Great advice in this article. And everytime some says “Iran” they should instead say “Hostage-taking Iran”. Here’s the advice—“Herein lies the path to Moore-Gilbert’s release, and that of other hostages immorally and illegally held by the Islamic Republic. While the Iranian government is happy to use Western ambassadors as props to give the regime an air of acceptance and even endorsement, they remain sensitive to isolation. Simply put, neither the Australian ambassador nor those of any other Western country should accept any meeting or make any public appearance that does not directly relate to the release of hostages held in Iran. Rather than praise Iran’s government, every diplomat and foreign ministry official (or, in the U.S., congressmen, senators, and campaign operatives) should castigate Iran’s hostage-taking at every opportunity. Every ambassador from a country whose citizens are held should stand in solidarity, and their publics should shout loudly: The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Only then will Iran’s hostage-takers understand they can neither cut separate deals nor win cash and concessions for rogue behavior.” See “If Australia wants hostage released from Iran, it should learn from America’s errors,” Michael Rubin, Washington Examiner, August 10, 2020.
Quote of the Day. “The Ukrainian plane is insured by European companies in Ukraine and not by Iranian companies. Therefore, the compensation should be paid by those European companies,” said Gholamreza Soleimani, head of Iran’s Central Insurance Organization. Hmm. Sounds like if a burglar breaks into an insured house, then the burglar doesn’t have to pay for any damages, because insurance is what makes the insured whole–there is no incentive not to do the crime! See “Ukraine jet shot down near Tehran in January,” Al Monitor, August 10, 2020.
“How Iran Regime Uses Its Embassies for Terrorism – Remarks by Tom Ridge at Free Iran Global Summit,” Mahmoud Hakamian, NCRI, August 10, 2020.
Such a rare story, and welcome. “Iran charity chief slams officials over posh properties,” Syed Zafar Mehdi, AA, August 10, 2020.
The Regime shut down a newspaper today after it published remarks by an expert who claimed the official Health Ministry figures on coronavirus cases and deaths account for only 5% of the actual numbers. “Iran shutters newspaper after expert questions virus numbers,” AP, August 10, 2020.
“FBI says an Iranian hacking group is attacking F5 networking devices,” Catalin Cimpanu, ZDNet, August 10, 2020. The hacker group is known as Fox Kitten or Parasite.
Iran doesn’t know where its ship is unless another country’s official notifies them? Doesn’t Iran have a shore to ship phone? A radio? Satellite connection? Navy vessel? “Iran not officially notified of ship seizure off Pakistan,” Mehn News, August 10, 2020.
Iran doesn’t know where its ships are unless another country’s official notifies them? Doesn’t Iran have a shore to ship phone? A radio? Satellite connection? Navy vessel? “Iran not officially notified of ship seizure off Pakistan,” Mehr News, August 10, 2020.
“Iran’s Oil Strikes Hint at Regime’s Weakness, Future Unrest,” David Brennan, Newsweek, August 10, 2020.
“Iran’s real virus figures higher than announced: Expert,” Mustafa Melih Ahishali, AA, August 10, 2020.
“Amid a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of workers in Iran’s southern provinces have carried out wildcat strikes in recent days in the critical oil and petrochemical sectors. Washington’s campaign of “maximum pressure” on Iran—including punishing economic sanctions, a de facto embargo on medical equipment and drugs, and military threats—has exacerbated the social and economic crisis in the country, which has also been compounded by the Islamic Republic’s disastrous response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to reports, at least 10,000 workers have participated in a wave of strikes at nearly 30 oil and petrochemical facilities, including the Abadan, Parsian and Qeshm refineries.” See “Iranian oil workers mount wave of strikes as COVID-19 rages across the country,” Ulaş Ateşci, WSWS, August 10, 2020.