Usually a power saw is used to cut of the four fingers through the palm, leaving just a stub of a hand and the thumb.  Not only this a grotesque punishment, it makes it impossible to use a hand—you can’t even control a moped or motorcycle for example.  “Iran sentences 3 more men to amputation for ‘stealing,’ reviving once-rare Islamic law,” Hollie McKay, Fox News, October 15, 2020.

“Spain Extradites Corrupt Iranian Banker in “First of its Kind” Case in Europe,” James Warren, The Olive Press, October 15, 2020.

 “Pompeo Claps Back at Iran’s Khamenei Over Nuclear Threat,” Algemeiner, October 15, 2020.

“Iran Manages to Ovehaul Several Old Planes to Back Its Ageing Avilation Fleet,” Trend News Agency, Aviation Pros, October 15, 2020.

No.  I’m not sure why Atlantic Council even asks.  This is an Israeli author, really commenting on how Iran does not fulfill rights laid out in its constitution, and the tease the Regime gives every election of a possible female president—but Iranian women have given up hope on this.  See “Will Iran let a woman run for president in 2021?,” Raz Zimmt, IranSource , Atlantic Council, October 15, 2020.

Quote of the Day.  Iran’s judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said it was “strictly forbidden to attack the accused, even if they are thugs.”  See “Iran: Judicial authority bans ‘torture’,” Al Jazeera, October 15, 2020.  “Iran’s judicial authority on Thursday issued an order banning torture, the use of “forced confessions”, solitary confinement, illegal police detentions, and other violations of defendants’ rights. The “document on judicial security” was signed by Iran’s judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi and released by Mizan Online, the authority’s news agency. It also stressed the “transparency” of the judicial process, including the right to freely choose a lawyer and “the principle of the presumption of innocence”. It also guaranteed “consular access” for foreign nationals. Iran is regularly accused by the United Nations, several Western countries, rights organisations and Iranian lawyers of flouting the principles that Raisi said he wants to see respected. The publication of the charter comes a week after controversy was sparked by videos posted on social media showing police officers beating detainees in pick-up trucks in the middle of a street. In the videos, apparently filmed in Tehran, the detainees are also made to apologise for the “mistakes” they say they have made.”

“Husband: Iran Denying Jailed Hunger Striker Hospital Treatment Out of Malice,” Michael Lipin and Ramin Haghjoo, VOA, October 15, 2020.

So, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed with the U.S. to make this deal happen.  “Two Americans held hostage by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen were freed on Wednesday as part of a U.S.-backed trade that returned more than 200 of the group’s loyalists to the fractured Middle East country, according to U.S. and Saudi officials. A Royal Oman Air Force plane carrying the two Americans and the remains of a third flew out of Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital of Sana’a, hours after the jet and a companion flight brought the militants back to the country following years stuck in Oman. The deal secured freedom for Sandra Loli, an American humanitarian worker held hostage by the Houthis for 16 months, and Mikael Gidada, a U.S. businessman held for more than a year, said Kash Patel, a deputy assistant to President Trump who worked on the deal. The pact also included the return of the remains of Bilal Fateen, a third American who had been held by the Houthis. U.S. officials provided only limited information on the three Americans, but said they worked urgently to secure the deal because Ms. Loli’s health was in decline. The deal also included delivery of medical aid for Yemen. Saudi officials said they reluctantly backed the deal, which they said would permit dozens of Houthi militants trained on advanced drones and missiles to return to the battle zone. Mr. Patel said the U.S. worked to ensure that Houthis returning to Yemen didn’t pose a major risk.”  See “Two Americans Held Hostage by Iran-Backed Forces in Yemen Freed in Trade,” Dion Nissenbaum, Wall Street Journal, October 14, 2020.

279 died on Tuesday.  “Iran virus death toll hits record high, 3rd time in a week,” Amir Vahdat and Samya Kullab, AP, October 14, 2020.

Ask—what steps by the government are needed to sell pistachios?  Otherwise the crop will be lost for a second year.  “Iranian Pistachio Farmers’ Livelihood in Danger,” Collin Jason, Iran Focus, October 14, 2020.

The IMF doesn’t say in this article why Iran’s economy will grow 3.2% in 2021, which is an unusual number because Iran is underwater right now.  I say it is the purchase of oil by China.  “IMF Predicts Iran Economy to Return to Growth in 2021,” Financial Tribune, October 14, 2020.

