Author: Neal Coates

“Afghans denounce Iran police after refugees killed in car blaze,” Al Jazeera, June 6, 2020.

“Black boxes of downed Ukrainian plane of ‘no help’, Iran claims,” Reuters, June 6, 2020.  Were they manipulated?  But Iran says it will transfer the boxes of Flight 752 to another country.

“In an unprecedented move, the Iranian Judiciary has explained for the first time how it has spent the interest earned on the bonds deposited into its accounts by those implicated in criminal and political cases. However, analysts, political figures and social media users in Iran are still sceptical about these accounts and their transactions. Mizan News, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Judiciary reported on Friday June 5 that the interest on the bonds for the year 1398 which ended on 20 March has been 4.3 trillion rials ($102 million) out of which some 4 trillion rials have already been spent, ostensibly on social and economic development.” And for other purposes.  See “Iran’s Judiciary Makes Disclosures About Its Hidden Funds,” Radio Farda, June 6, 2020.

“At least three Americans are left in Iranian custody. Morad Tahbaz, an Iranian environmentalist with US and British citizenship, is serving a 10-year sentence for espionage charges. Businessman Siamak Namazi is held in Evin prison on trumped-up charges and his 84-year-old father Baquer Namazi, a former UN official, is out on medical furlough but unable to leave the country.”  See “Iran demanded Florida doctor in exchange for Michael White,” Elizabeth Hagedorn, Al Monitor, June 6, 2020.  Notice also that Iran doesn’t call the persons they are holding as hostages—they instead are exchanged as a “humanitarian” gesture in exchange for “hostages” that other countries hold.  But these situations are easy to see through—just examine the evidence for any particular person held by any country.  The media can also do this and needs to be more clear in presenting this information so the public can more easily see who a legitimate prisoner and who is a hostage.  See “Iran confirms talks ‘months ago’ with Richardson over White’s release,” Reuters, June 5, 2020, in which FM spokesman Abbas Mousavi said “We have always responded positively to humanitarian efforts that would lead to the release of Iranian hostages in the United States and elsewhere.”

“Iran sanctions case against Pilatus banker Ali Sadr Hasheminejad being dropped,” Matthew Vella, Malta Today, June 6, 2020.

“PS752 catastrophe in Iran: Tehran claims investigation into crash nearly complete,” 112 Ukraine, June 6, 2020.

“Iran Is the First Country to Announce a Second Wave of Coronavirus,” Jubin Katiraie, Iran Focus, June 6, 2020.

This article underlines the difficulty in getting Iran to peacefully give up the three U.S. hostages it continues to hold.  See the full article, but here is a relevant section.  “A third complicating factor to another U.S.-Iran deal is Iran’s apparent lack of interest in the release or exoneration of 16 Iranians who are either in U.S. detention, subject to home confinement after release or under federal prosecution in U.S. courts for Iran-related offenses.  Neither Zarif nor other Iranian officials have mentioned the names of any of the 16 in their occasional public statements calling for the release of Iranians prosecuted in the U.S.  Slattery said he has asked Iranian officials for a list of Iranian citizens held against their will or charged with criminal offenses in the U.S. but has not received one.  A U.S. source familiar with Richardson’s efforts to free Wang and White told VOA Persian that Iranian officials never mentioned to Richardson the names of the 16, either.”  The article goes on to list the Iranians held by the U.S. and explains their convictions, etc.  The Supreme Leader is content to let all these people slowly live out their meager existence in prison (although the U.S. prison system is so much better than Evin Prison).  See “Future US-Iran Prisoner Releases Could be Complicated by Who’s Involved, Who Isn’t,” Michael Lipin, VOA, June 6, 2020.

We don’t know names, only the claim that 6 have been arrested.  “Iran holds 6 people over Ukrainian plane crash,” AA, June 6, 2020.

When you share terror advisers, soldiers, drugs, etc., why not share gasoline?  (BTW, this loss of some of the gas from Iran might make some Venz consumers a little upset).  “PdV diverting Iranian gasoline to Cuba,” Argus Media, June 5, 2020.

Oops.  Iran Front Page in talking to Gen. Shamkhani forgot to coordinate with Tehran Times, who was talking to the FM spokesman, and in addition the TT said, “Tehran confirmed on Thursday a prisoner swap between Iran and the United States.”  See “Iran Says Prisoner Swap with US Not Result of Negotiation,” IFP, June 5, 2020, and See “Iran confirms talks with Richardson over Michael White’s release,” Tehran Times, June 5, 2020.

