The U.S. hit the anti-ship ballistic missiles before they were launched.  Good move.  “US launches additional strikes against Houthis in Yemen,” CNN, 1-16-24.

“Deadly Iranian Strikes in Iraq and Pakistan Inflame Regional Tensions,” NYT, 1-16-24.  Miscalculation by Iran?  The killings in Erbil and in Pakistan against truly innocent persons, combined with the attacks the Regime ordered the Houthis to make against Red Sea international shipping, appear irrational.  But terrorism doesn’t always make sense—that’s why they aren’t a leader state or even in the community of respected international actors.  The NYT says, “Iran says its missile strikes were aimed at militant groups behind attacks on its territory, but Pakistan and Iraq rejected that explanation.”

“Iran Strikes Jihadist Group in Pakistan as Middle East Conflicts Spread,” NYT, 1-16-24.

“Hezbollah – a pawn in Iran’s aim to obliterate Israel – opinion,” Jerusalem Post, 1-16-24.

“Iraq recalls envoy to Iran after IRGC claims to fire missiles at Mossad site in Erbil,” Times of Israel, 1-16-24.

Another Iran-ordered hit, this one against an advanced U.S.-owned cargo ship.  Looks like disaster averted as the ship continues in the Gulf of Aden.  But this is a reminder that what the Biden Administration ordered against Yemen this past week was not a strong enough set of hits to make Iran stop.  “U.S.-owned ship hit by missile from Yemen in Gulf of Aden,” i24News, 1-15-24.

“US senators ask Panama to investigate tankers trading oil to Iran,” SeatradeMaritime, 1-15-24.  Corruption is the explanation for the 189 Panama-flagged vessels. “The ships in question represent around 50% of the 383 “ghost fleet” vessels identified by non-profit organisation United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) as dedicated to the transfer of oil from Iran, despite widespread US sanctions against the nation and its oil industry in particular. The senators say that no other flag represents more than 5% of the identified ghost fleet vessels, and that AMP has de-flagged just 28 of the 217 vessels of concern.”

“Shin Bet exposes Iran’s attempts to manipulate discourse on hostages,” i24News, 1-15-24.

In short—Iran’s vast oil and gas resources have been squandered since 1979 due to the quest for radical Shia revolution.  “Iran is grappling with a significant infrastructure deficit of $500 billion, yet the political elite is largely unaware of the problem, according to an economist in Tehran. Economics professor, Vahid Shahri, told local media that the government’s annual budget deficit of a few billions of dollars is not the most serious issue. What is crucial is the declining energy and water resources in the country, serious imbalances in the economy, lack of money in the government pension funds and other shortages. These imbalances will add pressure to the government every year and require larger operating budgets. … Iran is facing a serious economic crisis since the United States withdrew from the JCPAO nuclear accord and imposed sanctions in 2018. However, the country’s economic vows go much deeper, as the Islamic regime failed to leverage its oil export revenues to properly invest in infrastructure and development since the 1990s. It is estimated that Iran sold around $1.5 trillion of oil in the past two decades, yet it faces a bankrupt government that has a stranglehold over 80 percent of the economy.”  See “A $500 Billion Economic Deficit Pushes Iran Toward ‘Catastrophe’,” Iran International, 1-15-24.

“Iran judiciary files new hijab case against released journalists,” BBC, 1-15-24.

“Hamas fights with a patchwork of weapons built by Iran, China, Russia and North Korea,” AP, ABC, 1-15-24.

This is a story we’ve been waiting to see in print.  “Iran’s Revolutionary Guard deployed in Yemen,” Semafor, 1-15-24.  “Commanders and advisors from Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are on the ground in Yemen and playing a direct role in Houthi rebel attacks on commercial traffic in the Red Sea. The IRGC has stationed missile and drone trainers and operators in Yemen, as well as personnel providing tactical intelligence support to the Houthis …  The IRGC, through its overseas Qods Force, has also overseen the transfer to the Houthis of the attack drones, cruise missiles, and medium-range ballistic missiles used in a string of strikes on Red Sea and Israeli targets in recent weeks.”

“Iran says final agreement reached with India on Chabahar Port: Report,” Economic Times, 1-15-24.

“Iran sentences imprisoned Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi to an additional prison term,” AP, 1-15-24.

This is simply Iran attacking because Iran wants to.  And announcing because it wants to.  This is close to war it seems, as countries just don’t shoot at another country.  At least normal countries don’t.  “Iran launches ballistic missiles towards U.S. forces in Iraqi Kurdistan,” i24News, 1-15-24.

