“Europeans push for Iran rebuke at nuclear watchdog over inspections,” Reuters, June 16, 2020.

“Tensions between Iran and Afghanistan rise over police killing of migrants,” Hikmat Noori, The National, June 16, 2020.

“Iran remains hell-bent on developing the deadliest weapons on the planet, according to a damning German intelligence service report released Monday. In a section titled “Proliferation,” the 181-page Baden-Württemberg state intelligence agency document reviewed by Fox News states that Iran, Pakistan, North Korea and Syria are “still pursuing” such efforts. “They aim to complete existing arsenals, perfect the range, applicability and effectiveness of their weapons and develop new weapon systems,” the report said. “They try to obtain the necessary products and relevant know-how, among other things, through illegal procurement efforts in Germany.” “The term ‘proliferation,’” the report continued, “refers to the further spread of atomic, biological, and chemical weapons of mass destruction –­ or the products and know-how required to manufacture them –­ and corresponding delivery systems.””  See “German intel report lays bare Iran’s attempts to obtain nuclear proliferation technology,” Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, June 16, 2020.

“In general, Iraqis neither favor Iran nor the United States, but for the first time in a long time we see the favorability of the United States among Iraqis [being] double the favorability of Iran,” Munqith Dagher, president of IIACSS, said at an event hosted by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.  See “New Poll: Iran Losing Support of Majority in Iraq,” Namo Abdulla, Mehdi Jedinia, VOA, June 16, 2020.

“At a time of heightened debate over Twitter’s policies regarding content the company deems dangerous or misleading, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei continues to abuse his Twitter account to promote violence, terrorism and dehumanization. His tweets are not only a clear violation of Twitter’s rules, but directly endanger lives. Twitter must apply its own rules in a consistent and unbiased manner, and take action against Khamenei’s account.”  See “Twitter must apply its own rules and take action against Khamenei,” Asher Fredman, Jerusalem Post, June 16, 2020.

“Iran’s Zarif seeks Russian support as US pressure builds,” Al Monitor, June 16, 2020.

115 new deaths Monday, reported Tuesday.  Many days there is no report of deaths by the Health Ministry.  See “Iran says virus death toll tops 9,000,” AFP, June 16, 2020.

“Iranian judge arrested in Romania,” Arab News, June 16, 2020.

“Iran reins in family planning as population ages,” BBC, June 15, 2020. “Iran has limited the provision of family planning services at state-run hospitals as it tries to boost its population size. Vasectomies will no longer be carried out at state-run medical centres and contraceptives will only be offered to women whose health might be at risk. … Annual population growth has dropped below 1% and, if no action is taken, Iran could become one of the world’s oldest countries in the next 30 years, the health ministry says. Just two years ago, the country was recorded as having population growth of 1.4%. The rate in neighbouring Iraq was 2.3% and 1.8% in Saudi Arabia, according to World Bank data. Marriage and children within marriage are both in decline, Iran’s state-run news agency Irna reports, largely because of economic hardship. Last month, Deputy Health Minister Seyed Hamed Barakati reported that the marriage rate had dropped by 40% in a decade. “With this trend, we will be one of the oldest countries in the world in the next 30 years,” he said. Iran enjoyed a population boom after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 but went to on implement an effective population control policy. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been calling for people to have more children, saying he wants the current population population of 80 million to grow to 150 million.”

“UN Nuclear Watchdog Chief Asks Iran for Access to Disputed Sites,” Jastinder Khera, Bourse & Bazaar, June 15, 2020.

“Afghans allege Iran police involved in attacks on refugees,” Rahim Faiez and Tameem Akhgar, AP, June 15, 2020.

Sunday had 113 deaths, claimed on Monday.  “Iran’s coronavirus deaths near 9,000,” AA, June 15, 2020.

“Iranian oil reaching Malaysia somehow changes ownership and send to another destination, possibly China.”  See “Iranian Oil Shipments To China Rebranded In Malaysia To Circumvent Sanctions,” Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, June 15, 2020.