“Iran’s Sanction Busting Pipeline Is Just Months From Completion,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, October 14, 2020.  Again, thank you China.  “Last week, though, it was confirmed by the Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) that the first phase of the game-changing Goreh-Jask oil pipeline project will come on stream by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (ending on 20 March, 2021). Specifically, according to PEDEC’s Goreh-Jask pipeline project director, Ali Jafarzadeh, the testing of the pumping houses and the final terminal will begin within the next two months and end in early February. After that, the first phase of the pipeline’s operations will begin, with the capacity to transfer 350,000 barrels per day (bpd) of light, heavy, and ultra-heavy crude oil through the 1,100 km-long, 46 inch diameter pipeline that runs from the Goreh oil terminal in the north-west Bushehr Province to Mobarak Mount in the western Jask region along the Sea of Oman. This will have involved the construction and deployment of 83 42-inch valves relating to the gate, control and emergency shut-off functions in the pipeline project, six smaller pipelines, five pump houses, three stations for receiving and sending pipeline pigs, 10 power stations, 400 kilometres of transmission lines, three single point moorings, subsea pipelines, and a stilling basin.”

Iran doubles down, but does not address the evidence.  “Iran slams new allegations against arrested diplomat in Belgium,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, October 14, 2020.

“Rouhani celebrates end of Iran arms embargo,” Al Monitor, October 14, 2020.

Decisions Iran continues to make.  “Iran-China-Russia Axis Threatens US and Israeli Interests,” Douglas Fraser, The Defense Post, October 14, 2020.

“Afghanistan and Iran: From water treaty to water dispute,” Said Hashmat Sadat and Nasrat Sayed, The Interpreter, October 14, 2020.

“Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq Poised to Expand Influence,” Max Boot, CFR, October 13, 2020.

Three cases of suicides by hanging in impoverished areas in Iran, and here is a very sad case.  “Iran in shock after 11-year-old boy commits suicide over poverty,” Al Monitor, October 13, 2020.

“Iran militias replace ancient Syria street names with Shia figures,” Middle East Monitor, October 13, 2020.

“Iran’s next president may be a military man,” Bobby Ghosh, Gulf News, October 13, 2020.

272 yesterday.  “Iran shatters its single-day record for virus deaths, cases,” Amir Vahdat, AP, October 12, 2020.

“Iranian tanker departs for Persian Gulf carrying Venezuelan heavy oil,” Hellenic Shipping News, October 12, 2020.

“Iran and Iraq Reach Deal to Release Trapped Energy Payments,” Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, October 12, 2020.

“Iran’s evolving position in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict,” Mohammed Al-Sulami, op-ed, Arab News, October 12, 2020.

251 died Saturday.  “Iran has highest day death toll from virus, currency plunges,” AP, October 11, 2020.

Iran has difficulty finding willing and able partners during a time of sanctions.  “Iran, Belarus keen on boosting economic ties,” Trend, October 11, 2020.

“Iran does not have enough enough enriched uranium to make one nuclear bomb under the UN atomic watchdog’s official definition, the agency’s head has said. “The Iranians continue to enrich uranium, and to a much higher degree than they have committed themselves to. And this amount is growing by the month,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi told Austrian paper Die Presse in an interview it published on Saturday. The IAEA is based in the Austrian capital, Vienna. Asked about how long Iran would need to build a nuclear weapon, Mr Grossi said: “In the IAEA we do not talk about breakout time. We look at the significant quantity, the minimum amount of enriched uranium or plutonium needed to make an atomic bomb. Iran does not have this significant quantity at the moment.” Iran denies ever having had a nuclear weapons programme, saying its nuclear programme is purely for energy purposes. The IAEA defines “significant quantity” as the approximate amount of nuclear material for which the possibility of manufacturing a nuclear explosive device cannot be excluded. The most recent quarterly IAEA report on Iran last month said it had 2,105.4 kg of enriched uranium, far above the 202.8 kg limit in a 2015 deal with global powers but a fraction of the enriched uranium it had before the accord. The US pulled out of the agreement in 2018. It is also enriching to up to 4.5 pre cent purity, far below the 20 per cent it achieved before the deal and the 90 per cent that is considered weapons-grade. Earlier this month, Mr Grossi said that the IAEA carried out more than 400 inspections on Iran last year.”  See “Iran short of ‘significant quantity’ of potential bomb material, IAEA says,” The National, October 11, 2020.

