“U.S. sanctions Iranians over alleged plot to kidnap NY-based journalist,” KFGO, Thomson Reuters, September 3, 2021. “The sanctions block all property of the four Iranians in the United States or in U.S. control, and prohibits any transactions between them and U.S. citizens. Other non-Americans who conduct certain transactions with the four could also be subjected to U.S. sanctions, the department added. Those sanctioned include senior Iran-based intelligence official Alireza Shahvaroghi Farahani as well as Iranian intelligence operatives Mahmoud Khazein, Kiya Sadeghi and Omid Noori.”
“Will Iran continue to threaten southern Syria after Deraa deal?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, September 2, 2021.
A target for the Israelis. “Iranian fuel will be delivered by truck to Lebanon via Syria –sources,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, September 2, 2021.
Spot on. “After Biden’s Afghanistan blunder, is the Iran nuclear deal finally dead?,” Andrew Latham, op-ed, The Hill, September 2, 2021.
“Siege of Deraa Shows Syria Regime’s Dependence on Russia and Iran,” Hauer, op-ed, Arab Weekly, September 2, 2021.
“Iranian fuel ship enters Syrian waters to help Hezbollah – report,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, September 2, 2021.
“Iran’s attacks on Israeli shipping in Gulf serves as lesson – opinion,” Gil Murciano, Jerusalem Post, September 2, 2021.
“Has the mystery of the ‘vanished’ tanker ‘Gulf Sky’ been solved? – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, September 2, 2021. “Questions remain about how this ship was so easily hijacked and taken away. The case illustrates the lawlessness with which Iran operates in these areas.”
“U.S. Senators Warn Lebanon To Avoid Iranian Fuel, Despite Crisis,” RFE/RL, September 2, 2021.
“Islamic Republic of Iran receives third delivery of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility,” Relief Web, September 2, 2021.
“Boosted by China and Russia, Iran Digs In on Nuclear Talks,” Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, September 2, 2021.
“Will Iran continue to threaten southern Syria after Deraa deal?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, September 2, 2021.
Heavy news day. So, hackers (who?) gained access to the computers and cameras of Evin Prison. Will the world hold Iran accountable? Don’t believe the headline that guards will be prosecuted—oh, they may, but the Regime already knew what they were doing there. This is a show trial. We know who should really be prosecuted. “After leaked videos, Iran opens cases against prison guards,” AP, September 1, 2021.
A closed national internet is one more type of prison imposed by the Regime on its citizens. “Iran eyes 2025 to complete controversial national intranet,” James Barton, Developing Telecoms, September 1, 2021.
The Taliban’s new leader will be the never seen Hibatullah Akhundzada. See “Taliban to Follow Iran Model, Appoints Supreme Leader,” Kashmir Observer, September 1, 2021.
What does Iran do to woe Africa? You don’t read this every day in the news. “Africa emerges as next scene of confrontation between Israel, Iran,” Danny Citrinowicz, Al Monitor, September 1, 2021. “Traditionally, Iran sees the African continent as an important arena in its global struggle for influence. It is competing for influence against Saudi Arabia and also against the West, exploiting anti-colonial sentiments in the continent. To establish influence in Africa, Iran had created over the years an infrastructure of mosques, cultural centers, charitable networks and educational institutions. These were used to spread its revolutionary ethos across the continent. Of course, Iran is not the only Muslim country exporting Islam to Africa and supporting its spread there. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and other countries are also operating in a rather similar manner. Still, Iranian efforts at penetrating Africa also have other components. Experts believe that by exploiting fragile political structures in some African countries, and perhaps even with the support of the Lebanese diaspora, Iran and its affiliates have succeeded in building smuggling and crime networks. Through these networks, it is argued, Iran recruits local operatives, who then also join the Iranian religious cause. Experts point to evidence indicating that the Iranian Quds Force (through Unit 400) trains, funds and equips several separatist groups in Africa and provides training to Shiite groups, including the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. Iran has also used its ties with some African countries to bypass the economic sanctions that were enforced by Washington.”
“Sixty Percent Of Buildings In Iran’s Capital ‘Don’t Comply’ With Earthquake Standards,” RFE/RL, September 1, 2021. “An Iranian newspaper has quoted a Tehran risk management official as saying that 6-in-10 of the city’s buildings don’t meet seismic standards and would be heavily damaged if a major earthquake hit. The report in the Hamshahri newspaper quotes city risk management department head Reza Karami-Mohammadi as saying 1-in-5 of Tehran’s buildings would be “completely destroyed” in a big earthquake. Iran lies on the Iranian Plateau at the juncture of the Eurasian Plate to the north and the Indian Plate to the southeast and is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. “Sixty percent of the buildings do not comply with the anti-seismic standards and will be seriously damaged” if a magnitude-6.5 or bigger quake were to strike, Karami-Mohammadi was quoted as saying.”
