“Iran Says It Has Built Underground Missile Cities Along Gulf Coastline,” Haaretz, July 6, 2020.

The attacks by Iran continue.  “Mossad said to foil Iranian attacks on Israeli embassies in Europe, elsewhere,” Times of Israel, July 6, 2020.

Beyond directing Iran’s infrastructure to aligned with China’s Belt project, “One of the secret elements of the deal signed last year is that China will invest US$280 billion in developing Iran’s oil, gas, and petrochemicals sectors. This amount will be front-loaded into the first five-year period of the new 25-year deal, and the understanding is that further amounts will be available in each subsequent five year period, provided that both parties agree. There will be another US$120 billion of investment, which again can be front-loaded into the first five-year period, for upgrading Iran’s transport and manufacturing infrastructure, and again subject to increase in each subsequent period should both parties agree. In exchange for this, to begin with, Chinese companies will be given the first option to bid on any new – or stalled or uncompleted – oil, gas, and petrochemicals projects in Iran. China will also be able to buy any and all oil, gas, and petchems products at a minimum guaranteed discount of 12 per cent to the six-month rolling mean average price of comparable benchmark products, plus another 6 to 8 per cent of that metric for risk-adjusted compensation. Additionally, China will be granted the right to delay payment for up to two years and, significantly, it will be able to pay in soft currencies that it has accrued from doing business in Africa and the Former Soviet Union states. “Given the exchange rates involved in converting these soft currencies into hard currencies that Iran can obtain from its friendly Western banks, China is looking at another 8 to 12 per cent discount, which means a total discount of around 32 per cent for China on all oil gas, and petchems purchases,” one of the Iran sources underlined.”  See “China Inks Military Deal With Iran Under Secretive 25-Year Plan,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, July 6, 2020.

Sadly, this one person at the UN is an example of how obtuse that international body can sometimes be, and how misunderstood or misinterpreted international law can be.  This investigator insists on having the U.S. intelligence of upcoming attacks by Soleimani and ignores the several immediately prior attacks by the Quds Force in coming to her conclusion.  See “U.N. expert deems U.S. drone strike on Iran’s Soleimani an ‘unlawful’ killing,” Stephanie Nebehay, Reuters, July 6, 2020.

“Iran’s top leader vows support for Palestinian cause,” Xinhua, July 6, 2020.

The real reason Iran requires phone registration is so they can ultimately listen in.  “Iran has launched a national scheme to curb the growing market for smuggled mobile phones. Under the scheme, mobile phone users in the country need to register their devices in the country’s telecommunications user database. It has been estimated that 12.5 million mobile phone devices were smuggled into the country in 2018 depriving the government of $350 million in tax revenues.”  See “Iran’s mobile phone registration plan helps curb smuggling,” Trend, July 6, 2020.

“Think Tank Scrutinizes Iran’s Trade Agreements Since 1979,” Financial Tribune, July 6, 2020.

“Prestige Of Iranian Passport Declines Further In World Rankings,” Radio Farda, July 6, 2020.

