Three hours!  As close as 10 feet!  Sink one ship to stop these dangerous acts.  No other country in the world is doing this.  Oh wait, there’s Russia.  And China.  Enablers.  “Iran, U.S. warships in first tense Mideast encounter in a year,” AP, April 27, 2021.  “Footage released by the Navy showed a ship commanded by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard cut in front of the USCGC Monomoy, causing the Coast Guard vessel to come to an abrupt stop with its engine smoking on April 2. The Guard also did the same with another Coast Guard vessel, the USCGC Wrangell, said Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet. Such close passes risk the ships colliding at sea.  … “The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio, five short blasts from the ships’ horns, and while the [Iranian] Harth 55 responded to the bridge-to-bridge radio queries, they continued the unsafe maneuvers,” Rebarich said. “After approximately three hour of the U.S. issuing warning and conducting defensive maneuvers, the [Iranian] vessels maneuvered away from the U.S. ships and opened distance between them.” The Wall Street Journal first reported on the incident, which involved the Iranian Harth support ship and three Iranian fast-attack craft. The Coast Guard units operate out of Bahrain as part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, its biggest unit overseas. … The incidents at sea almost always involve the Revolutionary Guard, which reports only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Typically, they involve Iranian speedboats armed with deck-mounted machine guns and rocket launchers test-firing weapons or shadowing American aircraft carriers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 percent of all oil passes.”

“German intelligence: Iran working to expand, upgrade its WMD arsenal,” Neta Bar, Israel Hayom, April 27, 2021.

Uh oh.  This is a big deal if true.  “Russian Fleet Protects Iranian Ships Smuggling Arms, Israelis Say,” Arie Egozi, Breaking Defense, April 27, 2021.

This is good news only if it is apples for apples.  The problem for Iran is that hostages are not the same as prisoners.  “Tehran says Iran and U.S. inspecting ways to swap prisoners,” Tehran Times, April 27, 2021.

“A remotely piloted boat packed with explosives targeted the Saudi port of Yanbu in the Red Sea on Tuesday, the kingdom said, with the blast sending black smoke into the sky off the coast.  …  Saudi Arabia claimed to have intercepted and destroyed the attack boat.”  See “Explosive-laden ‘drone’ boat targets Saudi port of Yanbu,” AP, April 27, 2021.

Is Iran the only country in the world using cryptocurrency like this?  Funny money.  “Iran’s central bank says officially mined crypto can be used to pay for imports,” Coin Telegraph, April 27, 2021.

Yesterday Iran recorded its highest single-day death toll from the pandemic.  And some officials have admitted actual virus numbers are higher than official.  The Health Ministry said 496 died April 26.  “Iran Hits Record COVID-19 Deaths As Officials Warn Of Worse To Come,” RFE/RL, April 27, 2021.

“Iran: Dreadful Human Rights Violations By Regime,” Cyrus Yaqubi, op-ed, Eurasia Review, April 27, 2021.

“US Navy fires warning shots in new tense encounter with Iran,” Jon Gambrell, Yahoo, April 27, 2021.  This appears to be the second encounter, the one at night.  “An American warship fired warning shots when vessels of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard came too close to a patrol in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. Navy said Wednesday. The Navy released black-and-white footage of the encounter Monday night in international waters of the northern reaches of the Persian Gulf. In it, lights can be seen in the distance and what appears to be a single gunshot can be heard, with a tracer round racing across the top of the water. Iran did not immediately acknowledge the incident. The Navy said the USS Firebolt fired the warning shots after three fast-attack Guard vessels came within 68 yards (62 meters) of it and the U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Baranoff. “The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio and loud-hailer devices, but the (Guard) vessels continued their close range maneuvers,” said Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the Mideast-based 5th Fleet. “The crew of Firebolt then fired warning shots, and the (Guard) vessels moved away to a safe distance from the U.S. vessels.””

“How Iran Used An International Playboy To Launder Oil Money,” OCCRP, April 27, 2021.

