“If it gets nukes, Iran could fire using cruise missiles – exclusive,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2021.

Notice the last line about Iran using the Palestinians.  “Ultimately, the Palestinians are still mostly on their own. Their anger is directed against Israel first and foremost, but there is also rage for all those who they argue should be helping them but are not: the Palestinian Authority and President Mahmoud Abbas, who has been in power since 2005; Arab countries that profess brotherhood and common cause but only pay lip service to the Palestinian cause; Washington, which rhetorically voices commitment to human rights and justice but does little to hold its allies, including Israel, accountable on these fronts. The Syrian-Palestinian writer Nidal Betare, who grew up in the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, also raged in a Twitter thread against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In it, he accused them of having lost their role as liberation movements and having turned into guns for hire, their leaders sitting comfortably in Damascus or Qatar while Palestinians are being bombarded in Gaza. Some Palestinians may look to Iran as their last ally, and may well cheer the Hamas rockets as the sole way to push back against Israel. But for more than 40 years, the Islamic Republic has used the Palestinian cause for its own advancement.”  See “No One Is Coming to Help the Palestinians,” Kim Ghattas, The Atlantic, May 16, 2021.

With a performance capacity of 0.56 petaflops.  “Iran unveils its strongest domestic supercomputer,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, May 16, 2021.  What is surprising, pleasantly, is that ICT Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi said that “the supercomputer will be named Maryam, after the late world-class Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani. … A Stanford University professor, Mirzakhani passed away in 2017 from breast cancer at the age of 40. In 2014, she was honoured with the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award in mathematics, becoming the first woman and the first Iranian to receive it.” Thus far the Regime had distanced itself from her award due to its being won by a woman.

A really good article outlining the control of the Leader.  “Khamenei’s hidden hand in Iran’s presidential vote,” Majid Rafizadeh, Arab News, May 16, 2021. “Iran’s election in June will determine not only the next president, but possibly also who will succeed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Khamenei, who came to power in 1989, is the second-longest serving ruler in Iran in the past century, behind only Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who was in power from 1941 until the revolution of 1979. He is the longest-serving head of government in the Middle East. Given that he is 81 years old and suffers from several health problems, it is realistic to argue that he is considering who his successor will be. Grooming a political or religious figure to become the next supreme leader will ensure a smooth transition of power when Khamenei dies. The position of supreme leader is critical for the survival of the Islamic Republic and the continuation of the revolutionary concept of Ayatollah Khomeini — Velayat-e Faqih, or “guardianship of the Islamic jurist.” Whoever holds the position has the final say on Iran’s domestic and foreign policy and has significant control over the legislative, executive and judicial systems. In addition, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and intelligence service — the most powerful political and economic apparatuses in the country — report only to the supreme leader, who also has the authority to hand-pick military commanders as the chief of Iran’s military institutions. The supreme leader controls the bonyad charitable trusts (which control a significant part of Iran’s gross domestic product) and the Setad organization (the headquarters for executing the orders of the imam, which is worth more than $90 billion). The supreme leader dictates how the nation’s resources are spent, with a focus on exporting Iran’s revolutionary ideals and support for proxies and militia groups across the Middle East. Although Khamenei, high-level clerics from the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts, and the senior cadre of the IRGC are probably already secretly discussing who will be the next supreme leader, discussing it publicly is considered taboo. Tradition reveals that the position of president can be a crucial stepping stone when it comes to succeeding the supreme leader. The position of president can be a crucial stepping stone to succeeding the supreme leader. When Khomeini died in 1989, Khamenei was Iran’s sitting president. Even though the constitution states that the supreme leader should be elected by the Assembly of Experts, the former incumbent most probably selects his successor. For example, according to the late former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Khomeini chose Khamenei to be his successor. The regime even changed the constitution so that Khamenei qualified and Khomeini’s wish could be fulfilled. This partially explains why Khamenei has increased his interventions in the presidential election. He has even told the grandson of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Hassan Khomeini, not to run. The reformist political camp in Iran was reportedly intending to introduce Hassan Khomeini as its candidate. But Yasser Khomeini, brother of Hassan, declared: “The revolution’s supreme leader considered that Hassan Khomeini’s candidacy in the election was not appropriate. He expressed that he counts Hassan as his son, asking him not to enter this field in such circumstances.” The Guardian Council, which has the ultimate power over who runs for the presidency, has also significantly narrowed its terms for qualification. It has barred anyone older than 75 and younger than 40 from running. Even President Hassan Rouhani criticized the Guardian Council for introducing such restrictive rules, and said it had no legal right to do so. The new age restrictions prevent potential candidates such as 39-year-old Mohammed-Javad Azari Jahromi, the minister of information and communications technology, and 80-year-old Mohammed Gharazi, the former minister of petroleum, from standing in the election. To fulfill Khamenei’s demands, the Guardian Council will also probably disqualify figures such as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was president from 2005 to 2013, or anyone else the supreme leader disapproves of. The council also imposed new rules barring anyone with a criminal conviction or a lack of managerial experience from running in the election. As a result, people such as the reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh, who was jailed in 2009, cannot be a presidential candidate. It is worth noting that, when Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said he might run for president, the Guardian Council would have had difficulty disqualifying him because of his current position. However, the leaking of a controversial audio tape of Zarif resolved that issue as Khamenei publicly criticized him. Zarif subsequently announced that he would not be running. It is because the position of president can be seen as a stepping stone to succeeding the supreme leader that Khamenei and his inner circle are escalating their interventions in the election.”