“A fire at Iran’s main nuclear fuel enrichment site caused significant damage, setting back the country’s nuclear program by months, the government acknowledged on Sunday, after initially saying the destruction was minor. A Middle Eastern intelligence official with knowledge of the episode said Israel was responsible for the attack on the Natanz nuclear complex on Thursday, using a powerful bomb. A member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps who was briefed on the matter also said an explosive was used. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity when discussing sensitive intelligence and operational topics. … Though there was no way to verify its involvement independently, Israel’s intelligence network has shown its ability to strike in the heart of Iran, breaking into a warehouse in Tehran in 2018 and stealing half a ton of secret records documenting Iran’s nuclear project and spiriting them out of the country. Many of these records were given by Mossad, the Israeli spy agency, to the International Atomic Energy Agency, with many new clues of where Iran might be hiding forbidden equipment and raw material. … Just since Thursday, explosions occurred at two power plants in Iran, and there was a chlorine gas leak at a chemical plant, all of which the government described as accidents. The previous week, an explosion hit a missile production facility at the Khojir military complex in eastern Tehran, which officials said was caused by a gas tank’s detonating. The Middle Eastern intelligence official who said Israel was responsible for the explosion on Thursday also said it had nothing to do with the other recent incidents. Iranian officials have said publicly that they know what caused the damage at Natanz, but that they are withholding the information for now. Iran is using high-speed centrifuges to process, or enrich, uranium. Uranium enriched to lower levels is used in nuclear reactors, but highly enriched uranium can be fuel for an atomic bomb. Work has been underway at Natanz to build more advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium much more quickly.”  See “Iran Admits Serious Damage to Natanz Nuclear Site, Setting Back Program,” Farnaz Fassihi, Richard Pérez-Peña, and Ronen Bergman, New York Times, July 5, 2020.

“Iran reports new record one-day virus death toll of 163: official,” AFP, July 5, 2020.

Before you read further, for emphasis sake remember that the Supreme Leader himself has said that criticism of the Leader is allowed.  Now to the quote from the story.  “Kamfirouzi used to be a regular guest at Khamenei’s annual gatherings with university students. Those allowed to attend Khamenei’s gatherings are hand-picked students who are instructed what to say and how to behave while in the presence of the Supreme Leader. They are deemed to be politically reliable and ideologically loyal. However, during one of these meetings on July 2, 2016, Kamfirouzi dared to remind Khamenei that the Islamic Republic authorities arrest and violate citizens’ rights despite statements by Khamenei himself that the criticism of the Supreme Leader is allowed. The statement was deemed as an afront to the country’s ruler and Kamfirouzi has been harassed by intelligence services and Revolutionary Courts ever since.” See the story at “A Young Lawyer Is Acquitted Of Political Charges In Iran, Helped By Social Media,” Radio Farda, July 5, 2020.

FM Javad Zarif let the cat out of the bag when recently addressing Parliament.  “You can say whatever you want, but the martyr Suleimani and I had weekly meetings. We coordinated with each other every week. In regional talks, whatever we did we coordinated with each other. Those who know Suleimani … and the Iraqi, Lebanese and Palestinian resistance, they know, and not you.”  Do you understand this?  Terrorist acts, conducted by Gen. Suleimani and the Quds Force, were coordinated with FM Zarif.  It is a violation of diplomatic immunity and international law and despicable that a foreign minister would allow himself and his office to be used for terrorism.  See the story at “Iran’s foreign minister heckled and called a liar in parliament,” Patrick Wintour, The Guardian, July 5, 2020.

“The Immortals: Iran’s Elite Cyberwarfare Unit,” Jeremy Walker, Grey Dynamics, SOFREP, July 5, 2020.

“Danger, Will Robinson!”  But joking aside, why not Brazil?  Why not Columbia?  Why not El Salvador?  Pick your country.  Why does Iran want to have closer relations with Venezuela?  Answer that and you understand the danger of this declaration by the President of Iran.  See “Rouhani says Iran, Venezuela should deepen ties,” Tehran Times, July 5, 2020.

“Iran confirms damaged nuclear site was centrifuge facility,” AP, Politico, July 5, 2020.

“Iran’s foreign minister heckled and called a liar in parliament,” Patrick Wintour, The Guardian, July 5, 2020.

“Iran Says Accord Under Negotiation With China ‘Not Secret’,” Bourse and Bazaar, July 5, 2020.

“Iran looks to break US sanctions through 25-year memorandum with Beijing,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post July 5, 2020.

Ekta is owned by the IRGC.  This is an attempt by Iran to further its footprint in Latin America, and to worm its way into controlling Venezuela (remember Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, … a lengthening of the Shia Terror Crescent).  See “Iranian Military-Owned Conglomerate Sets Up Shop in Venezuela,” Ian Talley and Benoit Faucon, Wall Street Journal, July 5, 2020.

