The story says it all.  “Iran’s supreme leader has received the first coronavirus vaccine developed by the Islamic Republic, state TV reported Friday. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that he was not interested in taking foreign-made vaccines, because it is better to “wait for the Iranian vaccine because we have to be proud of this national honor.” In January, Khamenei banned imports of the American and Britain vaccines, a reflection of mistrust toward the West. Iranian pharmaceutical company Shifafarmed made the COVIran Barekat vaccine based on deactivated virus, and the first study of the safety and effectiveness began in late December. The emergency authorization was approved last week after the country, which is the worst-hit nation in the Middle East, faced problems importing enough vaccines [from Russia and China]. Iran has not published data about efficacy of the vaccine.”  “Iran’s top leader receives its home-made corona vaccine,” AP, ABC, June 25, 2021.

“Iran election result ‘will mean hardship for the Church’,” Madeleine Davies, Church Times, June 25, 2021.

Rare footage of Leader moving his disabled arm.  “Khamenei receives Iran-developed COVID-19 shot,” NHK World—Japan, June 25, 2021.

“US, France fear Iran’s nuclear activities may advance if talks drag,” The News, June 25, 2021.  Remember, it has always been a concern that the nuclear bomb efforts will continue and speed up while the world is distracted with talking.

If the IRI wants the JCPOA to be reinstituted, it has no choice but to be monitored.  Then again, Iran does not act as a rational government or normal state (that is part of what got us into this situation).  “Iran says has no obligation to respond to IAEA request on monitoring deal,” Reuters, June 25, 2021.

Off the coast of Senegal as of June 24.  As I’m now seeing this story they could be well to the W or the N.  “Iranian Naval Passage Through Atlantic Prompts US Concern,” Carla Babb, VOA, June 25, 2021.

Another fascinating article about holding back Iran’s nuclear program.  “Iranian Nuke Centrifuge Plant Badly Damaged By Drones,” Arie Egozi, Breaking Defense, June 25, 2021.

“Iran’s Absentee Voting Events at US Hotels Raise Sanctions, Ethics Questions,” Michael Lipin, VOA, June 25, 2021.  So the Administration apparently gave licenses to these hotels to hold events for Iran (Canada refused), and these hotels accepted payment to assist Iran.  Not good.  The voting could have been held online, for example.  Or they could have mailed in ballots.  There are other ways, also.

“UPDATE 1-IAEA wants ‘immediate response’ from Iran on extending monitoring deal,” Francois Murphy, Reuters, June 25, 2021.

Not a matter of the normal trade that occurs between countries, but an example of control and use of another country for one’s dark purposes.  “Iran-Syria port and maritime co-op on the rise,” Tehran Times, June 25, 2021.

“Iran is secretly making centrifuge rotor tubes and bellows at unknown locations, in violation of the JCPOA.”  This is a really big story.  “Iran nuclear centrifuge facility substantially damaged in attack – sources,” Yonah Jeremy Bob and Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, June 24, 2021.

A million Christians?  “Iran’s Christian Boom,” Daniel Pipes, Newsweek, June 24, 2021.

Very interesting timeline story.  “Pompeo to ‘Post’: Iran unwound nuclear deal in a matter of months:  The Mossad-CIA story in the Mike Pompeo, Yossi Cohen era,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 24, 2021.

These types of reviews are rare in the media.  “A look at Iran’s new First Lady,” Fatemeh Haghighatjoo, Iran Source, June 24, 2021.

“Nuclear Secrets Have Been Exposed,” Clifford May, Detroit Jewish News, June 24, 2021.

It is not normal for states to threaten, as these two stories lay out.  “Iran: Regime Threatens to Abduct, Use Terrorism Against MEK,” NCRI, June 24, 2021.  Iran is trying to erase an entire family, as a message to other families.  “Iran intensifies persecution of executed Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari’s family,” Karim Zidan, Bloody Elbow, June 24, 2021.

“Iran claims US to lift oil sanctions but Biden administration says nothing agreed,” Reuters, CNBC, June 24, 2021.

“BBC appeals to UN over Iran’s harassment of Persian service staff,” BBC, June 24, 2021.  These death threats, as the story lays out, are so easy to tie to Iran’s intelligence ministry and others–wonder why the UN won’t take the time to confirm with a sting/proof operation?

“Iran Set to Miss Nuclear Monitoring Deadline With Talks Unclear,” Jonathan Tirone and Nick Wadhams, Bloomberg, Yahoo, June 24, 2021.

“‘Sabotage attack’ on Iranian nuclear building foiled,” Al Jazeera, June 23, 2021.

A Middle East without Iranian drones (which are being used offensively, not defensively) would be a good thing.  “Israel and US said to increase cooperation to combat Iranian drones,” Times of Israel, June 23, 2021.

