151 on Saturday.  “Iran’s deaths from coronavirus reach 3,603,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, April 5, 2020.

I’ve seen the proposed destroyer mentioned in a handful of news stories this week, but hesitated at first to mention it—too many announcements are bluster or some type of warning, but the weapon or system is never built or doesn’t function as threatened.  Only because I’ve seen this story again, I’ll post this one.  “Iran To Start Construction Of 6,000-Ton Destroyer,” Orkhan Jalilov, Caspian News, April 5, 2020.

Similar, near the port city of Bandar Abbas supposedly, here is a video of missile launchers.  But when was it posted?  It is a threat.  But will Iran really keep the trucks by the sea for very long?  No.  “Iran deploys missile launchers along Strait of Hormuz as tensions with US increase: video,” Almasdar News, April 5, 2020.

Why would Iran (Fars) report something about a Hezbollah officer, if Iran doesn’t control Hezbollah?  “Hezbollah official assassinated in south Lebanon: Iranian media,” The National, April 5, 2020.

“Iran prosecutes whistleblower doctor for unraveling state cover-up,” Iran Human Rights Monitor, April 4, 2020.

“Iran’s Government Withdrew Money From National Reserve To Pay Salaries – Lawmaker,” Radio Farda, April 4, 2020.

Iran’s government has issued a statement that it is very transparent regarding the coronavirus crisis, and is supported in its position by WHO.  For anyone who scans the news of Iran daily, or who reads the news of Iran daily posted on this blog, they know that statement to be categorically false.  A number of authoritarian states are known for their tight control and misleading statements, so they can hide truth and stay in power.  Iran is one of those countries whose officially-released Covid-19 numbers and information are so unreliable that other countries do not include them in models.  “Iran likens remarks by German health minister to April fool’s joke,” Tehran Times, April 4, 2020.

158 dead on Friday, reported on Saturday by the Health Ministry.  See “UPDATE 1-Iran escaped prisoners back in jail amid coronavirus epidemic,” Reuters, April 4, 2020.

Pres. Rouhani had ordered the Health Ministry to provide separate reports on the number of the victims in each province.  This has not happened yet, and I doubt it will because it will show that the parts together do not equal the reported sum.  This is how Radio Farda’s experts and others know that Iran in underreporting their nation-wide death numbers—they are less than those daily reported from the major cities and regions.  “Radio Farda Estimates 78,000 Infected By Coronavirus In Iran,” Radio Farda, April 4, 2020.

“Iran completes oil products storage terminal, names it after Soleimani – ILNA,” Reuters, April 4, 2020.

“Economists In Iran Warn President Of Possible Unrest Amid Coronavirus Damage,” Radio Farda, April 4, 2020.

“Iran Steel Output Rises 40.5%,” Financial Tribune, April 4, 2020.

“Iran’s Military Is a Mighty Missile Machine,” Caleb Larson, National Interest, April 3, 2020.

134 deaths Thursday.  “Iran’s coronavirus death toll rises to 3,294 – Health Ministry,” Reuters, April 3, 2020.

This is an odd story—why can’t the government bring things through customs?  I think this article is implying that the government is confiscating items held at the border, that belong to a private entity/business.  “Rouhani: Iran to facilitate release of necessary goods from customs,” MENAFN, April 3, 2020.

“Two Million Iranians Lost Their Jobs In Coronavirus Crisis,” Radio Farda, April 03, 2020.

New Quds Force head Esmail Ghaani does not want al-Zurfi to be the next Iraq prime minister.  Wonder why?  Iran can’t control him.  “Iran General Visits Baghdad, Tries to Forge Political Unity,” AP, Haaretz, April 2, 2020.

Ghaani makes the news again, as a target.  This is amazing, and may be a result of the U.S. targeting Gen. Soleimani when he was planning attacks on Americans.  Thus, Israel may have used the same justification—that he was planning attacks against Israel.  Israel planes shot from Lebanon to target Iranian military transport aircraft and a meeting of IRGC and Lebanese Hezbollah commanders, as well as the chief of al-Quds Force Esmail Ghaani.  “Israel Targets Iranian Commanders in Syrian Base Near Homs,” Asharq Al-Awsat,  April 2, 2020.

