Happy Quds Day, right?!  Fortunately, most persons in Iran do not celebrate this despite the Regime’s best efforts at promotion.  “Iran’s Khamenei says fight against Israel is a public duty,” Reuters, May 7, 2021.

“Jask oil terminal Iran’s gateway to export oil from Oman Sea,” Hellenic Shipping News, May 7, 2021.

Notice how to Iran the military and diplomacy are one.  “Yemeni Minister: Iran’s Quds Force Commander Is De Facto Ruler Of Houthi-Held Areas,” Saeed Al-Batati, Arab News, May 7, 2021.  Iran’s Quds Force commander, Hassan Erlo, is acting as de facto ruler of areas controlled by the Houthi militia, a senior Yemeni official has said. Erlo (Irlo) is Iran’s ambassador to Sana’a. Erlo’s movements are highlighted by the Houthis’ media outfit, which confirms that he is acting as a leader, Muammar Al-Eryani, Yemen’s minister of information, culture and tourism, said on Wednesday. Eryani was quoted by state news agency SABA as saying that the Quds Force commander’s actions show that the Houthi leadership takes political, military and administrative orders from the Tehran regime. Iran sends its orders through Erlo, the minister added. He claimed that this highlights Iran’s attempts to impose its control on Yemen as part of an “expansion project in the entire region,” adding that the Houthi militia is “a dirty tool to implement this aim.” Without tough punitive measures from the international community and military pressure on the ground, Iran-backed Houthis will not offer concessions and will continue rejecting initiatives to end the war, Yemen experts said.

“The report states that Iran creates state-controlled “neutral” companies to hide the true nature of the purchase from buyers and establishes “illegal procurement networks which belong to the front companies and middlemen.”

Iran also uses “detour deliveries over ‘third states’ in order not to identify the final buyer” and “the use and misuse of inexperienced freight deliverers and transporters,” the report added. Iran also breaks down the deliveries of illegal deliveries into several “individual non-suspicious deliveries to avoid exposing the entire business.”  The report also said that Iran “conceals the end user” and the “individual, company or institution with which the goods ultimately remain.” The report cited Iran 19 times in the 218-page report, covering security threats to the state’s democracy.

It also said that states such as Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Syria and Russia strive to acquire dual-use goods, items which have both civil and military use.”  See “German report reveals how Iran uses proliferation to smuggle illegal goods,” Arab News, May 7, 2021.

“Insignificance Of A Teacher’s Job In Iran (On Occasion Of International Teacher’s Day),” Cyrus Yaqubi, Eurasia Review, May 7, 2021.

“Kadhimi Orders Removing Billboards of Key Iranian Political Figures,” Asharq Al-Awsat, May 7, 2021

“US slams Iran-backed Yemen rebels for snubbing UN envoy,” Matthew Lee, AP, May 7, 2021.

“Israel ‘not a country, but a terrorist base’: Iran’s Khamenei,” AFP, The Australian, May 7, 2021.

“US weighs unfreezing $1 billion in Iranian funds,” Natasha Bertrand, CNN, May 7, 2021.  You can tell how this is written, and to CNN, that this appears to be a real source and not hearsay.  Let’s hope the channel to send the humanitarian aide through the Swiss channel does not involve using the Swiss official in Tehran who died under mysterious circumstances.

When you lose three years as a hostage, and see up close how Iran is an abusive nation-state, it leads you to speak out like no one else can.  “No Ransom Payment for Iran,” Wang Xiyue, op-ed, Newsweek, May 6, 2021.

Remember, Iran is the only country in the world regularly calling for the destruction of another country—annually at Quds Day, the last Friday of Ramadan.  “Iran Guards chief threatens to disrupt Israeli maritime trade operations,” Times of Israel, May 6, 2021.

“Danish high court upholds conviction of Norwegian man in Iran spy case,” Reuters, May 6, 2021.

I’d like to see the UN Secretary General call out Iran for a violation of the UN Charter for threatening another country.  “Top 10 ways Iran has claimed attack on Israel, MidEast region – IRGC,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 6, 2021.

“Baghdad residents celebrate removal of Iran’s Khomeini, Soleimani billboards,” Al Arabiya, May 6, 2021.

“US says Iran sanctions relief is possible,” Argus, May 6, 2021.

