It will be hard to return the stolen goods without having all their fingers. The Supreme Court of Iran has upheld a ruling for cutting the four fingers of the right hands of four men in the Central Prison of Urmia. The three men “were convicted in a joint case on November 19, 2019. Based on Article 278 of the Islamic Punishment Law, the four fingers of their right hands will be cut off for four counts of robbery. The fingers must be cut off from the bottom leaving only the palm and the thumb. According to Article 667 of the same law, they were also ordered to return the stolen goods.” Also of note, “Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Sharifian, Mehdi Shahivand and Kasra Karami announced that they had been made to confess under torture. … Amputation of limbs is considered an inhuman punishment banned by international conventions on torture and civil and political rights.”  See “Iran Supreme Court Upholds Cutting the Fingers of Four Inmates in Urmia,” Iran HRM, June 26, 2020.

“Why was there a massive explosion near Tehran in Iran?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 26, 2020.

“Iranian minister says continuation of gasoline exports to Venezuela depends on negotiations,” Xinhua, June 26, 2020.

Kadhimi gets tough against Hezbollah and Iran.  “The raid was the first sign that the government of Iraq’s new prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, intends to make good on pledges to take tough action against militia groups that have targeted U.S. installations and exert too much power in Iraqi politics.  See “Iraqi forces raid Iran-backed militia base in Baghdad,” Swiss Info, Reuters, June 26, 2020.

“Iran Health Official Says Up To 20 Percent In Tehran Contracted Coronavirus,” Radio Farda, June 26, 2020.

“‘Slipped the net’: Iranian judge’s mysterious death angers activists,” AFP, Arab News, June 26, 2002.

“Denmark gives Norwegian-Iranian 7 years for spying for Iran,” Jan Olsen, AP, June 26, 2020.

“Denmark jails Iranian-Norwegian for Iran-backed murder plot,” AFP, June 26, 2020.

“A Norwegian-Iranian man was sentenced to prison for plotting the assassination of an Iranian dissident leader with links to Saudi Arabia.”  See “Trial Exposes Iran, Saudi Battle in Europe,” Sune Engel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal, June 26, 2020.

“We lost the chance of putting the entire Iranian judicial system on trial.”  “‘Slipped The Net’: Iranian Judge’s Mysterious Death Angers Activists,” Barron’s, June 26, 2020.

“Iran explosion: large blast seen near military base outside Tehran,” Guardian, June 25, 2020.

“Exiled Activist: Iran Imprisons Arab Teacher Who Blamed Authorities for Poverty,” Michael Lipin, Ramin Haghjoo, and Behrooz Samadbeygi, VOA, June 25, 2020.

“Delivery of Kowsar Jets Proves US Sanctions’ Failure: Iran’s Hatami,” Al Manar, June 25, 2020.

They did not get a permit to gather.  A permit would not have been approved.  “University In Iran Suspends Students For Gathering To Honor Victims Of Downed Plane,” Radio Farda, June 25, 2020.

“Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi has announced that the number of the country’s manufactured satellites will increase to 18 by the end of the current Iranian year (March 19th 2021).”  See “Iran wants more ‘home made’ satellites,” Chris Forrester, Advanced Television, June 25, 2020.

“Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels near US Military ships at close range. EPA Iran’s unacceptable behaviour is disrupting the Middle East and Tehran will be held to account if it continued along the path of aggression, the region’s most senior British general has said.  The country’s military activities have led to a “destabilisation” of the Middle East and Iran faces further international isolation if it continues, said Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer.  “We have long said that that behaviour is unacceptable and must not be repeated,” he told The National in an extensive interview. “From our perspective Iran faces a choice – if you continue in this way or increase or ratchet up this approach you will face growing isolation from the international community.”  Once again, Iran must decide to act as a normal country or as a revolution/cause.  See “Iran faces further isolation if it keeps up aggression, says top British general,” Thomas Harding, The National, June 25, 2020.

