{"id":173,"date":"2020-01-17T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-18T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/?p=173"},"modified":"2020-02-07T12:22:43","modified_gmt":"2020-02-07T18:22:43","slug":"2019-news_22","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/2019-news_22\/","title":{"rendered":"2019 News through August"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\u201cTehran Court Sentences May Day Demonstrators To Jail, Lashes,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 31, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nAugust 31, 2019.  Told you.  The court in Gibraltar should never have believed Iran that it would not send its tanker to Syria.  \u201cIranian Tanker Headed to Lebanon, Not Turkey,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, Reuters, August 30, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Decides To Revise Controversial Rule Restricting Freedom To Choose Lawyer,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 30, 2019.  There\u2019s nothing \u2018moderate\u2019 about the Iranian foreign minister, who is now threatening a U.S. think tank.  \u201cStop Indulging Javad Zarif<\/a>,\u201d Mark Dubowitz and Reuel Marc Gerecht, op-ed, Wall Street Journal, August 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian satellite launch fails due to technical issues: Official,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsrael: Iran, Hezbollah intensifying missile efforts,\u201d<\/a> Josef Federman, AP, Washington Post, August 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 29, 2019.  Iranian civil rights activist Saba Kord Afshari has been sentenced to 24 years behind bars, including 15-years for taking off her hijab in public \u2014 an act that authorities say promoted \u201ccorruption and prostitution.\u201d  See \u201cIranian civil rights activist gets prison for taking off hijab in public,\u201d<\/a> Amanda Woods, New York Post, August 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS Cyberattack Hurt Iran\u2019s Ability to Target Oil Tankers,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, August 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe Israel-Iran Shadow War Escalates and Breaks Into the Open,\u201d<\/a> David Halbfinger, Ben Hubbard, and Ronen Bergman, New York Times, August 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 28, 2019.  Corruption continues in the \u201cjustice\u201d system.  The former mayor did not have to pay a blood price per the family of the murdered wife, and walks out of prison<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\u201cFormer Mayor of Tehran Released After Conviction For Wife\u2019s Murder,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, August 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Has Secret Weapons That Could \u2018Punish The Enemies In The Furthest Points\u2019,General Claims\u201d<\/a> Jason Lemon, Newsweek, August 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 27, 2019.  I guess it doesn\u2019t matter that Instagram and Youtube are banned in the Islamic Republic.  \u201cZarif Invites Iranians To Watch His Ted Tal kOn Banned Youtube,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, August 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 27, 2019.  Iran has set its demands\u2014It wants to export a minimum of 700,000 barrels per day of its oil and ideally up to 1.5 million bpd if the West wants to negotiate with Tehran to save a 2015 nuclear deal, two Iranian officials and one diplomat told Reuters.  In addition, \u201cIran\u2019s ballistic missile program cannot and will not be negotiated.\u201d  Case closed.  They want their cake and to eat it, too, as the old saying goes.  \u201cExclusive: Iran says it will not negotiate missile work, wants to export more oil,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran deploys naval destroyer to secure Iranian ships in Gulf of Aden: Press TV,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 26, 2019.  So the bridge from Iran to Lebanon and its history are being discussed more, and publicly.  The Iranian Crescent continues, along with the strategy.  Iran continues to push the Revolution and control in the region.<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\u201cThe Images and Maps Behind Iran\u2019s \u2018Land Bridge\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, August 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cTehran Orders Crackdown as Wealthy Use Ambulances to Beat Traffic,\u201d<\/a> Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, August 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 26, 2019.  There is some sort of a morality statement going on.  The IRGC\u2019s ship, the Adrian Darya, formerly called Grace 1, is not going to a definite port and is drifting literally west of Crete\u2014no country appears ready to embrace a terrorist-supporting vessel.  \u201cIranian tanker no longer has Turkey destination: shipping data,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 26, 2019.  The head of Iran\u2019s Quds force, Qassem Soleimani, in reacting to an Israeli air strike in Syria and the crash of two Israeli drones in a Beirut suburb this weekend, tweeted on Sunday with a picture of himself that, \u201cThese insane operations are absolutely last struggles of the Zionist Regime\u201d in three languages.  So, let\u2019s see if he\u2019s correct?  There have been several hundred Israeli air attacks against Iranian assets for well over a year now, with analysts from various countries usually saying they were successful, in Syria and beyond.  Apparently Soleimani is not thinking of the immediate past\u2014maybe he is just trying to rally the troops who keep on getting beat back by Israel.  \u201cIsrael Drawing Its Last Breaths, Says Iranian Commander Behind Foiled Drone Attack,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Seen Preparing For Space Launch,\u201d<\/a> Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, August 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nAugust 26, 2019.  Another ironic story coming from Iran.  \u201cRejection of international law on the rise, Iran\u2019s foreign minister says,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cEnvironmentalists filmed Iran\u2019s vanishing cheetahs.  Now they could be executed for spying,\u201d<\/a> Erin Cunningham and Ben Guarino, The Washington Post, LMT, August 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian women allowed to watch World Cup qualifier in stadium: official,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cIranian Official Makes Surprise Appearance on Sidelines of G<\/span>7 Summit,\u201d<\/span><\/a> Peter Baker and Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, August 25, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 26, 2019.  It doesn\u2019t matter I suppose that the UN is not enforcing its travel ban against Iranian General Soleimani, right?!  Israel\u2019s army chief says the Quds Force\u2019s commander personally oversaw the attack planned in a Golan Heights base against Israel.  This immediately begs the question\u2014did Israel target him when knocking out the planned suicide drone attack?  \u201cIsrael Says Iran\u2019s Quds Force Team Arrived in Syria Months Ago to Prepare for Drone Attack,\u201d<\/a> Yaniv Kubovich, Haaretz, August 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Denies Targets Hit In Israel Syria Strike,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, Reuters, August 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsrael says jets hit targets in Syria to prevent Iranian drone attack,\u201d<\/a> DW, August 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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August 25, 2019.  This news, this time from a different media outlet, deserves more comment.  <\/span>\u201cIran Threatens Actions by \u2018Security Institutions\u2019 Against D.C. Think Tank,\u201d<\/a> Amir Tibon, Haaretz, August 25, 2019.  Dubowitz told Haaretz on Saturday that \u201cthe statement from the Iranian foreign ministry suggests that they have put FDD and me on a targets list, not just a sanctions list. According to the statement, they did this after consulting with the Quds Force, Iran\u2019s extraterritorial terrorist group responsible for assassinations and terrorism around the world; the Ministry of Intelligence, which supports and sometimes conducts these assassinations and terrorist acts; as well as with judiciary, defense and central bank officials.\u201d  Iran threatened on Saturday to take action against a Washington based think tank, The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, in response to the organization\u2019s promotion of economic pressure against the Islamic Republic. The official Iranian announcement included a reference to actions by the country\u2019s \u201csecurity institutions,\u201d drawing strong condemnation from current and former U.S. government officials.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nAugust 25, 2019.  Iran\u2019s Foreign Ministry says it has imposed sanctions on the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies and its CEO — saying the organization has promoted sanctions and \u201ceconomic terrorism\u201d against Iran.  \u201cIran Announces \u2018Sanctions\u2019 Against Washington-Based Think Tank,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, August 24, 2019.  But more than that, according to \u201cTerror-sponsor Iran threatens Washington thinktank with actions by \u2018security apparatuses\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Joel Gehrke, Hunter Lovell, Washington Examiner, August 24, 2019, this is actually a physical threat.  Iran has threatened that any actions taken against it by \u201csecurity apparatuses\u201d will be \u201cconsidered legitimate\u201d by Tehran.  The ominous warning to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and its staff was in state-controlled media, which cited a law titled \u201cCountering America\u2019s Human Rights Violation and Adventurous and Terrorist Actions\u201d that was passed by the Iranian Parliament in 2017.  Iran\u2019s FM said such actions were justified by FDD\u2019s support for sanctions and advocating against the JCPOA.  \u201cAccordingly, taking any actions by the judicial and security apparatuses against the FDD and their Iranian and non-Iranian accomplices will be considered legitimate as their actions are against the Iran\u2019s national security and the interests of Iranian people and government,\u201d the state-run Mehr news agency wrote.  FDD responded that, \u201cThe regime has a history of targeted assassinations on European soil, places in the Gulf, Latin America, Asia . . .  We\u2019re treating it as a targets list, not a sanctions list.  I do think we have a sufficient profile with the U.S. administration, with Congress, and other allies that if the Iranians went after us, this would be a significant escalatory step.  But, I also don\u2019t want to say that that necessarily will deter their behavior.  They tried to assassinate a Saudi ambassador in Cafe Milano right in the heart of Washington, D.C.\u201d  In 2011, Iran\u2019s plan to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S. at the Cafe Milano restaurant in Washington\u2019s Georgetown district was thwarted, and one of the plotters sentenced to 25 years.  Two remain in Iran.  A number of U.S. academics have participated in FDD events, which are high quality educational events\u2014this will not deter FDD or those who participate.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Test-Fires New Missile Amid Rising Tensions With US,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Forces Network, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nAugust 24, 2019.  For those who don\u2019t believe in the 12th Imam, or that Iran is trying to spread its Revolution, or that it is the desire of the Regime to bring back the Mahdi with an apocalyptic event, see if you can explain what Pres. Rouhani and his vice president and appointees are doing renewing their loyalty to a dead person, the first Supreme Ayatollah.  \u201cRouhani, cabinet team renew loyalty to Imam Khomeini,\u201d<\/a> Tehran Times, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nAugust 24, 2019.  Ironic and funny at the same time.  \u201cToday we have very accurate missiles which we have not publicized,\u201d Iranian Deputy Defense Minister General Qassem Taqizadeh said to Fars news agency.  See \u201cIran has highly accurate missiles which it has not publicized:deputy defense minister,\u201d<\/a> WTV, Fars, August 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Is Building an AI Supercomputer With or Without U.S. Processors,\u201d<\/a> Dana  Miller, Interesting Engineering, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Issues Sanctions on Top Trump Admin Officials, Sen. Cruz,\u201d<\/a> Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsrael hits Iranian force in Syria to stop \u2018killer drones\u2019 \u2013 military,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIraqi Woman Allegedly Beaten At Iranian Airport Sparks Outrage Within Iraq,\u201d<\/a> Zachary Keyser, Jerusalem Post, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran oil tanker now heading towards Turkey,\u201d<\/a> The Hindu, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cCriticism of Larijani reflects pressures within Iran\u2019s ruling class,\u201d<\/a> The Arab Weekly, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran test fires new missile: Iran Revolutionary Guards commander,\u201d<\/a> Emma Beswick, Euronews, Reuters, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Regime Stokes More Antisemitism Amid Gulf Tensions, ADL Report,”<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSugar Factory Director Arrested In Iran On Charges Of ‘Corruption,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian oil tanker changes course to Turkey,\u201d<\/a> DW, August 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nAugust 23, 2019.  Again, Iran shoots down a U.S. drone.  It is irresponsibly media-wise for CNN Barbara Starr to minimize this because she says it is pilot-less.  What penalty does Iran have to pay?  Can it shoot down multiple drones costing millions of dollars scot-free?  \u201cUS blames Iran after drone is downed in Yemen,\u201d<\/a> Barbara Starr and Zachary Cohen, CNN, August 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nAugust 23, 2019.  So the bridge from Iran to Lebanon and its history are being discussed more, and publicly.  The Iranian Crescent continues, along with the strategy.  Iran continues to push the Revolution and control in the region.<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\u201cThe Images and Maps Behind Iran\u2019s \u2018Land Bridge\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, August 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cReleased Iranian Oil Tanker Switches Direction, Heads for Turkey,\u201d<\/a> Will Hadfield, Catherine Traywick, Bloomberg, August 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSecurity Forces In Iran Arrest 12 of 14 Activists Demanding Khamenei\u2019s Resignation,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nAugust 22, 2019.  We are again reminded why the U.S. announced it was sanctioning the FM of Iran.  During his trip to Sweden, confronting repeated questions about the fate of an Iranian scientist who is a Swedish resident (Ahmad Reza Djalali (Jalali)), Zarif said that President Rouhani\u2019s government \u201cwould do its best\u201d to see if the death sentence on the Swedish-Iranian scientist can be delayed.  Zarif once again used his well-known excuse in such situations, declaring \u201cIn Iran the judiciary is independent.\u201d  Every study of the Iranian judiciary says the opposite\u2014it is not independent, it is controlled by the Supreme Leader and those he appoints, and these poor hostages will continue to be used as pawns.  Djalali is a medical doctor and researcher who has been in jail in Iran since 2016 on charges of \u201cespionage\u201d with a death sentence.  He was arrested by Iranian intelligence while visiting Iran to attend a scientific conference at the invitation of the University of Tehran.  See \u201cSwedish-Iranians In Stockholm Protest Zarif\u2019s Visit,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe CEO Of A Major Automaker Arrested In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIs Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani Iran\u2019s Ultimate Negotiator?,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, August 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsraeli Airstrike Hits Weapons Depot in Iraq,\u201d<\/a> Alissa Rubin and Ronen Bergman, New York Times, August 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsraeli Satellite Imaging Shows How Iran\u2019s Land Bridge Is Under Attack,\u201d<\/a> Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, August 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTwo Lawmakers In Iran Arrested In Connection With Auto Industry Corruption,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe US-Iranian scuffle over a ship is a sideshow to events in the Gulf,\u201d<\/a> Simon Henderson, op-ed, The Hill, August 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Unveils A Longe-Range Air-Defense System For A Second Time,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nAugust 21, 2019.  An Iranian administrative court has reaffirmed the continuing massive discrimination there against Baha\u2019is.  The issue here was banning of Baha\u2019is from university education, not just government employment or other issues.  The student appealed based on the violation of his human and civil rights because Iran is a treaty party to human rights agreements including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  \u201cAppellate Branch of Administrative Justice Court Confirms: Iran\u2019s Baha\u2019is Not Entitled to University Education,”<\/a> Iran Press Watch, August 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPres. Rouhani signs into law formation of ministry of tourism,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, August 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cReport: US, Russia gave Israel green light to strike Iran in Syria, Iraq,\u201d<\/a> Judah Ari Gross and Toi Staff, Times of Israel, August 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAras Amiri: British Council worker jailed in Iran a \u2018bargaining chip\u2019,\u201d<\/a> BBC, August 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranlooks to slash four zeroes from its spiraling currency,\u201d<\/a> CNBC, August 21 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRealizations of Forced Confessions In Assassination Cases Shake Iran,”<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, August 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS blames Iran after drone is downed in Yemen,\u201d<\/a> Barbara Starr and Zachary Cohen, CNN, August 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nAugust 20, 2019.  If you want to be the next Supreme Leaders, don\u2019t get into an argument with the head of the body who appoints the next Supreme Leader (Mohammad Yazdi oversees the Assembly of Experts).  Not smart by Larijani.  \u201cThe Battle For Succession In Iran Takes Its Toll,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c\u2018Dismay\u2019 as Iran upholds spying sentence against British Council worker,\u201d<\/a> Negar Mortazavi, Independent, August 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cMayor In Iran Says His Children Abroad Are \u2018Ambassadors\u2019 Of Regime,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 20, 2019.  Makes our day!  AEO director Ali Akbar Salehi has told the Parliament that Iran plans to produce IR-8 centrifuges, which are 20 times more powerful than the first-generation equipment Iran has been using for uranium enrichment.  \u201cIran Planning Powerful, New Generation Centrifuges To Boost Enrichment,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran curbs jailed British-Iranian aid worker’s family contacts \u2013 BBC,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNew Iranian Tanker Headed To Syria In Violation Of US Sanctions \u2013 Report,”<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, August 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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August 19, 2019.  Any thoughts of a Larijani being the next Supreme Leader had already passed some time ago.  But the news of this corruption case seems to be a significant spike against the five Larijani brothers and their respective positions in Iran\u2019s leadership and politics.  They are Majles Speaker Ali Larijani, Former Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Larijani, Former Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, former deputy Health Minister Baqer Larijani, and former diplomat turned businessman Fazel Larijani.  \u201cWhat\u2019s Happening In Iran? A Long-Time Khamenei Ally Under Fire<\/a>,\u201d Radio Farda, August 17, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cTop Iranian official: We should never have signed Obama-era nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> Ali Arouzi, NBC, August 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian tanker sought by U.S. heading toward Greece,\u201d<\/a> AP, Los Angeles Times, August 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Using Dual National Detainees As Economic Bargaining Chips \u2013 Analysis,”<\/a> Tara Kavaler, Jerusalem Post, August 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Lawmakers Say Family Members Of Officials Residing Abroad Must Return,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIs Iran\u2019s national broadcaster being pushed to brink of irrelevance?,\u201d<\/a> Kourosh Ziabari, Al Monitor, August 19, 2019. <\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSystemic corruption threatens Tehran regime\u2019s future,\u201d<\/a> Mohammed Al-Sulami, Arab News, August 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe CEO Of A Major Automaker Arrested In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cGibraltar rejects U.S. request to seize Iranian oil tanker,\u201d<\/a> Liz Sly, Washington Post, August 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 18, 2019.  Later in the day, I’m adding to my blog comments on this topic–“Iran has given no assurances over the Grace 1 not going to Syria to secure its release,” the state broadcaster’s youth website quoted foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi as saying Friday.  “The tanker’s destination was not Syria … and even if it was, it did not concern anyone else.”  So, whatever Iran\u2019s lawyer told the court in Gibraltar is 180 degrees different than what Iran\u2019s government is now saying through its foreign ministry.  See \u201cIran denies giving Gibraltar assurances for release of tanker,\u201d<\/a> Amir Havasi, ,AFP, August 16, 2019, and regarding Iran promising to not deliver to Syria, \u201cGibraltar releases Iranian oiltanker,\u201d<\/a> DW, August 16, 2019, and “Gibraltar releases Iran supertanker that US sought to seize,\u201d<\/a> AP, Times Free Press, AP, August 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 18, 2019.  It is being reported that \u201cIranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Friday said the country had made no commitments to gain the release of its tanker, while the chief minister of Gibraltar insisted on the written assurances it had received.\u201d  Iran is saying that it can take the oil to Syria.  So, just as I wrote on this blog recently, watch what Iran does\u2014will it keep its word (agreed to and recorded in the Gibraltar court\u2019s order)?  \u201cIranian oil tanker Grace 1 is free, but may not be leaving Gibraltar anytime soon,\u201d<\/a> CBS, August 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIran arrests female photojournalist for attending soccer game dressed as a man,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, August 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUN Expert Blasts Iran On Rights Violations, Executions Of Children,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, August 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHow Israel Can Deter Iran,\u201d Benny Morris, op-ed, Haaretz, August 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Aggression And The Shi\u2019ite Apocalypse,\u201d<\/a> Lela Gilbert, op-ed, Jerusalem Post, August 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cOutspoken Iran Professor Receives One Year Prison Sentence,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cIran Releases Four Women Arrested For Trying To Watch Men\u2019s Soccer,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\nAugust 17, 2019.  Iran continues to attempt to divide Western allies such as the U.S. and the UK.  It also wants this oil to be sold to support the IRGC.  <\/span>\u201cGibraltar releases Iranian tanker despite US move to block it,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Rebecca Kheel, The Hill, August 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Intelligence Ministry And A Major Financial Corruption Case,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUN expert: Executions in Iran among the world\u2019s highest,\u201d<\/a> Edith Lederer, AP, Star Tribune, August 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran gets diplomatic win against US in standoff over IRGC-linked oil tanker,\u201d<\/a> Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, August 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe Latest: US unveils seizure warrant for Iranian tanker,\u201d<\/a> AP, Washington Post, August 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cImagery shows a possible imminent rocket launch by Iran,\u201d<\/a> CNN, August 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cWhat\u2019s Happening In Iran? A Long-Time Khamenei Ally Under Fire,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 16, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>August 16, 2019.  A rare glimpse into the opaque and corrupt judiciary system.  <\/span>\u201cKhamenei Orders Internal Cleansing Of Iran\u2019s Judiciary – Intelligence Official,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 15, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cThe real Iran \u2013 and the reasons why it\u2019s one of the most paradoxical countries in the world,\u201d <\/a>Jack Straw, op-ed, i-news, August 15, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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<\/span>August 15, 2019.  Two things that jump out at everyone.  First, watch where the tanker goes.  Iran has promised it will not go to Syria.  This means that its oil can\u2019t be unloaded (say, in Turkey) and then reloaded later to go to Syria.  Second, let\u2019s watch to see if Iran will release the UK\u2019s tanker held hostage in Bandar Abbas.  It was seized as collateral (really blackmail) to release the Gibraltar ship.  Will Iran keep its word?  <\/span>\u201cGibraltar Releases Iran Supertanker That US Sought to Seize,\u201d<\/a> Jon Gambrell and Aritz Parra, AP, August 15, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cIran Activists Criticize Tehran For Signing Controversial Caspian Legal Regime,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 15, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\n\u201cIran judiciary chief defends internal corruption probe,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor, August 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cIran Says US Mission in Gulf Not Needed,\u201d<\/a> Adil Al-Salmi, Asharq Al-Awsat, August 15, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cWorkers Prosecuted In Iran For Continuing Protests,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 15, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cMystery $15m Iran shipment exposes Australian-owned firm to sanctions threat,\u201d<\/a> Christopher Knaus, The Guardian, August 15, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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<\/span>“Iran Arrests British-Iranian Academic Amid Tanker Standoff With U.K.,\u201d<\/a> Ceylan Yeginsu, New York Times, August 14, 2019.<\/span>
