Part of the problem in dealing with Iran is The West, and the mindset of some, which keeps Iran from moving much (even though it is now under great pressure—but China and Russia help relieve some of that pressure).  The advice from some in The West, such as this editorial from CSM, is indicative.  “The Iranians were complying” with the JCPOA that editorial proclaims.  Yes and No and No.  An argument can be made they were complying with the technical aspects of the agreement.  An argument can be made they were also cheating (i.e, they limited or prevented some key inspections, and were continuing their nuclear weapons ambitions).  And the JCPOA through sunset and other provisions allowed them at the end of the agreement’s period to become a nuclear power that was poised to use their then-developed missiles and expanded oppression to be the new version of Hussein of the Middle East.  So Yes and No and No.  The Trump Administration, not just Donald Trump himself, saw through the poor temporary “fix” the JCPOA was advertised to be and realized that kicking the can down the road wasn’t the answer, because that can was getting heavier and more explosive.  The U.S. was right, for itself and the world, to say the “diplomatic answer” of the JCPOA was not what was needed.  A different agreement, or set of incentives was needed.  See “Can diplomacy deter Iranian nuclear ambitions a second time?,” Editorial, Christian Science Monitor, February 3, 2021.

I really don’t know what open defiance of the Supreme Leader will buy for the health minister, especially from the hardliners.  I wonder what the Leader will say?  “Iran Buys AstraZeneca-Oxford Vaccine Despite Leader’s Ban on Western Shots,” Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, February 3, 2021.  “Iran has bought 4.2 million doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University coronavirus vaccine, despite a ban on British and U.S.-made shots. Health Minister Saeed Namaki told state TV the shipment is expected later this month and was secured through the global vaccine procurement system backed by the World Health Organization. In January, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced a ban on importing British and U.S. Covid-19 shots, saying they couldn’t be trusted. But the country’s top epidemiologist later signaled a loophole when she said she was looking to import the British-made vaccine from outside the U.K.”

So the health minister has a scheme (plan) to increase the quantity and quality of immunizations.  Wonder what the Leader is thinking about this?  What are his closest followers thinking about the Leader’s position on blocking drugs from the West?  “Iran expects 4.2 million AstraZeneca shots under COVAX scheme,” Reuters, February 3, 2021.

“US seizes another Iranian oil cargo,” Argus, February 3, 2021.  “Washington-based sanctions experts point out that Iran’s oil exports have rebounded last year as Tehran has found ways to bypass US sanctions through ship-to-ship transfers and use of front companies. US court documents dealing with Iranian cargoes back that view, alleging that Tehran has managed to make use of facilities at Fujairah and other Mideast Gulf ports to export cargoes. China’s imports of Iranian crude averaged 78,000 b/d in 2020, based on Beijing’s customs data. The cargo aboard the Achilleas was transferred from ship to ship three times since being loaded into the Iran-flagged Sarak and Sonia I at the Sirri Island oil terminal in Iran in May 2020, according to court documents. The cargoes were then transferred to the Cook Islands-flagged Lubov — also known as the Ethan — and then to Panamanian-flagged Trident Liberty, before being loaded into the Achilleas.”

Just a month after taking a South Korean ship and crew hostage, FM Zarif says, “”Iran has always fully respected int’l law,” he wrote on Twitter.  BTW, the Treaty of Amity between the U.S. and Iran (from the 1950s) does not prevent the U.S. from issuing sanctions, regardless of what the ICJ ruled.  And if you don’t believe me, then hopefully you’ll see the logic that the treaty has stayed around as a relic of the past (it has not been terminated) despite the terrorism and other acts of Iran against the U.S. over the past 40 years.  See “UN court says it can hear case brought by Iran against US,” Mike Corder, AP, February 3, 2021.

Both of these stories are about signaling.  How will Iran respond?  “Biden orders USS Nimitz aircraft carrier home in possible signal to Iran,” Zachary Keyser, Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2021.  “U.S. signals Biden’s tough stance on Iran with new oil seizure attempt,” Verity Ratcliffe, World Oil, February 3, 2021.

From Tehran to London, he escaped.  He didn’t provide many details, and probably won’t to protect others’ abilities to flee.  “Released on bail, British-Iranian academic flees Iran through mountains,” AFP, Times of Israel, February 3, 2021.