“Iran on June 25 officially started building a 1,000-km (620-mile) pipeline to avoid the disputed Strait of Hormuz for its future oil exports, state television reported.”  See “Iran building pipeline to avoid disputed oil waterway,” SPGlobal, June 25, 2020.

Actually, this makes a great debate.  When democratic capitalist countries help other similar countries, we seen increasing economic progress individually and at the country level, and we’ve seen more political openness and less corruption and even greater happiness measured.  So I’d say that Iran is wrong—the U.S. supporting Israel is a good thing that the UN and other countries should recognize for the good it does humanity.  See “UN Security Council Weakened by US Support for Israel: Iran Envoy,” IFP Editorial Staff, June 25, 2020.

The new annual State Department’s Country Reports on Terrorism has been released.  Guess which country is featured?  “US terror report: Iran continues to plot global attacks,” Arab News, June 25, 2020.

“Iran Pressures Psychologists To Avoid Public Discussion Of Violence Against Women,” Fahimeh Khezer-Haydari and Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, June 25, 2020.

“Iran hunkers down in Syria after Caesar Act sanctions,” Ali Hashem, Al-Monitor, June 25, 2020.

“Iran’s president expresses solidarity with North Korea against ‘common enemy’ U.S.,” Guy Taylor, Washington Times, June 25, 2020.

Iran is making solid fuel for its ballistic missile fleet.  “Amid international sanctions designed to block its efforts to acquire advanced weapons technology, Iran has been secretly producing aluminum powder for use in its missile program, an investigative report published Wednesday by the Reuters news agency claimed. According to the report, based on testimony from a former Iranian government official and documents he shared with Reuters, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps has for the past five years been running a facility to produce the military-grade material in the northeastern North Khorasan province, near the country’s largest deposit of bauxite rock. Produced from bauxite, aluminum powder is a central ingredient in solid-fuel propellants used for launching missiles.”  See “Iran secretly producing aluminum powder to launch missiles — report,” Times of Israel, June 24, 2020.

A very important article.  “In a move unprecedented in Iran’s political dynamics, two top military commanders have openly lent support to Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raeesi, who is the most talked about candidate to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iran’s next supreme leader.”  See “Iran’s Top Military Commanders Praise Khamenei’s Likely Successor,” Radio Farda, June 24, 2020.

An absolutely fascinating story about one of the most noteworthy academics in Iran and how he has been discriminated against.  “Son Of Prominent Afghan Scholar Self-Immolates In Iran To Protest Discrimination,” Frud Bezhan and Shapoor Saber, RFE/RL, June 24, 2020.

“Death From 1,600 Meters Away? Iran’s Snipers Would Like You to Believe It,” Robert Beckhusen, The National Interest, June 24, 2020.

“Iran Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence For Three Young Protesters,” Radio Farda, June 24, 2020.

“Iran criticises Saudi Arabia over Hajj management for this year,” Middle East Monitor, June 24, 2020.

“In Iran, Half of the Country’s Population Does Not Have Access to Water Resources,” Iran Focus, June 24, 2020.

Not the first time, and the the last, that the U.S. makes this claim.  “US accuses Iran of sheltering Al Qaeda members,” Joyce Karam, The National, June 24, 2020.

“Suicide Or Murder? The Mysterious Death Of A Fugitive Iranian Judge In Romania,” Dominic Dudley, Forbes, June 24, 2020.

“Iran Exploits Iraq’s Discontent With U.S. To Strengthen Syria, Russia Ties,” Tom O’Connor, Newsweek, June 23, 2020.

“Convicted Hezbollah Financier To Be Released From U.S. Custody,” Counterterrorism Project, June 23, 2020.

“U.N. Security Council to start talks on U.S. bid to extend Iran arms embargo,” Michelle Nichols, Reuters, June 23, 2020.

“Iran’s Government Fights to Control the Internet and Its So-Called National Information Network,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, June 23, 2020.

Over six months later.  “Iran commits to handing over PS752 black boxes, start compensation talks: Ottawa,” Coast Mountain News, June 23, 2020.

