“Iran-backed Houthis attack another container ship transiting Red Sea,” Fox Business, 12-26-23.

“Tensions Rise As Israel Kills Iran’s ‘Top Man’ In Syria,” Iran International, 12-26-23.  From the various open sources I’ve read on this, Gen. Razi Mousavi was not killed by accident, say by being too close to an Israeli attack on an arms shipment landing in Syria.  Instead, it appears to be a targeted attack on the IRGC’s top military and intelligence man in Syria.  “Razi Mousavi (aka Seyyed Razi) headed IRGC’s ‘logistics’ and military coordination in Syria, which may be better understood as being in charge of getting weapons or money for Iran-backed forces in Syria and Lebanon.”  The last thing to note on this story is that Iran still claims to not have forces in Syria or to supply and direct Hezbollah, a known fiction to all.

So we attacked in Iraq, not inside Iran.  If you keep getting nowhere, go somewhere else.  “US Strikes Iran-Backed Militia After Iraq Air Base Attack,” VOA, 12-26-23.

This is dangerous, and what the UN Security Council should really be watching, not just its IAEA.  “UN watchdog: Iran raising production rate of near-weapons-grade uranium,” Times of Israel, 12-26-23.  “IAEA report says Teheran reversed previous slowdown and has tripled the rate at which it is enriching to 60% purity.”  It is approaching weapons grade purity.

“Iran Adds to Pressure on U.S. With Nuclear Program Acceleration,” WSJ, 12-26-23.

“Iran triples output of near-weapons grade nuclear fuel,” Semafor, 12-26-23.  “The International Atomic Energy Agency told member states in a confidential report that Iran is now producing uranium enriched to 60% purity at a rate of 9 kg per month, up from 3 kg over the summer and early fall. The U.S. estimates that Tehran already has amassed enough fissile material for the production of three nuclear weapons and is moving dangerously close to the 90% purity that’s considered weapons grade. Tehran has “increased its production of highly enriched uranium, reversing a previous output reduction from mid-2023,” the IAEA said in the report, which was first viewed by the Associated Press and Reuters.”

Think about it, “It was the first time the Navy shot down an incoming anti-ship ballistic missile in combat”—Iran has brought us to this.  “Navy shoots down ballistic missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthis in Red Sea,” Fox, 12-26-23.