Notice that they kept a human hostage, the captain.  Reminds us of the movie “Captain Phillips.”  See “Iran to release all crew but captain of seized South Korean ship,” AFP, VN Express, February 3, 2021.

“What is Iran’s mega-missile and what does it mean for nuclear deal?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2021.  “Iran launched a new satellite-carrying rocket recently, according to reports on February 3. Forbes has reported that it could carry a nuclear warhead, while other media have pointed out that the launch was done as the new Biden administration is discussing the Iran deal. The importance of the launch looks to be multilayered, both signaling to the US the power of Iran’s missile program, and also potentially threatening Israel. Tal Inbar was the head of the UAV research center at the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies until 2019, and he is an independent analyst on missiles, UAV and space. He frequently covers new Iranian missile technology. “This is an important development,” he told The Jerusalem Post in an interview. Iran introduced a totally new launch vehicle, according to Inbar. “We knew about it from Iranian sources more than a year ago, and it was fired and launched without a satellite as a test flight, and it is a three-stage launch vehicle.” It is called Zoljanah. … Tal Inbar: Recent launch was Iran signaling its missile program is off the table for Iran deal discussions.”

Iran-loyal militias in Syria are now more than 18,000.  “Syrian monitor says Iran continues military recruitment operations,” Arab News, February 3, 2021.

Don’t forget—“Assadi warned authorities in March of possible retaliation by unidentified groups if he is found guilty, according to apolice document obtained by Reuters.”  See “In first for Europe, Iran envoy faces sentencing over bomb plot,” Robin Emmott, Reuters, February 3, 2021.

“Iran Ranked 95 Among 98 Countries in Coronavirus Response,” Jubin Katiraie, Iran Focus, February 2, 2021. “The Lowy Institute released a Covid performance index on January 27. In its index, the institute sorted countries by regions, political systems, population size, and economic development to provide a real view of states’ performance to counter the novel coronavirus. Based on the availability of data across the six indicators used to construct the index, the Lowy Institute ranked 98 countries compared to the average performance over the time in managing the Covid-19 pandemic in the 36 weeks following their hundredth confirmed case of the virus. In this context, New Zealand showed the best performance with a 94.4 score while Brazil stood at the end of the table with only 4.3 points. Iran was ranked as the 95th country in managing the pandemic before Colombia and Mexico. The Lowy Institute, of course, used official figures for ranking countries. This is while not only have the people and opposition rejected the statistics provided by the Iranian Health Ministry but also health officials have strongly challenged official figures. For instance, in late April 2020, as the government officially declared that 5,877 people had lost their lives to the coronavirus, Mohammad Reza Mahboub-Far, member of the National Covid-19 Task Force, admitted that the health ministry’s stats were fabricated. “The current stats of the coronavirus illness are 20 times higher than what is being announced by the Health Ministry. This has resulted in the people not taking this lethal illness seriously,” Vatan-e Emrouz daily quoted Mahboub-Far as saying on April 28, 2020.”

Great news!  The environmental spill from the SK ship has been cleaned up!  Of course, we never saw any oil in the Strait of Hormuz.  But we did see on Jan. 4 photos of IRGC speed boats taking the MT Hankuk Chemi (carrying 7,200 tons of chemicals) and its crew hostage, taking them to Bandar Abbas naval port.  Oh, but wait, they’re only releasing the crew.  Iran continues to hold the ship hostage.  See “Iran Agrees to Free South Korean Ship’s Crew,” New York Times, February 2, 2021.  “In return, South Korea pledged speedy action to address Iran’s complaints about $7 billion impounded there as a result of U.S. sanctions.”  It is not clear at this point what “to address” means.  But the foreign ministry of SK said the crew release was humanitarian.  See also “Iran Agrees To Release Crew Members Of Detained South Korean Ship,” Radio Farda, February 2, 2012.

“Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sketched out a path on Monday to overcome the US-Iran impasse over who goes first in returning to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying the EU foreign policy chief could “choreograph” the moves. “There can be a mechanism to basically either synchronise it or coordinate what can be done,” Zarif told CNN when asked in an interview how to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran. Each government wants the other to resume compliance first.”  See “Iran hints at way to bridge nuclear deal impasse with US,” Reuters, South China Morning Post, February 2, 2021.