With friends like these ….  John Kerry has often, and rightfully, been accused of not knowing where the line is between enemy and friend.  His whole life seems to be full of these examples, including during the JCPOA negotiations, and then communications with Iran during the Trump Administration.  And because today’s news is straight from FM Zarif’s mouth, let’s see if the NYT runs with it.  “Iran’s foreign minister says John Kerry told him about Israeli covert operations in Syria,” Evie Fordham, Fox News, April 26, 2021.

“Iran has missile with 5,000 km range, Israel’s ambassador to U.N. tells Security Council,” Dan Arkin, Israel Defense, April 26, 2021.

No evidence, No problem.  British female hostage given another year as a hostage pawn.  Sickening for her, her family, and for the lack of outcry from the U.S. and the international community against the Regime’s actions.  “Iran sentences British-Iranian aid worker to one year in jail, lawyer says,” Reuters, April 26, 2021.

“Iran, Syria deny drone attack on Iranian tanker, citing accident,” Middle East Monitor, April 26, 2021.

Good for Uganda, to have the guts to identify and kick out a Quds Force member. “Uganda Deports Iranian Intelligence Officer,” Giles Muhame, Chimp Reports, April 26, 2021.

Catching a flight from Tehran and Kish Island to fly on the world’s oldest passenger 747 is not alluring, or safe.  Wonder if the Regime would repurpose it to fly arms and men to Syria?  “Mahan Air’s 35 Year Old Boeing 747-300 Flies Again After 5 Years,” Linnea Ahlgren, Simple Flying, April 26, 2021.

Read this interview of Faisal Devji.  Most academics prefer liberal values over authoritarian.  A few side with the later, even if in Oxford instead of in Russia or China.  I wonder if Devji has always had this position?   “Oxford professor says Israel’s adventures against Iran ended up strengthening its enemies,” Mohammad Sarraf, Tehran Times, April 26, 2021.

What we’ve been saying all along, and FM Zarif admits it—foreign policy was set by Quds Force head Qassim Suleimani.  “Iran’s Foreign Minister, in Leaked Tape, Says Revolutionary Guards Set Policies,” Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, April 25, 2021.

“Syrian war monitor claims 3 killed as Iran oil tanker struck by drone,” Times of Israel, April 25, 2021.

“Oil Tanker off Syria coast on fire; Govt says drone attack,” AP, April 24, 2021.

The supposed motive.  “The reason? To subvert an inevitable US military counterstrike against Iran by the creation of a spontaneous “human shield” made up of dozens of foreign government officials who all started flying into Iran five hours after the initial IRGC short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) attack on US and Canadian forces in Iraq.”  See “Evidence Suggests Iran Shot Down Ukrainian Plane ‘Intentionally’,” Asharq Al-Awsat, April 24, 2021.

A threat against all Israeli embassies and businesses around the world.  “The new deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force said Thursday that Iranian-supported “resistance forces” are stationed in the proximity of Israel’s bases throughout the world, according to Iranian state media. Tasnim News Agency, linked to the IRGC, quoted Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Fallahzadeh as warning the “usurping Zionist regime” that the resistance groups are close to its bases all over the globe. The resistance forces are pushing the Israeli regime closer to downfall in every moment, the commander added. Ayatollah Khamenei appointed Brigadier General Fallahzadeh as the new deputy commander of the IRGC Quds Force after his predecessor Brigadier General Seyed Mohammad Hossein Hejazi passed away on Sunday. Fars quoted Fallahzadeh as saying that, “The occupier Zionist regime should know that the resistance groups are stationed all over the planet next to their bases and are bringing them closer to collapse at any moment,” adding, “In line with the words made by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Zionist regime will not see the next 25 years, and now a few years have passed since he made these remarks.”  See “Iran: New Qods Deputy Commander Says ‘Resistance Forces’ Deployed Near Israeli Bases,” Eurasia Review, April 23, 2021.

“How Secure Is The Iranian Regime?,”  Neville Teller, op-ed, Eurasia Review, April 23, 2021.