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\nAugust 14, 2019.  A significant story, the first I\u2019ve seen (at least in recent memory) of the Ayatollah admitting support for the Houthis.  This has been financially, politically, and via military for several years now, attempting to spread the Revolution through chaos and pressure against neighboring states.  Remember the method of operation\u2014spread fear and chaos through local support of an underground against the i.e. ruling power (say Bahrain or Lebanon, etc.) then call for dialogue because an open invasion is impossible.  That becomes a negotiated new reality, with a persons of power or a legislative minority that leans toward the Iranian Regime.  The influence in the region expands.  It is a years-long strategy to revise the Middle East and the Islamic World.  That is what we see in this story of Khamenei backing Yemen\u2019s Houthis and now calling for dialogue several years in.  \u201cIran\u2019s Khamenei backs Yemen\u2019s Houthi movement, calls for dialogue,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Khamenei Receives Letter from Houthi Leader,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, August 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPompeo Warns against Imminent End of UN Arms Embargo on Iran,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, August 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSwiss Intel Report: Iran Will Wait Trump Gov\u2019t Out On Nuclear Pact,\u201d<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, August 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cKameel Ahmady: British-Iranian academic \u2018arrested in Iran\u2019,\u201d<\/a> BBC, August 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n“Iran Executes inmates in Raja\u2019i Shahr and Mashhad Central Prisons,\u201d<\/a> Iran HRM, August 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Superstar Banned For What Could Prove To Be Suppression Of Dissent,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTop Security Man In Iran Accused Of Corruption By Whistle Blower,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 13, 2019.  It is not unusual for Iran\u2019s media to be used to try to craft political realities.  Notice the promotion of a hoped-for reality without attributes by the Iranian spokesman.  \u201cGibraltar Denies It is Due to Release Seized Iranian Tanker,\u201d<\/a> VOA, August 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSanctioning Iran\u2019s foreign minister isn\u2019t as dire as it may sound,\u201d<\/a> Jason Brodsky, op-ed, The Hill, August 13, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 12, 2019.  He is not the first, nor will he be the last (tortured to gain a \u201ctortured\u201d confession).  \u201c\u2018Iran tortured me into confessing to be an Israeli spy\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Jiyar Gol, BBC Persian, August 12, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Arrests 10 Political Activists Caling for Khamenei\u2019s Resignation,\u201d<\/a> Zachary Keyser, Jerusalem Post, August 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRussia, Iran, Others Debate How to Split Caspian Oil Riches,\u201d<\/a> AP, VOA, August 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran detains freelance photographer and culture reporter Nooshin Jafari,\u201d<\/a> Committee to Protect Journalists, August 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 11, 2019.  An enlightening article about Iran\u2019s secretive oil business.  \u201cU.S. Sanctions Turn Iran\u2019s Oil Industry Into Spy vs. Spy,\u201d<\/a> Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran warns of war if Israeli warships enter Persian Gulf,\u201d<\/a> Nicholas Sakelaris, UPI, August 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRussia, Iran, others debate how to split Caspian oil riches,\u201d<\/a> Alexander Vershinin, AP, August 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cInternational Pressure on Iran Escalates Conflict among Intelligence Bodies,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, August 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cOutspoken Iran Academic Says Rigid Political System Cannot Be Reformed,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran unveils \u2018improved\u2019 radar air defense system,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, Israel Hayom, August 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 10, 2019.  In \u201cU.S. Verdict Allowing Seizure of Iran-Linked Manhattan Skyscraper Is Overturned,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, New York Times, August 9, 2019, we read and communicate to Iran and others that the rule of law and due process are hallmarks of the American legal system, and we ask that the Iranian government does the same for its country.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Game of Drones: The Growing Threat from the Sky,\u201d<\/a> Ali Bakeer, National Interest, August 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cCitizenship For Children Of Iranian Mothers Still In Limbo,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 9, 2019.  Just the other day someone commented to me, \u201cWhen the old guard [1979 mullahs, etc.] die, the large younger generation will be able to make Iran right.\u201d  My response\u2014even with demographics changing, there is a growing thugocracy, a ruling class of religious figures with IRGC military might and corruption and crime that has taken over the government in the past 15 years especially.  \u201cIran\u2019s Clerics Increasingly Worried As People Adopt Western Lifestyles,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 9, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cProminent Writer in Iran Sentenced To Prison – Female Journalist Arrested,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThree Women Issued Lengthy Prison Sentences for Peacefully Protesting Iran\u2019s Mandatory Hijab Law,\u201d<\/a> Center for Human Rights in Iran, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSyria, Iran, and Venezuela take part in Russian tank \u2018biathlon\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Euronews, AP, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran has imprisoned a historian for three years. Here\u2019s why his research matters,\u201d<\/a> Teresa Davis, op-ed, Washington Post, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBahrain urges Iran to stop maritime navigation threats,\u201d<\/a> AA, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWife of US student held in Iran says husband \u2018not a spy\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Eric Tucker, AP, Star Tribune, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDesignated head of Europe-Iran trade entity won\u2019t take job,\u201d<\/a> AP, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Intel Officials Eye Disinformation Campaign Targeting John Bolton\u2019s Family,\u201d<\/a> Lachlan Markay, Adam Rawnsley, Daily Beast, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nAugust 8, 2019.  The Ayatolllah has spoken\u2014No Soccer Games for Women.  \u201cIran Prosecutor Defies FIFA On Stadium Entrance Ban For Women,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHas Ebrahim Raisi Been Tagged As Iran\u2019s Next Supreme Leader?,\u201d<\/a> Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, August 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Traffic Police Switch to Electronic Ticketing,\u201d<\/a> Financial Tribune, August 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBahrain targeted by Iranian hackers as tensions rise in the Persian Gulf,\u201d<\/a> Duncan Riley, Silicon Angle, August 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran: US bases in the region are possible targets for our army,\u201d<\/a> Middle East Monitor, August 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran is reportedly jamming ship GPS navigation systems to get them to wander into Iranian waters,\u201d<\/a> Ryan Pickrell, Business Insider, August 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran urges United Nations head to oppose U.S. sanctions on Foreign Minister,\u201d<\/a> Michelle Nichols, Reuters, The Globe and Mail, August 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThreat To US From Iranian-Backed Forces In Iraq Increases, US Report Says,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, August 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHigh-Level Cyber Intrusions Hit Bahrain Amid Tensions With Iran,\u201d<\/a> Bradley Hope, Warren Strobel, Dustin Volz, Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nAugust 7, 2019.  Somebody contact Saddam Hussein and tell him someone is stealing his line from the Persian Gulf War.  \u201cWar with Iran is the mother of all wars: Iran president,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFormer Tehran Mayor Accused Of Donating Billions Of Rials To His Wife\u2019s Charity,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran unveils three new precision-guided missiles,\u201d<\/a> AFP, August 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWould China Sanction Iran To Stop An Israeli Attack? \u2013 Analysis,\u201d<\/a> Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, August 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFourteen Iranian Women\u2019s Rights Activists Call On Khamenei To Resign,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, Radio Farda, August 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Boosts Aide To HAMAS To $360 Million \u2013 Reports,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n August 6, 2019.  The entire article is educational about life in Iran under the Regime.  See \u201cAmid Iran\u2019s Envrionmental, Economic Crises, Kahamenei Urges Having More Babies,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, August 6, 2019.  \u201cAmid an economic crisis, international sanctions and increasing tensions with the US, Iran’s Supreme Leader is urging Iranians to have more babies.  In a meeting with young newlywed couples, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei encouraged government officials to provide more support to families in order to increase the Islamic republic’s population, adding that “having more children should turn into a culture,” according to his website.  “When the population is large, righteous individuals will naturally be larger in number, capabilities will naturally be more and human resources will obviously be more advanced,” said Khamenei. The supreme leader presented China and India as examples of how countries with larger populations achieve more, neglecting to mention that both countries have implemented measures to restrict population growth.  The annual population growth rate in Iran was 3.7% in 1976 with a population of 33 million, but has plummeted to 1.25% since then with a current population of 82 million, according to Radio Farda. Prior to the 1979 revolution, Iranian officials were concerned about the high growth rate, but now Islamic republic leaders are unhappy with the slower rate.  The size of families has also decreased in Iran alongside a smaller birth rate and a higher age of marriage. In the 2016 census, about 10 million Iranians aged 20-39 were single.  The highest fertility rates are found in poorer countries in Africa, including Niger with a rate of 7.2 children per woman and Somalia with a rate of 6.2. Iran’s current total fertility rate is 2.5 children per woman.  Khamenei stressed that the people of Iran agree with his opinion, but “the officials who should pursue it in practice and prepare the ground are not doing what is necessary.”  In the 1990s, Iran offered free contraceptive services and issued “religious edicts in favor of vasectomies” due to fears of a population explosion, according to Farda.  Under direct orders issued by Khamenei to the conservative government of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, progressive laws on family planning were reversed, access to contraceptives was restricted and voluntary sterilization was outlawed.  Ahmadinejad promised a cash gift of about $1,000 for every child born, but the promise was never kept.  The supreme leader promotes the idea of an Iran with at least 150 million people and insisted in 2011 that “The country would face an aging population in the not-too-distant future if couples refuse to have more children.”  Critics at the time claimed that his concerns were unfounded, since 70% of the nation’s population were under the age of 35, but the budget for family planning was eliminated in any case.  The Islamic republic is also facing severe environmental issues, including a water shortage which would only be exacerbated by a larger population, according to Radio Farda.  “Stop repeating the shibboleth and saying our country is great. Our resources are limited,” said Isa Kalantari, the head of Iran’s Department of Environment, last year. “Without guaranteed imports, it will not be wise to increase the country’s population,” said Kalantari, adding that the nation will be left with no water in less than 50 years.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\u201cFIFA Deadline Looms For Iran To Allow Women Attend Football Matches,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says it will further breach nuclear deal in one month unless Europeans act,\u201d<\/a> Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, August 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAt What Cost? The Price for Media Access to Iran,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin, VOA, August 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 5, 2019.  In exchange for a five-fold cash increase, Hamas has reportedly been asked to give Iran information on the location of Israel\u2019s missile stockpiles.  \u201cIran said increasing Hamas funding to $30m per month, wants intel on Israel,\u201d<\/a> Michael Bachner, Toi Staff, Times of Israel, August 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHezbollah allies intensify hunt for main critic of Syrian regime,\u201d<\/a> Khaled Yacoub Oweis, The National, August 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran again declares: The Persian Gulf is sovereign Iranian territory,\u201d<\/a> Jewish News Syndicate, MEMRI, August 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran: Jailed Environmentalists on Hunger Strike,\u201d<\/a> Human Rights Watch, August 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIn Iran, Court Rules In Favor Of Female Motorcyclist, And It Gets Motors Running,\u201d<\/a> Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE\/RL, August 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 5, 2019.  We don\u2019t know how this Canadian or the two hard rock musicians escaped Iran (they wisely didn\u2019t tell the media), but they really wanted freedom.  \u201cResident of Canada Escapes From Jail in Iran, Returns Home,\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
\nAsharq Al-Awsat, August 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

\nAugust 5, 2019.  This article, \u201cIranian metalheads avoid prison, commence rocking Norway,\u201d<\/a> Justin Rohrlich, Quartz, August 3, 2019, has some interesting points, and along with the Canadian paroled hostage is instructive about the desire to flee Iran.  \u201cBut the men were already gone, and the sentencing symbolic. After their initial arrest and conviction in 2017, but before the appeals process began, Khosravi, who was under a state-imposed travel ban at the time, hired a smuggler to sneak him across the border into Turkey. Last December, Khosravi made his way to Harstad, a town of 25,000 in northern Norway.  Ilkhani, who had chosen to stay in Tehran for the appeals process, became extremely concerned after a contentious court hearing led him to believe he\u2019d soon be jailed. In late February, he called Khosravi, who in turn contacted the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN), the Norway-based NGO that got him to Harstad, and asked for help.  Unlike Khosravi, the Iranian government hadn\u2019t imposed a travel ban on Ilkhani. He too fled to Turkey, where Dyvik said there is \u201calways a fear that Iranian agents are operating\u201d within the country. In early March, Ilkhani arrived in Harstad, which ICORN designated an \u201cofficial city of refuge for musicians\u201d in 2014.  Iran\u2019s theocratic leadership does not tolerate dissent, and human rights groups have long decried its record on restricting freedom of expression. Women are regularly jailed for dancing or not covering their heads in public, and hundreds of journalists have been arrested, some even executed, for doing their jobs.  \u201cNikan and Arash are very good examples of how people who express themselves through the arts are soft targets for oppressive regimes,\u201d ICORN program director Elisabeth Dyvik, who helped resettle the band, told Quartz. \u201cThe main source of their persecution are their words, their ideas, that in a country like yours or mine would seem mainstream.\u201d  There are some 70 \u201ccities of refuge\u201d in the global ICORN network where artists and musicians at risk in their home countries can do two-year residencies. Applicants cannot choose their destinations, and are placed wherever there is room. Khosravi and Ilhkani ended up in Norway, where there is a thriving heavy metal scene, \u201cby coincidence,\u201d according to Dyvik, who said the band members were relieved to have ended up there.  \u2026  Second, when a year later Khosravi and Ilkhani stood trial they were found guilty of blasphemy but the pair avoided death sentences thanks to a legal technicality.  \u201cIf you insult the Prophet you will get executed, because he\u2019s dead and he can\u2019t defend himself,\u201d Khosravi told online metal magazine Loudwire last year. \u201cBut if you blaspheme God and question His existence, He can forgive you. That was why we didn\u2019t get executed.\u201d  It was during the subsequent appeals process that Khosravi snuck out of Iran to Turkey. He applied for an ICORN residency online, and eventually found his way to Harstad, where Ilkhani later joined him. They have reportedly been granted political asylum by the Norwegian government.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cIran captures another foreign oil tanker on Persian Gulf: report,\u201d<\/a> Bjarke Smith-Meyer, Politico, August 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Says It Has Seized Another Oil Tanker in Persian Gulf,\u201d<\/a> Vivian Yee, Yonette Joseph and Iliana Magra, New York Times, August 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 4, 2019.  Iran simply must change the law, and enforce it.  \u201cMany Under-Thirteen Child Brides Becoming Mothers In Iran,<\/a>\u201d Radio Farda, August 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Gives Three Women 55 Years In Prison For Defying Islamic Dress Code,\u201d<\/a> Zachary Keyser, Jerusalem Post, August 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranians Suspect Their Government Has Sold Out Iran\u2019s Rights In Caspian Sea,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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August 4, 2019.  <\/span>Persons in Iran can see this “Iran Nation or Cause” blog, but only if they use a proxy server.  All blogs hosted on Blogspot (like this one) are blocked in Iran.  Most social networks like Facebook and Twitter are blocked, and WordPress is blocked.  Iran is “Not Free” per the Freedom on the Net 2018<\/a>.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran to further reduce compliance with nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c\u2018Looking To East\u2019, Iran Dreams Of Strategic Partnership With China,\u201d<\/a> Reza Haqiqatnezhad, Radio Farda, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Watch: Should Trump Fear Tehran\u2019s Last Missile Test?,\u201d<\/a> National Interest, Stratfor, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cJailed Iranian-Swedish Dual National Pressured To Accept New Charges,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s foreign minister invited to White House, Tehran decided against visit: report,\u201d<\/a> Lukas Mikelionis, Fox News, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSimultaneous attacks in Aden reveal coordination between Iran-backed Houthis and jihadist groups,\u201d<\/a> Saleh Baidhani, The Arab Weekly, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nAugust 3, 2019.  So, about four fifths of Iran\u2019s oil has been cut.  But certain actors including the PRC are still buying and displaying to the world they support Iran and its Regime.  After all, China can buy their oil elsewhere.  Thanks to the New York Times for this story and the graphic details (excuse the pun).  \u201cDefying U.S. Sanctions, China and Others Take Oil From 12 Iranian Tankers,\u201d<\/a> Anjali Singhvi, Edward Wong and Denise Lu, New York Times, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 3, 2019.  Velayati is the real FM, not Zarif, at least in giving foreign policy advice to the Supreme Leader.  But also in Velayati communications with other countries that are Iran\u2019s allies.  Zarif is for \u201cWestern consumption.\u201d  \u201cIran\u2019s Embattled Foreign Minister; What Next For Zarif?,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cCanadian resident freed from Iranian prison,\u201d<\/a> David Herszenhorn, Politico, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Foreign Minister Turned Down White House Meeting,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, August, 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c\u2018Looking To East\u2019, Iran Dreams Of Strategic Partnership With China,\u201d<\/a> Reza Haqiqatnezhad, Radio Farda, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBlood Money Paid for a Woman in Iran Is Still Half That Paid for a Man, Despite New Ruling,\u201d<\/a> Center for Human Rights in Iran, August 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Says Will Further Reduce Nuclear Deal Commitments,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFrom Lebanon to Latin America, Hezbollah helps Iran spread global terrorism,\u201d<\/a> Israel Kasnett , JNS , Israel Hayom, August 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Foreign Minister Was Invited to Meet Trump in the Oval Office,\u201d<\/a> Robin Wright, The New Yorker, August 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFollowing Iran\u2019s Seizure Of British Oil Tanker, Senior Iranian Officials Again Declare: The Persian Gulf Is Iranian Territory; Iran\u2019s Armed Forces Are Responsible For Security In It, In Strait Of Hormuz, Gulf Of Oman,\u201d<\/a> Middle East Media Research Institute, August 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSenior Judicial Official In Iran Tells Attorneys Not To Defend \u2018Espionage\u2019 Cases,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThree Women Sentenced To 55 Years For Defying Compulsory Hijab In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 2, 2019.  Very important in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.  Iran\u2019s PMUs in Iraq are putting pressure on Israel to remove their missiles (remember, we are already in a missile and defensive war between Iran and Israel).  \u201cAccording to Israeli intelligence, Iran is currently providing Iraqi militias with missiles that have ranges of 200 to 700 kilometers and are capable of hitting anywhere in Israel. These missiles are more accurate than the ones in Hezbollah\u2019s arsenal. Iran may use them either to hit Israel directly from northern Iraq or to transfer them as needed to Syria and Lebanon. Iran\u2019s regional deployment is largely based on missiles because it doesn\u2019t think its aerial and ground forces are capable of standing up to Western armies. Consequently, it has focused on improving both the range and accuracy of its missiles in recent years.\u201d  \u201cWith Missiles More Accurate Than Hezbollah\u2019s, Iran Entrenchment in Iraq Threatens Israel,\u201d<\/a> Yaniv Kubovich, Haaretz, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIran: Prisoner of conscience flogged 100 times for \u2018drinking alcohol and insultingIslam\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Amnesty International, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTraveling to Discover the Real Iran,\u201d<\/a> Kourosh Ziabari and Stephan Orth, Fair Observer, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cA Young Attorney And Rights Defender In Iran Sentenced To 30 Years,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTehran Moves Swedish-Iranian Scientist Sentenced To Death To Solitary Confinement,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIraqis linked to Iran use money-laundering scam to beat US sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Suadad Al-Salhy, Arab News, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran To Establish At Least 3 Factories In Syria Amid Economic Crisis,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cYemen: Dozens killed in attack on military parade blamed on Iran,\u201d<\/a> DW, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Owns the Persian Gulf Now,\u201d<\/a> Steven Cook, FP, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWhat Iran Will Do Next, and How to Stop It,\u201d<\/a> James Stavridis, Bloomberg, op-ed, August 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nAugust 1, 2019.  Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said Wednesday Tehran is ready to engage in dialogue with Saudi Arabia if Riyadh \u201cis ready for talks\u201d.   \u201cIf Saudi Arabia is ready for talks, Iran is always ready for negotiation with neighbors,\u201d Zarif said in statements carried by the official IRNA news agency.  But what AA News does not say is that whether Saudi Arabia is \u201cready for talks\u201d is judged solely by Iran.  And Iran has no interest in sitting down with its Persian Gulf foe.  This statement by the FM is a smokescreen.  \u201cIran says ready for talks with Saudi Arabia,\u201d<\/a> Abdul Jabbar Abu Ras, AA News, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. will extend sanctions waivers for Iran nuclear programs: Bolton,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian women defy prison threats by sending veil videos: activist,\u201d<\/a> Sonia Elks, Reuters, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsrael, US, Iran prepare for out-of-the-atmosphere battle,\u201d<\/a> Ben Caspit, Al Monitor, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTrump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Iran\u2019s Top Diplomat,\u201d<\/a> David Sanger and Michael Crowley, New York Times, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSanctions-hit Iran to rename plunging currency, cut off zeros,\u201d<\/a> AFP, Times of Israel, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 31, 2019.  The question of veracity appears again regarding Iran, this time with whether they gave warnings to the U.S. Global Hawk drone shot down over the Strait of Hormuz.  In the only detailed reporting on this question (Iran certainly didn\u2019t provide such from its military), this is what we are informed of.  \u201cWhile more than a dozen U.S. military aircraft flew in international airspace near Iran’s borders the day the country downed an RQ-4 Global Hawk drone over the Strait of Hormuz last month, officials with U.S. Central Command say the U.S. was never “warned” before Iran took out the drone, contrary to the regime’s statements.  After analysis, CENTCOM officials concluded there were “six different occasions where Iranian air defense stations queried or warned U.S. aircraft and [unmanned aerial vehicles] on the international guard radio channel” in the 12 hours prior to and following the shootdown, CENTCOM spokesman Navy Capt. Bill Urban said.  “None were recorded or reported by the RQ-4 that was shot down in international airspace in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, and none were received, reported or recorded by any other aircraft at the time of the shoot down,” Urban said in an email response to Military.com Tuesday. “We are not aware of any Iranian attempt to warn any U.S. forces or headquarters before they executed the shoot down of the RQ-4.”  Last month, Iranian Brig. Gen. Qader Rahimzadeh, the deputy commander of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base, said the Iranian military had sent the Navy-operated Global Hawk “several warnings” before ultimately downing the drone, news site Tasnim reported.  Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards aerospace force, said separately that forces refrained from shooting down a P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft flying in the region, and instead shot down the RQ-4, claiming the drone violated its airspace.  U.S. Central Command officials have maintained neither the RQ-4 nor P-8 — which were on two different flight paths — entered Iranian airspace that day, but added that U.S. aircraft routinely operate in the region.  The Global Hawk is an unmanned system used by the Air Force and Navy that’s capable of flying intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions at high altitudes, upward of 60,000 feet.  Following the incident, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said U.S. intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flights hadn’t stopped or been scaled back even amid uncertainty surrounding Iran’s intentions.  “Yes, we’re continuing to fly,” Goldfein said during a breakfast hosted by the Mitchell Institute in Washington, D.C. June 26. “We continue to fly where we need to, when we need to be there and as we do in all scenarios.”  Urban on Tuesday said Iran and the U.S. do not have a deconfliction line of communications even as operations continue.  “There is no deconfliction hotline nor any direct communications between the U.S. military and Iran, except for safety of operation radio calls on guard at the tactical level,” he said.  <\/span>\u201cCENTCOM: Iran Never Warned RQ-4 Drone Before Shootdown,\u201d<\/a> Oriana Pawlyk, Military.com, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTrump Envoy Greenblatt: Israeli-Palestinian Peace \u2018Iran\u2019s Worst Nightmare\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Haaretz, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cVolume Of Iran\u2019s Unsold Stockpiled Oil Skyrockets \u2013 Report,\u201d<\/a> Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Cabinet Approves Plan to Slash Four Zeros From Currency,\u201d<\/a> Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFormer Mayor of Tehran Is Sentenced to Death in Wife\u2019s Killing,\u201d<\/a> Megan Specia and Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran threatens to reduce nuclear deal commitments further,\u201d<\/a> Al Jazeera, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Cabinet Approves Plan to Slash Four Zeros From Currency,\u201d<\/a> Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Prepares Satellite Launch, Shelves Project To Send First Iranian To Space,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran building military front against Israel,\u201d<\/a> Dalit Halevi, Arutz Sheva, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRivals Iran and UAE to Hold Maritime Security Talks,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTrump to disappoint Iran hawks with more nuclear waivers,\u201d<\/a> Eliana Johnson, Politico, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIs Israel Flying F-35s In Iraq To Hit Iranian Missile Shipments?,\u201d<\/a> Arie Egozi, Paul McLeary, Breaking Defense, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsrael said to hit Iranian sites in Iraq, expanding strikes on missile shipments,\u201d<\/a> Michael Bachner, Times of Israel, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 30, 2019.  Could not have said it better myself.  \u201cIran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini last week touted Iran\u2019s support for the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. He said the way to counter the so-called “deal of the century” peace plan of the Trump administration would be to give Palestinians a “feeling of progress,” offering that “not many years ago, the Palestinians were fighting with stones, but today \u2026 they are equipped with precision rockets, and this means a feeling of progress.\u201d  This was yet another example of Iran\u2019s warped vision for the Palestinian people \u2013 one that offers nothing but increased violence, devastation and despair.\u201d  \u201cGreenblatt and Hook: Israeli-Palestinian peace would be Iran\u2019s worst nightmare,\u201d<\/a> Jason Greenblatt, Brian Hook op-ed, Fox, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran warns will reduce commitment to nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> Middle East Monitor, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani says all bodies tasked to fight drug trade,\u201d<\/a> Tehran Times, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAnalysis U.S. Sanctions May Cripple Iran, but It\u2019s Not Why Billions of Dollars Keep Vanishing,\u201d<\/a> Zvi Bar\u2019el, Haaretz, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. to renew sanctions waivers for five Iran nuclear programs: Washington Post,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS Formally Asked Germany, France, Britain To Help Secure Strait of Hormuz And Combat Iran,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, Jerusalem Post, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTwo-Thirds of U.N. Security Council Ask U.N. Chief for Syria Hospital Attacks Inquiry,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, New York Times, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsrael, U.S. Working To Upgrade UNIFIL\u2019s Mandate To Weaken Hezbollah,\u201d<\/a> Omri Nahmias, Jerusalem Post, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSingapore Detained Two Ships Carrying Iranian LPG In Violation Of US Sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, July 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Says It Will Expand Military Ties With Russia, Hold Joint Drills As U.S. Tries To Build Rival Coalition,\u201d<\/a> Tom O\u2019Connor, Newsweek, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWomen taking photos of themselves without headscarves face 10-year prison sentence in Iran,\u201d<\/a> Samuel Osborne, ,The Independent, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cGitHub confirms it has blocked developers in Iran, Syria and Crimea,\u201d<\/a> Rita Liao, Manish Singh, Tech Crunch, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTeachers Protest Low Pay, Hold Demos In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Announces Plans To Restart Activities At Arak Nuclear Reactor,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAtomic Chief Says Iran Has Enriched 24 Tons Of Uranium Since Nuclear Deal,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cLebanon Is Incapable of Implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701,\u201d<\/a> David Daoud, Atlantic Council, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHow to Stop Iran\u2019s Maritime Misadventures,\u201d<\/a> Editorial Board, Bloomberg, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Naval Commander Claims Agreement With Russia For Joint Sea Exercises,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cZarif Complains To Khamenei About Slander On State TV,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>July 29, 2019.  Interesting article about how Iran tries to hide true ownership of some of its ships.  \u201cFlags of inconvenience: noose tightens around Iranian shipping,\u201d<\/a> Jonathan Saul, Parisa Hafezi, Marianna Parraga, Reuters, July 26, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran uses fake tweet about Israel in ploy to stoke confusion, strike back at West,\u201d<\/a> Rowan Scarborough, Washington Times, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says proscribed ballistic-missile test was for \u2018defensive needs,\u2019 not message to Europe,\u201d<\/a> Jewish News Service, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEmergency talks on nuclear deal constructive but inconclusive, Iranian minister says,\u201d<\/a> Adam Taylor, Washington Post, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Condemns UK During Meeting With Oman\u2019s Foreign Minister,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran intends to restart activities at Arak heavy water nuclear reactor: ISNA news agency,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>July 28, 2019.  Do sanctions work?  They can produce the desired economic effect.  But will they change policy?  \u201cThe point-to-point inflation that reflects the increase in prices in Iran in comparison with the same time in the previous year has reached 48 percent, the Iranian Statistical Center reported on July 24. Meanwhile, the inflation rate in the 12-month period ending in July 2019 has reached 40.4 percent, the report said.  The point-to-point inflation rate is indicative of the momentum of rise in prices by comparing the prices of various commodities to prices during the similar period in the previous year.  On the other hand, the 12-month inflation rate shows the average increase in prices during the past 12 months.  In the current situation of Iran\u2019s economy, the point-to-point inflation can indicate the depth of the country\u2019s economic crisis in a more transparent way.  The report by the Iranian Statistical Center about the price of goods and services in Iran further shows that the trend of increasing prices has slowed down in July compared with previous months.