“Hezbollah leader refuses to disarm until Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon,” Politico, 7-6-25.

The NYT almost makes Evin Prison out to be a Holiday Inn, with its written description and selection of photos.  Instead, this is Iran’s most notorious prison.  Why did Israel select where to drop bombs?  The NYT doesn’t really answer that, nor does it explore the issue of who could have escaped.  They do recount it took extra security three hours to arrive, and that Evin is now closed with the prisoners transferred.  This blog has several times mentioned Evin over the years, and it is good physically and symbolically to now be shuttered.  See “Israel’s Deadly Assault on Iran Prison Incites Fury, Even Among Dissidents,” NYT, 7-6-25.

“China and Russia Keep Their Distance From Iran During Crisis,” NYT, 7-6-25.  This author has it wrong that there is no axis.  Instead, “Yun Sun, a scholar of China’s foreign policy at the Stimson Center, a research institute in Washington, argued that the “axis” formulation for China, Russia, Iran and North Korea was still valid. Although the four countries do not have a mutual defense agreement binding all of them, she said, they share an “anti-U.S., anti-West and anti-liberal democracy” outlook.”

Easily the biggest news of the day.  “Iran supreme leader in first public appearance since Israel war,” BBC, 7-5-25.  I believe he has not ventured beyond the country’s borders since becoming Supreme Leader, and in recent years has very rarely left Tehran and his compound, even for Friday Prayers.  There is a large room with PR equipment that he uses for “public” events and speeches.  Why not leave the country, or then Tehran?  Not because of Israel or the U.S. or Saudi Arabia or anyone else.  He was in fear from his people.  Or rather, I should say the people of Iran.  So for him to reappear (and not speak, he is not well) “After weeks of sheltering in a bunker, Mr. Khamenei on Saturday night attended an annual Shiite religious ceremony for Ashura, which was held at his compound.”  Appearing at Ashura is the message he was sending (look up Ashura if you don’t know what that is).

Happy July 4!  “U.N. Pulls Nuclear Inspectors Out of Iran for Safety Reasons,” WSJ, 7-4-25.  This is the country that promised it wasn’t building a nuclear weapons program and assured the world it would cooperate with the IAEA.

One of two things is going on.  Either Iran feels enough pressure to actually have talks, or the Regime has decided to continue to string along the U.S.  “U.S. plans nuclear talks with Iran in Oslo next week,” 7-3-25.  “A key issue in any future talks will be Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which includes 400 kilograms enriched to 60%. Israeli and U.S. officials say the material is currently “sealed off from the outside world” inside the three nuclear sites attacked during the joint strikes: the enrichment facilities at Natanz and Fordow, and the underground tunnels at the Isfahan site. Iran is unable to access the stockpile for now due to damage from the strikes, but it could be recovered once the rubble is cleared.”

“US must rule out more strikes before new talks, Iranian minister tells BBC,” BBC, 7-3-25.

This Iranian proxy continues to have a green light.  “Houthis vow to continue attacking Israel, boast ‘hypersonic’ missiles – analysis,” JPost, 7-2-25.

This Iranian proxy continues to have a green light.  “Houthis vow to continue attacking Israel, boast ‘hypersonic’ missiles – analysis,” JPost, 7-2-25.

“It’s reminiscent of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” in which the Black Knight taunts King Arthur even as the king cuts his limbs off one by one.”  See “Denial Runs From Egypt in 1967 to Iran Today,” WSJ, 7-2-25.

Despite the ceasefire the U.S. forced through on Iran and Israel, Iran still does not feel enough pain to enter negotiations.  “EU’s Kallas calls on Iran to restart nuclear talks as Tehran bristles at US,” Politico, 7-1-25.

The Regime doesn’t get it.  If they rebuild, those sites will be bombed.  They are making a statement about how they will spend their budget and their people’s future.  “Satellite Images Capture Activity at Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site After U.S. Strikes,” WSJ, 7-1-25.

Quoted material in today’s news from one of the killed nuclear (yes, weapons) program scientists:  “Among the most important targets was Fereydoon Abbasi-Devani, the former head of the Atomic Agency of Iran and one of the founders of Iran’s nuclear weapons-related work, according to David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security. Abbasi-Devani was a manager and senior adviser to the AMAD program, with his scientific work focusing on the development of neutron initiators, which fire neutrons into the core of a weapon to trigger a chain reaction. Abbasi-Devani survived a car-bomb assassination attempt in 2010 on the same day another Iranian nuclear scientist was killed. In a recent TV interview, Abbasi-Devani said Iran had all the knowledge it needed for a nuclear weapon. “If they tell me to build a bomb, I will build it,” he said.”  See “How Israel Killed Iran’s Top Nuclear Scientists,” WSJ, 6-29-25.