“How Can Workers in Iran Live With a Monthly Salary of $160?,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, April 23, 2021.

We don’t know much, other than this common sentence is being administered again.  “Two Iranians Handed Death Sentences For ‘Insulting Prophet’,” RFE/RL, April 23, 2021.

“A deadly fight 33 years ago shows just how destructive a war between the US and Iran could get,” Benjamin Brimelow, Business Insider, April 23, 2021.

I sometimes am asked, do you trust media out of Israel, speaking about Iran?  Why not use Iranian media as your source?  This article is a good example of this.  When you read open sources, including media broadly (including from many countries), and you look at non-profit sites, and you look at government sites, and you talk to individuals, you have a good idea of what is going on.  And you learn more over several years which sources to trust.  So, on to the news.  “Women’s rights are severely restricted in Iran, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported, saying that they face  “serious discrimination” on a variety of issues including marriage, divorce and child custody. Women have been jailed for speaking out in favor of women’s rights, HRW reported. Domestic violence, marital rape, early and forced marriage are all offenses that Iranian authorities have failed to criminalize, according to Amnesty International. These offenses and other gender-based violence against women remain widespread in the country, according to Amnesty International. Authorities have also failed to take steps against men who kill their wives or daughters and the legal age for marriage is 13, although men can obtain permission to marry their daughters and granddaughters earlier, said Amnesty International. “Electing the Islamic Republic of Iran to protect women’s rights is like making an arsonist into the town fire chief,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch. “It’s absurd — and morally reprehensible.””  See “Iran, oppressor of rights, elected to UN Commission on Status of Women,” Eve Young, Jerusalem Post, April 22, 2021.

Exactly what my op-eds on the JCPOA said.  After just a few years, the 2015 JCPOA would allow Iran free reign to go nuclear.  So this turns into the Quote of the Day, from the NYT’s David Sanger—“And, you know, he had a point here, because the main parts of the agreement, as they were emerging in this negotiations, allowed the Iranians to do more and more work by 2025.  And by 2030, there would be no limits at all on the amount of nuclear fuel that Iran could produce.”  See “Netanyahu ‘Had a Point’ About Iran Nuclear Deal, a Star New York Times Reporter Concedes,” Ira Stoll, Alegemeiner, April 22, 2021.

We have updated information on the firing of the missiles from Syria that landed somewhat near Dimona.  Notice the ability of the Israeli military to determine the intention of the weapon.  “Israel says Syrian missile was not aimed at nuclear reactor,” Josef Federman, AP, The Herald Sun, April 22, 2021.

Again and again, we plead for the U.S. and Europe leaders to demand their citizen hostages be released first before any concessions are made.  Will they hear us?  This op-ed is written by Barry Rosen, one the 52 Americans held hostage in Iran from 1979-81.  “Iran must free hostages before negotiations begin,” Barry Rosen, op-ed, Sun Sentinel, April 22, 2021.

When you play with fire, …”  “Iran cuts number of centrifuges enriching uranium to 60% purity, IAEA report says,” Francois Murphy, Reuters, April 22, 2021.

Article mainly about destructive nature of early/forced marriage.  “Iran: Girls’ Suicide Rate Increases,” Mahmoud Hamidi, Iran News Update, April 22, 2021.

Human rights concerns highlighted today.  “Trafficking In Iran; A Major Concern,” Sia Rajabi, Iran Focus, April 22, 2021.

“Was the Deputy Head of the Iranian Quds Force Assassinated?,” Ardavan Khoshnood, BESA, April 22, 2021.

“Iran cuts number of centrifuges enriching uranium to 60% purity: IAEA report,” KFGO, Thomson Reuters, April 22, 2021.

Good article capturing what appears to be an Iranian attack on Dimona via missile from Syria, and the article also provides context of the conflict.  “Israel says it struck targets in Syria after missile attack,” AP, 4-21-21.

