Iran Nation or Cause

Even since Pres. Obama authorized $425 million/hostage, the price has only risen.  “Iran Wants $2.5 Billion For Dual National Hostage,” Iran International, 3-11-24.  “Sharmahd along with his family and lawyers have denied the charges and Iran has provided no evidence to support its allegations. Amnesty International has condemned the trial as a sham. … The Biden administration last year agreed to release at least $6 billion [1.2 billion each] in frozen Iranian funds for the release of five hostages similarly convicted in sham trials.” … In 2015, President Barack Obama agreed to pay Tehran $1.7bn for the release of four Americans as part of the broader negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal.”

“Princeton students urge Hezbollah to release fellow student, pro-Iranian regime prof refuses to aid,” JPost, 3-11-24.  More evidence of Mousavian’s duplicity.

“Russia, Iran and China to hold warship drills in Gulf of Oman,” Globe and Mail, 3-11-24.

“The Big Problem With Iran’s Strategy in the Middle East: It Works,” Daily Beast, 3-11-24.

“As dust from elections settles, Iran’s conservatives clash over spoils,” Amwaj, 3-11-24.

“Gallant warns Iran stirs terrorism in West Bank amid Ramadan tensions,” Ynet, 3-11-24.

“Diplomats fear growing power of Iranian factions that want nuclear weapons,” Guardian, 3-10-24.

“Peru Rules Out Arrested IRGC Man Planned Attack At APEC Forum,” Iran International, 3-10-24.

“Iran, Proxies ‘Trying to Boost Influence in Jordan’,” Algemeiner, 3-10-24.

“Khamenei Resumes Execution Machine in Iran: 13 Killed in 4 Days,” NCRI, 3-10-24.

“Iran arrests two young women for public dancing: report,” Times of India, 3-9-24.

“Iranian Cleric Filming Woman In Qom Sparks Controversy,” Iran International, 3-9-24.

“Iran condemns UN experts report on 2022 protests,” AFP, 3-9-24.

They lost three months of their life, which is short by hostage-taking standards.  “Iran and Philippines Agree to Swap Crew on Seized Oil Tanker St Nikolas,” Maritime Executive, 3-8-24.

Notice the FM doesn’t address the allegations.  “Iran foreign minister says Meta banning Khamenei was ‘illegal and unethical’,” MEE, 3-8-24.

“In Parliamentary Vote, Iranians Vented Their Rage With the Ruling Elite,” NYT, 3-8-24.  Blank ballots, voting for unusual personalities, or just skipping the election.

“Iran is responsible for the ‘physical violence’ that killed Mahsa Amini in 2022, UN probe finds,” PBS, 3-8-24.

“Peru Arrests Iranian Over Plot To Attack Asia-Pacific Summit,” Iran International, 3-8-24.

With the continued organization and support of the proxies, and the successful Oct. 7 attack, Qanni has certainly exceeded expectations.  “New threats from Iran’s IRGC Quds Force chief,” JPost, 3-8-24.

“Iran Army aims to establish fully indigenous aviation fleet,” Tehran Times, 3-8-24.

Great reporting.  “The mysterious Iranian ship accused of lining up the next Houthi targets,” FT, 3-8-24.

Quote of the Day.  “The most important thing is to deny their ability to resupply from Iran. The Houthis are not building. They’re putting it all together and assembling, but they don’t create inertial navigation systems. They don’t create medium-range ballistic missile engines,” Gen. Erik Kurilla, the chief of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.”  See “US: Stopping Iran’s Resupply of Houthis ‘Most Important’ to Secure Red Sea,” VOA, 3-7-24.

It is possible, if Iran is willing.  “The US, Iran, and Russia cooperate in a joint naval exercise in India,” JPost, 3-7-24.

“The United States Condemns Iran regime’s Nuclear Activities,” Iran News Update, 3-7-24.

“Iran’s Succession Decided Outside Constitutional Framework, Experts Say,” Iran International, 3-7-24.

“IranWire Exclusive: Kurdish Political Refugees Face Deportation to Iran After Greece Arrest,” Iran Wire, 3-7-24.

“Iran Has Put Middle East Into ‘Convergence of Crises,’ CENTCOM Commander Tells Senate,” USNI News, 3-7-24.

“Oil Tanker Caught Up In Iran-U.S. Dispute Over Sanctions,” RFE/RL, 3-7-24.

“Extending Shadows: The Peril of Khomeinism and Iran’s Quest for Regional Hegemony,” Algemeiner, 3-7-24.

“Sweden’s Supreme Court Rejects Appeal From Iranian Jailor,” Iran International, 3-7-24.

“Iran: How The Regime’s Elections Became A Total Disaster – OpEd,” Eurasia Review, 3-7-24.