After Iranian police and border patrol terrorize and kill Afghan immigrants, when Afghanis and the Afghan government complain, the Iran FM Spokesman says “Such actions and insults will not be tolerated”.  See “Tehran Denounces Protests By Afghans Against Iranian Government,” Radio Farda, June 15, 2020.

“New details on Iran’s drones as UN confirms Tehran’s role in Saudi attack,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2020.  The determination puts Iran on its back-foot regarding implementation of UN Resolution 2231, associated with the 2015 Iran Deal.

“Iran edging closer to nuclear bomb, Israeli defense officials assess – report,” Times of Israel, June 14, 2020.  “Israeli defense officials believe Iran hasn’t increased the pace of its nuclear enrichment in recent months, but nevertheless could be just two years from producing an atomic weapon, a report said Sunday. The Walla news site quoted the unnamed senior officials as saying Jerusalem estimates the Islamic Republic continues to enrich uranium at a four percent level, the same as when the coronavirus crisis hit earlier this year. However, the report said Defense Minister Benny Gantz has been presented with an assessment that Tehran is just six months away from producing all the components of an atomic bomb, and two years away from assembling such a bomb.”

107 died Saturday, reported on Sunday.  “Iran’s daily virus death toll tops 100 for first time in two months,” Reuters, June 14, 2020.

“Iran denies involvement in attacks on Saudi oil facilities,” Daiji World, June 13, 2020.

“Iran Continues Harassing Minorities Says US Religious Freedom Report,” Radio Farda, June 13, 2020.

“Iran Says Ties With Russia Serve International Security,” Orkhan Jalilov, Caspian News, June 13, 2020.

“Iran asks France to decrypt PS752’s black boxes,” 112 Ukraine, June 13, 2020.

“Missiles used to attack Saudi Arabia of ‘Iranian origin’: UN,” Al Jazeera, June 12, 2020.  And the Secretary General said the same of the drones.  What restraint by the Saudis for what appears to be an act of war.

“Iran Might Have Executed A Kurdish Prisoner In Secret – Amnesty,” Radio Farda, June 12, 2020.

“Iran Official Tells US ‘You Will Soon Kneel In Front Of Iranian Nation’,” Radio Farda, June 12, 2020.

Thank you Germany.  “Germany condemns Iran’s ‘spread of antisemitism’ in a policy reversal,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, June 11, 2020.

“’Afghan Lives Matter’: Gruesome Deaths Of Afghan Migrants In Iran Unleash Outrage,” Frud Bezhan, RFE/RL, June 11, 2020.

“Global Peace Study Shows Iran Has Dropped In Rankings,” Radio Farda, June 11, 2020.

Thanks to the new Iraq PM, Iran does not have as much influence as before.  “Iraqi militia factions expected the usual cash handout when the new head of Iran’s expeditionary Quds Force made his first visit to Baghdad earlier this year, succeeding the slain Gen. Qassim Soleimani. Instead, to their disappointment, Esmail Ghaani brought them silver rings. For his second visit, Ghaani had to apply for a visa, something unheard of in Soleimani’s time — a bold step by Baghdad’s new government effectively curtailing Iran’s freedom of movement inside Iraq.”  See “Troubled Iran struggles to maintain sway over Iraq militias,” Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Samya Kullab, AP, June 11, 2020.

“Iran ‘imposed its will’ with Venezuela fuel shipment: Top general,” Al Jazeera, June 11, 2020.

The protesters were given an Israeli flag to burn, not an Armenian flag.  Iran is careful to hand out the right flag.  See “Armenia Tries to Reassure Iran Over Embassy in Israel,” Asbarez, June 11, 2020.

“Report: Iran Spying on Hamas,” Hamodia, June 11, 2020.  In a way this article is really funny, but also deadly serious.  It is an example of “you just can’t trust a fellow terrorist organization.”  Iran has been spying on a senior Hamas official–Hamas deputy Moussa Abu Marzouk was under surveillance by an Iranian spy employed on the Marzouk staff.  He and other men reported back to Iran on Marzouk’s activities.  Immediately we assume there are more spies embedded in Hamas.