“Iran blocking sites access, UN nuclear watchdog says,” BBC, June 5, 2020.

“Did Iran’s IRGC commander Ghaani go to Baghdad to oust US forces?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 5, 2020.

“Iran, two worlds apart: Exploring an Iranian society more divided than ever,” France 24, June 5, 2020.

“Radio Farda: Iran admits proposing separate settlement to Ukraine on downed plane,” UNIAN, June 5, 2020.

“The U.N.’s atomic watchdog says Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium are increasing in violation of a key nuclear deal,” AP, KVIA, June 5, 2020.

“IAEA voices serious concern at Iran’s stonewalling on old sites,” Francois Murphy, Reuters, June 5, 2020.

“New Technologies Are Making Iran’s Military Tougher Than Ever Before,” Michael Rubin, The National Interest, June 5, 2020.

“Iran news agency head convicted for interviewee’s spy remark,” Jon Gambrell, AP, Star Tribune, June 5, 2020.

“Iran dismisses Trump’s offer for talks,” Al Monitor, June 5, 2020.

Uh oh.  Sounds like Iran is being suspended from FIFA and the Olympics, for not being independent from national politics, and for discriminating against Jews/Israel.  Former President of the Football Federation of Iran, Mohammad Dakan, says the Ministry of Intelligence should prevent the Ministry of Sport and Youth from controlling the football program (this must also involve the banning of female spectators) and, implicitly, that the clerical leaders should all Iranian athletes compete against their Israeli counterparts.  See “Iranian Sports Mired In Corruption, Former Federation President Says,” Radio Farda, June 5, 2020.

“IAEA Criticizes Iran’s ‘Non-Cooperation’ With Inspectors,” Kuwait News Agency, June 5, 2020.

This has been around since 2011 and targeted countries including the UK and the U.S.  “Facebook says it dismantled disinformation network tied to Iran’s state media,” Reuters, Israel Hayom, June 5, 2020.

A hostage, Michael White, has been freed by Iran, apparently in exchange for the Iranian citizen just returned by the U.S. after acquittal.  There are at least three hostages remaining held by Iran.  But … the Regime’s record is to release and then catch others.  Hostages are for trading.  “Michael White: Iran releases US navy veteran held for two years,” The National, June 4, 2020.   See “American and Western Hostages,” UANI, June 4, 2020.

The Regime has not convinced all Iranian citizens that Israel is the Little Satan.  “Israel Considering Asylum Requests From its Iran-Based Social Media Followers,” Michael Lipin, VOA, June 4, 2020.

This is another story about how Iran is enabled beyond its borders by other countries who want to hurt freedom and free markets and the U.S. and the West, and how Iran is enabled by greedy individuals.  “Federal prosecutors say former Alaskan laundered nearly $1 billion for Iran through United Arab Emirates,” Jon Gambrell, AP, June 4, 2020.  See also the statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Alaska, December 7, 2018, “Former Anchorage Resident Sentenced to Federal Prison for International Money Laundering Conspiracy.”

59 died from coronavirus on Wednesday, announced Thursday.  “Iran: Number of daily virus cases quadruple,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, June 4, 2020.

“Iran signs two-year contract with Iraq to export electricity – IRNA,” Reuters, June 4, 2020.

“Facebook Starts Labeling Russian, Chinese, And Iranian State Media,” RFE/RL, June 4, 2020.

“Iran frees American, U.S. allows dual citizen to visit Iran in deal,” Humeyra Pamuk and Mark Hosenball, Reuters, June 4, 2020.

“Iranian citizenship law for children of foreign fathers approved,” Reza Shirmohammadi, InfoMigrants, June 4, 2020.

“Google says Iranian, Chinese hackers targeted Trump, Biden campaigns,” Zack Whittaker, TechCrunch, June 4, 2020.

Whenever you see another of these enabler stories, where the reporter sets it up as one country (Russia) versus another (U.S.) and doesn’t examine the arguments (simply reports what the parties say), and doesn’t consider other country’s viewpoint on the issue, ask a question such as “Hey Russia, what does Israel say about Iran’s ballistic missile program?” or “Hey Russia, what does Saudi Arabia say about Iran’s ballistic missile program?” or “Hey Russia, what does Egypt say about Iran’s ballistic missile program?”  See “Russia defends Iran satellite launch against US opposition,” Edith Lederer, The Republic, June 4, 2020.