“IRAN: DRACONIAN CAMPAIGN TO ENFORCE COMPULSORY VEILING LAWS THROUGH SURVEILLANCE AND MASS CAR CONFISCATIONS,” Amnesty International, 3-7-24.

“Time to stop Iran’s unchecked killing of Kurds,” Asia Times, 3-7-24.

“A 5,000-kilometer “strategic depth” clearly indicates that Iran now views the whole region as its “near abroad.” Countries will have to decide how to contend with the Iranian regime’s new ambition.”  See “Iran seeks to create ‘strategic depth’ in the Mediterranean – analysis,” JPost, 3-6-24.

“US Urges Iran to Dilute All Its Near-Weapons-Grade Uranium,” Algemeiner, 3-6-24.

“Over 30 new graves of Baha’is razed in Iran,” Imphal Free Press, 3-6-24.

“Iran’s exports to China amounted to more than $11bn,” Azer News, 3-6-24.  “China was the main market for Iranian goods … and China was the second largest source of imports to Iran.”

“No One Hears Their Voices” Suicides and Self-Immolations in Iran’s Orumiyeh Prison,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, 3-6-24.

“Houthi attack on ship off Yemen kills at least 2 people as Iran says it’s seizing an oil shipment,” CBS, 3-6-24.

“Iran seizes US oil cargo in Persian Gulf,” Mehr, 3-6-24.

This Iran proxy is shooting at a U.S. ship, the USS Carney.  “US Shoots Down Iran-Backed Houthi Ballistic Missile, Drones Targeting US Forces,” Iran International, 3-6-24.

Force can work.  “Iran proxy attacks on US troops in Iraq, Syria drop off as Red Sea heats up,” Politico, 3-6-24.

“Iran, Armenia defense ministers discuss regional security,” Mehr, 3-6-24.

“Whistling Past the Iranian Nuclear Program,” WSJ, 3-6-24.

“The growing cooperation between Russia and Iran in electronic warfare raises alarms in Israel,” Zona Militar, 3-6-24.

“Executions in Iran hit 8-year high in 2023,” Al Jazeera, 3-5-24.  “Iran hanged at least 834 people in 2023, the second-highest number of executions in two decades, according to a report released by rights groups. The report, released on Tuesday by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM), suggests that the 43 percent spike in the use of capital punishment last year came in reaction to nationwide protests prompted by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022. … IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam described the figures as a “staggering total.” “Instilling societal fear is the regime’s only way to hold on to power, and the death penalty is its most important instrument,” he said.”

BBC gave into the Regime, and in the process limited Iranian citizens access to real news.  “BBC’s Deal With Iran Over Election Coverage Angers Staffers,” Iran International, 3-5-24.

“Quote of the Day:  “Qatar is not an ally; it is an enabler of the most bloodthirsty regime on earth.”  UANI CEO Mark Wallace.  See “United Against Nuclear Iran Urges Action Against Qatar For Hosting IRGC,” Iran International, 3-5-24.

“US Reveals Another Iranian Plot On American Soil,” Iran International, 3-5-24.

“The actual voter turnout in the elections estimated at about 8%.”  Shocking.  See “Iran Election Result: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Lost Gains Made From Gaza Conflict – OpEd,” Eurasia Review, 3-4-24.

“Iran Announces 41% Turnout In Parliamentary Elections,” Barron’s, AFP, 3-4-24.  So, is it 41%, 8%, or somewhere in the 10s or 20s?  Western intelligence agencies will also use the methodology of this article, and will find that the Regime-announced results are grossly inflated, just as their Covid-response numbers were so out of line with reality.

“Hard-liners dominate Iran’s parliamentary election after record-low turnout,” Politico, AP, 3-4-24.

“Commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force is expanding predecessor’s vision of chaos in the Middle East,” The Conversation, 3-4-24.

“Commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force is expanding predecessor’s vision of chaos in the Middle East,” El Paso Inc., 3-4-24.

“Iran’s Currency Plunges To Historic Low,” Iran International, 3-4-24.