“UN: Iran, breaching deal, installs 2nd batch of advanced centrifuges at Natanz,” Times of Israel, February 2, 2021.

We can hope a little that economics will drive the Regime to a little more normalcy, and the realization that you can’t entice airplanes into your airspace if you take ships and people captive who come into your territory.  See “Iran offers discounts for flights using its airspace: minister,” Xinhua, February 1, 2021.

“Iranian agents scouted Israeli, US, UAE embassies in East Africa for attack — TV,” Times of Israel, February 1, 2021.

“Iran Calls On U.K. Muslims To Act Against ‘Divisive’ Film,” RFE/RL, February 1, 2021.

“Bahrain jails 18 men for forming Iran-backed cell,” Middle East Monitor, February 1, 2021.

A threat?  “Iran ready to help Iraq, Leader’s advisor tells UN envoy,” Tehran Times, February 1, 2021.

“Iran state TV airs launch of new satellite-carrying rocket,” Nasser Karimi, AP, February on U.S. military and contractors stationed in Iraq between 2006 and 2009, a federal trial court in Washington ruled Monday. The court issued a default judgment against Iran under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act for an Oct. 22, 2006, attack on a Humvee driving to the Baghdad hospital, a March 23, 2008, attack during a patrol outside Baghdad, a May 17, 2009, attack on a patrol, and a Jan. 20, 2007, attack on the Karbala Provincial Joint Coordination Center.” See “Iran Held Liable by U.S. Court for Attacks on Soldiers in Iraq,” Bloomberg Law, February 1, 2021.

“Iran to send 50 Pra athletes to Tokyo: Chef de Mission,” Tehran Times, February 1, 2021.

Mistake in this article—the rocket is not meant to carry satellites. And as it records, it did not launch a satellite into orbit. “Iran state TV airs launch of new satellite-carrying rocket,” AP, February 1, 2021.

“The dangerous, disappearing Persians,” David Goldman, David Goldman, February 1, 2021.

A nice way to start February, asking Iran to consider how normal countries look toward the future for their peoples. “Is peace between Iran and Israel inevitable?,” Victoria Coates, Len Khodorkovsky, Jerusalem Post, February 1, 2021. In its entirety.  “The recent momentum toward peace in the Middle East has been breathtaking. Multiple US-brokered deals between Israel, UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco, known as the Abraham Accords, are creating a new reality in one of the world’s most combustible neighborhoods that, with US leadership, promises a more prosperous and secure future for Arabs and Jews alike. An impetus behind this historic normalization of relations between the Jewish state and its Muslim neighbors is practical. They face a common threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has been labeled by the State Department as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism for nearly four decades. Driven by a revolutionary theology, the Islamic Republic’s regime has been metastasizing across the region since its founding in 1979. From funding and arming anti-Israel terrorists, to blowing up Saudi oil facilities, to pirating commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, Iran is the Middle East’s preeminent menace. Not only is it out of step with the Abraham Accords, Iran is the neighborhood’s chief purveyor of discord. The regime in Tehran, however, does not represent the Iranian people. A glaring example of this chasm was on display after a US drone strike killed Iran’s top terrorist, Qasem Soleimani. Despite the mullahs’ efforts to turn this murderer into a martyr, Iranians ripped down the propaganda posters glorifying him. They also rejected the regime’s attempts to stir up hate against the United States and Israel. Videos from Iran showed average citizens going out of their way to avoid stepping on the US and Israeli flags printed on the ground outside of shopping malls, schools, and mosques – even on the day of Soleimani’s funeral.The fact of the matter is that the Iranian people have more pressing issues at hand than the regime’s clumsy attempts at propaganda. Tehran’s sponsorship of terrorism, pursuit of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles to deliver them, and unconscionable hostage taking triggered the most crushing economic sanctions in history, crippling Iran’s energy, financial and industrial sectors, among others. Despite the immense resources of Iran, Iranians cannot even find the basics of food and housing, let alone dream of economic opportunities. But this does not have to be. One of the motivating factors behind the Abraham Accords was a new realization in the Arab world that their populations are more interested in pursuing hi-tech and entrepreneurial opportunities than they are in hating the Jews – and that Israel is actually the regional partner of choice in these areas. In coming months, the Iranian people will see ever more lucrative deals and new enterprises emerging that may well make them wonder why Tehran relentlessly pursues bigotry, violence and hate instead of peace. This would hardly be surprising. The Islamic Republic’s antipathy toward Jews, Christians, Baha’is and, for that matter, Sunni Muslims stands in contrast with Iran’s otherwise long, rich tradition of tolerance dating back to Cyrus the Great. The ancient Persian leader was known for his openness and acceptance. He was a proponent of human rights and religious freedom. And unlike Ayatollah Khamenei, who seeks to annihilate the Jewish State of Israel, Cyrus liberated the Jewish people from Babylonia. It’s no wonder the leadership of the Islamic Republic considers Cyrus Day a “Western-Zionist” plot, and attempts to prevent Iranians from visiting his tomb. Wouldn’t it be poetic if the era of Abraham Accords could be followed by the era of Cyrus Accords? After all, Israelis and Iranians have a lot in common. Both peoples are highly educated. Both are technologically savvy. Both have millennia-old traditions that have successfully intertwined in the past. And both crave peace in the (not-too-distant) future. Given the Iranian regime’s pathological antisemitism and belligerence, the notion of Cyrus Accords may seem far-fetched. But this regime is a historical anomaly. The day when the descendants of Abraham and the descendants of Cyrus will reconnect in peace and prosperity may be much sooner than we think. The United States should be ready to provide the bridge between these two great peoples and lead the Middle East into a new era.

