“Unpaid workers protest in Iran amid economic downturn,” Arab News, May 25, 2020.

“Iran: Is another White Revolution brewing?,” Shahir Shahidsaless, Middle East Eye, May 25, 2020.

“Worker protests have broken out in multiple locations around the country in recent weeks, as municipalities and employers fail to pay employees.”  See “Protests in southwest Iran over water shortage,” Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, May 25, 2020.

“Worker Protests Spring Up In Iran, As Sanctions, Coronavirus Weaken Economy,” Roozbeh Bolhari, Radio Farda, May 25, 2020.

“Iran to halt condensates exports to make more gasoline, petchem feedstocks at home,” Aresu Eqbali, SP Global, May 25, 2020.

“Regime Infighting Again in Iran,” Siavosh Hosseini, The Media Express, May 25, 2020.

News for weeks now that the new PM wants to put Shiite militias under Baghdad’s control.  See “Iraq Can Now Wrest Its Sovereignty From Iran,” Hamdi Malik, Foreign Affairs, May 25, 2020.

“Iran reopens major Shia shrines after two-month closure,” Al Jazeera, May 25, 2020.

“Iran – Who Is IRGC Brigadier General Abdolreza Shahlaei, and Where Is He?,” Iran Focus, May 25, 2020.

From being a major oil exporter, to now dependent on Iran.  Poor Venezuela.  Who else will Iran ship gasoline to?  Who else will trade gold?  “First fuel tanker from Iranian flotilla reaches Venezuela’s economic zone,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, May 24, 2020.

“Shiite Iran marks end of Ramadan on two different days in rare event,” AFP, May 24, 2020.

“Rise in violent Iranian regime supporters in Berlin – Intel report,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, May 23, 2020.

Iran calls for the “final solution”—the total destruction of Israel and its people in a series of 25 tweets from the Supreme Leader—on Quds Day, the only national holiday in the world which advocates and organizes demonstrations for the annihilation of another country.  The world and the United Nations should join the U.S. government and Israel and a few other brave states (who are not afraid of Iran’s terrorism) and condemn the annual Quds Day celebrations.  See “On Quds Day, Iran’s leader says Zionism ‘a virus that must be eliminated’,” Times of Israel, May 22, 2020.

Likewise, the FM piles on to Israel in honor of Quds Day.  “Iran’s Zarif says Israel ‘greatest threat to international security’,” Leon Sverdlov, Jerusalem Post  May 22, 2020.

Iran has spent as much as $30 billion to help Syria win its civil war and keep President Bashar Al-Assad in power, and maintain its campaign to fully control Lebanon and one day eliminate Israel.  MP Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, who has been a vital part of Iran’s national security and foreign policy commission, revealed this yesterday to the Iranian state-affiliated Etemad newspaper.  See “Iran MP: We have spent $30bn defending Assad, Syria must pay us back,” Middle East Monitor, May 21, 2020.

“Could the Coronavirus Pandemic Change Iran’s Political Future?,” Dorothy Wickenden, New Yorker, May 21, 2020.

“Iran has banned all use of Israeli tech. Really? That would set it back 50 years,” David Horovitz, op-ed, Times of Israel, May 21, 2020.

“Iran aims to disrupt 2020 elections via cyber hacking, intelligence officials say,” John Solomon and Susan Katz Keating, Just the News, May 21, 2020.

“Could the Coronavirus Pandemic Change Iran’s Political Future?,” Dorothy Wickenden, New Yorker, May 21, 2020.

Amnesty International found that more than 220 of the recorded 304 deaths of men, women, and children by Iran’s security forces took place over just two days, Nov. 16 and 17, and that new and extensive research has again found that the security forces’ use of lethal force against these was unlawful.  There was no evidence the people were in possession of firearms or that they posed an imminent threat to life that would have warranted the use of lethal force.  “Iran: Details released of 304 deaths during protests six months after security forces’ killing spree,” Philip Luther, Amnesty International, May 20, 2020.

“Venezuela’s Guaido says Iran fuel shipment ought to alarm Latin America,” Reuters, May 20, 2020.

