Quote of the Day—H.R. “McMaster noted that every presidential administration has people who try to manipulate the president and said that if Trump were given smart advice, the president often made good decisions. One of those, in McMaster’s view, was withdrawing the United States from the nuclear treaty with Iran in the spring of 2018.  …  Iran, McMaster said, is now a real threat. particularly given that Biden has backed away from some of Trump’s policies. Saying Iran “is willing to expend every Arab life, every Palestinian life, every Lebanese life, in pursuit of its objective of destroying Israel,” McMaster said that the Iranian threat needs to be taken seriously. “I think,” McMaster said, “that the narrative that you constantly hear about turning down the temperature, escalation management, the reluctance, really, to confront Iran directly and impose costs on Iran, that actually gives Iran license to escalate on their own terms, with impunity.”  See “Former national security adviser says Trump can be manipulated with flattery,” Politico, 8-25-24.

Yes, Iran-backed.  “Iran-Backed Hezbollah Says It Launched Over 320 Katyusha Rockets At Israel,” NDTV, 8-25-24.

“Iran’s Guard leader reiterated pledge of ‘revenge’ against Israel shortly before planned Hezbollah attack,” Times of Israel, 8-25-24.

Another Quote of the Day, from Pres. Pezeshkian’s new FM Abbas Araqhchi.  Iran “will maintain the Islamic Republic’s strategic approach toward Latin American countries, particularly Venezuela,” an IRNA report noted.  See “Iran’s diplomatic efforts can achieve its goals without having to attack Israel – analysis,” JPost, 8-24-24.

Abbas Araghchi, the new FM, said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the development of relations with the European Union in an environment based on mutual respect.”  Just remember, “mutual respect” doesn’t mean mutual respect like an English speaking person knows the phrase.  Iranian official have used this phrase for years, and it means “We can throw our weight around and be the regional power, just like the U.S. is a regional power.”  Of course, how Iran has become a regional power is not through mutual respect to its neighbors but through intimidation, military threats, proxies, terrorism, expansion of the Shia Crescent, proliferation, etc.  See “Iran’s new FM urges dialogue with EU, claims ‘right’ to retaliate for Haniyeh killing,” Times of Israel, 8-23-24.

“Iranian hackers targeted WhatsApp accounts of staff in Biden, Trump administrations, Meta says,” Politico, 8-23-24.

“Why Iran and Hezbollah have not yet responded to Israel’s assassinations,” MEE, 8-22-24.

“Iran’s parliament approves Pezeshkian’s unity cabinet,” Reuters, 8-21-24.

“Women in Iran keep protesting strict Islamic dress code despite police crackdown,” NPR, 8-21-24.

She’s actually not that good of a mouthpiece.  But Iran will use anyone, domestic or international, to put lipstick on a pig.  “Jesse Kline: The Canadian terrorist supporter who Iran loves,” National Post, 8-21-24.

“Iran warns wait for retaliation against Israel ‘could be long’,” NBC, 8-21-24.

“Khamenei’s calculus: Iran supreme leader faces a bitter choice on Israel,” Al Jazeera, 8-21-24.

“Government expert admits Iran gains little from oil deals with China,” Iran International, 8-20-24.

Drones, intelligence, etc.  Mistake by Armenia.  But they feel like they are between a rock (Turkey) and a hard place (Azerbaijan).  “Armenia-Iran Secret Arms Deal: Implications For The South Caucasus – Analysis,” Eurasia Review, 8-20-24.

In retaliation against German’s reaction to terror in Germany.  “Iran orders closure of German language institute in Tehran,” DW, 8-20-24.

“Iran’s psychological war against Israel part of Tehran’s strategy,” Iran International, 8-20-24.

High quality article on Iran’s involvement with Syria in producing the drug Captagon.  “How Syria and Iran fuel regional instability through illicit drug trade,” Iran International, 8-19-24.

Too much evidence the other way.  “Ceasefire in Gaza ‘unrelated’ to Iran’s retaliation plans, says Tehran,” Iran International, 8-19-24.

“Police, Shin Bet said to believe Iran, Hezbollah may be behind failed Tel Aviv attack,” Times of Israel, 8-19-24.

Mismanagement abounds in dictatorships.  “Natural and Man-Made Disasters in Iran: A Costly Challenge,” Iran News Update, 8-19-24.

One word, Yes.  “Will Iran Risk Sanctions by Selling Missiles to Russia?,” OilPrice.com, RFE/RL, 8-19-24.

“Iran’s Nuclear Weapon Plan: What We Know,” Newsweek, 8-19-24.

“Iran Update, August 19, 2024,” Institute for the Study of War, 8-19-24.

“Iran hacked Trump campaign, US intelligence confirms,” BBC, 8-19-24.  See also, “FBI concludes Iran was behind Trump campaign hack,” The Hill, 8-19-24.

Just pause and think about this—a country is not just trying to hack into a campaign website or officials’ emails, but they are also trying to kill a candidate who is a former president.  Shouldn’t our response be stronger?  This is just plain wrong in international relations.  And unique in U.S. history.  “Iranian hackers — and hitmen — eye Trump,” Politico, 8-19-24.

Great article about how ideology thwarts agency efficiency.  “Pezeshkian’s Cabinet Reflects Iran’s Institutional Stagnation,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 8-19-24.

Lots of news on 8-19-24.  “Iranian Universities Open Doors to Foreign Paramilitary Forces, Raising Concerns,” Iran News Update, 8-19-24.

Fascinating the two-faced approach.  Quote of the Day—“Iranian analysts estimate the profits from the IRGC’s censorship and sale of technology to bypass censorship can net the group upwards of $3 billion annually.”  See “Break the Revolutionary Guard’s Monopoly over VPNs in Iran, The Middle East Forum Observer,” 8-19-24.

