“Executions in Iran hit 8-year high in 2023,” Al Jazeera, 3-5-24.  “Iran hanged at least 834 people in 2023, the second-highest number of executions in two decades, according to a report released by rights groups. The report, released on Tuesday by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM), suggests that the 43 percent spike in the use of capital punishment last year came in reaction to nationwide protests prompted by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022. … IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam described the figures as a “staggering total.” “Instilling societal fear is the regime’s only way to hold on to power, and the death penalty is its most important instrument,” he said.”

BBC gave into the Regime, and in the process limited Iranian citizens access to real news.  “BBC’s Deal With Iran Over Election Coverage Angers Staffers,” Iran International, 3-5-24.

“Quote of the Day:  “Qatar is not an ally; it is an enabler of the most bloodthirsty regime on earth.”  UANI CEO Mark Wallace.  See “United Against Nuclear Iran Urges Action Against Qatar For Hosting IRGC,” Iran International, 3-5-24.

“US Reveals Another Iranian Plot On American Soil,” Iran International, 3-5-24.

“The actual voter turnout in the elections estimated at about 8%.”  Shocking.  See “Iran Election Result: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Lost Gains Made From Gaza Conflict – OpEd,” Eurasia Review, 3-4-24.

“Iran Announces 41% Turnout In Parliamentary Elections,” Barron’s, AFP, 3-4-24.  So, is it 41%, 8%, or somewhere in the 10s or 20s?  Western intelligence agencies will also use the methodology of this article, and will find that the Regime-announced results are grossly inflated, just as their Covid-response numbers were so out of line with reality.

“Hard-liners dominate Iran’s parliamentary election after record-low turnout,” Politico, AP, 3-4-24.

“Commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force is expanding predecessor’s vision of chaos in the Middle East,” The Conversation, 3-4-24.

“Commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force is expanding predecessor’s vision of chaos in the Middle East,” El Paso Inc., 3-4-24.

“Iran’s Currency Plunges To Historic Low,” Iran International, 3-4-24.

“Ballistic Missiles Allow Iran to Act More Boldly,” WSJ, 3-4-24.  “Over the past decade, Iran has transformed much of its ballistic-missile arsenal, the largest in the Middle East, from mere tools of terror to battlefield-ready systems. Iranian missiles are more precise, mobile, lethal and abundant than ever before—giving the regime more dangerous options when it wants to throw its weight around. … Since 2017, Iran has engaged in at least 11 separate ballistic-missile operations from its own territory against Kurdish, U.S., Islamic State, Baluch and other targets and interests across Iraq, Syria and Pakistan. Iran is likely to use these missiles to respond to any serious or perceived provocation in the future. … In 2023 the regime claimed to have developed its first-ever hypersonic missile and celebrated with a poster in Persian, Arabic and Hebrew proclaiming that it needed only “400 seconds” to strike Tel Aviv. … Tehran is already taking advantage of its missile capability to provide cover for other escalatory acts against the U.S. and Israel. When Israel thinks about how to respond to Hezbollah’s attacks, it must take into account a deadly and potentially direct Iranian response. This, on top of Hezbollah’s Iran-supplied precision-guided munition capabilities, helps deter Israel and is keeping 80,000 Israelis from returning to their homes in the north. … Missile mastery has emboldened the Islamic Republic, making it keen to take more risks and to respond to fire with fire.”

“IAEA chief: We have lost track of Iran nuke progress,” JPost, 3-4-24.  “IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi on Monday told the IAEA Board of Governors, concerning Iran’s nuclear advancement, that “the agency has lost continuity of knowledge about the production and inventory of centrifuges, rotors and bellows, heavy water and uranium ore concentrate.” “It is three years since Iran stopped provisionally applying its additional protocol and therefore it is also three years since the agency was able to conduct complementary access in Iran,” Grossi said, describing large gaps in nuclear inspections. Next, he referred to a recent Iranian nuclear official who said that all aspects of the nuclear weapons cycle are complete and that the only obstacle to Tehran producing a nuclear weapon is the political decision to do so. Grossi said, “Public statements made in Iran regarding its technical capabilities to produce nuclear weapons only increase my concerns about the correctness and completeness of Iran’s safeguard declarations.”