\u201d  See \u201cIran Inflation Rate Hits Record High,\u201d Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, July 25, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cFactbox: The atomic restrictions imposed by the Iran nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani Refuses To Submit Annual Report To Parliament Amid Economic Crisis,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says European fleet in Gulf would be \u2018provocative\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Amir Havasi, AFP, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDiplomats from five world powers and Iran recommit to saving nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> Kiyoko Metzler, AP, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Zarif Meets With Omani Counterpart In Possible Sign Of Mediation Effort,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, July 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 27, 2019.  Not just a random story, or a story with the ironic \u201cSafety First\u201d sign prominent on the ship that is sinking.  Instead, mismanagement and refusal to spend resources on important things (instead of weapons, terrorism, nuclear program, etc.) results in deadly and costly accidents.  \u201cIranian cargo ship sinks in Caspian Sea,\u201d<\/a> Sara Mazloumsaki, CNN, July 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 26, 2019.  \u201cIran test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile late Wednesday that traveled 1,000 kilometers from its southern launch point into northern Iran, according to a US official with direct knowledge of the event.  <\/span>The launch of the Shahab-3 missile did not pose a threat to shipping or US bases, the official said, and remained inside Iran for the duration of its flight. Nevertheless, it served as a signal to the US and Europe and could serve to further increase tensions in the region. The missile was launched from Iran’s southeastern coastline along the Gulf of Oman and landed in northern Iran, the official said. While analysts said Iran’s missile test might be destabilizing given the volatile situation in the Persian Gulf, it doesn’t violate any United Nations resolutions \u2014 which has been a source of frustration to critics of the Iran deal. UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Iran nuclear deal, “called upon” Iran to refrain from activities related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons. “The missile test is inconsistent with the Security Council resolution, and certainly destabilizing, but not a violation,” said Mary Kaszynski, deputy policy director of the Ploughshares Fund, an anti-nuclear foundation. Kaszynski said that “unless the specific test is a significant technological advancement, this is really more about political messaging and part of the cycle of escalation between the Iranian regime and the Trump administration.” Wednesday’s test follows a pointed exchange between Iran and the US over missiles and may be meant to underscore that Iran will not negotiate over its missile program. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said that Iran must end missile testing as one of 12 conditions he has laid out for an end to the maximum pressure campaign the Trump administration implemented after it left the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018. Trump administration officials have repeatedly criticized the 2015 Iran nuclear deal because it did not include Tehran’s missile program or what it calls Iran’s malign activity in the region. They say they want both included in a future agreement.\u201d  See <\/span>\u201cIran test-fires medium-range ballistic missile, US official says,\u201d<\/a> Barbara Starr, Nicole Gaouette and Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN, July 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranians manage to surf the web despite tide of censorship,\u201d<\/a> Mehdi Fattahi, AP, July 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cQasem Soleimani Boosts Influence In Iraq, Strengthens Financial Cartel In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Reza Haqiqatnezhad, Radio Farda, July 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 26, 2019.  We are reminded again that Iran does not allow its democratically (mostly) elected president make policy, but the Supreme Leader is supreme.  \u201cKhamenei Aide:  No Talks With U.S. Under Any Circumstances,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, Reuters, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cShin Bet Breaks Up Iranian Espionage Network in Israel,\u201d<\/a> Ashqrq Al-Awsat, July 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran may be open to possible tanker swop, nuclear talks,\u201d<\/a> The Straits Times, July 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Spy Scandal Exposes the Regime\u2019s Insecurity,\u201d<\/a> Irina Tsukerman, Fair Observer, July 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 25, 2019.  Now, blackmail against Brazil.  \u201cIran Warns Brazil Over Stranded Ship Barred From Refueling,\u201d<\/a> Samy Adghirni  and Sabrina Valle, Bloomberg, July 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>July 25, 2019.  Not fake news.  But old news.  Iran has been doing this a long time (as much as possible), and so has the U.S.–and not just by air\/drones.  \u201cIranian Drones Surveil All U.S. Ships in the Gulf, Navy Head Says,\u201d<\/a> Haaretz, July 23, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cHarsh Sentence For Suspicious Killing Of A Political Prisoner In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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\nJuly 25, 2019.  Ah ha, back to the theme of this blog.  \u201cSecretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday that Iran has to decide if it wants to act like a “normal nation” but that it showed “no indications” of changing direction amid increasing tensions. “The Iranian regime has to make a decision that it wants to behave like a normal nation,” Pompeo said at a news conference with Ecuadorian President Len\u00edn Moreno, according to a video of his remarks published by Reuters. Pompeo said that if the Iranians do that, The U.S. is “prepared to negotiate across a broad spectrum of issues with no preconditions,” but said there were “no indications that the Iranians are prepared to fundamentally change the direction of their nation.” “If they do the things we’ve asked them to do on their nuclear program, their missile program, their malign behavior around the world — I mean, you can just watch their actions. These are actions that threaten,” Pompeo said.\u201d  See <\/span>\u201cPompeo: There\u2019s \u2018no indication\u2019 Iran will change direction,\u201d<\/a> Rachel Frazin, The Hill, July 20, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s president warns foreign powers to keep naval ships out of the Persian Gulf,\u201d<\/a> David Reid, CNBC, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSuggesting a Tanker Swap, Iran Hints at a Compromise,\u201d<\/a> David Kirkpatrick, New York Times, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSaudi MASAM Clears 77,000 Houthi Landmines in Yemen,\u201d<\/a> Asarq Al-Awsat, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAward-Winning Iranian Filmmaker Rasoulof Sentenced To Prison, Travel Ban,\u201d<\/a> Kianoush Farid, Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE\/RL, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran defence minister says no Iranian drone has been downed,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranis ready to negotiate but not if negotiations mean surrender – Iran president,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cJailed Civic Activist Goes On Hunger Strike In Iran To Protest Cruelty,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFrance Stresses Need for Iran to Respect Nuclear Accord,\u201d<\/a> VOA, AP, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Model Sentenced To 148 Lashes Escapes To Paris \u2013 Watch,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, July 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 24, 2019.  Take this with the respect (for the dead) with which it is written.  I am surprised that outside of just one news cycle (a few days ago) that the IAEA director would be stepping down early, that no reporters knew and then reported on how ill Yukiya Amano was.  This is the UN representative most responsible for ensuring Iran was complying with the JCPOA, and it turns out he was gravely ill.  Why was this not in the news?  This is relevant to how the IAEA was supposed to be monitoring Iran, including pressing it for inspections anytime anywhere anyone.  \u201cYukiya Amano, Head of the I.A.E.A. Nuclear Watchdog Group, Dies at 72,\u201d<\/a> Megan Specia and David Sanger, New York Times, July 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Warns of Dealing With Iranian Airlines,\u201d<\/a> Mengqi Sun, Wall Street Journal, July 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. military took defensive action against second Iranian drone last week,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsrael:  Iran smuggling dual-use items for Hezbollah arms by sea into Beirut port,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, July 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>July 23, 2019.  Once again, we see the terror connection directly between the Supreme Leader and Hamas, in their own words publicly no less.  Hamas is the agent of Iran to deliver missiles and mayhem against Israel.  Read for yourself.  \u201cHamas\u2019 rapprochement with Iran endangers deal with Israel,\u201d<\/a> Shlomi Eldar, Al Monitor, July 23, 2019.<\/span>
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\nJuly 23, 2019.  Quote of the Day, by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, \u201cthe Iranian regime has a long history of lying\u201d and \u201cIt is part of the nature of the ayatollah to lie to the world,\u201d referring to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He attributed the Iranian seizure of the ship to the fundamental character of the Iranian government.  Iran\u2019s retaliation against the West \u201cisn\u2019t because of the American sanctions,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is because the theocracy, the leadership in Iran, their revolutionary zeal to conduct terror around the world for now four decades continues.  This is a bad regime. They have now conducted national piracy, right? A nation state taking over a ship that is traveling in international waters.\u201d  See \u201cIran Claims to Have Arrested and Executed U.S. Spies,\u201d<\/a> David Kirkpatrick, New York Times, July 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cYemen\u2019s Houthi rebels raise nearly $300,000 for Hezbollah,\u201d<\/a> The National, July 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Working to Arm Syria and Hezbollah by Sea,\u201d<\/a> Yaniv Kubovich, Haaretz, July 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s supreme leader vows not to give up on Palestine,\u201d<\/a> AP, July 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSeized Ship Riah\u2019s Charterer Denies Iran Fuel-Smuggling Rap,\u201d<\/a> Verity Ratcliffe, Bloomberg, July 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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July 23, 2019.  There is no \u201creciprocal action\u201d in international law.  The IRGC and Iranian FM may be referring to international relations\u2014and what leads to force being taken by others.  But to be clear, there is NOTHING in international law that authorizes tit-for-tat state actions.  In fact, international law is designed for peaceful settlement of disputes, not escalating actions.  Note also that Iran (and some in the media are falsely reporting) a scenario of \u201cA then B\u201d, that the Gibraltar seizure of the Iranian tanker should logically be followed by the next news\u2014the seizer of a British tanker.  That is a logical and legal fallacy.  The Syrian War sanctions by the EU against Iran for its actions in the Syrian Civil War are the \u201cA\u201d, leading to the \u201cB\u201d stopping of the Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar as it was taking oil to Syria in violation of those sanctions.  We call on the media to emphasize this fact and not let Iran get away with revisionist history.  <\/span>\u201cIran calls seizure of British tanker a \u2018reciprocal action\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Rachel Frazin, The Hill, July 20, 2019.  Here is the verbatim story\u2014\u201cIran reportedly called its seizure of a British oil tanker a “reciprocal action” after British assistance in the impounding an Iranian supertanker.  Iran’s Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei told the semi-official Fars news agency that the Friday seizure of the British tanker was a legal “reciprocal action,” according to The Associated Press.  Guardian Council comments are often seen as Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei\u2019s views, according to the wire service.  Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister, said Saturday on Twitter that the July 4 seizure of the Iranian supertanker was “piracy” and that Iran’s action was done “to uphold [international] maritime rules.”\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cPompeo denies Iran claims it broke up U.S. \u2018spy ring\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Erin Cunningham, Washington Post, July 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWarning As Iran \u2018Ready To Strike\u2019 In The West Using Sleeper Terror Cells: Report,\u201d<\/a> Zak Doffman, Forbes, July 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>July 22, 2019.  With each of these incidents, it is important that the international media call out Iran when it issues statements that are patently untrue, such as that the UK tanker rammed an Iranian fishing boat, ignoring the emergency call.  There was no fishing boat, and the IRGC\u2019s own videos show how the tanker seizure instead occurred.  Or (this would be hilarious if not such an outright mistruth) British ship entered Hormuz Strait going the wrong direction!  Wrong way?!  Media, do your job!  When a state falsifies information, tell the world!  \u201cIran says British-flagged tanker was in accident with fishing boat,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 20, 2019.  See also \u201cBritain calls ship seizure \u2018hostile act\u2019 as Iran releases video of capture,\u201d<\/a> Babak Dehghanpisheh, William Schomberg, Reuters, July 20, 2019.  See also \u201c\u2018Alter your course,\u2019 Iranians warned before seizing UK-flagged ship,\u201d<\/a> Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, July 21, 2019.  See also \u201cIran Guards Say British Tanker Entered Strait From the Wrong Direction,\u201d<\/a> Ladane Nasseri  and Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, July 20, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran Says Fate of Seized Ship Depends on Crew \u2018Cooperation\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Amir Havasi, Agence France Presse, Military.com, July 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cThere would be no Al-Qaeda without Iranian support,\u201d<\/a> Rami Dabbas, The Times of Israel, July 21, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran thanks Saudi Arabia for release of its oil tanker Happiness 1: Fars,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cTwitter suspends Iran news agencies over \u2018harassment of Baha\u2019is\u2019,\u201d<\/a> BBC, July 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 21, 2019.  Released again by Foreign Affairs, part of its \u201cWhat Really Happened\u201d historical review (part educational effort regarding Cold War \u201chot spots\u201d in Congo, Iran, Chile, and Pakistan.  <\/span>\u201cWhat Really Happened in Iran:  The CIA, the Ouster of Mosaddeq, and the Restoration of the Shah,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, July\/August 2014.<\/span><\/span>
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\nJuly 20, 2019.  Released again by Foreign Affairs, part of its \u201cWhat Really Happened\u201d historical review (part of the educational effort regarding Cold War \u201chot spots\u201d in Congo, Iran, Chile, and Pakistan).  \u201cWhat Really Happened in Iran:  The CIA, the Ouster of Mosaddeq, and the Restoration of the Shah,\u201d<\/a> Ray Takeyh, Foreign Affairs, July\/August 2014.  And here is some additional information, added July 22–T<\/span>his myth, that the United States put its puppet the Shah on the throne in 1953, is perpetuated by incorrect\/incomplete\/negligent reporting such as this recent instance by David Kirkpatrick of the New York Times.  \u201cThe Iranian fear of American spies is founded in history. American intelligence agencies have used cyberweapons to disrupt Iran\u2019s nuclear program. And all Iranians know that in 1953, the C.I.A. orchestrated a military coup that removed an elected prime minister.\u201d  \u201cIran Claims to Have Arrested and Executed U.S. Spies,\u201d<\/a> David Kirkpatrick, New York Times, July 22, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>\u201cIranian ship repaired in Saudi Arabia heads back to Iran,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cPompeo says \u2018no indications\u2019 that Iran is changing its \u2018malign behavior\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Adam Shaw, Fox, July 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s gamble on a tanker seizure will end its credit–even among friends,\u201d<\/a> Sam Kiley, op-ed, CNN, July 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 20, 2019.  I really want to speak to this piece of news.  Anyone who looks at a NYC map will quickly disagree with FM Zarif\u2014restricting Iranian diplomats to just part of New York City (New York City!) is not \u201cinhuman\u201d at all.  Instead, everything a person could want is in the \u201ccity that never sleeps.\u201d  Want to know what is inhuman?  Hostages being locked up in Evin Prison in areas only as large as their body, tortured, and held for years.  That\u2019s inhuman.  See \u201cIran\u2019s Zarif says U.S. travel curbs on Iranian diplomats \u2018inhuman\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Michelle Nichols, Reuters, July 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>\u201cPanama says withdrawing flag from tanker towed to Iran, cites violations,\u201d<\/a> Elida Moreno, Reuters, July 20, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cU.S. Wants to Hear From Top Iran Leaders After Downing of Drone,\u201d<\/a> Margaret Talev and Alyza Sebenius, Bloomberg, July 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSource: Iran FM met Rand Paul to feel out possible US-Iran talks,\u201d<\/a> Laura Rozen, Al Monitor, July 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 19, 2019.  This story showed a glimpse of promise\u2014would Iran act as a normal country?  If you are a regular reader of this blog or Iran news, you know the Supreme Leader closed this door immediately, and certainly reprimanded the Foreign Minister.  But for the FM to offer to possibly negotiate on ballistic missiles shows the sanctions are starting to have real affect.  \u201cIran\u2019s foreign minister says talks on ballistic missiles with US possible,\u201d<\/a> Jon Gambrell, AP, July 16, 2019.  <\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cIran captures UK tanker: Timeline of political tensions in Persian Gulf before seizure,\u201d<\/a> Henry Austin, The Independent, July 19, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\nJuly 18, 2019.  And besides the concern about Iran taking female hostages, they take ships hostage also.  \u201cConcern grows over UAE-based oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz,\u201d<\/a> Jon Gambrell, AP, July 16, 2019, and \u201cUAE oil tanker disappears in Iranian waters in the Strait of Hormuz,\u201d<\/a> Erin Cunningham, Stars and Stripes, Washington Post, July 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIranian Foreign Minister Zarif: no information about losing drone,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTrump says US Navy destroys Iranian drone in \u2018defensive action,\u2019 Iran dismissed the report,\u201d<\/a> Dan Mangan and Amanda Macias, CNBC, July 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Says It Seized Foreign Tanker, Escalating Regional Tensions,\u201d<\/a> Richard Perez-Pena, New York Times, July 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe Three Myths of the Iran Deal,\u201d<\/a> Michael Oren, The Atlantic, July 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c25 Years Later, Prominent Iranians Wanted for Deadly Bombing Still Walk Free,\u201d<\/a> Patrick Goodenough, CNS News, July 18, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>July 17, 2019.  I will comment on another noteworthy development, and from the same AP story as the UAE tanker disappearing into Iranian waters.  Quoting from the story, \u201cMeanwhile, Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested for the first time that the Islamic Republic\u2019s ballistic missile program could be up for negotiations with the U.S., a possible opening for talks as tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington.  Zarif offered an initially high price for such negotiations \u2014 the halt of American arms sales to both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two key U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf.  But the fact that he mentioned it at all potentially represents a change in policy. The country\u2019s ballistic missile program remains under control of the Iranian paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which answers only to Khamenei.  Zarif brought up the ballistic missile offer during an interview with NBC News that aired Monday night as he\u2019s in New York for meetings at the United Nations. He mentioned the UAE spending $22 billion and Saudi Arabia spending $67 billion on weapons last year, many of them American-made, while Iran spent only $16 billion in comparison.\u201d  \u201cIran FM denies its missile program is up for negotiation,\u201d<\/a> Jeff Mason, Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, July 16, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cHouse Passes Measure Allowing Access to Iranian Funds to Families of Over 200 Marines Killed in Terror Attack,\u201d<\/a> Mairead McArdle, July 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Knows It Can\u2019t Bet on Trump 2020 Defeat as Sanctions Bite,\u201d<\/a> Margaret Talev  and David Wainer, Bloomberg, July 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS ban on anti-Iran militant group could have wide-ranging impact,\u201d<\/a> Sabena Siddiqui, Al Monitor, July 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cInflation runs rampant in Tehran as Iran\u2019s government struggles to stem rising food prices,\u201d<\/a> CNBC, July 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cYemen\u2019s Houthis say they launched drone attack on Saudi\u2019s Jizan airport,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRussia, Iran, North Korea Launch Hundreds of Cyber attacks on U.S. Political Groups, Microsoft Says,\u201d<\/a> Dustin Volz, Wall Street Journal, July 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAt summit with Russia, Israel and US demanded Iran leave Lebanon, Iraq\u2014report,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, July 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 17, 2019.  Another hostage taken by Iran, this time a 60-year-old female anthropologist from France.  And France has been trying hard in the past three weeks to defuse tensions with Iran and its nuclear program.  Given that the Ayatollah or the IRGC has the power to release her (Fariba Adelkhah), even if they didn\u2019t originally order her taken prisoner, can release her now.  But they won\u2019t.  If true to form, she has at least 6 months of her life now she will lose in Evin Prison, but probably a full year.  Let\u2019s hope they don\u2019t abuse and torture her, but some amount of nightmare has started.  \u201cIran confirms arrest of French-Iranian scholar, gives no details,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 16, 2019.  This is one of the few stories that has made an estimate of these shows of freedom by Iranian women.  \u201cAn Associated Press reporter spotted about two dozen women in the streets without a hijab over the course of nine days, mainly in well-to-do areas of Tehran \u2014 a mall, a lakeside park, a hotel lobby. Many other women, while stopping short of outright defiance, opted for loosely draped colorful scarves that show as much hair as they cover. Even in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, frequented by many traditional women, most female shoppers wore these casual hijabs. Still, a sizeable minority of women was covered head-to-toe in black robes and tightly pulled headscarves, the so-called chador.\u201d  See \u201cSome Iranian women takeoff hijabs as hard-liners push back,\u201d<\/a> Karin Laub and Mohammad Nasiri, AP, July 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe moved to mental health ward in Iran,\u201d<\/a> Kevin Rawlinson, The Guardian, July 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Says It\u2019s Just Helping Missing Oil Tanker the U.S. Reportedly Thinks It May Have Taken,\u201d<\/a> Tom O\u2019Connor, Newsweek, July 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Jails Journalist, Women\u2019s Right Activist,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Top Leader Strikes Defiant Tone as Trump Says \u2018We\u2019re Not Looking for Regime Change\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Rick Gladstone, New York Times, July 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c3 Iranians charged with exporting tons of substance used in missiles, nuclear centrifuges,\u201d<\/a> Robert Windrem, NBC, July 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPortugal suspends visas to Iranians \u2018for security reasons\u2019,\u201d<\/a> AP, July 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cProtests planned against Iranian American council accused of lobbying for Tehran,\u201d<\/a> Rebal Abdulrahim and Ismaeel Naar, Al Arabiya, July 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Soccer Star\u2019s Sister Wants Women to Be Allowed at His Matches,\u201d<\/a> Tariq Panja, New York Times, July 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFrance\u2019s Macron demands answers after dual national detained in Iran,\u201d<\/a> John Irish, Reuters, July 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Soccer Star\u2019s Sister Wants Women to Be Allowed at His Matches,\u201d<\/a> Tariq Pania, New York Times, July 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cParis demands answers after Franco-Iranian academic arrested in Iran,\u201d<\/a> France 24, July 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cOne Word Why Iran Can\u2019t Buy Russian Flanker Fighter Jets: Sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Dario Leone, National Interest, July 15, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Spends Government Money On Cigarettes, Uses Over 2 Tons Of Drugs Daily,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, July 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBBC Accepts Iran\u2019s Demand Of Blackout On Its Persian Sites Amid Regime\u2019s Attacks On Press,\u201d<\/a> Yashar Ali, Huffington Post, July 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nJuly 15, 2019.  We\u2019ve said it before, we\u2019ll say it again.  You can tell a lot about a person\/country by the company they keep.  Iranian FM Javad Zarif is traveling to NYC to attend the annual session of the UN Economic and Social Counci.  He then goes to Venezuela for a meeting with the Non-Aligned Movement, where he will hold bilateral meetings with Venezuelan government leaders before traveling to Nicaragua and Bolivia.  <\/span>\u201cIranian FM Heads To New York For UN Conference Before Visit To Venezuela,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, July 14, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 14, 2019.  Last year Iran used precision ballistic missiles; now it has used drones against Kurds.  That is the message, that Iran through the Tasnim News Agency reports about it advancing military technology, and that it is not afraid to use it.  \u201cIran Says It Used New IRGC Drone Unit To Attack Kurdish Dissidents,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, July 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEuropeans Call on Iran to \u2018Act Responsibly,\u2019 Comply With Deal,\u201d<\/a> Helene Fouquet, Bloomberg, July 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran \u2018ready for talks\u2019 with US if sanctions are lifted,\u201d<\/a> Al Jazeera, July 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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July 13, 2019.  Why should news of Argentina be related to whether Iran will act as a normal country?  Because Argentina suffered a terrible terror attack at the hands of Iran, and Argentina is still coming to grips with that event.  See \u201cArgentina To Designate Hezbollah As Terror Group\u2014Report,\u201d<\/a> Rossella Tercatin, Jerusalem Post, July 12, 2019.  The Post reports, \u201cArgentina’s government is planning on designating the Lebanese-based Hezbollah group as a terror organization for its role in the terror attacks against the Israeli embassy and the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentinian newspaper La Nacion reported on Tuesday.  “We are evaluating different possibilities. One of them is to pass a decree,” sources in the Ministry of Security and the Financial Intelligence Unit told the newspaper. The two entities have been tasked by President Mauricio Macri to find the “most rapid” solution to achieve the goal of including the Iranian-backed group in the list of terror organizations.  “We do not have a majority in Parliament, and it would take too long to pass a law there,” highly-placed sources in the Argentinian government explained to La Nacion.  July 18, 2019, will mark the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association in the country’s capital. The attack left 85 people killed and 300 injured.  The report added that on that day Macri would pay tribute to the victims with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is scheduled to visit the country next week.  Pompeo will participate in the Western Hemisphere Ministerial anti-terrorism summit that the government of Argentina will host commemorating the bombing on July 19.  The United States and Argentina already held a workshop on countering Hezbollah\u2019s terrorist activities in the western hemisphere in Buenos Aires in June.\u201d  More on the same theme, with more details\u2014\u201cIt\u2019s time to hold Iran accountable for terrorism in Argentina,\u201d<\/a> Benjamin Gedan and Toby Dershowitz, op-ed, The Hill, July 11, 2019.<\/span>
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\nJuly 13, 2019.  Ah, more blackmail threats.  \u201cCommander Says Iran Won\u2019t Stop Flow of Drugs To Europe If Sanctions Continue,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c\u2018Jahangiri, Aref, Shariatmadari, Dehqan, and Ghazizadeh Hashemi preparing to contest 2021 presidential election\u2019<\/a><\/span> Politics,\u201d<\/a> Tehran Times, July 13, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTrial begins for former Tehran mayor over wife\u2019s murder,\u201d<\/a> Middle East Eye, July 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIran will continue exporting oil under any conditions: Iranian foreign minister,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, July 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cUK may help release Iranian oil tanker if it gets Syria guarantee,\u201d<\/a> The Guardian, July 13, 2019; “UK says Iran tanker will be freed after guarantees on destination,”<\/a> AFP, July 13, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cIran knows it can\u2019t win a naval war in the Gulf, but it can provoke an accident,\u201d<\/a> Con Coughlin, The Telegraph, July 13, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n


