Iran Nation or Cause

“Iran’s Pension Funds Crisis,” Iran News Update, 11-22-23.  The mismanagement and raiding goes on and on, year after year.

“U.S. Warns Iran Is Weighing Sending Short-Range Missiles to Russia,” WSJ, 11-22-23.

“Attacks on American Troops increase; Iran responsible says US officials,” KCBY, 11-22-23.

This seems to be the main quote the AP wants us to read:  “The city’s coastal promenade that once bustled with cafes and coffee shops was gone. Instead, there was rubble and a single lifeguard hut.”  Instead, we need to remember that the AP leans toward Hamas and those living in Gaza repeatedly, and the AP’s choosing sides for weeks (siding with Hamas and the Gaza Health Ministry) in the question of whether Shifa was being used for human shield cover (in violation of international law).  Despite years of IDF reporting more accurately the situation inside of the Strip, AP again sided against Israel and criticized its attacks around the hospital proper.  You can read it in the tone of this story, too.  We should all pause to remember that an essential element of helping the Palestinians and moving forward in the Middle East is accurate and balanced reporting.  See “Israel unveils what it claims is a major Hamas hideout beneath Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital,” AP, 11-22-23.  In this story, the AP is finally forced to admit there were tunnels and bunkers under the hospital.  I wonder how they would have reported the situation if they were present when Hamas was working there?  Maybe they would have said the facilities were self-defense works (they took a long time to make BTW, and with monies from ?).

“Meet the secret IRGC entity purging university professors in Iran,” Iran Source, 11-22-23.  For college profs like me, this comes close to home.  We appreciate the freedoms of religion, speech, and association offered by the U.S. Constitution.

“IAEA head says the barring of several nuclear inspectors by Iran is a ‘serious blow’ to monitoring,” AP, 11-22-23.

“US fighter jets strike Iran-backed targets in Iraq after repeated attacks on US bases,” Times of Israel, 11-22-23.  “US officials say their forces have been attacked approximately 66 times since October 17 as a result of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza—32 times in Iraq and 34 times in Syria.”

“Iran’s barring of inspectors is serious blow to IAEA’s work, Grossi says,” WHBL, 11-22-23.

“Crypto Giant Under US Fire For Iran Sanctions Breach, Terror Funding,” Iran International, 11-22-23.  It’s about time this was addressed.  A major route for illicit monies to terror and criminal states.  “Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has been implicated in allegations of violating Iran sanctions and terrorism funding by the US Treasury. In a historic move described as “the new era in crypto crackdown,” the US Department of Justice, Treasury, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have imposed a record $4.4 billion fine on Binance on allegations that it enabled the laundering of substantial sums of illicit money worldwide. … Crypto wallets at Binance were found to interact with bitcoin wallets associated with groups designated as terrorist organizations by the US and several other countries, including the Islamic State and al-Qaeda as well as the armed wing of Iran-backed Hamas, and another Iran-funded militia the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the US said. The global trading platform, which accounts for about half of all crypto activity, is charged with facilitating money laundering, aiding terrorist networks like Hamas, and violating sanctions on countries such as Cuba, Iran, Russia, Syria, as well as playing a role in human and narcotics trafficking. The indictment accused Binance of conducting over $1 billion in transactions with sanctioned countries and criminal actors.”

“US hits Iran-backed militants with 4th round of airstrikes,” ABC, 11-22-23.

Latest official Iranian line on Israel’s existence.  Quote of the Day:  “Without a doubt, the past six weeks of heroic resistance have proven that time is not on the side of the artificial Israeli entity.”  Iran’s FM Hussein Amir Abdollahian.  See “Iran’s Foreign Ministry Hussein Amir Abdollahian visits Lebanon to coordinate regional proxies’ effort,” I24, 11-22-23.

“Iran Update,” CriticalThreats.org, 11-22-23.

This is what I wrote about recently in this blog—a list was quickly made as the hostages came into Gaza, and that list was shared with Qatar and I’m sure Iran.  From the article, “Qatar, the close U.S. ally with influence over Hamas, approached the White House shortly after Oct. 7 with information about the hostages the militants had just taken.”  See “How a secret cell got Hamas to release 50 hostages,” Politico, 11-21-23.