“Exclusive: Hackers linked to Iran target WHO staff emails during coronavirus – sources,” Joseph Menn, Christopher Bing, Raphael Satter, and Jack Stubbs, Reuters, April 2, 2020.

“Iran’s Parliament Speaker Larijani Quarantined With Coronavirus,” Yasna Haghdoost, Bloomberg, April 2, 2020.

“Iranian resistance group, citing documents, says regime knew of coronavirus cases in January,” Adam Shaw, Fox News, April 2, 2020.  The opposition group NCRI published documents that Iran had multiple cases in late January, weeks earlier than stated by authorities.  The documents are mission reports from the government’s National Emergency Organization, and with the emblem of the country’s Health Ministry, that describe multiple suspected cases (with symptoms) of the virus, all from the Chinese Embassy in Tehran.  One document was dated Jan 28.  This is in contrast with claims by Iranian officials in early February that there were no coronavirus cases in Iran.  The allegations include that the Regime suppressed the information to ensure participation by the public in the national anniversary of their coming to power on February 11 and the parliament election on February 21.

“124 deaths (“officially”) on Wednesday,” Reuters, Algemeiner, April 2, 2020.

“More Evidence Suggests Iran’s Nuclear Shopping Sprees Persist,” Andrea Stricker and Behnam Ben Taleblu, Radio Farda, April 2, 2020.

“Trump Says Iran Is Planning ‘Sneak Attack’ And Warns Country Will Face ‘Heavy Price’,” Jack Brewster, Forbes, April 1, 2020.  More information on this planned IRI attack will be provided soon from the USG to the media.

Not an April Fools Joke—only Iran would threaten another country for that country’s installing defensive weapons.  “Iran warns US after Patriot missile deployment to Iraq,” Al Jazeera, April 1, 2020.

This does feel like an April Fools Joke, but it really happened.  “The activities of schools, universities and other organizations may be resumed after April 8 in Iran, said Minister of Interior Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli.”  See “Minister: Activities of all organizations may be resumed in Iran after April 8,” Elnur Baghishov, Trend, April 1, 2020.

“Iran Allocates $10b to Address Corona amid Tough US Sanctions: Rouhani,” IFP, April 1, 2020.

“Sanctions relief isn’t necessary to assist Iran’s coronavirus response,” Katherine Bauer and Dana Stroul, op-ed, The Hill, March 31, 2020.

“U.S. believes Iran was ‘directly involved’ in killing of Iranian dissident in Turkey,” Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters, April 1, 2020.

138 deaths on Tuesday, reported on today.  “Iran’s coronavirus death toll rises to 3,036: health ministry official,” Reuters, April 1, 2020.

“Two more government officials die of coronavirus in Iran,” Trend, April 1, 2020.

Finally.  German Health Minister Jens Spahn has effectively banned flights from Iran to Germany due to coronavirus.  He justified his decision because “the actual events in Iran are very non-transparent.”  In March, German airports and authorities defied an announced ban from Transportation Minister Andreas Scheuer.  See “German health minister stops flights from Iran due to lack of transparency,” Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, April 1, 2020.

“As Coronavirus Spreads, Iranian Doctors Fear the Worst,” Esfandyar Batmanghelidj and Abbas Kebriaeezadeh, Bourse & Bazaar, March 31, 2020.

“Aide to Iran’s Khamenei cautions against U.S. ‘provocative actions’ in Iraq,” Reuters, April 1, 2020.

This deceptive story is repeated, touting greater numbers.  “Over 65 Million Screened for Coronavirus in Iran,” IFP, April 1, 2020.

“Future Bank, which is operating under the supervision of Bank Melli Iran and the Export Development Bank of Iran, has carried out thousands of international financial transactions while providing covers for the Iranian entities there through deliberate concealment or removal of basic information while remitting money via the SWIFT network.”  See “Bahrain Sentences to Prison Suspects in Money Laundering Cases Related to Iran,” Asharq Al-Awsat, April 1, 2020.

“Iran or Allies Are Plotting Against U.S. Forces in Iraq, U.S. Intelligence Suggests,” Gordon Lubold and Nancy Youssef, Wall Street Journal, April 1, 2020.

