“Foreign Intel: Iran Close To Testing First Nuke,” Oil Price, 6-27-23. It’s no surprise we should see this sort of a report. “Separate intelligence reports published by Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden during the first half of this year have said that the Iranian regime ‘‘…has consistently sought to obtain technology for its illegal nuclear program and ballistic missile apparatus,’’ with the Netherlands General and Intelligence Security Service claiming that Tehran’s nuclear advancements, including the enrichment of uranium “brings the option of a possible [Iranian] first nuclear test closer.””
An innocent and emaciate aid worker held for over a year is traded for an Iranian diplomat convicted of attempting to bomb exiles in France. “Belgium, Iran conduct prisoner swap in Oman, freeing aid worker and diplomat convicted in bomb plot,” AP, 5-26-23. But also notice the value the West puts on innocence, and the danger of the U.S. taking this action too—“Despite the contentious optics, Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne said he would do it again, anytime. “There is a moral compass. If you have the choice between freeing someone innocent or keeping one, or 10 guilty in prison, then you always have to choose the fate of the innocent,” he told VRT network. He compared the exchange to last December’s U.S.-Russian prisoner swap between WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout following her trial and conviction on drug possession charges in Moscow. “The United States did it too,” Van Quickenborne said, adding that it is his “absolute duty to help every innocent Belgian.”
“Iran is using its cyber capabilities to kidnap its foes in the real world,” Iran Source, Atlantic Council, 5-24-23.
“Israel concerned Iran will begin enriching uranium to near weapons-grade purity,” Israel Hayom, 5-24-23.
Empowerment by the country with more Muslims than any other. “Indonesia, Iran sign preferential trade agreement,” Reuters, 5-23-23.
“What to expect after change of Iran’s top security official?,” Al Jazeera, 5-23-23.
“Iran is stepping up pressure on its proxies to join forces against Israel,” JNS, 5-16-23. Iran is pushing to establish a “joint operational mechanism”/headquarters in southern Lebanon for Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, to create a ring of terror around Israel and to coordinate rocket attacks. I would predict this will be repeatedly bombed by Israel.
“Iran’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Down To A Fraction Of Deposits,” Iran International, 5-16-23. Iran has spent most of its national sovereign wealth fund in the past decade or so amid sanctions, the chairman of the national inspectorate said. Iran has only $10 billion saved, which is negligible compared with other oil-exporting countries.
We’ll choose this story to lead only because what Hezbollah says is patently false. There are years of activity from multiple countries and continents, and multiple intelligence agencies otherwise. “Hezbollah denies connection to drug dealer killed in Jordanian bombing in Syria,” Jordan News, 5-13-23.
“Russia Starts Building Ships for North-South Trade Route to Iran,” Financial Tribune, 5-13-23.
“Syria Owes $50 Billion To Iran, Leaked Document Reveals,” Iran International, 5-12-23. “Syria owes Iran $50 billion according to leaked documents from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, with fears for Assad’s possible assassination creating fear in Tehran the money may never be recouped.”
“France says 2 citizens held in Iran have been freed from prison, are on way to Paris,” AP, Courthouse News, 5-12-23. Nearly a half-dozen other French citizens are thought to be held in Iranian prisons.
Iran has a long history of saying one thing and doing another. “Iran still smuggling weapons, narcotics to Yemen, U.S. envoy says,” Reuters, 5-11-23.
Strict control over women is the aim of the Shia theocracy. “Iran: Women’s cars can be impounded if they’re caught without hijab,” Jerusalem Post, 5-11-23.
Correct, the corrupt system of human rights state violators supporting each other distorts international politics. “Iran secures top spot at UN Human Rights Council after hanging 2 men for blasphemy,” Fox, 5-11-23. The UN Human Rights Council appointed Iran as chair of a forum focused on using technology to promote human rights, the Human Rights Council Social Forum, which has sparked much anger and indignation because Iran actually uses technology to terrorize its own people and spy on them. This is as ironic as it gets.