“Dissidents hack Iran state TV, broadcast call for Khamenei’s death,” AP, January 27, 2022.

Incentive from FIFA works.  “Some women allowed into stadium as Iran secures World Cup spot,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, January 27, 2022.

“Though vulnerable, Tehran is the ideal Middle East partner in an alliance to destroy the U.S.-led order.”  See “Why Russia and China Build Up Iran,” Bryan Clark and Michael Doran, op-ed, WSJ, January 27, 2022.

“Full Iran-Turkey gas flow to resume in 10-15 days, Erdoğan says,” Daily Sabah, January 27, 2022.

“Qatar’s top envoy visits Iran as Tehran and Washington consider direct nuclear talks,” Parisa Hafezi and Andrew Mills, Reuters, January 27, 2022.

“Israeli researchers: Iran nuclear breakout could occur ‘within a space of weeks,’ regional cooperation necessary,” Israel Kasnett, JNS, January 27, 2022.

Shamkhani was the trial balloon for the Supreme Leader, and his comment that direct talks with the U.S. might be possible were derided by the hardliners.  “Top Iran security official retracts comments on talks with US,” Al Monitor, January 27, 2022.

“‘I got 12 years and 74 lashes’: Confess, the band jailed for playing metal in Iran,” Matt Mills, Guardian, January 26, 2022.

“Iran pushes to increase ballistic-missile range to cover Europe,” Michael Segall, JNS, January 26, 2022.

“Under Raisi, Iran’s Ongoing Persecution of the Baha’i Community Intensifies,” Iran Press Watch, January 26, 2022.

“Analysis: Lebanon slips further into Iran’s orbit as Hariri bows out,” Tom Perry and Laila Bassam, op-ed, Reuters, January 26, 2022.

“Iran president says nuke deal possible if sanctions lifted,” AP, Ynet, January 25, 2022.

“Ukraine Crisis Could Have an Unexpected Winner: Iran.” James Dorsey, Algemeiner, January 25, 2022.

“French Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Iran Prison for Spying,” Reuters, January 25, 2022.

We quickly see Iran’s response to yesterday’s news from the U.S., that hostages (human pawns) must be released.  Iran says No.  “Iran Rules Out U.S. Prisoner Release as Nuclear Talks Precondition,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, January 24, 2022.

Very unlikely based on the Regime’s track record on these types of questions.  “Iran Will Consider Direct Nuclear Talks With U.S. For ‘Good Agreement,’ Hints At Prisoner Swap,” RFE/RL, January 24, 2022.

“In Iran, women do not choose to wear the hijab, it is enforced. In fact, recent polling revealed that 72 percent of people in Iran oppose the compulsory hijab.”  See “#LetUsTalk: Stop Silencing Iranian Women,” Kasra Aarabi, op-ed, Newsweek, January 24, 2022.

“UAE intercepts 2 ballistic missiles over Abu Dhabi fired by Iran-backed Houthis,” Times of Israel, January 24, 2022.

“Iran can achieve nuclear capability within weeks, INSS annual report says,” Itamar Eichner, Ynet, January 24, 2022.

“Taking up Tehran’s offer, US says ‘prepared to meet directly’ with Iran,” Times of Israel, January 24, 2022.

Quote of the Day.  “The policy of cooperation with the East and comprehensive development with China and Russia has astonished and inactivated Western enemies and regional rivals,” Major General Rahim Safavi told the National Conference on Iran and Neighbors.”  See “Leader advisor: A new era has begun in Iran’s foreign policy,” Tehran Times, January 24, 2022.

So, Iran feels confident enough to shoot more ballistic missiles at SA and UAE, and Iran is not getting a red light from Russia or China.  “Houthi missiles target Saudi Arabia and UAE as escalation grows,” Al Jazeera, January 24, 2022.

This is such a bad idea, to fund Iran’s due in exchange for Iran’s pressure on SK.  It is also a bad idea to reward Iran by allowing it to vote again at the UN.  Iran wants the peer attention in NYCity, but SK and the U.S. have just empowered Iran’s presence there instead of forcing Iran to decide how to spend its own money and pay its bills.  See “S.Korea says Iran to regain UN vote after delinquent dues paid with frozen funds,” Reuters, Japan News, January 23, 2022.

This is exactly the right statement by the U.S. official.  The world must demand that hostages not be taken, they become pawns.  Iran has done this since 1979….  “Exclusive-Iran Nuclear Agreement Unlikely Without Release of U.S. Prisoners -Malley,” Reuters, January 23, 2022.

Stopped by the U.S.S. Cole no less.  “US Navy seizes 40 tons of key bomb ingredient on suspected Iranian boat heading for rebels in Yemen,” Luke Ridley, GB, January 23, 2022.

In addition to the 25-year agreement with China, now Iran is agreeing to a 20-year formal relationship with Russia.  A new type of Axis.  “MP: Iran, Russia agreed on frameworks of 20-year cooperation document,” Tehran Times, January 23, 2022.

As we’ve shown multiple times with posts from a variety of sources, these government numbers are regularly underreported.  “Iran reveals COVID-19 data for January 23,” Azer News, January 23, 2022.

Drug connection between Iran and Yemen on display.  “UK Royal Navy seizes more than $20 million worth of drugs in Gulf of Oman,” Duarte Mendonca, CNN, January 23, 2022.

“With chants against US and Saudis, Gaza terror group stages massive pro-Iran rally,” Times of Israel, January 23, 2022.

“US detains ship loaded with bomb-making compound heading from Iran to Yemen,” Isabel Debre, Times of Israel, January 23, 2022.

