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“Cartel connection: Hezbollah and Iran exploit Maduro’s Venezuela for cocaine cash,” Fox, 9-7-25.  Just in case you didn’t know, so this is a long post.  “Citrinowicz said the group uses family ties, language and community institutions to cement its influence across Latin America. “They appoint imams, fund religious centers and control educational programs… through these networks, Hezbollah can interact with local cartels, sell drugs and channel the profits back to Lebanon through elaborate schemes.” He said this role as a connector makes Hezbollah indispensable to Iran’s strategy in the Western Hemisphere. “The connection starts and ends with enmity towards the West in general, specifically to the United States,” he said. “As long as Maduro is there, the Iranians will be there. But if Maduro goes, Iran will lose the most important stronghold of its activity in Latin America.” Townsend stated the partnership works for both sides. “Iran’s partnership with Maduro enables Hezbollah to operate in Venezuela. Iran gets to safely operate, through Hezbollah, in the West without prosecution, and Maduro and his officials get paid well. Ultimately, Iran uses and exploits Maduro. Maduro doesn’t care — he and his friends benefit financially.” Both experts pointed to state complicity as the key enabler. “Under Maduro and Chávez, Venezuela has become a major transshipment hub for Colombian cocaine,” Townsend said. “There have been several indictments in the U.S. and Treasury OFAC designations that tie senior government officials directly to the use of state infrastructure — ports, air bases, even military convoys — to move massive shipments of cocaine. Cartel of the Suns, high-ranking military officers, run and protects these shipments. Who launders all of this drug money? Hezbollah.” Citrinowicz emphasized Iran’s investment in Venezuelan power structures. “The enhancement is illustrated by several aspects: first and foremost, the military cooperation, especially Iranian factories building UAVs for the Venezuelan army, and constant Quds Force flights from Iran through Africa toward Venezuela,” he said. “Iran is also teaching Venezuela how to bypass sanctions and has invested billions into the economy.” Experts say Washington’s best leverage lies in choking the finances. “We need to aggressively target and choke these financial networks,” Townsend said. “The priority is to attack the financial and logistical networks, indict everyone we can and pressure Maduro. If we can cut off the financial arteries, the cocaine won’t be as profitable.” Citrinowicz agreed that the strike fits into a broader effort. “By weakening Maduro, the U.S. weakens the Iranian presence in Latin America and weakens Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. soil,” he said. “The best way to weaken Venezuela is also to aim against the Iranian presence over there.”

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This is Amnesty speaking, not Donald Trump or Bibi, the IAEA, the UN, UANI, dissidents, etc.  “Iran: Authorities unleash wave of oppression after hostilities with Israel,” Amnesty International, 9-3-25.

“Iran’s near-bomb-grade uranium stock grew before Israeli attack, IAEA says,” JPost, 9-3-25.  The IAEA “report revealed Iran had 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60% before Israeli and US strikes, enough for 10 bombs if further refined.”

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“The Neighbor From Hell:  Israel and the United States delivered a blow to Iran. But it could come back stronger,” The Atlantic, 9-2-25.  The author rightly points out there was no peace or armistice agreement at the end of the 12 Day War.  Which, read it here, was not a stand by itself type of war, it was really the latest set of violent exchanges, albeit one which during that 12 days Israel won overwhelmingly.  But Iran has not backed down, continues work on its nuclear program, and continues to try to prop back its proxies, especially Hezbollah.  The Regime has not learned its lesson but instead insists Israel and the U.S. and Europe and Saudi Arabia need to learn their lessons.

“US may strike Iran again if nuclear defiance continues – WP opinion,” Iran International, 9-2-25.  Iran’s nuclear program continues along with its intransigence for IAEA inspections, despite the military message from the U.S. and Israel.  With cover from Russia and China, it will not be deterred.  That is where we are now.  While it is possible to imagine Iran without a nuclear program and using its vast gas and oil to develop and provide for its citizens, the Regime continues down the revolutionary path to Shia conversion and authority.  No new here, right?!

Here’s a story about some of that cover referenced above.  “Leaders of China, Russia, North Korea and Iran gather in Beijing for huge military parade in challenge to the West,” CNN, 9-2-25.

We will negotiate, but only if we get to keep our missiles says Iran.  “Path for Iran-US negotiations not closed, Iran’s Supreme Security Council says,” Times of Israel, 9-2-25.

“Iran Gets Boost From US Rival for Nuclear Talks Showdown,” Newsweek, 9-2-25.

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“Houthis say they launched missile at Israeli-owned tanker in the Red Sea,” Al Arabiya, 9-1-25.

“Iran’s currency hits new low as ‘snapback’ looms over nuclear programme,” Al Jazeera, 9-1-25.

Keep in mind that Russia and China agreed to the inclusion of the snapback provisions in writing several years ago.  So for them to declare now it violates international law is invalid on its face, as they have already “made” international law by signing a treaty.  See “China, Russia join Iran in rejecting European move to restore sanctions on Tehran,” Reuters, 9-1-25.  That is “International Law 101.”  The two powers agreed to the snapback provision several years ago to keep the West then from lowering the hammer on Iran, and now they continue in their quest to delay, delay, delay.

“Experts reveal why Iran is attacking Diaspora Jews, warn that West ‘doesn’t understand fanaticism’,” JPost, 9-1-25.  “[T]he IRGC sees the Jewish Diaspora as indistinguishable from Israel. … [T]he regime’s hostility is not just against Israel but also against Jews. When Iranian officials deny the Holocaust, this is not rhetoric but part of a genuine animus against the Jewish people. … Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s followers are true believers in an ideology that sees world Jewry as an enemy of Islam, in part because of the Diaspora’s connection to Israel. “The compass of their ideology is that there is no place for Zionism under the sun,” said the ex-official. … [T]he Iranian force sees the effort to harm Diaspora Jews as a legitimate part of its war conduct. The IRGC’s perspective is that the Jewish Diaspora is a soft target that would hurt Israel because the Jewish state holds itself responsible for their security. Westerners often don’t understand the Islamic Republic’s motivations, according to the security official, because it requires understanding the Jihadist mentality in which hate and faith are the basis, rather than pragmatism or opportunism. “People in the West think in a Western rational way and don’t understand the fanatical ideology behind it,” said the ex-official.”

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Iran proxy hindered.  “Israel eliminates Houthi prime minister in Yemen airstrike targeting senior government officials,” Fox, 8-30-25.

This is not really a story about Israel’s competence as an intelligence entity or army.  It is about the Iranian military and intelligence apparatus refusal to be competent, to protect their own leaders, and perhaps laziness or incompetence to act.  “Israel targeted top Iranian leaders by hacking, tracing their bodyguards’ phones — report,” JPost, 8-30-25.