“Iran added two more cascades of IR-4 centrifuges and six clusters of IR-2m at its  underground facility. The IAEA also confirmed that some of the centrifuges were in use and said the Islamic Republic plans to install another four cascades of the IR-4 at Natanz.”  See “UN atomic agency: Iran has installed additional advanced centrifuges at Natanz,” Times of Israel, April 21, 2021.

“Iran Adds Machines at Enrichment Plant Struck by Blast: IAEA,” Francois Murphy, Reuters, April 21, 2021.

“Israel says Iranian missile could have 5,000 km range,” Jeremy Binnie, Janes, April 21, 2021.  A ballistic missile based on Iran’s new Zoljanah satellite launch vehicle would be able to carry a 1 tonne warhead 5,000 km, according to an estimate of the rocket’s capabilities that Israel’s ambassador to the UN submitted to the Security Council in a letter dated 7 April. This capability would make the missile by far the most powerful in Iran’s arsenal as the longest range it can currently achieve is 3,000 km with the Khorramshahr liquid-propellant missile, fitted with a 750 kg warhead, according to a European estimate submitted to the Security Council in March 2019. A 5,000 km range would ostensibly enable Iran to target every European country, including Iceland. The Zoljanah was unveiled with a suborbital flight test on 1 February 2020, when it was described as having two solid-propellant motor stages with 1.5 m diameters and a smaller liquid-propellant third stage that enables it to put a 220 kg payload into a 500 km orbit. A spokesman said at the time that the Zoljanah could use a mobile launcher to reach different orbits. “Mobile launchers make prelaunch detection more complex and are typically used for the rapid deployment of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles,” the Israeli letter said. “This activity casts further doubt as to whether Iran’s space programme is really for peaceful purposes, as the regime claims.” “These latest technological advancements point once again to the close link between Iran’s space and military programmes, which work in tandem to develop its capacity to carry nuclear warheads,” it added.

“Iran’s support for Yemen’s Houthi movement is “quite significant and it’s lethal” and there is no real evidence that Tehran wants to support a constructive resolution to the conflict, U.S. special envoy on Yemen Tim Lenderking told U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday.”  See “U.S. says Iran support to Yemen’s Houthis ‘significant, lethal’,” Reuters, April 21, 2021.

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Fallahzadeh.  “Iran appoints new deputy for Quds Force,” Middle East Monitor, April 21, 2021.

When you torture and execute your own athletes, and require them to throw matches when competing against Israelis.  “Activists call for IOC to sanction Iran Olympic program,” AP, News & Observer, April 21, 2021.

The difficulties in differentiating among the three “buckets” of sanctions is quite easy—Iran needs to stop its nuclear program and terrorism.  “US outlines possible sanctions relief for Iran in nuke talks,” Matthew Lee, AP, April 21, 2021.

“Jailed Dual-Nationals In Iran Become Pawns On Sidelines Of Nuclear Talks,” Dominc Dudley, Forbes, April 21, 2021.

“Iran’s Obsession with its Imperial Past and Israel,” Peter Brampton Koelle, International Policy Digest, April 21, 2021.

“How a fact check led to a rare retraction from Iran’s supreme leader,” Harrison Mantas, Poynter, April 21, 2021.  Toward the end of his speech last week celebrating the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei made a stark admission — he’d misled the public. “It’s probably the first time in the past three decades that Ayatollah Khamenei admitted to a mistake and corrected himself,” said Farhad Souzanchi, editor at the Iranian fact-checking organization FactNameh. The admission came after two of the organization’s fact checks of claims made by both Khamenei and Iran’s state media went viral and spurred criticism of the government in the broader Persian diaspora. The initial fact check was prompted by a claim Khamenei made during his March 20 Nowruz speech. Seeking to rebut claims about Iran’s struggling economy, the supreme leader cited statistics from the World Bank that he claimed ranked Iran’s economy 18th largest in the world. “(The economy) is probably the worst thing in Iran, and he’s saying ‘Oh, it’s actually good,”  Souzanchi said. “For the leader to say this was very strange.” FactNameh’s fact check tried to give Khamenei the benefit of the doubt — that he may have misspoken or may have been referring to a different set of statistics. “We looked into the IMF (rankings) as well, and it wasn’t true. We looked at Iran’s GDP (purchasing power parity),” Souzanchi said. “In no scenario Iran was 18th.”