The Golsan is a standard-sized cargo ship.  If what Iran’s government says is accurate about the ship supplying Venezuela’s first Iranian supermarket, there are two points to be made.  First, this must be the world’s largest supermarket.  (what else was the boat?).  Second, why do they need to create an Iranian supermarket?  (how many Iranians are in Venezuela?) (and why?)  See “U.S. navy ship navigates near Venezuelan coast after Iranian cargo ship arrives,” Reuters, June 23, 2020.

The massive discrimination continues against the Bahai.  “Lengthy Prison Sentences for 30 Iranian Baha’is,” Kian Sabeti, Iran Press Watch, June 23, 2020.

This just sounds fishy.  He had no reason to take his life unless …  “The police said that hotel staff had found a guest dead in the lobby after he appeared to have fallen from a higher floor from inside the building’s circular staircase. Iran’s foreign ministry has confirmed Mansouri’s death and called for a thorough investigation. It said he had been arrested in Romania on the basis of an Iranian warrant, after having visited the Iranian embassy to discuss the possibility of returning to Iran.”  See “Iranian judge in Romania died of impact from fall, autopsy says,” Reuters, June 23, 2020.

“Iranian Assassins,” Struan Stevenson, NCRI, June 23, 2020.

It is okay for the UN to take sides if that is where the evidence takes them.  And it is okay for the UN and the General Secretary to declare that Iran and Russia are wrong.  There really is a good and bad in the world at times, and calling a spade a spade is one of the best ways for international organizations and international relations to actually work.  See “Iran, Russia Dispute U.N. Findings on Saudi Oil Attack,” Polygraph.info, June 23, 2020.

“In a tweet on Tuesday, Sadeq Zibakalam, a prominent reformist figure, said the biggest crime of the charity is their independence. “The system will generally not tolerate any independent group, even if their work is offering service to people”. Imam Ali’ Popular Students Relief Society was founded in 1999 and says it is a non-political, non-governmental, independent popular organization.”  See “Iran Charity Founder Arrested For Allegations Of Insulting Leader – Statement,” Radio Farda, June 23, 2020.

“Cooperating with Trump ‘unconstructive’, Iran tells Australia,” Tehran Times, June 23, 2020.

“Essential Geopolitics: Iran’s Cyberwarfare Strategy,” Stratfor, June 23, 2020.

“Writers, Artists In Iran Issue Call For Freedom Of Speech, Warning Of ‘Social Collapse’,” Radio Farda, June 23, 2020.

“The end of the honeymoon between Iran and Russia in Syria,” Aref Bijan, Modern Diplomacy, June 23, 2020.

This takes place during the COVID-19 crisis and shows that Iran can continue to advance for electricity and other things nuclear despite difficulties.  “Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant reconnected to grid,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2020.

“US State Department insists no ‘back-room deal’ behind release of Hezbollah financier,” Joyce Karam, The National, June 23, 2020.

“Saudis Say They Intercepted Missiles, Drones Launched By Iran-Backed Houthis,” Radio Farda, June 23, 2020.

About 80 Baha’is face a new wave repression for their religious faith.  See “Iran’s regime escalates violent persecution of Baha’is,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, June, 23, 2020.

“Iran Exploits Iraq’s Discontent With U.S. To Strengthen Syria, Russia Ties,” Tom O’Connor, Newsweek, June 23, 2020.

“Iran Reports Highest Virus Deaths Since April,” Asharq al-Awsat, June 23, 2020.

“Iran’s chief rabbi attacks Zionism in a rare interview,” Tobias Siegal, Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2020.

“Iranian Student Sentenced to Prison, Flogging for Commemorating Victims of Plane Crash,” Iran HRM, June 23, 2020.

“Iran Steel Exports Halve to 661,000 Tons in Two Months,” Financial Tribune, June 23, 2020.