This is why.  “An award-winning Israeli journalist and military analyst Ron Ben-Yishai also told Channel 13 TV that by using the new generation of centrifuges Iran could have acquired a nuclear bomb with staggering speed, within weeks or months. “Tehran has received and understood the message,” Ben-Yishai maintained. According to the Israeli commentator, whoever is focusing on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program has tried to relay a message to Tehran, and saying, “Stop enriching uranium more than the level set in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Stop building new, faster centrifuges and stop developing long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.””  See “Israeli Analysts Say Incident At Nuclear Facility A Message To Iran,” Radio Farda, July 05, 2020.

“Iran Blames Israel for Striking at Its Nuclear Program – and Is Likely to Retaliate,” Amos Harel, Haaretz, July 4, 2020.

The move allows a period of about 30 days for all sides to settle their dispute over the JCPOA.  Iran says the European countries are not fulfilling their pledges under the agreement.  Remember, Iran is now violating the agreement with its advanced “research” on centrifuges.  “In January, the UK, France, and Germany first triggered the dispute resolution process in the agreement, but then suspended the action.  See “EU says Iran has triggered nuclear deal dispute mechanism,” Eline Schaart, Politico, July 4, 2020.

This is called using your citizens as human shields.  “Iran Allowed Commercial Flights To Conceal Plans To Strike US Military Bases,” Radio Farda, July 4, 2020.  “The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on Friday said it has obtained an audio recording that suggests Iranian authorities did not close the airspace over Tehran on January 8 to conceal their plans to strike U.S. military bases in Iraq, leading to the shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner. The Kyiv-bound Ukraine International Airlines aircraft was shot down by two missiles fired by the Revolutionary Guard air defense. The crash killed all 176 passengers and crew members on board. Only after three days did the Guard take responsibility for the tragedy. According to CBC, the recording contains a 91-minute conversation between a victim’s family member in Canada and Hassan Rezaeifar, the head of Iran’s investigation into the incident on March 7. Rezaeifar has apparently been removed from his position on Thursday as the families of the British victims have been notified that another person has been appointed to lead the investigation. Iranian authorities have not officially announced or commented on the removal of Rezaeifar, who is also the director-general of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) from the investigation or appointment of another person.”

“Iran on Saturday confirmed 148 more fatalities on Friday from Covid.  “Iran reports 148 more deaths due to coronavirus,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, July 4, 2020.

“Khojir and Natanz explosions wreck Iran’s strategy of deception,” Christopher Hamill-Stewart, Arab News, July 4, 2020.

“Iran rial slides to new low as coronavirus, sanctions weigh,” Reuters, July 4, 2020.

I am convinced due to the multiple references in open sources that a secret agreement, at least in principle, has been worked out.  Probably a MOU at this point, certainly not what we formally call a treaty (but just as binding under international law—if they want to follow the agreements the two countries make.  See “Iran media discuss 25-year deal between Iran and China,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, July 3, 2020.

It would revolutionize the Middle East, and slow down Iran’s plans to dominate, if some of the Middle East Arab countries continue to move toward normalization with Israel.  “Iran: Speaker Denounces Attempts At Normalization Of Israel Ties,” Tasnim News Agency, July 3, 2020.

“UN human rights experts today expressed outrage at reports of Iran’s secret execution of Hedayat Abdollahpour, a member of the Kurdish minority in the country. The execution reportedly took place on 11 May in a military base in Oshnavieh, West Azerbaijan Province. “We condemn the execution of Hedayat Abdollahpour in the strongest terms,” the independent experts said. “Any death sentence undertaken in contravention of a State’s obligations under international law is tantamount to arbitrary execution and hence unlawful. The fact that the execution took place in secret after an enforced disappearance is an additional aggravating factor.””  See “UN Condemns Iran’s Secret Execution of Kurdish Political Prisoner,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, July 3, 2020.