The myth of moderate Rouhani versus the hardliners continues in this article.  It was simply strategy, not difference in what needed to be done.  But it will be interesting to see how long before FM Zarif is replaced.  It is only a matter of time before Raisi is contradicted and blocked by Supreme Leader Khamenei, who famously pits officials against each other so he can stay in power.  “Conservative consolidation in Iran won’t necessarily bring stability,” Mohammad Ali Shabani, Axios, July 23, 2021.

Those Christians, such a threat to the state.  “Christian converts put on trial in Iran for threatening state,” Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2021.

Gotta’ love the logic and spin.  “Iran’s ICT minister: No satellite launched and therefore no failure,” Tehran Times, June 23, 2021.

“Iranians Are Frustrated By How Long It Is Taking To Get Vaccinated,” Peter Kenyon, WVTF, June 23, 2021.

Who are you going to believe?  Mehr News Agency or Jerusalem Post?  I vote the Post, based on the comparative track record.  “Iran atomic facility substantially damaged in attack – sources,” Yonah Jeremy Bob and Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2021.

The Supreme Leader does not like the MEK/NCRI.  “Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for the Future of Iran,” Maryam Rajavi, op-ed, Washington Times, June 23, 2021.

That a doctoral student (I also attended UConn) would think Iran may seize opportunities against Saudi Arabia hardly means peace between the two, and hardly means that Raisi is a dove.  O’Connor needs additional sources.  “Iran’s New Hard-line President Raisi Could Be Dove in Hawk’s Clothing,” Tom O’Connor, Newsweek, June 23, 2021.

“Top UN Official: Human Rights Situation in Iran is of “Serious Concern”,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, June 23, 2021.

Reading between the lines, the Tehran Times is admitting that FIFA will continue to threaten Iran’s involvement in world football because of the control and machinations involving the national team.  “Not bright future ahead of Iran’s sports minister,” Farrokh Hesabi, Tehran Times, June 23, 2021.

“Iran to decide whether to extend IAEA monitoring deal after expiry–official,” Reuters, June 23, 2021.

What does Iran give?  Will it release hostages?  “Iran official says US has agreed to lift oil, shipping sanctions,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2021.

“Despite Iranian claims, both in July 2020 and April 2021, the Islamic Republic initially lied to the global media in trying to downplay sabotage operations.”  See “Iran claims sabotage of Iran Atomic Energy Organization failed – explainer,” Yonah Jeremy Bob and Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2021.

“Iran must be held accountable for nuclear activity: Saudis,” Khitam Al Amir, Gulf News, June 23, 2021.

“What might be the real target of the sabotage in Iran? – analysis,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2021.

“Iran’s incoming president shoots down Biden plan to expand nuclear deal to missile program,” Joel Gehrke, Yahoo, June 22, 2021.

“According to eyewitnesses in various Iranian cities, most polling stations were completely deserted, indicating widespread boycotts of the election by the majority of the population. In spite of this reality, however, as it has been common practice by Khamenei to legitimize the elections and his regime, he claimed that more than 28 million people, or nearly 50% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, quintupling the actual number of vote casters. While according to reports, and numerous clips that are made by witnesses in various polling stations in different cities of Iran and published in cyberspace, the turnout in this election show was less than 10% of eligible voters.”  See “The End Of Iran’s Sham Elections,” Cyrus Yaqubi, op-ed, Eurasia Review, June 22, 2021.

“Analysis: Iran vote points to hardline goal of long-term power – analysts,” John Irish and Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, June 22, 2021.

“Iranian Nuclear Weapons Development Sites Requiring IAEA Inspections – Analysis,” Joshua Block, Eurasia Review, Hudson Institute, June 22, 2021.

“Iran, Russia, and Turkey: A Eurasionist Model of Foreign Relations,” Emil Avdaliani, BESA, June 22, 2021.

So much that is incorrect in this article, but I’ll post it to show the propaganda.  “Iran stands tall against COVID-19 ‘vaccine apartheid’,” Faranak Bakhtiari, Tehran Times, June 22, 2021.

Appeasement.  “Biden Wants a Deal With the Khobar Towers Killers,” Mike Pompeo, op-ed, Wall Street Journal, June 22, 2021.

So here are some numbers—maybe the turnout nation-wide was 20%?  “Official turnout in the June 18 election was 48.8 percent, the lowest ever registered in the Islamic republic, which was established in 1979. In the capital, Tehran, only 26 percent of registered voters decided to participate. By comparison, the turnout in the last two presidential elections — in 2013 and 2017 — was about 73 percent, while in 2009 nearly 85 percent of voters cast their ballots, according to official Interior Ministry statistics. The number of spoiled ballots in last week’s presidential vote was 3.7 million — or about 12 percent of the total. That suggests that many people cast protest votes despite a fatwa by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banning blank votes “if they result in the weakening of the Islamic establishment.” In previous elections, an average of about 2 percent of the votes were invalid.”  See “Voters Send A Message To Iran’s Leaders After Dismal Turnout For Presidential Election,” Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL, June 22, 2021.

