Khamenei, by many measures already the world’s richest or second-richest man, increased his wealth by at least 34% the in the most recent Iranian fiscal year. The Mostazafan Foundation, at a press conference, said their revenues increased $2.5 billion in the Iranian calendar year ending March 20. The Supreme Leader and the several organizations he controls pay no tax and are not required by the Parliament or any law to provide financial accountability or reporting. The Foundation is the second-largest economic entity in Iran after the National Iranian Oil Company, and owns nearly 200 factories and many financial firms including a bank as well as numerous real estate holdings. The Mostazafan Foundation (the Foundation for the Underprivileged) is meant to be a charitable foundation with the mission to eradicate poverty. It does perform some nominal projects. (But the rest of us are obviously in the wrong line of work.) See “Khamenei-Controlled Financial Conglomerate In Iran Nets $2.5 Billion In Profits,” Radio Farda, June 27, 2020.
What to make of this story? “Farhikhtegan [The Learned] newspaper, affiliated with the hardliner, conservative-dominated Islamic Azad University, dedicated its front page on Monday to the matter and also wrote on its Twitter page that “Less than 100 days before the U.S. presidential elections, some Iranian political groups are advocating the illusion of a good America.” The daily added that there seems to be “a task force in Tehran formed of those who support presidential candidate Joe Biden.”” See “Iran Papers React To Democratic Party’s ‘No Regime Change, Return To JCPOA’ Policy,” Behrouz Turani, Radio Farda, July 27, 2020.
It is too early, not enough information known, to know if this was government-based or criminal in nature. “US-Based Zoroastrian Priest Killed On A Visit To Iran,” AFP, July 27, 2020.
“Iran government spokesman tests positive for coronavirus,” Reuters, July 27, 2020.
The Homeland Cheetahs? As a sort of pun, would corruption and mismanagement been at fault in at least some of these explosions? “Who — And What — Is Behind Mystery Explosions In Iran?,” David Hambling, Forbes, July 27, 2020.
Completion of this line to Basra I think has a good chance of actually being completed, and not just an announcement that Iran never carries through (there have been scores of infrastructure declarations over the years that were never funded or completed). “Construction of Major Iran-Iraq Railway Will Begin Soon,” MENAFN, July 27, 2020.
The 25-year agreement with China begs otherwise. “We have a balanced foreign policy approach vis-a-vis both China and India, says Iran,” Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, The Economic Times, July 27, 2020.
The Regime’s “support” of Lebanon is not the regular support of one country of another in international relations—Iran basically controls Lebanon through Hezbollah. “Iran says it supports Lebanon, warns Israel against ‘madness’,” Tehran Times, July 27, 2020.
“Multiple Explosions Hit Iraq Weapons Depot Used By Pro-Iran Militia,” Radio Farda, July 27, 2020.
Because Iran needs buyers, Hezbollah (run by Iran) is inflating the need for Lebanon to buy oil from Iran. See “Does Lebanon Really Need Iranian Or Iraqi Fuel Supplies?,” Noam Raydan, Forbes, July 27, 2020.
“Two key questions logically arise from last week’s announcement from Iran’s Petroleum Ministry that it has awarded a US$1.3 billion development deal to more than double oil production at the supergiant South Azadegan oilfield, the second such oil project signed this month, the other being a US$300 million development contract for Yaran. The first question is, given the fact that Iran is technically bankrupt, how can it afford such projects? The second is, given the swingeing U.S. sanctions still in place – including against the main tanker fleets of the National Iranian Tanker Company and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line – where is any of this increased oil supply meant to go? The answer to both questions is the same – China”. See “China Signs Series Of Deals To Develop Supergiant Oilfield In Iran,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, July 27, 2020.
“First Swiss deal with Iran via humanitarian channel goes through,” Al Jazeera, July 27, 2020.
It is too early, not enough information known, to know if this was government-based or criminal in nature. “US-Based Zoroastrian Priest Killed On A Visit To Iran,” AFP, July 27, 2020.
Died Sunday, reported Monday. “Iran records over 210 more deaths from COVID-19,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, July 27, 2020.
They couldn’t sink it the first time?! “Iran Looks Set To Blow Up Its Fake Aircraft Carrier Again,” Joseph Trevithick, The Drive, July 27, 2020.