Iran Nation or Cause

“Mohammad Rasoulof left Iran after making his most daring film,” NPR, 11-26-24.  “These videos were truly shocking, at least in two ways. On the one hand, they showed you what oppressive and savage regime is ruling the country.  And on the other hand, they showed you this incredibly courageous young generation that knows how to express its wants.”

There is no response from Iran-backed Hezbollah yet.  “Israel Hezbollah ceasefire deal agreed, confirms Biden,” BBC, 11-26-24.  See also “Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire to start Wednesday morning,” The Hill, 11-26-24.

“Iran wants to assert dominance over Lebanon amid talks on ceasefire deal,” JPost, 11-26-24.

“ICC arrest warrants: Iran’s hidden hand in targeting Israel – opinion,” JPost 11-26-24.

A two-mile tunnel from Syria into Lebanon.  And not used by travelers or cargo trucks.  Wonder what it is for?!  “Israeli airstrikes hit Iran’s alleged Syria-Lebanon arms route,” Iran International, 11-25-24.

The Israeli rabbi in UAE was tracked by Iranian intelligence.  “UAE arrests three over death of rabbi Israel says was murdered in ‘antisemitic act of terror’,” CNN, 11-25-24.

“Iran’s supreme leader says Netanyahu should be given death sentence,” I24, 11-25-24.  “The ICC arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister is not enough, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.”  See also, “Iran’s Khamenei calls for death sentence for Israeli leaders, not arrest warrants,” Times of Israel, 11-25-24.  “Ayatollah says International Criminal Court warrants are not enough, ‘criminal leaders’ Netanyahu and Gallant should face capital punishment.”  …  “They issued an arrest warrant, that’s not enough… Death sentence must be issued for these criminal leaders,” Khamenei said, referring to the Israeli leaders.”

“An Iranian Ballistic Missile Hit Israel. We Got a Peek Inside Its ‘Brain’,” Haaertz, 11-25-24.

“Iran ‘categorically rejects’ allegations of involvement in murder of Abu Dhabi rabbi,” Reuters, Times of Israel, 11-24-24.

“No ‘peaceful rationale’: US, UK, France, Germany back resolution against Iran’s nuclear program,” JPost, 11-24-24.  The countries raised their concern with the Islamic Republic’s announcement of its further nuclear program expansion, which they explained has “no credible, peaceful rationale.”

“Air Pollution in Iran Causes 50,000 Deaths Per Year,” Iran Focus, 11-24-24.  This issue is at the bottom priority for the Leader.

“Iranian involvement in rabbi’s murder in Dubai: a new step in IRGC terror,” I24, 11-24-24.

“Iran to hold nuclear talks with Britain, France, Germany on Nov. 29,” Kyodo News, 11-24-24.

Blackmail is still demanded by the Supreme Leader, this statement through Ali Larijani.  “Top Khamenei advisor demands US compensation to halt nukes,” Iran International, 11-23-24.

Such blatant misrepresentation of history and reality by one of Iran’s mouthpieces, Tehran Times.  This is most likely one piece trying to publicly declare reasons why Iran could follow North Korea’s steps.  “Europe forcing Iran out of NPT,” Tehran Times, 11-23-24.

“Iran Declares It Is Doing More Nuclear Enrichment After I.A.E.A. Rebuke,” NYT, 11-22-24.  “The announcement did not say how many of the machines began spinning, nor how much uranium they will produce. But Western experts said Iran’s act could initiate a significant escalation in the moves and countermoves between Tehran and the U.N. nuclear inspectors based in Vienna, who have struggled for decades to keep the nation from getting the means to make an atom bomb.”

The International Criminal Court is not an effective international organization, and certainly not one utilized to encourage Iran to act as a normal country.  “Few Sitting Leaders Have Faced I.C.C. War Crimes Charges,” NYT, 11-21-24.  Why not Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?  The ICC has indicted today the PM and former Defense Minister of Israel, but also a dead man (Mohammed Deif of Hamas) but not Sinwar (also dead) nor the Supreme Leader (responsible for Oct. 7).  Go figure.