“Iran’s new tactics in Syria,” Middle East Eye, June 4, 2020.

The gruesome nature of this one honor killing is not the real story.  Inside the article is a statement—“A police official said in 2014 that about 20 percent of all murders in Iran had been honor killings.”  That is a statement that warrants further research.  See “Gruesome Death Of Iranian Teenager Shows Shame Of ‘Honor’ Killings,” Golnaz Esfandiari, Radio Farda, June 4, 2020.

Also enabling Iran are various media accounts over the years that don’t capture the reality on the ground.  For example, today Michael White’s mother said, “For the past 683 days my son, Michael, has been held hostage in Iran by the (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and I have been living a nightmare. I am blessed to announce that the nightmare is over, and my son is safely on his way home.”  But look at the headline and story from CNN, where White is not a hostage but a detainee.  “US Navy veteran detained in Iran has been released,” Vivian Salama and Jennifer Hansler, CNN, June 4, 2020.

“All the world is watching.”  This is a quote from Ben Crump, Floyd Family Attorney, “‘All the world is watching’: Son of George Floyd, family attorney speak at site of his death,” Newsbreak, Cleveland News, June 3, 2020.  There’s no doubt that it makes it more difficult to advocate for the rule of law and human rights and democracy when an event of police brutality occurs in the U.S.  If there is any silver lining, it is that George Floyd’s family will most likely receive justice, something that rarely happens in Iran.  But let’s not give the Supreme Leader any chances to make his hypocritical argument!  See “Floyd killing shows ‘true face’ of US: Iran’s Khamenei,” Agence-France Press, June 3, 2020.  See also “Iran and China are using the George Floyd protests to undermine US criticism of their own authoritarianism,” Sinead Baker, Business Insider, June 2, 2020.

“Exclusive: Huawei hid business operation in Iran after Reuters reported links to CFO,” Steve Stecklow and Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, June 3, 2020.

“Huawei hid business operation in Iran after Reuters reported links to CFO,” Arab News, June 3, 2020.

“Iran reported its highest number of daily coronavirus infections in two months, a surge that nears March’s peak levels and suggests the Middle Eastern country struck hardest by the disease is in the throes of a second wave. Authorities reported 3,134 new cases on Wednesday, a 50% increase from a week earlier, according to official government figures. The total number of cases so far is 160,696, including more than 8,000 deaths.”  Remember, as noted repeatedly in media and other accounts on this blog, the Regime’s numbers are regularly underreported by perhaps half.  See “Second Wave of Covid-19 Infections Hits in Iran, Golnar Motevalli and Arsalan Shahla,” Bloomberg, June 3, 2020.

“A Stray Missile Killed 19 Iranian Sailors—Possibly While Testing A New Seeker,” David Axe, Forbes, June 3, 2020.

Pres. Rouhani says trips should only be made for necessary work.  “Iranian People Urged to Avoid Nonessential Travel as COVID-19 Surges Again,” IFP, June 3, 2020.

Monday 70 died.  “3,134 more COVID-19 cases, 70 new related deaths confirmed in Iran,” MENAFN, June 3, 2020.

“Iran debates ‘honor killings’ after girl’s murder shocks country,” Shabnam von Hein, DW, June 3, 2020.

“Is Iran losing its influence in Iraq?,” Colin Freeman, The Telegraph, June 3, 2020.

“The Glass House: The Damascus office block housing Iran’s top brass in Syria,” Gareth Browne, The National, June 3, 2020.

 “In Iran’s oil-rich Gheyzanieh, residents don’t even have access to water,” Kourosh Ziabari,” The New Arab, June 3, 2020.

“The Ending of Iran Nuclear Deal Sanction Waivers | Opinion,” Shoshana Bryen, op-ed, Newsweek, June 3, 2020.

“Parliament’s Think Tank Chief Calls For Reforms To Save Iran’s Failing Economy,” Behrouz Turani, Radio Farda, June 3, 2020.

Will Iran release innocent hostages?  “Iranian professor acquitted of sanctions busting leaves US, Zarif says,” Jerusalem Post, Reuters, June 2, 2020.

June 3 is the 31st death anniversary of the first Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.  The USG judges his personal influence as the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran such that the Revolution would not have taken place but for him.  As a result, Khomeinism is an ideology and system of governance credited with repression in country and fostered revolutions in some other countries targeted for the Shia Crescent.  UANI’s new resource, “Khomeinism”, outlines the movement’s features, and explains the differences between the leaderships of Khomeini and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.  See “Khomeinism,” UANI, June 2, 2020.

