“Iran wrestling chief, US green card holder, calls for a violent ‘Death to America’,” Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, January 6, 2022.

“Iran’s wrestling president says ‘Death to America’ before US match,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, January 6, 2022.

“Nuclear talks in Vienna onward, positive: Iran’s top negotiator,” Xinhua, January 6, 2022.

“Biden’s Moment of Truth in Iran,” Mark Dubowitz and Matthew Kroenig, op-ed, Wall Street Journal, January 6, 2022.

Ukraine and a trio of other affected countries [Britain, Canada, and Sweden] on January 6 announced their abandonment of a two-year effort to negotiate with Tehran over reparations for a passenger airliner mistakenly shot down by Iran’s military in January 2020.  See “Ukraine, U.K., Canada, Sweden Announce New Tack On Reparations Over Airliner Downed By Iran,” RFE/RL, January 6, 2020.

“Chinese Company Found to be Selling Video Surveillance Systems to Iran; Product Line Includes “Ethnicity Tracking,” Accessories for Torture Chairs,” Scott Ikeda, CPO Magazine, January 6, 2022.

Interesting piece demonstrating that Iran was the impetus for creating SOCOM’s creation.  “A 1980s showdown with Iran was US Special Operations Command’s first test in combat,” Stavros Atlamazoglou, Business Insider, January 5, 2022.

The 127 were not named.  “Iran says it seeks to prosecute 127 people abroad over Soleimani killing,” Times of Israel, January 5, 2022.

“Iraqi and Syrian bases holding US troops attacked, but no American forces were killed,” Barbara Starr and Devan Cole, CNN, January 5, 2022.

This article highlights the hypocrisy central to the Regime’s staying in power.  “Father And Daughter: Controversy On Soleimani’s Death Anniversary,” Iran International, January 5, 2022.

“Iran: COVID-19 Death Toll Exceeds 495,300,” NCRI, January 5, 2022.

“CSW welcomes the news that Pastor Matthias Haghnejad and the Christians sentenced alongside him have been able to return home after spending nearly three years in prison,” CSW’s President and Founder Mervyn Thomas said. “However, they are still facing unfounded and excessive charges simply for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief. They have committed no crimes, and we continue to call for their exoneration and to urge the Iranian authorities to end use of national security-related charges against members of the Christian community who are peaceably exercising practicing their faith,” Thomas concluded.  See “Nine Iranian Christians released from jail,” Ben Zion Gad, Jerusalem Post, January 5, 2022.

Excellent and detailed article about this next year’s Regime spending—military trumps health, etc.  “The Revealing Truth About How Iran Spends Its Money,” Mohammed Al-Sulami, op-ed, Arab News, January 4, 2022.

“Kurds arrested, executed in Iran’s Kurdish areas in December,” Rudaw, January 4, 2022.

“Lapid feuds on Twitter with Iran FM who said Israel ‘has no place in world’s future’,” Times of Israel, January 4, 2022.

A busy news day with multiple entries in this blog.  “Yemen rebels seize UAE ship; hackers hit Israeli newspaper,” Jon Gambrell, AP, January 3, 2022.

King Salman said, in his annual speech to the Shura Council, that “Tehran must warm up to its neighbours, end its support to terror groups.”  See “Iran urged to change ‘negative behaviour’,” Gulf News, January 3, 2022.

“Two years after Suleimani’s death, Iran fails to learn its lessons,” Editorial Opinion, The National, January 3, 2022.

The Regime can learn from its own statements against the Taliban.  “Iran refuses to recognize Taliban government until it is inclusive,” Times of India, January 3, 2022.

A Canadian court has awarded C$107m (£62m; $84m), plus interest, to the families of only six of the 176 people who died when their Ukraine Airlines flight was shot down by two missiles of the IRGC near Tehran in 2020.  The 176 included 55 Canadians and 35 permanent residents of Canada, and the relatives had filed a civil suit against Iran and several of its officials.   See “Canadian families win compensation over jet downed by Iran,” BBC, January 3, 2022.

“Attacks on U.S. Allies Raise Tensions on Anniversary of Killing of Iran’s Soleimani,” Jared Malsin, Wall Street Journal, January 3, 2022.

It wasn’t too many years ago that these types of public pronouncements would never have been made.  Now Iran is bold enough to allow them.  “Iran Funded Hamas Missiles With $70 Million, Haniyeh Says,” Iran International, January 3, 2022.

“Writer in Coma, Another Political Prisoner Dead after Unjust Imprisonment in Iran,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, January 3, 2022.

“Iran vows revenge for Soleimani killing if Trump, Pompeo not put on trial,” Reuters, January 3, 2022.  And Iran’s President Raisi said not only a trial but execution, so it doesn’t sound like a fair trial–par for the course for the prosecutor with the 1980s death panel.

“Iran, Hezbollah Bolster Presence, Weapon Shipments Near Damascus, Syrian War Monitor Says,” Haaertz, January 2, 2022.  “Hezbollah are turning an old military base south of Damascus into a drone training and operations center to protect from Israeli strikes, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.”

He will probably never see his wife and family again.  “Decorated Iranian powerlifter Amir Assadollahzadeh is seeking asylum in Norway since his November defection in order to avoid execution or torture in Iran for his refusal to sport a t-shirt of the late US and EU-designated terrorist Qasem Soleimani.”  See “Iran powerlifter defects to avoid wearing T-shirt of terrorist Soleimani,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, January 2, 2022.

