Iran Nation or Cause

An emotional Father’s Day plea.  “UK: daughter of British man jailed in Iran calls on Government to ‘save my dad’,” Amnesty International UK, June 18, 2021.

Quote of the Day:  “It is useless,” said Ali Hosseini, a 36-year-old unemployed resident in southern Tehran, about the exercise of voting in Iran.  See “In Iran’s subdued election, many voters appear to stay home,” Isabel Debre, AP, KRMG, June 18, 2021.  In a similar vein, “Apathy greets Iran presidential vote dominated by hard-liner,” Jon Gambrell, AP, June 18, 2021.  And again, “Latest Opinion Survey Shows 22 Percent Inclined to Vote in Iran Election,” Iran International, June 18, 2021.

“US officials: Iranian ships changing course away from Venezuela,” Lexi Lonas, The Hill, June 18, 2021.

Ignore the “expert opinion” that UNCLOS protects warships from boarding and their cargoes seized—sanctions and self-defense provide all the justification needed, as laid out in the article diplomatically, legally, and via military explanation provided by former officials Bolton (Rep.) and Stavridis (Dem.).  See “Iranian ships once believed to be headed toward Venezuela change course, U.S. officials say,” Lara Seligman and Nahal Toosi, Politico, June 17, 2021.

If Iran’s med was good, or in adequate amounts, or the same for what it supposedly is acquiring from Russia and China, then we wouldn’t have this.  And from where is the money coming for 20x to 50x the cost in the West per dose?  See “Iran: Pfizer Vaccine Sold For Up To $2,488 In Tehran,” Iran News Wire, June 17, 2021.

““This is really about the hardline, conservative core of the regime ensuring its survival”—Iran votes,” Economist, June 17, 2021.

Ignore the “expert opinion” that UNCLOS protects warships from boarding and their cargoes seized—sanctions and self-defense provide all the justification needed, as laid diplomatically, legally, and via military explanation provided by former officials Bolton (Rep.) and Stavridis (Dem.).  See “Iranian ships once believed to be headed toward Venezuela change course, U.S. officials say,” Lara Seligman and Nahal Toosi, Politico, June 17, 2021.

“’I’m Through With Politics’: Outrage And Apathy Ahead Of Iran’s Presidential Vote,” Stuart Greer, RFE/RL, Radio Farda, June 17, 2021.

“Iran regime-backed Hezbollah builds stronghold in France – report,” Benjamin Weinthal and Sarah Chemla, Jerusalem Post, June 16, 2021.

As you will read here, by “fake” it is meant nothing as compared to fair democratic elections—they are “show” elections, common in authoritarian socieities.  “Iran Officials Admit That Elections Are Fake,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, June 16, 2021.

“Iran is draining its aquifers dry,” Nature, June 16, 2021.  Mismanagement and corruption are depleting ground and surface waters across the country.

“Biden urged to secure release of Americans left behind in Iran,” Elizabeth Hagedorn, Al Monitor, June 16, 2021.

“Ebrahim Raisi poised to sweep into Iranian presidency despite weak religious credentials,” Joseph Hammond, Washington Post, Religion News Service, June 16, 2021.

Will Putin follow through?  “Biden Says He and Putin Agreed to Work to Keep Iran From Getting Nuclear Weapons,” Reuters, June 16, 2021.

“Four wild Iran nuclear standoff developments,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 16, 2021.

“Suspected Iranian hackers exploit VPN, Telegram to monitor dissidents,” Cyberscoop, June 16, 2021.

“Iran’s Rigged Election:  A Handpicked President Won’t Stand in the Supreme Leader’s Way,” Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, June 16, 2021.

“Four wild Iran nuclear standoff developments,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 16, 2021.

From Reuters, no less.  “Khamenei set to tighten grip in Iran vote as frustrations grow,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, June 15, 2021.

Everyone in the world should say in unison—Iran lied, and is lying.  When it says it only wants nuclear power to generate electricity and medical isotopes, it needs very low enrichment.  As this story says, it is aiming for 90% enrichment for weapons grade.  “Iran Says It Produced 6.5 Kg of Uranium Enriched to 60%,” Reuters, June 15, 2021.

“Front-runner for Iran presidency is hardline judge sanctioned by U.S.,” KFGO, Thomson Reuters, June 15, 2021.

“Who will save Iran?,” Mohamad Roshan, op-ed, Global Comment, June 15, 2021.