“Iran’s Supreme Leader Silent After Election Boycott,” Iran International, 3-4-24.

“Cooperation agreements with Iran pit Algeria against the West,” Arab Weekly, 3-4-24.

“What Do Official Statistics Reveal About Iran’s Elections?,” Iran International, 3-4-24.  “After the closure of the polls, the media affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, including Fars News Agency, announced what they claimed was the turnout figures before the election authorities had provided any information.”  As of 3-5, there are still no official results.  But we are left with the IRGC 41% figure.

“Religious dictators of Iran covet DNA identifiers of journalists — report,” Biometric, 3-4-24.

“Iran Tried to Persuade Sudan to Allow Naval Base on Its Red Sea Coast,” WSJ, 3-3-24.  “Tehran, which has supplied drones for Khartoum’s war with a rebel warlord, pledged a warship in exchange for access but was turned down. … A naval base on the Red Sea would allow Tehran to tighten its grip on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, where it is helping Yemen-based Houthi rebels launch attacks on commercial vessels. Iran and the Houthis say the attacks are aimed at punishing Israel and its allies for the fighting in Gaza. Iran’s regional rivals, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, all have direct access to the waterway.”

“Chinese Influencers’ Upcoming Visit To Iran Sparks Criticism,” Iran International, 3-3-24.  “Despite its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, Iran continues to grapple with challenges in attracting foreign tourists, exacerbated by its history of detaining foreigners and dual nationals, along with societal constraints imposed after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.”

“Economic Turmoil Worsens In Iran As Hardliners Win Election,” Iran International, 3-3-24.

Iran is encouraging Hamas to hold firm, and hand on to the pawns/hostages.  “Israel won’t send team to Cairo, said to believe Sinwar seeks escalation on Ramadan,” Times of Israel, 3-3-24.

“Ex-President Khatami Abstains From Voting In Iran Elections,” Iran International, 3-2-24.

“Iran: Raisi Re-Elected for Assembly of Experts,” teleSur, 3-2-24.  And see the Supreme Leader cast his vote, covered by the “IRNA News Agency and by X.”

“Grammy winner gets 3-year prison sentence in Iran for anti-regime song,” UPI, 3-2-24.  He wrote the song about the death of Mahsa Amini.  And the Regime requires Hajipour to “also write a song about U.S. ‘atrocities against humanity’,”.

I’ll say it again.  The world will have to decide if Iran will hold the Strait hostage.  “A ship earlier hit by Yemen’s Houthi rebels sinks in the Red Sea, the first vessel lost in conflict,” AP, 3-2-24.  “The Rubymar, which carried a cargo of fertilizer and previously leaked fuel, could cause ecological damage to the Red Sea and its coral reefs.  Persistent Houthi attacks have already disrupted traffic in the crucial waterway for cargo and energy shipments moving from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. Already, many ships have turned away from the route.”  They are going around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10 days and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Iranian threat to overthrow the Kuwait government has finally resulted in “Kuwait Top Court Criminalizes Lebanon’s Hezbollah,” Asharq Al-Awsat, 3-2-24.  BTW, Kuwait has made few entries on this blog over the years.  But here, the threat was too great.

“Nobel Laureate Exposes Iran’s Use Of Solitary Confinement,” Iran International, 3-1-24.  “White torture … is different from white room torture, another form of psychological torture technique aimed at complete sensory deprivation and isolation that can lead to hallucinations and psychosis. In the latter form, which has also been employed in the prisons of the Islamic Republic, the prisoner is held for long stretches of time in a soundproofed cell with white walls and no windows, given white clothing and food such as rice, and is often deprived from sleep.”

“Record Low Turnout in Iran as Voters Lose Faith in Elections,” Reason, 3-1-24.  “Iran’s leaders wanted to show the world a high voter turnout. Instead, people stayed home for the “sham” elections.”

The world will have to decide if Iran will hold the Strait hostage.  “Only grain ships from Black Sea and for Iran still crossing Red Sea, analysts say,” Reuters, 3-1-24.