No surprise here. But how with the U.S. respond to this feet-dragging? “Iran says nuclear talks might not resume for 2-3 months,” AFP, September 1, 2021.
“To take on Iran, Lapid sketches out vision for a regional ‘alliance of life’,” Lazar Berman, Times of Israel, September 1, 2021. “Foreign minister’s ambitious plan would establish a broad axis stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Atlantic, but can he make it happen?”
“Lebanese Government Says No Permission Sought To Import Iranian Fuel,” Iran International, September 1, 2021.
Only took a couple of days to drive over to Iran. “Taliban Reportedly Deliver American Military Hardware To Iran,” Iran International, September 1, 2021.
“The Takeaway: Iranian foreign policy under Raisi takes shape,” Al Monitor, September 1, 2021.
“Report: Tankers Under Way to Lebanon With Sanctioned Iranian Fuel,” Maritime Executive, September 1, 2021.
“As COVID-19 Spikes, Iran Pirouettes on Western Vaccine Ban,” Nisan Ahmado, Polygraph.info, September 1, 2021.
“Iran and Saudi Arabia expected to resume direct talks soon,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, August 31, 2021.
“Iran Test-Fires Domestic Missile System,” Orkhan Jalilov, Caspian News, August 31, 2021.
It is not surprising, and this decision was made by Iran over a year ago, shortly after the plane was shot down. “Families Say Top Iran Officials Have Immunity Over Downed Airliner,” Iran International, August 31, 2021.
“Iran plans to hold 4th round of talks with Saudi Arabia,” i24, Reuters, August 31, 2021.
“Gulf Sky: ‘Our ship was hijacked and taken to Iran’,” Joshua Cheetham, BBC, August 31, 2021.
One of those stories that let’s us all know that Iran is not serious about negotiating. It would be funny if what is at stake wasn’t so serious. “Iran Appoints New Atomic Energy Chief With No Nuclear Expertise,” RFE/RL, August 30, 2021. “Mohammad Eslami, who previously served as housing and transport minister, will lead the civilian Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. He replaces U.S. educated scientist Ali Akbar Salehi, a former foreign minister and longtime head of the atomic agency who played a crucial role in diplomacy that led to the now-moribund 2015 nuclear accord with world powers.” But wait, it gets better. “Iran taps UN-sanctioned minister as new chief of nuclear agency,” AP, August 29, 2021. So, on its surface Eslami is being appointed to simply do the Regime’s purposes in Vienna, not to really be able to understand and oversee a peaceful nuclear program. What is he known for? “In 2008, when Eslami served as head of Iran’s Defense Industries Training and Research Institute, the United Nations sanctioned him for “being engaged in, directly associated with or providing support for Iran’s proliferation sensitive nuclear activities or for the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.” The UN linked the blacklisting to his “involvement in procurement of prohibited items, goods, equipment, materials and technology,” without elaborating.” He is a sanctioned proliferator, not a public servant.
“Iran Continues Religious Persecution, Two Bahais Sentenced To Prison In Tehran,” Iran News Wire, August 30, 2021.
Iran Continues Religious Persecution, Two Bahais Sentenced To Prison In Tehran
“Where Iran Stands on the Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan,” Ray Takeyh, CFR, August 30, 2021.
“Iran’s Bet on Autonomous Weapons,” Evan Omeed Lisman, op-ed, War on the Rocks, August 30, 2021.
“Israeli Analyst: Iran Entrenching Itself on Israel’s Border With the Syrian Golan,” Benjamin Kerstein, Algemeiner, August 29, 2021.
The continuing mismanagement and corruption of utilities and the environment. “Iran’s Stark Winter Choice: Electricity Or Breathable Air,” Iran International, August 29, 2021.
“Iran and the Taliban will continue to grow closer,” Peer Mudassir, Israel Hayom, August 29, 2021.
A good news story. Even though Iran often and regularly acts as a revolutionary cause, there are a few times it has acted as a state willing to listen and negotiate. See “Iraq brings together Mideast rivals in bid to ease tensions,” AP, August 28, 2021. Arab heads of state met in Baghdad in the Green Zone “including archenemies Iran and Saudi Arabia held a rare meeting Saturday at a conference hosted by Iraq. … French President Emmanuel Macron also attended the Baghdad meeting. Egypts el-Sissi, Jordan’s Abdullah, and Qatar’s Al Thani attended. “Saudi Arabia was represented by its foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Iran with its foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.” … “Participants were expected to discuss a regional water crisis, the war in Yemen and a severe economic and political crisis in Lebanon that has brought the country to the point of collapse.”