141 deaths on Monday, so my theory held, that despite what the Health Ministry announces every day and today (Tuesday) in particular would have to jump.  See “Iran’s death toll from coronavirus climbs to 2,898: health official,” Reuters, March 31, 2020.  The downward number of death reports officially reported from each of the past several days did not seem to reflect reality.  Radio Farda, as mentioned  on this blog, counts the numbers from outlying cities in Iran, and finds that the number of deaths is about double what the central Health Ministry reports.  Will Iran adopt a quarantine for cities, or the country?  So far the IRI has only banned inter-city travel, but many Iranians defied calls to cancel travel for the Persian New Year Nowruz holidays around March 20.  It appears the government is fearful of the people’s response if the country or its major cities go into lockdown, and it appears that religious clerics still control the government’s confidence that their particular religious beliefs will save the country.

“Iran Journalists Protest Coronavirus Taskforce Ban On Print Media,” Radio Farda, March 31, 2020.

Another embellishment, another untruth (based on so many past such claims).  “Iran is set to declare an “achievement” in fighting the novel coronavirus that will place it “at the top of the world rankings”, the Islamic Republic Minister of Health claimed on Monday, March 30.  Without any elaboration, Saeed Namaki reiterated that Iran had reached a “bright point” in containing the deadly virus and it will soon become the world’s leading country in combatting Covid-19.”  See “Minister Claims Iran Will Soon Reach An ‘Achievement’ In Fight Against Coronavirus,” Radio Farda, March 31, 2020.

Amid calls from some for relief from U.S. sanctions, “In a tweet on Monday, the U.S. Department of State spokesperson replied to Iranian authorities’ allegations that the United States has waged a war of “medical terrorism” against Iran and said the regime could access the billions in Khamenei’s “tax-free hedge fund” to fight the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.”  See “US Tells Khamenei To Use ‘Billions In Hedge Fund’ To Combat Coronavirus,” Radio Farda, March 31, 2020.

“U.S. Prepared to Retaliate Against Iranian Terror Attacks in Iraq,” Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, March 31, 2020.

“Europe’s trade system with Iran finally makes first deal,” AP, March 31, 2020.

Again, Iran refuses to turn over the black boxes for the Ukraine Airlines shot-down passenger jet.  Even after agreeing to release them.  The Minister of Roads and Transport, Mohammad Eslami, said Sunday that the coronavirus outbreak in Iran had stopped the procedure of decoding the black boxes, and “We will resume reading the black boxes after the outbreak of the coronavirus and its related disease, Covid-19, is contained.”  But on March 11, the IRI representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization, Farhad Paravaresh, had promised to hand over the black boxes to Kyiv within less than two weeks.  “Ukraine Expects Iran To Hand Over Black Boxes Of Downed Airliner Despite Pandemic,” Radio Farda, March 31, 2020.

“What Iran’s severe virus crisis might mean for its threat to the region,” Ron Kampeas, Times of Israel, March 31, 2020.

117 deaths Sunday from the virus, reported on Monday by the Health Ministry.  “Iran reports 117 new coronavirus deaths,” Arab News, AFP, March 30, 2020.  Are these daily death numbers from Covid-19 accurate?  If the past week’s numbers are an accurate representation, then Iran has turned a corner.  We’ll see.  Each of these daily reporting numbers is recorded on this blog in the last few days.  Mar. 26:  157 died Wed.; Mar. 27:  144 died Thur.; Mar. 28:  139 died Fri.; Mar. 29:  123 died Sat.; Mar. 30:  117 died. Sun.  A definite declining trend.  What will be reporting Mar. 31 and Apr. 1?

What is life like in Iran right now for handling the deceased from Covid-19?  Read this.  “Iran: Painful Tale Of Burial Of A Mother Deceased From Coronavirus – OpEd,” Hassan Mahmoudi, Eurasia Review, March 30, 2020.

This article highlights Anti-Semitism.  “COVID-19 exposes the Iranian regime’s true face,” Karmel Melamed, Israel Hayom, March 30, 2020.

Iran is still allowing nonproliferation work to continue at the Arak heavy-water research reactor, the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Tehran Research Reactor, as facilitated by U.S. permission.  “CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-U.S. expected to renew sanctions waivers allowing Iran nonproliferation work –sources,” Reuters, March 30, 2020.

“Iran’s deterrence power has created ‘strategic horror’ in heart of enemies: military,” Tehran Times, March 30, 2020.