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\nJuly 12, 2019.  Iran has now attacked 7 ships.  This is piracy.  The U.S. video about the latest incident yesterday (if the video is released) will be the aerial footage of Iran threatening the BP tanker to Iranian waters.  Iran said it did not make such an order, but the tanker and other channels will have recorded this transmission.  CNN and many other outlets are reporting the following.  \u201cArmed Iranian boats unsuccessfully tried to seize a British oil tanker in the Persian Gulf Wednesday, according to two US officials with direct knowledge of the incident.  The British Heritage tanker was sailing out of the Persian Gulf and was crossing into the Strait of Hormuz area when it was approached by boats from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.  The Iranians ordered the tanker to change course and stop in nearby Iranian territorial waters, according to the officials. A US aircraft was overhead and recorded video of the incident, though CNN has not seen the footage.  A British Ministry of Defense source told CNN that it “appeared that the Iranian vessels were trying to divert the Heritage from international to Iranian waters” before the British Navy ship HMS Montrose “got between them and issued a verbal warning to withdraw.”  The UK’s Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose had been escorting the tanker from the rear. It trained its deck guns on the Iranians and gave them a verbal warning to back away, which they did, according to the UK source.  \u201cIranian boats attempted to seize a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz,\u201d<\/a> Barbara Starr, CNN, July 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTick Tock: Is Iran\u2019s Regime Nearing the End? Sanctions are Taking a Toll,\u201d<\/a> Michael Rubin, National Interest, July 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEurope Set to Delay Iran Dispute Decision, Despite U.S. Pressure,\u201d<\/a> Laurence Norman, Wall Street Journal, July 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Military Tells U.S. To Get Out Of Persian Gulf,\u201d<\/a> Tom O\u2019Connor, Newsweek, July 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRights Defender Concerned Over Three Journalists On Hunger Strike In Iran Jail,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nJuly 11, 2019.  Good.  Hezbollah is Iran, and Iran is Hezbollah.  The U.S. has announced its first sanctions to directly target members of Lebanon\u2019s Parliament that have ties to Hezbollah.  The U.S. considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization, and members of the group have embedded into legitimate parts of the Lebanese government. Amin Sherri and Muhammad Hasan Ra\u2019d, who are members of Parliament, and Wafiq Safa, a senior Hezbollah security official in Lebanon, were added to the Treasury Department\u2019s sanctions list.  \u201cHezbollah uses its operatives in Lebanon\u2019s Parliament to manipulate institutions in support of the terrorist group\u2019s financial and security interests, and to bolster Iran\u2019s malign activities,\u201d Sigal Mandelker, the Treasury Department\u2019s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.  \u201cU.S. Imposes Sanctions on Hezbollah Officials Accused of Supporting Iran,\u201d<\/a> Alan Rappeport, New York Times, July 9, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 11, 2019.  \u201cAP Interview: Rising Iran politician has intelligence ties,\u201d<\/a> Jon Gambrel, AP, July 11, 2019.  Interesting read about Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, a groomed minister born who used to work for the Intelligence Ministry.  In his current job as information and communications technology minister, Jahromi oversees Iran\u2019s tightly controlled internet and a satellite program the U.S. alleges serves as a cover for experiments on intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.  European nations and Iranian exile groups accuse the Intelligence Ministry of involvement in assassinations abroad and spying campaigns since its founding.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran can break the cycle of violence with a just peace framework,\u201d<\/a> Eli McCarthy, op-ed, The Hill, July 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Jails Outspoken Khamenei Critic,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIran nuclear deal: Uranium enrichment breaches are extortion, says US,\u201d<\/a> BBC, July 11, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cExclusive: U.S. will not blacklist Iran\u2019s foreign minister, for now,\u201d<\/a> Jonathan Landay, Lesley Wroughton, Arshad Mohammed, Reuters, July 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran shows growing fury in the Gulf. It really is desperate to talk,\u201d<\/a> Sam Kiley, CNN, July 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 10, 2019.  But who are the Americans?  Secret meetings between United States officials and Iranian representatives were conducted in a hotel in Erbil, Iraq, i24News reported Tuesday evening. The Iranian representatives are led by Hassan Khomenei, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei.  The Iranian delegation also included two officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iraj Masjedi, Iran\u2019s special envoy to Iraq, according to the report.  Obviously, you can\u2019t hide Khomenei and Masjedi, the are seen often.  But to know whether this is an accurate report, who are the Americans?  I know that is the second time I have typed that question–makes you wonder if this was an accurate story.  See \u201cSecret Meetings Between U.S., Iran Officials In Iraq\u2014Report,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, July 9, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cExclusive: Iran\u2019s release of Lebanese prisoner was failed overture to U.S.,\u201d<\/a> Lesley Wroughton, Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed, Reuters, July 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSubstance-Use Disorder Proliferates In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Tara Kavaler, Jerusalem Post, July 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIs Iran\u2019s influence in Iraq waning?\u201d<\/a>, Hamidreza Azizi, Iran Monitor, July 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTehran Marathon Official Summoned To Court For Allowing Women To Run,\u201d<\/a> Behrouz Turani, Radio Farda, July 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAs French Envoy Visits Iran, U.S. Says There Are No \u2018Back-Channel\u2019 Talks,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cMore High-Level Corruption Revelations In Iran\u2019s Banking Sector,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Threatens U.S.: Our Missiles Will Destroy American Bases And Aircraft Carriers,\u201d<\/a> Hank Berrien, The Daily Wire, July 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAmnesty Sends Letter To Top Iran Judge For Detained Anti-Hijab Activists,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 9, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 9, 2019.  And because Iran has almost 83 million residents, 10% cannot read at all, based on this news.  It seems irresponsible for a country with so much oil and gas wealth to have this low of an education marker.  \u201cAbsolute Illiteracy Affects 8-11 Million People In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 9, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 9, 2019.  Notice that Iran complains about the Gibraltar\/UK seizure, but not the Egyptian seizure.  Egypt seized a Ukrainian oil tanker carrying Iranian crude while it was crossing the Suez Canal at the end of June, according to a report from Arab news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed carried by Middle East Monitor.  This would be the second detention of a tanker carrying Iranian oil to Syria over the past two weeks (including the supertanker stopped at Gibraltar).  Both were detained for violating European Union sanctions against Syria.  \u201cEgypt detains Iran oil tanker, arrests 6 for espionage,\u201d<\/a> Middle East Monitor, July 9, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Reform Movement Died 20 Years Ago,\u201d<\/a> Eli Lake, op-ed, Bloomberg, July 9, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 8, 2019.  Very unconvincing position he takes.  The world knows that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapon, the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, said on Monday, according to the Tasnim news agency.  Iran threatened on Monday to restart deactivated centrifuges and ramp up enrichment of uranium to 20 percent purity as its next potential big moves away from a 2015 nuclear agreement that Washington abandoned last year.  He said, \u201cWhy do they globally sanction us about the nuclear issue when the world knows that we are not pursuing a weapon?  In reality they are sanctioning us because of knowledge,\u201d he said.  \u201cNuclear weapons have no place in Islam.  Islam never approves of weapons of mass destruction.\u201d  So, why does Iran cooperate with North Korea?  Does Islam allow assisting other states with their WMD, but prohibit your own?  \u201cThe world knows Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapon: Guards chief,\u201d<\/a> Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, July 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe Godfather of the Islamic Republic of Iran,\u201d<\/a> The National Interest, July 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFormer President Warns Of \u2018Subversion\u2019 In Iran If No Reforms,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Threatens to Enrich Uranium to 20% Purity as Tensions Rise,\u201d<\/a> Ladane Nasseri and Gregory Viscusi, Bloomberg, July 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c\u2018A form of extortion\u2019: Iran to charge foreign ships a toll to cross Strait of Hormuz,\u201d<\/a> Russ Read, Washington Examiner, July 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranians Despair over Nuclear Deal Confrontation,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, July 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 8, 2019.  The friends you keep \u2026.  One thing (among many) interesting things about watching daily news about Iran\u2019s Regime for more than year now is what county Iran sends greetings to on special days (felicitates is the term they use).  Take a look for yourself by searching the news\u2014are these good actors, countries who are improving their human development indicators, defenders of freedom?  The most recent of these is \u201cRouhani felicitates Venezuela on Independence Day,\u201d<\/a> Tehran Times, July 6, 2019. <\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 7, 2019.  Here\u2019s an item that is just one of those things you need to think about before saying \u201cthat is a good idea.\u201d  In \u201cRouhani Tells Macron If US Sanctions Are Halted Talks Can Begin,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 6, 2019, we read \u201cIn a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday July 6, Rouhani has said that if all U.S. sanctions are suspended it could open the way for negotiations to take place.\u201d  Just think about what that statement means.  First, it means that B now comes before A, not A comes before B.  By that I mean the malign Iranian activity came first, then the sanctions.  If the sanctions are removed, what deters Iran from continuing its bad actions?  Second, another practical affect\u2014notice that Rouhani says that negotiations could take place.  Put aside that he doesn\u2019t have authority to make that declaration (the Supreme Leader does), and that the Ayatollah has said no negotiations.  What I\u2019m pointing at here is that negotiations would start, and then continue, and then drag on, etc.  For months, even a year or two.  We are reminded that the sanctions need to stay in place.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 7, 2019.  In the story, \u201cCivic Activist Attacked After Statement Demanding Khamenei\u2019s Resignation,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 7, 2019, we read about the courage of Reza Mehregan, one of the 14 civic-political activists who in June demanded the resignation of Ayatollah Khamenei and the overhaul of Iran\u2019s constitution.  He was then assaulted by a taser and beaten by three plainclothes individuals on July 5.  Two other signatories of the statement have also been harassed.  Javad La\u2019al Mohammadi a member of the teachers\u2019 union in Mashhad, has received numerous threatening phone calls and messages.  Another activist was visited by a man wielding a knife and when his wife called the police they refused to come to investigate.  In the past two years, several well-known dissidents in Iran have called for Khamenei\u2019s resignation and changing the constitution.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran announces increase in uranium enrichment,\u201d<\/a> Rebecca Klar, The Hill, July 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s slow-burn nuclear strategy: Wait out Trump and get new deal from his successor,\u201d<\/a> Analysis by Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, July 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cGermany:  Iran Should Reverse Its Latest Nuclear Plans,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, Jerusalem Post, July 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran announces its second nuclear deal violation in a week as it threatens to enrich weapons-grade uranium,\u201d<\/a> Ryan Pickrell, Business Insider, July 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cExplained: Iran\u2019s Nuclear Program as 2015 Deal Unravels,\u201d<\/a> Jon Gambrell, AP, NBC 4 Washington, July 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Says Seized Oil Tanker in Gibraltar Wasn\u2019t Sailing to Syria,\u201d<\/a> Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, July 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cCyber Warfare Threat Rises As Iran And China Agree \u2018United Front\u2019 Against U.S.,\u201d<\/a> Zak Doffman, Forbes, July 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTop official says Iran ready for higher uranium enrichment,\u201d<\/a> Jon Gambrell, AP, The Mercury News, July 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cYemen: Houthis Commit 18,000 Human Rights Violations in 6 Months,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, July 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRadio Station in War-Torn Yemen Raises $132,000 for Hezbollah,\u201d<\/a> Mohammed Hatem, Bloomberg, July 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nJuly 6, 2019.  Many persons in the West don\u2019t know that Iran isn\u2019t bound by any rules regarding torture.  We should demand that Iran join the anti-torture treaty, the UN Convention against Torture.  For imprisoned Iranians and hostages of other countries including American, every day is one of torture by the country\u2019s repressive regime, which has never signed the Convention.  As this story says, \u201cThe Iranian authorities employ a grotesque menagerie of physical and psychological torture methods. They inflict bodily harm through beating; burning; cutting; electrocution; placement into stress positions; sleep deprivation; denial of medical care; and rape, including \u201cvirginity\u201d and \u201csodomy\u201d tests. And they torment victims\u2019 minds through prolonged solitary confinement, mock executions, threats of rape, and claims that family members are being tortured nearby.\u201d  \u201cWant to support victims of torture? Put the squeeze on Iran,<\/a>\u201d Alan Goldsmith, op-ed, The Hill, July 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran to Lift Uranium Enrichment to Five Percent, Above Level in 2015 Deal: Official,\u201d<\/a> The  Algemeiner, July 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran religious leader threatens UK over capture of oil tanker,\u201d<\/a> Al Jazeera, July 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 5, 2019.  Mindful of our Christians brothers and sisters inside Iran.  While the exact numbers of adherents are unknown (250,000?, 500,000?), the threat of arrest and worse is known.  \u201cIran\u2019s Regime Arrests 8 Christians, Sending Them To Solitary Confinement,\u201d<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, July 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran accuses Britain of \u2018piracy\u2019 for seizing oil tanker and warns of retaliation,\u201d<\/a> Liz Sly, Washington Post, July 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBright orange bikes help women break barriers in Iran,\u201d<\/a> Somayeh Malekian, ABC, July 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Executed 110 In Six Months, Including Minors,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 5, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBillions Of Dollars Of Subsidized Gasoline Being Smuggled Out Of Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, July 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 4, 2019.  \u201cTo Evade Sanctions on Iran, Ships Vanish in Plain Sight,\u201d<\/a> Michael Forsythe and Ronen Bergman, New York Times, July 2, 2019.  This is a good story about how ships carrying Iranian oil are turning off their transponders and are violating international law.  The International Maritime Organization, operating pursuant to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)(an international maritime treaty which sets minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment and operation of merchant ships), requires that ships fitted with automatic identification systems to maintain AIS in operation at all times.  This is the requirement laid out in the treaty.  Iran is a member of this treaty.  But as an additional point, notice what the NYT does NOT say.  Here is the story\u2019s quote I noticed–\u201cA maritime treaty overseen by a United Nations agency requires ships of 300 tons or more that travel international routes to have an automatic identification system.  The gear helps avoid collisions and aids in search-and-rescue operations.  It also allows countries to monitor shipping traffic.  It is not illegal under international law to buy and haul Iranian oil or related products.  The Trump administration\u2019s sanctions, which went into effect last November after the United States pulled out of the Iran nuclear agreement, are unilateral.\u201d  There is no reason for the Times to protect Iran.  Go ahead and say it\u2014the Iranian transponders are being turned off in violation of international law.  Include that fact in the story.  Does the NYT really think they need to appease the Regime?<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cGibraltar Seizes Syria-Bound Tanker Thought to Be Carrying Iranian Oil,\u201d<\/a> Palko Karasz and Raphael Minder, New York Times, July 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says no talks with US unless supreme leader approves,\u201d<\/a> AP, ABC, July 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 3, 2019.  \u201cReuters: Iran amasses more enriched uranium than allowed by nuclear deal,\u201d <\/a>Kyiv Post, July 1, 2019.  <\/span>There are now many news stories about Iran violating the nuclear deal by producing LEU in amounts exceeding its agreement.  What will it do with this extra material?  Will it further enrich?  The JCPOA was flawed for several reasons, one of which was it in essence allowed Iran\u2019s eventual producing nuclear material and joining the club through a schedule over several years.  Never did Iran take the steps another country would have taken to prepare for more electricity lines or cancer treatments in how it set up its nuclear program over the past years.  Nor is it doing so now.  The JCPOA agreement has always been that Iran be bought off (blackmail) so it won\u2019t produce nuclear materials (for weapons).  The U.S. was right to back out of the JCPOA and find a better solution.  See also press releases from UANI in the last couple of days, <\/span>\u201cIran Nuclear Deal\u2019s Sunset Provisions Begin Expiring in 2020\u201d<\/a> and <\/span>\u201cIran\u2019s Breaching of Uranium Limit Demonstrates Inherent Weakness of Nuclear Deal.\u201d<\/a><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Military Warns Outlook Users To Update Immediately Over Hack Linked To Iran,\u201d<\/a> Zak Doffman, Forbes, July 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says it will increase uranium enhancement,\u201d<\/a> Quint Forgey, Politico, July 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c\u2018Any amount we want\u2019: Iran poised to increase uranium enrichment at higher levels,\u201d<\/a> Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, July 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJuly 2, 2019.  Oh great.  Well, this is not new news.  Iran has been working on this for several years.  Here it is in open sources.  \u201cIran Currently Setting Up Terror Cells In Africa To Attack U.S., Others,\u201d<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, June 26, 2019.  So a word to the wise\u2014be careful in the countries quoted below in the story.  Note also the Suleimani himself has ordered this.  Note also THE JCPOA DID NOT STOP IRAN FROM DEVELOPING TERROR.  \u201cIran is setting up a network of terror cells in Africa to attack US and other Western targets in retaliation for Washington\u2019s decision to impose sanctions against Tehran, according to Western security officials,\u201d according to the newspaper.The article by veteran defense and security journalist Con Coughlin said that the \u201cnew terror network has been established on the orders of Qassem Suleimani, the head of the Quds Force, the elite section of Iran\u2019s Republican Guard Corps that has responsibility for overseas operations.\u201d  The United States government classifies Iran\u2019s regime as the leading international state-sponsor of terrorism.  According to the Telegraph, \u201cThe aim of the new terror cell is to target US and other Western military bases on the continent, as well as embassies and officials. The Iranian cells are said to be active in a number of African countries including Sudan, Chad, Ghana, Niger, Gambia and the Central African Republic.\u201d  \u201cIran is setting up a new terrorist infrastructure in Africa with the aim of attacking Western targets,\u201d a senior Western security source told The Daily Telegraph, adding, \u201cIt is all part of Tehran\u2019s attempts to expand its terrorist operations across the globe.\u201d  The report noted \u201cIntelligence officials say Iran has been working on the new terror network for the past three years since signing the nuclear deal on freezing its uranium enrichment activities with the US and other major world powers in 2015.\u201d  Coughlin wrote that \u201cThe operation is being organized by Unit 400, a highly specialized section of the Quds Force which is run by Hamed Abdollahi, a veteran Republican Guard officer who was designated by the US as supporting terrorist activity in 2012.\u201d  The African cell is said to be run by Ali Parhoon, another senior Iranian officer in Unit 400. Details of the terror cell\u2019s existence were uncovered following a series of arrests in Chad in April.  \u201cInvestigators found that Iran was behind the recruitment and training of men between the ages of 25-35 with the aim of committing terror attacks against Western targets on the continent,\u201d The Telegraph reported. \u201cThere are estimated to be around 300 militants who have been recruited by the Revolutionary Guard and have undergone rigorous training at Iranian-run training camps in Syria and Iraq.\u201d  According to the article, \u201cThe last batch of recruits were trained at an Iranian base in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf. Iran\u2019s attempts to establish a new terror operation in Africa follow revelations in The Telegraph earlier this month that British security officials caught terrorists linked to Iran stockpiling tons of explosives on the outskirts of London.  \u201cThe British authorities believe this cell was also set up in 2015 after Iran signed the nuclear deal.  \u201cUS diplomatic officials say a warning has been circulated to American diplomatic and military missions in the countries where Iranian militants are said to be operating, as well as missions of other Western countries, including Britain, France and Italy,\u201d The Telegraph reported.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIAEA Confirms Iran Violated JCPOA Nuclear Deal, Uranium Stockpile Exceeds 300 kg,\u201d<\/a> Hana Levi, Julian, Jewish Press, July 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHamas Member Details Long History Of Iranian Financial, Political Support,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, July 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsraeli spymaster says Iran responsible for recent attacks,\u201d<\/a> Shahar Golan, AP, July 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran breaches 2015 nuclear deal for the 1st time, but calls the move \u2018reversible,\u2019\u201d<\/a> CBS, July 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran helping dig tunnels in Gaza,\u201d<\/a> Dalit Halevi, Arutz Sheva, July 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says it will soon exceed enriched uranium limit under nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, July 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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July 1, 2019.  Here is an important story flying below radar.  \u201cIran\u2019s withdrawal from NPT to harm global security\u2014senior Russian diplomat,\u201d<\/a> TASS Russian News Agency, June 12, 2019.  \u201cRussia\u2019s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters following the consultations with the US State Department\u2019s Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson that, \u201cWe have made and make little secret of the fact that we would not consider the implementation of the idea of Iran\u2019s withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty right.  That would deal a very heavy blow not only to the non-proliferation mechanism, but generally to the global, not to speak about regional, security as well.\u201d  Iran has said it is mulling the withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty as one of the options to respond to the US\u2019 tightening of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.  The NPT is a multilateral UN treaty with the aim of preventing the expansion of the list of countries possessing nuclear weapons and easing the risk of a nuclear conflict.  The treaty was approved in 1968; currently, 190 countries are parties to the NPT.<\/span>
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\nJune 30, 2019.  Ari Takeyh\u2019s got it right.  He is with the Council on Foreign Relations, and he served as a senior adviser on Iran at the Department of State in the Obama administration.  \u201cA Look At The Diplomatic Options That Remain For Iran As Tensions With The U.S. Rise,\u201d<\/a> Ari Shapiro, NPR All Things Considered, June 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
\nSHAPIRO: President Trump has been using strong words about Iran for some time now. He says his administration’s goal is to get Iran to the negotiating table. Iran’s Foreign Ministry says this last round of sanctions permanently closes the path of diplomacy. Do you take that as the final word?<\/span><\/div>\n
\nTAKEYH: No. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson is not the final arbiter of all this. I think both countries do want to negotiate. The United States certainly does. And there are important actors within the Iranian political system that also do, including President Rouhani himself, who’s been intrigued by the idea of negotiations with President Trump. Ultimately if they want to get out from under the sanctions, the only path out of that particular predicament is some kind of a negotiations between the two sides.<\/span><\/div>\n
\nSHAPIRO: Do you think that the Trump administration is on to something when they say that a maximum pressure campaign will force Iran to the negotiating table? I mean, if you’re saying Iran wants out from under these sanctions and negotiation’s the way to get there, does that suggest the Trump administration is on the right track?<\/span><\/div>\n
\nTAKEYH: The maximum strategy of pressure has been tactically successful. It has put enormous pressure on Iran. It has even managed to slice Iran’s oil exports – unlikely to get down to zero, but it will be close to zero. So at a tactical level, this certainly has been successful. And I think at the end of the day, it will probably press the Iranian government toward the negotiations. Now, what happens at those negotiations of course remains to be seen.<\/span><\/div>\n
\nSHAPIRO: The other option is that it presses both sides to war, intentionally or unintentionally. Both sides say they don’t want this. Iran’s president restated that today. Do you think that war is a real risk here?<\/span><\/div>\n
