Iran Nation or Cause

Notice that Iran decides and orders Hezbollah and Syria to comply.  Here the topic is Suleiman Franjieh, a person Iran wants as president of Lebanon.  “Hezbollah chief met with Syrian president after Saudi-Iran deal: Report,” The Cradle, 5-10-23.

It has been asked before—the start of Axis powers?  “Iran increases trade with BRICS including China, as it eyes to join bloc,” Al Monitor, 5-10-23

“US military seizes $80 mln heroin shipment from Iran,” Al Arabiya, 5-10-23.  Also seized was methamphetamine.  But the Regime says it does not participate in the international drug market.

“182 academics, professionals, and thinkers from 36 nations, including China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Oman, Syria and Iraq, are participating in the conference.”  I think that I’ll skip this conference due to Iran’s track record—I really don’t think they can improve on the time-tested Western, capitalist, rules-based, human rights-respecting model.  See “Iran holds international conference on new world order,” Tehran Times, 5-10-23.

Surprise, surprise, surprise.  “Leaked Docs: Iran hid Weapons in Earthquake Aid to Smuggle Arms to Syria to Attack U.S. Troops,” Kurdistan24, 5-10-23.

The word “defensive” can be struck.  This is not news.  “Iran ready to supply latest defensive weapons to Syria,” MEMO, 5-10-23.

You heard this right.  “Gravitas: Iran to put cultural heritage sites up for auction,” WION, 5-10-23.

“Iranian Activist Matalabzadeh Assaulted by Security Forces, Summoned to Court,” Iran Wire, 5-10-23.

“​Iran Executes 7 More People As Activists Slam 2-Week Long ‘Hanging Spree’,” AFP, 5-10-23.

“UN rights office: Iran has executed more than 200 people this year,” WSAU, 5-9-23.

The world is warned.  “Gallant: Iran has amassed enough uranium for 5 nuclear weapons,” Times of Israel, 5-4-23.

“Documents appear to show Iran’s interest in Syrian phosphates for uranium production,” Times of Israel, 5-4-23.

“Iran assembles allies for rocket attacks on Israel,” The Times, 5-4-23.

“Russia and Iran are upgrading their transport links,” The Economist, 5-4-23.

What is good enough for Russia is good enough for Venezuela.  “Iran and Venezuela set up direct shipping services to evade US sanctions,” Tradewinds, 5-4-23.

The Regime has been working on this for years.  “Iran state news outlet spreads antisemitic propaganda on social media, report says,” Times of Israel, 5-4-23.

Again we are reminded of the purpose of this blog–Iran does not act as a normal country, it is a revolutionary state, and the Regime displays with this news story that it is the only country in the world that takes / holds “property hostages” belonging to other countries (let alone human hostages–well, a few other countries also do that).  See “Iran has seized its second oil tanker in a week,” Quartz, 5-3-23.

Brothers in arms, but Syria is dependent on the Ayatollah and the Regime.  “Syria and Iran sign long-term oil and trade agreements,” AP, 5-3-23.

“Iran president visits Syria for first time since civil war,” DW, 5-3-23.

Considering the heavy price paid by Syria’s people from the crushing attacks by Iran’s snipers and soldiers, this headline is sick.  “Iran’s Raisi praises Assad ‘victory’ on landmark Syria visit,” AFP, 5-3-23.

“Revolutionary Guard has taken over Iran’s economy, secret files said to show,” Times of Israel, 5-2-23.

“Aleppo airstrikes showcase Iran’s strategy, regional concerns – analysis,” Jerusalem Post, 5-2-23.

“Iran is diving into the disinformation wars, Microsoft says,” Axios, 5-2-23.

“Schoolgirls in Iran say they are still being poisoned: here’s what we know – video,” The Guardian, 5-2-23.

“Iran, 27 other countries critiqued by watchdog for religious freedom violations,” RNS, 5-1-23.

“Iran’s Khamenei says even 1 US soldier in Iraq is ‘too much’,” AA, 4-29-23.  But he doesn’t say anything about Iran soldiers in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, ….

After going to Metula, I can see why Israelis take with great concern today’s visit by Iran’s FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian to the city of Maroun al-Ras, Lebanon.  Iran aims to surround and continue to attack Israel.  “Overlooking Israel from Lebanon border, Iran’s FM says ‘Zionist collapse’ is near,” Times of Israel, 4-28-23.

“The Iranian drones deployed by Russia in Ukraine are powered by stolen Western technology, research reveals,” CNN, 4-28-23.

“Senate, House Abraham Accords caucuses introduce legislation to counter maritime threats from Iran,” Jewish Insider, 4-28-23.

And the ship is owned by China—Iran apparently didn’t check.  “Iran navy seizes Marshall Islands oil tanker in Gulf of Oman,” AP, 4-27-23.  Seized in international waters off Oman, Iran has taken the ship hostage and will most likely look to trade something for it.

It is past time for this to happen.  Part of their foreign policy is taking pawns.  “US issuing new sanctions for Russia and Iran for holding Americans hostage,” CNN, 4-27-23.

Iran says that ISIS attacks are the financial responsibility (fault) of the USG, Pres. Obama, Pres. Bush, CENTCOM, the CIA, Treasury, Lockheed Martin, and American Airlines.  Good luck on collecting.  “Iran court orders US, Obama to pay $313m for ‘terrorist’ attacks,” Al Jazeera, 4-26-23.

“Ayatollah Abbasali Soleimani died in hospital after being shot at a bank in Babolsar, in Mazandaran province. Its governor said the attacker, who has been arrested, was a bank security guard and that the motive was unclear. Ayatollah Soleimani was one of 88 clerics on the Assembly of Experts, which appoints the Supreme Leader. The elected body also monitors his performance and can – theoretically – remove him if he is deemed incapable of fulfilling his duties.”  See “Iran: Senior Shia cleric on Assembly of Experts shot dead at bank,” BBC, 4-26-23.  If this was truly an assassination (and not a bank job gone bad), it is a serious matter to have a member of the Assembly killed.

“Iran Supreme Court upholds Iranian-German man’s death sentence,” Al Jazeera, 4-26-23.