“Airstrikes in Syria pinpoint Iranian influence,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, January 31, 2021.

“Mutairi faced severe torture that led to his false confession that he killed two Basij militia members.”  See “Iran’s regime executes champion boxer after torture, third in 4 months,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, January 31, 2021.

“Claim for Israel embassy blast said to cite Soleimani, Iran nuke chief killings,” Times of Israel, January 30, 2021.

“Iran Sends Missiles to Iraqi Hezbollah in East Syria,” Asharq Al-Awsat, January 30, 2021. “Short and medium range surface-to-surface Iranian missiles were delivered Friday to the Iraqi Hezbollah near the regime-controlled town of Al-Tabani in the western countryside of Syria’s Deir Ezzor province. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 56 missiles were delivered to the Hezbollah sites in civilian trucks via unofficial crossings between Syria and Iraq. … The trucks were loaded with Iranian-made missiles, coming from Iraq. The shipments were stored in commercial warehouses rented from civilians in the area of Kua Ibn Aswad, located between Al-Mayadeen city and Mahakan town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. Iranian militias and their supporters are based in positions in Deir Ezzor’s countryside, but they make redeployments from time to time over fear of Israeli airstrikes and unidentified US-led coalition aircraft.”

“Iran hangs political activist after UN condemned execution,” Alanah Lockwood, Jurist, January 30, 2021.

“How friendship with Venezuela benefits Iran’s isolated regime,” Hamdan Al-Shehri, Arab News, January 30, 2021.

Flexible?  “Iran Rejects New Participants, Any Talks on Nuclear Deal,” Reuters, January 30, 2021.

Without evidence.  “Trump’s Prevention of COVID-19 Vaccine Export to Iran ‘A Crime’: Rouhani,” IFP, January 30, 2021.

Ship and crew ransom repeated.  “Iran MP Says Unfreezing $7 Billion May Help Release of South Korean Tanker,” Reuters, January 29, 2021.  It appears that the only “environmental pollution” that is happening here is the taking hostage of people and ships.  It is not normal for countries to take hostages and use them as pawns in international relations—that is a special type of political pollution.

“Biden picks Rob Malley as envoy for Iran,” Dave Lawler and Barak Ravid, Axios, January 29, 2021.

Kenya has long been eyed as a place to expand.  “Iran ready to provide hi-tech expertise to Kenya,” Tehran Times, January 29, 2021.

“The United Nations human rights office on Friday condemned an alleged spree of 28 executions in Iran, including several prisoners from minority groups, and called on Tehran to halt the hanging of an ethnic Baluchi man.”  See “U.N. condemns Iran execution spree, worried about minorities,” Reuters, January 29, 2021.

To the calls from Iran that it has no responsibility for its actions.  Normal countries do.  “Blinken Says Iran Should Move First to Restart Nuclear Deal,” Nick Wadhams, Bloomberg, January 28 2021.