Because June 4 is also the 31st anniversary of Khamenei’s designation as supreme leader, UANI has documented the succession process as well as possible contenders.  See “Who Will Be Iran’s Next Supreme Leader?,” UANI, June 2, 2020.

“As Iran’s Exports Drop, Pressure Rises On Its Currency Reserves,” Radio Farda, June 2, 2020.

“Iranian scientist acquitted of stealing research deported by US,” BBC, June 2, 2020.

“Iran and China are using the George Floyd protests to undermine US criticism of their own authoritarianism,” Sinead Baker, Business Insider, June 2, 2020.

“After Crushing Anti-Government Rallies At Home, Iran Expresses Support For U.S. Protesters,” RFE/RL, June 2, 2020.

“Hope for prisoner swap fades as US deports Iranian scientist, but no Americans freed,” Conor Finnegan, ABC, June 2, 2020.

“Iran’s Majles: A Parliament Of IRGC Commanders,” Morad Vaisibiame, Radio Farda, June 2, 2020.

“A U.S. court has ruled that Iran and Syria are liable for compensation for American citizens wounded and killed in a series of attacks by Palestinians in Israel, including the killing of a U.S. Army veteran. Judge Randolph D. Moss in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that Americans wounded and killed in seven attacks carried out by Palestinians were eligible for damages from Iran and Syria because they provided “material support” to militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.”  See “US court orders Iran, Syria liable for attacks in Israel,” AP, June 2, 2020.

Sunday had 81 deaths.  “Prepare for the worst, Iranians are warned as virus kills 81 in one day,” Arab News, June 2, 2020.

64 people died on Monday.  “Iran Records Highest Number of New COVID-19 Infections,” Iran Front Page, June 2, 2020.

Iran’s recent and almost successful cyberattack on Israel’s water system attempted to poison civilians with chlorine.  “Iran cyberattack on Israel’s water supply could have sickened hundreds – report,” Times of Israel, June 1, 2020.

“Iran says scientist jailed in US expected to return home within days,” France24, June 1, 2020.

“Iran says it is ready to continue fuel shipments to Venezuela,” Reuters, June 1, 2020.

“Venezuela’s Maduro says he will visit Iran soon, sign agreements,” Reuters, June 1, 2020.

“Iran Says U.S. Approved Korean Medical Shipment as Oil Payment,” Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, June 1, 2020.

“Labor Rights Activist Receives 74 Lashes In Tehran’s Notorious Prison,” Radio Farda, June 1, 2020.

“Iran Is Working Hard to Revive Anti-U.S. Operations in Latin America,” Stephen Johnson, FP, June 1, 2020.

In probably unprecedented remarks a senior commander of the Iranian regular Army has implicitly lambasted Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard for meddling in the country’s political and economic affairs.  The Coordinating Deputy of the Islamic Republic’s Army, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, bitterly expressed his dissatisfaction for the army being ignored by the country’s state-controlled media.  “Senior Army General In Iran Lambasts The Revolutionary Guard,” Radio Farda, June 1, 2020.

“Nearly seven months after Iran’s security forces killed several hundred protesters in November 2019, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said implicitly for the first time on Saturday May 30 that the number of those killed was around 200.  While Iran has been hiding the actual number of those killed in the violent crackdown that followed the nationwide protests in November, independent news agencies and human rights watchers put the number at up to 1,500.”  See “Iran Minister Downplays November Protest Death Toll In First Official Acknowledgement,” Radio Farda, May 31, 2020.

And we have another new official, the speaker of Parliament, who makes a similar disturbing statement.  “Iran’s new parliament speaker says talks with US ‘futile’,” AFP, May 31, 2020.  Notably, Speaker Ghalibaf also “vowed revenge for the US drone attack in January that killed Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Guards’ foreign operations arm. “Our strategy in confronting the terrorist America is to finish the revenge for martyr Soleimani’s blood,” he told lawmakers in a televised address. … This, he said, would entail “the total expulsion of America’s terrorist army from the region”.”  This is despite Iran’s earlier official statements that using ballistic missiles against American bases in Iraq was sufficient retaliation.