“Continued Targeting Of Iranian Nationals And Dissidents In Europe,” UANI, June 22, 2020.  UANI announced in full—“Last week, two mysterious incidents involving an Iranian national and dissident took place in Europe. On Friday, a former judge in Iran, Gholamreza Mansouri, was found dead at his hotel in Bucharest, Romania. Mansouri, who was a notorious jailer of journalists, was recently implicated in a high-profile corruption case. With recent calls for Mansouri to be prosecuted in Europe rather than face extradition to Iran, the timing of his death is suspicious. The next day, there was an attempted assassination of a Kurdish Iranian dissident, Sadegh Zarza, in the Netherlands. While the investigations are ongoing, there are already indications coming from Tehran of foul play. Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei has called Mansouri’s death a “murder” and Mashregh News, which has ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), proclaimed: “As of today, Romania is a point of strategic depth [for Iran].” With the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also passing a resolution last week condemning Iran for stonewalling its investigation into past nuclear activities, the threat of Tehran lashing out in response looms large. As President Hassan Rouhani warned in 2018, the West could see a “deluge” of drugs and terrorism if sanctions are re-imposed. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI)’s report, Iran’s Malign Intelligence Activities, tracks the regime’s history of using the West as a launching pad for assassination campaigns of dissidents and disruptors. Europe is particularly vulnerable, given past Iranian operations in Germany and France. UANI has also documented the regime’s record of targeting journalists in Iran, given the tenures of judges like Mansouri.”

“Iran’s IRGC says to set up permanent base in Indian Ocean,” Xinhua, June 22, 2020.

“Iran to Make 18 Satellites by Yearend,” Al Manar, June 22, 2020.

“Young Activist Returns To Prison Refusing To Ask For Clemency From Iran’s Khamenei,” Radio Farda, June 22, 2020.

“Telegram pledges to make anti-censorship tools for Iran and China,” Rita Liao and Natasha Lomas, TechCrunch.com, June 22, 2020.

With how many countries does Iran sign a cooperation agreement for 25 years?  One.  China.  “Iran-China 25-year cooperation program,” IFP, June 22, 2020.

“Iran’s IRGC says to set up permanent base in Indian Ocean,” Trend, June 22, 2020.

116 deaths Saturday, reported Sunday.  “Iran reports over 100 new virus deaths for third day running,” AFP, Jakarta Post, June 22, 2020.

“Iran to send black boxes from downed Ukrainian airliner to France: Zarif,” Thomson Reuters, June 22, 2020.

“Who is Iran’s Qalibaf and why does he matter?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 22, 2020.

“Israel expert says Iran’s influence in Iraq has declined,” Middle East Monitor, June 22, 2020.

This is classic intimidation by the Regime.  They’ve arrested the charity’s founder, spokesman, and another employee. “The report gave no details or the reason for the arrests and the police did not announce any charges against the three or the charity, named after Imam Ali, the Shiite Muslim sect’s most revered figure after the Prophet Muhammad. Iranian hard-liners have in recent years criticized the charity, the Imam Ali’s Popular Students Relief Society, accusing it of misusing the organization for political purposes and defaming the system by highlighting Iran’s problems, as well as working with foreign countries and international bodies. The charity mainly organizes university students and other volunteers to help the poor and others in times of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.”  See “Report: Iran arrests founder of student charity, 2 aides,” Your Valley, June 22, 2020.

If the price is right, Let’s Make a Deal.  “Iran ready to swap prisoners with other countries amid COVID-19,” Outlook India, June 22, 2020.

