“Former security guard at US Embassy in Norway convicted of spying for Russia and Iran,” AP, 10-16-25.  “Prosecutors said he handed over details about the embassy’s diplomats, its floor plans and security routines.”

“Iran: UN member states must urgently press authorities to halt executions after horrifying increase,” Amnesty International, 10-16-25.  “UN Member states must confront the Iranian authorities’ shocking execution spree with the urgency it demands. More than 1,000 people have already been executed in Iran since the beginning of 2025 – an average of four a day. Since the Woman Life Freedom uprising of 2022, the Iranian authorities have increasingly weaponized the death penalty to instill fear among the population, crush dissent and punish marginalized communities. This year, executions have reached a scale not seen in Iran since 1989.”

“Iran says no plan to leave Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” Iran International, 10-15-25.

“Khamenei aide unveils ‘Israel annihilation plan’ book,” Iran International, 10-15-25.  “The book, “Israel Annihilation Plan: The Islamic Republic’s Strategy for the Destruction of the Zionist Regime,” was presented in Iran’s holy city of Qom.  “The presentation suggested that despite a Gaza ceasefire which could tamp down region-wide conflicts over the past two years, Tehran was far from retiring its hostility and harsh rhetoric toward its regional arch-enemy.  …  “Alireza Panahian, a cleric close to supreme leader Ali Khamenei, praised the authors during the unveiling ceremony, calling the book a valuable step in elaborating on the views of Khamenei and his predecessor Ruhollah Khomeini.”

“Internet Reacts to Iran’s New ‘Holy Virgin Mary’ Subway Station,” Newsweek, 10-15-25.  I’m surprised the story doesn’t state what is probably going on here—an attempt to woo Armenia.

“Spies, Burgers and Bombs: After a New War, Old Wounds Resurface in Tehran,” NYT, 10-15-25.

“French pair sentenced in Iran on spying charges,” BBC, 10-14-25.

“Iran says hijab laws remain in force amid debate over enforcement,” Iran International, 10-14-25.

“Iran accuses US of ‘hostile and criminal behavior,’ says Trump’s call for dialogue inconsistent,” Times of Israel, 10-14-25.

This short article is not really about flaring, but is a culmination of bad decisions has led Iraq to this and move away from dependency.  “Iraq pledges to end $4 billion gas imports from Iran by 2028 as it races to diversify beyond oil,” CNBC, 10-14-25.

“US is ready for deal with Iran when Tehran is, Trump says,” Reuters, 10-13-25.  It is difficult for me to see the Ayatollah willing to end years of repressive rule.

I think that what AJ really means is saying “Death to America” since 1979 is really hard to stop saying.  “Reviving US-Iran diplomacy difficult despite Trump’s ‘hand of friendship’,” Al Jazeera, 10-13-25.

“Trump credits Iran nuclear strikes for kickstarting Israel-Hamas peace deal,” Fox, 10-13-25.  Similar, “US strike stopped Iran from getting nuclear bomb before Gaza deal, Trump says,” Iran International, 10-13-25.

What this story doesn’t do is to remind us what was widely said at Oct. 7—that the attacks were designed by Iran to stop normalization with Israel.  “Is normalization with Saudi Arabia closer or further way?,” JPost, 10-13-25.

“Russia says it supplies Iran with necessary military equipment,” Al Arabiya, 10-13-25.

Buyer’s remorse.  “October 7 massacre a ‘mistake that cost Iran dearly,’ regime-aligned newspaper says,” JPost, 10-12-25.

True.  “Iran’s Economic Collapse Is Fueled by the Regime’s Political Choices, Not Sanctions,” NCRI, 10-12-25.

“Iran says it declined invitation to attend Trump-led Mideast peace summit,” Iran International, 10-12-25.

“Iran out in cold as Mideast unites in support of Gaza ceasefire,” Economic Times, 10-11-25.

“Iran’s Streets ‘Transformed’ As More Women Shun The Mandatory Hijab,” RFE/RL, 10-11-25.

We won’t see this.  “Iran says it is open to ‘fair, balanced’ US nuclear proposal,” JPost, 10-11-25.

As we wrote, Iran won’t negotiate.  Yesterday’s statement that Iran is open to proposals was not true.  “Iran says will never join Trump’s ‘treacherous’ Israel normalization deals,” Iran International, 10-11-25.

“Iran says will never join Trump’s ‘treacherous’ Israel normalization deals,” Iran International, 10-11- 25.

Because of the ties between Israel and the U.S., and the threat Iran has posed to both (and Saudi Arabia) since 1979, because of the involvement in Iran in the Oct. 7 attacks, and because of the claims Pres. Trump is the greatest friend Israel has ever had, this blog will comment on the agreement between Israel and Hamas now that is the result of Pres. Trump’s influence.  First, note that Pres. Trump is not being said to be the best friend that PM Netanyahu has ever had (he was using the war to stay in power), but instead the best friend of Israel and desires that wars end.  Because the Nobel Committee ignored DT this year, they are looking almost irrelevant.  Will he get Time’s Person of the Year?  See “Can U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas deliver lasting peace?,” NPR Morning Edition, 10-10-25.