“Opinion – Iran’s Rising Challenge: The Historical Echoes of Totalitarianism,” Media Line, 2-29-24.

Ballistic missile for offensive purposes continues, here with the help of Moscow.  “Iran’s Pars 1 satellite enters space after Russian launch,” Reuters, 2-29-24.

“Iran observation satellite launched into orbit on Russian rocket,” Times of Israel, 2-29-24.

“Iran’s New—Even Worse—Hijab Era Has Begun,” FP, 2-29-24.

“Key facts about Iran’s elections on Friday,” Reuters, 2-29-24.

“Opinion – Iran’s Rising Challenge: The Historical Echoes of Totalitarianism,” Media Line, 2-29-24.

Ballistic missile for offensive purposes continues, here with the help of Moscow.  “Iran’s Pars 1 satellite enters space after Russian launch,” Reuters, 2-29-24.

“Iran Sees Most Women Ever Run in Election—Can They Break the Glass Ceiling?,” Newsweek, 2-29-24.  Iranians prepare to head to the polls to vote in the 12th parliamentary election since the Islamic Revolution, a record number of female candidates are among the thousands vying for one of 290 seats in the male-dominated legislature.  Some 1,713 women were featured in the list of approved candidates issued by Iran’s Guardian Council ahead of Friday’s election, more than double the number allowed to run in the last vote that took place in 2020.  And yet female hopefuls still represented just a fraction of the 15,200 aspiring lawmakers in the running this year.   For some, however, the trend symbolizes a positive development for a country whose longstanding women’s rights issues garnered renewed notoriety after the death of a young woman in police custody sparked nationwide protests in September 2022. Mahsa Amini, 22, had been arrested for failing to adhere to the nation’s mandatory hijab laws, one of several issues that has sparked debate among those now seeking office.

These types of stories (Cuba, Bolivia, etc.) are a reminder that Iran wants to be physically closer to the U.S. but also for illicit trade.  “Iran, Venezuela Seek To Carry Out Long-Term Deal,” Eurasia Review, 2-28-24.

“VOA’s Acting Director Denounces Iran for Convicting VOA Persian Journalists in Absentia for ‘Propaganda’ Crimes,” VOA, 2-28-24.

“Iran-Aligned Armed Groups Are Endangering Jordan’s National Security,” Washington Institute, 2-28-24.

“Iran Satellite Launch From Russia Fuels Fears Over Moscow-Tehran Ties,” Iran International, 2-28-24.

“As Iran scares the Middle East, at home its regime rots,” Economist, 2-28-24.

“Voter Frustration May Lead to Low Turnout in Iran Parliamentary Elections,” AP, VOA, 2-28-24.

“’Lebanon will be next’: Iran greenlights Hezbollah attack on Israel – report,” JPost, 2-28-24.

“Elections Expose Iran’s Fading Democratic Pretensions,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 2-28-24.

“Khamenei Pleads With Iranians To Vote Amid Election Skepticism,” Iran International, 2-28-24.

More proof that Iran controls its “subcontractors,” and more proof that shooting back (but not proportional) works.  “After U.S. Strikes, Iran’s Proxies Scale Back Attacks on American Bases,” NYT, 2-27-24.  “Tehran, wary of igniting open warfare with Washington, has told militia groups it backs to curtail assaults on targets such as military installations, Iranian and American officials say.”

“How Khamenei’s succession dilemma looms over Iran’s election,” The New Arab, 2-27-24.  No ordinary democracy there.

“4 Charged with Transporting Iranian-Made Weapons Face Detention Hearings in US Court,” Military Times, 2-27-24.  More evidence beyond that Iran made the components—“The FBI affidavit states that crew members had been in contact multiple times by satellite phone with a member of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.”

It costs a lot to protect Western officials from Iran’s attempts.  These are just two from one country and during one financial year.  “Secret Service paid over $12 million for a year’s protection of 2 Trump advisers from potential Iranian threats,” CBS, 2-27-24.

“Iranian election turnout could set new record low,” G Zero Media, 2-27-24.