“Iranian press review: Scandal as budget for police and propaganda covertly boosted,” Middle East Eye, May 6, 2021.

“Turkey and Iran: Parallel Islam imperialist ambitions for the Middle East,” Jonathan Spyer, Jerusalem Post, May 6, 2021.

“U.S. official: Reviving Iran nuclear deal ‘absolutely’ possible by mid-June,” Darryl Coote, UPI, May 6, 2021.

Tehran prosecutor Ali Alqasi-Mehr accused Valiollah Seif, who led the central bank from 2013 to 2018, of “wasting” more than $30bn and 60 tonnes of gold reserves” Tasnim news agency reported. “Ex-boss of Iran central bank indicted over ‘wasting’ of funds,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, May 5, 2021.

Here is the next clue in this story. “Iranian emergency services spokesman Mojtaba Khaledi said the diplomat’s body was found by a gardener after an employee who arrived at her apartment early on Tuesday noticed she was missing, the news agency Fars reported. “This person was the first secretary of the Swiss embassy,” Khaledi told Mehr news agency. “The cause of her fall has yet to be determined,” he told Fars.” See “Senior Swiss diplomat in Iran found dead after fall from high-rise building,” Reuters,” May 5, 2021.

The rep for Carnegie Endowment for International Peace believes that a piece of paper binds action.  They need to judge on action, though, in the past and for today, let alone tomorrow.  “US, Iran signal possible breakthroughs in nuke talks,” Laura Kelly, The Hill, May 5, 2021.

“About these European reports. First, they were nowhere to be seen on the front pages of The New York Times or Washington Post, which cover the Iran nuclear talks closely.”  See “Iranian Compliance and the JCPOA Negotiations,” Blog Post by Elliott Abrams, Council on Foreign Affairs, May 5, 2021.

“Iraqi president: Talks between rivals Iran and Saudi ongoing,” Intelligencer, May 5, 2021.

“They give the name of the diplomat as Sylvie Brunner and say that a newspaper named Hamshahri has provided a different account. This account says a loud noise “like an explosion” was heard after midnight on Tuesday. This was eight hours before the body was discovered. “Hamshahri said a cleaner discovered the body and immediately informed the building’s management. It quoted an expert from the coroner’s office confirming death occurred eight hours before the body was discovered.”  See “Death of diplomat in Iran feeds gossip and conspiracies – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 5, 2021.

The first death from a high rise occurred in Romania almost a year ago.  So, now we have the second ranking Swiss diplomat dead from an 18 story fall in Tehran—this person helped take care of U.S. communication with the Regime.  Who else was in her apartment?  “A Swiss diplomat in Iran has died after mysteriously falling from a high-rise building, state media says,” Sinead Baker, Business Insider, May 4, 2021.  See also “Senior Swiss embassy official in Iran dies in high-rise fall,” Swiss Info, May 4, 2021.  See also “Fugitive Iranian Judge Dies After Fall From Hotel in Romania,” Farnaz Fassihi and Kit Gillet, New York Times, June 19, 2020.

“Flurry of diplomatic contacts fuel Iran deal speculation,” Matthew Lee, AP, May 4, 2021.

“Dozens of former UN officials call for inquiry into 1988 Iran massacre,” John Bowden, The Hill, May 4, 2021.

Through “gambling and drug smuggling operations through casinos in Vancouver.”  See “Canada Says Hizbullah, Iran Involved in Money Laundering,” Naharnet, May 4, 2021.

A chief enabler, with benefits for itself—China.  Remember this as the JCPOA is being debated and negotiated.  “China and Iran: A dangerous strategy for an unstable region,” Bob Feferman, op-ed, Jerusalem Post,” May 3 2021.

$1M for each of 57 ransoms.  Do we believe it?  “Iran’s Ahmadinejad: Former Qatar emir paid ransom for IRGC soldiers in Syria in 2012,” Middle East Memo, May 3, 2021.

“Mixed messages on Iran-US deals and ‘prisoners’ – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 3, 2021.

“Iran threatens to kill brother of executed Olympic wrestler,” Arab News, May 3, 2021.

International crime by the Regime.  “Iranian hackers release information of Israeli logistics company Veritas,” Jerusalem Post, May 3, 2021.