Feb. 21 is the deadline.  “A top Iranian diplomat says the “window is closing” for the U.S. to nix sanctions against the country and rejoin the 2015 nuclear pact. Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, told USA Today in an interview published Thursday that President Biden’s administration “must act quickly” before the option is no longer available to return to the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran’s parliament has established a Feb. 21 deadline for the administration to end the sanctions that the Trump administration implemented after leaving the deal in 2018. “We have said time and again that if the U.S. decides to go back to its international commitments and lift all the illegal sanctions against Iran, we will go back to the full implementation of JCPOA, which will benefit all sides,” Takht-Ravanchi said. He told USA Today that if the deadline passes, Iran would not drive U.N. nuclear inspectors out of the country but will provide less voluntary access to nuclear sites.  See “Iranian diplomat: ‘Window is closing’ for US to lift sanctions, rejoin nuclear pact,” Justine Coleman, The Hill, January 28, 2021.

“Iran says U.S., not Tehran, should act first to resolve nuclear deal row,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, January 28, 2021.

“In their report, the team of monitors confirmed that they had “documented several supply routes for the Houthis in the Arabian Sea using conventional Dhow vessels”.”  See “UN: Iran bodies supplying weapons to Yemen’s Houthis,” Middle East Monitor, January 28, 2021.

“Covid-19: Khamenei’s vaccine ban exposes flaw in Iran’s political system,” Shahir Shahidsaless, Middle East Eye, January 28, 2021.

“’Magical Thinking’? Top Iranian Politician Claims Sorcerers, Genies Influence Some State Decisions,” Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL, January 28, 2021.

“Iran Says Latest Round of Enrichment Leaves It on Cusp of Weapons-grade Level,” AP, Haaertz, January 28, 2021.

“Iran Strongly Supports Armenia’s Territorial Integrity,” Asbarez, January 28, 2021.

“Iran’s Position on Karabakh War: Tehran Competes for the Hearts of Azerbaijanis,” Mher Sahakyan, Modern Diplomacy, January 27, 2021.

“Iran Threatens to Take Out Tel Aviv if Israel Follows Through With New Military Plans,” Tom O’Connor, Newsweek, January 27, 2021.

I guess it’s working.  “Israel launches ‘psychological war’ against Iran, top general says,” AFP, Daily Sabah, January 27, 2021.

“Iran’s largest commercial port to be constructed in Jask,” Tehran Times, January 27, 2021.

“Iran’s Position on Karabakh War: Tehran Competes for the Hearts of Azerbaijanis,” Mher Sahakyan, Modern Diplomacy, January 27, 2021.

“Iran Threatens to Take Out Tel Aviv if Israel Follows Through With New Military Plans,” Tom O’Connor, Newsweek, January 27, 2021.

“Israel launches ‘psychological war’ against Iran, top general says,” AFP, Daily Sabah, January 27, 2021.

Excellent point—“This confuses the US into thinking that the region is endemically dysfunctional and impossible to fix.”  This author is exactly correct.  There is no reason the Middle East can be peaceful, economically strong, and even have forms of democracy for its peoples.  See “Iran’s regional chess game exposes US confusion,” Nadim Shehadi, Arab News, January 27, 2021.

Hmmm, we start with opposing stories about China today.  “China’s top legislator Li Zhanshu held talks on Monday with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf via video link, saying the two countries should implement the important consensus by the two heads of state and promote the continued development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.”  See “Chinese top legislator calls for advancing China-Iran ties,” Xinhua, January 26, 2021.

“Bitcoin Mining and Blackouts Add to Anti-Chinese Sentiments in Iran,” Reza Khaasteh, The Diplomat, January 26, 2021.

“NYT writer accused of promoting Iran’s policies in US,” Tobias Siegal, Jerusalem Post, January 26, 2021.

Another hostage, now up to five again.  The seizure is the first such since the inauguration of Pres. Biden.  Emad Shargi was out on jail and was caught as he tried to leave the country at a western border.  See “Iranian-American facing spying charges arrested as he tried to leave Iran,” Reuters, January 26, 2021.

“One of the extremely unpopular moves he [the Supreme Leader] recently made was that he personally banned the import of coronavirus vaccines from France, Britain, and the US. Average Iranians, who have lost tens of thousands of loved ones to the virus and are reeling under the severe economic ramifications, are furious.”  See “Sign of a Volcano Erupting in Iran,” Hamid Enayat, Modern Diplomacy, January 26, 2021.

