stole the election, a violation of int’l norms, but he is calling for his reinstatement after Maduro’s removal on narco-terrorism by the U.S.  In short, international law has a moral component, and the people of Venezuela especially sense this, along with the U.S.

“Iran and Maduro ties suffer major blow following US operation and capture of Venezuelan dictator,” Fox, 1-3-26.  “Experts say Venezuela served as operational hub for Iranian terrorism, drug trafficking and power projection in Latin America.”

“Iran Uprising Day 7: Bloodshed in Malekshahi and Khamenei’s Panic as Nation Defies Crackdown,” NCRI, 1-3-26.

This is just too rich.  “Khamenei’s representative says protest videos and chants are AI-made,” Iran International, 1-2-26.

“Iran protests: Death toll cited at 10 amid reports of unrest spreading to rural provinces,” I24, 1-2-26.

“Who Is Leading the Revolt Against Iran’s Crumbling Regime?,” Media Line, 1-2-26.  The snarky answer is that the Grand Ayatollah is leading the revolt—he (and his predecessor) and the system created by the Revolution are responsible for the misery that got the people of Iran to this point.

“About the New Iranian Protests,” WSJ, 1-2-26.  “Remember the predictions from so many experts that a military strike on Iran’s nuclear sites would cause Iranians to rally behind their regime?”  Those same persons say stay away now.

So there are several stories on this.  “Trump warns US will intervene if Iran kills protesters,” BBC, 1-2-26.  Trump remembers that Obama did nothing during a major uprising, hoping to draw the Ayatollah into a nuclear agreement.  This is probably a warning to the Regime to let peaceful protests continue.

“Trump and top Iranian officials exchange threats over protests roiling Iran,” CBC, 1-2-26.  Let’s be clear about this.  The U.S. or Mossad or anyone else who takes the high ground and says that killing protesters is wrong can’t be blamed by the Regime for the Regime’s actions against the protesters.

“Iran protests expose a system sliding toward collapse, experts say,” Iran International, 1-2-26.

“Iran: US troops ‘legitimate targets’ after Trump threatens to intervene in protests,” Iran International, 1-2-26.

“How will the mass protests that are convulsing Iran unfold?,” Economist, 1-2-26.

“The Fall Of Iran Could Change Everything,” Middle East Forum, 1-2-26.

“The President has other options to support Iranians. The U.S. can help protesters with strike funds and communications, extending Starlink access or virtual private networks when the regime cuts off the internet. The U.S. can also expose regime thugs and cripple their communications, while encouraging defections. Above all, Mr. Trump can enforce oil sanctions as he now is doing in Venezuela.”  See “Middle Eastern governments are watching Iran’s protests,” WSJ, 1-2-26.

“Iran accepts cryptocurrency as payment for advanced weapons,” Coin Desk, 1-2-26.  “Prospective customers could purchase weapons such as missiles, tanks and drones using crypto, according to a government website.”

“Iran: International Community Must Stand with Iranian People, Demand Accountability for Regime’s Escalating Repression,” Freedom House, 1-2-26.

“Iran’s Refusal to Dial Back Nuclear Program Lit Fuse on Currency Crisis,” WSJ, 1-2-26.