First, the reason for the existence of this blog was mentioned again, this time by Saudi Arabia’s former ambassador to the U.S., Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, who said, “While we all aspire to have Iran back as a normal peaceful nation-state within the international community, the last forty years’ experience with the Iranian regime is not encouraging,” said in a speech to the National Council on US-Arab Relations. Second, Sen. Chris Coons is correct, no re-entry of anything like the JCPOA unless Iran limits itsballistic missiles and support for proxy groups. See “Top Democratic senator opposes reentering Iran deal under previous terms,” Times of Israel, November 21, 2020.
Uh oh, second one in less than a week. How sad. “Discriminatory Treatment of the Poor in Iran, Single Mother Self-Immolates,” Iran HRM, November 21, 2020.
“Tehran, Moscow to Boost Tourism Cooperation after Pandemic,” IFP, November 21, 2020.
“Iran imposes nationwide COVID-19 restrictions but no lockdown,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, November 21, 2020.
“On Wednesday, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) inside the U.S. Treasury issued sanctions against Iran’s Islamic Revolution Mostazafan Foundation (Bonyad Mostazafan). They said that rather than being a charitable organization, it is “an immense conglomerate” with 160 holdings in the sectors of finance, energy, construction, logistics, information technology, and mining, which Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei uses to enrich his office and his allies, as well as punish dissidents.” See “U.S. Treasury Sanctions Iran’s Mostazafan Foundation,” Iran Focus, November 21, 2020.
“A local cobbler set himself on fire outside the Social Security Org. in protest to his unemployment insurance being cut off. He said he didn’t have money to provide treatment for his mother, who is suffering from cancer.” He died on Nov. 18 in the hospital. “Iranian Worker, 45, Sets Himself On Fire Due to Financial Straits,” Iran HRM, November 21, 2020.
“Iran, Oman eyeing cultural cooperation,” Trend, November 21, 2020.
“Iran: Two Senior Officials of Health Ministry Resign in a Day,” Iran News Update, November 21, 2020.
“New Wave of Arrests of MEK Supporters in Tehran and Across the Country,” Iran HRM, November 21, 2020.