“Iranian-backed Houthis attack Saudi Arabia with drones again,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 16, 2021.

“Iran denies involvement in Iraq attacks, more attacks hours later,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 16, 2021.

“The unproven assessment is based partly on accounts from four independent but unnamed sources who say Hekmati approached Iranian officials offering classified information, as well as the fact he abruptly resigned his contracting position and left for Iran without notifying supervisors, the FBI says. An FBI computer forensics search concluded that while in Afghanistan, he accessed hundreds of classified documents on Iran that agents believe were outside the scope of his job responsibilities, the documents say.”  So, this person may have made a  poor choice.  But that does not justify torture or holding as a hostage.  See “Once tortured in Iranian jail, ex-Marine fights spy claims,” Eric Tucker, AP, Star Tribune, March 16, 2021.

Agreed.  “Tehran is directly responsible for the violence carried out by its proxies and must be held accountable.”  See Blame Iran for Rocket Attacks in Iraq,” Ranj Alaaldin, FP, March 16, 2021.

“Iran: Execution of Six Prisoners, Including a Woman, in Three Days,” NCRI, March 16, 2021.

But did Russia and Iran work together?  “Russia and Iran tried to interfere with 2020 election, U.S. intelligence agencies say,” CNBC, March 16 2021.

“Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground Natanz plant with a second type of advanced centrifuge, the IR-4, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said in a report obtained by Reuters on Tuesday, in a further breach of Tehran’s deal with major powers.”  See “Iran enriching uranium with new advanced machine type at underground plant –IAEA,” Yahoo Finance, March 16, 2021.

Another hostage, this one French, arrested in Mashhad some months ago but now coming to light publicly.  France already knew.  “Lawyer: Iran charges detained French tourist with spying,” AP, March 15, 2021

Here’s the answer to my question in yesterday’s blog, these are more “pipe dream” projects.  The IRI has a history of many projects announced but few finished.  Many of those announcements are just show and are designed to induce the public to believe the government is acting in their best interests.  “Iran Launches Five Projects To Transfer Desalinated Water,” Eurasia Review, March 15, 2021.

“Smugglers’ protests: Iran succumbs to trauma and demons,” James Dorsey, Modern Diplomacy, March 15, 2021.

Bashar al-Assad needs to read this article.  It is no secret that Iran wants to make Syria into the next Lebanon.  Maybe he already knows but thinks it will come after he is no longer in power.  “Iran Is Trying to Convert Syria to Shiism,” Anchal Vohra, FP, March 15, 2021.

“The new cooperation agreement between Russia and Iran on cybersecurity and information technology is likely to create new hurdles for the United States and its allies in the Middle East.”  See “The Iran-Russia Cyber Agreement and U.S. Strategy in the Middle East,” Omree Wechsler, Council on Foreign Relations Blog Post, March 15, 2021.

Iran’s decade in Syria.  “Syria’s Civil War Started A Decade Ago. Here’s Where It Stands,” Ruth Sherlock and Scott Neuman, NPR, March 15, 2021.

Another FM Zarif sighting.  “Iran’s Zarif says time running out for U.S. to revive nuclear deal,” Reuters, March 15, 2021.

Either these have been written, will be written by someone else, or won’t be completed and released.  “Iran to appoint special rapporteur on sanctions,” The Siasat Daily, March 15, 2021.

“Iran Keeps Students Illiterate and Teaches Them the Culture of Martyrdom,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, March 15, 2021.

Iran is not present in the talks, but Qatar is there apparently on its behalf.  “Iran backs Turkey-Qatar-Russia talks on Syrian crisis,” Bilal Guler, AA, March 15, 2021.

“No to the Islamic Republic.”  See “Iran’s Opposition Is Sending Washington a Message,” Ilan Berman, op-ed, Newsweek, March 15, 2021.

“Iran uranium enrichment nears critical level: IAEA chief,” Rintaro Hosokawa, Nikkei Asia, March 14, 2021.

I’d like to know how much of this is announcement and how much of this is reality.  “Iran Opens Several Major Water Desalination Projects,” IFP, March 14, 2021.

“Iranian oil exports to China expected to hit record high in March,” Hellenic Shipping News, March 14, 2021.

“Iranian teachers ordered to identify Baha’i students in effort to convert them,” Times of Israel, March 14, 2021.

“Iran: Human Rights Violations Are Regime’s Only Means Of Survival,” Cyrus Yaqubi, Eurasia Review, March 14, 2021.