The danger of tag-teaming continues to grow.  “US says Russia’s Wagner providing air defense capability to Hezbollah, Iran,” AA, 11-21-23.

“The White House is concerned Iran may provide ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine,” YNews, 11-21-23.

This says so much.  “Iran Pays No Price for Bad Behavior,” WSJ, 11-20-23.  “The ayatollahs won’t stop funding terror until someone makes them stop.”  Quote of the Day:  “President Biden should give a holiday speech from the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, currently sailing just outside the Persian Gulf, with a sharp and simple message for Iran: Pull Hezbollah away from the Israeli border, stop enriching uranium, order Yemen’s Houthis to give back the cargo ship they seized in the Red Sea this weekend, and tell Hamas to release the nearly 240 hostages it kidnapped from Israel on Oct. 7. Don’t do these things, Mr. Biden should say, and the consequences will be severe. Of course, he has to mean it. Iran has learned a dangerous lesson in the past six weeks. It has seen that there is no price to pay for arming its terrorist proxies and encouraging them to attack Israel. Iran’s actions—including attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militias—are met not with reprisals but gifts, like the Biden administration’s decision to issue a sanctions waiver and grant Iran access to $10 billion. This money will be used to fund even more terrorism.”  — Yaakov Katz, senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute.

“Japan says ‘directly approaching’ Houthis over seized ship, Iran denies involvement,” Al Arabiya, 11-20-23.

So it’s true.  But we already knew it was true.  Now the media have to admit it, and the critics.  Will they?  There are tunnels under the hospital, which destroys Iran’s line that Al Shifa was a humanitarian protected zone under international law.  “IDF says it exposed tunnel under Shifa Hospital,” MSN, 11-19-23.

Attempted ship hostage-taking by the Regime.  The ship was selected on purpose because of partial ownership by an Israeli.  “Yemen’s Houthi rebels seize cargo ship in Red Sea,” Al Jazeera, 11-19-23.

“Iran, Houthis attack with impunity in Red Sea – analysis,” Jerusalem Post, 11-19-23.

“Iran unveils upgraded hypersonic missile as Khamenei touts Israel ‘failure’,” Al Jazeera, 11-19-23.

What this blog has been advocating—deterrence means deterrence.  Iran has attacked the U.S. 20 times more than the U.S. has responded (since Oct. 7).  See “A split emerges as Biden struggles to deter attacks on U.S. troops,” WPost, 11-19-23.

“Iran Shows How It Manufactures Shahed-171, ‘Jammed & Hacked’ Clone Of US RQ-170 Sentinel,” EurAsian Times, 11-19-23.

“Iran debuts its Shahed-147 spy drone,” DefenceBlog.com, 11-19-23.

His English must be better than mine.  “Iran’s Khamenei claims it’s ‘a fact’ Israel has been defeated by Hamas in Gaza,” AFP, Times of Israel, 11-19-23.  Quote of the Day:  “[T]he defeat of the Zionist regime in Gaza is a fact.”

An important piece.  The most important thing about this article is that Iran believes it should push its proxies even more to spread revolution in the Middle East.  “Ten things Iran thinks it achieved on Oct. 7 – analysis,” Jerusalem Post, 11-19-23.

Will Iran allow hostage release?  Only with high costs.  That is their track record.  Oh, and with holding the hostages for a very long time.  “U.S. close to deal with Israel and Hamas to pause conflict, free some hostages,” Washington Post, 11-18-23.

Qatar-based Al Jazeera is reporting that Iran’s government has organized protests in support of Hamas and Gaza.  I believe this may be the first such organization by a government regarding the Hamas war.  “Thousands rally across Iran to protest Gaza deaths, slam Israel and US,” Al Jazeera, 11-18-23.

“Israel Faces Significant Cyber Pressure From Iran, Says NSA,” Iran International, 11-18-23.

“Hamas Took More Than 200 Hostages From Israel. Here’s What We Know,” WSJ, 11-17-23.  What this story doesn’t say is that Hamas’ list of hostages is almost certainly held by Iran, now for several weeks.  Hamas’ negotiations are also almost likely being run through Iran’s approvals.  A sign of this is Iran’s active involvement in the Thai hostages (reported on a recent day on this blog).