Some amount of justice, and a large judgment, but took several years to win this case against Iran’s terrorism.  Survivors of the Basra attack by Iran, and the families of those murdered.  “Fla. Judge Awards $405M For Iran-Backed Terrorist Attack,” Law360, April 20, 2021.

“US, EU Should Seek Release of Dual-National Hostages in Tandem with Nuclear Talks,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, April 20, 2021.

“Europe Is Off to a Good Start With Sanctions, but Soon Must Target Iran’s Leadership,” Alejo Vidal Quadras, NCRI, April 20, 2021.  Quadras is a professor of atomic and nuclear physics, and was vice-president of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2014.

“Iran Tries To Revive $16 Billion Deal For 80 Boeing Jets,” Dominic Dudley, Forbes, April 20, 2021.

Second straight year cancelled due to Covid.  Something good came of Covid!  “[T]he Committee of Supporting the Islamic Revolution of Palestinian People, instead encouraged people to mark the day virtually, according to the agency.”  See “Iran cancels Quds Day for second year in a row,” Al Monitor, April 20, 2021.

Supposedly “Iraq owes Iran about $5-6 billion for use of electricity.”  See “Report: US approves release of Iranian assets frozen in Iraqi banks,” Ami Rojkes Dombe, Israel Defense, April 19, 2021.

“Iran: Rouhani urges generals to stay away from politics,” Middle East Monitor, April 19, 2021.

Cool detective story.  Who says non-profits can’t make a difference in international security and peace?  “United Against Nuclear Iran publishes list of 115 tankers exploiting regulatory loopholes to ship Iranian crude.”  “Iran’s ‘rogue armada’ of sanctions-skirting tankers revealed,” Lloyd’s List, April 19, 2021.

“Iranian political prisoner under pressure after being sent into exile,” Iran HRM, April 19, 2021.

Why won’t Iran use the S300?  Interesting.  “Iran unveils long-range air defence system,” Middle East Monitor, April 19, 2021.

“Iran looms large on the oil radar,” Daniel Graeber, Houston Chronicle, April 19, 2021.

It is hard to know what is accurate.  Tehran Times spins so much, and there are so many stories that carry information about Iran’s immunization preparations different than this story, that the story below cannot be taken on face value.  But it does list the names of various meds as we try to make sense of this within the country.  “Iran jointly producing COVID-19 vaccines with three countries,” Tehran Times, April 19, 2021.

Not a boy scout.  “Deputy commander of Iran’s Quds Force Mohammad Hejazi dies,” Yaghoub Fazeli, Al Arabiya, April 18, 2021.

Discussed Yemen.  And proof that Iran can act reasonably if it so chooses.  “Saudi and Iran held talks aimed at easing tensions, say sources,” Reuters, April 18, 2021.

Saturday 405 reportedly died, the highest one-day number in months.  “Iran Sees Highest Daily Death Toll in Months as Virus Surges,” Latest LY, April 18, 2021.

“Iran spent $600 mln on Apple phone imports in year to March,” Press TV, April 18, 2021.

“A new and rapidly growing popular rebellion is affecting the Iranian regime. On March 11, a statement signed by 640 eminent Iranians, some living within and some outside Iran, was posted on-line in English and Persian with the hashtag #No2IslamicRepublic. It marked the launch of a new anti-government movement.”  See “How secure is the Iranian regime?,” Neville Teller, op-ed, Jerusalem Post, April 18, 2021.

“New buildings spotted at Iran’s Parchin military site,” The National, April 18, 2021.

Another band of brothers.  “Iran Voices Support for Zimbabwe against US Sanctions,” Tasnim, April, 18, 2021.

“Iran shows off dozens of drones in military parade,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, April 18, 2021.

“Inside the Threat Posed to U.S. by Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq,” Hollie McKay, Inside Sources, April 18, 2021.