“Iran unveils new drone in presence of defense chief,” IFP, February 12, 2022.
Iran attempts a soft attack against Israel and Turkey. “Iranian cell caught in plot to assassinate Israeli in Istanbul, media and target say,” Times of Israel, February 11, 2022. Eight spies arrested in plot to kill businessman Yair Geller, in retaliation for killing of Iran’s nuclear chief Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020. Turkish intel worked with Mossad, moved Geller to safehouse. Geller is Israeli-Turkish businessman who lives in Istanbul and owns an engineering company specializing in aerospace technology. The article names the cell members. A ninth person, the squad’s leader in Iran (I think part of the Quds Force), was named as Iranian intelligence officer Yasin Taheremamkendi.
“Iran celebrates anniversary of Islamic revolution,” TASS, February 11, 2022.
This is the activist living in New York whom Iran tried to kidnap from the United States (and kill or imprison). “‘Hijab is the most visible symbol of oppression, we need to bring down this wall’: Watch what Iranian anti-hijab crusader Masih Alinejad had said,” OpIndia, February 10, 2022.
When I saw this headline, it occurred to me that my perspective on Iran’s drive has been from that of an American, and to protect Israel, and other allies of freedom (including a growing number of countries in the Middle East). But this headline of Phillips’ op-ed also made me think bigger than just a U.S. citizen or academic or etc., that this topic is really worth of any individual on the planet who cares about sovereignty, peace, development, trade, international relations, trade, you name it. We as individuals should be alert if the United States or Russia or China or anyone (i.e. North Korea, Pakistan) facilitates another country with proliferation. See “How America is helping Iran get a nuclear arsenal,” Melanie Phillips, op-ed, JNS, February 10, 2022.
“’A New International of Authoritarianism’: An Interview With Iran Scholar Abbas Milani,” Omid Memarian, Dawn Mena, February 10, 2022.
Always a good move during negotiations—Intimidation wins friends. “Iran unveils long-range missile as Vienna nuclear talks resume,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, February 9, 2022. State TV reported that the missile has solid fuel and a range of 900 miles. It is called the Khaibar-buster, a reference to a Jewish castle overrun by Muslim warriors in the early days of Islam. It can target any U.S. base in the region, and all Israel and Saudi Arabia.
“Iran’s water woes worsen despite warmer Taliban ties,” Shelly Kittleson, Al Monitor, February 9, 2022.
Very suspicious. “Did Iran name its new missile after anti-Jewish battle? – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 9, 2022.
“Biden administration believes it has until end of month to salvage Iran nuclear deal,” Kylie Atwood, CNN, February 9, 2022.
“Will Iran’s electricity cut turn Iraq toward Gulf?,” Muhammad Jawad Adib, Al Monitor, February 8, 2022.
“Iran Is ‘No. 1 Destabilizing’ Threat In Middle East, CENTCOM Nominee Says,” Jacqueline Feldscher, Defense One, February 8, 2022.
First Evin Prison, now Ghezel Hesar Prison. “Hacker group leaks footage, files from Iranian prisons,” Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, February 8, 2022.
“Iran nuclear talks to resume in Vienna on Tuesday,” AP, February 7, 2022.
“’Honor-Killing’ In Iran Sparks Debate On Laws To Protect Women,” Maryam Sinaee, Iran International, February 7, 2002.
“Iran chief of staff: We’ll be one of the world’s largest arms exporters,” Jerusalem Post, February 7, 2022. “Iran will be one of the world’s largest arms exporters if US sanctions are lifted, claimed Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri on Monday.”
“Waived Iran sanctions allow redesign of Fordo plant, cooperation with Russia, China,” Times of Israel, February 6, 2022.
“Influential Iran Politician Asks Khamenei For Constitutional Change,” Iran International, February 6, 2022.
A curious story, but indicative of year to year government mismanagement. “Official Says Iran’s Government Doesn’t Know Exact Value Of Its Assets,” Iran International, February 6, 2022.
