Iran Nation or Cause

Yes, Iran is responsible.  This open source reporting is what the intelligence agencies have already known almost from day one.  “Components link Iran to drone attacks in eight countries,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 20, 2020.  And similar, “Drone component ties Iran to Saudi oil attacks, watchdog says,” Don Jacobson, UPI, February 19, 2020.

This is one of those helpful stories—Is Iran changing its tune?  Recalibrating?  An alteration in tactics, not strategy?  “Bennett Says Israel Is Seeing ‘First Signs’ of Iran Rethinking Its Syria Strategy,” JNS.org, Algemeiner, February 19, 2020.

“Iran’s New Cruise Missiles Are Not What They Appear To Be,” Michael Peck, The National Interest, February 19, 2020.

This goes back to the recent news that John Kerry (again) met FM Zarif, along with several Dem senators.  Obviously not for “public diplomacy”—they didn’t announce their meeting ahead of time—they would have been roundly criticized and perhaps it wouldn’t have happened.  Logan Act violation?  Probably not, but still troubling because of their inconsistent policy aims not only at odds with the present Administration but also against the aim to draw Iran away from its Revolutionary and terroristic impulses.  “Iran says Zarif met with US senator for ‘public diplomacy’,” Al-Monitor, February 19, 2020.

In the Holy City, no less.  “Iran Takes Emergency Measures After Two Coronavirus Deaths in Qom,” Aresu Eqbali and Sune Engel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal, February 20, 2020.

Of course it is damaged (they now tell us, weeks later), they’ve been trying to open it and manipulate it.  “Iran Says Black Box of Ukrainian Airliner Is Damaged, Further Delaying Investigation,” Sune Engel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal, February 19, 2020.

“U.S. Says Iran Continues To Smuggle ‘Advanced Weapons’ To Huthis In Yemen,” RFE/RL, February 20, 2020.

“Iran elections to be dominated by hard-liners as young people refuse to vote: ‘It’s a joke’,” Natasha Turak, CNBC, February 19, 2020.

“Iran ends week-long parliamentary election campaign,” Reuters, February 19, 2020.

“U.S. blacklists five Iranian officials for impeding ‘fair’ elections,” Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters, February 20, 2020.

“Naftali Bennett: To stop Gaza terrorism, focus on Iran and Syria,” Jerusalem Post, Tzvi Joffre, February 20, 2020.

To be fair, this headline is misleading.  This article does not discuss what the Pentagon thinks.  Second, arms transfers are months in the making.  It is too early to determine Soleimani’s absence on arms flows.  Regardless, we don’t think Iran is going to stop just because he was stopped?  No, it takes more than that.  “Pentagon: Death of Soleimani has not stemmed Iranian arms smuggling,” Abraham Mahshie, Washington Examiner, February 20, 2020.

“Terror in South America: Iran and Hezbollah threaten the region, insiders say,” Abraham Mahshie, Washington Examiner, February 21, 2020.

“Global watchdog set to sanction Iran for financing terrorism, in blow to the country,” Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, February 20, 2020.

As this article states correctly, Khamenei will determine the outcome of Friday’s parliamentary elections. “Iran’s ‘Hard-Liner in Chief’ Is Only Vote That Counts,” Bobby Ghosh, Bloomberg, February 19, 2020.

This blacklist, totally the fault of Iran because it tries to hide its terrorism-related and other criminal transactions, will broaden the U.S. effort to isolate Tehran financially and pressure it to give up its nuclear weapons program and act as a normal country.  See “Global Terror-Finance Watchdog Set to Sanction Iran,” Benoit Faucon and Ian Talley, Wall Street Journal, February 20, 2020.  See also “Iran’s Long Battle With FATF,” Jason Brodsky, Radio Farda, February 19, 2020.

“New Iranian Missiles Pose Threat to U.S. Aircraft in Yemen, Pentagon Says,” John Ismay and John Gibbons-Neff, New York Times, February 20, 2020.

“US links Saudi Aramco attack to Iran weapons ships seized off Yemen,” Jared Szuba, Defense Post, February 20, 2020.

