This is the biggest news of the day by far.  Iran is threatened in its criminal movements.  Russia is concerned also.  “Iran threatens planned Trump corridor envisaged by Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal,” Aze, 8-10-25.  Iran could continue to trade with Azerbaijan and Armenia, if it wants to do so legitimately.  Instead, Iran wants to continue to dominate the border and do illicit activities.  Finally, Iran doesn’t want Azerbaijan and Armena to have a peace treaty.

“UN nuclear watchdog official to visit Iran,” Politico, 8-10-25.

“Iran Faces Massive Travel Disruptions Following 12-Day Conflict with Israel,” Kurdistan24, 8-10-25.

Apparently it was true they were involved in a nuclear program and not just government scientists of some sort.  “Iran sends surviving nuclear scientists into hiding after 14 killed in Israeli strikes, report says,” NYPost, 8-10-25.

Fascinating smuggling routes and identified personnel for “smuggling corridors connecting Iran, Somalia, and Djibouti to Houthis-controlled territory in Yemen.”  See “The secret Iran-Hezbollah-Houthi weapons corridor,” Hayom, 8-10-25.

“Iran’s triple crisis is reshaping daily life,” Al Jazeera, 8-10-25.  Water scarcity, power shortages and record-breaking temperatures.

“Iran sours on Russia after Moscow produces drones in massive new complex, report,” Ynet, 8-9-25.  Criss-cross double-cross seems to be the theme of the day.

“Iran vows to block Trump-brokered Caucasus corridor ‘with or without Russia’,” Iran International, 8-9-25.  See also “Iran and Russia stand to lose from US deal with Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Guardian, 8-9-25.

“Rift emerges between allies Russia and Iran over $1.75B weapons deal, Putin’s lack of support for Tehran,” NYPost, 8-9-25.  Intelligence officials think probably in Aug. 2025 that 90% of Shahed production is performed now inside Russia instead of Iran producing them at 200K, and that Russia can make them for 70K.  I would imagine that Ukraine will target the Russia drone factory in Alabuga shortly.

“Iran International’s Journalists Subjected To Transnational Repression Globally,” Forbes, 8-9-25.  “Over the past six weeks, Iranian authorities have intimidated and threatened 45 journalists and 315 of their family members. Iranian authorities are said to have threatened to kill these journalists and their relatives unless they stop working for Iran International by specific deadlines, which have all now passed.”  I believe these threats come from the top of the Regime.

“Oct. 7 was culmination of Tehran’s strategic plan, Khamenei website says,” Iran International, 8-9-25.  Uh oh, more evidence of Iran’s influence in what happened.

The Atlantic takes a chance here with painting an even bigger target on Mostafa Tajzadeh.  “The Man Who Could Unite Iran’s Opposition,” The Atlantic, 8-8-25.

Message to Iran from inside China.  Will either/both country be truly affected?  China can get oil from Saudi Arabia and other places.   “Sanctioning Facilitators of Iran Sanctions Circumvention and Political Oppression,” Press Statement, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in China, 8-8-25.

“Russia built a massive drone factory to pump out Iranian-designed drones. Now it’s leaving Tehran out in the cold,” CNN, 8-8-25.

“Iran Has Taken More U.S. Citizens Hostage. It’s Time to Shred the Regime’s Playbook,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 8-8-25.

“Man executed by Iran for nuclear espionage was nuclear scientist, state media say,” Reuters, 8-7-25.

“Iran-linked operatives may have entered US with Venezuelan passports – Daily Mail,” Iran International, 8-7-25.

“Iran’s war with Israel is only paused, Revolutionary Guards spymaster says,” Iran International, 8-7-25.

Still not out of the woods with Hezbollah.  If you study how terror groups end (as oppose to start), you’ll see it is difficult and can take years.  Especially when their sponsor (in this case Iran) eggs them on, or tells them what to do.  Or funds them.  Or trains them.  You get the idea.  “Iran Ally Rebuffs US With New War Threat,” Newsweek, 8-6-25.  Bottom line—we all have to support Lebanon in its quest to rid itself of the terror-army Hezbollah.

“Iran executes man convicted of giving Israel details of assassinated nuclear scientist,” Times of Israel, AFP, 8-6-25.

“Iran says it detained ‘sabotage cell’ linked to exiled opposition group,” AFP, Times of Israel, 8-5-25.

Tell the first Grand Ayatollah.  He will say hogwash.  “The Islamic Republic Was Never Inevitable,” Atlantic, 8-5-25.

Remember, there is no (extremely little) due process allowed in Iranian  courts.  “Couple detained in Iran allowed first call home,” BBC, 8-5-25.

Government mismanagement continues across the country.  Keep in mind they have all the natural gas and oil to have air cooling everywhere.  “Iran announces nationwide shutdowns amid extreme heat,” Iran International, 8-5-25.

“Covert Iran-Russia Talks on Nuclear Tech Revealed by Leaked Documents,” United24, 8-5-25.

The nightmare foreign policy of Iran’s hostage taking continues.  “British couple held in Iran moved to separate prisons heightening welfare concerns,” Guardian, 8-4-25.

How many times have they done this in the past 10 years?  “Iran moves to slash zeros from its plunging national currency,” AFP, 8-4-25.

“Iran struck key Israeli defense and research sites in June, official says,” Iran International, 8-4-25.

Build shelters!  But the government will not supply any funds.  “Iran issues new civil defense shelter directive amid warnings of renewed war,” Iran International, 8-2-25.

“Iran Is Holding at Least 4 American Citizens, Rights Groups and Families Say,” NYT, 8-2-25.  Two men and two women.  Hostage taking continues as a foreign policy.

“UK, US, France, 11 other nations condemn Iranian intelligence threats,” Reuters, 8-1-25.  “Britain and 13 allies including the United States and France condemned on Thursday what they called a surge in assassination, kidnapping and harassment plots by Iranian intelligence services targeting individuals in Europe and North America.”

He won’t go away.  But others are also now not “available.”  “Larijani set for top security role as Iran revives wartime Defense Council,” Iran International, 8-1-25.

Not some pro-Western outlet.  “UK, US and allies accuse Iran of cross-border assassination plots,” Al Jazeera, 7-31-25.

“Tehran did not get the message and is back to business as usual. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News’ Bret Baier that Iran would continue to maintain its support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. And before meeting European leaders last week, he said it was important for them “to understand that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s position remains unshakable, and that our uranium enrichment will continue.” Tehran has resumed its taunts against Israel and, with help from China, is rebuilding the Russia-supplied air defense network destroyed by the Israeli air force — all under the protection of the Trump brokered ceasefire following Operation Midnight Hammer.”  See “Russia and Iran are on a collision course with Trump,” The Hill, 7-31-25.

A big money maker for Iran is finally addressed.  “US says sanctions hit Iran ‘shipping empire’ linked to top Tehran official,” Al Jazeera, 7-31-25.  And quote of the day:  “The Shamkhani family’s shipping empire highlights how the Iranian regime elites leverage their positions to accrue massive wealth and fund the regime’s dangerous behaviour,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.  “The new sanctions target 15 shipping firms, 52 vessels, 12 individuals and 53 entities involved in sanctions evasion in 17 countries, ranging from Panama to Italy to Hong Kong.”