Iran Nation or Cause

“Australia accuses Iran of directing anti-Semitic attacks, expels envoy,” Al Jazeera, 8-26-25.  “Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia will also designate the IRGC as a ‘terrorist organisation’. … Albanese said Australia has also suspended operations at its embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and relocated all its diplomats to a third country. … Penny Wong, the Australian foreign minister, said Iran’s ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and three of his colleagues have been declared persona non grata and given seven days to leave the country. She said the move marked the first time that Australia has expelled an ambassador since World War II and that the country has also withdrawn its envoy to Tehran.”  A couple of other things to mention.  First, Australia knew its diplomats could be taken hostage in Iran, so moved them out before the announcement–where is the UN in condemning Iran for this?  Second, the news mentions the IRGC, but what that really means is the Quds Force, which is a loose component of the IRGC.  Last, Australians have been held in Iran before as hostages, and for long periods.  No Australian should go to Iran for the foreseeable future.

“Iran warns Europe against triggering ‘snapback’ in Geneva meeting,” Iran International, 8-26-25.  “In the talks, “the Iranians gave E3 representatives very little to work with in order to get an extension of the snapback,” Axios reported citing an unnamed source.”

“Scoop: IAEA inspectors return to Iran as top security council weighs green light for inspections,” Amwaj, 8-26-25.

“Australia expels Iranian ambassador over terror attacks,” 7NEWS Australia, 8-26-25.  There are more attempted and planned attacks that are not mentioned in this story–it was the length and cumulative effort by Iran that made Australia blanch.

“Iran faces ‘snapback’ of sanctions over its nuclear program. Here’s what that means,” AP, 8-26-25.

It is not that they couldn’t agree.  This whole line of stories spells out that Iran is not proposing anything, their men are simply showing up at the meetings and sitting at the tables.  There are no propositions from their side.  It is again delay, delay, delay.  “European and Iranian diplomats fail to agree on how to avoid reviving UN sanctions,” Euronews, 8-26-25.  Then we read “Iran says ‘negotiating with all our might’ to prevent sanctions snapback,” Times of Israel, 8-26-25 and you realize Iran says something in public that is absolutely not true.

“Iran vows reciprocal action after Australia expels ambassador,” Al Jazeera, 8-26-25.  It is almost always ironic in diplomacy to see how these things work out.  Country A does something bad, Country B expels Country A’s diplomats, and Country A then expels B’s diplomats.  The bad actor gets two kisses at the pig.

“Influential Iranian leader alleges Russian treachery,” Eurasianet, 8-26-25.  “Describes Tehran’s strategic partnership with the Kremlin as “worthless”” by informing Israel of Iranian air defenses.

“Iran’s Khamenei calls US issue ‘unsolvable’ amid nuclear standoff,” Reuters, 8-25-25.

A cluster bomb from Iran’s proxy will also get a response from Israel.  “Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthis rock Yemen’s capital,” AP, 8-25-25.

“Iran’s Surprise New Neighbor,” Asharq al Awsat, 8-25-25.

“MIKE POMPEO: How Trump can save Lebanon from Iran’s influence,” Fox, 8-25-25.

Iran won’t give concessions now, and is refusing IAEA inspections.  But here’s the sweet thing—Russia/Putin is proposing another six months, a delay, to allow for more negotiations for Iran.  Such nerve, that is how he handles Ukraine.  See “Russia drafts UN resolution to delay snapback of Iran sanctions,” Iran International, 8-25-25.

“‘It Has Turned Into Hell’: Iran Starves 1,000 Women Prisoners Under Cover of Power Outage,” Iran Wire, 8-25-25.

Shirin Ebadi speaks truth.  “Iranian Nobel Laureate: Islamic Republic Has ‘No Future But Collapse’,” RFE/RL, 8-25-25.

A really good article.  “Iran Sanctions Snapback at the UN,” International Crisis Group, 8-25-25.

“Iran backs Hezbollah in its refusal to disarm,” JNS, 8-25-25.  “The message was clear: Hezbollah [and the Iranian Regime] would resist at any cost and would not accept dictates from the government.

From 60% to 20%?  We will believe it when we see it.  “Iran ready to cut uranium enrichment to 20% to avert another war – Telegraph,” Iran International, 8-24-25.   The unnamed Iranian officials spoke on the say day Khamenei rejected negotiations with the U.S. “The United Kingdom, France, and Germany (E3) have warned Iran they would restore UN sanctions by the end of August by triggering the so-called snapback mechanism unless Tehran reengages in talks on its nuclear program immediately and produced concrete results. The “snapback” or “trigger mechanism” is part of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under Resolution 2231, any party to the accord can file a complaint accusing Iran of non-compliance. If no agreement is reached within 30 days to maintain sanctions relief, all previous UN sanctions automatically “snap back,” including arms embargoes, cargo inspections, and missile restrictions.”

Threats continue, haven’t stopped.  “Oil could hit $200 if Hormuz Strait closed, Khamenei representative warns,” Iran International, 8-24-25.

“Turkey Breaks Ground on Strategic Railway Linking Kars to Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan,” Media Line, 8-24-25.  It is happening, and Iran wants to stop it.

I don’t think this is true, in the traditional sense of weapons factories.  But for more than two decades Iran has been providing components to its proxies who assembly on the field, so in that sense this is old news.  “Iran Says It Has Built Weapons Factories In “Several Countries,” NDTV, 8-23-25.

