A lot of news today.

Dawn is a Pakistan mouthpiece, so I don’t quote them often because of the slant.  But their reporting gives me the chance to ask readers, have you noticed the Supreme Leader never leaves Iran?  In fact, he doesn’t get away from Tehran and the safety of his compound much.  It is not because of illness.  It is because they know the people don’t trust him, and there would be visible reminders by public demonstrations if he were to show in various places.  The Regime’s policies have trapped it at home.  See “Iran’s speaker to attend Nasrallah funeral,” Dawn, 2-23-25.

Really rich.  And note that the competent Iranian-backed Press TV doesn’t mention the organization or award name.  “Iran receives international peace award in India for supporting Palestinians,” Press TV, 2-23-25.

“Turkey & Iran Reconnect by Rail: Van-Tehran Train Resumes After 4 Years,” FTN News, 2-23-25.

Brave man.  “Lebanon not battleground for ‘wars of others,’ President Aoun tells Iran,” Al Arabiya, 2-23-25.

“As Nasrallah is buried, Iran insists ‘Axis of Resistance’ will endure,” Amwaj, 2-23-25.

“Iran, Russia Sign Roadmap for Completing Transport Corridor,” Caspian News, 2-23-25.  “This railway segment is the missing link in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a major trade route connecting India to Russia.”

About 7% of Iran’s population is living in tents, for all purposes homeless.  “Expansion of Informal Settlements and Poverty in Iran,” Iran Focus, 2-23-25.

Part of me says don’t cover this story, it is so unlikely that Iran will ever build this type of tunnel.  The Regime simply has too many public works that it is mismanaged and failed (and too much spent on offense—not defensive—weapons).  Even now, businesses and homes only have power for 2-3 days each week.  And this despite massive oil and gas reserves.  But I have to mention the story because it is news.  The tunnel from Iran to Qatar (Iran to Oman would make more sense) would be five times further than the longest undersea tunnel, The Chunnel.  See “The world’s longest tunnel between Iran and Qatar,” Press TV, 2-23-25.

“Russia Planning to Build More Nuclear Reactors in Iran,” Power, 2-23-25.

“The fact that Nasrallah’s assassination was not followed by a public funeral was a great humiliation for Hezbollah and its supporters. After their crushing defeat, the group and the Iranian axis want to give a show of strength to show that they are back. Or at least that they are still here and not quite dead.”  See “At Nasrallah’s funeral, Hezbollah and Iran set to put on a ‘show of strength’,” France 24, 2-22-25.

“Iran’s parliament speaker, foreign minister to attend funeral of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah,” Times of Israel, 2-22-25.

“Iranian Regime MP Warns About Intensified Medicine Shortages,” Iran Focus, 2-22-25.

“Iran Is Begging Russia For Su-35 Fighters,” National Interest, 2-22-25.

We’ll sell our drones to anyone!  “Iran comments on Shahed drone purchase condition,” Mehr, 2-22-25.

Well, it is already a dictatorship, and the Supreme Leader’s procedural powers through the Guardian Council and influence already result basically in his hand-selecting the president.  “Prominent lawmaker proposes Khamenei directly appoint Iran’s presidents,” Iran International, 2-22-25.

“Iran: Some Nurses Are Homeless and Sleep in Their Cars,” Iran Focus, 2-22-25.

“Hezbollah facing financial squeeze as supply lines from Iran are severed,” The Spokesman Review, 2-22-25.

“The Top Executioner’: Iran Executed at Least 975 People in 2024,” Foundation for Defense of Democracies, 2-21-25.

“[U]ndiminished intent.”  Just two weeks ago seized.  “[O]n January 28, the US Coast Guard Sentinel Class cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. intercepted a dhow in the Arabian Sea and discovered a consignment of Iranian arms and explosives on board. The consignment consisted of components for medium-range ballistic missiles and unmanned sea drones, plus military-grade communication and network equipment and anti-tank guided missile launcher assemblies. … The seizure conforms to a well-established pattern, confirmed in annual United Nations Panel of Expert reports. Materiel destined for the Houthis is loaded onto nondescript dhows, manned by stateless crews, from warehouses controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Unit 190 in Chah Bahar, Bandar Abbas and elsewhere. The material is transshipped to fishing vessels from the Yemeni coast, and is then smuggled over beaches and through to Houthi-controlled areas.”  See “Iran’s Arm Shipments to the Houthis Continue, a Sign of Trouble Ahead,” Maritime Executive, 2-21-25.

“Iran Watches U.S.-Russia Talks With Apprehension,” RFE/RL, 2-21-25.

Inflation, already high in Iran, jumped 4% in just the last month.  It must be galling to the Regime that money lenders trade U.S. dollars all over the country, from rural areas to the Grand Bazaar in Tehran.  “USD Surpasses 940,000 Iranian Rials as Inflation Accelerates,” Iran Focus, 2-21-25.

“How Iran Targets Women Dissidents Abroad,” New Lines Magazine, 2-21-25.

