“Iran secures key gas transit route through Turkmenistan-Turkey deal – analysis,” JPost, 3-6-25.
“Iranian singer flogged 74 times after singing about hijab removal, lawyer says,” CNN, 3-6-25.
It is rarity because of the purpose of this blog, but this article is not directly about Iran. It is about the freeing of Lebanon. And begs the question of what Iran will do next regarding Hezbollah. “State Department unfreezes $95 million in aid for the Lebanese army,” Axios, 3-4-25. “The Aoun presidency is a historic opportunity to change the reality in Lebanon for the better,” a U.S. official told Axios. The new Lebanese government platform stated for the first time in years that only the Lebanese state and its armed forces are responsible for defending the country. It is a marked change from the previous governments, which said the state and “the resistance” — synonymous with Hezbollah — are responsible for defensing the country. State of play: As part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, the Lebanese armed forces have been deployed to southern Lebanon, especially to areas where Hezbollah militants were positioned before the war.” Likewise, look at this. “Saudi Arabia to consider resuming Lebanon imports, lifting travel ban,” Al Jazeera, 3-4-25.
“Russian missile experts flew to Iran around the time of Tehran’s attacks on Israel,” Reuters, Times of Israel, 3-4-25. Expands the definition of enabler.
Having the president clearly identify the Supreme Leader as the policy decider is refreshing and doesn’t let the Leader pass the buck or blame others or triangulate, which he has for decades. Someone has to be responsible, and this Leader has for too long tried to play the middle man and blame others for policy decisions. Hey, while they’re at it, maybe an election for Leader would be a good thing! Social science research indicates poor policies, poor outcomes, poor human rights, and poor people when country leaders are unaccountable and stay in power for long periods of time. “Iran’s president says he backs US talks but aligns with Khamenei’s ban,” Iran International, 3-2-25.
He is partly a result of the haphazard form of governing in the IRI, power struggles, and part wily character. “Iran’s vice-president Javad Zarif resigns, yet again,” Iran International, 3-2-25. “Mohammad Javad Zarif, the architect of Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, resigned as Iran’s vice-president, state media reported Sunday, a few days after the country’s Supreme Leader voiced his opposition to holding talks with Washington. [after he had indicated Yes]. … Zarif’s resignation came after the Parliament ousted the Pezeshkian administration’s finance minister in a vote of no confidence, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News reported, citing two unnamed sources. … Many observers believed that Zarif joined the Pezeshkian administration to help negotiate another nuclear deal with world powers similar to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was scrapped by Donald Trump during his first term in office. … Zarif is no stranger to resignations, treating them almost like brief intermissions—having submitted five during his tenure under former President Hassan Rouhani. Last August, he resigned as Pezeshkian’s aide, but his departure was short-lived, as he returned as vice president for strategic affairs within a couple of weeks. In November, Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf joined hardliners in the parliament who had long been calling for Zarif’s dismissal over his son’s US citizenship. Ghalibaf called on Zarif to resign voluntarily as he, too, believed that Zarif’s appointment to the post was illegal. Led by the Paydari (Steadfastness) Party faction, ultra-hardliners in Parliament have refused to amend a 2020 law that prohibits appointing dual nationals or individuals whose spouses or children hold dual nationality to “sensitive positions” in the government. Hardliners argue the restriction applies to Zarif.”
Control and Theft. “Iran Exploits Iraqi Financial System Through Complex Networks,” Kurdistan24, 3-1-25.
More ominous signs between these two countries. “Explainer: How can Iran help South Africa advance its civilian nuclear program?,” Press TV, 3-1-25.
“Female singer arrested during live performance in Tehran,” Iran International, 2-28-25.
“Why Khamenei’s clerics look for the crescent moon on Friday,” Iran International, 2-28-25. “Shia grand ayatollahs, both in Iran and abroad, traditionally insist that the crescent moon must be sighted with the naked eye for the observation to be considered valid. Yet, Khamenei and other grand ayatollahs allow the use of binoculars and other simple optical devices for moon-sighting, diverging from traditional Shia practice, which rejects modern astronomical calculations and advanced telescopes in determining the lunar calendar. Since becoming the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader in 1989, Khamenei has maintained a dedicated moon-sighting taskforce. Initially composed of 700 members in 150 groups, this year’s reports indicate that 100 groups have been deployed across the country. Taskforce members, primarily clerics well-versed in Islamic moon-sighting criteria, will repeat this process at the end of Ramadan to determine the holiday of Eid al-Fitr. … In recent years, there has reportedly been pressure on other grand ayatollahs to follow Khamenei’s lead on the matter of beginning and end of Ramadan to reinforce the Supreme Leader’s religious and political authority. While some people fast from dawn to dusk, others must be careful not to break the fasting month regulations, including a ban on eating, drinking, and smoking in all public spaces, including inside private vehicles, even if they are exempted from fasting by medical or other reasons. Law enforcement agencies strictly enforce these rules, with violators facing penalties ranging from 10 days to two months in prison or up to 74 lashes under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code. Restaurants, cafes, and street vendors are barred from serving customers before sunset. Businesses that fail to comply face serious consequences including temporary closure and cash fines. Some establishments have been allowed to discreetly offer take-away food over the last years. As in the past two years, Ramadan will partly coincide with the ancient Iranian New Year holidays—Norouz in Persian. This overlap occurs because Iran follows a solar calendar, while the Islamic calendar is lunar and approximately ten days shorter each year. In recent times, many ordinary Iranians have been deeply impacted by severe economic hardship. The overlap of Ramadan and Norouz is expected to further strain the hospitality industry and other businesses, many of which are already on the brink of bankruptcy due to a sharp decline in people’s ability to afford travel and dining out during the Norouz holidays.”