“Quds Force commander admits Iran supporting Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia,” Arab News, March 14, 2021.

She is going to jail again, and for not doing anything other than being a British citizen.  So cruel.  “British-Iranian Aid Worker Appears in Iran Court for Propaganda Trial,” Hamodia, March 14, 2021.

The point of this blog is cover news about Iran, showing (regularly) how it does not act as a normal country.  We sometimes deviate to see stories of how Iran is enabled by other countries.  This is also a reminder that the world is really not an East v. West place, or maybe not even a Clash of Civilizations strictly speaking, but instead a place where the debate is about democracy, rule of law, human rights, economic progress, etc.  Here is a story about Iran today that showcases this.  Think about how China enables Iran, and think about how Iran covers for China.  “Iran says decisions by China about country’s national rule considered China’s internal affair,” MENAFM, March 13, 2021.

“Iran: Four Bahais Sentenced To 12 Years Of Prison,” Iran News Wire, March 13, 2021.

These persons have been desperate for good government for a long time.  “Report: Crowd attacks Iran coast guard after smuggler shot,” AP, Yahoo, March 13, 2021.

So, after Blinken’s comments, and this story, we can confirm that the earlier stories by the Iran about SK paying 1B already were propaganda and designed to pressure SK.  Iran will keep the SK ship for now.  “Iran: Central Bank Chief Criticizes South Korea For Not Releasing Assets,” Tasnim News Agency, March 13, 2021.

“Turkey, Iran say will cooperate with Iraq on water issues,” Khazan Jangiz, Rudaw, March 13, 2021.

This story is worth posting also because of the headline.  “Iran enrolls with group of countries in forming alliance against use of force,” MENAFN, March 13, 2021.

Since Pres. Rouhani said Iran’s steps to control COVID-19 could function as a “roadmap for posterity, a source for the university courses, and a model to fight contagious diseases” that may break out in future, it sounds like Tanzania Pres. John Magufuli must be visiting Iran to learn from this model because no one has seen him in Tanzania for about two weeks.  “Iran’s War on COVID-19 A Model for Containing Contagious Diseases: President,” Tasnim, March, 13, 2021.

You are known by the company you keep—China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, ….  “China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and More Join Forces ‘in Defense’ of U.N.,” Tom O’Connor, Newsweek, March 12, 2021.

“Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen ramp up attacks on Saudi Arabia,” Yahoo News, March 12, 2021.

Not a pretty picture for the Regime.  Zaghari-Ratcliffe was subjected to prolonged handcuffing, chaining, and blindfolding.  “Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe describes five years of Iran torture,” Telegraph, March 12, 2021.

Interesting.  This seems to clear up the earlier confusion, and reporting from Iranian sources.  “Secretary of State Antony Blinken dismissed as untrue reports that the South Korean government is sending $1 billion to Iran to resolve a sanctions dispute.”  See “Blinken Says Seoul Isn’t Sending Iran Sanctions-Linked Cash,” Daniel Flatley, BloombergQuint, March 11, 2021.

“Amid Nuclear Standoff, Who’s In The Running To Take The Reins In Iran?,” Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL, March 11, 2021.

“Leaked Iranian document reveals systematic effort to monitor and suppress Baha’is,” Yahoo Finance, March 11, 2021.

“Impasse Over Iran Nuclear Talks Sets Off International Scramble to Save Accord,” Lara Jakes, New York Times, March 11, 2021.

China is an enabler.  “A Surge in Iranian Oil Exports Is Clogging Up Chinese Ports,” Bloomberg, March 20, 2021.

Iran has been totally irresponsible in responding to the legitimate claims of other countries for Iran’s shooting down of a commercial airliner.  “Ukraine joins UK, Canada, Sweden statement on PS752 downing by Iran,” UNIAN, March 10, 2021.

“UN report reveals horrors of daily life for many in Iran,” Ephrem Kossaify, Arab News, March 9, 2021.