“Trusted IRGC General Appointed Commander Of Key Base In Iran’s capital,” Radio Farda, June 21, 2020.  The former deputy of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization has been appointed as the operational commander of its base in Tehran, tasked to defend the capital. Brig. Gen. Hossein Nejat has replaced Mohammad Kowsari, who was the operational commander of the Sarallah base since June 2017. Interestingly, Nejat was in charge of protecting Supreme Leader Khamenei for almost a decade in the 2000s. The IRGC Intelligence Organization and the Sarallah base are the two most important units of Iran’s security apparatus. While the intelligence unit has increasingly become the main power center persecuting opponents, the Sarallah base goes into action when serious protests takes place in Tehran and its surrounding area. The base and its soldiers are the most important IRGC ground force HQ in Iran consisting of several of its most important units, which protect key institutions and the offices of the government. The base is also tasked with thwarting both foreign and domestic threats against the capital. Officially, Sarallah’s commander is the same as the IRGC commander, however, from an operational standpoint it has a deputy commander who in fact leads its forces on day-to-day basis. Sarallah units have played a major role in suppressing anti-regime protests in Tehran and nearby regions in the past 20 years. The Sarallah command also coordinates other forces of the regime during unrest; such as the regular police, Basij forces, and intelligence units in the capital.  See also on this same topic that “Sarallah’s new commander Hossein Nejat, is one of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s most trusted officers. He has previously served for 10 years (2000 – 2010) as the commander of the IRGC’s Vali Amr Unit which is Khamenei’s own special guard. Hossein Nejat, whose real name is Mohammad Hossein Zibaee Nejad, has been serving with the IRGC for 40 years now.”  This quote taken from “A New Appointment At IRGC May Signal Concern Over Unrest In Iran,” Morad Vaisibiame, Radio Farda, June 21, 2017.

Happens all the time.  “The Iranian judge apparently fell out of a window in the Duke Hotel in Bucharest on Friday.”—a quote from “Iran seeks Romania’s permission to probe fugitive judge’s death,” Xinhua, June 21, 2020.

“Iranian Hijab Protester Speaks Up About Cruelty Of Fugitive Judge,” Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, June 21, 2020.

You learn something every day.  20+ Shiite religious centers in Latin America, and associated with crime, drugs, and terrorism.  Not the type of thing that religious students and teachers should be involved with.  Here’s the long and informative quote—“An institute directly supervised by the Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Al-Mustafa International University (MIU), has in recent years trained an unknown number of Shiite missionaries to promote the faith in Latin America, especially in Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. Meanwhile, MIU also takes newly converted Shiites to Iran for religious studies and tours in Qom and Mashhad. Qom and Mashhad are home to important Twelver-Shiite seminaries in Iran, respectively. During the coronavirus outbreak in Iran, MIU was singled out as the main factor in spreading the virus. MIU hosts hundreds of Chinese Muslims of Uighur ethnic minority who initially spread the deadly virus in the city of Qom south of the Iranian capital city Tehran. First a medical school dean and later the Sunni Friday Imam of the city of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid announced that the coronavirus had entered Iran through Chinese students linked to MIU. The revelation led to MIU’s denial, accusing the Sunni Friday Prayer Imam of spreading lies. MIU has so far trained 50,000 students from 122 nations. One teacher and advisor at Al-Mustafa, Mohsen Rabbani, served for decades as the Islamic Republic’s top intelligence officer in Latin America and is wanted for his role in the 1994 AMIA terror attack in Buenos Aires, which claimed 85 lives. Rabbani’s top disciple and graduate of Al-Mustafa, Edgardo Ruben Suhail Assad, has established more than twenty Shiite religious centers in Latin America. Al-Mustafa and the Islamic Development Organization closely coordinate their efforts in sending missionaries abroad.” See “Iran Prayer Imam Says ‘Our Missionaries Being Killed’ In Latin America,” Radio Farda, June 21, 2020.

“Bolton reveals type of nuke material Mossad found in Iran,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 21, 2020.

Another threat from Iran to attack Saudi Arabia or Bahrain or other states.  “Special Aide to the President of the Islamic Parliament of Iran in International Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the comments at a memorial service on Saturday for former secretary general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ramadan Shalah. He further said that “normalization with the Zionist regime will not help the security of Bahrain or Saudi Arabia.”  See “Iran warns Arab states not to normalize ties with Israel,” Eden Ronen and Neta Bar, Israel Hayom, June 21, 2020.

“Iran’s regime watched Trump’s Tulsa rally for signs of ‘deal’,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 21, 2020.