This is not a matter of “returning” money.  The Supreme Leader is not admitting why those funds were frozen, nor is the Chinese press reporting about those past actions by Iran and how countries, in this case the U.S., have responded.  See “Iran calls on Qatar to return $6 billion funds despite US pressure,” Xinhua, 2-20-25.

“Iran, Azerbaijan stress opposition to foreign forces in South Caucasus,” Press TV, 2-20-25.

“VOA Persian: Iranian authorities raid homes of Baha’i minority, arrest 2,” VOA, 2-20-25.  “According to the annual report of the Commission on International Religious Freedom last year, the Iranian government’s repression, violence, discrimination and social stigmatization of Baha’i citizens have intensified.”

“Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief in Tehran calls Iran ‘home of resistance’,” Iran International, 2-20-25.

“Iran needs to prove peaceful intent of nuclear program, UN watchdog says,” Iran International, 2-20-25.

“Israel will be wiped out in a major attack ‘at the right time’, IRGC General says,” Iran International, 2-20-25.

So, Iran is bombing buses.  Israel is fortunate the bombs were mis-timed.  “Iran believed to be behind central Israel bus bombings, initial security assessment finds,” JPost, 2-20-25.

“IRGC commander: Iran poised for conflict, developed advanced missile arsenal,” JPost, 2-19-25.

“Iran seeks to strengthen ties with Caspian, Gulf states through new corridor – analysis,” JPost, 2-19-25.

No evidence.  Consistent with past takings of hostages.  “Iran accuses detained British couple of spying,” AP, 2-19-25.

“Iran has fixed Israeli damage to air defenses, military commander says,” Iran International, 2-19-25.  “”The air defense of Islamic Iran is at the height of readiness, and the minor damage inflicted on it has been completely repaired,” Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces was quoted by state media as saying.”

“’We are not negotiating’ says Iran, as war talk mounts,” Iran International, 2-19-25.

Al Monitor says, “The commander did not provide evidence for the alleged ties to Israel or the United States, nor did he reveal the number of people arrested.”  See “Iran’s IRGC dismantles alleged spy network linked to Israel, US: What to know,” Al Monitor, 2-19-25.

Quote of the Day:  “There is no difference among US presidents,” said by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.  See “Trump is no maverick, Iran’s Supreme Leader tells Qatari Emir,” Iran International, 2-19-25.

“Iran mulls moving capital to ‘lost paradise’ on southern coast,” Yahoo, 2-18-25.

“Sa’ar tells US delegation Turkey cooperating with Iran to smuggle money to Hezbollah,” Times of Israel, 2-17-25.

Oh my goodness.  They have now lost weeks, months, perhaps years of their life simply because they wanted to test Iran.  So unwise.  Quotes from the article about Craig and Lindsay Foreman:  “The UK government advises against all but essential travel to these areas, and the news paints a pretty grim picture,” they posted on Facebook on Dec. 30. “We want to find out for ourselves. That is why we are here.”  …  The post included two images side-by-side: one of the Foreign Office’s orange and yellow map of Iran, advising British citizens not to travel to Iran, and another of a photo of the green lawns of a mosque, an image whose location was pinned to Norduz, near Iran’s border with Armenia.”  See “British Couple on World Motorcycle Tour Is Detained in Iran,” NYT, 2-15-25.

“Students in Iran continue protests over 19-year-old’s murder on campus for second day,” Fox, 2-15-25.

“Iran’s abandoned bases in Syria: Years of military expansion lie in ruins,” BBC, 2-15-25.

“Iran is rearming; is China covertly resupplying them? – report,” JPost, 2-15-25.

What they say about Turkey.  “The Turkish media’s role in shaping perceptions of Iran’s regional strategy,” Tehran Times, 2-15-25.

Iran has to strike back somehow, so it uses Hezbollah.  “UNIFIL official wounded by Hezbollah supporters,” i24, 2-14-25.  Hezbollah-linked agitators have been blocking the road to the airport and other roads in the capital to protest a decision by Lebanese authorities to revoke permission for a plane from Iran to fly to Beirut on Thursday. The decision to ban the Iranian plane came after the Israel issued a statement that Iran was smuggling cash to its proxy Hezbollah via civilian flights.

Happy Valentine’s Day.  “IAEA chief says time running out to reach Iran nuclear deal,” Reuters, 2-14-25.

Notice how Al Jazeera takes sides when compared to how the other media are covering this story.  Lebanon decides, not Israel.  And Lebanon has decided (after years) to finally take a stand.  “Iran accuses Israel of disrupting Lebanon flights amid rising tensions,” Al Jazeera, 2-14-25.

Keep in mind that this is not a situation of simply Israel making allegations.  Lebanon would only stop flights if it is actually finding the cash.  “Lebanon bars Iran airlines after Israel alleges Hezbollah cash smuggling,” Iran International, 2-13-25.  Notice this quote also.  “Iranian envoys have been flying into Beirut from Tehran with suitcases stuffed with US dollars to finance Hezbollah’s operations. Additionally, Israel has reported that Turkish nationals have been used as couriers to transport funds from Istanbul to Beirut, the report said.”

“Iran is rearming its missile program and a ship of supplies just arrived from China, Western sources say,” CNN, 2-13-25.