“How the Islamic revolution isolated Iran from the Muslim world,” India Times, 5-11-24.
“Islamic hardliners cement grip over Iran’s parliament after election runoff,” i24, 5-11-24. “The result, tallied with that of the previous vote in March, gives hardliners 233 of the 290 seats in Iran’s parliament; moderates and reformists were for the most part barred from running.”
“Canada’s Spy Agency Warns of Escalating Iranian Aggression in West,” Iran International, 5-10-24.
“5 Indian sailors released from Israeli-linked vessel seized by Iran,” India Today, 5-10-24.
“Coldplay and Sting call for release of Toomaj Salehi, Iranian rapper sentenced to death,” Guardian, 5-10-24.
Facilitating, can lead to dangerous relations and crime. Ship-to-Ship transfers occur in Malaysian waters. “Malaysia Will Not Recognize Unilateral Sanctions on Iran, Official Says,” The Diplomat, 5-10-24.
“Iran Deploys Drones, Surveillance to Enforce Hijab Rules,” Iran Wire, 5-10-24.
If you read one thing that explains how the Regime operates and why you can’t ultimately trust this government, here is the story that I’ve spoken of over time. The short version is that Iran says the Ayatollah has made a fatwa on this topic, but they never produce the fatwa. “The nuclear fatwa that wasn’t—how Iran sold the world a false narrative,” Iran Source, Atlantic Council, 5-9-24.
“Iran has launched a new crackdown on women defying its strict dress code,” NBC, 5-9-24.
“As Iran Scares the Middle East, At Home Its Regime Rots,” Economist, 5-9-24.
“FBI warns of efforts by China, Russia, Iran to influence election,” The Hill, 5-9-24.
“Iran says it will change nuclear doctrine and build bombs if existence threatened,” Times of Israel, 5-9-24. “Top Khamenei adviser Kamal Kharrazi says country will have ‘no choice’ in those circumstances, warns deterrence policy will change if Israel strikes nuclear facilities.”
“US Treasury official: Ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil in Malaysian waters pose safety risk [UPDATED],” Straits Times, 5-9-24.
“Restore Iran’s marshes to prevent dust storms,” Science, 5-9-24.
“MPs vote unanimously in support of designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group,” 5-8-24.
“US Lawmakers Worry IRGC Accessed Classified Documents Through Malley,” Iran International, 5-8-24.
“France Denounces ‘State Hostage-Taking’ by Iran,” Iran International, 5-8-24.
“Iran Sentences Renowned Filmmaker To Flogging, Prison Sentence,” RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, 5-8-24.
“Iran’s dangerous new terror proxy: Sudan,” JNS, 5-7-24. “The Islamic Republic’s encirclement of Israel and control of the Red Sea are almost complete.”
“IAEA head decries ‘completely unsatisfactory’ cooperation after visit to Iran,” Times of Israel, 5-7-24. “Rafael Grossi says there is a ‘slowdown’ in implementation of deal between his nuclear watchdog and the Islamic Republic. … Iran has always denied any ambition to develop nuclear weapons capability, insisting its activities are entirely peaceful.”
“Iran’s capacity to move oil reliant on Malaysian providers, US official says,” Straits Times, 5-7-24.
“IAEA Still Discussing Implementation of Failed 2023 Agreement With Iran,” Iran International, 5-7-24.
“Iran Remains Second Largest Jailer of Writers Worldwide,” Iran International, 5-4-24.
“Iranian IRGC Warship Crosses Equator For First Time,” RFE/RL, 5-4-24.
“Iran announces sanctions on United States, United Kingdom,” Mehr, 5-2-24. For alleged support of terrorism and violation of human rights in the Gaza War.
“Iran charges journalists after BBC report on teen protester’s death,” BBC, 5-2-24.
Exactly. This article by Azizi (again) hits the purpose of this Kissinger-inspired blog. “Is Iran a Country or a Cause?,” The Atlantic, 5-1-24. “The ideologues are winning a decades-long battle over Tehran’s foreign policy.”
Thugocracy. Authoritarian. Police State. These are the sorts of terms describing the state of affairs in the former IRI. Regime as a term works also. See “Iran and the ‘Ship of Theseus’ paradox,” JNS, 5-1-24.
“CNN gets a rare look at the Iranian missiles and drones that hit Israel,” CNN, 5-1-24.
“Are Iran and Sudan Renewing Their Ties?,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, 5-1-24. Sudan’s bordering of the Red Sea, past involvement with weapons smuggling from Iran to Gaza, and other issues are concerning.
“The UN’s nuclear watchdog chief will visit Iran next week as concerns rise about uranium enrichment,” CNY, AP, 5-1-24. Perhaps too little, too late.
Taking from the poor, directly for the benefit of the Supreme Ayatollah, Ali Husseini Khamenei. Amazing. I’ve never seen evidence of this before. Zaidi and Naqvi, both of Houston, pled guilty to transfer tens of thousands of dollars from the religious tax on wealth and for victims of the Yemen civil war. Note that Khamenei has not denounced the attempt to enrich himself (no press release, statement, comment on corruption in a sermon, etc.). “Scheme to Transfer Money to Iran Results in Guilty Pleas,” U.S. Department of Justice, 5-1-24.
The Regime’s leader makes the news a second time today, “Iran’s Khamenei pooh-poohs Arabs normalizing with Israel,” Times of Israel, 5-1-24.
“Iran commutes a tycoon’s death sentence to 20 years in prison,” AP, 4-30-24. Two billion dollars is a lot of money.
“Iran officially begins building wall along its border with Afghanistan,” Khaama Press, 4-30-24.
“Iranian rapper receives death sentence for songs criticizing the establishment,” NPR, 4-30-24.
Low-hanging fruit that Princeton doesn’t act on. This blog has several times over the years taken note of the controversy regarding having this particular ex-official of the Regime on its faculty. “Princeton’s Mousavian Mocks Protesters Calling For His Resignation,” Iran International, 4-30-24.
“Iran-Allied Houthis Escalate With Several Attacks In One Day,” Iran International, 4-30-24.
“What’s Behind Iran’s Renewed Crackdown on Women,” Sky, 4-30-24.
