Iran Nation or Cause

Yemen can hold the Bab-el-Mandeb strait hostage, but it is no land bridge to Lebanon.  “Yemen takes Syria’s place in Iran’s security doctrine, says former commander,” Iran International, 1-4-25.

The Regime just won’t stop.  Despite setbacks in Gaza and Bahrain and Lebanon and Syria, the Leader and the government won’t.  “Iran’s plot to assassinate dissident artist in Germany exposed,” Iran International, 1-4-25.

“Iran providing Houthis with more arms after collapse of other armed allies – Telegraph,” Iran International, 1-4-25.

Note that the discussion, at least what official press reports, does not address economic steps.  “Iran’s top officials meet to discuss rial depreciation,” Mehr, 1-4-25.

“Road Accident Fatalities in Iran at Highest Level In 10 Years,” Iran Focus, 1-4-25.  More than 20,000 in 2024.

Hostage taking doesn’t get clearer.  And this reporting is another sign why the Regime tries to assassinate these reporters.  “Iran tells Italy it seeks prisoner swap for jailed Italian journalist,” Iran International, 1-3-25.

“Iran executes over 1K prisoners in 2024, highest total in 30 years, report says,” Fox. 1-3-25.

Way to go Lebanon!  Guts.  And they found the cash in the bag of the diplomat on board the Mahan Air flight.  “Lebanon said to stop transfer of funds to Hezbollah through Iranian flight to Beirut,” Times of Israel, 1-3-25.

Wow, what a big story.  The ISIS-inspired attack in New Orleans is leading the news again today, but that China is facilitating the Iranian-controlled Houthi takeover of the Red Sea passage is really a huge story.  What will the U.S. do?  What will Israel do?  What will the UN Sec Gen say?  What will Saudi Arabia do?  “China helping Houthis obtain weapons for unmolested Red Sea passage,” i24, 1-2-25.  Note that the story tells us that the U.S. and Israel will act.  But the story doesn’t mention Iran, the fulcrum in this.  “A secret collaboration between Beijing and the Houthis has been uncovered, revealing a vast network of supply of sophisticated armaments that threatens the stability of the Red Sea. According to American intelligence sources speaking to i24NEWS, the Iran-backed Yemeni terror group is using Chinese-made weapons in their attacks, in exchange for immunity for ships flying the Chinese flag. US intelligence services have identified a complex supply chain set up by the Houthis in China since the beginning of the attacks in the Red Sea. This network allows them to acquire advanced components and guidance equipment for their ballistic and cruise missiles. Even more worrying, Houthi leaders are reportedly planning to manufacture hundreds of cruise missiles capable of striking Persian Gulf states, using these same Chinese components. Washington has repeatedly passed on this information to Beijing since September, including detailed lists of Chinese companies involved in this arms mechanism. “Houthi officials have visited China several times last summer and fall, probably for meetings with high-ranking officials of the regime,” says a diplomatic source. In the face of Beijing’s inaction, the United States now threatens to act jointly with Israel to cut off these Chinese trade networks from the global financial system. This revelation comes as the Houthis seek to establish lasting control over one of the world’s most crucial maritime routes, directly threatening international trade and regional stability.”

“US President Biden weighed options on striking Iran nuclear sites – Axios,” Iran International, 1-2-25.  “White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan presented President Joe Biden with potential military options for striking Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran advances toward a nuclear weapon before January 20, Axios reported, citing three sources.”

“Iraq-Iran fuel oil barter deal pays down debt backlog,” Iraq Oil Report, 1-2-25.

“Saeed Massouri: An Execution Every 2.5 Hours in Iran, a Bloody Christmas with Nearly 25 Executions,” 1-1-25.

“Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, UK, Germany on January 13: Report,” Al Jazeera, 1-1-25.

“Iran security chief says ‘new resistance’ against Israel to emerge in Syria,” New Arab, 12-31-24.

“Iran to unveil Pars-2 Satellite on Rev. victory anniversary,” Mehr, 12-31-24.

