“Iranian military adviser killed in Syria, reports say, two months after Iran and Israel came close to war,” CNN, 6-4-24. “Abiyar is the first member of the IRGC to be reported killed by Israel since April, when Israel is suspected to have bombed the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus.”
“US Court Finds Iran Guilty of Torturing Veteran Journalist,” Iran International, 6-4-24.
“Simin, a Christian Imprisoned for Leading a Church in Iran,” Missions Box, 6-4-24.
“Questions Begin as Registration of Candidates Ends in Iran,” Iran International, 6-3-24. How many of 80 will the Guardian Council eliminate? It is certainly not democratic.
Very rare story. “Palestinian presidency criticizes Iran’s Khamenei publicly: What we know,” Al Monitor, 6-3-24. Abbas and the Palestinians say Iran exploits them for its own purposes.
Qalibaf. “Iran’s parliament speaker registers presidential bid,” VOA, 6-3-24.
“Iran’s foreign minister confirms Oman-brokered talks ongoing with US,” Times of Israel, 6-3-24.
One subject that Russia and China do not support Iran on, for Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs in the Persian Gulf. “In rare clash with Iran, China reaffirms solidarity with UAE over disputed islands,” Al Monitor, 6-3-24.
The Guardian Council (controlled by the Ayatollah) is all that matters. “Iran’s ex-president Ahmadinejad, disqualified Larijani sign up for election,” Al Jazeera, 6-2-24.
Like Russia, at least China won’t recognize that Iran owns the three islands in the Gulf. “Iran’s foreign ministry summons Chinese ambassador in Tehran over Gulf Islands,” Reuters, 6-2-24.
“200 Days in Evin: British-Iranian Woman Jailed for Protesting,” Iran International, 6-2-24.
Iran has given its blessing to the current deal being discussed. “The current ceasefire plan is a plan to keep Hamas in power. The result will be that Hamas will return to running most of Gaza in a year and the reconstruction effort will obviously empower Hamas as it has in the past, with Hamas partnering with the donors and then each house that is reconstructed will have a Hamas minder who plans the tunnel shaft entrance and where to place launchers in or near it…and so in a few years Hamas will be back to where it was on Oct 6. Not only that, but this plan will also result in Hamas likely exploiting the war to come to power in the West Bank within 10 years. Hezbollah will not be deterred and Israelis will have trouble returning to the north and south. The Houthis and Iran will be emboldened.” See “Israel’s comprehensive proposal for Gaza hostage release revealed – report,” i24, 6-1-24.
“Female Hardliner Politician Registers to Run for Iran’s President,” Iran International,” 6-1-24. “Former female lawmaker Zohreh Elahian has registered to run in Iran’s June 28 snap presidential vote, potentially becoming the first woman ever allowed to stand if approved by the Guardian Council.”
Probably an internally favored candidate. “Senior Khamenei Official Enters Iran’s Presidential Race,” Iran International, 6-1-24. “Vahid Haghanian, a prominent and mysterious figure within the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran, has registered as a candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Haghanian, known for his elusive background and secretive role within the inner circles of the Iranian regime, has historically been a key player in facilitating the Supreme Leader’s directives across Iran’s military, cultural, economic, and political spheres.”
Ali Larijani. “Former Iran parliament speaker registers for presidential vote after Raisi death,” Reuters, 5-31-24.