“Chairman Of Iran-UAE Chamber Denies Reports Of Halt in Trade,” Radio Farda, June 11, 2020.

Iran on Thursday confirmed 78 deaths form coronavirus.  “Iran’s death toll from coronavirus surpasses 8,500,” Ali Abo Rezeg, AA, June 11, 2020.

“Wang says he learned an important lesson during his ordeal that he’d like to see other scholars follow — that it’s not a “good idea” for U.S. nationals to visit Iran until the relationship between the two countries stabilizes.”  Absolutely correct!  See “Released From Iranian Prison, U.S. Student Xiyue Wang Says He Was Held As A ‘Hostage’,” NPR Morning Edition, June 11, 2020.

Despite several public calls by the Supreme Leader (they were for show) during recent years for the IRGC to cut back on its control of the majority of the economy, this year the IRGC publicly controlled the satellite launch and now are moving further into the car industry.  See “Iran’s Guards Poised To Enter Country’s $15 Billion Auto Industry,” Radio Farda, June 10, 2020.

“Iran Denies Collision Between IRISL Boxship and Bulker,” Maritime Executive, June 10, 2020.

Best article by far on the subject of forest fires in Iran—that the people fight the fires, not the government.  “Iran is woefully underprepared to deal with the country’s hot season because of a lack of resources and budget, and so extinguishing the fire falls to volunteers. Locals have almost no tools with which to fight the fire, apart from tree branches and leaf blowers. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have tried to deny the extent of the damage.”  See “In Iran, locals extinguish wildfires with almost no resources,” France 24, June 10, 2020.

“Pompeo demands Iran release US detainees,” Arab News, June 10, 2020.

“Garneau Asks Iran To Explain To UN Aviation Council Where Black Boxes Are,” Mia Rabson, National Post, June 10, 2020.

“Top U.S. Officer: Iran’s Government ‘Struggling’ Amid Coronavirus Spread,” Paul Shinkman, U.S. News, June 10, 2020.

“Iran Escalating Pressure On South Korea To Release Billions In Oil Money,” Radio Farda, June 10, 2020.

“Rouhani Calls on Russia, China to Resist US Push to Extend Arms Embargo,” Asharq al-Awsat, June 10, 2020.

The merry go round continues, Iran won’t send the boxes.  See “Iran says will now send Ukraine airliner black boxes to Paris – sources,” Reuters, June 10, 2020.

“Could Iran Test a Nuclear Bomb Within a Year?,” Matthew Petti, National Interest, June 10, 2020.

“US Criticizes China, Iran, Nigeria for Religious Freedom Violations,” VOA, June 10, 2020.

“Iran War Vet Sets Himself on Fire in Protest Against Iranian Foundation,” Jubin Katiraie, Iran Focus, June 10, 2020.

It would be great to see Press TV defunded.  “Iran’s state television may have to shut down several foreign language channels due to financial strains caused by sanctions, mismanagement, falling viewership figures and long-standing differences between the state broadcaster and the presidential administration.”  See “Iran To Shut Down Several TV Channels Beaming Programs To Other Countries,” Behrouz Turani, Radio Farda, June 10, 2020.

“Former Deputy Mayor Of Tehran Being Tried For Billion-Dollar Corruption,” Radio Farda, June 10, 2020.

“Iran Poses Greatest Threat to Region, Centcom Commander Says,” David Vergun, DOD News, June 10, 2020.  Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, Jr. identified the various threats from Iran as: Funding and arming terrorist organizations; Propping up the “murderous regime” of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad; Providing advanced weapons to the Houthi rebels in Yemen; Direct attack on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz; Direct attack on oil refineries in Saudi Arabia; and Attacking U.S. troops in Iraq.