\nTAKEYH: Confrontation between the two sides is always a risk. And there has been military confrontation between the United States and the Islamic Republic since the conception of the Islamic Republic, whether it was takeover of the American embassy, whether it was the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon and, most recently, of course in terms of targeting American military personnel in Iraq. So that’s the reality of the situation – that United States and Iran have always coexisted in a measure of a low-intensity conflict. However, both sides have always walked back from the brink in terms of total war, and I suspect it will be that way in this case as well.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran announces visa waiver for Chinese tourists,\u201d<\/a> France24, June 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRussia ready to deliver S-400 system to Iran: report,\u201d<\/a> AMN, June 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Draws The Line, Says Vienna Is \u2018Last Chance\u2019 To Save Nuclear Deal,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, Reuters, June 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Using Malaysia To Sidestep U.S. Sanctions On Oil Exports,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, June 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nJune 29, 2019.  Thank you Sec. Mnuchin, for again reminding us that the issue is Iran\u2019s behavior (this blog is tracking public sources to watch if Iran will change its behavior for the better and act like other countries).  \u201cOur issue is that there is really bad behavior.  They are sponsoring terrorism throughout the region, they are creating instability in this region, they are endangering our partners and our allies and our interests.  We will not stand for that.\u201d  See \u201cTreasury Secretary Mnuchin says sanctions must be working for Iran leadership to be so upset,\u201d<\/a> Sam Meredith, CNBC, June 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 28, 2019.  Three things\u2014First, this NYT story immediately makes it clear why this particular country, Iran, cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.  We\u2019ve already seen this in North Korea, but NK doesn\u2019t have the magnitude of track record of malicious behavior against other states.  Second, remember, it is not Iran President Rouhani who runs the government and its foreign policy.  It is the Supreme Leader, and he says no negotiation ever.  This does not mean that Iran won\u2019t negotiate, it just means that Iran will have to save face, to declare somehow they have withstood pressure and have made the U.S. come to the table.  Of course, the U.S. has already said it will negotiate.  Where the line comes for Iran will be if the Leader thinks it is needed for survival of the Regime, or to keep people off the streets in massive protests.  Third, the NYT needs to more often remind its readers of the reasons Pres. Trump pulled out of the JCPOA.  These include that Iran covets a nuclear weapon, that the JCPOA did not permanently block Iran from a nuclear weapon, that Iran threatens other countries with its ballistic missile program including the GCC states in the region, that Iran is the leading state sponsor of terror, Iran sponsors Hezbollah and Hamas which threaten Israel, Iran repeatedly pressures the use of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran has a terrible human rights record.  That is a pretty long list of acts that Iran should change to act as other countries do.  Here is an extended quote from one of these stories, from the New York Times, that makes some of these points.  \u201cIn his first public comments since President Trump aborted an imminent attack on Iran last week, its top leader on Wednesday ruled out any negotiations with Washington and said that only the threat of military force provides protection from American domination.  \u201cNegotiation is an effort to deceive into doing what the U.S. desires,\u201d said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the English translation on his official website.  \u201cIt is like you hold a weapon, so the other side does not dare come close,\u201d the ayatollah said, and then the Americans order Iran to drop the weapon \u201cso I can do whatever I want to you.\u201d  \u201cThis is what they mean by negotiation,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you accept their request, you will suffer the worst things, and if you don\u2019t accept it, you will face the huff and puff and their hassles over human rights excuses.\u201d  As the paramount decision maker in the Iranian political system, Mr. Khamenei\u2019s assent is necessary for diplomatic talks or military action, and his comments on Wednesday were the clearest indication yet that he saw little utility in seeking a compromise with Washington to avoid further confrontation.  His allusion to holding a \u201cweapon,\u201d in particular, may have been a veiled reference to the American accusations that Iran is seeking a nuclear weapon to hold more powerful rivals at bay.  The Iranian government has asserted many times that it will never possess nuclear arms. But around the same time that Mr. Khamenei spoke, other Iranian officials were repeating that Iran expects by Thursday to have exceeded the amount of enriched uranium it is permitted under the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated with six big powers led by the United States.  Mr. Trump\u2019s accusations that Iran covets a nuclear weapon are at the heart of the current standoff. Mr. Trump last year abandoned the agreement, faulting it for failing to permanently block potential Iranian nuclear ambitions or to restrict other Iranian military activity. He reimposed sanctions on Iran \u2014 a violation of the agreement \u2014 which are inflicting severe pain on the Iranian economy.\u201d  See<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\u201cIran\u2019s Supreme Leader Vows Never to Capitulate to U.S. Sanctions,\u201d<\/a> David Kirkpatrick, New York Times, June 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWhy Iran Won\u2019t Be Joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Anytime Soon,\u201d<\/a> Sabena Siddiqui, The Globe Post, June 27, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSupreme Leader Says Iran Won\u2019t Back Down From U.S.,\u201d<\/a> Aresu Eqbali and Sune Engel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal, June 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 27, 2019.  It is unfortunate to read that little has changed in Iran regarding religious rights.  See <\/span>\u201cIranian regime\u2019s repression of Christians \u2018shocks the conscience\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, June 26, 2019.  <\/span>A horribly familiar description of the Iranian regime\u2019s persecution of Christians and other minorities emerged from a U.S. State Department report on religious freedom published Friday.  \u201cIn Iran, the regime\u2019s crackdown on Baha\u2019is, Christians and others continues to shock the conscience,\u201d Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.  The U.S. has classified the Islamic Republic as a \u201cCountry of Concern\u201d since 1999, because its regime violates religious freedom as defined by the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act (1998).  Richard Grenell, the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, told FoxNews.com, \u201cFreedom to believe and worship the way you want is a fundamental right. It is never acceptable for governments to punish or intimidate citizens for their religious beliefs.\u201d Grenell, a devout Christian, is a former Fox News contributor.  The 30-page section on Iran appeared in the State Department\u2019s 2018 Report on International Religious Freedom and was reviewed by FoxNews.com.  The section read in part: \u201cChristians, particularly evangelicals and converts from Islam, continued to experience disproportionate levels of arrests and detention, and high levels of harassment and surveillance, according to Christian NGO reports. Numerous Christians remained imprisoned at year\u2019s end on charges related to their religious beliefs. Prison authorities reportedly continued to withhold medical care from prisoners, including some Christians, according to human rights groups.\u201d  Iran\u2019s opaque judicial system upheld 10-year prison sentences against Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Saheb Fadaie and Mohammad Reza Omidi for practicing their Christian faith. The Iranians were convicted of \u201cacting against national security\u201d by \u201cpromoting Zionist Christianity\u201d and running house churches.  The State Department report wrote that \u201cauthorities took Nadarkhani and the three other sentenced Christians to Evin Prison following a series of violent raids on their homes, which included beatings and electroshock weapons.\u201d  As of May 2018, \u201cOmidi, Mossayebzadeh, and Fadaie still awaited the outcome of the appeal of their September 2016 sentence of 80 lashes for consumption of communion wine.\u201d  Iran\u2019s penal code prescribes the \u201cdeath sentence for proselytizing and attempts by non-Muslims to convert Muslims, as well as for moharebeh (\u2018enmity against God\u2019) and sabb al-nabi (\u2018insulting the Prophet\u2019).\u201d  Alireza Nader, the CEO of New Iran, a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., told Fox News: \u201cReligious freedom and state repression has increased under President [Hassan] Rouhani. Christian converts and Baha\u2019is are under severe pressure in particular. Far from providing a government of \u2018moderation,\u2019 Rouhani has instead abetted state repression against all Iranians, especially minorities.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Sanctions on Iran\u2019s Top Ayatollah? What It Means,\u201d<\/a> Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg, June 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 26, 2019.  Lest there be any doubt that Iran is enriching uranium for something other than nuclear isotopes.  \u201cIran will speed up enriching of uranium after deadline to Europe ends on Thursday: IRIB,\u201d<\/a> Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, June 26, 2019.  Iran will speed up enrichment of uranium after a deadline given to European countries to prevent this ends on Thursday, the spokesman for Iran\u2019s Atomic Energy Organization said on Wednesday, according to the IRIB news agency.  \u201cThe deadline of the Atomic Energy Organization for passing the production of enriched uranium from the 300 kilogram border will end tomorrow,\u201d the organization\u2019s spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said. \u201cWith the end of this deadline, the speed of enrichment will speed up.\u201d  The Secretary of Iran\u2019s Supreme National Security Council said on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic will take new steps to reduce its commitments under its nuclear deal with world powers on July 7.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran to take new steps to reduce commitment to nuclear deal on July 7,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, June 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe Cybersecurity 202: Here\u2019s how Iran disrupted U.S. businesses the last time it launched major cyberattacks,\u201d<\/a> Joseph Marks, Washington Post, June 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Supreme Leader says U.S. offer for negotiations is a \u2018deception\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, June 25, 2019.  <\/span>Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader scorned the idea of negotiations to ease his country\u2019s tense standoff with the U.S. in his first comments since being sanctioned by President Donald Trump.  \u201cIf we agree in negotiations to their demands, they will make the nation miserable,\u201d Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday, arguing Washington was attempting to strip Iran of its economic and defense capabilities. \u201cAnd if we don\u2019t, they will go on creating political frenzy, fueling propaganda and applying pressure.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian official calls IAEA inspectors \u2018roaches,\u2019 says Tehran should quit NPT,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, June 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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\nJune 25, 2019.  Considering that the Ayatollah is arguably the world\u2019s richest man, and considering how he won his fortune \u2026 it is only appropriate that finally the United States (for itself and for the people of Iran) has for the first time targeted an Iranian head of state with sanctions.  \u201cTrump puts sanctions on Iranian supreme leader, other top officials,\u201d<\/a> Steve Holland, Stephen Kalin, Reuters, June 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWhat shooting down a $110M US drone tells us about Iran,\u201d<\/a> Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, June 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran minister says Tehran fully prepared to tackle U.S. sanctions: Tasnim,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, June 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUN: Yemen\u2019s Houthi rebels blocking food for tens of thousands,\u201d<\/a> Al Jazeera, June 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Disparages U.S. Over Sanctions,\u201d<\/a> David Kirkpatrick, New York Times, June 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Attempted Attack In Paris, Half A Ton Of Explosives Found \u2013 Report,\u201d<\/a> Yasser Okbi\/Maariv, Jerusalem Post, June 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran And Iraq:  Tehran Envisions Joint Military Exercises, Missile Defense And Mosul Influence,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIran likely at \u2018inflection point,\u2019 launching attacks to change \u2018status quo,\u2019 Defense Intelligence Agency director tells Fox News,\u201d<\/a> Catherine Herridge, Cyd Upson, Fox News, June 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 24, 2019.  \u201cIran is setting up a network of terror cells in Africa to attack US and other Western targets in retaliation for Washington\u2019s decision to impose sanctions against Tehran, according to Western security officials.  The new terror network has been established on the orders of Qassem Suleimani, the head of the Quds Force, the elite section of Iran\u2019s Republican Guard Corps that has responsibility for overseas operations.  The aim of the new terror cell is to target US and other Western military bases on the continent, as well as embassies and officials.  The Iranian cells are said to be active in a number of African countries including Sudan, Chad, Ghana, Niger, Gambia and the Central African Republic.\u201d  See \u201cTehran sets up terror cells in Africa as Western sanctions bite,\u201d<\/a> Con Coughlin, The Telegraph, June 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Sees Russia, China, Iran Trying to Influence 2020 Elections,\u201d<\/a> Alyza Sebenius, Bloomberg, June 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says U.S. must offer new incentives if it wants new concessions,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, June 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 23, 2019.  The chants continue.  \u201cIran lawmakers chant \u2018Death to America\u2019 as U.S. called \u2018terrorist\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, June 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEx-Diplomat: Iran\u2019s Full Membership in SCO Hinges on Resolution of Bilateral Issues,\u201d<\/a> Financial Tribune, June 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 22, 2019.  Such a sad story.  But there is value in focusing on the plight of this father and son over the hostage taking of their wife\/mother by Iran.  \u201cHusband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe says Iran is trying to silence protest in London,\u201d<\/a> Alexander Smith, NBC, June 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian hackers wage cyber campaign amid tensions with U.S.,\u201d<\/a> CBS, June 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSecurity firms see spike in Iranian cyberattacks,\u201d<\/a> Tim Starks, Politico, June 21, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cInfantino tells Iran to let women into World Cup qualifiers,\u201d<\/a> AP, ESPN, June 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 21, 2019.  So, Trump takes the high ground and refuses to a possible military attack that would kill 150 people.  The U.S. says there will be talks at the Security Council this next Monday.  There is also news that Iran said it held back from killing 35 in a P-8 Poseidon (that Iran claimed was in its airspace).  \u201cTrump Stopped Strike on Iran Because It Was \u2018Not Proportionate\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Michael Shear, Helene Cooper, and Eric Schmitt, New York Times, June 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTrump Approves Strikes on Iran, but Then Abruptly Pulls Back,\u201d<\/a>  Michael Shear, Eric Schmitt, Michael Crowley, and Maggie Haberman, New York Times, June 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Knocked Out of the Sky a Very Special U.S. Drone (And Exposed a Key Weakness),\u201d<\/a> David Axe, National Interest, June 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 20, 2019.  Note this press release from United Against Nuclear Iran, explaining one of the important reasons why the JCPOA was fatally flawed.  \u201cIran\u2019sEnrichment Threat Reveals Fatal Flaw in Nuclear Deal,\u201d<\/a> United Against Nuclear Iran, Press Release, June 18, 2019.  (New York, N.Y.) – Iran’s threat to exceed the limits on its stockpile of enriched-uranium reveals a fatal flaw in the 2015 nuclear deal that bolsters the need for a fundamental renegotiation of the agreement, said leaders of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI). Iran’s announcement came mere days after being accused by the U.S. of culpability in attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman. “The announcement by Iran is another example of why President Trump made the correct decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal,” said UANI Chairman Senator Joseph I. Lieberman. “The ease with which Iran can restart and ramp up its nuclear program should alarm the world. The international community cannot allow Iran to engage in nuclear blackmail without any consequences. If Tehran carries through on its threats, Europe, Russia, and China should join the U.S. and reimpose broad sanctions on this outlaw regime. The Iran nuclear deal was fatally flawed from the start,” said UANI CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace. “It left Iran with an industrial scale nuclear industry that allows Iran to enrich and weaponize at the time of its choosing. Iran’s actions in the last day reveal that fundamental flaw.”<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 20, 2019.  Reminds me of Ayatollah Khomeini\u2019s use of waves of children soldiers to fight Iraq and to clear mine fields.  \u201cHouthis recruit 50,000 Yemen child soldiers in 3 months, minister says,\u201d<\/a> Anna Varfolomeeva, The Defense Post, June 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTrump says he aborted retaliatory strike to spare Iranian lives,\u201d<\/a> Jeff Mason, Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, June 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 19, 2018.  While this subcommittee already exists within the Assembly of Experts, I doubt that any cement has dried on a final list let alone a finalist.  \u201cIs Iran\u2019s Next Supreme Leader Already Chosen?,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, June 18, 2018.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS to send 1,000 more troops to Middle East,\u201d<\/a> Joyce Karam, The National, June 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 18, 2019.  Interesting?  Not.  Sad?  Yes.  We go sideways to comment on what normal countries do\u2014they allow international, peaceful shipping to pass through straits\u2014and what normal countries do not do.  In this article, a high representative of the EU does not consider Iran\u2019s destabilizing actions in the Middle East since 1979 (terror, missiles, drug trade, actions against neighbors, human rights abuses, the list is long) and instead only comments on the JCPOA, an agreement which did not curb Iran\u2019s appetite for nuclear weapons.  After the JCPOA, Iran did not become a normal country in international affairs, and the EU and the Obama Administration became hostage to keeping it in place or else Iran would back out (and ironically, the agreement at the end of its term was giving Iran a green light for joining the club of those with nuclear uses beyond power and medicine).  It was flawed from the beginning because Iran would not change its overall actions.  Just because Iran\u2019s government would not change their policies and actions is no reason to blame the U.S.  The U.S. is calling Iran to act as other countries to rid itself of the label \u201cworld\u2019s leading state sponsor of terrorism.\u201d  It is time for the EU to stand up to the country that is threatening it, whether Iran or those who enable it.  The world will be better off if we defend and are honest about threats and do not kick the can down the road for someone else to address in later years.  \u201cTop EU adviser blames US for Iran tensions,\u201d<\/a> Zoya Sheftalovich, Politico, June 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says it will break key nuclear deal uranium limit in 10 days,\u201d<\/a> CBS News, June 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Announces It Will Soon Exceed Limits Of Uranium Agreed To In 2015 NuclearDeal,\u201d<\/a> Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, June 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran government advisor warns of \u2018unavoidable war\u2019 if sanctions not \u2018abandoned\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Yaghoub Fazeli, Al Arabiya, June 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 17, 2019.  The Washington Post and the NYT have regularly pressured Europe to come up with funds (blackmail) to keep Iran from producing more enriched uranium Without mentioning Russia and China, also parties to the JCPOA.  This has gone on for about a year now in their reporting.  Regardless, here is the big news, another blackmail attempt.<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\u201cIran says it will break uranium stockpile limit in 10 days,\u201d<\/a> Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell, AP, Washington Post, June 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. denounces \u2018nuclear blackmail\u2019 as Iran plans to breach uranium limit,\u201d<\/a> Parisa Hafezi, Steve Holland, Reuters, June 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHezbollah European Drug Trade Revealed,\u201d<\/a> Iran Focus, June 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 17, 2019.  Iran\u2019s fingerprints are all over the limpet mine attacks, quite literally. RT is not normally the preferred source for news, but they are the first I\u2019m finding carrying the picture of the Iranian IRGC sailor\u2019s handprint (and when blown up further, most likely fingerprints). Scroll down inside the story to see the picture of the handprint.  There will be other more reliable outlets soon with these pictures.  \u201cPentagon releases new pictures of the Oman Gulf tanker attack, says they \u2018prove\u2019 Iran\u2019s guilt,\u201d<\/a> RT, June 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 16, 2019.  David Sanger is usually a more careful reporter, but his claim that Sec. Pompeo \u201cinstantly\u201d blamed the two tanker attacks on Iran is divorced from reality.  True, it didn\u2019t take Pompeo many hours to announce that Iran was most likely responsible for the attacks, Sanger seems to forget that the State Department and the Defense Department were presented with a large amount of intelligence that Iran was responsible, and there was no evidence regarding other states.  \u201cIn Face-Off With Iran, Escalation May Depend on Who Prevails Inside Washington and Tehran,\u201d<\/a> David Sanger and David Kirkpatrick, New York Times, June 15, 2019.  Here is the quote at the beginning of the story\u2014\u201cAs Iran and the United States face off in the Gulf of Oman, the risk may not be just at sea, but in Tehran and Washington, where both Iranian and American hard-liners are seizing on the moment for political advantage. The attacks this week on two tankers in the gulf, instantly attributed to Iran by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and then President Trump, emboldens the hard-liners in both countries, each able to argue their longtime adversary is itching for war.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cQuarrels Over Hijab Intensify In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, June 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Children Citizenship Bill Sent Back to Parliament,\u201d<\/a> AFP, June 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cJapan\u2019s PM Asks Iran to Release American Captives,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, June 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nJune 15, 2019.  The Supreme Leader says that nations should not negotiate if they are under pressure, and certainly not so with the U.S. He should consider the current cases of Mexico and China, both under pressure from the U.S. regarding immigration and trade respectively, and how good can come when all countries (including the U.S.) regularly interact fairly with others. As my blog records for the last year, and has been seen since the 1979 Revolution, Iran\u2019s regime has an underlying set of guiding principles that must be changed to allow it to act as a normal country, closer to Mexico and China and Canada and Japan etc. if nothing else, if the Ayatollah won\u2019t change for the sake of international relations or good relationships with his neighboring states, he should at least do so for his own people.  \u201cIranian leader tells Japan\u2019s Abe Trump \u2018not worthy\u2019 of a reply to message,\u201d<\/a> Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, Reuters, June 13, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n


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\nJune 14, 2019.  Then VP (now Pres.) Rouhani invited Mr. Zakka to Iran, but when powers above his rank ordered Zakka taken hostage and held four years, we see the dark and powerful above the level of the presidency.  <\/span>\u201cIran frees detained US resident,\u201d<\/a> Bassem Mroue, AP, Christian Science Monitor, June 11, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWATCH: Iranian forces allegedly remove naval mine from tanker after US Navy rescues its crew members, US military claims,\u201d<\/a> David Choi, Business Insider, June 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>June 13, 2019.  I must speak out against the reporting of Edward Wong, that Sec. \u201cPompeo did not present any evidence to back up the assessment of Iran\u2019s involvement.\u201d  And then he doubles down, and against the National Security Adviser\u2014\u201cMr. Pompeo and John R. Bolton, the national security adviser, both said late last month that Iran was responsible for those earlier attacks, though neither have presented evidence.\u201d  See the story below.  It is this type of reporting that makes us scratch our heads about the NYT, and to wonder what their agenda is.  To what I am referring?  In the very same story, just a few paragraphs apart, in which he declares that Sec. Pompeo has no evidence to present to the world, the reporter Wong then tells readers that a US Navy P-8 spotted an unexploded mine attached to the hull of the Kokuka Courageous, which resembled the kind of explosive investigators believe was used against the four ships in the attacks in May.  The crew members on the Courageous also noticed the mine.  As naval explosives experts were preparing Thursday to approach the stricken ship to secure and to remove the mine, and examine it for clues about who attached it to the ship, an Iran IRGC patrol boat pulled up to the side of the Courageous (we\u2019ve now seen the videotape) as the US Navy and a P-8 watched and filmed. The crew of the Iranian patrol boat then pried the unexploded mine off the hull of the tanker and sped away. So, we\u2019ve got hundreds of U.S. personnel involved in this episode, and the NYT reporter has the gall to say it the Secretary has no evidence, and to present this situation as one U.S. official versus the word of the Iranian FM? I choose to believe the long-standing reputation of the U.S. Navy and State Department and the many persons involved, and the pictures we are being shown.  <\/span>\u201cPompeo Says Intelligence Points to Iran in Tanker Attack in Gulf of Oman,<\/a>\u201d By Edward Wong, New York Times, June 13, 2019.<\/span>
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\nJune 13, 2019.  So Iran attacks two vessels, one with goods slated for Japan, just as the Japanese leader visits the Ayatollah. The UN Security Council must act. No other countries in the region would have done this against international shipping at the Strait of Hormuz. And Iran has said over and over that it can and will attack and shut down the Strait. Because the Regime won\u2019t negotiate and only uses threats and force against others, it is quickly coming time for a better response from the international community.  \u201cPompeo: Iran responsible for attack on oil tankers in Gulf of Oman,\u201d<\/a> John Bacon, USA Today, June 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTwitter releases archive of Iran, Russia-linked misinformation campaigns,\u201d<\/a> Emily Birnbaum, The Hill, June 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRelatives Of Protesting, Jailed Workers Harassed In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, June 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cOne Million People Demand Release Of Iran Rights Defender – Amnesty,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, June 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cLondon bomb factory is a sign of Iran\u2019s widening campaign of terror,\u201d<\/a> Con Coughlin, The National, June 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cMore than 1 million people join global campaign to demand Iranian government release Nasrin Sotoudeh,\u201d<\/a> Amnesty International, June 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 12, 2019.  This article does not say where NYT reporter Thomas Erdbrink is located\u2014most likely he is unable to leave Iran, along with his wife, Iranian photographer Newsha Tavakolian.  Bottom line\u2014get out before becoming hostages under made up criminal or national security charges.  Erdbrink has reported for the NYT from Iran since 2012 but had been unable to work since February when his credentials were revoked by Tehran.  We are reminded of the case of American reporter Jason Rezaian of The Washington Post, who was convicted in a closed-door espionage trial in 2015.  He and his wife Yeganeh Salehi were first prohibited from leaving Iran, she was held for a time, and Jason was a hostage for 544 days.  That is a year and a half of his life that Rezaian lost at the orders from the highest level in Iran.  <\/span>\u201cIran revokes New York Times correspondent\u2019s accreditation,\u201d<\/a> Al Jazeera, June 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 12, 2019.  We are reminded the Regime crushed the democratic wishes of the people of Iran in June, 2009, ten years ago.  \u201cA Decade After Iran\u2019s Green Movement, Some Lessons,\u201d<\/a> Borzou Daragahi, Atlantic Council, June 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nJune 11, 2019.  Yes, there are comparisons to be made of the iron grip of the IRGC and the recent reporting of the tight control of the Venezuelan military over its officers.  \u201cIran Guards Deny Reports Of Several Commanders Fleeing Or Arrested,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, June 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Encourages Citizens To Spy On Each Other And Report Moral Code Violations Via Text Message,\u201d<\/a> Cristina Maza, Newsweek, June 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 11, 2019.  Truly cruel and inhumane.  The space in Evin Prison for each man is a narrow rectangle \u201clittle bigger than a coffin.\u201d  \u201cLebanese Man Freed by Iran Says He Shared Cell Space With American,\u201d<\/a> Vivian Yee, New York Times, June 11, 2019.  \u201cIran still holds at least four American prisoners, including Michael R. White, a Navy veteran imprisoned since last July; Siamak and Baquer Namazi, an Iranian-American father and son; and Xiyue Wang, a Chinese-American graduate student at Princeton University who was arrested in 2016 on suspicion of spying while doing historical research for his dissertation. (Another American, Robert Levinson, a former F.B.I. agent, has been missing in the country since 2007.)\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 11, 2019.  \u201cIran faces a simple choice: It can either behave like a normal nation or watch its economy crumble.\u201d  <\/span>\u201cIran Frees U.S. Resident Held for Three Years,\u201d<\/a> Susan Crabtree, Real Clear Politics, June 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s top diplomat says his country executes gay people because of \u2018moral principles\u2019,\u201d<\/a> John Haltiwanger, Business Insider, June 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. says Iran is in breach of nuclear deal but repeats offer of talks,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, June 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran has accelerated enrichment of uranium, IAEA says,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, June 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Parliament Makes New Law Against Acid Attacks,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, June 9, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTehran closes 547 restaurants for breaking \u2018Islamic principles\u2019,\u201d<\/a> The Guardian, June 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nJune 7, 2019.  It appears that the next step Israel may take is to disable (not yet destroy) one of the cargo planes Iran is using to ferry missiles and drones and etc. to Syria).  Here is the news story, and below is interesting information about Israel\u2019s strike against T4.  Notice how good the Israeli\u2019s intelligence was\u2014it apparently knows what and when is being transported.  \u201cAlleged Israeli Strike Took Out Advanced Portable Weasons <\/a>System,\u201d<\/a> Ann<\/span> Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, June 5, 2019.  \u201cAn alleged Israeli airstrike on Syria\u2019s T4 airbase on Sunday night likely took out an advanced weapons system which had been transported from Iran a day earlier, an assessment by ImageSat International (ISI) found on Tuesday.  According to the assessment by ISI, the strike on June 2 destroyed \u201can element or a few\u201d elements, and not an infrastructure, near an aircraft apron which had earlier hosted an Iranian aircraft.  \u201cSince the attack targeted specific components, reasonably portable, it is assessed that they were of high importance,\u201d ISI said, adding that it could have been \u201can advanced weapon system element, probably related to UAVs and possibly including a transportable ground control structure.\u201d  Iran has been moving its assets from areas repeatedly struck by Israel to locations closer to the border with Iraq, specifically the T4 Airbase strategically located between Homs and Palmyra and a day before the strike a Qeshm Fars Air jumbo jet returned to Iran from a possible arms delivery flight at T4.  With a large presence of Iranian-backed troops in the area, both civilian and cargo airlines are used by the IRGC as a front for military transport flights bringing in soldiers and weaponry to bolster Iran\u2019s military presence in Syria.\u201d<\/span>