“Khamenei’s Defiant Foreign Policy Chief Lashes Out At EU Trio, IAEA,”  Radio Farda, July 3, 2020.

“Ukraine, Canada, Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, and Sweden signed a Memorandum of understanding,” Steve Cowan, Free News, July 3, 2020.  See also, “Canada, Sweden Pave Way for Compensation Talks with Iran on Downed Plane,” Bourse and Bazaar, July 3, 2020.

“Cheetahs of the Homeland”?  “Messages claiming Iran nuclear site fire deepen mystery,” AP, July 3, 2020.

“Iran Looking at Possible Sabotage After Recent Explosions at Key Sites,” Aresu Eqbali, Isabel Coles, and Laurence Norman, Wall Street Journal, July 3, 2020.

“Thank God, the site is continuing its work as before,” said Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.  These sorts of comments are common, incorporating theological and political comments.  But they also capture the importance of the nuclear program to Iran’s Regime—it’s power, security, and future.  See “Iran reports 2nd mysterious “incident” near a nuclear facility,” CBS News, July 2, 2020.

“INTERPOL Denies Issuing Red Notices for Donald Trump, U.S. Officials, as Iran Claimed,” Polygraph.info, July 2, 2020.

“U.S. files suit to seize gasoline in four Iran tankers headed to Venezuela,” WKZO, July 2, 2020.

Again, we will believe it when we see it.  Iran has a long history of not providing compensation for its deeds and actions.  “”We have signed an agreement of mutual understanding that we will now negotiate together with Iran about amends, compensation to the victims’ next of kin,” Foreign Minister Ann Linde told Swedish news agency TT.”  See “Iran to compensate Ukraine plane crash victims, Swedish official says,” David Keyton and Jan Olsen, AP, Stars and Stripes, July 2, 2020.

“Iran must be held to account for global espionage, assassinations and terrorism plots,” Majid Rafizadeh, op-ed, Arab News, July 2, 2020.

“Lebanon blocks Iran cargo ships from docking over US sanctions fears,” Middle East Monitor, July 2, 2020.

“Central Bank; Where Iran’s Foreign Currency Resources Are Plundered,” Fereydoun Khavand, Radio Farda, July 2, 2020. “The rate of exchange for the U.S. dollar has risen 2,700 times during the past 41 years since the start of clerical rule in Iran under the Islamic Republic system. During the past two weeks the rate has been nearing 210,000 rials per dollar due to an extremely sharp devaluation of Iran’s national currency. The decline has been attributed by the media to a widespread systematic financial corruption, thanks to revelations made by the country’s civil society, foreign-based Persian-speaking media and international institutions. The Central bank of Iran (CBI) has been in the center of the economic chaos that has led to wasting billions of dollars of national resources by offering unjustified privileges to well-connected regime insiders and failing to carry out its initial mission.”  (Keep reading to see more and more of the mismanagement over the decades).”

“Iran sentences journalist to death, months after he was detained in mysterious circumstances,” Nada AlTaher, Ramin Mostaghim, and Amy Woodyatt, CNN, July 1, 2020.

“Release of Pro-Iran Militants Signals Governance Challenge in Iraq, Experts Say,” Namo Abdulla, VOA, July 1, 2020.  “Defying state power, a group of 14 pro-Iran militiamen clothed in khaki military fatigues trampled over doctored portraits of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. The images, which have been widely circulated on Iraqi media since Monday, showed over a dozen young men holding small Iraqi flags in one hand and burning Kadhimi’s crossed-out posters, along with Israeli and U.S. flags, in the other. The men were members of Kataib Hezbollah (KH), who were released Monday shortly after their arrest in a rare anti-terrorism raid ordered by Kadhimi last week. A judge with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) released all 14 men, citing a “lack of evidence” for any wrongdoing. KH is an Iran proxy militia designated as a terrorist group by the United States for its involvement in deadly attacks on U.S. military bases and diplomatic facilities in Iraq. The swift release of the militants, experts say, highlights major challenges facing Iraq’s elected leaders as they attempt to restore one of the key functions of a modern nation-state: the right to enjoy, what scholars call, “the monopoly over the use of violence,” in a country where irregular militia groups continue to carry out violent attacks.”