“Special report: 12 Baloch civilians killed by direct fire from Iran government forces in less than two months,” Hengaw, 2-27-25.
Perhaps anyone would impeached for Iran’s poor economy. Perhaps the next minister will also be impeached, then the next. “Impeachment Threat Grows for Iran’s Economy Minister Amid Rising Currency Turmoil,” NIAC, 2-27-25.
How many of these foiled attacks inside the U.S.? A dozen in the past very recent years. “Former Navy Sailor Plotted Attack on Behalf of Iran,” USIP Iran Primer, 2-27-25.
“Special report: 12 Baloch civilians killed by direct fire from Iran government forces in less than two months,” Hengaw, 2-27-25.
Five years is a long time. “Secret negotiations lead to release of Dutch citizen held in Iran for five years,” NLTimes, 2-27-25.
“Iran’s government hits out at crypto again as currency freefalls,” Al Jazeera, 2-27-25.
We are beyond the limit. “IAEA reports Iran has enough uranium for 6 nuclear bombs,” i24, 2-26-25. “The International Atomic Energy Agency has published new reports indicating Iran increased its enriched uranium stockpile by 92.5 kilograms, enough for two more atomic bombs.”
“Russia’s Lavrov aligns positions with Iran on nuclear program,” Reuters, 2-26-25.
“Iran accelerates production of near weapons-grade uranium, IAEA says,” AP, 2-26-25.
“Christian Woman Arrested in Iran After Police Raid Christian Gathering,” Persecution.org, 2-26-25.
“Ship Carrying Chemical for Missile Development Docks in Iran,” FDD, 2-25-25. “A container ship carrying 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from China — a precursor chemical used to make ammonium perchlorate, an important component in solid rocket fuel — docked in Iran.”
“Iran showcases Russian-made Spartak in military drills,” Defence Blog, 2-25-25.
“Ship Carrying Chemical for Missile Development Docks in Iran,” FDD, 2-25-25. “A container ship carrying 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from China — a precursor chemical used to make ammonium perchlorate, an important component in solid rocket fuel — docked in Iran.”
“Iran showcases Russian-made Spartak in military drills,” Defence Blog, 2-25-25.
“Russia’s Lavrov aligns positions with Iran on nuclear programme,” Reuters, 2-25-25.
“Iran’s energy crisis is worse than reported,” Israel Hayom, 2-25-25. “Public services shut down, the workweek shortened, and schools closed in most of the country – Iran’s energy crisis is growing. The ayatollah regime is attempting to deflect responsibility for its failures. Meanwhile, Iran’s chief of staff suggests a capitalist solution.”
“Iran on ‘high alert’ amid fears of attack on nuclear sites,” Telegraph, 2-25-25.
“Iran Update,” ISW, 2-25-25. “The British ambassador to Israel stated on February 25 that the E3 (the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) has given Iran until the end of June 2025 to conclude a new nuclear deal and prevent the imposition of snapback sanctions. It is very unlikely that Iran will conclude a deal with the E3 and the United States by June 2025, given that such a deal would require Iran to completely change its current policy on negotiations.”
“Iran arrests two young women for dancing in cemetery,” The New Arab, 2-25-25.
“Iran rejects ‘baseless’ Israeli accusation of smuggling arms to Lebanon,” Press TV, 2-25-25.
“What Iran Wants: The Roots of the Islamic Republic’s Conflict with the West,” Foreign Affairs, Christopher de Bellaigue, March/April 2025, 2-25-25.
“Iran’s Security Forces Fight Separatists in Port City of Chabahar,” Maritime Executive, 2-25-25. Interesting article about restive persons in the port city for India goods.
“Alabama man sentenced for violating U.S. trade sanctions with Iran,” ABC, 5-25-25. These types of stories show up every month or so in the media. Iran actively continues to recruit and bribe to circumvent sanctions.
“China’s rearming of Iran will end badly,” The Times, 2-25-25. “Iran imagined a different future, one in which it could be a leading regional power, true to its roots but capable of commanding respect, proud and dignified. It squandered that hope by pursuing military nuclear dominance, stupidly imagining that would give it the clout of a China, and squeezing the breath out of its well-educated young generation with repressive laws and the cruellest of police enforcers. War is no solution to any of its problems — it should have learnt that by now — and China should abandon its attempts to turn Iran into a country that can command a battlefield or relive the glories of the Persian empire.”