“Iran Turns to Dirty Heavy Fuel Oil amid Gas Shortage,” OilPrice.com, 1-15-24.  And this is despite having all the oil and gas they could ever need.

“Ships and aircraft search for 2 Navy SEALs missing after mission to confiscate Iranian missile parts,” AP, 1-15-24.

“Iran executes nearly 20 Kurdish prisoners in two weeks: Watchdog,” Rudaw, 1-14-24.  “According to an Amnesty International report, Iran became the nation with the second-highest rate of known executions in 2022, having executed 576 people across the country, which was a staggering increase from 314 the year before. The surge of executions did not lose pace in 2023. In July, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported that at least 354 people, including six women, were executed in the first six months of 2023 and Iranian authorities reported only 43 of the recorded executions, which make up just 12 percent of the total. … Many of those who are executed in Iran are convicted based on confessions condemned by rights groups as often obtained under duress.”

“Iranian Official Faces Health Speculation Following Viral Video,” Iran International, 1-14-24.  Sanctioned by the U.S., and a key foreign adviser in Iran’s controversial and deadly foreign policy, Ali Akbar Velayati is now very ill (see the video).  FYI, Argentina is one of six persons with an arrest warrants for the 1994 BA Jewish Center (AMIA) bombing that killed scores.  He is on the Wanted list of Interpol.

First, check Webster’s for “defeated.”  Second, Pres. Raisi must be advocating for Military Darwinism when he says, “the Palestinians, on their own initiative, upgraded the war from a war with stones to a war with missiles and drones.”  Impressive, in such a short time frame!  See “Iran’s Raisi declares victory of Islamic world over ‘defeated Zionist regime’,” Times of Israel, 1-14-24.

“Oct. 7 was the opening attack in Iran’s ‘ring of fire’ war against Israel,” The Hill, 1-14-24.

A frightening prospect, one which has been on the mind of Jordanian and U.S. and Israeli and Saudi leaders.  “Jordan is at risk of falling into Iranian hands,” The Hill, 1-13-24.

Another op-ed, food for thought if the U.S. backs out or doesn’t stop the nuclear project.  “The US isn’t the biggest power in the Middle East any more. Iran is,” Guardian, 1-13-24.

“Tanker seized by Iran located off Qeshm Island in Persian Gulf,” Reuters, 1-13-24.  “Iran seized the St Nikolas, loaded with Iraqi crude destined for Turkey, in retaliation for the confiscation last year of the same vessel and its Iranian oil cargo by the US, Iranian state media said.”

Yes!  It is about time, after a month and many attacks.  The coalition responds to Iran’s Houthi actors’ attacks against world shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.  But none of the sites were in Iran.  “US, UK launch large-scale retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen,” ABC, 1-12-24.  “U.S. President Joe Biden, who had been under pressure to respond, but hoping to avoid risking wider Middle East conflict, issued a statement Thursday calling the move [over 70 targets in Yemen] a “defensive action” after extensive warnings. “Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces — together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands — successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways,” Biden said. “These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea — including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history. These attacks have endangered U.S. personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation.””

This is such an important development/news item regarding international law, reason, and genocide.  It is such an embarrassment for the ICJ to be hearing a case in which Iran supports South Africa in the accusation of genocide against Israel when there are no facts against Israel but instead exist for Iran.  Even if a person takes the position that any litigant/state should have ability to file their (baseless) claim at the World Court, just the fact that so many countries have not jumped on the bandwagon saying Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip are genocide should be enough for the UN Secretary General to speak up when this case was filed.  He did not.  He can’t claim the need for impartiality because, as the Israeli Supreme Court declared in the Eichmann case, no one can be impartial about genocide.  One last thought—it is so significant, and again a clear message to Iran, that the one state for which the genocide treaty was enacted (Germany, for the Holocaust against Jews (and others)) would now rightfully stand up in defense of Israel.  Thank you Germany for your courage.  See “Germany to intervene in Hague case to defend Israel against ‘baseless’ charge of ‘genocide’,” I-24 News, 1-1-12-24.  “’Hamas terrorists brutally attacked, tortured, killed, kidnapped Israeli innocents. Hamas’s goal is to wipe out Israel. Israel has been defending itself’.”

So ironic.  “Iran says US-UK attack on Houthis will fuel instability in region,” Reuters, 1-12-24.

