“New satellite photos shared on social media appear to show that a giant mockup of a U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier built by Iran has capsized just outside the port of Bandar Abbas after being used for target practice in naval wargames a few days earlier.” “Iran’s Giant Mock Aircraft Carrier Capsizes Returning To Port,” Sebastien Roblin, Forbes, July 31, 2020. And even (funnier) more ironic, the “carrier” partially sank in 45 feet of water at the entrance to Bandar Abbas harbor, creating a hazard for Iran. See “Iran Accidentally Sinks Fake Aircraft Carrier In Wrong Place,” H.I. Sutton, Forbes, August 3, 2020.
“Coronavirus: Iran cover-up of deaths revealed by data leak,” BBC, August 3, 2020. As this blog has repeatedly said, based on under representing at the national level the local numbers that were also public reported, “The number of deaths from coronavirus in Iran is nearly triple what Iran’s government claims ….” In fact, “[t]he government’s own records appear to show almost 42,000 people died with Covid-19 symptoms up to 20 July, versus 14,405 reported by its health ministry. The number of people known to be infected is also almost double official figures: 451,024 as opposed to 278,827. The official numbers still make Iran the worst-hit in the Middle East.”
“Strikes In Iran’s Oil Sector Continue And Expand To Other Industries,” Radio Farda, August 3, 2020.
In light of the news analysis and reported by BBC, that the reported numbers are about 1/3 of reality, multiply 215 x 3. “Coronavirus: Iran reports 215 new deaths,” Ahmet Dursun, AA, August 3, 2020.
“Strikes In Iran’s Oil Sector Continue And Expand To Other Industries,” Radio Farda, August 3, 2020.
In light of the news analysis and reported by BBC, that the reported numbers are about 1/3 of reality, multiply 215 x 3. “Coronavirus: Iran reports 215 new deaths,” Ahmet Dursun, AA, August 3, 2020.
“Iran And South Korea Agree On More Humanitarian Trade,” Radio Farda, August 3, 2020.
A revealing, short news article from a government-controlled media. When you read it and think about it, this piece does not indicate that the government has done much if anything to capture solar—so few farms, across such a large piece. Instead, this article is written to make it look like much exists when much doesn’t. See “Solar energy, an advantage for Iran,” Tehran Times, August 3, 2020. The country also has a huge potential for the expansion of solar energy infrastructure. Currently, over 100 large-scale farms ranging from 2MW to 12MW and over 2,000 small-scale and rooftop solar power plants are operating across Iran, the number of which has noticeably been growing as Iranian households and small industries have embraced the new technology with open arms and investors also seem eager for more contribution in this area. Solar farms account for the lion’s share of electricity generation (44 percent) from renewable energy in Iran.”
He just earned tenure. “Iranian professor: Burning more American flags will create solidarity with US protesters,” Cleveland Jewish News, August 3, 2020.
At first blush, this article is about the value of relations with another nation-state. At a deeper level, notice the good question was asked whether the government of Iran was paid for the oil. If the treasury was not repaid, then the gold from Venezuela went into the pockets of the Regime, not to the people. “Did Iran’s fuel shipment to Venezuela really matter?,” Koruosh Ziabari, Asia Times, August 3, 2020.
“Iran, Not Hezbollah, Likely Behind Attempted Attack on Syrian Border, Israeli Officials Say,” Amos Harel, Haaertz, August 3, 2020.
Iran may be selling more oil to anyone else now to China, and to avoid some U.S. sanctions. See “Despite Official Reports, China Has Been Hoarding Iranian Crude Oil,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, August 3, 2020.