It is not surprising that a revolutionary regime would not fully understand what a normal country is like.  “Hamas and Iran confused Israel’s democracy for dysfunction,” The Hill, 11-17-23.

“Iran’s Quds Force Commander Vows Support For Hamas,” Iran International, 11-17-23.

The A.P. doesn’t make the obvious point—the U.S. is not deterring Iran, because Iran continues the attacks.  “How the US strikes a delicate balance in responding to attacks on its forces by Iran-backed militias,” AP, 11-17-23.

You wouldn’t believe it unless they hadn’t said it.  ““Our plan in the future is to raise the proud flag of Iran in Antarctica,” Iran’s Navy Chief Shahram Irani said.  When asked if that meant establishing a permanent base, he replied, “God willing.”  See “Iran Has an Eye for Antarctica,” Dialogo Americas, 11-17-23.

Another Iran-sponsored terror group.  Instead of decreasing support for violence, the Regime is increasing.  “Terrorist Designations of Iran-aligned Militia Groups,” U.S. Department of State Press Statement, 11-17-23.

“The US is finally hitting back at Iran’s murderous proxies,” The Hill, 11-17-23.  Still, only four retaliatory strikes, against almost 70 attempts on our people.

Paying blackmails does not stop hostage taking.  “Belgium Dropped Qatar Arrest Warrant For Help Freeing Iran Hostage: Source,” AFP, 11-17-23.

The Regime, as explained in this interesting article on Khamenei’s wife’s (Jamileh Alam al-Hoda) position, holds itself out and the Supreme Leader as the supreme country of the world.  Others may have presidents and prime ministers and totalitarian leaders, but only one country—the Islamic Republic of Iran—has a Supreme Leader, and who subject only to Allah.  “Khamenei’s political position is unparalleled among all government systems. … [and Khamenei] has no counterpart in the world. The unlimited powers accumulated in the hands of Khamenei explains why refrains from calling herself the first lady.”  See “The Reasons Why Iran Has No “First Lady,” Iran Wire, 11-17-23.

“German police raid Islamic centre over alleged ties to Iran, Hezbollah,” Al Jazeera, 11-16-23.

“Iran is calling Biden’s bluff,” The Hill, 11-16-23.

“Former Defense chief says to eradicate Hamas, Iran must be confronted ‘once and for all’,” The Hill, 11-16-23.

“In letter to Hamas’s Deif, Quds Force chief says Iran will not allow Israel to defeat it,” Times of Israel, 11-16-23.  Is this notice of complicity for Oct. 7?  It certainly applies now to warnings for other countries and entities not to cooperate with Hamas.

It remains frustrating that outlets such as NBC and its anchor Lester Holt do not use balanced investigatory reporting in the Hamas versus Israel narrative regarding Al Shifa Hospital.  In any other context, and in any other war, what Israel is doing would be justified by the media.  “Israel releases video it says proves hospitals are being used by Hamas,” NBC, 11-16-23.

“$10 Billion More for Iran,” WSJ, 11-16-23.  The decision was balanced against the need for Iraq to have electricity.

“Iran on ‘execution spree’ since start of Israel-Hamas war, killing 107 anti-regime activists, ethnic minority,” Fox, 11-16-23.  “Amnesty International cited Iran as 2022’s second-leading executioner behind China.”

“Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is 22 times above 2015 deal’s limit, says IAEA,” Times of Israel, 11-16-23.  “UN nuclear watchdog decries Tehran’s ongoing ban on its inspectors, says their ouster in September has seriously affected agency’s work.”

“Iran reveals its role behind Hamas holding hostages – analysis,” JPost, 11-16-23.  The evidence/points in this article include those argued by this blog.  The UN and media have to see this evidence, but look the other way.

“Iran, Russia Power Grids To Be Connected In Six Months,” Tasnim, 11-16-23.

“Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: What Iran jail hell taught me about freedom of speech,” The Standard, 11-16-23.  “For decades, women of Iran have been fighting for their rights under the Islamic Republic. There is no freedom of speech for these women and many have faced dire consequences for trying to voice their opinions. For many of us, the Nobel Peace Prize has been a chance to shine a light on the struggle of Iranian women, and highlight some of their voices.”