Many persons, including Iranians, follow and cheer for football/soccer.  Iran’s government has lied to its citizens, though, regarding its communications with FIFA for years, and has put the country’s membership in jeopardy.  “FIFA Threatens Iran With Suspension From World Football,” Radio Farda, May 31, 2020.  Here is the full story.  “FIFA, the international governing body of football (soccer), has set a short deadline for the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) to either amend its statues or face global suspension.  In a letter received on May 29, FIFA has objected to FFIRI’s recently drafted statues, demanding its amendment according to FIFA’s rules. FFIRI has until June 5 to comply or face an international suspension, the state-run Mehr News Agency reported on May 30. FFIRI submitted its updated draft statues to FIFA in mid-May. FIFA had previously banned FFIRI from holding its elections due to concerns over potential government interference in its affairs. Earlier, in April, an official in charge of running Iran’s Football (soccer) Federation for almost a decade had stepped forward, openly admitting that the association had frequently lied to the world governing body about its independence from the government. Speaking on a local radio show in Tehran, Iran’s former football chief Ali Kafashian declared that despite FIFA’s regulations, the Iranian soccer association has always been under the government’s direct control. FIFA rules decree that a national football federation should remain autonomous and independent from the national government. Mehr’s report does not mention FIFA’s objections in detail but says the letter refers to eighty cases that should be addressed, including reducing the role of the Islamic Republic’s sports minister in deciding FFIRI internal affairs. Moreover, one of the main objections that FIFA has made to FFIRI’s amended statutes is that the federation’s independence is not mentioned in the draft. The statutes should explicitly state that no external organization -in this case, the government – has the right to interfere in the football affairs, FIFA has asserted in the letter. “We deem that a failure to comply with this directive would result in the matter being brought to the attention of the relevant FIFA bodies for further action,” the letter reads.”

“On Friday, May 22, the State Department “Fact Sheet” maintained that the Shi’ite clergy-dominated Iran, since its establishment four decades ago, has carried out more than 360 assassinations, terrorist plots, and terrorist attacks in more than forty countries across the globe.”  See “Special Representative Hook Calls Iran’s Regime ‘Marxist Theocracy’,” Radio Farda, May 31, 2020.

“Iran Arrests Two In Death Of Woman Resisting Demolition Of Her House,” Radio Farda, May 31, 2020.

“What’s Wrong With Iran’s Fake Aircraft Carrier,” H.I. Sutton, Naval News, May 31, 2020.

“Coronavirus pandemic rises freight rate between Iran, Qatar by 3 folds,” Tehran Times, May 31, 2020.

Just a voice, not a government like Russia, but supporting the Regime, which encourages Iran to not move toward normalcy.  “Iranian people are victims of Trump’s decisions: Colorado University professor,” Tehran Times, May 31, 2020.

“Iran ‘likely’ to give Ukrainian airplane black box to France – report,” Aaron Reich, Jerusalem Post, May 31, 2020.

“Top Iran body denies negligence in teenage girl’s killing,” AFP, May 31, 2020.  Below are some quotes.  Iran’s Guardian Council denied Saturday that the killing of a teenage girl by her father was the result of “negligence” due to a delay in its approval of a new law to protect children and teenagers.  According to Iranian media, Romina Ashrafi was killed in her sleep on May 21 by her father, who decapitated her in the family home in Talesh in northern Gilan province.  The reports said she ran away after her father refused her permission to marry a man 15 years older, but was detained and taken home. The legal age to marry in Iran is 13 for women. Kadkhodaee said the council had indicated to parliament that it had some “objections” concerning the text of the bill and that lawmakers could have met in an emergency session to further discuss the draft law. But he added: “One law alone cannot resolve such problems (apparent ‘honour’ crimes) which have a cultural, social and even economic dimension.”  Iranian media reported that after authorities detained the teenager, she told a judge she feared for her life if she was sent home.  But what most outraged public opinion was that the girl’s father was likely to face a lenient punishment of just three to 10 years in prison, which could be further reduced, according to the Ebtekar newspaper.

“The battle over state TV in Iran,” BBC, May 30, 2020.

“Iran Denounces George Floyd Killing, Zarif Tweets #BlackLivesMatter,” Reuters, May 30, 2020.

“Iran to Fund Major Railway Project Using Russian Loan,” IFP, May 30, 2020.

“Iran Refuses to Free Jailed Baha’i Woman Apparently Eligible for Furlough,” Michael Lipin, Ramin Haghjoo, and Behrooz Samadbeygi, VOA, May 30, 2020.