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\nJune 6, 2019.  We\u2019ll see if they carry through with this promise.  \u201cIran agrees to release U.S. resident jailed for spying: Lebanon,\u201d<\/a> By Dan De Luce, NBC, June 4, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cRussia and Iran Plan to Fundamentally Isolate the Internet,\u201d<\/a> Justin Sherman, Wired, June 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran seems to have never stopped funding Hamas families,\u201d<\/a> Ahmad Abu Amer, Al Monitor, June 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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June 5, 2019.  This is about as close to freedom of speech as you can find in Iran right now.  A member of Parliament speaks his mind, in contravention to the Parliament Speaker and the type of logic the Supreme Leader and Guardian Council don\u2019t want to hear.  Because of the rarity of this type of expression, I will post the article in full.  (BTW, if you can ever find the actual fatwa in which the Supreme Leader bans Iran\u2019s production or possession of nuclear weapons, tell me.  Tell the world.  The IRI says it exists but no one ever hands out copies.)  \u201cIranian MP To Propose Bill Banning Nuclear Weapons,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, June 2, 2019.  \u201cMahmoud Sadeghi, a reformist member of the Iranian parliament, tweeted on Friday that he intends to present a bill banning the development of nuclear weapons in Iran, according to Radio Farda.  Sadeghi based the proposal of the bill on a public declaration by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday in which he stated that nuclear weapons are a violation of Sharia law.  “Considering the Fatwa (Islamic legal opinion) of the Supreme Leader about the religious prohibition on nuclear weapons, I will present a bill to Majles (the Iranian Parliament) banning its production,” Sadeghi tweeted.  On May 29, Khamenei announced that “Our strength is in nuclear science and we are not after nuclear weapons either. Not because of the sanctions or the (pressures from) the United States, but because of our ideology that deems nuclear weapons forbidden from the point of view of Fiqh (Islamic legal interpretation and analysis, according to Oxford Islamic Studies) and religion,” Tasnim news reported.  Addressing calls to produce, but not use nuclear weapons, Khamenei stated that “this is also wrong.  We would spend a lot to produce them without using it and the enemy knows we would never use them.  So they would be ineffective for us,” according to Tasnim news.  Mahmoud Sadeghi is known as a vocal critic of conservatives in Iran. In December 2018, Iran’s Guardian Council (GC) pressed charges against the outspoken member of parliament after he accused the GC of “financial corruption,” according to Radio Farda.  Anyone who wants to run for office in Iran, must first be approved by the GC. The suit filed by the GC against Sadeghi claimed that he had accused the GC of receiving bribes for approving political candidates.  Sadeghi also criticized the GC for disqualifying competent candidates.  “By disqualifying merited candidates, the Guardian Council has not allowed figures brave enough to fight corruption to have a seat in the parliament,” Sadeghi stated in an open session of parliament in December 2018.  “Why is parliament devoid of the serious will necessary for fighting corruption? Why are we cooperating with corrupt figures, and why are we afraid to publicly name those who have astronomical overdue debts [to the banks]?” Sadeghi continued.  “Are we the essence of the nation\u2019s virtues? [No], we are the essence of the Guardian Council\u2019s virtues.”  A few days later, Sadeghi reaffirmed that he believes “in the GC\u2019s right to qualify or reject candidates.”  He did however criticize recent limitations placed on the authority of the parliament, saying, “The point is reducing parliament\u2019s realm of authority.  We are not allowed to investigate any case related to the GC or Assembly of Experts. These limitations have reduced the level of the parliament\u2019s authority and its output,” Iran’s ISNA news agency reported.\u201d\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nJune 4, 2019.  For those that say Iran does not want to expand its Revolution or power, read this news story.  (and that the Regime claims it is Allah\u2019s will they expand).  It is the latest quote on this topic.  \u201cIRGC commander: Iran\u2019s presence in Syria is an \u2018act of divine duty\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Al Arabiya, June 2, 2019.  \u201cThe Islamic Revolution came to an end in Iran, but was not limited to a geographic area, said Admiral Ali Fadavi, vice commander of the IRGC.  \u201cOne of the beautiful effects of adhering to the Islamic Revolution is the presence of our youth thousands of kilometres away from the borders of our country, and how beautifully they have achieved the victory that was promised to us by God,\u201d he added, speaking at a memorial ceremony for Iranian soldiers killed during the Iran-Iraq war.  Fadavi claimed that the US and European and Arab countries failed to change the regime in Syria because Iran did not allow that to happen, Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) reported.  He said that the presence of Iran in Syria is \u201can act of divine duty.\u201d  A few days ago, Fadavi had also openly spoken about Iran\u2019s support for the Houthis in Yemen in a TV interview with Iran\u2019s Channel 3.  Fadavi said that Iran helps the Houthis as much as it can, but not as much as it would like, due to the \u201cblockade of Yemen.\u201d  He claimed that if Iran could support the Houthis on the ground, as it does with the Syrian regime, the Houthis would be in a more promising position.  \u201cIf we were there [in Yemen], the Houthis would be in Riyadh by now,\u201d said Fadavi.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cIran Honors Iraqi Shiite Paramilitary Group That US Labels Terrorists,\u201d<\/a> Rikar Hussein and Mehdi Jedinia, VOA, June 4, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u201cAttorney, Rights Defender Sentenced To 30 Years, Flogging In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, June 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cGerman Intel:  Iran Buying Illegal TechnologyFor Weapons Of Mass Destruction,\u201d<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, June 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran: Supreme leader\u2019s legacy debated 30 years after his death,\u201d<\/a> Ted Regencia, Al Jazeera, June 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cIran\u2019s Industrial Output Dramatically Dropped in 2018,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, June 4, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nJune 3, 2019.  This is funny.  The point of this blog I maintain is to observe through open sources if and when Iran begins to act as other countries do.  Here is a story in which Pres. Rouhani ironically says that the U.S. (!) is not acting as \u201ca normal nation\u201d and that it must do so in order for Iran to talk to the U.S.  See \u201cIran\u2019s Rouhani says U.S. \u2018should return to normal state\u2019 for talks – official website,\u201d<\/a> Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, Reuters, June 2, 2019.  \u201cReacting to a U.S. offer to talk with Iran without pre-conditions, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday it was Washington that had left the negotiating table, and it \u201cshould return to normal state\u201d.  U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday the United States is prepared to engage with Iran without pre-conditions about its nuclear program, but needs to see the country behaving like \u201ca normal nation\u201d.  Rouhani was quoted by the government\u2019s official website as saying: \u201cThe other side that left the negotiating table and breached a treaty should return to normal state. Until then, we do not have a choice but resistance.\u201d\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cProtesters in Iran, Iraq burn Israel, US flags on \u2018Quds Day\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Amir Vahdat, The Republic, June 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNetanyahu Says Iran Pays $700 Million To Hezbollah Annually,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, June 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Sends Journalist to Notorious Prison, Jails Another for 2 Years,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin, VOA, June 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Rejects Pompeo\u2019s Offer of Talks With \u2018No Preconditions\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Courtney McBride, Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 2, 2019.  I\u2019ve never seen such\u2014a meeting about \u201cregional security issues\u201d (i.e., Iran), particularly Iran\u2019s presence in Syria, that is comprised of the U.S., Russia, and Israel.  And even takes place in Israel.  It will be a meeting of U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, and Russian Secretary of the Security Council Nikolay Patrushev, in Jerusalem in June.  PM Netanyahu said the same–never before has such a meeting been held in Israel.  <\/span>\u201cIsrael, U.S., Russia To Discuss Syria In Trilateral Meeting In Jerusalem,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, May 30, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS-Russian-IsraeliMeeting to \u2018Contain Iran\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Ibrahim Hamidi, Asharq Al-Awsat, June 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Renews Threats Against U.S. Bases And Warships In Gulf Region,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, June 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran sentences journalist to two years in jail,\u201d<\/a> AFP, Tehran, June 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran briefly detains 2 European diplomats at coed party,\u201d<\/a> AP, June 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUN Watchdog: Iran Complying with 2015 Nuclear Deal,\u201d<\/a> AP, VOA, June 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\nJune 1, 2019.  Lots of June 1 entries, several things worthy of comment.  Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov sat down for \u201ca square talk\u201d with his counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Russian foreign minister said in a statement after the meeting.  The Russian envoy sought to dissuade the Iranians from leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty or following the Donald Trump administration in exiting the 2015 nuclear deal.  Why it matters: Russia appears to be playing an increasing role as a de facto mediator between the United States and Iran as the two countries inch closer to a regional confrontation.  Yes, Russia wants to be a player.  Yes, Russia can\u2019t totally control Iran.  Yes, Russia is a little threatened by Iran.  \u201cIntel: Why Russia dispatched top diplomat to Tehran,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor Staff May 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 1, 2019.  Notice how the media, and a number of countries, for years have refused to be honest about Iran supplying militant groups with missiles and weapons and aid, and the threat that was to the Middle East.  Now, a story like the following occurs and no one mentions that intelligence agencies have known this for years, and some countries have fought against it\u2014the largest threat to Middle East security and to the \u201cpeace process\u201d between Israel and the Palestinians is Iran and its arming of Hezbollah and now Hamas and PIJ and others.  See \u201cHamas leader thanks Iran for long-range rockets, threatens Tel Aviv,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, May 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSaudi King Says Iran Actions Threaten Regional, Global Security,\u201d U.S. News & World Report, May 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.usnews.com\/news\/world\/articles\/2019-05-30\/saudi-king-says-iran-actions-threaten-regional-global-security<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 1, 2019.  \u201c[A]s with much of Iran\u2019s bluster\u2014the Qaher F-313 was a ham-handed hoax. Even at the time when Iran first showed off the Qaher, it was clear that the mockup was little more than a poorly executed propaganda stunt engineered for domestic consumption.\u201d  \u201cWhy Iran\u2019s Stealth Fighter Might Be the Ultimate Case of Fake News,\u201d<\/a> Dave Majumdar, The National Interest, May 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJune 1, 2019.  Thank you, Mr. Putin.  \u201cRussia has rejected an Iranian request to buy S-400 missile defense systems, concerned that the sale would stoke more tension in the Middle East, according to two people with knowledge of the matter, including a senior Russian official.  The request was rebuffed by President Vladimir Putin, the people said on condition of anonymity because they\u2019re not authorized to discuss the matter. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Moscow May 7.\u201d  \u201cRussia Rejected Iran S-400 Missile Request Amid Gulf Tension,\u201d<\/a> Zainab Fattah  and Ilya Arkhipov, Bloomberg, May 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cIRGC commander: We help the Houthis as much as we can,\u201d<\/a> Al Arabiya, May 31, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran urges massive rallies for \u2018Al-Quds Day\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Ben Ariel, Arutz Sheva, Israel National News, May 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIn letter to heads of Islamic states, Rouhani warns against \u2018Deal of the Century\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, May 31, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTehran ex-mayor Najafi handed to prosecutors over wife\u2019s killing,\u201d<\/a> BBC, May 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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June 1, 2019.  <\/span><\/span>Thank you NPR news for ending this piece on Iran with the main point of this blog\u2014\u201cThe goal is to get Iran to behave like a normal country.\u201d  \u201cPompeo\u2019s Trip To Switzerland Could Signal The U.S. Is Working To Talk With Iran,\u201d<\/a> Michelle Keleman, All Things Considered,\u201d May 30, 2019.<\/span>
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\nMay 31, 2019.  \u201cA land corridor would enable Iran to keep building its bases in Syria, nurture Hezbollah and expand its destabilizing influence.\u201d  See the latest on this topic at \u201cIsrael\u2019s not-so-subtle message to Iran,\u201d<\/a> Yaakov Lappin, Israel Hayom, May 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 30, 2019.  An important report has been released.  It\u2019s cover description states, \u201cSince its establishment in 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has become a leading patron of the Palestinian cause. Tehran\u2019s motivation is twofold: it seeks an independent Palestinian state established at Israel\u2019s expense while also using Palestinian nationalist movements to export its Islamic Revolution.  Any peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would contradict Iran\u2019s narrative that Israel is the cause of all conflict and instability in the Middle East. Therefore, Tehran works to undermine Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts through military support to Palestinian groups, direct and indirect social support for the Palestinians, and infiltration of the Palestinian diaspora.\u201d  See \u201cFrom Proxy to Patron: Iran\u2019s Relationship with the Palestinian Nationalist Movement,\u201d<\/a> United Against Nuclear Iran, May 30, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe Growing Menace of the Moscow-Beijing-Tehran Axis,\u201d<\/a> Arthur Herman, Wall Street Journal, May 29, 2019.<\/span>
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\nMay 29, 2019.  Jason Rezaian\u2019s comments on the most recent news regarding lack of press freedom in Iran bear posting in full.  \u201cIran just reached a new low\u2014and no one noticed,\u201d<\/a> Jason Rezaian, Global Opinions writer, Washington Post, May 28, 2019.  Rezaian, a reporter for the Washington Post, spent 544 days confined in prison in Tehran.  \u201cLast week the Islamic Republic of Iran reached a new low in its suppression of the press \u2014 and almost no one noticed.  It\u2019s already widely known that Iran is home to one of the most closed media landscapes on Earth.  As the regime faces mounting domestic and foreign challenges, however, it\u2019s becoming more cavalier than ever in its attempts to control how news gets covered.  In recent months, more domestic news outlets are closing from a lack of funds. Others have shut down because they have lost their permission to publish . As a result, Twitter and other social media are increasingly where the most critical news-gathering is happening in the country.  So when Masoud Kazemi, an experienced reporter charged with propaganda against the state for tweeting about government corruption, went to court on May 22, he didn\u2019t expect anything good. But the reality surpassed even his pessimistic expectations.  Mohammad Moghiseh, the judge in the case, sent Kazemi to Evin Prison, with bail set at more than $70,000 \u2014 what it would take him to make as a journalist in 42 years.  But then Moghiseh decided to send a message to the defendant and all other journalists in Iran.  According to a tweet from Kazemi\u2019s lawyer, Ali Mojtahedzade, during the court appearance Moghiseh declared his disdain for journalists such as Kazemi.  Mojtahedzade wrote that Moghiseh is known to insult defendants and that in addressing Kazemi he said, \u201cmay God damn you.  Your mouths should be filled with gunpowder, your tongues should be cut out.\u201d  To the shrinking community of critical journalists in Iran, the message is clear: Those in power will do whatever it takes to silence them.  As this regime has done so often in the past when facing serious threats, it\u2019s lashing out at Iranian civil society.  For years, the front line of that group included the community of human rights activists and lawyers. Most of them, though, are now in prison or living in exile.  That left the local press, a dedicated group that has always faced harsh odds when it comes to making their findings public.  Yet they continue to do this work out of a need to inform \u2014 even though their numbers are dwindling, too, as the space in which they can operate is quickly shrinking around them.  Just the day before the verdict against Kazemi, the head of the judiciary, Ebrahim Raisi \u2014 a cleric who ran as the supreme leader\u2019s preferred presidential candidate in the 2017 election and nonetheless lost resoundingly to incumbent President Hassan Rouhani \u2014 delivered a speech that clearly outlined how Iran\u2019s officialdom views the role that media should play in Iranian society.  Spoiler alert: It sounded like a bad imitation of George Orwell.  \u201cMedia is responsible for monitoring the enemy as it prepares its attacks on us, and journalists must be careful not to publish or spread any ideas or signals that would make the enemy happy,\u201d Raisi told a gathering of regime-supported newsroom executives.  \u201cYou in the media should explain the actions and the views of the government and the establishment, but also must avert efforts by the enemy to create despair and instead create hope in the society.  We should publish content that restores the public\u2019s trust in the system.\u201d  Yet Rouhani and his allies are contributing to the problem despite their continued promises to cultivate freer expression.  According to sources in Iran, they have begun to try to rein in reform-minded journalists, encouraging them to be less critical in their reporting \u2014 ostensibly as a way to keep them out of trouble.  Raisi\u2019s speech can be interpreted as a message from the entire political order to journalists.  \u201cWe believe that you should work in a way that the red lines set by law to preserve freedom are observed, because preserving the freedom of media and newspaper requires maintaining those red lines,\u201d Raisi said, without a hint of irony.  Journalists working in Tehran tell me that the state, supported by Rouhani and his administration, is planning to impose even tighter control on the media by mandating that all journalists have to be licensed before they can enter the field.  Permission is already required to work in media, but this would go above and beyond and would be sure to prevent those with critical views from even getting a start.  Such a move would bring the already absurd Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance \u2014 which oversees all media activity, acting as censor when needed \u2014 even closer in line with Orwell\u2019s vision of the Ministry of Truth.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cFacebook and Twitter disable new disinformation campaign with ties to Iran,\u201d<\/a> Tony Romm, Washington Post, May 28, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s reduction of JCPOA commitments to be regularly reported,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, May 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWife of Iran Presidential Adviser Shot Dead at Home, Report Says,\u201d<\/a> Haaretz, AP, May 28, 2019.<\/span>
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\nMay 28, 2019.  Waiting for Iran\u2019s government to explain why it shut a Presbyterian church.  As reported in \u201cIran Shuts Down Church, Removes Cross,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, May 28, 2019, Iranian intelligence closed a Presbyterian church in Tabriz and removed its cross from the bell tower, the Assyrian International News Agency announced Sunday.  According to the report, the building was confiscated by the Revolutionary Court in 2011, but its members had been able to continue to use it until earlier this May.  That is when \u201c[i]ntelligence agents stormed the 100-year-old church, officially recognized as a national heritage site in Iran, on Thursday, May 9, changed all the locks, tore down the cross from the church tower, and ordered the churchwarden to leave,\u201d Article 18, a non-profit organization based in London announced.  Eiko, the state agency responsible for the raid together with the Ministry of Intelligence, is under the direct control of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani to Khamenei: Iran Govt Maintained Nuclear Deal,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, May 27, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran: Serious Feuds Conflicts on Top,\u201d<\/a> Jubin Katiraie, Iran Focus, May 27, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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May 27, 2019.  \u201cJoyous were the Iranian youth engaged in military battles, and the joy of our youth today is stepping into economic war.  Cheerfulness among youth will not materialize through illegitimate music and dancing of a handful of vagrant girls.\u201d  So said Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda at Friday prayers in Mashad, Iran, this past week, referencing the eight-year Iraq-Iran War that killed and injured millions and heavily affected the country\u2019s economy.  The Ayatollah was referencing videos of schoolgirls dancing to rap that spread on social media in Iran.  Public dancing is strictly forbidden in the Islamic Republic and the videos are currently being investigated.  This story is covered in \u201cMuslim Clerics Encourage Iranian Youth To Find Joy In Economic War,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, May 26, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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\nMay 26, 2019.  How many countries trade with North Korea, and exchange military technology?  Very few.  But Iran does.  \u201cBehold: Iran\u2019s Mini-Submarine Force Is Dangerous (Partly Thanks to North Korea),\u201d<\/a> Mark Episkopos, The National Interest, May 26, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran can sink U.S. warships with \u2018secret weapons\u2019, military official says,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, May 25, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>May 25, 2019.  The U.S. believes the Iran Supreme Leader, along with his assistants in the Supreme National Security Council and the leaders of the IRGC, ordered the tanker mining, Saudi pipeline attack, and other threatening moves in Iraq during the last two weeks.  The story is at \u201cU.S. Sends 1,500 Troops to Mideast After Blaming Attacks on Iran,\u201d<\/a> Anthony Capaccio  and Margaret Talev, Bloomberg, May 24, 2019 and says in part\u2014\u201cWe believe with a high degree of confidence that this stems back to the leadership of Iran at the highest levels,\u201d U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Michael Gilday, director of the Defense Department\u2019s Joint Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon on Friday.  All of the attacks \u201chave been attributed to Iran, through their proxies\u201d or other forces, Gilday said.  It was the first time the U.S. publicly charged Iran with being behind the attacks, though Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen had claimed responsibility for the pipeline attack.  The moves come after the Trump administration said it had evidence Iran was threatening other attacks on American interests or allies in the region.  The administration earlier this month expedited the deployment of a carrier battle group to the Middle East along with a Patriot missile battery and additional bombers.\u201d  <\/span>See also \u201cUS moves to strengthen forces in Middle East to counter Iran,\u201d<\/a> Susannah George and Lolita Baldor, AP, May 24, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\nMay 24, 2019.  This is a quality analysis of how the Supreme Leader has been ultimately responsible for Iran\u2019s JCPOA decisions, even though he blames the president and foreign minister for any mistakes.  I post this blog entry not to say that Khamenei is simply just another politician, but to remind readers that Iran\u2019s leader (and its Regime) does not act like other countries.  The nuclear deal was not just another political agreement to hopefully move a country forward economically and socially\u2014the JCPOA was designed and advocated by Iran so that Iran would maintain a nuclear program, and then be able to fully develop nuclear weapons later.  It was an effort to avoid giving up its ultimate aims and instead time them to occur later, with the approval of major nation states.  It is this type of focus, on ultimate weapons, by a dangerous Regime that is reminder that education and public health and tourism and trade and transportation and safety are not the aims of the Leader.  Until Iran\u2019s government changes its position and aims, there will be voices in Iran and elsewhere calling for Iran to act as a normal country.  \u201cKhamenei Evades Responsibility For Nuclear Deal, Having Endorsed It At Every Turn,\u201d<\/a> Reza Haqiqatnezhad, Radio Farda, May 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Cyber Police Goes After Street Musicians,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, May 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani Accuses \u2018Zionists\u2019 Of Writing US Officials\u2019 Anti-Iranian Speeches,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, May 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 23, 2019.  Again, the Supreme Leader reminds us that he is the ultimate power in Iran, and is responsible for its domestic and foreign policies.  Not the President, not the Foreign Minister.  In \u201cKhamenei slams Rouhani, Zarif as tensions roil with U.S.,\u201d<\/a> The Daily Star, May 23, 2019, and \u201cThe Latest: Iran supreme leader critical of FM in nuke deal,\u201d<\/a> AP, Star Tribune, May 22, 2019, Iran\u2019s supreme leader said the president and foreign minister didn\u2019t act as he wished in implementing the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal.  In Wednesday night comments posted on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei\u2019s official website, it is the first time the Supreme Leader blamed both President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.  Khamenei said, \u201cIn some extent, I did not believe in the way that the nuclear deal was implemented.  Many times I reminded both the president and the foreign minister.\u201d  Khamenei has final say on all matters of state, and his remarks show the internal pressure Rouhani and Zarif face.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Has Amassed the Largest Ballistic Missile Force in the Middle East,\u201d<\/a> Zachary Keck, The National Interest, May 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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May 22, 2019.  What is reality regarding the current threats from Iran?  That the U.S. deterred Iran\u2019s attacks and threats, or that the U.S. backed off?  Which really happened?  The U.S. Secretary of Defense says one thing, the President of Iran another.  Readers of this blog, which relies on open sources, know.  And having intelligence-based sources would confirm this ten times over.  See \u201cShanahan says after Iran briefing U.S. deployment has deterred attacks,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, May 21, 2019, and \u201cIran\u2019s president says Trump has stepped back from threats against Tehran,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, May 21, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Judiciary Backpedals On Banning Cycling For Women,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, May 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Intercepted Iranian Orders To Hezbollah To Attack Americans \u2013 Report,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, May 22, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 22, 2019.  The Ayatollah ordered the attacks.  That is the significant news item today.  But I haven\u2019t seen any headlines making that point\u2026.  \u201cU.S. Senator Graham: attacks on ships in Middle East coordinated by Iran,\u201d<\/a> David Alexander, Reuters, May 21, 2019.  Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on Tuesday that top administration officials told senators in a briefing the recent attacks on shipping and a pipeline in the Middle East was directed by the Iranian government and the ayatollah.  \u201cThey explained to us how the Iranian threat streams were different than in the past, that the attack on the ships and the pipeline was coordinated and directed by the Iranian government, the ayatollah,\u201d Graham told reporters.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian IRGC In Syria\u2019s Lataki? \u2013 Report,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAmid Iran tensions, a look at Mideast\u2019s powers and proxies,\u201d<\/a> Jon Gambrell, Zeina Karam, and Josef Federman, Washington Post, AP, May 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Says It Is Poised to Exceed Limits on Nuclear Stockpile,\u201d<\/a> Laurence Norman and Aresu Eqbali, Wall Street Journal, May 20, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cIran\u2019s behavior must change.\u201d  This is a quote from former U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis last night at a speech before a Ramadan lecture series in honor of Abu Dhabi\u2019s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.  And Mattis’ statement is the point of this blog\u2014over and over again, countries are asking Iran to act as other countries.  <\/span>\u201cThe Latest: Rouhani: US economic pressure won\u2019t defeat Iran,\u201d<\/a> AP, May 21, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\nMay 21, 2019.  There\u2019s no news like good news when it comes to U.S. sanctions resulting in funding cuts by Iran to the terror group Hezbollah.  That is the news from the Washington Post and passed on to outlets such as the Jerusalem Post, relayed below.  \u201cU.S. Sanctions Are Limiting Iran\u2019s Ability To Fund Hezbollah\u2014Report,\u201d<\/a> Rossella Tercatin, Jerusalem Post, May 19, 2019.  \u201cThe latest wave of US sanctions has significantly curbed Iran\u2019s ability to fund Hezbollah, The Washington Post reported on Saturday.  The Lebanese terrorist group has traditionally been the best funded Islamic Republic\u2019s proxy, with its fighters and affiliates benefiting from salaries and social services paid for by Tehran.  However, speaking to several Hezbollah officials, the Washington-based newspaper revealed how the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration after the US pulled out from the 2015 nuclear deal a year ago had had a deep impact on the funding.  According to the report, while maintaining expenses that are considered essential \u2013 such as salaries to full-time fighters and stipends to families of the militants who died in Syria, where Hezbollah militias have been instrumental in keeping Syrian President Bashar Assad in power \u2013 other programs have been slashed or canceled.  These programs include extra benefits to militants and their families and the distribution of free medicines and groceries.  Moreover, fighters have been pulled out from Syria or assigned to the reserves.  \u201cThere is no doubt these sanctions have had a negative impact,\u201d a Hezbollah official told The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity.  \u201cBut ultimately, sanctions are a component of war, and we are going to confront them in this context.\u201d  The report highlighted that the Hezbollah sources would not reveal any figures of the funding received by Tehran before or after the sanctions, but that according to US Special Envoy Brian Hook, Iran used to send the Lebanese group up to $700 million a year, accounting for 70% of their revenue.  