“Because Iran is working with North Korea, …” See “North Korea’s massive new missile could help Iran threaten Israel,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, October 11, 2020.

The threat of U.S. force against Iran proxies may be leading to this.  “Iran-backed militias offer truce for US troop withdrawal,” Qassem Abdul-Zahra, AP, Military Times, October 11, 2020.

251 died Saturday.  “Iran has highest day death toll from virus, currency plunges,” Houston Chronicle, October 11, 2020.

“Iranian Regime Intelligence Ministry’s Agent Arrested in Albania,” NCRI, October 11, 2020.

“A new organization comprised of decorated Iranian athletes and human rights activists on Friday urged the International Olympics Committee and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to suspend Iran from all sports competitions because of its reported murder of the champion wrestler Navid Afkari. … They also cited Iran’s “discrimination against women, including female athletes who have faced numerous restrictions.” … “In Iran, Kurdish, Baloutch, Arab, Sunni, Bahai and even female athletes face systematic discrimination.”  See “Iranian gold medal athletes urge Olympics to ban Islamic Republic,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, October 10, 2020.

We’ll see.  “Iran Set to Unveil New Chopper, Drone and Missile-Laden Warship Capable of Reaching US Coast,” Ilya Tsukanov, Sputnik News, October 10, 2020.

“Missiles and More: Why North Korea and Iran Like to Team up Against America,” Peter Brookes, National Interest, October 10, 2020.

“Iran’s New Warship Can Circumnavigate Globe 3 Times without Refueling: Commander,” Tasnim News Agency, October, 10, 2020.

“Half Of Iran’s Population Live In ‘Absolute Poverty’,” Iran News Wire, October 10, 2020.

“Iran’s rial hits new low against dollar as economy stumbles,” MEE, October 10, 2020.

“195 More Iranians Die of COVID-19: Health Ministry,” IFP, October 10, 2020.

Fake news.  This article, entitled “Iran, Australia confer on expansion of mining co-op,” in a leading Iran news source, lays out what appears to be a conversation between the head of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries and the Australian Ambassador to Iran, going into detail how the two countries were discussing joint mining projects.  But for the discerning Iranian citizen (or anyone else who keeps up with the news), we know this could not be the case because Australia will not act to violate any sanctions currently set against Iran.  So either this meeting never occurred, or Iran is exaggerating some statements made by its representative at the meeting.  BTW, there is nothing in Australian news about such a meeting.  See “Iran, Australia confer on expansion of mining co-op,” Tehran Times, October 10, 2020.

“Officials Weigh Plans to Resume Iran-Russia Flights,” Tasnim News Agency, October, 10, 2020.

A very different type of story, but indicative of the Regime’s messaging and cover-ups.  “Mahallati’s aim at the UN was to “obfuscate and lie to the international community about mass crimes perpetrated by the Iranian regime.”  “Iranian diplomat turned US professor accused of crimes against humanity,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, October 9, 2020.

“[T]he US Government announced that it had seized 92 domain names utilized by Iran-backed threat actors to spread disinformation. The domains pretended to be genuine news outlets, however, they were controlled by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Gaurd Corps (IRGC) to launch a global disinformation campaign spreading Iranian propaganda to the US and other countries. Four of the domains directly targeted the US, in violations of sanctions imposed both on the Iranian government and the IRGC.”  See “U.S. Seizes Domain Names Used by Iran for Disinformation,” DA Loop, October 9, 2020.

Can’t make this up.  Assadi is most likely part of Quds Force, assigned to an embassy for cover.  They are trained to kill and promote the Revolution.  “An Iranian diplomat charged in Belgium with planning to bomb a meeting of an exiled Iranian opposition group in France warned authorities of possible retaliation by unidentified groups if he is found guilty, according to a police document. Belgian prosecutors charged Vienna-based Assadolah Assadi in Oct. 2018 and three others with planning an attack that year on a rally of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) attended by high profile former U.S., European and Arab officials. Assadi, who goes on trial on Nov. 27, was the third counsellor at Iran’s embassy in Vienna. French officials have said he was in charge of intelligence in southern Europe and was acting on orders from Tehran. He is one of the first Iranian diplomats to face trial on terrorism charges in the European Union. Tehran has repeatedly dismissed the charges against Assadi, calling them a “false flag” operation by the NCRI’s political arm, the MEK, (Mujaheedin-e Khalq), which presents itself as an alternative to Iran’s theocracy. Assadi has not commented on the charges and his lawyer has declined to comment on them. Minutes of a March 12 meeting between Assadi and Belgian police, seen by Reuters and confirmed as authentic by his lawyer, show the diplomat initially set out Tehran’s long-standing grievances with the MEK’s activities in the past. He then warned Belgian authorities that his case was being closely watched by undisclosed groups in Iran and neighbouring countries. “According to ASSADI Assadolah we (Belgium) do not realize what is going to happen, in the event of an unfavourable verdict,” the minutes, taken by the Belgian police, say. Assadi told police that armed groups in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and Syria, as well as in Iran, were interested in the outcome of his case and would be “watching from the sidelines to see if Belgium would support them or not”, according to the minutes.”  See “Iranian diplomat warned of retaliation over Belgian bomb plot trial, document shows,” John Irish, Reuters, October 9, 2020.