“U.S. Seizes Websites Used by Iran-Backed Terror Orgs,” Sara Marcus, Hamodia, June 22, 2021.

“Pentagon tracked failed Iranian satellite launch and new images reveal Tehran is set to try again,” Zachary Cohen and Oren Lieberman, CNN, June 22, 2021.

“U.S. blocks websites linked to Iranian disinformation,” Reuters, June 22, 2021.

“DOJ seizes 36 U.S. website domains for Iranian government disinformation,” Rebecca Falconer, Axios, June 22, 2021.

“The failed launch attempt is the fourth consecutive failure of the Simorgh launcher,” said Lewis [Jeffrey Lewis is a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies], author of an upcoming book on Iran’s space program. “Iran seems to be struggling with this specific system.”  See “Pentagon tracked failed Iranian satellite launch and new images reveal Tehran is set to try again,” Zachary Cohen and Oren Liebermann, CNN, June 22, 2021.

Quote of the Day.  “I’ve always defended the rights of the people. Human rights have been the most foundational base upon which I worked.”  Iran’s president-elect Ebrahim Raisi.  “Multiple rights groups have also specifically condemned his alleged involvement with a four-person “death panel” in 1988 that oversaw the mass execution of up to 5,000 political prisoners. Raisi has never commented on the death panel allegations. When asked about the executions during Monday’s news conference, he instead defended his track record as a prosecutor and judge. … Raisi added that he was “proud” that throughout his career he has defended human rights and said that he would continue to do so as Iran’s next president. Amnesty International demanded on Saturday that he be investigated for alleged crimes against humanity over the mass executions.”  “Iran’s hardline president-elect Ebrahim Raisi says he will not meet with Biden,” Tamara Qiblawi, Frederik Pleitgen, Claudia Otto, Ramin Mostaghim and Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, June 21, 2021.  “All of Raisi’s serious rivals were barred from the race and overall voter turnout was 48.8%, the lowest figure since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.”  I think it was much lower than 48%.

The headline says it all.  “Iran’s Raisi says ballistic missiles, regional presence ‘not negotiable’ — and he doesn’t want to meet Biden,” Erin Cunningham, Washington Post, June 21, 2021.

An unexplained shutdown.  “Iran’s sole nuclear power plant undergoes emergency shutdown,” AP, June 21, 2021.

“White House: Khamenei still ‘decision-maker’ after presidential election in Iran,” Katherine Doyle, Yahoo, June 21, 2021.

“‘I am innocent’: Urgent pleas to release Australian-Iranian citizen held in Tehran prison,” Anthony Galloway, Sydney Morning Herald, June 21, 2021.

Thank you Guyana.  “Guyana checks Winsome ways of Iran-linked tanker,” Lloyd’s List, June 21, 2021.  “Guyana’s flag registry is one of 18 developing countries in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific regions used by flag-hopping owners of tankers engaged in subterfuge shipping.”  This enables crime and proliferation, etc.

“Iran: Stop imminent execution of young man arrested and tortured at 17,” Amnesty International, June 21, 2021.

“Hard-liner ushered in as new Iran president:  Voter turnout republic’s lowest ever,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, June 20, 2021.  “[O]ut of more than 59 million people eligible, only 28.9 million voted Friday. And some 3.7 million people either accidentally or intentionally voided their ballots, far beyond the amount seen in previous elections and suggesting that some wanted none of the four candidates.”  Ouch.

“Europeans, U.S. Warn Iran Nuclear Talks Won’t Be Open-Ended,” Reuters, USNWR, June 20, 2021.

“Clashes and Protests in Iran on Sunday,” Hamideh Taati, NCRI, June 20, 2021.

A good big picture article.  “Iran’s System Keeps Its Grip, Despite the Chaos (or Because of It),” Max Fisher, New York Times, June 20, 2021.

“Tehran Government Bans Iran Blockchain Association,” Lubomir Tassev, Bitcoin, June 19, 2021.

“Houthis Launch Attack with 10 Armed Drones Against Saudi Targets,” Iran International, June 19, 2021.

“Iran: Overseer of Mass Executions Elected President,” Human Rights Watch, June 19, 2021.

