“Canada and allies taking Iran to ICJ over downed PS752 flight,” Al Jazeera, 6-29-23.  Iran still won’t pay, so Canada, Sweden, Ukraine, and UK say Iran must pay for killing 176 people.

“Mossad says it caught Cyprus terror plot assassin in Iran, airs clip of confession,” Times of Israel, 6-29-23.  “Spy agency says Yousef Shahbazi Abbasalilo was apprehended in operation in enemy territory; in video, he recounts following his Israeli target and making plans to kill him.”  See also “Mossad abducted terror leader inside Iran to thwart Cyprus attack,” Jerusalem Post, 6-29-23.

Iran won’t agree to forego terrorism or being a rogue state, exactly the point of this blog.  “US reportedly complains to Israel over leaks to media about Iran nuclear talks,” Times of Israel, 6-29-23.

“Iranian-Western talks have resumed. Here’s what that means,” CNN, 6-28-23.

“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.””

“US, British navies come to rescue of ship ‘harassed’ by Iran in Persian Gulf,” AP, 6-5-23.

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.

“Iran provided Russia with over 400 kamikaze drones, White House says,” Yahoo, 5-15-23.

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.