“Iran Denounces UN Investigation, Drawing Parallel With Gaza,” Iran International, 2-27-24.

This is a very safe opinion.  “Despite elections, Iran will remain the same – opinion,” JPost, 2-27-24.

“Iran Continues To Offer Safe Haven To Al-Qaeda, US Confirms,” Iran International, 2-27-24.

“Gallant: Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas hope to turn Ramadan into ‘2nd stage of October 7’,” Times of Israel, 2-27-24.

“Hackers have unmasked some of the tactics Beijing and Tehran use to silence their opponents.”  See “China and Iran Have Their WikiLeaks Moment,” Reason, 2-27-24.  “Millions of documents from a Chinese cybersecurity contractor and the Iranian court system revealing how both governments repress dissent abroad have been posted online over the past two weeks.  …  The files included secret orders and instructions on how to deal with some of Iran’s most well-known dissidents.  …  Iranian prosecutors had issued a secret list of Iranian athletes living abroad who should be arrested if they ever returned to Iran.”

“’Illusive’ Iranian Hacking Group Ensnares Israeli, UAE Aerospace and Defense Firms,” Dark Reading, 2-27-24.

This can go two ways.  Israel can deter Iran, but this will (continue, it started years ago) be a long-term battle if a war does not instead break out.  Or Israel’s actions against the IRGC could lead Iran to start a war.  But the Regime is always hesitant to look like the aggressor/oppressor, so I lean toward the first choice.  See “No longer afraid of sparking war, Israel takes gloves off against IRGC in Syria,” Times of Israel, 2-27-24.

“Iran Could Decide to Build a Nuclear Weapon,” National Interest, 2-26-24.

It is impossible this was done without Iran’s knowledge.  “Houthis knock out underwater cables linking Europe to Asia – report,” JPost, 2-26-24.

“Iran Reduces Near Weapons-Grade Stockpile, Defying Expectations,” WSJ, 2-26-24.  But “Tehran still has enough weapons-grade material for several nuclear weapons.”

“Iran’s Surgical Strike In Pakistan, Kills Terrorist Commander,” State Times, 2-26-24.

Sounds like another 12th Imam disappearance.  The martyr complex is strong.  “The identity of Iran’s next supreme leader must remain secret in order to protect him from assassination attempts by the United States and Israel, a senior Iranian cleric said in remarks published on Monday.  Mohammad-Ali Mousavi-Jazayeri, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, said in an interview with the Iran-based Didban Iran website….”  See “Iran should hide identity of next supreme leader to avoid US assassination: Cleric,” Al Arabiya, 2-26-24.

“Iran: Republic of God in an Increasingly Secular Society,” Arab Gulf States Institute, 2-26-24.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh doesn’t have a green light from Tehran.  “Israeli officials: Hamas is signaling rejection of latest hostage deal proposals,” Times of Israel, 2-26-24.  “Channels 12, 13 and Kan news all quoted senior officials as saying that Israel had been told that the framework worked out in Paris by Israel, American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators on Friday “doesn’t correspond with Hamas demands.”  Remember that “Qatar is considered one of the main state sponsors of Hamas, as it hosts some of its top leaders, including Haniyeh himself, and has donated billions of dollars over the years to Hamas in Gaza.”  In short, even Hamas-supporting Qatar thought this was a good deal, but Iran is stretching out the hostages in order to try to get Israel to stop fighting.

“Curbing Iran aggression is key to peace in the Middle East – opinion,” JPost, 2-25-24.  “The reason for training and financing the Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and similar extremist movements is the promotion of regional chaos, which simplifies taking over as much territory, influence, and resources as possible by Iran.”

“Japanese, Thai men charged in nuclear sale to Iran – US DOJ,” The Nation, 2-25-24.

“Vast majority of Iranians want a secular government, poll reveals,” Telegraph, 2-25-24.

“Iran’s Rising Misery Index: A Look at Economic Hardship Across Provinces,” Iran News Update, 2-25-24.

121 attacks by Iran against U.S. forces since Oct. 7.  “Missile attack:  Iran-backed groups attack US base in Deir Ezzor countryside,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 2-25-24.