“Iran ‘society set to explode’ while Biden unfreezes $29 billion for regime,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, February 5, 2022. “Social discontent in Iran has risen by 300 percent in the past year according to an IRGC document.”
Nothing to see here folks, move along, move along. “Iran says US’s sanctions waiver is ‘not enough’ as clock winds down on nuclear talks,” Chloe Folmar, The Hill, February 5, 2022. So a good negotiating move by the U.S. should be to immediately withdraw the offer of lifting sanctions—don’t keep on giving more and more if you aren’t going to get anything, even a small reciprocal move by Iran.
Or just weeks. “Israel said to fear new Iran deal will leave breakout time at only a few months,” Times of Israel, February 5, 2022. “Original deal had envisioned keeping Tehran away from bomb for a year; ‘It is better to have a distance of a few months and not just weeks,’ US sources say.”
The Quds Force appears to be extending its reach. “Iran’s New Naval Militia Unit Increases It’s ‘Region Wide Export Of Terrorism’,” Oubai Shahbandar, Arab News, February 4, 2022.
“Biden administration restores sanctions waiver to Iran as talks in final phase,” Reuters, February 4, 2022. “The waiver, which was rescinded by the Trump administration in May 2020, had allowed Russian, Chinese and European companies to carry out non-proliferation work at Iranian nuclear sites.” This is a dangerous move, and won’t slow Iran’s movement toward a bomb.
This is going to get to the point where the other countries take even more action against Iran, and directly against it. “Five times Iran used Iraqi militias to conduct drone attacks – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2022. “Iran has recently established even closer ties with Iraqi militias and is now using them to attack Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other states.”
“Latest Update: Iran Pulls out of Bout at the Ballpark with Team USA,” Christopher Miller, TheOpenMat.com, February 4, 2022.
“Iran Wants Money, Not Exchange of Prisoners With US, Sources Say,” Michael Lipin, VOA, February 4, 2022.
Accurate position by this op-ed. The Supreme Leader and those at the top of the Regime will not agree to a revised JCPOA or any other agreement on their nuclear weapons program. “Missile attack on UAE shows Iran is unwilling to compromise,” David Gardner, op-ed, FT, February 3, 2022.
“Iran Plans to Work With China On Technology To Further Restrict Internet,” Maryam Sinaee, Iran International, February 3, 2022. And see “The best VPN for China 2022,” Adam Marshall, Tech Radar, January 6, 2022, which by implication means that the best VPNs for Iran are probably ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.
It is up to Iran to turn its ship around and spend its efforts on moving its country forward and stopping threatening actions against its neighbors. But it hard for Iran to stop this because of the founding 1979 premises of its country. “Israel, Bahrain sign new defense memo in signal toward Iran,” Josef Federman, Yahoo, February 3, 2022.
The Empire strikes again. “According to the Washington Institute for Near-East Policy, the True Promise Brigades has ties to Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, an Iran-backed group listed by the US as a “terrorist organisation”. The Washington-based think-tank also said the group could be under the direct control of Iran’s elite Quds Force.” See “Who is the shadowy Iraqi militia that attacked the UAE?,” Al Jazeera, February 3, 2022.
“Iran, Russia aid Venezuela in moving troops to Colombian border,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2022.
It is helpful, even if for shock value, to publish on this blog what Iranian officials say. “In phone call with UAE FM, Amir-Abdollahian says Israel’s presence in region threat to all,” Press TV, February 3, 2022.
No surprise, this has always been my thought and a number of others. “Iran’s Lead Negotiator Says No Direct Talks With US In Vienna,” Tasnim News Agency, February 3, 2022.
“Iranian dissidents warn regime is creating proxy terrorist naval units to back Houthis in Yemen,” Adam Shaw, Fox News, February 3, 2022.
“U.S. Sees Iran’s Nuclear Program as Too Advanced to Restore Key Goal of 2015 Pact,” Laurence Norman, Wall Street Journal, February 3, 2022. “Terms of any new agreement are likely to leave Tehran in position to amass fuel for bomb in significantly less than a year, shorter than 2015 deal, officials say.”