“How State-owned Companies Are Devouring Iranian Economy,” Pooya Stone, Iran Focus, October 9, 2020.

“Iranian hospitals battling coronavirus to stop non-emergency treatment,” Reuters, October 9, 2020.

“Iran executed at least 251 people last year and 190 more in the first nine months of 2020.”  See “Iran Urged To Halt Executions Ahead Of World Day Against The Death Penalty,” RFE/RL, Radio Farda, October 9, 2020.

“America needs to stop Iranian-controlled militias in our hemisphere,” Eric Mandel, op-ed, The Hill, October 9, 2020.  “Iranian-controlled Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs) are coming to the Western Hemisphere. According to Radio Farda, Iranian military commander Yahya Rahim Safavi, the former head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is helping Venezuela to form PMUs and transferring Iran’s experience to Venezuela to stand “against America.” In 2014, the Wall Street Journal’s  Mary Anastasia O’Grady reported that the “West underestimates the growing threat from radical Islam (Iran) in the Americas,” through an Iran-Cuba-Venezuela nexus, with the help of regional allies Nicaragua, Bolivia and Ecuador. PMUs are multinational Islamist militias under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which have helped Iran project its power and influence beyond its borders and to dominate Iraq. They have helped Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to remain in power. Iran and its terrorist proxy Hezbollah, the model Iranian militia, have had decades-long involvement in finding the soft underbelly of the United States’s South American neighbors through narco-terrorism and support of anti-U.S. regimes. According to Ambassador Nathan Sales, the State Department’s coordinator for counterterrorism, “Hezbollah continues to have our hemisphere squarely in its sights today.” For decades, Iran and Hezbollah have used Latin America to transit drugs and support their terrorist activities. These activities have contributed to the U.S. opioid epidemic but have been off the radar of most Americans, who think Iran and its proxies’ nefarious activities are confined to the Middle East. Iran has nurtured and supported like-minded revolutionary regimes, including Venezuela, and has a long history of terrorist activity in South America going back to its bombing of the Israeli embassy and Jewish center in Argentina in the early 1990s. A nuclear Iran will feel even more emboldened to act in Central and South America, which is another reason for the United States not to allow Iran to develop an industrial-size nuclear weapons program.

The question is whether the two Qadir long-range radar systems are as effective as S-400s.  “Expert Reviews:  Why Iran Could Already Have Acquired The Deadly Russian S-400 Systems Without Officially Acquiring Them,” Eurasian Times, October 9, 2020.

“A previously unknown organization, Usbat al-Thaireen, has taken responsibility for a large proportion of the attacks. The organization was formally launched on March 14, 2020, on the same day as an attack on the Taji military base, where US forces were present. “Usbat al-Thaireen” is almost certainly a convenient label for the insurgent activities of established Shia militias. Specifically the 10,000-strong Kataib Hezbollah movement, with its extensive networks across the country, appears to be the central player in this emergent insurgency.”  See “A dangerous escalation in Iraq, a direct Israeli concern,” Jonathan Spyer, Jerusalem Post, October 9, 2020.

What other country (and regularly) holds military exercises in an international strait?  “Report: Iran to hold military exercise in Strait of Hormuz,” I24 News, October 9, 2020.

“Shockwaves In Israel, Caution In India, As China Pushes Russia To Sell Its S-400s,” Eurasian Times, October 9, 2020.

We will see if Oberlin investigates this “professor of peace” and what the results are.  Oberlin does not want to be an enabler of terror or mass crimes against humanity.  “Iranian diplomat turned US professor accused of crimes against humanity,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, October 9, 2020.

