Who are the voices, and how many, that still say Iran’s missile program is just a peaceful space program? “Iran says it successfully launched a satellite in its program criticized by West over missile fears,” AP, 9-14-24.
“Women in Iran are going without hijabs as the 2nd anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death approaches,” AP, 9-14-24.
The old Middle East saying “Everything is connected to everything,” comes back to haunt the world with Putin’s request and the Leader’s agreement to send ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia to use against Ukraine. “Ukraine’s American allies have long resisted giving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the green light to use their long-range ballistics against the Kremlin’s forces inside Russia, fearing Moscow could then escalate the war by retaliating against a target inside NATO, such as the critical weapons supply hub in the Polish city of Rzeszów. The dynamics have now shifted dramatically, however, primarily thanks to a large shipment of Iranian missiles to Russia that the British authorities reckon will offer a critical firepower boost to Putin, just as his army extends its grip in eastern Ukraine with advances on the strategic city of Pokrovsk.” See “Putin threatens war as Western allies near deal on missile strikes in Russia,” Politico, 9-12-24.
Amazing abilities. “Israel destroyed reported Iranian underground missile factory in Syria ground raid,” Axios, 9-12-24.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaaani said the Islamic Republic of Iran, while repeatedly opposing the war, has always supported political solutions to the Ukraine conflict. Kanaaani added Iran’s approach vai-a-vis the Ukraine war has not changed, and the repeated claims of sending ballistic missiles to Russia are made with specific political objectives of some Western states and are baseless.” See “Iran says has never been part of Ukraine war, supports political solutions,” Iran Front Page, 9-8-24.
“Paris court charges couple in Iranian plot to kill Jews and Israelis,” Iran International, 9-8-24.
“Iran’s President Pezeshkian to visit Iraq in first foreign trip,” Al Arabiya, 9-8-24.
“US, UK spy chiefs warn of deepening Iran-Russia military links,” Bloomberg, Stars and Stripes, 9-8-24. Dangerous for the region, world, and even Iran and Russia.
“U.S. Tells Allies Iran Has Sent Ballistic Missiles to Russia,” WSJ, 9-6-24.
When you are 8 foot one inch, and even sitting, and the net is just 3 foot 9 inches … “World’s second-tallest man leads Iran into sitting volleyball gold medal match | NBC Sports,” NBC, 9-6-24.
“Iranian-linked websites set up targeting US minority, veteran voters,” Politico, 9-6-24.
Even with Iran providing short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to kill Ukrainians, and despite the BRICS alliance and relationship among a group of world actors that are acting in aggressive ways, they both retain their self-interests. “Iran warns Russia against siding with Azerbaijan in border dispute,” Guardian, 9-6-24.
Iran allegedly hired a native of Pakistan, Asif Merchant, for $50,000, to shoot President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and former candidate Nikki Haley. “Grassley releases new details of Iran-backed assassination plots against Trump, Biden and others,” Fox, 9-5-24.
“Iran’s Shadow Oil Trade: The Largest Global Share of Smuggling Vessels,” Iran News Update, 9-5-24. This is the best one article I’ve seen on Iran’s ghost trade efforts and its scope—the largest smuggler in the world. UANI says “Iran exported a total of 1.46 million bpd of oil last year. UANI identified 400 vessels involved in the secret transportation of Iranian oil.”
He is arguing that Iran is not changing. “The man who predicted Hamas’s Iran-backed invasion of Israel,” Iran International, 9-5-24.
The hostage-taker gets taken hostage, and it cost $3 million. “Iran pays millions in ransom to end massive cyberattack on banks, officials say,” Politico, 9-4-24.
I need someone to tell me what posting a “period” means. See “An Iranian writer is sentenced to 12 years after tweeting a dot at the supreme leader,” NPR, 9-2-24.
“Ukraine Allies Expect Iran to Ship Missiles to Russia Imminently,” Bloomberg, 9-2-24.
Iran continues to give the Houthis lots of leash. “US military says Yemen’s Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers in Red Sea,” Reuters, 9-2-24.
Force against Iran works. It has now been some weeks, well over a month, and they still haven’t carried through with their threats against Israel. “How US Surged Forces to Middle East To Keep Iran at Bay,” Newsweek, 8-28-24. See also “Mapped: U.S. rushes warships to Middle East in show of force to Iran,” Axios, 8-28-24. “The U.S. has positioned about 18 warships including two aircraft carriers in and around the Middle East as it seeks to deter Iran and its proxies from conducting attacks that could evolve into all-out war with Israel.”
How nice of the Houthis and Iran. “Yemen’s Houthis will let salvage crews access oil tanker they set ablaze in Red Sea,” Reuters, 8-28-24.
The Supreme Leader himself has always veered between two sides of any topic, and of course this important topic—survival of himself and the purpose of the Regime. “Iran’s supreme leader open to new negotiations with U.S. on Tehran’s nuclear weapons program,” PBS, 8-27-24.
“Greek-flagged oil tanker appears to be leaking oil, Pentagon says,” Reuters, 8-27-24.
“The battle over Iran’s terror financing,” Politico, 8-26-24. “While the war in Gaza makes the headlines, Europe and the U.S. are worried about Hezbollah’s illicit financing.”
“IRGC-backed Iraqi militia plotted attacks against central Asian Jewish centers – report,” I24, 8-26-24.