The Levinson family has it right, the Biden Administration has it wrong.  The Levinsons say, “We urge the Biden administration – the fourth presidential administration charged with holding Iran accountable – to make it clear to the Iranian regime that there will be no path to taking a seat at the table of civilized nations without resolving Bob’s case and sending him home,” the statement read.”  Instead, the hear “The Biden administration is working to open negotiations with Iran over efforts to rein in its nuclear program and prevent it from being able to build a nuclear weapon, but has said it views the return of hostages as a separate issue. “We don’t want to tie their fates to an issue that is complex and that is challenging and that may be a longer-term proposition,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a press briefing last month, about separating the issue of American hostages held in Iran and the nuclear issue.”  These are not separate issues.  And until someone stands up to Iran and insists they clear the deck of hostages before any negotiations on anything, then the hostage taking will continue.  See “Blinken calls on Iran to answer for Levinson,” Laura Kelly, The Hill, March 9, 2021.

Good.  They are under direct orders of the Regime.  “State Department designates two Iranians for ‘involvement in gross violations of human rights’,” Tal Axelrod, The Hill, March 9, 2021.

“Iran’s top nuclear scientist discusses the potential for a nuclear deal with the U.S.,” Nick Schifrin and Reza Sayah, NPR, March 9, 2021.

“How Mossad turned the IAEA around on Iran with evidence – analysis,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, March 9, 2021.

“Israeli defense minister says Iran behind cargo ship explosion,” Arab News, March 8, 2021.

The Quds Force members who planted this bomb may have been Iranian diplomats in India.  “India said to blame Iran’s Quds Force for blast outside Israeli embassy,” Times of Israel, March 8, 2021.

“No country for minorities: The agony of Iran’s ethnic Arabs, Kurds, Balochis and Azeris,” Oubai Shahbandar, Arab News, March 8, 2021.

“The Saudi Energy Ministry confirmed the strikes targeting infrastructure at the port of Ras Tanura and in the city of Dhahran late on Sunday. A ministry spokesman said a drone launched from the sea hit a petroleum tank farm at Ras Tanura Port and a “ballistic missile’s shrapnel” fell near Saudi Aramco’s residential compound in the city of Dhahran after it was intercepted by the country’s missile defense systems.”  See “Saudi Arabia oil facilities targeted in drone and missile attack by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen,” Khaled Wassef, CBS, March 8, 2021.

China remains one of the main enablers of problem states such as Iran, Myanmar, and North Korea.  There are differences, students of international relations see, in how countries behave.  See “Analysis: Iran slips record volume of oil into China, reaches out to Asian clients for trade resumption,” Oil & Gas 360, March 8, 2021.

“IAEA says Iran enriching uranium with advanced centrifuges, in further breach,” Times of Israel, March 8, 2021.  “UN nuclear watchdog tells member states Islamic Republic has started using a third cluster of advanced IR-2m centrifuges at underground Natanz plant.”

It is easy to ask why would Iran know to send its drone to film the attacked Israeli cargo ship and to know where to zoom in at the waterline.  “Iranian drone footage shows Israeli ship after explosion damage,” Times of Israel, March 8, 2021.

Iran is the only country I am aware of who actively supports the BDS movement.  And is a leader.  “BDS groups from US and Europe team up with Iran and Hamas against Israel,” Lahav Harkov, Jerusalem Post, March 8, 2021.

“Latest Houthi attack shows reach of Iran’s power,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 8, 2021.

It is noteworthy—what has caused seemingly more strife over 40 years?  Saddam?  ISIS?  The PLO?  From Lebanon to Yemen, this author writes that Syria is key to Iran’s Crescent.  “The Shiite “Crescent: The Middle East’s Arc of Crisis,” Reza Parchizadeh, BESA, March 7, 2021.

A number of aspects, not all, of the Trump Administration deterrence against Iran are continuing under Pres. Biden.  “Biden sends B-52 heavy bomber over Persian Gulf in signal to Iran,” Jerusalem Post, March 7, 2021.  “It was the seventh mission into CENTCOM’s area of operation in the last four months and the second deployment of the heavy bomber since Joe Biden became president on January 20.”

“‘Bring back nine fishermen jailed in Iran’,” The Hindu, March 7, 2021.

Not a fair justice system, and this is one more reminder—do your sentence, but you’re not free.  It would be nice if the NYT regularly complained of such.  “Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Is Freed by Iran but Not Yet Cleared to Return to U.K.,” Megan Specia, New York Times, March 7, 2021.

Iran is also cracking down on Kurdish activists, particularly women.  “Hijacking, riots and explosions: Iran’s regime tested amid tensions,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 7, 2021.

“’Iran is a main destination for uranium smuggling from Venezuela’,” Damian Pachter, Israel Hayom, March 7, 2021.

“The FBI and Iranian Espionage,” Erfan Fard, BESA, March 7, 2021.