“Khamenei allows policy review to ease Iran’s trade restrictions,” Iran International, 12-31-24.  I’ll go ahead and post the entire story—Iran refuses to be transparent with its banking because it finances terror.  “Iran’s economy minister announced on Tuesday that the Supreme Leader has approved revisiting two critical international conventions required to ease banking restrictions resulting from Iran’s blacklisting by the money laundering watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Abdolnaser Hemmati wrote on X, “The president informed me that the Supreme Leader has approved revisiting the Palermo and CFT bills related to the FATF in the Expediency Discernment Council.”  The Expediency Discernment Council, which mediates disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council (a constitutional watchdog), became involved after parliament approved the legislation but the Guardian Council rejected the two bills concerning the Palermo and CFT conventions regulating money laundering and financing of terror groups.  The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), established by the G7 member countries to safeguard the international financial system, influences banking policies in most countries and guides businesses aiming to protect their own integrity and reputations.  Iran’s status on the FATF blacklist has had a major impact on its international banking operations. The country remains on the list of high-risk countries with serious strategic deficiencies in countering money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.  Iran needs to finalize legislation enabling the enactment of two international conventions: the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Convention).  The dispute between the parliament and the Guardian Council was referred to the Expediency Council in 2019 for arbitration.  The Expediency Council has stalled the matter since then, neither approving nor rejecting the bills. The inaction is apparently due to objections from hardliners, such as the Chairman of the Expediency Council Sadeq Amoli Larijani, who argue that joining the conventions would harm Iran’s national security by exposing its dealings with regional Tehran-backed allies—precisely the activities these international agreements are designed to address.  “If you ask my personal opinion, Palermo and CFT are extremely detrimental to national security,” Larijani said in 2020.  Iran will remain on the FATF’s list of High-Risk Jurisdictions Subject to a Call for Action until it fully implements its action plan, including ratifying the Palermo and CFT. Only then will the FATF consider next steps, such as suspending countermeasures.  The FATF says it remains concerned about the terrorist financing risk from Iran and its threat to the international financial system until these measures are implemented.  Even if Iran joins the FATF, more must be done to attract foreign investment, Mohammad Khazaei, Secretary-General of the Iranian Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), said earlier in the year.”

Quote of the Day:  Iran International’s Israel correspondent Babak Itzhaki.  “Itzhaki said he wasn’t surprised by the plot, telling the Israeli outlet, “This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time they plan to kidnap me. They threaten all Iran International employees around the world. … We broadcast using about 15 satellites to Iran, no one can block us. Even the most remote villages, if they have a little dish they can watch us. They know that for real news they need to open Iran International. The [regime] sees this and they want to silence us,” he said.”  See “Tehran sought to lure Iranian-Israeli journalist to Turkey, kidnap him – report,” Times of Israel, 12-30-24.

Remember, this is a 25-year plan over many facets of relations.  The article recounts “youth, education, sports, science and technology, culture, tourism, ecological and environmental protection, health, radio and television, and deepen people-to-people, sub-national and sister-city exchanges.”  But it is oil, military, intelligence, etc.  In short, China believes it must have Iran in order to move forward with its own plans for domination.  “China, Iran agree to further implement comprehensive cooperation plan,” The State Council of China, 12-29-24.

“Italian journalist’s arrest in Iran alleged to be reprisal for detention of suspected arms dealer,” Guardian, 12-29-24.

“Protests break out in Tehran’s historic bazaar over inflation, rial devaluation,” Iran International, 12-29-24.

This is not a meeting with the Red Cross.  “Iran’s foreign minister lands in China amid regional and domestic turmoil,” Al Monitor, 12-28-24.

Israel has tried for years to warn Syria and diminish ties between this proxy and Iran’s bad use of its territory.  “Mossad chief was set to meet Assad in 2019 in bid to cut Syria-Iran ties — report,” Times of Israel, 12-28-24.

This blog will always read Iranian government media mouthpieces (or foreign empowering sources), and occasionally post their reports.  They provide crucial evidence, when contrasted against the free press that we rely on, of deception and what we prefer, reality.  “Iran seeks calm rather than chaos in Syria: FM,” Xinhua, 12-28-24.

To silence opponents.  Also, to raise some ransom cash (although this would be after three or four or five years in Evin Prison).  “Report: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard plotted to lure and kidnap Israeli journalist,” Ynet, 12-28-24.  “IranWire reported Saturday that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) planned to kidnap Babak Eshaghi, an Israeli journalist working for the Saudi-funded opposition channel Iran International.”