“Iran Is Building A Massive Energy Network To Boost Its Geopolitical Influence,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, October 8, 2020.

239 on Tuesday.  “With 239 deaths, Iran hits its highest daily COVID-19 toll,” New Delhi Times, October 8, 2020.

“Iran murders and abuses its athletes. It’s time to ban them from the Olympics until they stop,” Avi Mayer, JTA, October 8, 2020.

“The Atlantic Council report argues that Hezbollah “has helped turn Venezuela into a hub of transnational organized crime and international terrorism.””  See “Concern Mounts Over Narco-Terrorist Alliance Among Iran, Hezbollah and Venezuela,” Juan Martinez, Rio Times, October 8, 2020.

“Denmark summons Iran envoy over reports of illegal divorces,” Nick Harley, The National, October 8, 2020.

“Leading Iranian human rights advocate freed from prison amid fear of contracting coronavirus behind bars,” Miriam Berger, Washington Post, October 8, 2020.

“Iran Is Building A Massive Energy Network To Boost Its Geopolitical Influence,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, October 8, 2020.

“Iran showcases anti-ship ballistic missile to threaten US carriers,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, October 8, 2020.

“Iran on edge as Azeri minority backs Karabakh war,” Kourosh Ziabari, Asia Times, October 8, 2020.  Here’s why—“Ethnic Azerbaijanis who make up 25% of Iran’s population are now calling for the ‘liberation of Karabakh’.”

“Official: Iranian-Backed Militias Pose ‘Acute and Immediate’ Threat to Iraq,” John Grady, USNI News, October 7, 2020.

“Iranian Terror Proxies Prop Up Venezuela’s Maduro, Report Says,” Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, October 7, 2020.

“U.S. Seizes Domain Names Used by Iran’s Disinformation Campaign,” Bloomberg Law, October 7, 2020.

“Iran reports record high 239 new coronavirus deaths: health ministry,” Reuters, October 7, 2020.

“Hossein Dehghan and other military vets vie for Iran’s presidency,” Sina Azodi, Atlantic Council, October 7, 2020.

This is of course great news for the Levinson family, for those who fight against terrorism, for international relations, and for those who maintain that Iran’s Regime must change.  Let us hope that the assets are seized and applied to the judgment.  “US court orders Iran to pay $1.4bn over missing ex-FBI agent,” Al Jazeera, October 6, 2020.  This is a large blow against the country which uses hostage taking as part of its foreign policy.  See also, “US court orders Iran to pay $1.4bn over missing ex-FBI agent,” Al Jazeera, October 6, 2020.

Of note, “Iran had spent about $30 billion in Syria over the past decade.”  See “Iranian Deputy Minister Outlines Reconstruction Projects Funded By Tehran In Syria,” Radio Farda, October 6, 2020.

“Brig. Gen. Abu al-Fadl Shikaraji, spokesman for the Iranian military, represented the first official admission of the role of the mullahs’ regime in Iran in managing, supporting and arming the coup that the Houthi militia carried out against the the state of Yemen and its people. This brazen admission casts a clear light on Tehran’s destabilizing role in the security and stability of Yemen and the region. These statements, published by the Iranian Fars News Agency, confirmed that Iran has provided the Houthi militia with the means to produce missiles, drones, and sending consultants to militia-controlled areas, blatantly violating the principle of national sovereignty. In addition, it was a flagrant violation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 2216 and 2511, directly challenging the will of the international community to end the war and establish peace in Yemen.”  See “Iran admits managing Yeman coup by Houthi militia. What else is the world waiting for?,” Moammar Al-Eryani, Washington Times, October 6, 2020.

227 passed away of Covid on Sunday, reported Monday.  “Daily Rise in Iran’s COVID-19 Cases at All-Time High Again,” IFP, October 6, 2020.

This is Iran’s way of saying that even if Trump is not re-elected, they will keep coming.  “Iran: US gov’t, not just Trump, blamed for Soleimani killing,” Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, October 6, 2020.

“Iranian judiciary to sue 46 Americans over ‘role’ in Iran sanctions: official,” Xinhua, October 6, 2020.

Internal pressure and competition among hardliners—“Ghalibaf is seen as formidable conservative figure who could be kingmaker in next year’s presidential election.”  See “Iran’s Rouhani slams speaker over hospital visit,” Syed Zafar Mehdi, AA, October 6, 2020.