“World Coronavirus Dispatch: Iran sees Covid-19 scare lasting 1-2 years,” Yuvraj Malik, Business Standard, March 30, 2020.

“How an Iranian Airline Tied to Terrorism Likely Spread the Virus (and Lied About It),” Kevjn Lim, FP, March 30, 2020.

“Iran defends virus response as Syria reports first death,” Hawaii News Now, March 30, 2020.

“‘New way of life’ in Iran likely to be prolonged – President Rouhani,” RT, March 30, 2020.

“How Khamenei’s Office Makes Billion Dollar Profits From Iran’s State TV,” Reza Haqiqatnezhad, Radio Farda, March 30, 2020.

In the category of the government’s disregard for expert warnings.  “Seyed Mojtaba Mortazavi, head of the Mazandaran Mine Engineering Organization, said, “The environmental and operating conditions of coal mines are very worrying for workers to get infected with the coronavirus and so far no serious action has been taken on these mines.””  See “Iran’s Miners in Fear of Coronavirus Infection Deep in the Earth,” Iran Focus, March 30, 2020.

“Iran Mass Produces Domestically-Made Coronavirus Test Kits,” IFP, March 30, 2020.

123 died Saturday, as reported on Sunday.  “Iran reports 123 more coronavirus deaths, toll at 2,640,” Times of India, March 29, 2020.

They all live outside of Iran, for safety from the Regime.  “One Hundred Activists Blame Khamenei For Severity Of Coronavirus Outbreak In Iran,” Radio Farda, March 29, 2020.

“Data collected by Radio Farda show that 66,657 persons have so far been hospitalized or quarantined in 31 provinces of Iran for having Covid-19 symptoms, while the government reports 35,000 tested cases in the country.  Furthermore, the same data also indicates that 4,298 people have so far fallen victim to the Covid-19. The government figures indicate around 2,500 deaths.”  Thus, twice as much as the Regime reports.  Radio Farda’s information is based on the figures provided by central and local officials, and the number of people who have had symptoms across the country.  See “Exclusive: 67,000 Suspected Coronavirus Cases Hospitalized In Iran,” Radio Farda, March 29, 2020.

“Iran Producing Homegrown Ventilators amid COVID-19 Pandemic,” IFP, March 29, 2020.

“Iran Approves IRR 1,000-Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Package,” IFP, March 29, 2020.

These types of statements (i.e., “Jews are experts in sorcery and in creating relationships with demons”) by Iran’s rulers are not always reported in world news because the government-overseen media washes them out from media coverage.  But here the IRGC made the mistake of airing the entire speech.  “IRGC Cyber Division confirms Khamenei’s claim that ‘demons’ are assisting Iran’s enemies,” Cleveland Jewish News, March 29, 2020.

139 deaths Friday.  And Ehsan Hadadi, Iran’s first Olympic track and field medallist, has tested positive for coronavirus it was reported today.  Hadadi, who throws discus, became a national hero when he won silver at the 2012 Olympics in London.  He was among the favourites to win gold at this year’s Tokyo Games.  “Athletics: Iran Olympic discus trailblazer Hadadi has coronavirus,” Reuters, March 28, 2020.

See also, “Iranian officials ordered killing of dissident in Istanbul – Reuters,” Ahval News, March 28, 2020.  See also, “ Iranian diplomats instigated killing of dissident in Turkey, officials say,” Jerusalem Post, March 28, 2020.

Fars News Agency had quoted Dr, Soleimani as claiming that he has developed the medicine for coronavirus.  Instead, Soleimani said the report is untrue.  Instead, he is researching a stem cell therapy to modify the immune response in corona patients.  “Iranian Scientist Denies Developing COVID-19 Drug,” IFP, March 28, 2020.

There is something wrong with this narrative.  If the first story is true, that the health system is ready, then why start to commit one-fifth of the national budget to fight the virus?  First, “Iran’s health system strong, ready for possible escalation in coronavirus cases: Rouhani,” Reuters, March 28, 2020.  Then see, “Iran to use 20% of state budget to fight coronavirus,” Reuters, March 28, 2020.