This is the first time a Supreme Ayatollah has ever declared U.S. students as agents of Iran and, openly and proudly, as terrorists. “Iran Supreme Leader’s Direct Message to US College Students Sparks Fury,” Newsweek, 5-30-24. “Iran’s Supreme Leader released a message of support for American college students who have participated in pro-Palestine protests. “Dear university students in the United States of America, you are standing on the right side of history,” Ali Khamenei wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. His comments sparked fury on social media, with several people suggesting that having support from the authoritarian leader was not a good thing. House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X: “When you’ve won the Ayatollah, you’ve lost America.” A popular right-wing X account, End Wokeness, wrote: “Imagine telling someone 10 years ago that the Iranian Supreme Leader would be thanking a bunch of blue-haired atheists at Columbia.” Several other X accounts, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Orthodox rabbi and adjunct professor David Bashevkin, suggested that having Khamenei’s support might suggest the protesters are actually on the wrong side of history. Iran’s Supreme Leader also shared a piece of advice with American students, writing on X: “Dear university students in the US, my advice to you is to become familiar with the Quran.” Khamenei also released a longer open letter, in which he wrote that he wanted to express “empathy and solidarity” with student protesters. “You have now formed a branch of the Resistance Front and have begun an honorable struggle in the face of your government’s ruthless pressure—a government which openly supports the usurper and brutal Zionist regime,” he wrote. Khamenei also invoked antisemitic tropes about Jewish people controlling the media. “The global Zionist elite—who owns most US and European media corporations or influences them through funding and bribery—has labeled this courageous, humane resistance movement as “terrorism,” ” Khamenei wrote.
This is actually a 35+ year problem in Europe. “Iran Behind Attacks on Israeli Embassies in NATO Countries: Mossad,” Newsweek, 5-30-24.
That the hall was almost empty should be a sign to the UN that its member states believe the UN made a mistake honoring the memory of the Butcher of Tehran. “UN General Assembly Hall Empty During Raisi Memorial,” Iran International, 5-30-24. And see 5-30-24 AFP, “Tribute to late Iranian president at UN stirs anger.”
“Mossad says Iran behind attacks on Israeli targets in Sweden, Belgium,” Al Monitor, 5-30-24. “Foxtrot’s rival gang RUMBA was also allegedly recruited by Iran. … Fears ahead of Olympic Games in Paris.” … Mossad Director David Barnea has been warning of Iranian attempts to target Israelis and Jews in Europe. In September, Barnea revealed that in 2023, his agency and other Israeli agencies and international partners had foiled 27 Iranian plots against Israelis around the world, on almost every continent, including in Tanzania, Georgia, Cyprus, Greece and Germany.”
“Russia Uses Drones Carrying Newest Iranian Glide Bombs,” Kyiv Post, 5-28-24.
Where else in the world do you hear chants of “Death to America” during a funeral? “Iran’s supreme leader leads prayers at Raisi funeral,” BBC, 5-22-24.
Nuclear bomb here we come. Thus sayeth CRR and Brookings experts. “What the Death of Iran’s President Really Means,” Politico, 5-22-24.
When Iran inserts a Regime member into American academia, these types of opinion pieces continue. Many persons besides me continue to call on Princeton to divest itself from this person, Seyed Mousavian. Here is the latest article, which makes the claim “Iran could seek another unifying president like Raisi”—he was anything but. Just ask any Iranian or Syrian, or Lebanese citizen, let along Israeli or Yemeni or Saudi. Or ask someone from Afghanistan or UAE. Or how about Jordan. Don’t forget Iraq. And this is just the start, we haven’t touched Europe or North America. (Mousavian attempts to portray Raisi as a positive “unifier” for the Regime, bringing together a president who aligned the executive with the legislature and the Supreme Leader. But this is anything but unity, as Mousavian does not address, that the Leader’s / Regime’s policies are deadly for Iranians and the region). See the piece at “Ebrahim Raisi: The president’s death leaves Iran at a crossroads,” MEE, 5-21-24.
“Thousands on streets for Iranian president’s funeral after crash,” BBC, 5-21-24.
“Iran’s rulers crack down on expressions of joy at Raisi’s death,” VOA, 5-21-24. “[S]everal citizens who reported being ordered by security agencies to remove online content expressing joy at Raisi’s demise. The head of Iran’s cyber police had warned a day earlier that authorities were “carefully monitoring cyberspace” and advised citizens to refrain from publishing “provocative” content.”
“After Raisi’s Death, Elections Pose Tricky Test for Iran’s Rulers,” NYT, 5-21-24.
“The death of the president changes the power dynamics in Iran,” Economist, 5-21-24.
“Who is Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s acting foreign minister?,” Al Jazeera, 5-21-24.