“Iran says it will execute man convicted of spying on Soleimani for CIA,” Parisa Hafezi, Retuers, June 9, 2020.  ““Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd, one of the spies for the CIA and the Mossad, has been sentenced to death … He had shared information about the whereabouts of martyr Soleimani with our enemies,” judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said in a televised news conference. “He passed on security information to the Israeli and American intelligence agencies about Iran’s armed forces, particularly the Guards,” Esmaili said.”

The Regime aims to keep chaos and mayhem alive in Afghanistan and attempt to drive the U.S. out.  “Iranian Links: New Taliban Splinter Group Emerges That Opposes U.S. Peace Deal,” Frud Bezhan, RFE/RL, June 9, 2020.

“Iran Passes Child-Protection Law Following Gruesome Killing Of Teenager,” Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL, June 9, 2020.

“Venezuela Receives COVID-19 Medical Aid From Iran,” RFE/RL, June 9, 2020.  And whatever else was on the flight from Tehran, also.

“Iranian Links: New Taliban Splinter Group Emerges That Opposes U.S. Peace Deal,” Frud Bezhan, RFE/RL, June 9, 2020.

We’ll see.  “Iran Ready for Talks on Ukrainian Jetliner’s Flight Recorder, Compensation,” IFP, June 9, 2020.

“Removing the embargo will amount to a capitulation to Iran, rewarding the regime for gross violations of international law. For years, Tehran has repeatedly disobeyed—flagrantly and systematically—UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) forbidding Iran to export all types of weapons and related materials to other countries, non-state actors, and terror organizations.”  See “Removing the UN arms embargo on Iran will reward Tehran’s malign actions,” Udi Evental, Atlantic Council, June 9, 2020.

“Russia, China build case at U.N. to protect Iran from U.S. sanctions threat,” Michelle Nichols, Reuters, June 9, 2020.

“Iran’s Health Minister Replaces ‘Coronavirus Spokesman’ Who Was Too Active,” Radio Farda, June 9, 2020.

“U.S. Treasury Publishes New List of Iran Regime’s 125 Sanctioned Ships,” Mohammad Sadat Khansari, NCRI, June 9, 2020.  This is identified in “Non-Proliferation Designations; Iran-related Designations Updates,” Office of Foreign Assets Control, June 8, 2020.​

Named as “Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi Majd, an Iranian citizen.  The spokesman for the judiciary, Gholamhossein Esmaili, said Majd had given information on Suleimani’s movements to the CIA and the Israeli intelligence agency in return for cash.”  See “Iran to execute ‘CIA agent’ over Gen Suleimani’s death,” Patrick Wintour, Guardian, June 9, 2020.

“State Department launches new push to free American hostage Morad Tahbaz from Iran,” Louis Casiano, Fox, June 9, 2020.

“U.S. to cut off Iran-Venezuela trade by sanctioning oil tankers,” Saleha Mohsin, World Oil, June 9, 2020.

“Sanctions on Iran have produced ‘excellent results’ says Brian Hook,” Arab News, June 9, 2020.  This is an article for the naysayers—that the U.S. should not sanction Iran, and has accomplished nothing, and that sanctions hurt the common man.  Here is a quick list of why the sanctions have had excellent impact so far, and will continue to do so.  First and foremost, the strong sanctions send the message that Iran must negotiate—the door remains open to diplomacy.  Second, they have deprived the Iranian regime of billions of dollars that could have been used on add’l terrorism.  The sanctions deprive funds for some arms, regardless of whether there is an arms embargo on Tehran.  They send the message that the U.S. will not stand for Iran destabilizing the region, which add’l billions would have gone straight to places like the slaughter in Syria.  They have resulted in Iran being an isolated country and not having international support (they have few friends).  The sanctions send a message to Russia and China and North Korea and other actors.  Also, additional stability in the Middle East.  And less support for militant proxies.

“Iran hails ‘collapsing regime’ amid US protests,” Kourosh Ziabari, Asia Times, June 8, 2020.  This article describes the situation just right—hypocritical.  The Regime can’t point out the problems in the U.S. without mentioning how itself responds to societal problems at home.  Iranian citizens also see that the difference between the June U.S. and the last November protests in Iran in that the USG didn’t come out and shoot hundreds if not even a thousand protesters, despite the violent and lawless/looting nature of some of the protests in the United States.  The Regime does not mention this important difference between the two government responses.  BTW, News Alert—the U.S. is not a “collapsing regime.”