“Brother of Iranian senior vice president gets 2 years in jail for corruption,” AP, Times of Israel, January 26, 2021.  Mahdi Jahangiri was sentenced for currency smuggling.

“Iran will take steps next month to curb short-notice IAEA inspections: official,” Reuters, January 26, 2021.

“Paragliding in Iran,” Tehran Times, January 26, 2021.

“Game-changing Iranian Pipeline Set To Launch In March,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, January 26, 2021.  “The geopolitically game-changing Goreh-Jask pipeline project saw a major advance last week with the commencement last week of offshore pipe-laying operations. … “The initial focus of the oil-transfer chain across the Goreh-Jask pipeline will be the huge oil fields cluster in the West Karoun region, which are the current focus of plans between Iran and China to boost short-term oil production as part of the two countries’ 25-year plan. … Phase 2 will involve the transfer more than one million barrels of crude oil to export terminals. … for later loading on to very large crude carriers (VLCCs) headed from the Gulf of Oman and into the Arabian Sea and then on to the Indian Ocean. … Over and above the technical details involved in the Goreh-Jask pipeline project, the key point is that the pipeline will allow Iran another method by which it can export huge amounts of oil without being prey to U.S. sanctions and it will also allow Iran to do this whilst at the same time causing chaos for a third of the rest of the world’s oil shipments through blockading the Strait of Hormuz, should it wish to do so again. “The logistical model Iran has at present is not sustainable in the current circumstances, with around 90 per cent of all of its oil for export currently loaded at Kharg Island – with most of the remaining loads going through terminals on Lavan and Sirri – making it an obvious and easy target for the U.S. and its proxies to cripple Iran’s oil sector and therefore its economy,” a senior oil and gas industry source who works closely with Iran’s Petroleum Ministry told OilPrice.com.”

“Soleimani film ‘insult’ to Peshmerga,” Al Monitor, January 26, 2021.

“Iran threatens to curb short-notice IAEA inspections next month,” Arab News, January 26, 2021.

Thank you China.  “Iran’s oil exports rise in January despite sanctions – trackers,” Alex Lawler, Reuters, January 26, 2021.

“With Signal shut down, WhatsApp and Instagram remain the only two unblocked major social media platforms” in Iran.  “Iran blocks Signal messaging app after WhatsApp exodus,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, January 26, 2021.

“Iran executes another wrestler despite US, international outcry, reports say,” Greg Norman, Fox, January 26, 2021.

“US tries to seize oil shipment it says came from Iran,” Verity Ratcliffe, Bloomberg, Houston Chronicle, January 26, 2021.

“Iran: Biden won’t have infinite time to rejoin nuclear deal,” Nasser Karimi, AP, January 26, 2021.

“Seeking clarification” means that Iran is really mad at Indonesia today.  Indonesia could have continued to look the other way.  “Iran seeks clarification from Indonesia on seizure of its tanker,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, January 25, 2021.

A top Israeli expert on Iran and the Arab world, Mordechai Kedar, said “They saw what happened to Libya and Muammar Gaddafi after he stopped his nuclear program while at the same time, they see how the world gently treats North Korea now that is has a bomb. The lesson for Teheran is very clear.”  See “Israelis Say They’ll Attack Iran If US Eases Sanctions,” Arie Egozi, Breaking Defense, January 25, 2021.

“Rouhani says U.S. suffered defeat in economic war on Iran,” Tehran Times, January 25, 2021.

“Iran: Regime Intimidates Public In Bid To Prevent Uprisings – OpEd,” Hassan Mahmoudi, Eurasia Review, January 25, 2021.

“Iran says 30 volunteers have no side effects from 2 doses of a homemade vaccine,” Times of Israel, AP, January 25, 2021.

“Iran To Receive First Shipment Of COVID-19 Vaccines From COVAX Soon – State Media,” Umer Jamshaid,Urdu Point, January 25, 2021.

Iranian MP Ali Asgar Annabestani got out of his car and insulted and slapped a police officer because he would not allow Annabestani’s car to use the lane designated for buses.  See “Iranian lawmaker under fire for slapping traffic cop,” Al Monitor, January 25, 2021.