“And negotiations with European countries should be held with maximum distrust,” he said.  See “No Talks with US, Whatsoever: Iran Parliament Speaker,” Iran Front Page, June 21, 2020.  IFP is controlled by the Regime.

“Iran is Assisting Turkey and GNA in Libya: So Is The United States,” Benjamin Minick, Modern Diplomacy, June 21, 2020.

Supposedly as of July 4.  I wasn’t able to confirm this headline when I saw it today.  “Iran Resumes Direct Flights to Manchester,” IFP, June 21, 2020.

Not blackmail, but an improper request that Iran is apparently trying against Canada.  “Concerns grow that Iran will use downed Flight 752 to reopen ties with Canada,” Raisa Patel and Ashley Burke, CBC News, June 21, 2020.

“Mossad Iran Snatch Probably Yellowcake,” Zalman Ahnsaf, Hamodia, June 21, 2020.

“IDF chief warns Iran now the ‘most dangerous country’ in Middle East,” Times of Israel, June 21, 2020.

“EU says its arms embargo on Iran to remain in force until 2023,” Tehran Times, June 21, 2020.

Another attempted attack in Europe on a critic of Iran.  “Iranian dissident wounded in stabbing in the Netherlands, says report,” Reuters, June 20, 2020.  Here’s a related story, and its not the first time Iran has tried to assassinate him–“Kurdish Iranian politician survives assassination attempt in the Netherlands: Local media,” Wladimir van Wilgenburg, Kurdistan24, June 20, 2020.

Organ sales are legal in Iran and among Palestinians, a terrible public policy.  Here’s how this article begins, quoting, “Iran is ranked first for organ donation among Asian countries, Mehdi Shadnoush, head of the Health Ministry’s center for transplantation and disease management, has announced.  “The country’s organ donation rate is 14.34 per 1 million people,” he noted.  The occupied Palestinian territories that claim to have the most advanced scientific and technical facilities are at the second place with 10.8 donors per a million population, he explained.”  See the story at “Iran tops Asian countries in organ donation,” Tehran Times, June 20, 2020.

“An Arsenal Of Hypocrisy: Iranian Mistreatment Of Peaceful Protesters,” Marjan Keypour Greenblatt, op-ed, Radio Farda, June 20, 2020.

“The book ends with a study of the radical movements during the student protests and the students’ relations with the community of Iranian students in overseas universities, which led the 1979 revolution.”  And that’s all you need to know, that protests during the Regime’s 41 years are not part of this book, they’re not part of the narrative Iran wants it youth since 1979 to know.  See “Book on history of student protests in Iran published,” Tehran Times, June 20, 2020.

Read and laugh.  A spokesman criticizes another country for testing a ballistic missile.  “Iran criticizes France over nuclear ballistic missile test,” AP, June 20, 2020.

“Iranian port spared from US sanctions in rare cooperation,” Zein Basravi, Al Jazeera, June 20, 2020.

“Iran has withheld confirmation of its apparent recent execution of a Kurdish activist, in the latest example of its long-running practice of secretly executing ethnic minority dissidents.”  See “Iran Silent on Kurdish Activist’s Execution,” Michael Lipin and Ramin Haghjoo, VOA, June 19, 2020.

The rial has fallen from 32,000 rials to $1 at the time of the 2015 JCOPA agreement to its lowest value ever at 190,000 rial amid severe U.S. sanctions.  And since 2011, Iran’s oil revenues have fallen from $100 billion to $8 billion.  “Iran’s currency hits lowest value ever against the dollar,” Hindustan Times, AP, June 20, 2020.

This headline and story have it wrong.  Airlines don’t want to fly over Iran because they don’t want to get shot down, not because the overflight fees are too expensive.  See “Iran may offer discounts to lure airlines to fly through its airspace,” KFGO, Thomson Reuters, June 20, 2020.

“Iran urges IAEA not to rely on unreliable information,” Tehran Times, June 20, 2020.