Another funny if not hypocritical story, with the Supreme Leader trying to distance himself (via help from a friend) from his authority which he exercises regularly over the economy.  “Tehran’s Friday Prayer Imam and member of the influential Assembly of Experts (A.E.), Ahmad Khatami, has stepped in to defend the Islamic Republic Supreme Leader’s economic record. Khatami known as a hardliner and a close ally of Ali Khamenei insisted that the Supreme Leader has no responsibility in Iran’s economic affairs, adding that the executive branch of power manages the country’s economy. Khatami, 60, was responding to a letter by a politically influential cleric, Mohammad Mousavi Khoeiniha, where he had harshly criticized Khamenei for the deteriorating economic situation in Iran. However, the three branches of power in Iran, as well as many national economic entities and others impacting the economy are directly supervised by the Supreme Leader and comply with his wishes and decisions.”  See the story at “Khamenei’s Allies Attack His Critic, Defend His Record,” Radio Farda, July 1, 2020.

“The domestic intelligence agency for the city-state of Berlin disclosed Thursday in a new report on antisemitism that Iran’s clerical regime is a leading sponsor of Jew-hatred. “Antisemitism and hatred of Israel were also massively promoted by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The leader of the Iranian Revolution Ayatollah [Ruhollah] Khomeini already described Israel as  the ‘little Satan’ and openly called for the destruction of Israel. Antisemitism has been part of Iran’s state ideology ever since [the founding of the Islamic Republic] and is regularly fueled by statements by state representatives,” wrote the intelligence officials. The Jerusalem Post reviewed the 49-page document that chronicles the various forms of antisemitism in Germany.”  See “German intel. says Iran ‘massively promotes antisemitism, Israel hatred’,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, June 30, 2020.

“Iran holding academic ‘for political aims’ says France,” AFP, Arab News, June 30, 2020.

“Iranian authorities move to block release of female rights activists,” Kate Hodal, The Guardian, June 30, 2020.

“It Is Time For All Nations To Support Extension Of Iran Arms Embargo,” Richard Goldberg, op-ed, Radio Farda, June 30, 2020.

“What’s on Iran’s shopping list if the UN arms embargo is lifted?,” Thomas Harding, The National, June 30, 2020.

“How Did Iran Manage to Reverse-Engineer a U.S. Howitzer with Soviet Features?,” Caleb Larson, The National Interest, June 30, 2020.

Iran on Tuesday confirmed 147 more fatalities, occurring Monday.  “Iran: Death toll from COVID-19 exceeds 10,800,” Muhammet Kursun, AA, June 30, 2020.

“Former President’s Daughter Says Iran’s Govt Is ‘Neither Religious Nor Revolutionary’,” Radio Farda, June 30, 2020.  “Faezeh Hashemi, a former Iranian lawmaker and the daughter of one of the founders of the Islamic Republic says Iran is neither a religious government, nor a revolutionary state. Taking part in a question and answer program moderated by prominent Iranian academic Abbas Milani, the director of Stanford University’s Program in Iranian Studies via video teleconference Hashemi discussed issues relating to the Iranian women’s movement. In another remarkable statement, Hashemi said support for Iran’s women’s rights by President Donald Trump and other leaders could strengthen the rights movement and that support should continue. Faezeh Hashemi is the daughter of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who played a key part as kingmaker in electing Ali Khamenei as the successor to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeyni in 1989. He also served two terms as president. Faezeh Hashemi is a vocal human rights activist and has spent six months in jail as a prisoner of conscience for supporting the reformist Green Movement in 2009. Asked what in her mind was the single most important right that has been denied to women in Iran under the Islamic Republic, she said: “There are many rights that have been denied in many areas, but the most important ones are the discriminatory laws enforced after the Islamic revolution and the glass ceiling that prevent women’s progress and their serious participation in social life.”