Even though these distortions/lies were flagged and repaired, it may be that all Iran-related entries on Wikipedia will have to be put behind an editor-maintained firewall.  “Wikipedia Entries Manipulated In Line With Iran’s Propaganda,” Iran International, 1-12-24.

Iran takes a ship hostage.  “Iran Seizes Oil Tanker Linked to U.S. Sanctions Dispute,” WSJ, 1-11-24.  “Houthi attacks have already forced close to a quarter of ships to reroute to avoid the Red Sea, generally navigating instead around southern Africa, according to British shipping-intelligence company Windward. Those diversions have triggered losses of up to $40 million in weekly transit fees for Egypt’s Suez Canal and delays of up to 40 days for the rerouted ships, says Danish consulting firm Vespucci Maritime.”

“Iran identifies suspected bomb-maker behind twin blasts, arrests 35 people,” Al Jazeera, 1-11-24.

“Iran offers $100 a month to recruit Houthi rebels in war-torn Yemen,” Telegraph, 1-11-24.

“Iran identifies alleged bomb-maker behind last week’s IS twin suicide attack that killed dozens,” AP, 1-11-24.

“Iran looms large in UNSC resolution condemning Houthis,” JNS, 1-11-24.

“Houthi rebels who attacked British ship trained at elite Iranian academy,” Telegraph, 1-10-24.

Great article.  “Iran’s Strategy of Proxy Encirclement,” RealClearWire, 1-10-24.

Telling evidence of direct Regime involvement.  “Houthi rebels who attacked British ship trained at elite Iranian academy,” Telegraph, 1-10-24.

“What Is Al-Shabab? Iran-Backed Somali Terrorist Group Seizes U.N. Helicopter,” Forbes, 1-10-24.

“’Cover Or Suffer’ Prevails 88 Years After Hijab Abolition In Iran,” Iran International, 1-10-24.

It pays to pay your bills.  “Turkmenistan Stops Gas Exports To Iran Amid Winter Cold,” Iran International, 1-10-24.  “Turkmenistan’s decision to suspend gas exports to Iran dates to January 2017 when it cited Iran’s long-term delays in paying off gas debts. An International Court of Justice ruling required Iran to pay $2 billion to Turkmenistan. Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji stated that Iran had settled its principal debt to Turkmenistan until July 2022, and limited gas imports from Turkmenistan had resumed.”

Again, the King of Jordan is concerned with Iran’s actions, its attempts to send weapons (and drugs) into Jordan, which threatens attacks against the Kingdom itself, and some of these weapons go onto the West Bank.  “Jordanian jets strike Iran-linked drug dealers inside Syria -intelligence sources,” Reuters, Jerusalem Post, 1-9-24.  “Jordan and its Western allies have blamed Lebanon-based, Iran-backed Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militia who control much of southern Syria as being behind the surge in smuggling.”

“’Notoriously Opaque’: The Money Trails Linking Hamas, Al-Qaida, Sudan and Iran,” Haaertz, 1-9-24.

“BRICS: Russia & Iran End SWIFT, Start Bank Transfers in Local Currency,” Watcher.Guru, 1-9-24.

“Naval assets – including from Iran – build up in the Red Sea,” Splash, 1-9-24.

“Why Islamic State attacked Iran on the anniversary of Soleimani’s death,” Times of Israel, 1-9-24.

“Iran blames U.S. military interventions for regional instability,” Xinhua, 1-9-24.

Why?  To keep oil prices down.  “Why Iran’s Houthis Are Keeping Oil Out Of Red Sea Blockade,” Iran International, 1-9-24.

Hezbollah was supposed to attack (from the North) with Hamas on Oct. 7.  “Iran’s Siamese twins: Hezbollah and Hamas’s massacre strategy – Opinion,” Jerusalem Post, 1-9-24.

“Yarrahi, 42, was arrested in August on multiple charges in connection with a song that criticized the mandatory wearing of a headscarf for women.”  See “Iranian Singer Sentenced to Prison, Flogging, Lawyer Says,” VOA, 1-9-24.

We’ll start Jan. 8 news/comments with one of Iran’s mouthpieces in the U.S., Seyed Hossein Mousavian (at Princeton)(many of us have long called for his dismissal, and let us make that call again—he should be removed, just as the Penn and Harvard presidents were).  Notice his argument—that Israel and the U.S. have the duty to act.  Iran does not.  Since when does the aggressor get to say the attacked has to take all the next steps in order to find a remedy?  Illogical and unfounded in successful diplomacy practice.  See “War on Gaza: Only the US can stop a regional war by reigning in Israel,” MEE, 1-8-24.