This is a great example of “If Iran Wants To Spend The Money, It Will.”  They said they didn’t have the 16M to pay their UN dues.  Here, they have 595M for Shia religious tourism.  “Ground broken for vast tourism complex in northeastern Iran,” Tehran Times, June 15, 2021.

“Khamenei set to tighten grip in Iran vote as frustrations grow,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, June 15, 2021.

This is a reminder of Chair Corker’s inability to have the 2015 Deal considered by the Senate through its treaty review powers.  “House Republicans cite 2015 law mandating congressional review of any Iran nuclear deal,” Adam Lucente, Al Monitor, June 15, 2021.

37 to 47 percent turnout expected per the elections chief.  And he got into hot water.  “Controversy Over Iran Election Turnout Brings Official Under Attack,” Iran International, June 15, 2021.

Ebrahim Raisi is much more a hardliner and has an effective and relied upon speed dial, thus this author predicts he won’t run afoul of the Supreme Leader.  See “The Perils of the Iranian Presidency,” Jay Mens, FP, June 15, 2021.

Good article.  But don’t let the “party” throw you—Iran is already a no-party state.  Robin Wright, an excellent writer, is communicating “much more like a dictatorship than every before.”  See “Iran Moves Toward a One-Party State,” Robin Wright, New Yorker, June 15, 2021.

“Khamenei Backed Paper Tries To Secure Presidential Frontrunner’s Win,” Iran International, June 14, 2021.

CNN has this story right.  “Raisi has played a decades-long role in a bloody crackdown on Iranian dissidents.”  See “Iran’s hardline presidential frontrunner could take the country back to a dark past, just as Iranians are itching for change,” CNN, June 14, 2021.

“Resistance in Iran’s holiest city where live music is banned,” The Irish Times, June 14, 2021.

“How dangerous is the new alleged Russia-Iran high resolution satellite?,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2021.

“NATO summit statement: ‘We call on Iran to stop all ballistic missile activities’,” Arab Times, June 14, 2021.

The Los Angeles Times just ran a story about the miracle of Israel’s democracy in the dangerous region of the Middle East, and there is no greater threat than Iran.  And with all the markers of Iran, it is hard to call it glorious.  But hey, FM Zarif makes an appearance.  “FM Zarif:  Israel’s Tyrant Falls as Iran Continues March of Glory,” Kashmir Observer, June 14, 2021.

No details have been announced.  This may be bluster.  “Iran says outline agreed with U.S. to lift energy sanctions,” Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, June 14, 2021.

A destroyer Dena and a minesweeper.  “Iran’s navy receives two new warships,” The Economic Times, June 14, 2021.

“Iran’s Misery and the Miserable State of the Iranian Rial,” Steve Hanke, National Review, June 14, 2021.

“Revelation by Ex-Intelligence Minister Sheds Light Iran Election Process,” Iran International, June 14, 2021.

“With So Much Of The Debate Hampered Ahead Of Presidential Vote, Iranians Turn To Clubhouse,” Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL, June 14, 2021.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Guardian Council ran their own poll before announcing the seven finalists so they could make sure their candidate, Raisi, would win.  Yes, polls are rare and unreliable in the Iran, but can be conducted.  “Exclusive:  Poll Finds Raeesi Easily Leading Iran- Vote,” Iran International, June 14, 2021.

“Iran approves first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine,” Olafimihan Oshin, The Hill, June 14, 2021.

“Iran says it has broad agreement with the US on lifting sanctions,” Arsalan ShahlaBloomberg, Bloomberg, June 14, 2021.

“Trial of activists in Iran delayed by 10 days over access to lawyers,” Paul Peachey, The National, June 14, 2021.

“Pro-Iran militias show off new drone air force,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 13, 2021.  The use by various militias of UAVs, often supplied by Iran, dates to at least 2019.

“Pakistan Closes Six Iranian-Funded Schools In Quetta,” Radio Mashaal, June 13, 2021.

“Russia Denies Plans to Provide Iran With Advanced Satellite System,” Hamodia, June 13, 2021.

“Senior Clerics In Iran Urge People to Vote Friday as Polls Show Low Turnout,” Iran International, June 13, 2021.

“Iran’s Larijani rebuffed over election bar,” AFP, June 13, 2021.