The basic question this blog continues to ask is, Will Iran decide to act as a normal country or continue as a revolutionary state?  For a number of years Russia and China have facilitated and encouraged Iran to not act as the former but as the later.  This continues today.  “US Pushes Back Against Russian, Chinese, Iranian Coronavirus Disinformation,” Nike Ching and Jeff Seldin, VOA, March 27, 2020.  See also, “’False narratives’: State Department warns of coronavirus echo chamber by China, Russia, and Iran,” Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, March 28, 2020.

“Iranian Singers Giving Online Concerts to Lift People’s Spirits amid Lockdown,” IFP, March 28, 2020.  Concerts every night for two weeks have now started in the empty concert hall of Tehran’s Milad Tower.  Viewers can watch the live programs online via the TVA Video on Demand each night.  Notably, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance issued the permits for these concerts.

In the category of we will believe it when we see it.  “Zaghari-Ratcliffe considered for clemency in Iran as leave from prison extended: Reports,” Middle East Eye, March 28, 2020.

“Iran Health Official Says Coronavirus Present In Iran Since Late-January,” Radio Farda, March 28, 2020.  Notable because the official government has been two weeks later.

“Iran: Containing COVID-19 Depends on Political Change Before International Aid,” Iran News Update, March 28, 2020.

“Most Gas Stations In Iran Might Shut Down Due To Lack Of Demand,” Radio Farda, March 28, 2020.

“Iranian news agencies for the first time revealed the names of IRGC Ground Force’s 10 Regional Headquarters on Thursday. These 10 headquarters, along with the Sarallah HQ in Tehran, constitute the IRGC’s nationwide network of operational command. Individual headquarters and their commanders were known to experts, but this was the first time all the headquarters mentioned together offering a glimpse of the bigger picture. The information was revealed as the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majles) Ali Larijani and IRGC Chief Commander Hossein Salami reviewed a nationwide biological defence exercise by the IRGC ground force. The exercise was part of Iran’s coronavirus prevention and control effort.”  See “Regional Headquarters Of The IRGC: Tasked With Asymmetrical Warfare; Crushing Dissent,” Morad Vaisibiame, Radio Farda, March 28, 2020.

Sadjadpour is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and he writes and speaks on Iran and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.  “Iran’s Coronavirus Disaster,” Karim Sadjadpour, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace—Quick Take, March 25, 2020.

144 deaths on Thursday.  “Iran’s army sets up hospital in capital as virus toll climbs,” Amir Vahdat and Josephy Krauss, AP, March 27, 2020.

“Amnesty International Urges Iran To Grant Furlough To Prisoners Of Conscience,” Radio Farda, March 27, 2020.

“Iran Defense Minister Says Cruise Missile Warheads To Become More Powerful Soon,” Radio Farda, March 27, 2020.

I am pasting this short story in full because it has a blatant falsehood regarding Iran’s practice of hostage taking.  “Tehran said on Thursday that a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in March 2007 had left the country years ago despite his family saying he had died in Iranian custody. “Based on credible evidence, Levinson has left Iran years ago for an unspecified destination,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said, according to state television. “In the past years Iran has tried to find out his state but could not find any signs of him being alive.””  See “Tehran says former FBI agent Levinson left Iran years ago,” Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, March 26, 2020.  The Regime has never before today, since he was taken in 2007, claimed that Levinson left the country, and offers no proof now of his leaving.

The IRGC and its Quds Force have delivered lethal aid to Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, and have smuggled weapons to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.  It is no surprise that Iran’s continued support (and not redirecting this terrorism funding toward better goals such as coronavirus relief for Iranians) for these groups would result in more U.S. sanctions.  “U.S. imposes fresh Iran-related sanctions despite coronavirus,” Daphne Psaledakis, Arshad Mohammed, Reuters, March 26, 2020.  See also, “Trump Admin Sanctions Vast Iranian Terror Network in Iraq,” Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, March 26, 2020.

“Rouhani Seeks $1 Billion From Iran’s Wealth Fund for Virus Fight,” Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, March 26, 2020.  Rouhani wrote to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday requesting permission to withdraw the money from the National Development Fund, IRNA reported, quoting Rouhani’s comments at a coronavirus task force meeting in Tehran.  The National Development Fund, mainly from oil income, hasn’t published any official figures in some time.  In 2016, the Mehr News Agency reported the fund stood at $80 billion.