“As Executions In Iran Surge, Finger Amputations Gain Pace,” Iran International, 1-8-24.

The presence of an Iranian IRGC naval vessel has raised alarm.  “Red Sea Shipping Takes Another Blow From Iran,” FP, 1-8-24.

“ISIS was behind the Kerman attack. Iran still blames Israel and the United States, though,” Atlantic Council, 1-8-24.

“Canada, UK, Sweden and Ukraine launch dispute against Iran over downing of passenger plane,” Jurist, 1-8-24.  These countries have started dispute settlement proceedings against Iran before the International Civil Aviation Organization, alleging the use of weapons (missiles) against flight PS752.  They already filed a case against Iran at the World Court/International Court of Justice under the Montreal Convention.

“From Houthis to Hezbollah, a look at the Iran-allied groups rallying to arms around Middle East,” Stars & Stripes, AP, 1-8-24.

“Former Adviser To Khamenei’s Office Secretly Executed For Espionage,” Iran International, 1-8-24.

“How Iran Abandoned the PLO in Favor of Hamas,” Middle East Forum, 1-8-24.  “Khamenei elaborated in his December 31, 1999 Friday prayers sermon. “Since my presidency [1981-89], I had this running argument with some Arab countries. I raised a point [about Israel’s rejection], but their governments said that they were not more Palestinian than the Palestinians! And they would go on to say that whatever the Palestinians wanted must be done.” For the Islamic Republic, Hamas then became the perfect anecdote. The group fulfilled an Iranian need. Born of the Muslim Brotherhood, it embraced a similar apocalyptic vision to the Islamic Republic, sectarian differences notwithstanding. Its charter stated its goal to be Israel’s elimination, not simply for Palestinian or Arab nationalist reasons, but for Islam itself. As the charter explained, “It is necessary to instill in the minds of the Muslim generations that the Palestinian problem is a religious problem, and should be dealt with on this basis.” Only three years after Arafat’s death, Hamas had become so powerful that it drove Fatah out of the Gaza Strip. Hamas’ victory, with Tehran’s encouragement, cemented the Islamist apocalyptic approach to Israel across the Islamic world. The Iranian bet on Hamas continues. While Hamas directed its October 7, 2023 terror attacks at Jews, empowering themselves in the eyes of West Bank Palestinians was an added motivation, especially as Palestinians maneuver to succeed the 88-year-old Mahmoud Abbas. The Israeli government is correct to demand the complete excision of Hamas from Gaza. The group shares an ideological bond with Iranian Islamists and marches in lockstep with them. Policymakers may debate whether Hamas is a full proxy, but this misses the point. Tehran does not need to command Hamas because the Iranian regime knows Hamas shares its goals. The cold war between Iran and the Arabs extends back decades, if not centuries. The Hamas-Fatah feud is not simply the result of an intra-Palestinian political dispute, but rather represents the Iran-Arab cold war on Palestinian turf. While many Arabs wanted to put the conflict with Israel to rest, Iran’s Islamists will continue to fight the Jewish state to the last Palestinian. Hamas is simply their latest agent.”

“Iran’s Dark Fleet: The High Cost of Clandestine Oil Exports,” OilPrice.com, 1-8-24.

“How Iranian tech empowers Houthi drone, missile attacks in the Red Sea,” C4ISR Net, 1-8-24.

32 persons, but not named.  “Iran says entire terrorist team involved in Kerman terror attack arrested,” Media Wire, 1-7-24.

“IDF finds evidence of Iranian effort to help Hamas build precision missiles,” JNS, 1-7-24.

“Iranian press review: Iranians question Russia ties after Israel killed key commander in Syria,” MEE, 1-7-24.

“Five countries destination of 80% of Iran’s export products,” Mehr, 1-7-24.

Keep in mind that Iran’s solution is the extermination/elimination of Israel.  Keep in mind that the Palestinians are not the crucial issue in the Middle East (hey, what about a Kurdish homeland?  There are more Kurds than Palestinians).  “Iran’s FM says security of Palestine, region interconnected,” CGTN, 1-7-24.

“Iran’s Oil, Gas Sectors Reportedly On Strikes,” Iran International, 1-7-24.

“Kurdish-Iranian woman whipped 74 times for not wearing hijab,” Jerusalem Post, 1-7-24.

“Iran’s Former Intelligence Minister Describes Foreign Abductions,” Iran International, 1-7-24.