“Iran wants to use China to counter US – what are the implications?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 3, 2021.

“Report: Iran likely behind cyber attacks on Israeli supply chain companies,” JNS, May 3, 2021.  Most likely Natanz revenge attacks.

“Scottish election 2021: Iranian regime ‘peddling disinformation’ in attempt to swing Scottish election,” Beth Murray, The Scotsman, May 3, 2021.

This is what intelligence agencies from the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany say.  “Iran sought nuclear weapons, technology for WMDs last year, reports find,” Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, May 3, 2021.

Way to go Iraq!  “Iraq seeks $15 billion in gas investments to lower dependence on Iranian imports,” Dania Saadi, S&P Global, May 3, 2021.

October!  That is forever from now.  Mismanagement, corruption, and spending money on terrorism and missiles and the Arc.  “Iran to begin general people vaccination in October,” Mehr, May 3, 2021.

“Iran and Afghanistan inaugurate cross-border railway,” Times of Central Asia, May 3, 2021.

“Iran cyber misinformation campaign takes aim at Scottish independence,” Christopher Hamill-Stewart, Arab News, May 3, 2021.

Please, please, please.  Do not pay ranson for hostages, and do not exchange prisoners for hostage.  Simply tell Iran we’re not doing anything until they release U.S. hostages and forswear taking any others.  This is not rocket science.  The President, Secretary, NSA, and others need to do this to break the hostage cycle.  And if Iran won’t change, I’m reminded of the Barbary Pirates and the brave response by Dem. Pres. Thomas Jefferson.  “US denies Iran claims of prisoner deal; UK plays it down,” Jon Gambrell, Isabel Debre, and Matthew Lee, AP, May 2, 2021.

Follow the example of the 1975 Helsinki Accords, which required human rights observance and helped bring about the Soviet collapse.  “The U.S. Can Support Freedom’s Ferment in Iran,” Ray Takeyh, op-ed, Wall Street Journal, May 2, 2021.

“Alert: Iran state TV, quoting anonymous official, says deal made between US and Tehran for prisoner swap, release of $7 billion,” Ridgefield Press, May 2, 2021.

“US denies report of Iran prisoner swap deal, release of $7B in frozen funds,” Peter Aitken, Fox News, May 2, 2021.

“UK says Iran’s treatment of Zaghari-Ratcliffe is ‘torture’,” Arab News, May 2, 2021.

“[I]t was not in Moscow’s interests for Iran to normalize relations with the West.”  Another enabler.  See “Russia still steering Iran nuclear talks against US,” Eli Lake, op-ed, Bloomberg News May 2, 2021.

“Follow the example of the 1975 Helsinki Accords, which helped bring about the Soviet collapse.”  See “The U.S. Can Support Freedom’s Ferment in Iran,” Ray Takeyh, op-ed, Wall Street Journal, May 2, 2021.

“Huge blaze reported at Iranian chemical factory near Qom; cause unclear,” Times of Israel, May 2, 2021.

The 7th consignment of the Sputnik vaccine (100,000 doses) has arrived in Iran.  They are beholden.  “Iran receives 7th consignment of Russian ‘Sputnik V’ COVID-19 vaccine,” Azernews, May 1, 2021.

Two stories today out of western Iran.  What is the common denominator?  Government in/action.  In the first article, they didn’t say what the “obstacles” were—but we can guess!  “Officials urge completion of gigantic theme park in western Iran,” Tehran Times, May 1, 2021.

In the second article, the people are hurt twice, by takings, then shootings (!) and arrests.  “Security forces arrest locals following protest over government land grabs in western Iran,” Iran HRM, May 1, 2021.

“Before the mullahs took the power in Iran, bribery was considered a shameful and immoral act, and only a few were doing it in secrecy, and if one day their secret was revealed, they would be severely punished and could no longer continue their life as a normal person and were faced with the hatred of the people and became infamous. But now it has become part of a series of ordinary and extraordinarily ordinary acts. In this way, many officials have acquired great wealth for themselves and their children and live the rest of their lives with complete well-being and affluence.”  See “Bribery in Iran; From Fawn Sheep to Gold Coins,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, May 1, 2021.

“Dozens of labor activists arrested at May Day gatherings in Iran,” Iran Focus, May 1, 2021.

