I am convinced due to the multiple references in open sources that a secret agreement, at least in principle, has been worked out.  Probably a MOU at this point, certainly not what we formally call a treaty (but just as binding under international law—if they want to follow the agreements the two countries make.  See “Iran media discuss 25-year deal between Iran and China,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, July 3, 2020.

It would revolutionize the Middle East, and slow down Iran’s plans to dominate, if some of the Middle East Arab countries continue to move toward normalization with Israel.  “Iran: Speaker Denounces Attempts At Normalization Of Israel Ties,” Tasnim News Agency, July 3, 2020.

“UN human rights experts today expressed outrage at reports of Iran’s secret execution of Hedayat Abdollahpour, a member of the Kurdish minority in the country. The execution reportedly took place on 11 May in a military base in Oshnavieh, West Azerbaijan Province. “We condemn the execution of Hedayat Abdollahpour in the strongest terms,” the independent experts said. “Any death sentence undertaken in contravention of a State’s obligations under international law is tantamount to arbitrary execution and hence unlawful. The fact that the execution took place in secret after an enforced disappearance is an additional aggravating factor.””  See “UN Condemns Iran’s Secret Execution of Kurdish Political Prisoner,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, July 3, 2020.

“Khamenei’s Defiant Foreign Policy Chief Lashes Out At EU Trio, IAEA,”  Radio Farda, July 3, 2020.

“Ukraine, Canada, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, and Sweden signed a Memorandum of understanding,” Steve Cowan, Free News, July 3, 2020.  See also, “Canada, Sweden Pave Way for Compensation Talks with Iran on Downed Plane,” Bourse and Bazaar, July 3, 2020.

“Cheetahs of the Homeland”?  “Messages claiming Iran nuclear site fire deepen mystery,” AP, July 3, 2020.

“Iran Looking at Possible Sabotage After Recent Explosions at Key Sites,” Aresu Eqbali, Isabel Coles, and Laurence Norman, Wall Street Journal, July 3, 2020.

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