Citizens converged after being called on social media to each other to complain about the terrible economy and three death sentences that were upheld by the Judiciary.  Iranian security forces responded to Shiraz, Rasht, and Behbahan.  “Iranians Angered by Faltering Economy Stage Rare Protest,” Michael Lipin and Arash Sigarchi, VOA, Updated July 17, 2020.  And see “Iran police vow to deal ‘decisively’ with any further protests,” Al Jazeera, July 17, 2020.

“Iranian security forces clash with protesters chanting ‘No Gaza, no Lebanon’,” July 17, 2020.

“The Iranian regime has made the decision to respond militarily to what it believes is a series of Israeli and American attacks on its soil, Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai reported on Thursday. “Tehran’s decision to retaliate to the Israeli and American attacks has already been made and will be implemented at the right time and place,” sources in Lebanon told Al Rai, which traditionally propagates anti-Zionist and anti-Israel views. The report also said that Iran and its regional allies were planning for the possibility of an “all-out war.” The statements, which haven’t been corroborated elsewhere, ….”  So, Al Rai seems to be the only “source” that Israel is responsible, but its sources are annonymous.  Thus, there is not yet evidence.  See “Report: Iran has already decided to strike back against Israel,” Neta Bar, Israel Hayom, July 17, 2020.

“The senior spokesman of Iran’s Armed Forces has insisted that only eight Iranian servicemen have been killed in Israeli airstrikes against Iranian military bases in Syria in recent years. An Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)-linked news agency, Fars, cited Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi as denying on Thursday, July 16, reports that “hundreds” or even “thousands” of Iranians had been killed in Israeli airstrikes in war-torn Syria. The IRGC Brigadier General maintained that only eight Iranian military personnel have been killed in Israeli raids. The airstrikes attributed to Israel started after the civil war broke out in 2011 in Syria and Iranian forces were dispatched to help the Assad regime and thy began establishing themselves in the country.” See “Iran Military Insists Only Eight Servicemen Killed In All Israeli Air Raids In Syria,” Radio Farda, July 17, 2020.

“Iran’s Currency Falls To A New Low Of 240,000 Against The US Dollar,” Radio Farda, July 17, 2020.

“In Somalia, Iran Is Replicating Russia’s Afghan Strategy,” Muhammad Fraser-Rahim and Mo Fatah, FP, July 17, 2020.  Iranian forces are supporting al-Shabab and allegedly offering bounties to attack the U.S. military and other foreign forces in Somalia and in the region.  Iran is making money on arms sales and oil sales and working to spread the Shia Crescent.  “Using financial inducements as their means for recruitment, Iran has a proxy network in Somalia and uses facilitators to provide support to violent extremist organizations to counter the influence of the United States and Persian Gulf states. Iran has a proxy network in Somalia and uses facilitators to provide support to violent extremist organizations to counter the influence of the United States and Persian Gulf states, including using Somalia to funnel weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen and to transit weapons to other countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Mozambique, and Central African Republic. Iranian engagement on the African continent is not new. In particular, Iranian religious groups and intelligence agencies have worked for decades to establish missionary and influence operations on the African continent. These include providing religious scholarship opportunities throughout sub-Saharan Africa and in the Horn region competing and countering Gulf states’ influences. Furthermore, these educational efforts have allowed Africans to study in Shiite religious centers such as Qom in Iran, and then go back to their countries to engage in both direct and indirect proselytizing in favor of Tehran’s activities, making many of them witting or unwitting accomplices to those pursuing Tehran’s intelligence objectives in the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is the main Iranian organization in Somalia, and its Quds Force has established relations with extremist groups and criminal networks, according to Somali officials. Somali police and finance ministry officials claim the Quds Force uses these networks to smuggle Iranian oil into Somalia and then sell cheap oil across Africa to subvert U.S. sanctions, with some of the proceeds used to support militants in Yemen and Somalia.”