“Iran: IAEA’s Report and Zarif’s Scary Reaction,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, June 20, 2020.

“The Disappearance of Iran’s Middle Class, Its Assimilation Into the Lower Classes,” Jubin Katiraie, Iran Focus, June 20, 2020.

“On Syria Iran criticizes United States sanctions,” MENAFN, June 20, 2020.

And here’s the response to the IAEA condemnation story from yesterday.  “Spokesman Says IAEA Resolution On Full Inspections Sets ‘No Obligation’ For Iran,” Radio Farda, June 20, 2020.

“U.N. Condemns Iran Over Nuclear Activity, Fueling U.S. Calls to End Deal,” Laurence Norman, Wall Street Journal, June 19, 2020.  Here is an extended quote from this major story.  “Member states from the United Nations atomic agency board voted Friday to condemn Iran for failing to cooperate with its probe of Tehran’s nuclear activities, a move that gives the Trump administration fresh ammunition in its push to kill the Iranian nuclear deal. The resolution, the first since 2012 to call out Iran for not cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency, comes as the U.S. mounts a multi-front campaign to press Iran to come back to the negotiating table and agree a new, stricter and broader agreement on nuclear and other activities. The U.S. is currently pressing for an indefinite extension to a conventional weapons embargo on Iran, due to expire in October under the 2015 nuclear deal. U.S. officials have warned they will move to reimpose international sanctions unilaterally on Iran if the embargo isn’t continued, a move seen by Russia, China and some European diplomats as illegal. The U.S. argues that Iran’s noncooperation with the IAEA, its arms transfers to proxy groups and Tehran’s noncompliance with many of the nuclear deal’s constraints are grounds for killing the nuclear deal. However, Iran only started to breach the agreement’s terms after President Trump exited the deal in May 2018 and imposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran. The IAEA board resolution centers on Iran’s refusal to grant access to inspectors to two sites the agency wants to see and to answer questions about largely past nuclear activities. The agency’s probe mostly concerns suspected nuclear weapons work Iran did in the early 2000s, long before the 2015 nuclear deal. However the agency says Iran moved to cleanse traces of those activities as recently as 2019. It says Iran’s refusal to grant access to the sites breaches Iran’s pledge to implement an IAEA protocol allowing for widespread inspections that Tehran agreed to implement in the nuclear deal. The resolution drafted by Britain, France and Germany called on Iran to “fully cooperate with the Agency and satisfy the Agency’s requests without any further delay.” There was no deadline set for cooperation. The issue could be escalated to the U.N. Security Council if member states approved. In a sign of the international divisions over Iran, 25 countries voted in favor of the resolution. Russia and China, veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, opposed it. Seven countries, including India, abstained.”  This is the first formal condemnation of Iran for IAEA noncooperation since 2012.

“Differing Police Accounts On Death Of Iran Judge In Romania,” Radio Farda, June 19, 2020.

“International nuclear inspectors and the United States accused Iran on Friday of hiding suspected nuclear activity, the first time in more than eight years that Tehran has been accused of obstructing inspections.”  See “Iran accused of hiding suspected nuclear activity,” David Sanger and Lara Jakes, New York Times, June 19, 2020.

Two quotes.  “Espionage in Germany has reached a level that we have not seen since the Cold War.”  And “Germany has allowed lax oversight of Iranian espionage activities over the years, according to critics. Iran’s regime uses its vast espionage structure and agents to conduct surveillance on Iranian dissidents and political opponents in Germany, multiple intelligence reports have noted. Prosecutors and Germany’s foreign ministry have tended to avoid confrontation with countries that engage in espionage within the territory of the federal republic. Germany has long remained a hotbed of spying activities.”  See “Germany accuses Iran, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Russia, China of espionage,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, June 19, 2020.

Suicide?  “Iranian Ex-Judge Dies in Romania, Falls From Hotel Window,” AP, US News, June 19, 2020.

