This lets us ask the age old question again, Why are there Iranian soldiers in Syria?  If you answer that correctly, you know what is the largest problem in the Middle East at present.  “IRGC colonel reportedly dies after wounded in alleged Israeli strike in Syria,” i24, 8-15-24.

“Woman shot by Iran police over hijab paralyzed, family told to stay silent,” Iran International, 8-15-24.

“Israel Wants to Trap Iran’s ‘Ghost Fleet,’ the Oil Tankers Financing Its Axis Under the Radar,” Haaretz, 8-15-24.  “A Haaretz investigation found that the Iranian tankers are registered by straw companies around the world and turn off their transponders to conceal their operations.”  …  “Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has issued seizure orders for 18 Iranian oil tankers affiliated with the Iranian regime that are used to finance operations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Quds Force and Hezbollah.”

“The Real Reason Iran Hasn’t Retaliated Against Israel,” OilPrice.com, 8-15-24.  “Analysts said the idea Iran is delaying its retaliation because it is relishing the psychological impact it is having is more of an excuse than a proper strategy. They agreed intense domestic debates, the complexity of coordinating with proxies, and assessing the risks associated with an attack have all contributed to Iran’s hesitation. Zimmt [Raz Zimmt, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv] said Iran is “facing a major dilemma” because while Khamenei and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) want to restore Iran’s deterrence vis-a-vis Israel, there are elements in Iran that worry a large-scale attack could drag Iran into a war with Israel and maybe even the United States.”

“US says Iran attack may come soon and with no warning, but no definitive info,” Times of Israel, 8-15-24.