It added that the Trump administration has stated that sanctions have decreased Iranian revenue by $10 billion since last November.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran \u2018highly likely\u2019 to be behind Gulf tanker attacks, according to US officials,\u201d<\/a> Al Arabiya, May 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRocket Hits Green Zone in Baghdad as Tensions Flare Between U.S. and Iran,\u201d<\/a> Alissa Rubin and Falih Hassan, New York Times, May 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cMarco Rubio: Families of Victims of Terrorism Should Be Able to Sue Iran,\u201d<\/a> Kevin Derby, Florida Daily, May 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran changes tactics, destinations on oil exports, maritime official says,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, May 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 20, 2019.  This blog focuses on Iran, looking to see when and how the Regime will change its behavior and act like a \u201cnormal\u201d state in the world.  This blog entry, at first blush, might seem to focus on Turkey instead.  Turkey, though, is one of Iran\u2019s allies and Iran would like nothing more than for itself, Syria, Turkey, North Korea, and especially Russia and China, to be able to \u201csee\u201d F-35s.  Iran would be very pleased to see the U.S. and Israel and other countries who will use such advanced aviation technology be unable to use it against Iran\u2019s misadventures and acts.  Here is the story\u2014Turkish Pres. Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday the purchase of S-400 defense systems from Russia was a done deal, adding that Ankara would also jointly produce S-500 defense systems with Moscow.  U.S. officials have called Turkey\u2019s planned purchase of the S-400 missile defense system \u201cdeeply problematic,\u201d saying it would risk Ankara\u2019s partnership in the joint strike fighter F-35 program <\/span>because it would compromise the jets, made by Lockheed Martin Corp.  The article is \u201cTurkey\u2019s Erdogan says will jointly produce S-500s with Russia after purchase of S-400s,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, May 18, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cReport: Iran detains members of 3 modeling networks,\u201d<\/a> AP, May 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPickup the phone, Rouhani!,\u201d<\/a> Faisal Abbas, Arab News, May 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Qasem Soleimani is the Mastermind Preparing Proxy Armies for War With America,\u201d<\/a> Michael Weiss, Daily Beast, May 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cGOP lawmaker on Iran threat: Directive was to \u2018kill and kidnap American soldiers\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Deirdre Shesgreen, USA Today, May 17, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s elite naval forces said to pass skills to proxy fighters,\u201d<\/a> Babak Dehghanpisheh, Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, Reuters, May 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian missiles can hit U.S. ships in Gulf \u2013 Guards,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, May 17, 2019. <\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 19, 2019.  We will let these two stories do the talking.  \u201cIran to increase uranium, heavy water production: official,\u201d<\/a> i24NEWS, May 16, 2019.  \u201cIran to Increase Uranium, Heavy Water Production: Official,\u201d<\/a> Al Manar TV, May 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 18, 2019.  After its proxies have used drones to explode mines against four oil-related ships at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, and attacked a Saudi land pipeline, and asked its proxies in Iraq to attack U.S. interests there, the country of Iran has backed off (will they be held accountable?).  The racheting down of tension, also the result of more military presence by the U.S. arriving, is reported by the NYT and others.  See \u201cU.S. Officials Say Iran Has Removed Missile Threat From Some Boats,\u201d<\/a> Eric Schmitt, New York Times, May 17, 2019.  \u201cIran has unloaded missiles from at least two small boats in its territorial waters in what two American officials said on Friday was a sign of easing tensions in the brewing confrontation between Washington and Tehran.  In recent days, American officials have described satellite photographs showing fully assembled missiles being loaded onto multiple boats in multiple Iranian ports.  The pictures were cited as evidence for concern that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was targeting United States naval ships in the Persian Gulf and nearby waters.  Additional pieces of intelligence picked up threats against commercial shipping and potential attacks by Shiite militias with Iranian ties against American troops in Iraq, officials have said.  But over the past two days, Iranian forces removed the missiles from two of the boats, according to a Defense Department official and a congressional official.  The boats, called dhows, had sailed between the Iranian ports of Jask and Chabahar in the Gulf of Oman, the officials said.  It is unclear how many other missile-laden Iranian vessels are sailing in Iranian waters.  But the unloading of the missiles on the two small boats, coupled with the unhindered passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz on Thursday of two Navy destroyers, the U.S.S. McFaul and the U.S.S. Gonzalez, prompted some officials to claim that a recent show of United States firepower may have deterred the threat of Iranian attacks on American forces.  Communications between the Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Shiite militias in Iraq also seem to have slowed\u2014but have not stopped altogether, said the two officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe parts of the confidential information.  The new information, provided to members of the House Armed Services Committee and the staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee in closed-door briefings on Friday, came as President Trump has sought to defuse the simmering confrontation with Iran in recent days.  Even so, the confrontation is far from entirely defused.  Lloyd\u2019s of London, the international insurance company, announced on Friday that it would raise insurance rates for the entire Persian Gulf, a move it made in response to attacks on four oil tankers on May 13.  And military officials said they expected the Pentagon\u2019s Central Command in the coming weeks to request more air and naval forces in the Middle East\u2014more to bulk up its deterrent force, and avert future showdowns, than to deal with the current tensions.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 17, 2019.  \u201cIran\u2019s elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) are \u201chighly likely\u201d to have facilitated attacks last Sunday on four tankers including two Saudi ships off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, according to a Norwegian insurers\u2019 report seen by Reuters.\u201d  …  \u201cA confidential assessment issued this week by the Norwegian Shipowners\u2019 Mutual War Risks Insurance Association (DNK) concluded that the attack was likely to have been carried out by a surface vessel operating close by that despatched underwater drones carrying 30-50 kg (65-110 lb) of high-grade explosives to detonate on impact.  \u201cExclusive: Insurer says Iran\u2019s Guards likely to have organized tanker attacks,\u201d<\/a> Jonathan Saul and Gwladys Fouche, Reuters, May 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cThree Prominent Writers In Iran Sentenced To 18 Years,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, Radio Farda, May 16, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran tells Middle East militias: prepare for proxy war,\u201d<\/a> Martin Chulov, The Guardian, May 16, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. believes Iran encouraged tanker attacks: U.S. sources,\u201d<\/a> Mark Hosenball, Reuters, May 15, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 16, 2019.  Something is amiss at the Five Eyes partner United Kingdom.  Here are two stories about the U.S. \u201ceyes\u201d and the British \u201ceyes\u201d apparently not seeing the same thing.  \u201cOn Wednesday, The New York Times reported the increased threat came from intelligence that showed IRGCN forces had loaded missiles onto dhows.  Washington and allies have had mixed reactions to the intelligence estimates.  On Tuesday, U.K. Maj. Gen. Christopher Ghika, deputy commander for strategy and information at the Combined Joint Task Force \u2013 Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), told reporters there had been \u201cno increased threat\u201d to forces in Iraq and Syria supporting OIR from Iranian forces in the region, according to Military.com.  In response, CENTCOM issued a statement that Ghika\u2019s assessments \u201crun counter to the identified credible threats available to intelligence from U.S. and allies regarding Iranian-backed forces in the region.\u201d  Following the CENTCOM statement, the U.K. Ministry of Defense issued its own statement defending Ghika\u2019s original comments.\u201d  \u201cTwo U.S. Warships Enter Persian Gulf Without Incident,\u201d<\/a> Sam LaGrone, USNI News, May 16, 2019.  And the second, related story.  \u201cDating back to World War II and including joint actions against Kosovo, Afghanistan and the two wars against Iraq, U.S. leaders have been able to count on Britain to take part in invasions and airstrikes, and to help persuade sometimes cautious European allies to offer political and logistical support.  The Trump administration was expecting similar support over what it calls an increased threat from Iran, but this hope has been swatted down \u2014 not with anonymous whispers but by public comments from top British officials.  In an unusually blunt challenge from Britain, Maj. Gen. Chris Ghika denied the U.S. assertion of an increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria.  \u201cTensions over Iran show cracks in a time-tested alliance,\u201d<\/a> Gregory Katz and David Rising, May 15, 2019.  So General Ghika, which is it?  No increased threat?  Four tanker attacks, one pipeline attack, attacks encouraged in Iraq\u2014that is over 1,000 miles of actions and threats!<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran on the brink of \u2018full-scale confrontation with the enemy,\u2019 IRGC chief warns,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, May 15, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran Threat Debate Is Set Off by Images of Missiles at Sea,\u201d<\/a> Julian Barnes, Eric Schmitt, Nicholas Fandos, and Edward Wong, New York Times, May 15, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cQuestions swirl over \u2018sabotage attack\u2019 as Iran tensions ratchet up,\u201d<\/a> Nic Robertson, CNN, May 15, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cHow Iran Is Bankrolling Regional Instability (Infographic),\u201d<\/a> Niall McCarthy, Forbes, May 15, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cSaudi Arabia Says Oil Facilities Attacked By Houthis In \u2018Act Of Terrorism\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cSaudi Arabia Says Drones Attacked Its Oil Pipelines,\u201d<\/a> Aya Batrawy and Jon Gambrell, Time, May 14, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cOfficial: Initial US assessment blames Iran for ship attacks,\u201d<\/a> AP, May 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNew Report Shows How a Pro-Iran Group Spread Fake News Online,\u201d<\/a> Scott Shane and Ronen Bergman, New York Times, May 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 15, 2019.  What other country talks of sending 14 million children to war?  \u201cIran Ministers Remark About Sending Children To War Leads To Outcry,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, May 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPro-Iran Government Activists Assault Student Protesters in Tehran,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin, VOA, May 13, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 14, 2019.  It has happened.  \u201cSaudi Arabia Says Oil Tankers Attacked as Iranian Tensions Rise,\u201d<\/a> Anthony Dipaola and Abbas Al Lawati, May 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran commander calls U.S. military in Gulf a target not a threat,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, May 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSanctions Cut Deep, but Iran Seems Unlikely to Budge,\u201d<\/a> Vivian Yee, New York Times, May 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cA Middle East without the IRGC,\u201d<\/a> Bob Feferman, Times of Israel, May 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 13, 2019.  When Iran\u2019s government does the right thing, we will praise it.  Parliament has chosen to support women\u2019s rights by overwhelmingly voting to confer citizenship on children born to an Iranian mother and foreign father.  Currently, children of such marriages are only eligible for citizenship if their Iranian parent is a man.  This will allow those children to be eligible for citizenship, regardless of whether their mother or father is the Iranian national.  This law represents a good development for women\u2019s rights in Iran and for the Middle East, where many countries don\u2019t give women the right to pass on citizenship to their children if the father is a foreign national.  The law will also give tens of thousands of children access to social and health care services.  Iran\u2019s VP for women\u2019s and family affairs said the current legislation, dating to 1934, was written at a time \u201cwhen women were considered chattel.\u201d  \u201cIran Parliament Upholds Women\u2019s Rights in Citizenship Debate,\u201d<\/a> Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, May 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Says Financial Reforms Not Required For Trade With Europe,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, May 12, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 12, 2019.  Thank you NYT for reporting that Tehran\u2019s strategy is to provoke the United States into attacking, and for stating that the recent U.S. response is a measured move\u2014the military assets moved to the Gulf (four bombers, an aircraft carrier and escorts) are high profile to send a deterrent message but are relatively small.  The Lincoln was already on its way to the region and simply cut short European port visits.  The Arlington is a replacement for a similar, if less capable, ship.  \u201cPentagon Builds Deterrent Force Against Possible Iranian Attack,\u201d<\/a> Julian Barnes and Eric Schmitt, New York Times, May 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cMen ordered not to look at women during Ramadan in Iran as hardliners tighten control amid nuclear deal row,\u201d<\/a> Ahmed Vahdat, The Telegraph, May 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 11, 2019.  The Supreme Leader says that Allah has declared the U.S. must be opposed.  That seems direct and clear.  As Khamenei put it, \u201cIf God assists a nation but they fail to appreciate it, they will be slapped.  Today there is no option but to stand against the devils, tyrannies and disbelievers.\u201d  \u201cIran\u2019s supreme leader warns of coming escalation against America,\u201d<\/a> Tom Rogan, Washington Examiner, May 07, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNo Negotiation Under Pressure, Says Guards Officer, Others Set Fire To U.S. Flag,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, May 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS warns American shipping that Iran may target commercial vessels,\u201d<\/a> Barbara Starr and Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN, May 10, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Gives Europe Sixty Days to Meet Nuclear Demands,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, May 9, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nMay 10, 2019.  The big news today is Not that Iran is partly pulling back from its obligation under JCPOA.  The big news today Is that Iran is moving ballistic missiles around the Persian Gulf via boat\u2014a potentially dangerous escalation of a delicate military balance in the Gulf region, and a threat to the U.S. and the countries aligned to deter Iran.  See \u201cIranian leader announces partial withdrawal from nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> James Griffiths and Joshua Berlinger, CNN, May 8, 2019, and \u201cIran moving ballistic missiles by boat, US officials say,<\/a>\u201d Barbara Starr, CNN, May 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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<\/span>May 9, 2019.  How should a country treat its workers (especially if they can\u2019t unionize)?  Not this way.  \u201cIran arrests dozens at International Workers\u2019 Day protests,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor, May 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 8, 2019.  So, do Iran and Venezuela really have connections?  Does Hezbollah really operate in South America?  The media has finally starting covering this story, which reminds us that the international drug trade, in which Hezbollah is involved, is much easier to understand of terms of Point A to Point B if the media really tells us how this part of drug trafficking operates.  \u201cSecret Venezuela Dossier Warns About Maduro Confidant,\u201d<\/a> Nicholas Casey, New York Times, May 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>May 7, 2019.  \u201cWhat we\u2019ve been trying to do is to get Iran to behave like a normal nation,\u201d Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters in Finland.  This quote, from the NYT cited herein, is exactly what this blog tries to demonstrate–When will the Iranian Regime stop acting as a revolutionary terror state and act as a normal nation-state?  \u201cNew Tensions With Iran Threaten Nuclear Deal and, White House Says, U.S. Troops,\u201d<\/a> David Sanger, Edward Wong, Eric Schmitt, and Helene Cooper, New York Times, May 6, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s supreme leader warns of coming escalation against America,\u201d<\/a> Tom Rogan, Washington Examiner, May 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cConservatives Outraged by Videos Showing Students Dancing in Iran,\u201d<\/a> RFE, May 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Foreign Ministry To Announce \u2018Diminishing Commitments\u2019 To Nuclear Deal ToEnvoys Of Five Remaining Signatories On Wednesday, Rouhani To Send Letter\u2014State Media,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, May 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s war on Christianity,\u201d<\/a> Ilan Berman, Washington Times, May 7, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 7, 2019.  A first for everything?!  We didn\u2019t need this first.  Iran is the first country in the world to appoint a sanctioned person as the head of its national airline.  Associating with terror support and transport in any other country would seemingly keep such a person from operating planes and an airline.  But not in Iran.  Turaj Dehghani Zanganeh, a former air-force commander who is featured on a U.S. Treasury sanctions list, was named CEO of Iran Air on May 5 by the government.  Zanganeh was previously CEO of Meraj Air, which was also targeted by U.S. sanctions in 2018.  <\/span>\u201cIran Air Appoints New U.S.-Sanctioned CEO,\u201d<\/a> RFE, May 6, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\nMay 6, 2019.  Iran\u2019s \u201cactions\u201d, as this headline mentions, are what are key.  When will Iran act as other countries?  One of the threats made this past week was (again) to attack the Strait and close it.  Bahrain and Kuwait and other countries complained about this threat.  The U.S. (here) is bolstering its forces because of further threats that are not made public.  Iran needs to remember it is the terrorism, missiles, interference in regional countries, hostages, etc. that have resulted in regional countries and beyond being against it.  The sanctions did not start this, the sanctions are in response.  \u201cUS deploying carrier strike group due to Iran actions,\u201d<\/a> CNN, May 6, 2019.  <\/span>Another word on this–\u201cAlthough Iran has provided financing to Hamas, there is no sign that it was involved in the recent rocket attacks against Israel.\u201d<\/span>  <\/span>One of the challenges to getting Iran to change its malicious activities is to convince the NYT and some other media outlets to investigate and report the connections between Iran and its proxies.<\/span>  <\/span>This quote from the May 5 story is just one more indicator\u2014if the NYT were to dig deeper it would find that the very country that is providing the missiles to Hamas and PIJ is also involved in when they are used.<\/span>  <\/span>\u201cCiting Iranian Threat, U.S. Sends Carrier Group and Bombers to Persian Gulf,\u201d<\/a> Edward Wong, New York Times, May 5, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cHezbollah\u2019s Rocket Gift to Lebanese FM Sparks Controversy, Condemnation,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, May 6, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMay 5, 2019.  Earlier today, in response to the over 600 rockets being fired at Israel from Gaza, Israel announced that it had killed Hamed Ahmed Khudari, a Gazan terrorist responsible for transferring Iranian funds to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad for rockets.  It is likely the hundreds of rockets shot from Gaza were ordered by the Supreme Leader because of the effectiveness of the U.S. sanctions against Iran.  <\/span>\u201cTargeted Killings Begin As Security Cabinet Directs IDF To Intensify Strikes,\u201d<\/a> Anna Ahronheim and Herb Keinon, Jerusalem Post, May 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s spiritual power play,\u201d<\/a> Erin Cunningham and Mustafa Salim, Washington Post, May 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsrael Says It Has Killed A Man Who Transferred \u2018Millions\u2019 From Iran To Gaza<\/a>,\u201d Radio Farda, May 5, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nMay 4, 2019.  How should countries treat their educators?  Not this way.  <\/span>\u201cDozens Of Teachers Arrested In Iran During Protests,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, May 3, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran President Hassan Rouhani\u2019s Brother Gets Jail Term In Corruption Case,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, NDTV, May 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran sanctions explained,\u201d<\/a> Osama Bin Javaid, Al Jazeera, May 4, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\nMay 3, 2019.  The US and human rights groups have expressed outrage over reports that Iran has executed two 17-year-old boys last Thursday.  Mehdi Sohrabifar and Amin Sedaghat were 15 when convicted in 2017 on multiple rape charges, after what activists said was an unfair trial.  Iranian authorities did not inform the boys\u2019 families or lawyers they were executed.  According to Amnesty International, Iran has executed almost 100 juvenile offenders since 1990 – the highest number of any nation.  International law prohibits the use of capital punishment in all cases in which the accused was under 18 at the time of the crime.  \u201c\u2018Execution\u2019 of Iranian teenage boys condemned,\u201d<\/a> BBC, May 2, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cThe Cybersecurity 202: Iran\u2019s the scariest cyber adversary, former NSA chief says,\u201d<\/a> Joseph Marks, Washington Post, May 3, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\nMay 2, 2019.  This statement by FM Zarif is really too easy to respond to, and not because the statistics for Iran\u2019s economy are so poor now as a result of the sanctions, and Iran is cutting back the financial support for dangerous proxies like Hezbollah, etc.  Instead, the statement can be countered with, \u201cTrump\u2019s pressure will succeed because the U.S. has a J.D. in sanctions enforcement,\u201d or you could use the M.B.A. or another degree.  \u201cTrump pressure will fail because Iran has a \u2018Ph.D. in sanctions busting,\u2019 says Iran\u2019s Zarif,\u201d<\/a> Dan De Luce, NBC, April 25, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cSix charts that show how hard US sanctions have hit Iran,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>BBC, May 2, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nMay 1, 2019.  <\/span>Not a good continuing sign–I<\/span>ran\u2019s FM Zarif announced that he will visit North Korea to further the ties between the two countries.<\/span>  <\/span>Other than both countries being sanctioned by the U.S., state sponsors of terrorism, both continuing to have high-level meetings with Russia, having ballistic missile programs, they have much to continue to talk about.  <\/span>\u201cIranian Top Diplomat to Visit North Korea Soon,\u201d<\/a> Tasnim News Agency, April 28, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says nuclear deal close to collapse, slams other signatories,\u201d<\/a> German Press Agency, Daily Sabah, May 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Apr. 30, 2019.  <\/span>U.S. labor groups should protest what Iran is doing to its labor groups.  <\/span>\u201cIran Arrests Labor Activists Ahead of International Labor Day,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 27, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cReport: Iran Escalates Targeting of Non-Shiite Muslims, Other Religious Minorities,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Michael Lipin and Farhad Pouladi, VOA, April 30, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/span>\u201cPrice Of Bread Jumps Threefold In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 30, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>Apr. 29, 2019.  A study of who and how often that Iran\u2019s leaders meet with would show interesting patterns\u2014here comes Russia, again.  \u201cPutin Says Russia Will Host Summit In August With Presidents Of Iran, Azerbaijan,<\/a>\u201d RFE, April 26, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran: Two 17-year-old boys flogged and secretly executed in abhorrent violation of international law,\u201d<\/a> Amnesty International, April 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAs Bad as War? Trump Steps Seen Deepening Iran\u2019s Economic Pain,\u201d<\/a> Alaa Shahine, Bloomberg, April 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Bans \u2018Who Wants To Be A Millionaire\u2019 Show,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, April 29, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n \u201cIran:  \u2018People Have Lost Everything\u2019 In Devastating Floods,\u201d<\/a> Doctors Without Borders, April 29, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cIran, Russia To Hold Joint Maritime Drills In Persian Gulf,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, April 29, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Apr. 28, 2019.  Doesn\u2019t sounds like due process!  <\/span>\u201cPolice In Iran Use Texting To Summon Women Who Violate Hijab In Cars,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 26, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cIranian Top Diplomat to Visit North Korea Soon,\u201d<\/a> Tasnim News Agency, April 28, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Apr. 27, 2019.  I<\/span>f we take the Supreme Leader as speaking for Allah, then recognizing Israel is not possible under Islam.  But that creates a split of opinion with Egypt and Jordan, Islamic countries which have both done precisely that.  <\/span>\u201cNormalizing ties with \u2018Zionists\u2019 is against Quran, Iranian supreme leader says,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, April 15, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cIran floods further add to public mistrust of government organizations,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Saeid Jafari, Al Monitor, April 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAccusation About Khamenei\u2019s Wealth Angers Pro-Iran Shiite Clerics In Iraq,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian foreign minister hedges on prisoner swap offer,\u201d<\/a> Margaret Brennan and Grace Segers, CBS, April 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cChief commander of Quds force Soleimani says talks with U.S. impossible: Fars,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, April 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Apr. 26, 2019.  Will the U.S. boycott Germany because of Hezbollah?  What an interesting question, wondering if U.S. consumers would want to pressure Germany to pressure Iran\u2019s support for terror.  Chanc. Merkel\u2019s administration is opposed to banning Hezbollah\u2019s entire organization in Germany, where at least 950 Hezbollah members operate.  <\/span>\u201cU.S. Called On To Boycott German Cars Until Hezbollah Banned From Germany,\u201d<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, April 25, 2019.<\/span>
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\nApr. 25, 2019.  The NYT uses the language of “prisoner exchange”. Please NYT, use something like “Iran proposes an exchange of Iranian-held hostages for U.S.-held prisoners”<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Foreign Minister Proposes Prisoner Exchange With U.S.,\u201d<\/a> Rick Gladstone, New York Times, April 24, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u201cTrump pressure will fail because Iranhas a \u2018Ph.D. in sanctions busting,\u2019 says Iran\u2019s Zarif,\u201d<\/a> Dan De Luce, NBC, April 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran To Increase Naval Ties With China,\u201d<\/a> Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, April 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Limits its Plans in Syria, Says Israeli Report,\u201d<\/a> Asharq al-Awsat, April 26, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBritain Calls Iran\u2019s Prisoner-Swap Offer \u2018Vile\u2019,\u201d<\/a> RFE, April 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c$360 Million U.S. Lawsuit Against Iran And Syria For Funding Hamas Killers In Israel,\u201d<\/a> Zak Doffman, Forbes, April 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Intelligence Claims Arrest Of Many Regime Opponents,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 25, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nApr. 24, 2019.  Thank you Google for cutting use of YouTube by Press TV and Hispan TV, controlled by Iran, after publication of incendiary, false accusations that Israel had been conducting medical experiments on Palestinian prisoners.  The article, published by Iran\u2019s Spanish-language service Hispan TV and targeting outlets in Latin America, claimed that \u201cPalestinians held in Israeli jails are being used as guinea pigs in new medical trials,\u201d citing \u201creports that the health ministry (of Israel) granted licenses to several international companies to carry out medical tests on Palestinian and Arab prisoners in Israeli prisons without their knowledge.\u201d  <\/span>\u201cGoogle Cuts YouTube Access For Iran\u2019s Press TV And Hispan TV \u2018Without Any Warning\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Zak Doffman, Forbes, April 23, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\nApr. 23, 2019.  Iranian lawmakers on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a bill labeling all U.S. military forces as terrorist, a day after Washington announced that no country would any longer be exempt from U.S. sanctions if it continues to buy Iranian oil.  I suppose that announcing sanctions makes one a terrorist?  <\/span>\u201cIranian parliament labels entire US military as terrorist,\u201d<\/a> Nasser Karimi, AP, April 23, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\n\u201cChina signals plan to flout US sanctions on Iranian oil,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, April 23, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n
