Lots of blog-relevant news on 12-17-25.  First this one–Their own fault, based on the Regime’s founding purposes and following decisions over 46 years.  “‘Nobody Knows What to Do About the Future’,” The Atlantic, 12-17-25.

It started by dragging her by her hair to a vehicle.  “Why Iran Is Going After Its Best,” Time, 12-17-25.  “The establishment knows protests are inevitable,” one said. “It is only a matter of time.” Their strategy is to delay that reckoning through fear, executing people at a rate of four a day, deploying checkpoints across major cities, monitoring citizens’ phones, and making examples of anyone with a platform.

“Swiss government significantly expands sanctions against Iran,” Sanctions News, 12-17-25

“Sweden confirms citizen held in Iran after judiciary announces espionage case,” Iran International, 12-17-25.

This author’s opinion (and the website’s) perspective is so off-base I almost didn’t post it, but just to again say that I post other perspectives, here it is.  (as evidence of how wrong the analysis is, note that the June War is not even mentioned, nor is Iran’s nuclear weapons program).  “Black Boxes and Broken Mirrors: Iran, Israel, and the New Geography of Instability,” Small Wars Journal, 12-17-25.

“Mossad chief says Iran still determined to build nuclear bomb,” Iran International, 12-17-25.

“Iran, Russia sign cooperation agreement after talks in Moscow,” Iran International, 12-17-25.

One of the few articles approaching this subject in the past years.  “What Has Iran Gained from BRICS?,” National Interest, 12-17-25.  In essence, one IR theory says that states look after their own interests.  So, if various pirate states band together for a common goal or for a time period, the base being flawed in original or ultimate purpose does not allow for long-term success.  That does not bode well for Iran.  It can’t be relied upon, nor the other states upon each other.  So Iran, and they, instead should reconsider why it/they exist as a state.

Interesting.  Iran is always looking for opportunities to surround the U.S., Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey (E and T don’t always make this type of point).  “Is Iran’s Axis of Resistance turning toward Tunisia?,” National Interest, 12-17-25.  But this story comes at a time that Tunisia needs to evaluate its trajectory and the best interests of its people.

Iran’s ability to project power into the Persian Gulf wants the islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb.  “Iran summons Cyprus ambassador over interventionist stance,” Mehr, 12-17-25.

“Iran curbs women’s rights further by changing dowry law,” DW, 12-17-25.  From 110 gold coins to just 14 coins, and each is about 8 grams of gold.  12-22-25 price is 153/gram, so that’s not much price to pay for males for a bride or a divorce.

Lost an opportunity to lose an opportunity.  “Trump authorized Iran attack after Tehran rejected deal – Washington Post,” Iran International, 12-17-25.

Outstanding article, one of the best on this topic.  People power.  “What frightens Tehran more than bunker busters and F-35s,” Iran International, 12-17-25.

“China Draws Iranian Ire Over UAE Islands Claim,” RFE/RL, 12-17-25.

“Inside Venezuela’s growing arsenal of Iranian weapons,” Task & Purpose, 12-17-25.  You wonder about the U.S. threatening Maduro, the proxy of Iran?!  “Iranian-made attack boats, missiles, drones, and Hezbollah-linked networks.  Great article showing the relationship and some of the important reasons the U.S. is off the coast.

“Iran-linked hacker group offers $30,000 bounty for Israel’s military info,” Iran International, 12-16-25.  “Handala is widely described by cybersecurity researchers and Western officials as tied to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence. Researchers say the group operates as part of a broader cyber unit known as Banished Kitten, also referred to as Storm-0842 or Dune, which they link to the ministry’s Domestic Security Directorate.”

But from Press TV.  And the OIC supports all countries in the alliance.  “OIC chief pledges support for Iran, hails Tehran’s role in Islamic solidarity,” Press TV, 12-16-25.

“‘Nahariya get ready’: Banner displaying Hezbollah threat mounted in Tehran’s Palestine Square,” JPost, 12-16-25.

True, of a sort.  “Only Iran Can Disarm Hezbollah,” Chatham House, 12-15-25.

I think FP is hoping for, more than it has absolute belief in, this.  “Iran Has a New Moral Order,” FP, 12-15-25.

Kudos to Bolton, who is still an Iranian target.  “Iran and Its Terrorist Proxies Plot a Comeback,” WSJ, 12-15-25.

“Iranian Nobel laureate taken to hospital after ‘violent arrest’, family says,” BBC, 12-15-25.

“”Since the war, there is a huge rise in attempts by Iran to execute terror all over the world against Jews,” the official said. “Not only Australia.” The official said Israeli intelligence has identified or disrupted similar activity in Europe, Africa and Asia, including Germany, Austria and multiple locations beyond the Middle East, as well as alleged plots in South America, India and Thailand. “If you knew how many terror attacks the Mossad has prevented, you would drop your jaw,” the official told Fox News Digital.”  See “Intelligence warned Australia of Iranian-linked terror activity months before Bondi attack, officials say,” Fox, 12-15-25.

“Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to oversee preparations for restructuring Hezbollah’s internal leadership during an upcoming visit to Beirut.”  This is kind of like when the mafia sends a lieutenant to check on a regional hub and crack a few skulls to get the operation back on track.  But here its enhanced because the actual head of Hezbollah may be removed, a first by Iran.  They really don’t want to loose this proxy after losing Syria.  See “Report: Iran considers removing Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem,” I24, 12-14-25.