“US commission condemns report Iran may destroy tomb of Esther and Mordechai,” Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, February 20, 2020.

“Iran, Hezbollah stir chaos in Syria’s southwest,” Jonathan Spyer, Jerusalem Post, February 20, 2020.

“Expect Iranians to boycott sham elections, continue calls for regime change,” Ivan Sascha Sheehan, UPI, February 20, 2020.

“The Recurring Scam Of Allegedly Democratic Elections In Iran: The 11th Majlis Elections – A Continuation Of Khamenei’s Dictatorship Through His Councils,” A. Savyon, M. Manzour, and M. Abraham, MEMRI, February 19, 2020.

“Iranian headscarf campaigner calls for vote boycott,” Christophe De Roquefeuil, AFP, February 19, 2020.

Relevant continually, including in today’s news that a corrupt oil executive has fled for the UAE–a month ago on January 28, VP Eshaq Jahangiri told Tasnim News, “Corruption has currently dominated the entire Revolution like termites.  While some people are starving, others are lining their pockets with the national wealth.”  See “Top Suspect In Large Corruption Case Flees Iran For UAE,” Radio Farda, February 19, 2020.

The irony doesn’t escape us—FM Zarif insists that Iran representatives be present when the black box is opened and examined, but Iran won’t allow country representatives or lawyers (often) be present when a defendant is in a trial or hearing.  What is good for the goose is good for the gander.  “Black box of Ukraine plane downed in Iran noticeably damaged- Iran defence minister,” Reuters, February 19, 2020.

“Amnesty Accuses Iran Of ‘Ongoing Crimes Against Humanity’,” Radio Farda, February 19, 2020.

“Iranians Head to the Polls,” The Cipher Brief, February 19, 2020.

“Iran’s Hard Liners Are Making a Comeback,” Marc Champion and Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, February 18, 2020.

“Iranians Tire of Tensions, Restrictions as Elections Near,” VOA, February 18, 2020.

This is a tough blog entry to make—we want Iran’s policies to change, and whether it is a R or D U.S. Administration you don’t want side comments or future agreements or criticisms on foreign soil by U.S. senators, etc. including when they meet high officials of Iran.  This blog entry is about the U.S.—not Iran—they are the government which others says needs to conform to international norms.  So it is tough to turn my keyboard against U.S. senators when the focus should be on Iran and its actions.  But this is a moment to also say that if the Regime was really interested in changing that it would not attempt to play American sides off against each other.  Here is the list of Democrat senators who met with Zarif (they were attending the Munich Security Conference)  Murphy of CT, Menendez of NJ, and Van Hollen of MD.  But I am particularly concerned that former Secretary of State and former senator from MA John Kerry also attended—he has met with Zarif several times, and since they were the two main architects of the JCPOA, which was dangerous for the world, I have to say that I turn very critical of this meeting.  I can’t think of a time when a past secretary of state has worked to undo a new administration’s policy like this, and with multiple meetings with a country that considers itself at war with the U.S. and is the leader in state-sponsored terrorism.  See “Pompeo: I Hope Secret Democrat Meeting With Iran Wasn’t Meant To Undermine U.S. Foreign Policy,” Tristan Justice, The Federalist, February 18, 2020.

“Iran’s Khamenei says voting in parliament election is a religious duty,” Reuters, February 18, 2020.

“After Suleimani: Iran’s scramble to recover from general’s death,” Martin Chulov and Dan Sabbagh, The Guardian, February 18, 2020.

“Iran frees jailed German citizen in prisoner swap,” Al Jazeera, February 18, 2020.  So, a German sentenced to three years for taking photographs in sensitive areas was released in exchange for a freed Iranian.  We’ll see if Germany did this with the approval of the U.S.

“International Watchdog To Review Iran’s Status On Anti-Terror, Money Laundering Laws,” Radio Farda, February 17, 2020.