“Why the West must challenge Iran on human rights,” The Conversation, May 16, 2021.  “The Iranian Parliament recently added two new provisions to Iran’s Penal Code that are intended to target a range of marginalized groups with the threat of arbitrary arrest and detention. One provision takes aim at “anyone who insults Iranian ethnicities or divine religions or Islamic schools of thought recognized under the Constitution,” saying they can be subjected to harsh punishments. Another says that “any deviant educational or proselytizing activity that contradicts or interferes with the sacred law of Islam” can lead to a prison sentence of two to five years.” This article pleads the Biden Administration to include human rights in the JCPOA negotiations.

“In phone call, Iran’s Quds Force chief applauds Hamas leader for Israel attacks,” Times of Israel, May 16, 2021.

“592 Iranians sign up for presidential election,” Xinhua, May 16, 2021.

In the World Bank’s index, Iran was ranked 131 for government effectiveness.  “Iran’s Inefficient Government,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, May 16, 2021.

After Hamas fired more than 2,000 Iranian-supplied/promoted rockets at Israel in the last several days, the government of Austria decided to fly the Israeli flag on Friday over the federal chancellery in Vienna as a sign of solidarity.  Vienna is the seat of the UN-nuclear watchdog IAEA and the site of JCPOA negotiations.  On Saturday, a meeting had been scheduled between Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Austrian FM Alexander Schallenberg, but Zarif (and the Regime) decided to cancel the meeting in protest.  Austria is making a brave statement against terrorism and the Shia Crescent.  “Iranian minister cancels Austrian visit over Israeli flag,” Reuters, May 15, 2021.

As the June 18 presidential elections approach, the Supreme Leader through the Guardian Council is right now removing candidates from the application pool in the most recent step of shaping the ballot.  Remember, the Leader holds practically 100% ability to choose who the President of Iran is, regardless of whether there is an “election.”   “Conservative Ebrahim Raisi tops Iran’s presidential candidates,” Maziar Motamedi, May 15, 2021.  It is becoming more apparent that Raisi, the head of the judiciary (shall we say more?), is considered by many to be the Leader’s choice to succeed him.  The question is also what happens when the Leader dies–will the Assembly of Experts (really the IRGC) select the President (Raisi) as the new Leader?

If we have to pick between Amnesty International and Oberlin College on this, vote AI.  Did Oberlin really do a background check before hire?  AI says current Oberlin College religious studies professor Mohammad Jafar “Mahallati committed crimes against humanity by covering up the mass murder of at least 5,000 Iranian political prisoners during 1988 at the UN.”  The article includes this—“Gregg Levine, chair of the Community Relations Committee for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, told the Post in the community’s first public comment about Mahallati: “The Jewish Federation of Cleveland appreciates Oberlin College taking immediate action to investigate the serious allegations against Professor Mahallati. If these allegations prove to be accurate, we are hopeful that the college will move just as quickly to remove this individual from its faculty.””  See “After ‘Post’ query, NGO scrubs notice of event with ex-Iran ambassador,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, May 15, 2021.