“Joint ODNI, FBI, and CISA Statement on Iranian Election Influence Efforts,” CISA Press Release, 8-19-24.

“North Korea and Iran: A nuclear proliferation nightmare,” Washington Times, 8-19-24.

“Iran’s mullahs and their deadly serious plan:  The total annihilation of Israel and the United States,” JNS, 8-18-24.

Second straight day in the international media to have a story about Iran and nurses.  “Iranian Nurses’ Exodus: A Crisis in Healthcare,” Iran News Update, 8-18-24.

Considering the positive statements by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt prior to the most recent talks, the blame for rejection lies solely with Hamas and its overseer.  “Hamas rejects new U.S. proposal for Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal,” Axios, 8-18-24.

“Iran’s Intelligence Minister claims Iran has identified ‘Mossad spies in 28 countries’,” JPost, 8-18-24.

“Yearning for electricity, Lebanese blame Hezbollah, Iran for national power outage,” Ynet, 8-18-24.

Misplaced priorities, chasing nuclear power, poor oversite of massive gas and oil reserves, fixation on U.S. and Israel and Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and incompetence, and dedication to Shia Revolution spreading are all reasons.  “Iran struggles with power outages blamed on ‘incompetence’,” Iran International, 8-18-24.

He has part of it right, that Iranian overthrew their own government in 1953.  “Pezeshkian:  Internal division behind US success in 1953 coup in Iran,” 8-18-24.

“Turkey seeks Iran’s involvement in Syria normalization efforts: envoy,” Tehran Times, 8-18-24.

“The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has explicitly said that our priority is to neutralize sanctions” [not reconstitute the JCPOA], this is the Quote of the Day from Abbas Araqchi, nominated to become Iran’s FM.  See “Araqchi maps out diplomatic plans if confirmed as Iran’s foreign minister,” Tehran Times, 8-18-24.

“Iran’s barbarity has no modern equal, and it goes largely unpunished – opinion,” JPost, 8-18-24.

“House Intelligence Committee chairman says Iran could “declare itself a nuclear weapons state by the end of the year”,” CBS, 8-18-24.

This made worldwide news.  “Iran coerces confession from woman shot by police over hijab,” Iran International, 8-18-24.

The Martyr Complex on full display.  “Intelligence apparatuses of 53 states have Iran desk: Proposed min.,” IRNA, 5-18-24.

“Iran Regime Seeks Chinese Satellite Technology To Boost Surveillance Capabilities,” Iran News Update, 8-17-24.  See also “Iran expands surveillance capabilities through Chinese satellite partnerships – report,” JPost, 8-17-24.

“Iran Is on the Cusp of Producing Nuclear Weapons,” National Review, 8-17-24.  Another warning.  Listen world.

Why would Iran want a ceasefire?  If it can be on their terms, a compete end to the war, and to allow its proxy Hamas to regroup.  “Iran expected to delay attack on Israel amid Gaza ceasefire talks,” Iran International, 8-16-24.

“Iran ready to transship Russian gas through its territory: Report,” Reuters, Al Arabiya, 8-17-24.

“Iran Update,” Institute for the Study of War, 8-17-24.

“Iran News: Mass Protests by Nurses Erupt Across Iran on August 17, 2024,” NCRI, 8-17-24.

“Hamas wants war between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran: Michael Oren,” Fox, 8-17-24.

For Caspian trade.  “Iran to acquire 7,000-ton Russian ship by fall,” IRNA, 8-17-24.

Regarding the recent post about whether alleged cooperation among the axis is real, here is a story from Iran’s controlled media (and quoting from Russia’s state-controlled media]—and it says the connections are a real thing, and will last decades (and through the UN) until the West (the U.S. and Europe) are defeated.  “Russia says actively uses experience of Iran,” Mehr, 8-17-24.  “’As far as anti-sanctions alliances are concerned we share experience. Iran has long been under sanctions, [same as] North Korea, Venezuela. We naturally have a close political dialogue with those countries, cooperation through intergovernmental commissions, cooperation between companies. We also use their experience in struggling with those restrictions,’ Dmitry Birichevsky [director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of Economic Cooperation] said at a Valdai Discussion Club event on sanctions against Russia, according to TASS.”

Really funny if this wasn’t so deadly serious.  Jalali either hasn’t read Samuel Huntington’s book (let’s have him take a test to see if he’s read it) or is flipping its thesis on its head and entirely distorting its message, to the benefit of Russia and Iran and China and other states.  See “Envoy: Iran and Russia stand against clash of civilizations,” NewsAZ, 8-17-24.

“Long Live Oct. 7!”  That’s what she said.  Over and over.  And she refused to answer the question of whether the Iranian government is financially supporting her.  “Iran gives human rights award to B.C. activist,” Global News, 8-16-24.  See also “Vancouver activist appears on Iranian TV months after rally arrest,” CTV News Vancouver, 8-16-24.  She’s a Winner.  And in legal hot water now that she is receiving awards for Iran and supporting its government positions.  And she claims that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, we’ll let her explain why.  It will be interesting to see if she returns to Iran, and whether she then returns to Canada.

“Iranian group used ChatGPT to try to influence US election, OpenAI says,” Reuters, 8-16-24.

“Israeli security officials warn government of imminent attack by Iran, Hezbollah: Report,” AA, 8-16-24.

“By Friday, Israeli intelligence had assessed that Hezbollah and Iran had lowered the level of alertness in their rocket and missile units, according to five Israeli officials.”  See “Tehran appears to be allowing mediators time to pursue cease-fire talks, according to multiple officials,” NYT, 8-16-24.

“Trump security increased before shooting due to unrelated Iran threat,” Axios, 7-16-24.