“Iran arrests athlete for kissing girlfriend on roof in Tehran,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, May 20, 2020.

“Iran will support any nation or group that fights Israel: supreme leader,” Reuters, May 20, 2020.

Anyone who doubts the Shia Crescent is still a goal, look at this story.  “From Beirut to Bangui: inside Iran’s plan to take proxy wars to Africa,” Albin Szakola and Jack Losh, The National, May 20, 2020.

“Israel claims Iran sent Libya’s Haftar anti-tank arms,” Betul Yuruk, AA, May 20, 2020.

Etihad Airways flew 16 tons of aid for Palestinians via Tel Aviv in the first Gulf country flight to Israel.  “Iran’s leader accuses UAE of ‘treachery’ after first direct flight to Israel,” Times of Israel, May 20, 2020.

What a lovely gift for Quds Day!  The poster shows a conquered Jerusalem with the mosque and the dome, with photos of the late Quds Force general Qassem Soleimani.  “Iran’s supreme leader releases anti-Israel ‘final solution’ poster,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, May 20, 2020.

Monday there were 62 deaths, reported on Tuesday.  “Iran Reports Over 2,100 New Virus Cases,” AFP, May 19, 2020.

“Russia, Iran step up telephone diplomacy amid pandemic, says envoy,” TASS, May 19, 2020.

“U.S. Sanctions Chinese Company, Alleges Ties to Iran’s Mahan Air,” Mangqi Sun, Wall Street Journal, May 19, 2020.

This story is confusing, that the U.S. would set only 100 meters as the red line—that is so very close to an American military vessel, and we all remember the USS Cole.  The Navy retains, as always, the right of self-defense.  Perhaps this 100m circle was a compromise with the WH that a line would be drawn somewhere.  I would have put it 1,000 yards for these harassing missile speed boats of Iran.  See “Eyeing Iran, US warns to stay 100 metres away from its warships,” Al Jazeera, May 19, 2020.

See also, “US Navy issues new guidelines after close Iran encounters,” Jon Gambrell, AP, VOA, May 19, 2020.

“Israel behind cyberattack that caused ‘total disarray’ at Iran port – report,” Times of Israel, May 19, 2020.  This is in retaliation for Iran attempting to disable Israeli water Mekorot infrastructure two weeks earlier in April on 24-25, an attack against civilians—water and sewer.  The cyber action against Shahid Rajaee port terminal at Bandar Abbas on May 9 crashed computers that regulate the flow of vessels, trucks, and goods, creating massive backups on waterways and roads leading to the facility, the Washington Post reports and picked up by TOI.

Limited cooperation?  The NYT continues in its worldview, misunderstanding the Regime.  At least they quoted Brian Hook correctly that pressure works.  (can you say “Soleimani?”)  Last, let me include this—my blog documents for several years the machinations of the Supreme Leader and the IRI government, and those actions are not well reflected in this analysis by The Times.  See “Iran Quietly Lowers the Temperature With U.S.,” Alissa Rubin and Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, May 19, 2020.

“Iran Launches ‘Resistance’ Award Named After Soleimani,” Asharq Al-Awsat, May 19, 2020.  I am not making this up – and there is no other award like this in the world handed out by terrorist groups to honor a terrorist.  “The award is granted in the main category of “struggle and resistance” and six sub-fields of “people and society”, “culture and art”, “politics”, “education and research”, “media”, and “sports”. A 19-member body would oversee the award to be held biennially. The body consists of representatives from militias and factions allied with Tehran including Lebanese Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine Jihad, and Houthis. It also includes, inter alia, the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Minister, and the head of the state-run Radio and Television Organization.”

“Iran’s Rouhani Says Country Needs ‘Two Or Three Main Political Parties’,” Radio Farda, May 19, 2020.

So notice what is happening here—the world’s largest sponsor of terror (who already supports the Palestinians and Hamas and Islamic Jihad) openly calls for countries to ship weapons to the Palestinians.  How brazen.  Will they be called out?  “Iran’s Khamenei calls to “arm” Palestinians,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 19, 2020.