“Air Superiority in the Twenty-First Century: Lessons from Iran and Ukraine,” CSIS, 10-10-25.

“Victory, blame, regret: Iranians reacts to Gaza ceasefire deal,” Iran International, 10-10-25.

Will Iran seize the U.S. initiative for peace?  “Trump Gives Update on Possible ‘Peace’ With Iran,” Newsweek, 10-10-25.

“Iran Lures Transgender Foreigners for Surgery but Forces Operations on Locals,” NYT, 10-10-25.

“UK, France, Germany say they hope to restart Iran nuclear talks,” Al Jazeera, 10-10-25.

What does Iran say about the Hamas agreement?  In open sources, I’ve only seen one story so far, “Iran, a Longtime Hamas Backer, Signals Support for Truce Deal With Israel,” NYT, 10-9-25.  Consider the source, right?!  Here is what the NYT says.  Notice the lack of information about accountability or responsibility, nor anything about the leading sponsor of terror.   “Iran, a longtime backer of Hamas, signaled its tacit acceptance of the Palestinian militant group’s cease-fire deal with Israel, which will include the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza.  As the agreement began taking shape earlier this week, Iran’s foreign ministry said Hamas had the right to take its own initiatives. But it warned the group that Israel would continue its “expansionist and racist plans” and might not hold up its end of the deal.  On Thursday, after the first phase of a cease-fire deal was agreed, Iran said it “has always supported any action or initiative aimed at ending the genocidal war” in Gaza, suggesting it supported the agreement.  Iran’s diminished regional standing is among the starkest shifts in regional dynamics since the war between Israel and Hamas began two years ago. The country had fostered a constellation of loosely aligned militant groups for decades.  But its ability to project power across the region has been vastly undercut through a series of setbacks over the past two years.  Israel killed the leadership of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Iran lost another critical regional ally with the overthrow of the dictator Bashar al-Assad in Syria last December. And Israel’s 12-day war on Iran — joined by the United States in the final stage — badly battered the country’s nuclear and military facilities.  The country is still reeling from the cost inflicted by the war and is grappling with the dire economic fallout of the United Nations reimposing harsh economic sanctions.  Iran may now be looking for ways to reassert its influence in the Arab world through diplomatic outreach, including with its former Gulf rivals.  Since Israel’s attack on a Hamas negotiators meeting in the Gulf nation of Qatar last month, Iran has tried to portray Israel as a greater threat to regional security, and itself as a potential partner.  That effort looked largely stymied by Arab countries flocking to support the new Israel-Hamas deal brokered by President Trump.”

“Treasury Takes Aim at Iran-Backed Militia Groups Threatening the Safety of Americans,” U.S. Treasury, 10-9-25.

“Drone parts recovered from Iranian proxy group attacks trigger latest US blacklist of Chinese companies,” Defense Scoop, 10-9-25.

“Iran Update, October 8, 2025,” ISW, 10-8-25.

“Special Report – For Years, Iran Planned a Simultaneous Invasion of Israel – Only One Was Carried Out,” Alma, 10-8-25.

“Deaths Of Inmates Reignite Calls For Closure Of Iran’s ‘Uninhabitable’ Women’s Prison,” RFE/RL, 10-8-25.

How strong is Iran?  How much of a threat to the West?  “The 12 Days of War That Didn’t Ignite the Middle East or the World,” War on the Rocks, 10-8-25.

Detailed story.  But will Iran really learn to fly them well?  “Russia’s Su-35 deal gives Iran wings–but not backing,” Asia Times, 10-8-25.

“Iran Update, October 7, 2025,” ISW, 10-7-25.

“Iran’s Sanctions Trap: Missiles Over Medicine,” National Interest, 10-7-25.

“Anything Could Happen in Iran,” The Atlantic, 10-7-25.

“’Iran is developing a nuclear missile to hit the US,’ Netanyahu warns in Ben Shapiro interview,” JPost, 10-7-25.

“Araghchi says Netanyahu fabricated Iran missile threat to drum up new war,” Iran International, 10-7-25.  Quote of the Day:  ““Israel … finally managed to deceive the US into attacking the Iranian People,” Araghchi said in response on X, referring to Israeli and US attacks on Iran in June. “With the failure of that action, Israel is now trying to make an imaginary threat out of our defense capabilities.””

This is so unusual, to be released so soon, and not held for at least two years.  That tells us that something is afoot.  Even blackmail is accepted that quickly.  See “UPDATE: German-French Cyclist Monterlos Cleared of “Espionage” Charge in Iran,” EA Worldview,” 10-7-25.