At least there aren’t any vetoes available to Russia and China.  “IAEA censures Iran over nuclear activity,” Al Monitor, 11-21-24.  Prior to the censure vote, reports circulated citing confidential IAEA documents, which say that Iran had increased its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to just over 400 pounds, compared with 350 pounds in August.

Usually a declaration from the Supreme Leader is enough.  “Iran’s president calls on Pope Francis to use influence to stop war in Middle East,” Al Arabiya, 11-20-24.

But haven’t they said from the first they would never build an atomic bomb, and that there was a fatwa prohibiting such?!  “Iran has offered to keep uranium below purity levels for a bomb, IAEA confirms,” Guardian, 11-20-24.

“What would Iran do: A race to the bomb or a deal with Trump?,” Iran International, 11-20-24.

“Ignoring threats, Western powers officially ask UN nuke watchdog to censure Iran,” Iran International, 11-20-24.

“Iran defies international pressure, increasing its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium, UN says,” AP, 11-19-24.  “Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog seen Tuesday by The Associated Press. The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said that as of Oct. 26, Iran has 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 17.6 kilograms (38.8 pounds) since the last report in August. Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that as of Oct. 26, Iran’s overall stockpile of enriched uranium stands at 6,604.4 kilograms (14,560 pounds), an increase of 852.6 kilograms (1,879.6 pounds) since August. Under the IAEA’s definition, around 42 kilograms (92.5 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity is the amount at which creating one atomic weapon is theoretically possible — if the material is enriched further, to 90%.”

“Iran says woman detained after undressing released without charge,” BBC, 11-19-24.

“Generation Jihad Ep. 233 — Iran’s Expansionism and Alliances in the Region, Part XII,” Long War Journal, 11-19-24.

“Iran increases its near weapons-grade uranium,” VOA, 11-19-24.

It is only surprising there aren’t more.  But there are.  “A Dissident’s Final Act of Protest Stuns Iran,” NYT, 11-19-24.

More proof that Iran was responsible for Oct. 7.  “Unsealing secret Hamas papers, families of October 7 victims sue Iran in US court,” Times of Israel, 11-18-24.  “Documents include itemized list of payments made by Iran to Hamas leaders over several years, discussions of mutual defense agreement between Palestinian terror group, Tehran, proxies.  …  According to the New York Times, the $7 million monthly fee was sought to ready for the October 7 attack, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 were seized as hostages as thousands of Hamas-led terrorists rampaged through communities in southern Israel under the cover of massive rocket fire across the country.  …  Aside from Iran and the IRGC, the suit also names Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.”

And per the NYT, “But lawyers for the plaintiffs in the case also appear to have obtained original documents that refer to a secret planning meeting of a small group of Hamas’s political and military leaders in December 2022.  During the meeting, Yahya Sinwar, then the leader of the group in Gaza, requested an additional $7 million a month from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to fund the attack on Oct. 7, known as the “big project.””  See “Families of American Victims of Oct. 7 Attack Sue Iran,” NYT, 11-17-24.

“Iran Refutes Supreme Leader ‘Coma’ Reports Amid Social Media Buzz,” Newsweek, 11-18-24.

“Iran has ambitions in Western Sahara. Trump can contain them by bolstering ties with Morocco,” Atlantic Council, 11-18-24.  Hmmm, access to Europe and South America.  Drug transit and terror passage, etc.

Iran is trying to kill Canada’s justice minister.  “Ex-Canadian minister says he was alleged target of Iran assassination plot,” BBC, 11-18-24.

They could go to Iran, where they have been on short trips.  “Senior Hamas officials in Turkey after Qatar says leadership unwelcome – report,” JPost, 11-17-24.  See also “Senior Hamas leaders left Qatar for Turkey last week, Arab diplomat says,” Times of Israel, 11-17-24.  “On November 8, the US revealed that it had asked Qatar to oust Hamas officials from Doha, which has hosted an office for the terror group since 2012. Washington said it made the request after Hamas had rejected repeated hostage deal proposals and had executed six captives, including an American citizen.”

“Iran publishes picture of Supreme Leader Khamenei after unsourced reports he was in coma,” Times of Israel, 11-17-24.