“Iran sentenced a once-exiled journalist to death over his online work that helped inspire nationwide economic protests that began at the end of 2017, authorities said Tuesday. Ruhollah Zam’s website and a channel he created on the popular messaging app Telegram had spread the timings of the protests and embarrassing information about officials that directly challenged Iran’s Shiite theocracy. Those demonstrations represented the biggest challenge to Iran since the 2009 Green Movement protests and set the stage for similar mass unrest last November. The details of his arrest still remain unclear. Though he was based in Paris, Zam somehow returned to Iran and found himself detained by intelligence officials. A series of a televised confessions have aired in recent months over his work.” See “Iran journalist who fueled 2017 protests sentenced to death,” Nasser Karimi, AP, June 30, 2020.

Just one more reason at the UN to continue the arms selling ban by Iran. “Iran’s arms shipments to Houthis fuel war in Yemen, experts say,” Saeed Al-Batati, Arab News, June 30, 2020.

A very concerning story, from individuals to states to Reporters Without Borders. “Alert: Judiciary spokesman: Iran sentences journalist to death whose online work helped inspire 2017 economic protests,” San Francisco Chronicle, June 30, 2020 Updated: June 30, 2020.

“New Profiles of Key Iranian Regime Leaders,” UANI, June 30, 2020.

And this seems to make sense.  Why would the IRGC inflame tensions further and take a plane down needlessly?  “Iranian military prosecutor: human error led to Ukrainian airliner downing,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, June 29, 2020.

State-run media is reporting that Iran has sent the black box flight recorder from a Ukrainian passenger jet that it mistakenly shot down in January to France for further analysis following months of delays.  But until we see the box actually delivered, this is “fake news.”  See “Iran sends recorder from downed Ukrainian jetliner to France, according to Iranian news agency,” AP, June 29, 2020.

“At least 192 Iranian boats illegally fished in Somalia and Yemen’s territorial waters last year, depleting food supplies in countries where millions are facing acute shortages of food, a new report has said. Global Fishing Watch (GFW) and Trygg Mat Tracking (TMT) said in a report published on Monday that the “activity taking place is likely one of the largest illegal fishing operations occurring in the world”. The organisations said that Iranian vessels had been illegally operating in the countries’ territorial waters between January 2019 and April 2020, with the scale of the operation only uncovered after the ships began using a collision-avoidance system that allowed their locations to be susceptible to tracking.”  See the article about this theft of fish in “Iranian ships conducted ‘world’s largest illegal fishing operations’ in Somali and Yemeni waters,” Middle East Eye, June 29, 2020.

Iran continues to refuse to make its football program independent from the government, meaning that it may be thrown out of FIFA.  “Iran wants more time to meet FIFA’s requirements,” Tehran Times, June 29, 2020.

Gen. Soleimani’s daughter Zeinab Soleimani just married Hassan Nasrallah’s relative and son of the likely successor.  “A match made in hell: Daughter of Iran’s terrorist mastermind weds Hezbollah heir,” Israel Hayom, June 29, 2020.

The 162 deaths were from Sunday, reported on Monday.  “Iran records highest daily death toll from COVID-19,” Reuters, June 29, 2020.

Solid proof that Iran can submit itself to an international court.  “The International Court of Arbitration (ICA) announced its verdict over the Iran-Turkmenistan gas row. IRNA said based on information from the Oil Ministry and the National Iranian Gas Company, Iran has been convicted for not paying for gas it bought from Turkmenistan from 2007 to 2013. As per the verdict, the details of which have not been disclosed yet, Iran should pay almost $2 billion to Ashgabat to settle its debt.”  See “ICA Rules Iran Pay $2b to Turkmengaz,” Financial Tribune, June 29, 2020.