I didn’t see the need to post or comment on this story until I saw the quote from the Supreme Leader, ““You did a great job. Your move was a jihadi one. You brought glory to the country,” Ayatollah Khamenei told the sailors in his message.”  See “Iran Leader Praises Crew of Tankers That Delivered Fuel to Venezuela,” IFP, June 8, 2020.

Gross and weird remedies for Covid-19, not for the faint of heart.  Read within.  “All Medical Students In Iran Must Now Take Courses In Islamic Medicine,” Radio Farda, June 8, 2020.

“Fearsome Prosecutor Of Journalists Accused Of Taking Bribes, Flees Iran,” Radio Farda, June 8, 2020.

“Iran Lashes Two Activists Arrested During the November Protests,” Iran HRW, June 8, 2020.

“Exclusive: Congressional Republicans to Unveil Largest Iran Sanctions Plan in History,” Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, June 8, 2020.

“Former White House Advisor: Fight Iran to Keep China out of the Middle East,” Matthew Petti, The National Interest, June 8, 2020.

“How Qassem Soleimani’s killing diminished Iran’s Middle East hegemony,” Christopher Hamill-Stewart, Arab News, June 8, 2020.

“Iran Finally Adopts A Child-Protection Law, Held Back By Conservatives For Nine Years,” Radio Farda, June 8, 2020.

“Iran’s Chief Judge Accuses The West Of Sheltering Corruption Fugitives,” Radio Farda, June 8, 2020.

We are never bashful on this blog to call out FM Zarif.  He says in this article that he is “deeply affected” by the loss of Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Shalah, who “spent his life fighting for the holy Palestinian cause.”  See “Tributes from Iran pour in as PIJ leader buried in Damascus,” Israel Hayom, June 8, 2020.

“Inside Iran’s massive drone army,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 8, 2020.

“Iran’s access to weapons — especially as it steps up cyberattacks,” Mary Beth Long, op-ed, The Hill, June 8, 2020.

Because IFP is a mouthpiece for the government, this article is of some interest.  “Russia, China Unlikely to Veto US Bid to Extend Iran Arms Embargo,” IFP, June 8, 2020.

“US Warns Against Dealing With Top Iran Shipper,” Bourse & Bazaar, June 8, 2020.

“What’s Next for Trump’s Iran Policy?,” Fred Fleitz, National Review, June 8, 2020.

An axis of citizen abuse.  “China, Russia and Iran Chide U.S. Over Racism While Persecuting Minorities in Their Own Countries,” Shane Croucher, June 8, 2020.

“Iran’s Chief Judge Reiterates Need To Separate ‘Political’ And ‘Security’ Crimes,” Radio Farda, June 7, 2020.

“Iran Prepared for More Prisoner Swaps With U.S.,” Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, June 7, 2020.

An unusual interview for the Tehran Times—a U.S. professor who tells it like it is.  Apparently the editor for some reason thought this would be a helpful interview for the Regime.  It wasn’t.  It is probably another hurried attempt to get an American professor on the record as supposedly supporting Iran but not carefully reading what he says.  See “Iran deal is, for all intents and purposes, dead: American professor,” Tehran Times, June 7, 2020.

“Maduro lauds Russia, China, Iran, Cuba as true friends of Venezuela for their help,” TASS, June 7, 2020.

“Iran betting time is on its side,” Oded Granot, Israel Hayom, June 7, 2020.

“Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov dismissed the reports that Iran has denied IAEA access to nuclear sites. In uniquely Russian-style, he said that the extended refusal to grant access is not a “denial,” but simply what it looks like: Iran has not yet granted the IAEA access.”  See “Does Russia want Tehran to get nukes? – analysis,” Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, June 7, 2020.