What is going on here?  Who are these people?  What connections do they have to the government?  Where did they get the money?  This Iranian couple has been sentenced to death for having smuggled hard currency and laundering $200 million of money, as well as having been found with a stash of gold at their home. “Iran’s judiciary sentences couple to death over money laundering and gold hoard,” KFGO, Thomson Reuters, May 19, 2020.

“The Twilight of the Iranian Revolution,” Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, May 18, 2020.

“Iran’s Interior Ministry Claims No Responsibility For November Protests, Consequences,” Radio Farda, May 18, 2020.

“The dangers of Iran’s military mistakes,” Mohammed Al-Sulami, Arab News, May 18, 2020.

The Revolutionary Guard has continued to assert itself, and in the process marginalize Pres. Rouhani.  See “IRGC exploits pandemic to solidify control,” Steven Terner, Jerusalem Post, May 18, 2020.

“Iran claims fuel shipment to Venezuela perfectly legal,” Al Monitor, May 18, 2020.

“Iran No Longer Banking on European Support for JCPOA Rights,” Financial Tribune, May 18, 2020.

Don’t criticize the rulers.  “A prominent Iranian reformist lawmaker has been sentenced to 21 months in prison and given a fine after he called on the former head of the judiciary to make his finances public, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.  Mahmoud Sadeghi, who had appealed a preliminary sentence handed down in April, posted a picture of the court ruling on Twitter on Monday. It said that seven months of the jail term relate to his “insulting the head of the judiciary.”  In 2016, Sadeghi had written to cleric and then-judiciary chief Sadegh Larijani seeking the publication of his financial assets.”  See “Iran Jails Reformist Lawmaker for Criticizing Top Cleric,” Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, May 18, 2020.

“How Iran Uses Cultural Centers To Expand Its Influence In Latin America,” Tereza Dvorakova, Radio Farda, May 17, 2020.  This is a story about drug trade, expanding the Revolution, and supporting Shia religious beliefs.  And anti-America and anti-West.

“Under Sanctions, Iran Is Fast Losing Its Share of Non-Oil Export Markets,” Jubin Katiraie, Iran Focus, May 17, 2020.

“Iran denies agreements with Russia on ousting Syrian president,” Xinhua, May 17, 2020.

This story is so sad—no justice for those murdered by security services.  “Iran Offers Families Of Protesters Killed In November Money Instead Of Justice,” Radio Farda, May 16, 2020.

“Notwithstanding the COVID-19 crisis and a deteriorating economy, Iran is pushing ahead with its uranium enrichment and missile and space programs, as well as its activities in Syria.”  See “Iran’s nuclear efforts in the shadow of coronavirus,” Raphael Ofek, JNS, May 18, 2020.

“Iran Records Its Biggest Rise in Coronavirus Cases in Six Weeks,” Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, May 18, 2020.

“Hatami says Iran, Iraq should become strategic partners,” Tehran Times, May 17, 2020.

No goal celebrations?!  Well, the mullahs will be pleased there will be no women spectators.  “Iran’s soccer leagues to resume with no spectators: President Rouhani,” Xinhua, May 17, 2020.

“Rouhani Aide Defends Iran’s Trade With Venezuela,” Radio Farda, May 17, 2020.

Quds Day usually involves marches where protesters chant ‘Death to Israel’ and burn flags. But this year, the pandemic afflicting Iran requires protesters to not meet, at least that seems to be what the President is saying.  “Anti-Israel marches in Iran to be by car this year, Rouhani says,” Reuters, Israel Hayom, May 17, 2020.

Well, there goes about 2 years of life, maybe 3 years if the Regime holds her for half the hostage term.  We’re very sorry that the Regime has decided to snatch several years of life from innocent Fariba Adelkhah.  “Iran sentences French-Iranian academic to 6 years in prison,” Sommer Brokaw, UPI, May 16, 2020.

“Iran Spent Billions Creating Alternative ‘Internet’ To Control Information,” Alireza Taheri, Radio Farda, May 16, 2020.

“Iran reports 35 new virus deaths, lowest since March 7.”  By AFP, New Straits Times, May 16, 2020.