162 died on June 28.  “Iran reveals its COVID-19 data for June 29,” Trend, June 29, 2020.

Another blow at the free flow of information and communication within the country of Iran.  “Iran’s conservative parliament moves to ban Instagram,” Al Monitor, June 29, 2020.

Remember, it was just a gas tank explosion per the Iranian government and media.  Of course, it makes more sense to think of this as just the latest untrue statement, whether it involves shooting down planes or other poor policies and mismanagement upon which the Regime is founded and continues.  “Iran ‘mystery’ explosion may have been at a secret ballistic missile site,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 28, 2020.

“U.S. sanctions, coronavirus make for Iran’s toughest year –Rouhani,” Devdiscourse, June 28, 2020.

The Supreme Leader has long ties with his former Chief Justice, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, long accused of sheltering corrupt judges and aides.  The Chief Justice follows the orders of the Regime, and the Regime has richly benefitted.  See “Khamenei Defends Iran’s Former Top Judge From Accusations Of Corruption,” Radio Farda, June 28, 2020.

Technically, former chief justice Larijani is correct when he says, “I’ve said before, and again I tell Your Excellency, that I have never supported a corrupt person and will never do so.”  That is because the sentence was singular, referring to only one person.  See “Amoli Larijani appreciates Leader’s support amid allegations,” Tehran Times, June 28, 2020.

“Iran meddles in US-Iraq strategic talks,” Maya Carlin, op-ed, Jerusalem Post, June 28, 2020.

Did Israel wait until the Quds Force head had left, or did they miss him at Al-Bukamal?  Interesting to note that Iran wanted to avoid embarrassment and removed the story on a website about Esmail Ghaani’s/Qaani’s trip to Syria.  “Warplanes said to strike Iranian base in Syria after visit by IRGC head,” Times of Israel, AFP, June 28, 2020.

Another fascinating story, not just about the terrorism and the ties between Iran and Hezbollah (Terror, Inc.), but even asking basic questions about marital authority.  “Slain Iran Commander’s Daughter Marries Son Of Senior Hezbollah Leader,” Radio Farda, June 28, 2020.

Iran reported 144 deaths for June 27, its highest death toll for a day in almost three months.  And masks are required now indoors until at least July 22.  “Iran To Require The Wearing Of Masks At Indoor Gatherings,” RFE/RL, June 28, 2020.

“Brian Hook on Iran: ‘economic pressure and diplomatic isolation works’,” Mina Al-Oraibi, The National, June 28, 2020.

“An expiring United Nations weapons embargo on Iran must remain in place to prevent it from “becoming the arms dealer of choice for rogue regimes and terrorist organizations around the world,” the U.S. special representative to Iran said Sunday. Brian Hook told The Associated Press that the world should ignore Iran’s threats to retaliate if the arms embargo set to expire in October is extended, calling it a “mafia tactic.” Among its options, the Islamic Republic could expel international inspectors monitoring Iran’s nuclear program, deepening a crisis created by President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrawing from Tehran’s 2015 atomic accord with global powers. The U.N. arms embargo so far has stopped Iran from purchasing fighter jets, tanks, warships and other weaponry, but has failed to halt its smuggling of weapons into war zones. Despite that, Hook argued both an import and export ban on Tehran must remain in place to secure the wider Mideast. If we let it expire, you can be certain that what Iran has been doing in the dark, it will do in broad daylight and then some,” Hook said.”  See “U.S. envoy urges United Nations to renew Iran arms embargo,” Politico, AP, June 28, 2020.

“Blast at Iranian ballistic missile plant ‘was caused by sabotage’, says security analyst,” Arab News, June 28, 2020.

See a good description of the Provincial Guards (IRGC-PG) just published at “These Are the Special Iranian Units That Crackdown on Domestic Unrest,” Saeid Golkar, The National Interest, June 28, 2020.