Raisi versus Larijani.  No contest.  “Two main contenders sign up for Iran’s presidential election,” Reuters, May 15, 2021.

“Iran reveals its strategy advising Hamas on war against Israel,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 15, 2021.

“Iran’s Government Removes Health Insurance and Services,” Mahmoud Hamidi, Iran News Update, May 15, 2021.  “Iran’s government after a long and quiet move has removed the health insurance and medical services for the insured and announced that all health insurance booklets will be removed within the next two to three months.  … all Iranians can now receive free or semi-free government medical services by presenting a national card or an identity card. That is, are we really moving towards a health insurance paradise? The answer, of course, is no, because this official then said, that only those who are entitled to receive these services can benefit from these services by presenting a national card or any other valid ID card. … only certain people which the government recognizes as “worthy” by their “merit” can benefit and use the government’s insurance services. Another reality is that before this government’s decision the insurance service was not free at all. Because every villager had to pay 800,000 tomans in cash to the government to renew his or her rural health insurance. That is, even the health insurance of the villagers was not free, despite being one of the poorest strata in Iran. And even last year the government had removed the insurance service of the pharmacies and medical centers. As an example, in Tehran, until the half of the year, only 800 pharmacies accepted the insurance and the rest of them did not accept any insurance prescription. And in the counties, specialist doctors did not accept to become a party to the insurance. Meanwhile, the members of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) are covered by many government insurances services like: Khomeini’s relief committee, Isaar foundation, Mostazafan Foundation of Islamic Revolution, Khordad Foundation.”

“Joe Biden’s Iran Policy Is One Giant Nuclear Mistake,” Anthony Ruggiero, op-ed, National Interest, May 15, 2021.

“Alert: Iran’s judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line cleric linked to 1988 mass executions, registers to run for president,” Telegraph, May 15, 2021.

“Iran’s hand seen in Hamas drone threat against Israel – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 14, 2021.

How would Iran know?  Hmmm.  Because of being ordered?  And “Hamas tactics are similar to the Houthis in Yemen who are also backed by Iran.”  See “Iran says Hamas is targeting Iron Dome sites, airports,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 14, 2021.

“Iran to invest $5.3b in Afghanistan’s transport, infrastructure projects,” Tehran Times, May 14, 2021.

And this will connect to the China line.  “Rouhani Says Shalamcheh-Basra Railway to Connect Iran to Iraq, Syria, and the Mediterranean,” Asharq Al-Awsat, May 14, 2021.

Ali Larijani, part of the Five Brothers, confidant of the Leader, and a hardliner.  “Ex-Iran parliament speaker registers to run for president NEW,” AP, WKOW, May 14, 2021.

““There Is No Evil,” Reviewed: A Powerful Feature About Iranian Executioners,” Richard Brody, New Yorker, May 14, 2021.

“We call on you to immediately end negotiations with Iran and make clear that sanctions relief will not be provided,” said the letter led by Senator Marco Rubio and signed by all but six Senate Republicans.  “US Republicans link Iran relief to Tehran’s ties to Hamas,” Arab Weekly, May 14, 2021.

“Iran may purge its intelligence community,” Ardavan Khoshnood, JNS, May 13, 2021.

But again, only if Saudi Arabia does what Syria and Iran want. “Syria, Iran set to reestablish relations with Saudi Arabia,” Prensa Latina, May 13, 2021.

“Iran Election: Guardian Council Flexes Muscle, Unlawfully Imposes More Qualification Requirements,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, May 13, 2021.

“Iran’s government orders central bank to bolster stock market,” Ben Margulies, Central Banking, May 13, 2021.

“Iranian press review: Pro-government media celebrates Hamas rocket strikes,” Middle East Eye, May 13, 2021.

“’Serious questions’ remain about John Kerry’s conversations with Iran: Pavlich,” Fox, May 13, 2021.  The questions about what former Sec. Kerry told FM Zarif have not yet been answered.

“Iran Urged To Stop Jailing, Harassing Kurdish Journalists,” RFE/RL, May 13, 2021.

“Canada slams ‘unconscionable’ Iran conduct since airliner shootdown,” Reuters, May 13, 2021.

They went to the black market or to State officials.  “Lawmaker says Iran missing 200,000 vaccines,” Al Monitor, May 13, 2021.