“Israel investigating whether Iran involved in deadly Bondi Beach shooting,” JPost, 12-14-25.

“Iran spares child bride from death penalty after she pays off family of dead abuser,” JPost, 12-13-25.

“US commandos raided ship headed to Iran from China with military-related items — report,” AFP, Times of Israel, 12-13-25.  “Intel showed components could be destined for missile program.”

“Switzerland restores sanctions on Iran,” Swiss Info, 12-13-25.

Another sign the Regime won’t change–they keep arresting opponents, including world famous persons.  “Iran arrests Nobel Prize-winning human rights activist Narges Mohammadi,” i24, 12-12-25.

“Behind the Seized Venezuelan Tanker, Cuba’s Secret Lifeline,” NYT, 12-12-25.  Why does the Times wait to run these stories?  You can’t lead from behind.  Let the world know these illegal activities so we understand beforehand why states like the U.S. could act.  Here’s part:  “The history of Skipper’s voyages points to a larger, looser network connecting the energy industries of Venezuela, Cuba, Iran and Russia, the four American adversaries that have been, to various degrees, shut out from the formal global oil market by Washington’s sanctions. Skipper’s crew of about 30 sailors was mostly Russian, a U.S. official said. Before shipping Venezuelan oil, Skipper spent four years as part of Iran’s covert fleet, transporting Iranian oil to Syria and China, according to data from Kpler, the shipping data firm, and a senior Iranian oil ministry official, who discussed sensitive issues on condition of anonymity.”

“U.S. Boarded Ship and Seized Cargo Heading to Iran From China,” NYT, 12-12-25.  As reported first by WSJ.  “A U.S. special operations team boarded a ship in the Indian Ocean last month [in November] and seized cargo headed to Iran from China, a U.S. official said, a rare operation at sea aimed at blocking Tehran from rebuilding its military arsenal. … The United States had been tracking the shipment as it made its way from China to Iran, the U.S. official said on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly, and the ship was sailing several hundred miles off the coast of Sri Lanka when U.S. special operations forces launched the operation. The commandos boarded the ship and confiscated its cargo before letting the vessel proceed. It was unclear what exactly the ship was carrying, but the cargo, the official said, consisted of dual-use components that could be used either for civilian applications or to make conventional weapons. … Iranian factories are working around the clock to replenish stockpiles of long-range missiles and drones that can be used to strike Israel. In the war this summer, Iran had sought to overwhelm Israel’s air defense network through sheer numbers, and will likely seek to import components to build as many new weapons as possible ahead of a renewed conflict.”

“Iran’s Khamenei suggests US moves on Venezuela aim at oil, land grab,” Iran International, 12-11-25.  The Ayatollah’s proposition—that the U.S. is out to steal Venezuela’s resources and land, is easily testable.  Intrepid reporters and observers can simply watch what happens.  My money’s on the U.S.—they don’t have a history of taking in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, etc., etc.

This story is a reminder that when you read about the U.S. v. Venezuela, you are actually reading U.S. v. Iran.  “Tanker Seized By US Off Venezuela Was Part Of Iranian Shadow Fleet,” RFE/RL, 12-11-25.

Probably in hiding in Lebanon with Hezbollah, facilitated by Iran.  “The Hunt for Assad’s Brutal Enforcer,” WSJ, 12-11-25.

“It is rare but not unprecedented for the U.S. to seize a ship in international waters. The Trump administration in 2020 seized four vessels allegedly loaded with Iranian fuel in violation of sanctions. A federal judge approved a warrant for at least one of those seizures, saying Justice Department prosecutors had provided enough evidence that the tanker and its fuel were assets of a designated terrorist organization. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that the tanker, the Skipper, had been sanctioned for carrying Iranian oil in the past and would be taken to a U.S. port. She said U.S. forces executed a warrant for the Skipper, and that investigators were interviewing its crew.”  See “Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Strikes at the Heart of Maduro’s Grip on Power,” WSJ, 12-11-25.

Iran is behind this cargo.  “US seizes Cuba-bound Venezuelan oil tanker, ramping up pressure on Maduro,” Politico, 12-10-25.

“Trump orders blockade of Venezuela, targeting sanctioned oil tankers,” Politico, 12-10-25.

Happy day in Tehran.  “First rain of autumn falls in Iran’s capital, but the drought-ravaged nation needs far more,” AP, 12-10-25.

What is a social media “Like”?  We have that question in the West also.  “Iran summons Jewish MP over constituents’ social media activity,” Iran International, 12-9-25.

“Russia dismisses recruitment flyers in Tehran as scam,” Iran International, 12-9-25.

“Iran, Egypt protest Seattle’s ‘Pride Match’ branding for 2026 World Cup game,” Iran International, 12-9-25.  FIFA doesn’t have to allow its events to become politicized.  Wish it was just futbol.

NCRI is good at highlighting these local or regional protest stories.  “Iran: Massive Protest by Thousands of South Pars Gas Workers in Asaluyeh Amidst Ongoing Protests Across Various Sectors,” NCRI, 12-9-25.

I agree with this story, that most likely the control of Syria by Iran is gone.  “The Unraveling of Iran’s Influence in Syria,” RFE/RL, OilPrice.com, 12-9-25.

“Iran accelerates missile rebuilding effort, IDF warns Knesset – Ynet,” Iran International, 12-9-25.

“Iran’s Currency Plunges to Historic Low,” Modern Diplomacy, 12-8-25.