Shamkhani, secretary of the NSC, knows that anything can be twisted into a threat, but that doesn’t qualify under international law. “Biden ‘illegally threatened’ Iran, top security official says,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, August 28, 2021.
“The resistance axis? Iran scores a pyrrhic victory in its cold war with Saudi Arabia,” Economist, August 28, 2021.
“Iran leader names another AMIA bombing suspect as official, angering Argentina,” Buenos Aires Times, August 27, 2021. “Argentina’s government this week condemned the appointment of a second official in new Iran President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration wanted by Interpol in relation to the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires. The Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing Argentina’s “strongest condemnation” of the approval of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps leader Mohsen Rezaei as Iran’s vice-president for economic affairs. The news comes just two weeks after it emerged that Raisi – who ran against Rezaei in this year’s presidential election – had nominated Ahmad Vahidi, a former leader of the Quds, the powerful paramilitary arm of the Revolutionary Guard, for the post of interior minister. Both Vahidi and Rezai are wanted for their roles in the 1994 attack on the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) community centre in Once, Buenos Aires City and face outstanding Interpol arrest warrants. According to a 2017 report in the case file, both men were Quds commanders and members of a group that evaluated proposals for the attack. The AMIA bombing, which killed 85 people and left more than 300 injured, is Argentina’s deadliest terrorist attack to date. Twenty-seven years after it occurred, the authors and perpetrators of the crime have still not been jailed. On Wednesday, the government described the appointment of the Iranian officials as “an affront to the Argentine justice system and the victims of the brutal terrorist attack.”
What?! Iran didn’t get the Chinese vaccines? “Envoy Says Iran Was Hesitant To Order Chinese Covid Vaccines Last Year,” Iran International, August 27, 2021.
Instructive on the new FM. “Iran’s Next Foreign Minister: Will he change the course of Iranian foreign policy?,” Joshua Taylor, Watch Jerusalem, August 27, 2021.
Newest type of hostage. “Afghan Airline Seeks Refuge In Iran For Its Planes,” Dominic Dudley, Forbes, August 26, 2021. Although the planes had to be sent somewhere more palatable than under the control of Abdul Ghani Baradar, it is likely there will be more than a simple rental space agreement with Iran, not the first choice among airplane companies of the world for storage and maintenance needs.
“Toby Dershowitz, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Strategy at the US-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told The Jerusalem Post that “Iranian president [Ebrahim] Raisi has named Interpol red notice holder Mohsen Rezae – wanted in connection with the murder of 85 Argentinians – as the Islamic Republic’s VP for Economic Affairs.” … “Dershowitz, who is a long-time analyst of the 1994 AMIA bombing, added that “Iran is clearly seeking to normalize mass murder and is testing the will of the international community.” See “Iran’s Raisi names wanted mass murderer of 85 Argentinians as VP for Economics,” Jerusalem Post, August 26, 2021. “Iran is clearly seeking to normalize mass murder and is testing the will of the international community.”
“Fears grow in Iran as pandemic worsens,” Al Monitor, August 26, 2021
“Russia, Iran & China to Hold Joint Military Exercise In Persian Gulf,” Kashmir Observer, August 26, 2021.
“Gantz: Iran is two months away from nuclear bomb,” Tovah Lazaroff, Jerusalem Post, August 25, 2021.
“The US withdrawal has helped Tehran solve its most pressing problem.” Correct. It removes the U.S. from “next door.” See “Iran is an immediate winner of the Taliban takeover,” David Patrikarakos, The Spectator, August 25, 2021.
Remember, Iran has locked the inspectors out. It is a dangerous time. “Nuclear Inspectors Seek to Plug Gaps Observing Iran’s Program,” Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, August 25, 2021.
“In a report seen last week by Reuters, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had accelerated uranium enrichment to near weapons-grade.” … Israel will propose to Pres. Biden an alliance between Israel and Arab states to counter Iran. “Israel’s new leader to present Iran plan in first White Hose visit,” Jeffrey Heller and Matt Spetalnick, Euronews, Reuters, August 25, 2021.
Bad guys helping bad guys. “Taliban Takeover Is a Boon for Cash-Strapped Iran,” Benoit Faucon and Ian Talley, Wall Street Journal, August 25, 2021.
stood, from open source reporting, that the rate was 3 to 4 times higher. Here we have an insider, a prof of epidemiology at a major Iran university. “Expert Says Iran Covid Deaths Seven Times Higher, As Blame Game Goes On,” Iran International, August 25, 2021.