“Iran Close to Passing New Laws Against Domestic Violence,” Cassie Ransom, Organization for World Peace, January 25, 2021.

China and Russia have certainly helped.  But the pressure has certainly been felt, and there’s been less money for bad acts.  “Maximum pressure policy is a failed policy, Javani says,” Tehran Times, January 25, 2021.

Former hostage Xiyue Wang  said he thought Biden should “take advantage of leverages provided to him through the maximum pressure policy of the Trump administration.”  See “US General Says US, Iran Entering ‘Period of Opportunity;’ Former Prisoner Warns Against Softening Stance,” VOA, January 25, 2021.  BTW, British, German and French governments all have citizens currently held hostage in Iran.  And BTW, it looks like Xiyue Wang will have soon made more warning statements about hostages than the new Biden administration.

“In an unprecedented interview, a former senior Iranian cleric and current opposition figure spoke with an Israeli television news channel Monday night from Tehran, and called for an end to hostilities between the countries. “It is time for the Iranian regime to stop inventing enemies that don’t exist,” the former ayatollah Abdol-Hamid Masoumi-Tehrani told Israel’s Channel 12 news. Masoumi-Tehrani, who had the honor of the “ayatollah” title revoked by Tehran due to his disagreements with the regime, said he has “no problem” with the Jewish state. He also derided the Islamic Republic’s frequent declarations of its intention to destroy Israel: “Don’t forget, these slogans were also said by [late former Iraqi leader] Saddam Hussein, and we know where he is today.” Masoumi-Tehrani said the Islamic Republic is a dictatorship that stifles dissenting opinions and freedom of speech. Asked if he feared for his life for speaking to an Israeli TV station, he told interviewer Ohad Hemo: “I have been speaking clearly for 20 years. If they don’t like that I’m talking to you or anyone else, it’s their problem.” “Iranians and Jews have many years of friendship,” he said. “I haven’t met Iranians who don’t have a positive opinion of Israel.”  See “From Iran, cleric tells Israel TV hostility between the two countries should end,” Times of Israel, January 25, 2021.

Now the Iron Dome moves beyond defending against Iran-sponsored Hamas and Hezzbollah.  “Israel Approves Use of Iron Dome to Protect US Bases Against Iran,” Asharq al-Awsat, January 25, 2021.

“Iran crumbling under Islamic fundamentalism,” Struan Stevenson, op-ed, UPI, January 25, 2021.

When you read enough news you see the same excuses, even on the same days, and by the same FM spokesman  Notice the reference to “technical issues.”  Gets comical.  “Iran has asked Indonesia to provide details about the seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday, a day after Jakarta said it had seized Iran and Panama-flagged tankers in its waters. Khatibzadeh said that the seizure was over a “a technical issue and it happens in shipping field”.  Second, the ships involved were the Iranian-flagged MT Horse and the Panamanian-flagged MT Freya.  In that Iran sent the MT Horse vessel to Venezuela last year to deliver 2.1 million barrels of Iranian condensate, someone needs to i.d. the captain—he’s up to no good.  And the captain of the Freya.  “Over the past few months, MT Freya has delivered two crude oil cargoes totalling about 4 million barrels into Qingdao port on the east coast of China and northeast Yingkou port.”  Sounds like Iran and China got caught skirting U.S. oil sanctions.  See “Iran asks Indonesia to explain seizure of tanker accused of illegal oil transfer,” Parisa Hafezi and Agustinus Beo Da Costa, Reuters, January 25, 2021.  Here’s the second “technical issue.”  “We don’t accept political mediation on technical issues and we informed the South Koreans of this issue,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said in an interview with the Iranian ISNA news agency, noting that the South Korean-flagged ship was seized because it polluted the maritime environment. … “Based on initial reports coming from local authorities, the issue is completely technical, and the vessel was led ashore upon a judicial order because the vessel had been polluting the sea,” Khatibzadeh said in a statement following the seizure of the ship.”  Thus, Iran is again saying the SK ship was polluting.  I wonder if they think the Iran tanker was leaking in Indonesia?  No.  See “Iran rules out mediation on South Korean-flagged tanker,” Tehran Times, January 24, 2021.

“Iran’s intelligence minister warns US and Israeli bases in Kurdistan,” MEMO, September 25, 2021.