Classic blackmail.  “Iran To Saudi Arabia: Sell Our Oil And We Will Reduce Houthi Attacks,” Tsvetana Paraskova, OilPrice.com, May 13, 2021.

A very comprehensive article on this subject.  And hey, used car dealer and gas station attendant Manssor Arbabsiar (convicted of conspiring with Iranian officials to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the U.S. in 2011, near the White House) makes an appearance in the news.  “US Could Free These Iranians in Prisoner Swap,” Michael Lipin, VOA, May 13, 2021.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken used the release of the State Department’s annual International Religious Freedom Report on May 12 to name and shame the most egregious violators of religious freedom, which he defined as a universal human right.  “Iran continues to intimidate, harass, and arrest members of minority faith groups, including Baha’i, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Sunni and Sufi Muslims,” Blinken said.  See “U.S. Names Russia, Iran Among Worst Abusers Of Religious Rights, Slams ‘Genocide’ Against Uyghurs In China,” RFE/RL, May 13, 2021.

“UN watchdog: Iran has enriched uranium to highest purity yet,” David Rising, AP, ABC, May 12, 2021.

“The security implications of the Iran-China deal,” Ardavan Khoshnood, JNS, May 12, 2021.

Only if Saudi Arabia does what Iran wants.  “FM says Iran ready for closer ties with rival Saudi Arabia,” AP, May 12, 2021.

Gotta’ love it when The Post says don’t believe anyone else, believe us.  “Don’t believe the wild rumors on the Iran talks. Here’s the real story,” Jason Rezaian, op-ed, Washington Post, May 12, 2021.  The telling comment from Rezaian, who sadly himself has not learned from his hostage situation (unlike the Ph.D. student at Princeton, Xiyue Wang)—“Fortunately, at nearly every level of the administration, there are officials who know the challenges posed by Iran because they have dealt with them head-on in the past.”  That is the Administration who gave the world the JCPOA!  The second laughable comment, “When we left the nuclear deal, Iran began behaving worse — much worse — than when we were in it.”  Iran was already doing bad acts, from Syria to Yemen, to Lebanon to you name it.  Staying in the JCPOA simply gave Iran cover.  Let’s be grateful to the U.S. for pressure and to Israel for its pressure.  Sitting back is not the answer.  It would be wise for Rezaian to avoid praising Kerry.  It would also be wise for Rezaian to avoid comparing Brett McGurk with Robert O’Brien.

“Berlin security service blames Iran for cyber attack on German companies,” The National, May 12, 2021.

“Amid nuclear negotiations that will soon yield the Islamic Republic a massive windfall, the Biden administration is on the cusp of indirectly providing Hamas with the cash it needs to replenish its rocket supplies,” said Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.”  See “Iran’s role in Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be ‘overlooked,’ say Mideast experts,” Sean Savage, JNS, May 12, 2021.

An enabler.  “Twitter users slam platform for not banning Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei,” Yaron Steinbuch, NYPost, May 12, 2021.

“Is massive Hamas attack on Israel the assault Iran warned of? – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 11, 2021.

“Registration opens for hopefuls in Iran’s presidential vote,” Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell, AP, May 11, 2021.

But Iran won’t address the video of the incident. “I ran rejects US claim that speedboats sparked encounter,” Spokesman Review, May 11, 2021.

If the Biden Administration will authorize the sinking of just one of these boats that menace the U.S. Navy, that will substantially influence Iran’s irresponsible and dangerous acts.  They are on notice with the warning shots.  “Watch the Navy and Coast Guard’s Risky Encounter with Iranian Speedboats,” Stephen Losey, Military.com, May 11, 2021.

These events make you wonder why the U.S. negotiates on the JCPOA with Iran.  We DON’T have to shoot warning shots with any other country in the entire world.  “Six US Navy vessels were escorting a guided missile submarine, the USS Georgia, when they encountered a group of 13 IRGCN “fast attack boats,” Kirby told reporters. The boats approached the US Navy vessels “at high speed,” coming as close as within 150 yards. After the US tried “all the appropriate and established procedures involving hip blasts, bridge to bridge radio transmission and other ways of communicating,” US Coast Guard Cutter Maui fired approximately 30 warning shots, Kirby said. Following the second round of warning shots, the IRGCN fast boats “broke contact.” The episode follows a string of recent incidents between Iranian boats and US warships. Last month, Iran’s Navy came within 68 yards of US ships operating in the Persian Gulf. And earlier in April, four IRGC ships, including three fast attack craft and a support vessel, came within 70 yards of two Coast Guard cutters.”  See “US Coast Guard ship fired around 30 warning shots at Iranian fast boats in latest tense encounter,” Barbara Starr, Ellie Kaufman, and Paul LeBlanc, CNN, May 10, 2021.