“Iran rights defender sentenced to 8 years jail, flogging:  husband,” Times of India, AFP, January 23, 2022.

“US Advocacy Group Exposes Two More Tankers Transferring Iran’s Oil,” Iran International, January 23, 2022.

“Iran: The Killing Field for Athletes and National Heroes,” Farid Mahoutchi, NCRI, January 23, 2022.

“Why we should worry about Iran’s ties to China,” Majid Rafizadeh, Arab News, January 23, 2022.

“Venezuela doubles oil output despite US bans thanks to Iran’s help,” Press TV, January 22, 2022.

“Iran Releases Statement on Dissociation from UN Holocaust Resolution,” Tasnim, January, 22, 2022.

“Russia proposed interim nuclear deal to Iran, with U.S. knowledge, sources say,” NBC, Carol Lee, Courtney Kube, and Dan De Luce, January 21, 2022.

“Hezbollah faces rising dissent, efforts to end Iran’s ‘occupation’ of Lebanon,” Dalal Saoud, UPI, January 21, 2022.

“Despite Mass Slaughter of Muslims, Iran Arming Military Regime in Myanmar: Report,” Algemeiner, January 21, 2022.

“Iran’s Environmental Degradation,” Khalil Khani, op-ed, Eurasia Review, January 21, 2022.

“Iran drives antisemitism in the Muslim world – analysis,” Ksenia Svetlova, Jerusalem Post, Media Line, January 21, 2022.

An excellent article, and one which explains again why the JCPOA was a bad idea.  And the first piece I’ve ever seen that argues (really funny if it weren’t such a serious topic)—“Iran’s clerical leadership was ahead of Greta Thunberg in appreciating the dangers of climate change.”  See “Iran’s regime is the source of the Israel-Iran conflict,” Mark Regev, op-ed, Jerusalem Post, January 20, 2022.

Moral of the story—only fly Turkish or Emirates or any other external/foreign airline to Iran.  Don’t fly anything based in the country.  “Just cause for fear of flying in Iran,” Kourosh Ziabari, Asia Times, January 20, 2022.

“It is not just in Israel’s interest. It is in the interest of all relevant players in the Middle East that are threatened by Iran and the international community’s interests, especially the US, Russia and Europe.”  See “Why Israel is waging a shadow war with Iran’s IRGC in Syria,” Oubai Shahbandar, Arab News, January 20, 2022.

“With help from Iran, Venezuela doubles oil production despite U.S. sanctions,” Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, January 20, 2022.

“In Rare Move, China Discloses Oil Imports From Iran,” Torkel Nyberg, OilPrice.com, January 20, 2022.

“Under Ebrahim Raisi, Iran and Turkey may be entering a new phase of bilateral ties,” Hossein Aghaie Joobani, Atlantic Council, January 20, 2022.

“US mulling re-designating Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis as terrorist group – Biden,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, January 20, 2022.

“Kremlin offers no comment on possible loan to Iran for purchase of Russian weapons,” TASS, January 20, 2022.

“Iran Alone Among 193 UN Members To Oppose Holocaust Resolution,” Iran International, January 20, 2022.

“Iran, Russia, China To Hold Joint Naval Drill Amid Growing Ties,” RFE/RL, January 20, 2022.

“Interview: Iran, China “facing a new horizon of cooperation,” says Iran’s FM spokesman,” Xinhua, January 20, 2022.

Blackmail, pure and simple.  “This is the key point for Iran. It wants to remake the region and show that any country can be targeted with Iranian-backed weapons or Iranian proxies in Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. The attack on Abu Dhabi was a message to the region and the US, as well as the UAE.”  See “Iran reveals key details of Yemen Houthi attack on UAE – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, January 19, 2022.

“Tunnel complex at Natanz nuclear facility in Iran ‘deeper than expected’,” JNS, January 19, 2022.

“US Sanctions 3 Men For Financial Fraud To Help Iran-Backed Hezbollah,” Iran International, January 19, 2022.

“China, Russia, Iran to hold joint maritime exercise: report,” Leng Shumei, Global Times, January 19, 2022.

“Iran’s Revolution Is Eating Its Own,” Ray Takeyh, FP, January 19, 2022.

Does Russia favor Iran or Israel?  “In Moscow, Putin and Raisi hail ties during decisive moment for Iran nuclear deal,” AFP, January 19, 2022.

Excellent reminders about how Iran was acting irresponsibly During the JCPOA, and how it acted irresponsibly after the U.S. under Trump called them out, and how Iran controls how it acts in violation of the JCPOA now—this is not Donald Trump causing Iran to rain down missiles and drones and spin centrifuges.  “Trump isn’t responsible for Iran’s aggressive behavior,” Bobby Ghosh, op-ed, Seattle Times, January 19, 2022.

“Iran tries Arab dissident for terrorism,” Al Monitor, January 18, 2022.

“The U.S. bans the sale of goods and services to certain Iranian government agencies, including the Central Bank, on the grounds that they act for or on behalf of terrorist organizations.”  See “U.S. Citizen Arrested For Trying To Sell Technology To Iran’s Central Bank,” RFE/RL, January 18, 2022.

“Khamenei Advisor Says Iran Is A World Power Equal To Russia, China,” Maryam Sinaee, Iran International, January 18, 2022.

Great point by U.S. vets—pay them first for $60 billion of outstanding terrorism judgments against Iran before providing one cent of sanctions relief to Iran.  See “US Military Victims of Iranian Attacks Ask Biden for Frozen Funds,” Carla Babb, VOA, January 18, 2022.