Fascinating. But concerning. Russia may transfer and expand to Libya. But I don’t know about port usage there. The additional interesting thing to watch here is what does the new Syria demand of Iran? “Syria’s new government demands Russia extradite Bashar al-Assad,” i24, 1-29-25.
Nice overview. “Iran in 2025: How strong does it remain in the Middle East?,” UK House of Parliament, 1-29-25.
Iraq harboring Iran proxy groups running from Syria? “Hundreds of Iran-Backed Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun Terrorists Warehoused at Iraqi Government Bases,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 1-29-25.
“Political Prisoners in Iran Charged Insulting Supreme Leader,” Iran Wire, 1-29-25. Quotes of the Day: “Your situation has become even worse than Bashar al-Assad’s was a month ago. You no longer have the power to suppress, nor do you have any time left for deception.” … “I have neither a first defense nor a last one. My freedom will come with the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.”
“Chinese and Iranian Hackers Are Using U.S. AI Products to Bolster Cyberattacks,” WSJ, 1-29-25.
“Iran Suggests Expelling Israelis to Greenland,” Newsweek, 1-29-25. From FM Araghchi himself.
“Iran’s Campaign of Terror Against Minorities Surges Across Country,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, 1-29-25. “The Iranian government has greatly escalated its brutal crackdown on ethnic minority groups in recent weeks, employing unlawful mass raids, violent arrests, and enforced disappearances against hundreds of members of these communities across the country in order to silence peaceful dissent, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said today. “The systematic persecution of Kurds, Arabs, Baluchis, and Azeri Turks has reached alarming levels, as the Islamic Republic escalates its campaign of terror against these communities in order to silence and suppress them,” said Hadi Ghaemi, CHRI’s executive director. “The targeting of Iran’s minority communities is a deliberate state strategy to silence dissent, erase cultural identities, and exert control over communities who have long been subjected to the Islamic Republic’s oppressive and discriminatory policies,” Ghaemi said.”
“Iran to import 50,000 tons of potatoes to combat price hikes,” Iran International, 1-29-25.