Leave it to the Regime to flip the meaning of “terror” on its head—“Ahead of the second anniversary of the killing of General Qasem Soleimani, Iran has urged the United Nations to issue a resolution condemning the slaying of the country’s top anti-terror commander, reported PressTV.”  See “Iran Calls On UN To Issue Resolution Condemning Slaying Of General Qasem Soleimani,” Apoorva Kaul, Republic World, January 2, 2022.

As an example of posting on this blog opinions that differ from mine and my several years of observations regarding the Regime.  “The Case for Optimism on Iran in 2022 and Beyond,” Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, op-ed, Bourse & Bazaar, January 2, 2022.

But this story doesn’t mean Iran’s policies will change, it is instead pressure on the president to “fix it.”  See “Top Ayatollahs Tell President Iran Should End Isolation, Economic Crisis,” Iran International, January 2, 2021.

“Thousands rally in Iraq to mark 2020 killing of Iran general,” AFP, Jordan Times, January 2, 2022.

“Iran regime faces a difficult year,” Majid Rafizadeh, op-ed, Arab News, January 2, 2022.

“Jailed Iranian writer’s health deteriorates due to denial of medical care,” Iran HRM, January 2, 2022.

“Iran to add 10GW to renewable energy capacity,” Modern Diplomacy, January 2, 2022.

Bandar Abbas is Iran’s main naval port—that is why China wants to be there.  “New Chinese Consulate Looks To Expand Foothold In Iran’s South,” Maryam Sinaee, Iran International, January 1, 2022.

He didn’t talk about the large number of fatalities in Iran.  “Enemies of Iran Succumbing to Coronavirus: IRGC Chief,” Tasnim, January 1, 2022.

“New Sinkhole Appears In Tehran As Sign Of Wider Crisis,” Iran International, January 1, 2022.

“With Iran in mind, Israel signs deal with US for heavy choppers, refueling planes,” Judah Ari Gross, Times of Israel, December 31, 2021.

“Iran space launch fails to put payloads into orbit: Official,” Al Jazeera, December 31, 2021.

“Iran Sends Rocket Into Space Amid Faltering Nuclear Talks,” Sune Engel Rasmussen and Aresu Eqbali, Wall Street Journal, December 30, 2021.  “Iran launched a rocket into space carrying what officials on Thursday said were three research devices, drawing attention to Tehran’s missile ambitions amid faltering international negotiations over its nuclear program. The rocket, called the Simorgh, is designed to carry satellites; it was sent up about 290 miles, which an Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman told state television was a record for this type of rocket. The ministry didn’t say when the launch was conducted or whether it had succeeded in putting the devices into orbit. It didn’t give any details about the devices. Iran has tested the Simorgh rocket at least five times previously. Most of the tests failed. Satellite carrier rockets aren’t part of Iran’s ballistic-missile program, but U.S. intelligence officials have said that many of the components in rockets such as the Simorgh can be repurposed for long-range ballistic missiles. Iran says its rocket tests are for civilian purposes and aren’t linked to its military ambitions. The announcement followed a test last week of 16 short- to medium-range ballistic missiles during a military drill in southern Iran. It also comes as Iranian and Western diplomats are huddled in difficult talks over Iran’s nuclear program in Vienna. Negotiators are expected to reconvene on Monday after breaking for New Year. The U.S. left the deal in 2018 and imposed strict economic sanctions that have battered Iran’s economy. In response, Tehran has violated most of the key tenets in the agreement, reducing the time it would need to produce enough nuclear fuel for one weapon to as little as a month. It has increased uranium enrichment from the 3.67% level allowed under the agreement to 60%, a short technical step from 90% weapons grade, and curtailed access for international nuclear inspectors. The Vienna talks, aimed at finding a path back to compliance with the deal for Iran in return for sanctions relief, have made little progress since resuming in November. Diplomats have repeatedly warned that as Iran continues to progress on its nuclear enrichment, time is running out to restore the deal in a way that meaningfully curbs the time Tehran would need to produce a bomb, a central goal of the original deal. Iran insists that it doesn’t seek nuclear weapons. Diplomats now doubt a deal can be reached within the timeline of a few weeks set by Washington and the Europeans.”

I only post this because he is a former Iranian official who is now an apologist at Princeton.  They need to release him from his position.  “Iran wants a sustainable nuclear deal. Only the lifting of US sanctions can achieve this,” Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Middle East Eye, December 29, 2021.

At least 450 honor killings ar annually known in Iran.  “Victims of honor killings found in southeastern Iran,” NCRI Women, December 29, 2021.

“Iran: President Raisi To Visit Russia,” Tasnim, December 29, 2021.

“Russia to sell dozens of Su-35 to Iran: report,” Mehr, December 28, 2021.  “The website “19fortyfive” has cited an earlier report by another website the “aviacionline” as saying that Iran and Russia will sign a 20-year, $10 billion security and defense cooperation agreement in January 2022, which would include the purchase of Su-35 fighters, S-400 missiles and a satellite. According to information gathered a defense analyst, the agreement will include the purchase of at least 24 Sukhoi Su-35SE heavy fighters.”

$251 million is a lot of tea.  “Iran accepts tea in payment for Sri Lankan oil debt,” Agence France-Presse, December 28, 2021.