“Iran’s Zarif speaks with Hamas chief, pledges support,” Syed Zafar Mehdi, AA, May 10, 2021.

“Iran Regime’s Blackmail for JCPOA Negotiations,” Shahin Mahmoudi, Iran Focus, May 10, 2021.

“Iran’s presidential election shrouds who really runs the country,” Micha Halpern, Jerusalem Post, May 10, 2021.

“The Second Step of Iran’s Islamic Revolution: Exploring the Supreme Leader’s Worldview,” Kyra Rauschenbach, Critical Threats, May 10, 2021.

So the question becomes will he remain in the service of the Regime, where he has been for over two decades, or will he accept relegation to the wayside?  “Iran’s Zarif denies bid for presidency,” Al Monitor, May 10, 2021.

“What is Iran’s goal in the Jerusalem crisis?,” Seth Frantzman, op-ed, Jerusalem Post,” May 10, 2021.

Another denial.  Then they hope the ownership question is dropped, just like other bad news stories.  “Iran denies knowledge of ship carrying weapons in Arabian Sea,” War is Boring, May 10, 2021.

“State-Run Media: Corruption Is the Root of Iran’s Economic Crisis,” Shamsi Saadati, NCRI, May 10, 2021.

“In attempt to undermine London, Iran operating fake profiles promoting independence of Scotland,” Mandi Kogosowski, Israel Defense, May 10, 2021.

“Iran denies sending Syria mercenaries to Yemen,” MEMO, May 10, 2021.

(1) Ouch, (2) Don’t try this at home, (3) This is what happens when you mess with Israel—All comments that can be made regarding this post.  “Iranian man ironically catches fire while burning an Israeli flag – Watch,” Tobias Siegal, Jerusalem Post, May 9, 2021.

“U.S. Navy seizes weapons in Arabian Sea,” AP, May 9, 2021.  “The U.S. Navy announced Sunday it seized an arms shipment of thousands of assault weapons, machines guns and sniper rifles hidden aboard a ship in the Arabian Sea, apparently bound for Yemen to support the country’s Houthi rebels. An American defense official told The Associated Press that the Navy’s initial investigation found the vessel came from Iran, again tying the Islamic Republic to arming the Houthis despite a United Nations arms embargo. … When laid out on the deck of the Monterey, the scale of the find came into focus. Sailors found nearly 3,000 Chinese Type 56 assault rifles, a variant of the Kalashnikov. They recovered hundreds of other heavy machine guns and sniper rifles, as well as dozens of advanced, Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles. The shipments also included several hundred rocket-propelled grenade launchers and optical sights for weapons. The Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet did not identify where the weapons originated, nor where they were going. However, an American defense official said the weapons resembled those of other shipments interdicted bounded for the Houthis. Based on interviews with the crew and material investigated on board, the sailors determined the vessel came from Iran, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. “After all illicit cargo was removed, the dhow was assessed for seaworthiness, and after questioning, its crew was provided food and water before being released,” the 5th Fleet said in a statement.”  Their statements were video tapped. … “Since 2015, the U.N. Security Council has imposed an arms embargo on the Houthis. Despite that, U.N. experts warn “an increasing body of evidence suggests that individuals or entities in the Islamic Republic of Iran supply significant volumes of weapons and components to the Houthis.”

Sounds like a good negotiating partner.  Does the IRGC really want a new JCPOA?  “Iranian state TV airs video of US Capitol exploding,” Israel Hayom, JNS, May 9, 2021.

“Iran bans trading of crypto not locally mined,” Jet Encila, Micky, May 9, 2021.

Most likely lack of maintenance.  Corruption plays a part.  And Russian involvement in the program.  “Massive fire breaks out near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant – Watch,” Jerusalem Post,” May 8, 2021.

