“After Twitter flags Trump’s tweets, will it stand up to Iran? – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 27, 2020.
Surprising that Tehran Times would admit this since it is controlled by the government. But sometimes reporters and editors make mistakes, and they might not have really wanted this news out. “Recently, under United Nations (UN) auspices, there was a meeting of something called the “Six Plus Two.” Created after the Taliban seized control of most of Afghanistan in 1996, this format brings together the six neighbors of Afghanistan, Russia, and the United States to discuss how to stabilize Afghanistan. In a digital chat with the Atlantic Council on May 20, Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Undersecretary-General for Political and Peace-building Affairs, confirmed that Khalilzad had been present at a recent virtual Six Plus Two meeting, along with diplomats from Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan’s neighbors. She noted that this was a “unique” convening of American and Iranian officials at a time when other direct channels appear shut.” See “Iran and the U.S. ‘meet’ again over Afghanistan: Atlantic Council,” Tehran Times, May 27, 2020.
“Former Mayor Accused Of Corruption Set To Become Iran’s Speaker Of Parliamen,” Radio Farda, May 27, 2020.
“It’s not known exactly how many Westerners are detained in Iran. Many families prefer not to publicize their cases, but it’s probably a few dozen.” Think about that—holding people’s lives as bargaining chips. The number of hostages is a closely guarded secret. “Iran sends mixed signals on release of detained foreign prisoners,” Christopher Woolf, WKSU, May 27, 2020.
After just recently on this blog noting that Russia facilitates Iran’s continuing reticence to move toward actions reflective of other nation-states, here is a U.S.-based (!) information source that is also in need of reform, to better encourage Iran to act as a normal country. “Why are US taxpayers funding a ‘Voice of the Mullahs’ in Iran?,” Brian Hook, New York Post, May 27, 2020.
“Iran’s Gonabadi Dervish Activists Face MoreHarsh Treatment by Government,” Michael Lipin and Ramin Haghjoo, VOA, May 27, 2020.
“US ends waivers for Iran’s civil nuclear programs in latest maximum pressure campaign move,” Nicole Gaouette and Jennifer Hansler, CNN, May 27, 2020.
“Iran is increasingly promoting antisemitic Houthi leader from Yemen,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 27, 2020.
“Iran changes tack in Iraqi politics after mastermind’s assassination,” John Davison and Ahmed Rasheed, Reuters, May 27, 2020.
Sometimes news editors get it wrong, and Iran uses that to its advantage. Here is an example. Iran’s “prisoners’ are hostages, that they want to trade. They committed no crime. Those persons held by the U.S. actually committed a crime or spied. “Iran, US prisoners held by two sides,” France24, May 27, 2020.
“An Alleged Letter To Bush In 2003 Reignites Controversy In Iran,” Radio Farda, May 27, 2020.
So if the French government complains, Iran threatens the hostages further. “French criticisms complicate case of jailed academic, Iran says,” Reuters, May 27, 2020.
This story is great evidence of the criminal connection between Iran and Venezuela. “A former Venezuelan politician was charged Wednesday with participating in a vast narco-terrorism conspiracy in which he traded drugs for weapons and recruited terrorists from Hezbollah and Hamas to orchestrate attacks against U.S. interests. The charges against Adel El Zabayar come two months after the Justice Department unsealed a sweeping indictment against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and several politicians, accusing them of taking a leading role in an international drug trafficking network. New York federal prosecutors say El Zabayar, acting under the direction of the president of the Venezuelan assembly, traveled to the Middle East in 2014 to obtain weapons and recruit members of Hezbollah and Hamas to train at hidden camps in Venezuela. The goal, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, was to “create a large terrorist cell capable of attacking United States interests on behalf of the Cartel de Los Soles.” U.S. authorities say the Cartel de Los Soles, or the Cartel of the Suns, is a criminal organization focused primarily on exporting cocaine to the U.S. The Justice Department has previously said the cartel works with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and other designated terror groups.” See “Feds charge ex-Venezuelan politician with recruiting terrorists to attack U.S. interests,” Tom Winter and Pete Williams, NBC, May 27, 2020.