It would be helpful to know what information Rafael Grossi (IAEA director) has.  Is he speaking of enriching somewhere else than Fordow?  “Iran could start enriching uranium for bomb within months, UN nuclear chief says,” BBC, 6-29-25.

“After War With Israel and U.S., Iran Rests on a Knife Edge,” NYT, 6-29-25.

Where?  How?  “Iran could start enriching uranium within months, UN nuclear chief says,” BBC, 6-29-25.  “Grossi told CBS News, the BBC’s US media partner, that Tehran could have “in a matter of months… a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium”.”

“We congratulate and highly appreciate the courageous step taken by the Syrian State represented by closing the offices of the Polisario Front on May 27th of May, and we consider this achievement as a reward for the efforts we have exerted over the past ten years in uncovering the malignant role of this terrorist and separatist organization, which is supported by and connected with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and has been one of the Iranian tools in fighting against the Syrian people,” the Syrian Liberal Party said in a letter to President Al-Sharaa.”  See “Syrians urge Damascus to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara,” i24, 6-29-25.

“Iran Remains a Menace in the Americas:  Tehran has spies and proxies across Latin America and probably in the U.S. as well,” WSJ, 6-29-25.

I can’t think of another event quite like this in Iran, these delayed funerals for scores of leaders, and that the government pleads for persons to attend.  “Iran holds state funeral for military leaders killed in Israel conflict,” BBC, 6-28-25.  “A state funeral is taking place in Iran for about 60 people, including military commanders and nuclear scientists, killed during the 12-day conflict with Israel. … Ahead of the event, a media campaign urged people to participate, with authorities providing free bus and metro rides. Government offices were shut for the day.”

More bad news for Iran and its policies.  “Report: Lebanon to hold meeting to discuss Hezbollah disarmament in exchange for partial Israeli withdrawl | LIVE BLOG,” i24, 6-28-25.

The Supreme Leader will need to touch base with his foreign minister.  “Iranian foreign minister admits serious damage to nuclear sites,” BBC, 6-27-25.  “Iran’s foreign minister has admitted that “excessive and serious” damage was done to the country’s nuclear sites in the recent US and Israeli bombings. Abbas Araghchi told a state broadcaster on Thursday evening that an assessment of the damage is being carried out by the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran. But, just hours earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the strikes did not disrupt the country’s nuclear programme. Khamenei was responding to US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the bombs had “totally obliterated” three nuclear sites. Khamenei said the US attacks had failed to “accomplish anything significant”. The supreme leader, who has been in hiding since the war with Israel began on 13 June, insisted that Trump had “exaggerated” the impact of the bombs, and declared victory over the US and Israel. But Araghchi’s remarks create a different impression.”

Israel will even give up the top of Hermon.  Bad news for the Iranian Regime, who controlled the Assad Regime for decades.  Great news for the Abraham Accords, Israel, and Syria.  “Scoop: Israel and Syria will sign a peace agreement before the end of 2025,” i24, 6-27-25.

“Tehran is coming back to life, but its residents are deeply shaken,” BBC, 6-27-25.

“Trump Says U.S. Won’t Lift Iran Sanctions,” WSJ, 6-27-25.  Be careful what you say.  It can mean billions for your country in U.S. sanctions relief and oil purchases with China.  “The post comes in response to Khamenei’s comments a day earlier that Iran had won the war with Israel and that the U.S. had exaggerated the impact of the bombs it dropped on Iranian nuclear facilities last Saturday.

I don’t know how I feel about CNN running this story since CNN has again been decried by the President as “fake news.”  But, ironically, this is truly fake news that Iran somehow has won.  Just ask any citizen of Tehran.  Just ask the (surviving) IRGC generals.  See “Iran’s supreme leader claims victory over Israel,” CNN, 6-26-25.

“Iran carries out wave of arrests and executions in wake of Israel conflict,” BBC, 6-26-25.

“The myth of Iran’s invincibility has been shattered, and the fallout could be far-reaching,” CNN, 6-26-25.

“Report: Iran moved uranium from Fordow before US strike, European allies assess,” I24, 6-26-25.