In a new letter to the Iran government, the international soccer body FIFA says Iranian females must be allowed to enter all stadiums across the country to watch men’s matches.  The death last year of Sahar Khodayari, nicknamed the “Blue Girl” after the main color of her favorite team, restarted the debate over the ban barring Iranian women from attending men’s matches in various sports.  Khodayari was arrested in March for attempting to enter a stadium to watch her favorite team play and was told by court officials she faced a six-month sentence behind bars.  Devastated, she poured gasoline on herself and set herself on fire, dying a few days later in hospital.  This set off a national debate on the no-women policy.  See “FIFA Demands Iran Allow Women To Attend All Football Matches,” Radio Farda, February 18, 2020.

“From Iran, Shiite Cleric Tries To Crush Iraq’s Protest Movement,” Jane Arraf, NPR, February 17, 2020.

Iran continues to influence politics in Afghanistan.  Not surprising because it coincides with their geography, but also because of the expansion of the Revolution, and due to the threat from the east of the U.S. presence.  “Why the Taliban Won’t Cut Ties with Iran,” Kashif Hussain, The Diplomat, February 15, 2020.

“The Iranian Elections: Who’s Running, Who’s Not, Who’s Been Barred,” Frud Bezhan, RFE/RL, February 17, 2020.

“Blackouts Caused By Shortage Of Natural Gas, Iran Officials Say,” Radio Farda, February 17, 2020.

A really good article on the power and politics of the Assembly of Experts, who select and (supposedly) oversee the Supreme Leader.  “Iran’s most powerful hardline clerics to reunite in Assembly of Experts election,” Rohollah Faghihi, Al Monitor, February 18, 2020.

“Iran’s lies reach new levels of mendacity,” Struan Stevenson, UPI, February 18, 2020.

“This Is Iran’s Deadliest Missile (And It Could Someday Carry a Nuclear Weapon),” David Axe, The National Interest, February 17, 2020.

This story is worth posting, but take a look at the picture from Getty selected—I had not noticed before (but now I’ll be on the lookout) the large national flags scattered around Tehran.  How many do you see?  I counted six.  These are identical, and are undoubtedly put up by the Regime for their own purposes.  I wonder how many other large cities in Iran have these government-sanctioned (and nationalistic) markers?  See “Iran-linked hackers use VPN exploits in far-flung spying campaign,” Sean Lyngaas, Cyberscoop, February 18, 2020.

“High voter turnout expected in Iran towns, villages,” Al Jazeera, February 18, 2020.  But not in the large cities—only in rural areas.  At least that’s the prediction.  What happens if in rural areas persons do not show to vote in numbers similar to past elections?  This story also reminds us that the Parliament elections are Friday.

It is possible Iran may release one of the American hostages soon.  Iranian news agencies today are reporting that an Iranian citizen, Ahmad Khalili, detained in Germany for violation of U.S. sanctions and facing extradition to the U.S., was freed and returned to Iran with FM Zarif on Sunday evening.  FM Spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Monday said Khalili was released after intense diplomatic negotiations and with “cooperation of the judiciary and IRGC Intelligence Organization”.  The American hostages in Iran include retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, environmentalist Morad Tahbaz, Baquer Namazi and his son Siamak Namazi, and Navy veteran Michael White.  See “Iranian Accused of Violating U.S. Sanctions Returns Home From Germany,” Reuters, New York Times, February  17, 2020.

“Iran’s parliament speaker says keen to maintain sound ties with Lebanon,” Xinhua, February 17, 2020.  Keeping Lebanon in good relation with Iran is key to Iran’s Shia Crescent project.  This article doesn’t say, and you have to read between the lines, much about the multiple years of efforts by Iran through Hezbollah to influence and control Lebanon’s Parliament and highest government officials.  In fact, when Iran’s speaker mentions Lebanon’s speaker, it is not in a friendly manner of good relations as most countries think of others; instead “sound ties” means “firm bonds” controlled by Iran.

“Critics Say Negative References To Russia Omitted From Iranian Textbooks,” Radio Farda, February 17, 2020.

“Oman Sees Prospects of Talks Between Iran and U.S.,” Golnar Motevalli and Abbas Al Lawati, Bloomberg, February 16, 2020.

“Report: Iran Threatens to Destroy Tomb of Esther and Mordechai,” Hana Levi Julian, JewishPress.com, February 16, 2020.