“Garneau says still no black boxes from Iran in January shootdown of airliner,” Mike Blanchfield, National Post, May 29, 2020.

Thursday saw 50 pass away from the virus.  “Iran Reports Most New Cases in Nearly Two Months,” Bourse & Bazaar, May 29, 2020.

These three stories are all related.  Iran celebrates, then realizes that the party is getting smaller and smaller, and a veteran reporter misses the real story thinking that the party is still on.  “Fuel Shipments To Venezuela Hailed In Iran As ‘Humiliation For America’,” Golnaz Esfandiari, Radio Farda, May 28, 2020.  “Wielding Sanctions, U.S. Disrupts Iranian Fuel Shipments to Venezuela,” Benoit Faucon and Ian Talley, Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2020.  It is seemingly surprising that Jason Rezaian, himself a former hostage, would make this argument that sanctions are not working—just look at how few countries with which Iran can now trade?  They are on one, maybe two hands, and include Russia, China, and Cuba.  The sanctions are dwindling Iran’s options drastically.  See “Trump’s sanctions are failing. Venezuela and Iran just proved it,” Jason Rezaian, op-ed, Washington Post, May 29, 2020.

“Mystery Submarine May Reveal A Major New Capability For Iran,” H.I. Sutton, Forbes, May 29, 2020.

So Twitter is another actor that does not discourage Iran from malicious speech and behavior.  “Twitter censors Trump for glorifying violence, lets Iran threaten Israel,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 29, 2020.

“Regime change in Iran shouldn’t be a taboo,” Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh, FDD, Washington Post, May 29, 2020.

Again, this blog exists to measure whether Iran government behavior changes toward normalcy within international relations.  This article immediately below is one piece of evidence about how Russia encourages Iran to maintain its trajectory toward proliferation and bad behavior among world countries.  Here’s a quote—“The United States’ decision to end sanctions waivers that had allowed some work to proceed at Iranian nuclear sites will only provoke Tehran into developing nuclear weapons, Interfax cited Russian Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov as saying on Thursday.  “The U.S. is pushing them and in the end they are provoking Iran to create a nuclear bomb, unequivocally,” said Dzhabarov, adding that Russia would continue to cooperate with Iran.”  See “Russian senator criticizes US for ending sanctions waivers on Iran nuclear sites,” New Hampshire Union Leader, May 28, 2020.

“Iran Guards Warn US After Receiving Over 100 New Combat Vessels,” WorldAgence France-Presse, NDTV, May 28, 2020.

“Speculation grows in Iran about outgoing parliament speaker’s possible presidential bid,” Sarbas Nazari, Al Monitor, May 28, 2020.

“We are taking these actions now because the regime continues to use its nuclear program to extort the international community,” Hook told reporters and added: “The Iranian regime’s threats are designed to intimidate nations into accepting Iran’s usual violent behavior for fear of something worse. We refuse to play by Iran’s rules”.  See “Brian Hook To Iran: Negotiate Or Manage Economic Collapse,” Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, May 28, 2020.

Wednesday deaths were 63.  “Iran records 63 new virus deaths, 2,258 more cases,” Ahmet Dursun, AA, May 28, 2020.

“Michel Foucault and Iran’s Ayatollahs,” Reza Parchizadeh, May 28, 2020.

“Berlin plans to ban pro-Iran, anitsemitic al-Quds rally in 2021,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, May 28, 2020.

“Victims of Iran-Afghan Border Drowning Deserve Justice,” Tara Sepehri Far, HRW, May 28, 2020.

“Iran Rejects US Cancellation of Nuclear Sanctions Waivers,” VOA, May 28, 2020.

“Iran Unveils” Four Mega Projects to Boost Digital Economy,” Iran Front Page, May 28, 2020.

“[W]hen an Iranian admiral says Tehran wants to prevent “any foreign agent” from playing a role there [in the Caspian], some in Moscow clearly fear he is speaking about the Russian Federation and not only the West.”  See “Iran Expanding Its Naval Presence in the Caspian,” Paul Goble, Eurasia Daily Monitor, May 28, 2020.

“Former Revolutionary Guards air force commander elected as Iran’s parliament speaker,” CGTN, May 28, 2020.

“Huge Oil Fields Could Help Iran To Seize Saudi Market Share In China,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, May 28, 2020.

“Iranian press review: Public unimpressed with car dealers sentenced to death,” Middle East Eye, May 28, 2020.