“Ballistic Missiles Allow Iran to Act More Boldly,” WSJ, 3-4-24.  “Over the past decade, Iran has transformed much of its ballistic-missile arsenal, the largest in the Middle East, from mere tools of terror to battlefield-ready systems. Iranian missiles are more precise, mobile, lethal and abundant than ever before—giving the regime more dangerous options when it wants to throw its weight around. … Since 2017, Iran has engaged in at least 11 separate ballistic-missile operations from its own territory against Kurdish, U.S., Islamic State, Baluch and other targets and interests across Iraq, Syria and Pakistan. Iran is likely to use these missiles to respond to any serious or perceived provocation in the future. … In 2023 the regime claimed to have developed its first-ever hypersonic missile and celebrated with a poster in Persian, Arabic and Hebrew proclaiming that it needed only “400 seconds” to strike Tel Aviv. … Tehran is already taking advantage of its missile capability to provide cover for other escalatory acts against the U.S. and Israel. When Israel thinks about how to respond to Hezbollah’s attacks, it must take into account a deadly and potentially direct Iranian response. This, on top of Hezbollah’s Iran-supplied precision-guided munition capabilities, helps deter Israel and is keeping 80,000 Israelis from returning to their homes in the north. … Missile mastery has emboldened the Islamic Republic, making it keen to take more risks and to respond to fire with fire.”

“IAEA chief: We have lost track of Iran nuke progress,” JPost, 3-4-24.  “IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi on Monday told the IAEA Board of Governors, concerning Iran’s nuclear advancement, that “the agency has lost continuity of knowledge about the production and inventory of centrifuges, rotors and bellows, heavy water and uranium ore concentrate.” “It is three years since Iran stopped provisionally applying its additional protocol and therefore it is also three years since the agency was able to conduct complementary access in Iran,” Grossi said, describing large gaps in nuclear inspections. Next, he referred to a recent Iranian nuclear official who said that all aspects of the nuclear weapons cycle are complete and that the only obstacle to Tehran producing a nuclear weapon is the political decision to do so. Grossi said, “Public statements made in Iran regarding its technical capabilities to produce nuclear weapons only increase my concerns about the correctness and completeness of Iran’s safeguard declarations.”

“Iran’s Supreme Leader Silent After Election Boycott,” Iran International, 3-4-24.

“Cooperation agreements with Iran pit Algeria against the West,” Arab Weekly, 3-4-24.

“What Do Official Statistics Reveal About Iran’s Elections?,” Iran International, 3-4-24.  “After the closure of the polls, the media affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, including Fars News Agency, announced what they claimed was the turnout figures before the election authorities had provided any information.”  As of 3-5, there are still no official results.  But we are left with the IRGC 41% figure.

“Religious dictators of Iran covet DNA identifiers of journalists — report,” Biometric, 3-4-24.

“Iran Tried to Persuade Sudan to Allow Naval Base on Its Red Sea Coast,” WSJ, 3-3-24.  “Tehran, which has supplied drones for Khartoum’s war with a rebel warlord, pledged a warship in exchange for access but was turned down. … A naval base on the Red Sea would allow Tehran to tighten its grip on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, where it is helping Yemen-based Houthi rebels launch attacks on commercial vessels. Iran and the Houthis say the attacks are aimed at punishing Israel and its allies for the fighting in Gaza. Iran’s regional rivals, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, all have direct access to the waterway.”

“Chinese Influencers’ Upcoming Visit To Iran Sparks Criticism,” Iran International, 3-3-24.  “Despite its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, Iran continues to grapple with challenges in attracting foreign tourists, exacerbated by its history of detaining foreigners and dual nationals, along with societal constraints imposed after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.”

“Economic Turmoil Worsens In Iran As Hardliners Win Election,” Iran International, 3-3-24.

Iran is encouraging Hamas to hold firm, and hand on to the pawns/hostages.  “Israel won’t send team to Cairo, said to believe Sinwar seeks escalation on Ramadan,” Times of Israel, 3-3-24.

“Ex-President Khatami Abstains From Voting In Iran Elections,” Iran International, 3-2-24.

“Iran: Raisi Re-Elected for Assembly of Experts,” teleSur, 3-2-24.  And see the Supreme Leader cast his vote, covered by the “IRNA News Agency and by X.”

“Grammy winner gets 3-year prison sentence in Iran for anti-regime song,” UPI, 3-2-24.  He wrote the song about the death of Mahsa Amini.  And the Regime requires Hajipour to “also write a song about U.S. ‘atrocities against humanity’,”.

I’ll say it again.  The world will have to decide if Iran will hold the Strait hostage.  “A ship earlier hit by Yemen’s Houthi rebels sinks in the Red Sea, the first vessel lost in conflict,” AP, 3-2-24.  “The Rubymar, which carried a cargo of fertilizer and previously leaked fuel, could cause ecological damage to the Red Sea and its coral reefs.  Persistent Houthi attacks have already disrupted traffic in the crucial waterway for cargo and energy shipments moving from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. Already, many ships have turned away from the route.”  They are going around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10 days and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Iranian threat to overthrow the Kuwait government has finally resulted in “Kuwait Top Court Criminalizes Lebanon’s Hezbollah,” Asharq Al-Awsat, 3-2-24.  BTW, Kuwait has made few entries on this blog over the years.  But here, the threat was too great.