“Mark Zuckerberg says Facebook thwarted Iran disinformation bid,” Damien McElroy, The National, February 15, 2020.

Ukraine Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said to Iran’s FM Zarif that a quick financial resolution for Flight PS752 was needed and “they would not wait long, saying they’re talking weeks and months, not years.”  See “Iran plane crash: Ukraine minister says they told Iran a quick resolution is needed,” Global News, February 15, 2020.

“Air Pollution Kills 30,000 People in Iran Annually,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, February 16, 2020.

“Iranian hackers have been hacking VPN servers to plant backdoors in companies around the world,” Catalin Cimpanu, ZDNet, February 16, 2020.

“Is Iran Using Space Launches To Develop Long-Range Missiles?,” Ron Synovitz, RFE/RL, February 16, 2020.

“Iran-backed group launches attack near small garrison in Syria housing American special operators,” Shawn Snow, Military Times, February 16, 2020.

“To ensure turnout of Iran’s some 60 million registered voters, the regime has launched a campaign of public relations, making it clear that non-participation in the elections is tantamount to treason. “All to whom Iran and its security are important must take part in the elections … The enemies who threaten our country are afraid of public support [for the regime] more than of our military capabilities…Participation in the election is a stamp of support for the ways of the regime and will thus lead to security,” the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced.”  See “Analysis Iran’s Parliamentary Election Is a Test of Legitimacy for the Regime,” Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz, February 16, 2020.

“Iran militias assassinated Lebanon’s Rafik Hariri: Saudi Deputy Defense Minister,” Arab News, February 16, 2020.

“Iran and Najaf struggle for control over Hashd al-Shaabi after Muhandis’s killing,” Suadad al-Salhy, February 16, 2020.

It is not a statue of Soleimani in southern Lebanon in the small town of Maroun al-Ras, it looks like a large, heavy-duty plywood cut-out.  You can see the video at “Hezbollah unveils Soleimani statue at Israeli border,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 15, 2020.

“National ID Card as a New Tool to Oppress Minorities in Iran,” Iran Press Watch, February 14, 2020.

“Hardliners set to ‘take complete control’ in Iran elections,” Stephanie Trouillard, France24, February 15, 2020.

Almost daily comments by various Regime leaders are now joined by Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC  Aerospace force—the region must unite to expel “Zionists” and Americans.  His comments are significant because he oversees Iran’s missiles and drones.  Hajizadeh was in charge of the ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces at Ayn al-Assad base in Iraq in January.  He also said, “Today …  [the] “axis of resistance extends from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, from Ansarullah in Yemen to Hezbollah in Lebanon.”  This is the Shia Crescent, and is reflective of Iran’s efforts for hegemonic rule over the Middle East.  See “Iran’s Hajizadeh: We must unite to expel the Zionists and Americans,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 15, 2020.

This is nice for the people of Iran—the tourism ministry has introduced “Simurgh” as its main tourism symbol/marketing device.  This animal is a mythical bird of Persian legend, supposedly having great wisdom.  If the Regime wants to really draw tourists, as the UN encourages it to, Iran must be wise and release hostages and stop its bullying of neighboring states.  See “The wait is over: “Simurgh” named Iran’s national brand for tourism,” Tehran Times, February 15, 2020.

“Iran Warns Korean Giants Forced By Sanctions Not To Leave Market,” Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, February 15, 2020.

“Top US Official Urges Tehran Regime to Give Iranian People a ‘Real Choice’ in Parliamentary Elections,” Algemeiner, February 14, 2020.

“Canada joins other nations pressing Iran for compensation to Ukrainian jetliner victims,” The Star, February 15, 2020.

Happy Valentine’s Day.  “Iran’s Clerical Rulers Ban Valentine’s Day As ‘Cultural Threat’,” Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, February 12, 2020.

“Government Debt, Deficit, Money Supply Soar, Iran Central Bank Reveals,” Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, February 14, 2020.

“Iranian hackers targeted Western universities: report,” Reuters, February 14, 2020.