So disappointing.  The U.S. has allowed Iran to save face at the UN, and didn’t get anything in return—no hostages, no nothing.  It is time for Joe Biden to speak about what it is that Iran is giving as the U.S. is giving.  “Iran regained its vote in the UN General Assembly on Friday after the United States enabled Tehran to use funds frozen in South Korea to pay some $16 million it owed to the world body. Iran lost its vote in the 193-member General Assembly in January because it was more than two years in arrears. It owed a total of more than $65 million, but paid the minimum amount needed to regain its vote.”  See “Iran regains UN vote after US enables UN payment,” Jerusalem Post, Reuters, June  12, 2021.

“Iran’s ex-parliament speaker demands explanation for vote disqualification,” WTVBAM, June 12, 2021.  But Larijani won’t get an answer, and won’t get anywhere.

“Could Iran use Shi’ite centers in France to spread terror? – report,” Jerusalem Post, June 11, 2021.  The Alma Research and Education Center reported that two organizations in France, Al-Ghadir and Imam Al Khoei, could possibly be used to “spread the dangerous ideology of the radical Shi’ite axis led by Iran to youngsters and adults alike.”  The report states that the axis aims to develop “an active civilian and military integrated infrastructure” as a possible terror base in Europe.

Ah ha, the NYT uses its sources to rebut the State Dept. claim of “routine” sanctions relief given to some Iranian officials.  “News that Iran had paid the dues with previously impounded money was the second signal in two days from the Biden administration in attempting to show some flexibility over the sanctions as the nuclear talks progress. On Thursday, the administration lifted sanctions on three former Iranian government officials and two Iranian companies involved in the country’s oil industry.”  So we will return to the question from yesterday—What is Iran giving up?  Will they free hostages?  See “Iran Pays Delinquent U.N. Dues, Getting Its Vote Back,” Rick Gladstone, New York Times, June 11, 2021.

You can see China’s opposition to the U.S. and support for Iran in this article.  “China urges U.S. and Russian nuclear cuts and progress in Iran talks,” Stephanie Nebehay, Yahoo News, June 11, 2021.

Thank you Russia and Mr. Putin.  “The Russian-made Kanopus-V satellite with Russian hardware would be launched in Russia with Iran being able to use the satellite to spy on any targets, including U.S. troops in Iraq and military bases in Israel, whenever the country wanted.  …  The officials said the satellite could be launched in the next few months.  …  The news comes ahead of a highly anticipated first meeting between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.”  I suggest that once the satellite is available that it will become inoperable by some state action.  See “Russia to supply Iran with advanced satellite system, officials say,” Joby Warrick, Washington Post, June 10, 2021.  See also “Russia prepping to give Iran advanced satellite system that will boost military spying capabilities,” Lexi Lonas, The Hill, June 10, 2021.

“The Deadly Legacy of Khobar Towers,” Daniel Byman, Wall Street Journal, June 10, 2021.

“Iran judiciary chief stages 1st campaign rally despite virus,” Amir Vahdat, Washington Post, AP, June 10, 2021.

Well, if “Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Wednesday called for participation in the June 18 presidential elections, saying turnout in the elections will show “love for the country and concern over the fate of the future generation and children of Iran”, then we can say “the Leader adopting fair election procedures will show love for the country” and so forth.  See “Everyone who cares about Iran will attend presidential polls, parliament speaker says,” Tehran Times, June 9, 2021.

Don’t do it.  Covid is still rampant, and there’s little treatment available.  Travel there and get it and never … go home.  “Iran may open borders to travelers in July,” Tehran Times, June 9, 2021.

“On June 13, the Whole World Should Be Watching Iran, Demanding Justice and Calling to #FreeNahid and #FreeThemAll,” Mariam Claren, Ms. Magazine, June 9, 2021.

“New Report Confirms How Iran’s Regime Fake News And Propaganda Work,” Mahmoud Hakamian, NCRI, June 9, 2021.

“Iran’s Foreign Debt at $9b in Fiscal 2020-21,” Financial Tribune, June 9, 2021.

“U.S. warns Venezuela, Cuba to turn away Iranian ships believed to be carrying arms,” Lara Seligman, Andrew Desiderio, and Betsy Woodruff Swan, Politico, June 9, 2021.

“Iran expert: Election candidates offer no roadmap to solve country’s crises,” Charlie Peters, Arab News, June 9, 2021.

Not a good sign, that there was “not enough” evidence.  “Iraq Releases Iran-Aligned Commander Arrested on Terror Charges,” Reuters, June 9, 2021.