“Iran forces kill six militants, IRNA reports, Israel link seen,” Reuters, 8-23-25.  Restive groups wanting independence have made their presence known for years.  This story is different because the IRI makes the allegation “IRNA said evidence showed the group was linked to Israel and may have been trained by Israel’s Mossad spy agency.”

Very unwise to travel there solo or in groups.  More likely to be nabbed if by yourself or in pairs.  They are not against taking whole groups, whether a shipping crew, etc.  BTW, check to see if travel insurance is available—I don’t think so.  “No solo travel: Iran now requires tourists to book via tours, report says,” Iran International, 8-23-25.

“Iran intensifies crackdown on Baha’i religious minority,” Telegraph, 8-23-25.

“Still in Shambles, a Notorious Iranian Prison Is Holding Dissidents Again,” NYT, 8-23-25.

“Iran, European powers agree to resume nuclear, sanctions talks next week,” Reuters, 8-22-25.  Iran had no choice but to continue (or face snapback devastating sanctions), but the Regime will drag out these talks based on its historical record.

“Trump delivered strategic blow to Iran regime with bold Azerbaijan-Armenia pact,” Fox, 8-22-25.  Will this be followed through on?

A fascinating “counting” story.  “Ninety Percent Of The Time, The Missile Works Every Time: Iranian Missile Failure Rates During True Promise II,” Arms Control Wonk, 8-22-25.

“Iran seeks Belarus help to restore air defense systems, Ukraine’s intelligence says,” Kyiv Independent, 8-22-25. Which means help from the Soviets, er, the Russians.

“Narrative Intelligence:  Decoding Iran’s Influence Campaigns in Iraq,” FPRI, 8-22-25.

“Iran’s Water Crisis Worsened By Taliban Dam,” RFE/RL, 8-22-25.  The Taliban hydroelectric power station at the Pashdan Dam on the Hari River in NW Afghanistan looks like it will cut the main water supply to Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city with 3.5 million.  The Taliban began filling the dam in 2024 and started the station August 14.  “Iranian media say that with the diversion of the Hari River toward the Pashdan Dam, the Doosti Dam downstream — which supplies Mashhad — has nearly “dried up.””

Persons will sometimes ask, how can the Regime’s policies survive for 45 plus years?  How can they keep on doing what they are doing to their citizens and neighboring states, and really to the world?  Here’s an important part of that answer—the continuing support of Iran by Russia and China (for their own individual aims).  Those powerful countries are enablers, a term we have often used in this blog.  They use other countries also for their self-interest.  “Russia and China Give Iran Nuclear Deal Boost,” Newsweek, 8-21-25.  Note also the statement by Russia.  “Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said Wednesday on X: “In other words, an attempt by #E3 to trigger #SnapBack despite their own non-compliance would contradict the fundamental principles of international law.””  Absolutely untrue, whether based on treaty law (the JCPOA), UN Charter (provisions against threats and for self defense, and for international order).

“Iran’s Freeze on Nuclear Inspections Prompts UN-US Crisis Talks,” Bloomberg, 8-21-25.

“Iran holds military drills after big losses in war with Israel,” Reuters, 8-21-25.

Crocodile tears.  “Shipping line denies Iran ties after 16 of its vessels hit with US sanctions,” Financial Times, 8-21-25.

“Iran says it has developed new, better missiles; will use them if Israel attacks again,” Times of Israel, AFP, 8-20-25.

Best article I’ve seen so far guessing about the underground damage at Fordo.  “The Invisible Target in Iran,” NYT, 8-20-25.

“Belarus and Iran, both friends of Putin, plan to strengthen military and broader ties,” Reuters, 8-20-25.  Iran continues to choose beligerents and shady states to deal with, not peace-loving countries.

Observe the continuing revolutionary zeal of Iran, and its refusal to be a normal country, taking care of its people, and trading and being at peace with its neighbors.  “Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Defies US and Israel,” Bloomberg, 8-19-25.

“Tehran infighting escalates over moderates’ push for change of course,” Iran International, 8-19-25.

“Iran Military Warns of ‘Crushing Response’ to Israeli Threats,” Iran Wire, 8-19-25.

Who is Caucasian?  (a new question for this blog!).  “Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says in Yerevan that ‘governance in the Caucasus region must remain Caucasian.’  See “Armenia reassures visiting Iran leader it will control Azerbaijan corridor,” Al Jazeera, 8-19-25.

“Will China help Iran build a new air force?,” The New Arab, 8-19-25.

“Iran can strike US cities from the sea, claims all of Europe already within range, Iranian MP says,” JPost, 8-18-25.

Again, for anyone out there who thinks Iran learned its lesson during the 12 Day War, think again.  They continue to threaten, support proxies, develop nuclear weapons, work to control Lebanon, threaten Syria’s new government, support the killing of Ukrainians with drones for Russia, try to kill journalists, take civilians and hostages, and as this article points out continue to threaten war against Jews and Israel.  “Khamenei’s advisor: ‘New war between Israel and Iran may occur at any time’ – report,” JPost, 8-18-25.

“A Devastating Drought in Iran,” NPR, 8-18-25.  Iran’s country-wide drought and the mismanaged planning and response has resulted in capital Tehran about to run out of water.

No good reason other than paranoia.  “Iran still jamming local GPS users in wake of Israel war,” Times of Israel, 8-17-25.