So true, so true, as recent experience in the Middle East and Africa has shown us.  Further, Brian Hook is correct—if the world gives in to Iran’s blackmail/threats to retaliate if the arms embargo is continued, Iran’s “mafia-like” behavior triumphs.  “Iran Would Be ‘Arms Dealer of Choice’ for Terrorists, if UN Embargo Expires, US Expert Says,” VOA, June 28, 2020.

The “gas tank explosion” occurred at “what analysts describe as Iran’s Khojir missile facility. The explosion appears to have struck a facility for the Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group, which makes solid-propellant rockets, said Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.”  See “Large blast in Iran came from suspected missile site, satellite images show,” Jon Gambrell, Times of Israel, June 27, 2020.

The Supreme Court makes the news two times in a row (yesterday’s news was the approval of cutting off of fingers).  Here is a quote from today’s news.  “Gholamreza Mansouri was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court by the ex-Chief Justice Sadeq Amoli-Larijani before he retired. The corruption case is highly damaging to the ex-Chief Justice who now heads the very influential Expediency Council appointed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.”  See “Exclusive: What Fugitive Iran Judge Told A Court In Romania Before His Mysterious Death,” Radio Farda, June 27, 2020.

Quds Force Commander Esmail Ghaani is going places.  “Iran news agency reports visit of new Quds chief to Syria,” Reuters, June 27, 2020.

Thank you Leader Obvious.  “Iran’s supreme leader warns economy will worsen if coronavirus spreads,” Arab News, June 27, 2020.

This speech by the Leader is in response to the death of the Iranian judge who had fled to Europe with half a million dollars and was found dead in his hotel in Romania.  BTW, where’s the money?  And the speech was to protect Sadeq Amoli Larijani, former chief of the Supreme Court.  “Iran’s top leader urges Judiciary’s constant fight with corruption,” Xinhua, June 27, 2020.

“Eight Iran Protesters Sentenced To Death In Isfahan,” Radio Farda, June 27, 2020.

“Iran Unveils New Domestically-Produced Armoured Personnel Carrier, Drone, Machine Gun,” Sputnik, The Iranian, June 27, 2020.

Read the last sentence.  “One of Iran’s most high-ranking and politically prominent clerics has warned the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that his regime’s popularity and legitimacy has been seriously damaged mainly because of injustice as well as economic and cultural problems.  In a letter to Khamenei on Saturday June 27, the 79-year old cleric from Qazvin, Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Mousavi Khoeiniha said that “What many people think and say, and their living standards are not consistent with a political system known to the world by its Islamic nature.” Khoeiniha, a former Prosecutor General, and an ex member of the Majles and the Assembly of Experts, is known for masterminding the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979 and taking over 50 U.S. diplomats hostage for 444 days. Khoiniha said he is sharing the letter with the nation, hoping that his account of the country’s situation would prompt Khamenei to contemplate and do something good for the people. He said in the letter to Khamenei, which was published by Ensaf News and re-run by many other Iranian websites on Saturday, “Increasing inflation and declining incomes have created backbreaking problems for the people that have led to abnormal behaviors and have given way to many concerns for the people about the future of their children.” “At the same time, many others are also unhappy about the country’s political and cultural situation which are marked by undeniable injustice,” said Khoeiniha. Characterizing Khamenei as “the main player” in Iran, Khoeiniha implicitly pointed at Khamenei’s responsibility over problems and shortcomings, adding that the current problematic situation are not simply the outcome of decisions made by managers who are transitional. He stressed that “From the point of view of the people”, the highest authority is the main player in all or most of the country’s affairs, adding that the continued that “the current situation cannot continue.” Khoeiniha said elsewhere in his letter that that “the people believe the highest authority in the country’s management should have prevented the cultural, economic and social chaos the country is facing today.”  See “Influential Cleric Tells Khamenei Iran’s ‘Current Situation Cannot Continue’,” Radio Farda, June 27, 2020.