“[A] senior delegation of Israeli officials who met with their White House counterparts (and also with President Biden) concluded after their own talks that Biden would give Iran billions of dollars in sanctions relief without first fixing the nuclear deal’s flaws – which include, in their view, letting Iran proceed with an advanced centrifuge program in 2023 and without enhanced verification of Iran’s compliance with the deal.”  See “Judith Miller: Is Iran’s Supreme Leader near death? Why the answer is supremely important,” Judith Miller, Fox, May 8, 2021.

Notice the theme of the following three stories.  Destabilization.  Doesn’t happen by accident.  “Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah join to incite terror against Israel,” Seth Frantzman, op-ed, Jerusalem Post, May 8, 2021.

“Morocco Says Iran Working on Destabilizing North, West Africa,” Asharq Al-Awsat, May 8, 2021.

“Iran-backed PMFs are destabilising Iraq’s disputed regions,” Kamaran Palani, op-ed, Al Jazeera, May 8, 2021.

Happy Quds Day, right?!  Fortunately, most persons in Iran do not celebrate this despite the Regime’s best efforts at promotion.  “Iran’s Khamenei says fight against Israel is a public duty,” Reuters, May 7, 2021.

“Jask oil terminal Iran’s gateway to export oil from Oman Sea,” Hellenic Shipping News, May 7, 2021.

Notice how to Iran the military and diplomacy are one.  “Yemeni Minister: Iran’s Quds Force Commander Is De Facto Ruler Of Houthi-Held Areas,” Saeed Al-Batati, Arab News, May 7, 2021.  Iran’s Quds Force commander, Hassan Erlo, is acting as de facto ruler of areas controlled by the Houthi militia, a senior Yemeni official has said. Erlo (Irlo) is Iran’s ambassador to Sana’a. Erlo’s movements are highlighted by the Houthis’ media outfit, which confirms that he is acting as a leader, Muammar Al-Eryani, Yemen’s minister of information, culture and tourism, said on Wednesday. Eryani was quoted by state news agency SABA as saying that the Quds Force commander’s actions show that the Houthi leadership takes political, military and administrative orders from the Tehran regime. Iran sends its orders through Erlo, the minister added. He claimed that this highlights Iran’s attempts to impose its control on Yemen as part of an “expansion project in the entire region,” adding that the Houthi militia is “a dirty tool to implement this aim.” Without tough punitive measures from the international community and military pressure on the ground, Iran-backed Houthis will not offer concessions and will continue rejecting initiatives to end the war, Yemen experts said.

“The report states that Iran creates state-controlled “neutral” companies to hide the true nature of the purchase from buyers and establishes “illegal procurement networks which belong to the front companies and middlemen.”

Iran also uses “detour deliveries over ‘third states’ in order not to identify the final buyer” and “the use and misuse of inexperienced freight deliverers and transporters,” the report added. Iran also breaks down the deliveries of illegal deliveries into several “individual non-suspicious deliveries to avoid exposing the entire business.”  The report also said that Iran “conceals the end user” and the “individual, company or institution with which the goods ultimately remain.” The report cited Iran 19 times in the 218-page report, covering security threats to the state’s democracy.

It also said that states such as Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Syria and Russia strive to acquire dual-use goods, items which have both civil and military use.”  See “German report reveals how Iran uses proliferation to smuggle illegal goods,” Arab News, May 7, 2021.

“Insignificance Of A Teacher’s Job In Iran (On Occasion Of International Teacher’s Day),” Cyrus Yaqubi, Eurasia Review, May 7, 2021.

“Kadhimi Orders Removing Billboards of Key Iranian Political Figures,” Asharq Al-Awsat, May 7, 2021

“US slams Iran-backed Yemen rebels for snubbing UN envoy,” Matthew Lee, AP, May 7, 2021.

“Israel ‘not a country, but a terrorist base’: Iran’s Khamenei,” AFP, The Australian, May 7, 2021.

“US weighs unfreezing $1 billion in Iranian funds,” Natasha Bertrand, CNN, May 7, 2021.  You can tell how this is written, and to CNN, that this appears to be a real source and not hearsay.  Let’s hope the channel to send the humanitarian aide through the Swiss channel does not involve using the Swiss official in Tehran who died under mysterious circumstances.