“Top Iran negotiator: US sanctions on oil, banks would be lifted based an accords so far,” Ahramonline, May 1, 2021.

Well put.  “Zarif’s Leaked Audio Confirm Iran Regime’s Terrorism and Diplomacy Go Hand In Hand,” Mohammad Sadat Khansari, NCRI, May 1, 2021.

The devil will be in the details.  “Iran and U.S. Inch Toward Nuclear Deal With Sanctions Consensus,” Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, May 1, 2021.

“For decades, Tehran has tried to stoke division between Arabs and Jews to divide the Islamic Republic’s adversaries and isolate Israel. Even as it funds terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, Tehran has attempted to perpetuate the myth that Israel — not the Islamic Republic of Iran — represents the true threat to regional security. Arab leaders have long known the truth privately, often because Tehran made them targets of its sabotage and subversion. But last year, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalized relations with Israel as part of the historic Abraham Accords, matching private understanding with public action. That has opened a flood of mutually beneficial opportunities for Israel and the United Arab Emirates. One of those is to build a more diplomatically unified and militarily capable coalition to oppose aggression from Tehran and its terror proxies.”  See “The Iniochos military exercise in Greece is bad news for Iran,” Bradley Bowman and Ryan Brobst, op-ed, Defense News, April 30, 2021.

“For decades, Tehran has tried to stoke division between Arabs and Jews to divide the Islamic Republic’s adversaries and isolate Israel. Even as it funds terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, Tehran has attempted to perpetuate the myth that Israel — not the Islamic Republic of Iran — represents the true threat to regional security. Arab leaders have long known the truth privately, often because Tehran made them targets of its sabotage and subversion. But last year, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalized relations with Israel as part of the historic Abraham Accords, matching private understanding with public action. That has opened a flood of mutually beneficial opportunities for Israel and the United Arab Emirates. One of those is to build a more diplomatically unified and militarily capable coalition to oppose aggression from Tehran and its terror proxies.”  See “The Iniochos military exercise in Greece is bad news for Iran,” Bradley Bowman and Ryan Brobst, op-ed, Defense News, April 30, 2021.

Rare sighting of Zarif in Kuwait.  “Iran’s main envoy meets with top Kuwait leaders,” Arab News, April 30, 2021.

But why wasn’t Zarif banned from travelling also?  “Iran bans 15 people from travelling over Zarif leak, official resigns,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, April 29, 2021.

So Iran’s president has replaced the head of a think tank that recorded an interview with the country’s foreign minister, but that is the interviewer.  Why not punish the person who talked and caused the problem?  “Shakeup in Iran’s presidential office after leaked tape,” AP, April 29, 2021.

Nukes, nukes, nukes.  We keep saying it.  “Sweden’s Security Service disclosed in its 2020 intelligence report that the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks Swedish technology for its nuclear weapons program, The Jerusalem Post can reveal. Iran, China and Russia are Sweden’s biggest security threats, according to the report. A damning section states that “Iran also conducts industrial espionage, which is mainly targeted against Swedish hi-tech industry and Swedish products, which can be used in nuclear weapons programs. Iran is investing heavy resources in this area and some of the resources are used in Sweden.” The revelations about Iran’s illicit nuclear weapons procurement activities in Sweden comes on the heels of a German intelligence document, which declared last week that Iran’s regime has not ceased its drive to obtain weapons of mass destruction during 2020.”  See “Iran seeks tech in Sweden for nuclear weapons – Swedish intel. Report,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, April 29, 2021.

“Iran forces religious minority to bury dead in mass grave for political prisoners,” Christopher Hamill-Stewart, Arab News, April 29, 2021.

“The reality for women in Iran goes far beyond the injustice done to Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe,” Kasia Delgado, April 29, 2021.

“Iran in talks with Chinese contractor over financing last stage of multi-billion-dollar highway,” Global Construction Review, April 29, 2021.

“The Quds Force, in cooperation with Iran’s formidable missile industry, appears intent on enabling all its main proxies [Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq] to be able to autonomously manufacture artillery rockets and precision-guided missiles.”  See “How Iran’s Militia Proxies Could Threaten Israel From These Four Countries,” Paul Iddon, Forbes, April 29, 2021.