Some comments.  First, it would be for only some of the hostages.  Second, and noteworthy, it would be “one-for-one”, in other words an Israeli life would have the same worth as a Palestinian life.  Also, it is a women and children deal only, which is some of the worst optics for Hamas of the Iranian-planned Oct. 7 attacks.  “Negotiations for a deal are underway, with the various players working on a framework of an agreement, according to the two Israeli officials, who are involved in the Israeli effort to release the hostages through a deal, as well as a third with knowledge of the matter. Under the proposal, Hamas would release 50 women and children abducted during the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks for roughly the same number of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.”  See “Israel and Hamas Appear to Be Near Hostage Deal, Officials Say,” NYT, 11-15-23.  Last, at both the Free Palestine (Nov. 4) and the March for Israel (Nov. 14) events in D.C., only the second event stressed releasing the (Israeli) hostages–why did the first protest not emphasize releasing persons in Israeli custody?

I post this because I try to cover all news of Iran, even if I don’t believe the story.  It is part of my methodology for this blog, that I present the news as Iran itself reports, as others report, and as I interpret it.  With regard to this particular story, first, nothing that is said by the Supreme Leader can be taken at face value, based on track record.  Second, it could be a planted story by Iran, to persuade Israel to let its guard down.  Third, I don’t put much credence in this report because Iran has directed its proxies to attack the U.S. over 50 times since Oct. 7.  Fourth, the WSJ (no was has refuted their story yet) reported the planning meetings before Oct. 7 by Hamas and Iran in Lebanon, involving two right hand men of the Ayatollah, the FM and the head of Hamas.  Last, Iran does not want to fight an open war, it knows it will lose.  See “Report: Khamenei told Haniyeh that Iran will not directly enter war,” Times of Israel, 11-15-23.  The short article recites, “According to a report in Reuters, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh earlier this month:  You gave us no warning of your Oct. 7 attack on Israel and we will not enter the war on your behalf. The Reuters report cites “three senior officials” as saying that Khamenei told Haniyeh that while Iran would offer political support to Hamas, it would not “intervene directly.” The Iranian leader reportedly asked Haniyeh to “silence those voices” in Hamas who are calling for Iran and Hezbollah to directly join the war against Israel “in full force.””

“Iran’s nuclear enrichment advances as it stonewalls UN, IAEA reports show,” Reuters, 11-15-23.

Quote of the Day:  “We must deny these terror groups Iran’s resources by permanently freezing the $6B in Qatar, $10B in Iraq, and enforcing sanctions for China’s purchases of Iranian oil,” said Senator Jim Risch, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  Why would Pres. Biden now, after some 10 Americans remain in captivity by Iran’s orders in Gaza, give access to another $10B?  See “Biden Allows Iran to Access Another $10 Billion Amid Gaza War,” Iran International, 11-15-23.

“Iran increases stockpile of near weapon-grade uranium by 5%,” Spokesman-Review, 11-15-23.

“300 Arrested in Mixed-Gender Party in Iran,” Iran Wire, 11-15-23.  If this had been Hamas with a green light to not just arrest, but to murder at a giant party (ironically for freedom), think what could have happened ….

“Iranian law enforcement … freed Nasrin Sotoudeh, an internationally recognized human rights lawyer who was imprisoned for more than two weeks … while attending the funeral of Armita Garawand, who activists say was beaten to death by Tehran’s morality police.”  See “Human Rights Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Freed in Iran,” VOA, 11-15-23.

Evidence of training in Iran for Hamas.  “Exclusive: Found document suggests Iran sought to help Hamas make its own weapons ahead of attack, sources say,” CNN, 11-14-23.

“Iran executed 114 people since Israel-Hamas war began: report,” Al Monitor, 11-14-23.  “These arrestees were subjected to extreme mental and physical torture to make forced confessions.”

The USG continues to have problems counting.  And deterring.  By the Pentagon’s own reporting, Iran has attacked the U.S. over 50 times in the past three weeks.  The U.S. military has been ordered to react with just three strikes.  What’s wrong with this picture?  “US launches 3rd strikes on Iran-linked groups amid attacks on American soldiers: Officials,” ABC, 11-13-23.

“US carries out two more strikes on Iran-backed groups in Syria,” Al Jazeera, 11-13-23.

“Construction progresses at Russian plant for Iranian drones – report,” Reuters, 11-13-23.