Newest type of hostage.  “Afghan Airline Seeks Refuge In Iran For Its Planes,” Dominic Dudley, Forbes, August 26, 2021.  Although the planes had to be sent somewhere more palatable than under the control of Abdul Ghani Baradar, it is likely there will be more than a simple rental space agreement with Iran, not the first choice among airplane companies of the world for storage and maintenance needs.

“Toby Dershowitz, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Strategy at the US-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told The Jerusalem Post that “Iranian president [Ebrahim] Raisi has named Interpol red notice holder Mohsen  Rezae – wanted in connection with the murder of 85 Argentinians – as the Islamic Republic’s VP for Economic Affairs.”  …  “Dershowitz, who is a long-time analyst of the 1994 AMIA bombing,  added that “Iran is clearly seeking to normalize mass murder and is testing the will of the international community.”  See “Iran’s Raisi names wanted mass murderer of 85 Argentinians as VP for Economics,” Jerusalem Post, August 26, 2021.  “Iran is clearly seeking to normalize mass murder and is testing the will of the international community.”

“Fears grow in Iran as pandemic worsens,” Al Monitor, August 26, 2021

“Russia, Iran & China to Hold Joint Military Exercise In Persian Gulf,” Kashmir Observer, August 26, 2021.