“Is Disconcerting the right word?  “US Senate confirms Colin Kahl, a shaper of Iran deal, to senior defense post,” Ron Kampeas, Times of Israel, April 29, 2021.

“Sanction applied to the Islamic Republic of Iran Judo Federation, following the recommendations of the CAS Award,” International Judo Federation, April 29, 2021.

“Iranian press review: Ahmadinejad claims officials will escape to private island if public revolts,” MEE, April 29, 2021.

Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department special adviser on Iran, said, “The State Department still won’t say whether it voted for Iran, won’t criticize Iran’s accession to the commission, and hasn’t once condemned the regime’s treatment of women beyond language buried in the mandatory annual U.S. human rights report. “My fear is that the United States will continue to sell out the Iranian people so long as they are pursuing a nuclear deal with Iran.”  See “US Criticized for Response to Iran’s Election to UN Women’s Rights Commission,” Michael Lipin and Cindy Saine, April 29, 2021.

Not really that helpful of an article because it only describes initial, perhaps only surface-level cooperation.  It does not hint at the underlying real problems of the region or of Iran’s decision-making.  “Adding an Ishmael Track to the Abraham Accords: How to pursue détente between Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE,” Kirsten Fontenrose, Atlantic Council, April 29, 2021.

“Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy crossing the bow of the Coast Guard boat Monomoy in international waters of the southern Arabian Gulf.”  See “Coast Guard encounter with Iranian crew,” U.S. Navy, Cape Cod Times, April 29, 2021.

Even if joking, a reflection of how the Regime does business.  “Zarif was heard in leaked audiotape praising the original nuclear deal as a major win for Tehran as the country was previously reeling under harsh economic sanctions by the US.”  See “Iran’s Javad Zarif joked about kidnapping Obama’s daughter to ensure he signed nuke deal, leaked tapes reveal,” Kunal Deyn, MEAWW, April 29, 2021.

“After revival, Iran’s great salt lake faces new peril,” Richard Stone, Science, April 29, 2021.

Yes.  “Rejoining the Iran deal could undo years of progress in the Middle East.”  And hurts the movement forward of the Abraham Accords, which provide peace and prosperity.  This article is by Senator Graham and Moran Ortagus, a former spokesperson for the State Department.  See “Biden’s $90 Billion Bailout to Tehran,” Lindsey Graham and Morgan Ortagus, Foreign Policy, April 28, 2021.

Remember, Pres. Biden is allowing this without receiving any hostages.  “US eyes major rollback in Iran sanctions to revive nuke deal,” Matthew Lee, AP, April 28, 2021.

The comments by Zarif force us to consider who things.  First, who do we believe, Zarif or Kerry?  Second, is Zarif in danger from the IRGC, say maybe house arrest?  See “Top Iran diplomat offers regret over leak of frank comments,” Amir Vahdat, April 28, 2021.

This is what Kerry was telling Iran about during the Trump Administration—Just hang on.  “US eyes major rollback in Iran sanctions to revive nuke deal,” Matthew Lee, AP, April 28, 2021.  “American officials have refused to discuss which sanctions are being considered for removal. But they have stressed that they are open to lifting non-nuclear sanctions, such as those tied to terrorism, missile development and human rights, in addition to those related to the nuclear program.”  Nor will they really push to get the U.S. hostages released.  Shameful.

This article begs the question that Zarif (diplomat) is not the right person with whom to negotiate.  It is instead the head of the IRGC (military), which controls foreign policy as Zarif himself said.  “Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif’s leaked tape,” Michael Segal, JNS, April 28, 2021.

“At the talks with Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam, Mohammad Javad Zarif “once again stressed our country’s view regarding the political solution being the only solution to the crisis of Yemen,” the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.”  Huh?  Zarif just very publicly said that the Quds Force makes foreign policy, and through force.  “Iran’s Zarif holds talks with Houthi leader in Oman,” Arab News, April 28, 2021.

“Cyber directorate warns of anticipated attacks to mark Iran’s ‘Jerusalem Day’,” Times of Israel, April 28, 2021.

“… according to current and former U.S. officials and others familiar with the matter.”  See “US eyes major rollback in Iran sanctions to revive nuke deal,” Matthew Lee, April 28, 2021.