Bennett has been warned by three former top defense officials that the emerging deal could be worse than the 2015 version. In a missive circulated in the government, the officials claim they have received “reliable and worrying information” that the US is “willing to accept a reduced accord that will see most of the sanctions set by the Trump administration since 2018 removed. In return, Iran will roll back only some of the steps it has taken since 2019 to promote its nuclear program.” The missive by former Military Intelligence chief Aharon Zeevi-Farkash, and former top officials in the Israel Atomic Energy Commission claims Washington is willing to accept only partial limitations on Iran’s increased enrichment capacity and reduced UN inspections. They say the US will likely rebuff criticism by asserting it will deal with such issues as part of a broader, improved accord that will be negotiated down the line, but express doubts that such a deal is feasible. “Iran will be able to advance covertly and significantly reduce the time required to reach a nuclear arsenal,” they argue.  “Bennett said to ramp up engagement with US over its planned return to Iran deal,” Times of Israel, June 19, 2021.

Only four participated, Raeisi, Mohsen Rezaei, Abdolnasser Hemmati, and Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi.  The other three dropped out.  Wonderful system.  Second, someone needs to ask Tehran Times if the central numbers recorded in this article match the collective numbers from the regions.  “Raeisi wins presidential vote in Iran with a landslide victory,” Tehran Times, June 19, 2021.

When I read the headline, I thought that Iran was truly about to send a representative.  Then I read the story—Zarif (he makes an appearance!) still has demands that SA must meet first.  “Iran’s Zarif Says He’s Ready to Send Ambassador to Saudi Arabia,” Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, June 19, 2021.

An emotional Father’s Day plea.  “UK: daughter of British man jailed in Iran calls on Government to ‘save my dad’,” Amnesty International UK, June 18, 2021.

Quote of the Day:  “It is useless,” said Ali Hosseini, a 36-year-old unemployed resident in southern Tehran, about the exercise of voting in Iran.  See “In Iran’s subdued election, many voters appear to stay home,” Isabel Debre, AP, KRMG, June 18, 2021.  In a similar vein, “Apathy greets Iran presidential vote dominated by hard-liner,” Jon Gambrell, AP, June 18, 2021.  And again, “Latest Opinion Survey Shows 22 Percent Inclined to Vote in Iran Election,” Iran International, June 18, 2021.

“US officials: Iranian ships changing course away from Venezuela,” Lexi Lonas, The Hill, June 18, 2021.

Ignore the “expert opinion” that UNCLOS protects warships from boarding and their cargoes seized—sanctions and self-defense provide all the justification needed, as laid out in the article diplomatically, legally, and via military explanation provided by former officials Bolton (Rep.) and Stavridis (Dem.).  See “Iranian ships once believed to be headed toward Venezuela change course, U.S. officials say,” Lara Seligman and Nahal Toosi, Politico, June 17, 2021.

If Iran’s med was good, or in adequate amounts, or the same for what it supposedly is acquiring from Russia and China, then we wouldn’t have this.  And from where is the money coming for 20x to 50x the cost in the West per dose?  See “Iran: Pfizer Vaccine Sold For Up To $2,488 In Tehran,” Iran News Wire, June 17, 2021.

““This is really about the hardline, conservative core of the regime ensuring its survival”—Iran votes,” Economist, June 17, 2021.

Ignore the “expert opinion” that UNCLOS protects warships from boarding and their cargoes seized—sanctions and self-defense provide all the justification needed, as laid diplomatically, legally, and via military explanation provided by former officials Bolton (Rep.) and Stavridis (Dem.).  See “Iranian ships once believed to be headed toward Venezuela change course, U.S. officials say,” Lara Seligman and Nahal Toosi, Politico, June 17, 2021.

“’I’m Through With Politics’: Outrage And Apathy Ahead Of Iran’s Presidential Vote,” Stuart Greer, RFE/RL, Radio Farda, June 17, 2021.

“Iran regime-backed Hezbollah builds stronghold in France – report,” Benjamin Weinthal and Sarah Chemla, Jerusalem Post, June 16, 2021.

As you will read here, by “fake” it is meant nothing as compared to fair democratic elections—they are “show” elections, common in authoritarian socieities.  “Iran Officials Admit That Elections Are Fake,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, June 16, 2021.

“Iran is draining its aquifers dry,” Nature, June 16, 2021.  Mismanagement and corruption are depleting ground and surface waters across the country.

“Biden urged to secure release of Americans left behind in Iran,” Elizabeth Hagedorn, Al Monitor, June 16, 2021.

“Ebrahim Raisi poised to sweep into Iranian presidency despite weak religious credentials,” Joseph Hammond, Washington Post, Religion News Service, June 16, 2021.

Will Putin follow through?  “Biden Says He and Putin Agreed to Work to Keep Iran From Getting Nuclear Weapons,” Reuters, June 16, 2021.

“Four wild Iran nuclear standoff developments,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 16, 2021.

“Suspected Iranian hackers exploit VPN, Telegram to monitor dissidents,” Cyberscoop, June 16, 2021.

“Iran’s Rigged Election:  A Handpicked President Won’t Stand in the Supreme Leader’s Way,” Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, June 16, 2021.

“Four wild Iran nuclear standoff developments,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 16, 2021.