“U.S., Iran use Swiss as go-between to negotiate release of Americans held in Iran,” Dan De Luce, NBC News, February 13, 2020.

“Iran says it will strike U.S. and Israel if they make the ‘slightest error’,” Reuters, February 13, 2020.

The Guardian Council, which approves or disapproves candidates, blocked more than 7,000 applicant/candidates from out of over 14,000 who applied in December.  “Iran candidates start campaigns for parliamentary elections,” Nasser Karimi, February 13, 2020.

“Iran starts election campaign with thousands barred from standing,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, February 13, 2020.

“Drivers’ Rush To Be First Using New Iran Freeway Causes Heavy Traffic,” Radio Farda, Radio Farda, February 13, 2020.

We go sideways for a moment to take a look at Chinese missiles, but which tells us some about the increasing accuracy of Iranian missiles.  “What Iran’s Attacks on American Bases Tell Us About China’s Missile Program,” Christopher Colley, The Diplomat, February 13, 2020.

The Center for Human Rights in Iran reports that IRGC intelligence agents are contacting Iranian journalists, raiding their homes, and taking their equipment to silence criticism of government policies ahead of the parliamentary elections.  See “Watchdog says Iran ‘Muzzling’ Journalists Ahead Of Parliamentary Elections,” RFE/RL, February 12, 2020.

“VIDEO: USS Normandy Seizes Cache Of Iranian-Made Weapons in Arabian Sea,” Ben Werner, USNI News, February 13, 2020.

A really good way to lose your job.  “Iran’s information minister apologized Wednesday for posting a photo on Twitter of what appeared to be a Halloween-type costume representing a spacesuit, in an effort to promote the idea of a manned space program for his country. The official IRNA news agency quoted Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, Iran’s information and communications technology minister, as saying his department’s advertising team “undeniably made a mistake in choosing the image” and expressed his apologies to “the people and space scientists” of Iran.  [He didn’t even take personal responsibility but blamed the team].  The photo, posted on Jahromi’s Twitter account and depicting what looks like costume of a spacesuit with an Iranian flag sowed on the front, caused a stir on social media, with many Iranians turning to sarcasm and commenting about the fake spacesuit. After his apology, Jahromi removed the photo from his account.  The timing of the minister’s faux pas was also unfortunate. An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, the latest setback for a program the U.S. claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program.  The attempted launch followed two failed launches last year, of the Payam and Doosti satellites, as well as a launchpad rocket explosion in August. Also, a fire at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in February 2019 killed three researchers, authorities said at the time.  Jahromi acknowledged the unsuccessful launch in a tweet shortly after the news broke on state TV, comparing it to a “few samples of US launch failures” and insisting that Iran’s space program was unstoppable.  The failed launch had been planned amid celebrations ahead of this week’s anniversary of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran routinely unveils technological achievements for its armed forces, its space program and its nuclear efforts during this time.”  See “Iranian minister apologizes over mock spacesuit post,” AP, WTMJ, February 12, 2020.

Incredible reporting by Frantzman reveals what most of the press doesn’t cover—the sudden additional pressures on Hezbollah due to the removal of Qasem Soleimani from heading Iran’s terror efforts.  It is so significant to anti-terrorism efforts by multiple countries and to eventual peace that the linchpin of Iran’s foreign policy use of terrorism was removed from the long war against terrorism.  Here’s the story, “Inside Iran’s push to get Hezbollah to take a role in Iraq,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 12, 2020.

“Facebook removes accounts run from Iran targeting Americans,” Donie O’Sullivan, CNN Business, February 12, 2020.

“Iran FM stresses Tehran’s rejection of US ‘peace deal’,” Middle East Monitor, February 12, 2020.

“Iran government denies rumors of Rouhani resignation,” Al-Monitor, February 12, 2020.

“Iran’s 8000-Member Cyber Battalion Wages Online Propaganda War Against US: Report,” Venus Upadhayaya, Epoch Times, February 12, 2020.

My former blog site at https://irannationorcause.blogspot.com is still active, and contains almost two years of archives.  Those archived blog and news posts will be moved to this new blog.