This is part of the ongoing efforts for independence in SE Iran.  “Suicide bomber kills police commander in southern Iran – media reports,” Reuters, 12-28-24.

I don’t normally have cause for citing news from Ireland regarding this blog’s purpose.  But with the public spat between Ireland and Israel, when you see the story below it starts to dawn that a longer issue has been happening out of known view.  It is important to encourage, in appropriate ways, autocratic regimes to move to openness.  Certainly not to implicitly back the world’s leader in terror and center of the Shia Crescent.  Ireland’s leadership needs to choose not to empower.  “Cost of reopening Irish Embassy in Iran tops €1.6m,” The Irish Times, 12-28-24.

“Power Outages Halt 50% of Iran’s Industrial Parks, Sparking Economic Concerns,” Iran Focus, 12-28-24.

“Analysis: Iran’s waning influence in the Arab world,” FDD’s Long War Journal, 12-28-24.

“Half of Iran’s industrial capacity halted by energy crisis,” Iran International, 12-28-24.

“Analysis: Iran’s waning influence in the Arab world,” Long War Journal, 12-28-24.

“A Comprehensive Strategy for Democratic Transition in Iran,” Middle East Forum, 12-27-24.

In and out of Iran, no one is safe.  862 known cases of extra judicial killings compiled by the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for human rights in Iran.  “’There once lived a person’: Inside the grim chronicle of Iran’s assassinations,” Iran International, 12-27-24.

“Structural Crises in Iran: Unmanageable Challenges and a Rift Between the People and the Regime,” Iran Focus, 12-27-24.

This is not the European Union.  “Iran gains observer status in Eurasian Economic Union,” Tehran Times, 12-27-24.

“Italy says Iran has detained journalist Cecilia Sala for a week, and it’s still not clear why,” CBS, 12-27-24.  See also “Italian journalist arrested in Iran and held in notorious Evin prison,” Financial Times, 12-27-24.

Iran continues the green light.  “Houthis vow to continue attacking Israel despite strikes on Yemen,” BBC, 12-27-24.

Not the first ISI president to say this.  Will he be the last?  “President Pezeshkian says Iran wants peace with region,” Iran International, 12-26-24.  The story has it right—“Pezeshkian’s call for diplomacy stands in contrast to the Supreme Leader’s persistent rejection of normalization with the West and Israel, suggesting that Iran’s pursuit of peace may remain contingent upon maintaining its ideological and geopolitical conflicts.”

“Iran Update, December 26, 2024,” Critical Threats, 12-26-24.  “Iran is also making remarks that risk stoking sectarian tension. Senior Iranian officials, including the supreme leader, have repeatedly suggested that the Syrian youth will “rise up” in Syria.[xiii] The Iranian supreme leader compared these “Syrian youth” to the Iraqi militia groups that systematically hunted down and killed Sunni civilians in Baghdad as part of a campaign of sectarian cleansing in Iraq.[xiv] Core HTS fighters from Jabhat al Nusra and al Qaeda in Iraq, like Shara, are intimately familiar with the Iraqi context and would presumably read “Syrian youth” as a much more sectarian call than it immediately appears. Sectarian Iranian remarks would provide an opening for Sunni sectarian elements in Syria to portray all Alawites and Shia as pro-Iranian proxies to justify a violent crackdown. Syrian Foreign Affairs Minister Asaad Hassan al Shaibani responded to these Iranian statements. He warned Iran against “spreading chaos in Syria” and stated that Syria will hold Iran “accountable for the repercussions of [its] latest remarks,” likely referring to ongoing rhetoric from senior Iranian officials suggesting that Syrian youth will “rise up” in Syria.”

Good news.  Lebanon has to pivot from Iran and Hezbollah’s influence and control.  “Lebanese army chief visits Saudi Arabia to discuss military cooperation,” AA, 12-26-24.

This headline is funny.  The only ones making this announcement are in the Crescent with the proxy the Houthis.  No other countries or groups agree.  “Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah denounce Israeli airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen,” Iran International, 12-26-28.