So, Mansouri was about to be returned to Iran, and he commits suicide?  He is a former Iranian judge sought by Iran to face corruption charges.  See “A Qeshm Airplane Will Fly to Sofia Thursday Night to Return Mansouri and Two Prisoners to Iran,” Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, June 18, 2020.

“Government In Iran Bans Tourism To Region Where Many ‘Human Mules’ Die,” Maryam Sinaiee, Radio Farda, June 19, 2020.

“Iran rejects US sanctions on Syria,” Reuters, Daily Star, June 19, 2020.

“Iran says it successfully tests new naval cruise missile,” Reuters, June 18, 2020.

“Iran’s Latest Misadventure Destabilizes the Caucasus,” Stephen Blank, War on the Rocks, June 18, 2020.

“Iranian rial drops to lowest rate since September 2018 against dollar,” Reuters, June 18, 2020.

“Iran ready to send black boxes from downed UIA plane to Ukraine if it provides necessary conditions,” Ukrinform, June 18, 2020.

“Majority of House members back resolution supporting Iranian opposition, condemning regime’s terror,” Adam Shaw, Fox News, June 18, 2020.

“Rockets targeted US embassy in Baghdad in sixth recent incident,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 18, 2020.

“Iran Political Prisoner Forced to Watch Executions As Form of Torture,” Iran Focus, June 18, 2020.

“Iran test fires cruise missiles resistant to ‘electronic war,’ says naval chief,” AP, Military Times, June 18, 2020.

“Iran Pilot Says He Carried 7 Tons of Prohibited Cargo To Syria With Soleimani On Board,” Radio Farda, June 18, 2020.  A U.S. sanctioned Mahan Air pilot has told an IRGC-linked website in Tehran that he has once carried seven tons of “prohibited cargo” to Syria in 2013 with former Qods Force Commander Qasem Soleimani also on board. Amir Assadollahi, the Mahan Air pilot, says he carried the prohibited cargo, most probably weapons and ammunitions on board a passenger aircraft with some 200 passengers. Mahan Air was first sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2011 for secretly carrying weapons and IRGC forces to Syria. In December 2019. U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions on Mahan Air and its shipping company, accusing it of “transporting lethal aid from Iran to Yemen.” … Assadollahi told the Razmandegan-e Eslam Association website, that Soleimani was seated in the pilot’s cabin. The Razmandegan-e Eslam Association is an IRGC body that organizes eulogists for religious ceremonies and other occasions including crackdown on protesters. Reminiscing about his association with Soleimani, the Mahan Air pilot told the website that he was ordered to land at Baghdad airport while he was flying to Syria with the cargo and Soleimani. He claimed that the airport in Iraq was being controlled by U.S. forces and that the situation was not normal, adding that Soleimani took off his outfit and dressed as a flight engineer sitting all the time in the pilot’s cabin while the Americans scanned the faces of all passengers, missing Soleimani.”

“Video of Iran’s long-range missiles that could target Israel – WATCH,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 18, 2020.

“UK dual national beaten, drugged in Iranian prison,” Arab News, June 17, 2020.

“Half Year on, Activists Fear No Justice for Iran Protest Killings,” Asharq al-Awsat, June 17, 2020.

Alex Saab was detained in Cape Verde when his jet made a refueling stop on a flight to Tehran, where he was negotiating deals to exchange Venezuelan gold for Iranian gasoline.  The businessman is a front representative for Pres. Maduro.  See “Venezuela demands release of Maduro associate detained en-route to Iran,” Arab News, June 17, 2020.

120 died Monday.  “Iran reports over 100 virus deaths for fourth day,” AFP, Wihon, June 17, 2020.

“Iran rocked by three honor killings in one month,” Al Monitor, June 17, 2020.

“Human Rights Organizations Warn UN Over Widespread Human Violations In Iran,” Radio Farda, June 17, 2020.

“Iran Warns IAEA against Adopting Resolution to Allow Access to Disputed Sites,” Asharq al-Awsat, June 17, 2020.