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\n\u201cIran To Increase Naval Ties With China,\u201d<\/a> Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, April 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIRGC Threatens to Close Hormuz Strait,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, April 23, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>Apr. 22, 2019.  Iran\u2019s semi-official Fars News Agency quoted Revolutionary Guards General Alireza Tengseiri as saying that if Tehran was barred from using the Strait of Hormuz, they would \u201cshut it down.\u201d  But \u201cCould Iran close the Strait of Hormuz?  Energy analysts skeptical of Tehran\u2019s latest threat,\u201d<\/a> Sam Meredith, CNBC, April 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Having \u2018Intensive\u2019 Talks With Partners as U.S. Moves to End Waivers,\u201d<\/a> Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg, April 22, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Latest Inflation Figure Tops 50 Percent – Food Prices Jump 85 Percent,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 22, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nApr. 21, 2019.  <\/span>\u201cIn First, Iranian Minister Responds To Israeli Foreign Ministry Tweet,\u201d<\/a> Herb Keinon, Jerusalem Post, April 19, 2019.  In what could be a good sign, an Iranian minister made history this week by interacting with Israeli through a formal Israeli diplomatic channel.  The channel was Israel\u2019s Twitter feed in Persian, run by the Foreign Ministry, and the interaction was negative.  But still, as described by this story, for a country that refuses to call Israel by its name, and whose sports figures refuse to play Israel in international matches, and which regularly threatens Israel with Death, having Iran\u2019s Minister of Information Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi respond on an official Israeli site was noteworthy.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIran\u2019s top leader picks new Revolutionary Guard chief,\u201d<\/a> Amir Vahdat, AP, April 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDevastating floods leave millions in Iran facing humanitarian crisis,\u201d<\/a> Ali Arouzi, ABC, April 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPakistan PM Imran Khan makes first visit to Iran,\u201d<\/a> France24, April 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cYemen\u2019s Houthis block relief convoy and use civilians as human shields in Hodeidah,\u201d<\/a> Ali Mahmood, The National, April 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cTrump to Escalate Iran Feud by Ending Waivers; Oil Prices Climb,\u201d<\/a> Nick Wadhams, Glen Carey, and Margaret Talev, Bloomberg, April 21, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\nApr. 20, 2019.  Funny even if true.  What the prevent the public for having is now stripped from them.  \u201cInstagram accounts of Iran\u2019s Khamenei, IRGC\u2019s Soleimani get suspended,\u201d<\/a> Al Arabiya, April 16, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>Apr. 19, 2019.  Classic (but consistent) Iranian government decision making in the arena of female sports.  Her career is seemingly ruined at home, and the disruption for having to live abroad must be difficult on her and her family.  \u201cBoxing- Iranian female fighter cancels return home after arrest warrant issued,\u201d<\/a> Julien Pretot, Reuters, April 17, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nApr. 18, 2019.  What will Iran\u2019s foreign policy be regarding Venezuela and (Hugo Chavez\u2019s) Pres. Maduro\u2019s form of repressive socialism?  It will not be normal, such as joining over 50 countries calling for Maduro and his cronies to step down.  \u201cRussia, China, and Iran Defend Support for Venezuela, Warn U.S. Cannot Tell Them or Latin American What To Do,\u201d<\/a> Tom O\u2019Connor, Newsweek, April 15, 2019.<\/span>
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\nApr. 17, 2019.  Kayhan, which is close to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei\u2019s office, reports that Hashd al-Sha’bi, Al-Nojaba and Afghan Fatemyoun militia have arrived in Khuzestan at the invitation of IRGC\u2019s Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani (a noted flood relief expert).  There have been strong protests on social media against the foreign militia\u2019s presence in Iran, as occupying forces or to suppress protests.  \u201cConvoys Of Iraqi Militia Deployed To Iran’s Flood-Hit Regions As Dissent Mounts,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 14, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEx-IRGC Leader Sparks Controversy Over Tehran-Qaeda Ties,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, April 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFollowing Iraqi Shiite Militias, Hezbollah Shows Up In Iran \u2018For Flood Relief\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Guard\u2019s Former General Says They Were In Bosnia Disguised As Aid Workers,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Apr. 16, 2019.  Iran had not saved for a rainy day.  On Sunday, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said weeks of heavy rain across had caused $2.5 billion in damage to roads, bridges, homes, and farmland.  Iran\u2019s worst floods in 70 years had killed at least 76 people and forced more than 220,000 into emergency shelters, state media cited ministers as telling lawmakers.  Supreme Leader Khamenei has approved drawing up to $2 billion from the country\u2019s sovereign wealth fund for relief and reconstruction after devastating floods, state media reported.  However, $2.5 is apparently needed.  <\/span>\u201cIran leader approves tapping sovereign fund for flood relief,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, April 15, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\nApr. 15, 2019.  \u201cThis is Iran intervening in South America.  That\u2019s not in the best interests of the South American people, and the United States stands ready.  We see Iran for what it is: the world\u2019s largest state sponsor of terror.  That\u2019s a global threat.\u201d  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in <\/span>\u201cPompeo: \u2018Iranian Money Remains In Latin America\u2019,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, April 14, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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\u201cAbdul-Malik Al-Houthi: A wolf in sheep\u2019s clothes,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Siraj Wahab, Arab News, April 15, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\u201cTwo million in need of aid after Iran floods, says Red Crescent,\u201d<\/a> AFP, April 15, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Khuzestan Experiences more Protests,\u201d<\/a> Mike Saidi, Critical Threats, April 15, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Apr. 14, 2019.  The JCPOA allowed Iran to one day have a nuclear program, and even weapons, as we are reminded by a short story in today\u2019s news, \u201cIran summons French ambassador over colleague\u2019s tweet,\u201d<\/a> AP, April 14, 2019.  \u201cIran\u2019s semi-official ISNA news agency reports the foreign ministry has summoned France\u2019s ambassador to Tehran over remarks made on Twitter by his colleague in Washington.  Ambassador Philippe Thiebaud was being asked Sunday to explain why the French ambassador to the U.S., Gerard Araud, had tweeted that \u201csanctions could be reimposed\u201d on Iran once the 2015 nuclear deal expires after 10 years.  Araud said Saturday that because \u201cRussia is providing enriched uranium\u201d to Iran, Tehran shouldn\u2019t need to be \u201cmassively enriching uranium after the JCPOA,\u201d using the acronym for the nuclear deal signed with world powers, including France.  ISNA says Iran\u2019s foreign ministry has called Araud\u2019s remarks \u201cunacceptable\u201d and in \u201copen violation\u201d of the nuclear deal.  Under the nuclear deal, Iran capped its uranium enrichment activities in return to ending sanctions.\u201d  Iran believed the JCPOA cemented its \u201cright\u201d to restart its program after the various deadlines ended, enshrining their move to join the \u201cnuclear club.\u201d  That was one very important reason the Trump Administration has withdrawn from the nuclear deal.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Zarif urges countries to take position on U.S. step against Revolutionary Guards,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, April 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Is Peddling a Million Barrels of Oil Again. No One Wants It,\u201d<\/a> Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, April 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPompeo:\u2018 Iranian Money Remains In Latin America\u2019,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, April 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cClashes in Mosul as Iran-backed militias battle security forces,\u201d<\/a> Mina Aldroubi, The National, April 14, 2019<\/span><\/span>
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Apr. 13, 2019.  Iran\u2019s \u201callies\u201d = Iran!  Newsweek\u2019s article didn\u2019t point out that the various Middle East terror groups and revolutionary groups they cite in their article are all manifestations of Iran, including their creation, funding, and support.  A glaring oversight.  <\/span>\u201cIran Says It Will Help Revolutionary Guards Fight \u2018Terrorist\u2019 U.S. Military; Allies Offer Their Support,\u201d<\/a> Tom O\u2019Connor, Newsweek, April 11, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\nApr. 12, 2019.  Russia says Iran will leave Syria\u2014we\u2019ll believe it when we see it.  <\/span>\u201cIran and Turkey Will Leave Syria, Russia\u2019s UN Ambassador Tells Asharq Al-Awsat,\u201d<\/a> Ali Barada, Asharq Al-Awsat, Thursday, 11 April, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>Apr. 11, 2019.  Thanks to Iran, a global decline in executions in 2018 occurred.  In Iran, executions were halved due to eliminating the death penalty for several drug-related crimes.  See \u201cGlobal Executions Fall 31 Percent, Driven by Iran, Report Finds,\u201d<\/a> Niraj Chokshi, New York Times, April 10, 2019.  Executions around the world fell by a third in 2018, reaching the lowest level in at least a decade.  690 people were executed last year, compared with 993 in 2017.  Despite Iran\u2019s reforms, it still executed (often by hanging from construction cranes) more than 250 people in 2018, second only to China.  Iran was followed by Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Iraq.  Reducing the number of executions is important because a number of these countries have unfair trials and little due process.<\/span><\/div>\n

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<\/span>\u201cIran Restarts Advanced Nuclear Work,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, April 11, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n
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\u201cPrime Suspect In Corruption Case Says He Helped Iran Circumvent Sanctions,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Radio Farda, April 11, 2019<\/span>
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\nApr. 10, 2019.  <\/span>\u201cIran Should Reconcile With America,\u201d<\/a> Brian Hook, op-ed, New York Times, April 8, 2019.  Here are some excerpts from a great op-ed just written, right on the theme of this blog\u2014Iran should choose to act as a normal government, not as a revolutionary cause.  Brian Hook writes, \u201cThe Iranian Revolution has failed to deliver the just and prosperous society, by any measure, that Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and other revolutionary leaders promised the Iranian people in 1979.  These days, Iran\u2019s ruling theocracy is best known for oppression, corruption and mismanagement at home, and ghastly sectarian warfare abroad. Through its Shiite militias, the clerical regime has fueled violence and death in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and well beyond. Iran\u2019s support for Hezbollah and Hamas has enabled deadly cross-border attacks into Israel.  This proxy network has allowed Iran to project power well beyond its borders.  \u2026  Within Iran\u2019s own borders, the \u201979 revolution is largely a spent force.  Mosque attendance has collapsed, with the Revolutionary Guards reporting that even during holy days the faithful stay away.  Those seeking to become clerics are few in number, an astonishing condemnation by the religious working class, who traditionally have supplied most of the clerical students and been the backbone of the regime.  The country\u2019s brain drain and capital flight is constant.  Today, the revolution belongs primarily to the regime\u2019s hypocritical elite.  Ayatollah Ali Khamenei\u2019s Setad hedge fund, worth tens of billions of dollars, was supposed to be a charity, but it now seizes property from Iranians to sustain the regime.  The Revolutionary Guards have become a state within a state, developing a stranglehold on many parts of the economy.  Iran\u2019s foreign minister speaks to the world on his Twitter account while his regime outlaws Twitter.  The peoples of the United States and Iran should have diplomatic ties.  We can foresee a new American Embassy in Tehran issuing visas to tourists, business travelers, and teachers.  There should also be direct flights from Tehran to New York or Los Angeles.  Before the revolution, America was Iran\u2019s second-largest trading partner.  It should be again.  Before the revolution, 50,000 Iranian students were studying in American universities. Renewed relations would open the door to tremendous opportunities.  One day soon, the brightest minds in our countries could work to solve problems for the Iranian people.  With open relations between the United States and Iran, together we could reduce Tehran\u2019s severe air pollution, build homes that withstand earthquakes in Kermanshah, deliver new medical treatments to veterans of the Iran-Iraq war, and restore water to Lake Urmia and the Zayandeh River.  It is time for nations to restore basic demands on Iran to behave like a normal, peaceful nation: end the pursuit of nuclear weapons, stop testing ballistic missiles, stop sponsoring terrorist proxies and halt the arbitrary detention of dual citizens.  The regime should invest in its own people instead of bankrolling dictators, terrorists, missiles and militias.  Thanks to regime subsidies, the average Hezbollah combatant makes two to three times what an Iranian firefighter is paid.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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\n\u201cTurkey, Russia, Iran foreign affairs committees to meet in Moscow,\u201d<\/a> Daily Sabah, April 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says it will push ahead with satellite launches despite US opposition,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, New York Post, April 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHezbollah warns U.S. over sanctions against Iran and allies,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, April 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Charges Lies and Dissembling at Standard Chartered Kept Iran Cash Moving,\u201d<\/a> Christian Berthelsen  and Tom Schoenberg, Bloomberg, April 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani Threatens The U.S. With New Centrifuges,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>Apr. 9, 2019.  Good news\u2014Iran is flying directly to Venezuela.  Mahan Air, a private Iranian airline that flies IRGC and Quds Forces and military equipment and funds to terrorism to Middle East war zones, on Monday launched a direct flight to Venezuela.  Mehr News Agency provided a cover story that the flights will carry foreign ministry officials to Caracas.  How many officials does Iran have in order to start regular flights?  France and Germany already banned the airline\u2019s flights in 2019.  The U.S. imposed sanctions on Mahan in 2011.  Iran is supporting for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who faces demands from his people and about 50 countries that he step down.  Russia, China, and Turkey along with Iran back Maduro.  See <\/span>\u201cIran\u2019s Mahan Air launches direct flights to Venezuela,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, April 8, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran still planning three satellite launches this year, despite ramped up U.S. pressure: minister,\u201d<\/a> Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, April 9, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran president says US \u2018leader of world terrorism\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Kay Armin Serjoie, AFP, April 9, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian lawmakers convene with chants of \u2018Death to America\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Nasser Karimi, AP, Washington Post, April 9, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cIran Picks Former Nuclear Negotiator to Lead Its U.N. Mission,\u201d<\/a> Rick Gladstone, New York Times, <\/span>April 9, 2019<\/span><\/span>
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<\/span>Apr. 8, 2019.  Iran\u2019s military shoots at its own citizens.  <\/span>What more do we need to say?<\/span>  <\/span>That is not what a normal country does.<\/span>  <\/span>See <\/span>\u201cActivists: Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards Fire on Protesters in Deadly Flood Confrontation,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin, VOA, April 4, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\u201cAP Explains: Long reach of Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard,\u201d<\/a> Aya Batrawy and Bassem Mroue, AP, April 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cIran Should Reconcile With America,\u201d<\/a> Brian Hook, op-ed, New York Times, April 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani asks Leader for withdrawal of \u20ac2bn from NDFI: MP,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, April 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTrump Designates Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard a Foreign Terrorist Group,\u201d<\/a> Edward Wong and Eric Schmitt, New York Times, April 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cZarifre commends Rouhani to put US CENTCOM on list of terror organizations,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, April 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

\nApr. 7, 2019.  West Texas oil is making a difference with regard to Iran.  <\/span>\u201cExclusive: South Korea tests U.S. super light oil as Iran waiver uncertainty grows \u2013sources,\u201d<\/a> Devika Krishna Kumar, Florence Tan, Reuters, April 4, 2019.  South Korea has begun testing super-light U.S. oil sold by energy firm Anadarko Petroleum Corp as a substitute for Iranian crude as it awaits word from Washington whether it can keep buying oil from Iran.  SK is one of Iran\u2019s biggest Asian customers, and was one of eight importers that received waivers to keep buying Iranian oil.  The Trump Administration is expected to reduce those waivers in May, disrupting South Korea\u2019s supply of Iranian condensate, an ultra-light crude oil used in its refining and chemical industry.  West Texas Light is a possible substitute for Iranian condensate because when refined WTL yields a large volume of the refined product naphtha, which can be used to produce petrochemicals.  Most WTL is produced in the western part of the Permian Basin in Texas.<\/span>
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<\/span>Apr. 6, 2019.  Many Iranian officials are human rights abusers, according to \u201cNew Research Names Many Current Iranian Officials As Rights Violators,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 2, 2019.  <\/span>NGO Justice for Iran has published the first volume of a series of books, titled The Face of Crime, and covers the cases of 100 human rights violators in Iran.  Of these, 25 are serving in entities under the direct supervision of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei\u201450 in judicial capacities, 36 in governmental positions, and one as a member of Majles (the Parliament).  The list includes Khamenei, President Rouhani, the head of the judiciary Ebrahim Raeisi (Raeesi), and his predecessor, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani.<\/span>
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\u201cRouhani says Iran ready to expand gas, power trade with Iraq,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, April 6, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Apr. 5, 2019.  It is absolutely untrue the U.S. is blocking aid to flood victims in Iran.  Iran hasn\u2019t even asked for aid through international banking systems, or been blocked from such, and the U.S. sanctions do not apply to medicine and food.  There is no basis in fact for the claims of the Iranian president (\u201cPreventing foreign aid from entering the country in these hard conditions is an unprecedented crime.\u201d) and foreign minister that the U.S. is preventing aid from reaching flooded areas in Iran\u2014only the government of Iran is responsible for its response and mismangement.  Here are some articles where they make these ludicrous claims:  \u201cIran president says U.S. blocks int\u2019l aid to flood victims,\u201d<\/a> Xinhua, April 4, 2019; \u201cBlocking intl. humanitarian aid to flood-hit people \u2018unprecedented crime\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, April 3, 2019; \u201cPres. Rouhani: Preventing int\u2019l aid to flood victims an unprecedented crime,\u201d<\/a> ABNA, April 3, 2019. <\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cDeath toll in Iran stands at 62 amid severe flooding, 36% of roads damaged as new threat looms,\u201d<\/a> Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather, April 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cU.S to Designate Iranian Guard Corps a Foreign Terror Group,\u201d<\/a> Michael Gordon, Warren Strobel and Nancy Youssef, Wall Street Journal, April 5, 2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Apr. 4<\/span>, 2019.  Don\u2019t build railway lines without water outlets underneath.  This is just one of many mistakes which led to major flooding in Golestan Province in northern Iran in the last few days.  Such is the case with a railroad line constructed by the IRGC\u2019s (Iran\u2019s military) financial conglomerate Khatam ol-Anbia.  \u201cKhamenei Tries To Ward Off Potential Public Anger Over Iran Floods,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 3, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cActivists: Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards Fire on Protesters in Deadly Flood Confrontation,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin, VOA, April 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cOxford Study Reveals Iranian Digital Network to Support Interventions in Arab Countries,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, April 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIAEA chief reaffirms Iran’s compliance with nuclear deal commitments,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, April 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cChinese Bitcoin Miners Lose Again after Flocking to Iran for Cheap Electricity,\u201d<\/a> Samantha Chang, CCN, April 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

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\u201cIraq PM to make first official Iran visit on Saturday,\u201d<\/a> AFP, Al Arabiya, April 4, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>Apr. 3, 2019.  Iran holds hostages for political trading.  And retribution against other countries.  We were reminded of this during the meeting held yesterday at the State Department for families of American hostages held in other countries.  Also present were <\/span>congressmen, senators, ambassadors, and other officials.  <\/span>And in his remarks, Secretary Pompeo said the following about ransom.  See <\/span>\u201cRemarks to Families of Americans Held Captive Abroad,\u201d<\/a> Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, U.S. Diplomacy Center, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2019.  \u201cI know too that there are those who have talked about this idea that the United States ought to return to the practice of paying ransom for exchanging \u2013 exchanging the return of individuals back to the United States.  I understand this plea from the bottom of my heart; indeed, I am confident that if I stood in your shoes, I too would be willing to do anything.  I can understand that the suffering is unspeakable.  But please do remember: As we move in that direction, we create risk.  Indeed, we know that there are nations that take Americans less because there is less money coming from America.  I\u2019ve seen it; I\u2019ve seen the information.  It\u2019s what\u2019s happened after we paid the mullahs in Iran.  I\u2019ve seen this kind of activity.  Please remember that any payment to a terrorist or a terrorist regime gives money so that they can seize more of our people.  We cannot accept that risk.  You wouldn\u2019t ask that of us.  Even a small payment to a group in, say, Africa can facilitate the killing or seizure of tens or even hundreds of others, including Americans or foreign nationals in that region.  We also know for a fact that some terror groups don\u2019t seize Americans because we won\u2019t pay.  It\u2019s a trend I want to continue.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cVenezuelan foreign minister denies his country harbours Hezbollah cells, Lebanese MP says,\u201d<\/a> Sunniva Rose, The National, April 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran responsible for deaths of 608 American troops in Iraq,\u201d<\/a> Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, April 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThes hadowy case of cheap Iranian steel flooding Lebanon,\u201d<\/a> Sunniva Rose, The National, April 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cA British mother marks her third year behind bars in Iran – for no good reason,\u201d<\/a> Jason Rezaian, Washington Post, April 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cReport: US Experts Tie Iran-Linked Group to 2 Cyberattacks on Britain,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin, VOA, April 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe Pentagon says Iran killed 603 US troops during the Iraq War,\u201d<\/a> Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose, April 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>
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\n\u201cPompeo Conveyed Israeli Warning Over Iran\u2019s Building of Missile Factory In Lebanon,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, April 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nApr. 2, 2019.  <\/span>Iran has failed to prepare for natural disasters.<\/span>  <\/span>Such is the realization of its people as they finally see news of the large flooding in the country\u2019s southwest, and the the meager government response and arguing among leaders.  <\/span>See <\/span>\u201cIran\u2019s Hurricane Katrina Moment,\u201d<\/a> Borzou Daragahi, Atlantic Council, March 30, 2019.  <\/span>Here are some portions of the Atlantic Council story.  \u201cIranian authorities barred international journalists from covering the disastrous floods that have stricken most of the country\u2019s provinces and caused death and mayhem during the normally festive two-week Nowruz holidays that follow the Iranian new year.  Not even the smattering of foreign journalists still huddled precariously in Tehran were granted permission to head to Golestan and Mazandaran provinces or even Shiraz to speak with victims, rescue workers, and good Samaritans\u2014something reporters do during natural disasters all over the world, including recent floods in Nebraska and Mozambique.  So tightly and firmly do Iranian authorities want to maintain control over the messaging over the flood that, with the exception of reporters from state television and the official state news agency, even Iranian journalists were kept away for President Hassan Rouhani\u2019s visit to the disaster scenes in the southern province of Khuzestan.  This came after angry protesters confronted Rouhani during his visit to flood zones in Golestan. \u2026  To find out what\u2019s happening in Iran in the wake of the floods, the world is forced to piece together a narrative based on amateur video trickling out of the country on social media and messaging apps.  And what a story the videos tell.  Horrific images include Iranians clinging for dear life on traffic posts as floods wash away others away, entire towns inundated with muddy water, Iranian motorists stuck inside their cars as unceasing waters carried them off.  In all at least 44 people were killed in the nationwide floods.  Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of transportation infrastructure has been destroyed, including 314 bridges, according to local press.  Meanwhile authorities looked pathetic.  In an ostensible attempt to prevent fraud, but also to ban heroes from emerging outside the elite circle of power, the judiciary banned celebrities from raising funds for the flood victims, instead demanding that all donations go to the government or official charities.  Clearly the regime was caught unaware and unprepared for the disaster in part because of the Nowruz holidays.  The governor of Golestan province, now fired, was apparently abroad somewhere.  Rouhani himself was resting on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf.  \u2026  But the floods showed what a paper tiger the regime is.  People are largely left to fend for themselves as ineffectual hardline regime stalwarts bark orders or stage photo ops.  \u2026  Iranians are outraged.  \u2026  One Iranian man posted a video of himself directly addressing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the leaders of the IRGC.  \u201cYou gave so much for Syria, what did you get out of it?\u201d he says. \u201cPeople are being destroyed by this flooding. Our own children are drowning. You who didn\u2019t want Israel to exist in twenty years, with this situation, our country won\u2019t see another year.\u201d\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n\u201cSwedish Police Arrest Iraqi Journalist For Working As Iranian Spy,\u201d<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, April 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBritain, France, Germany seek full UN report of Iran missile activity,\u201d<\/a> Al-Arabiya, AFP, April 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFrance, Germany and UK say Iran missiles can deliver nukes,\u201d<\/a> Edith Lederer, AP, April 2, 2019<\/span>
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\u201cHezbollah Established New Missile Factory in Beirut \u2013 Report,\u201d<\/a> Uri Bollag, Jerusalem Post, April 2, 2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Apr. 1, 2019.  How bad does a person look on death row in Evin Prison?  This is not an April Fool\u2019s joke.  A picture included with the story, \u201cScientist On Death Row In Iran Speaks To Radio Farda On Floods,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 28, 2019 shows the answer.  Ironically, or more precisely to the man\u2019s credit as a person, the story doesn\u2019t carry his criticism about what the Regime is doing to his health.  Instead, while Iran is struggling with its flood crisis at the end of March, Dr. Ahmad Reza Jalali, a medical doctor and expert on crisis management, explained in an interview the ways of confronting the crises caused by recent floods in Iran, including strengthening the country\u2019s early warning system.  Jalali, a Swedish-Iranian dual national, is on death row for charges of \u201cEnmity with God through espionage.\u201d<\/span>
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\u201cMore Than 600,000 Sign Petition To Free Prominent Iran Rights Defender,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 1, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201c\u2018It\u2019s an Insult:\u2019 Human Rights Attorney Condemns Iran\u2019s New Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi,\u201d<\/a> Center for Human Rights in Iran, April 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Faces Massive Crises Over Flooding,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, April 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNew Storm Dumps More Rain In Iran, As Dams Threatened And Government In Confusion,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, April 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cConcerns over Iran Secret Army Spreading Influence in Afghanistan,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-awsat, April 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran continues to be a major cyber threat to the Middle East,\u201d<\/a> Alkesh Sharma, The National, April 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cIran floods expose deepening rift between Rouhani, powerful IRGC,\u201d<\/a> Rudaw, April 1, 2019<\/span><\/span>
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<\/span>Mar. 31, 2019.  I doubt the Regime paid him $10,000.  A young Iranian chess player who refused to play against an Israeli in a recent international tournament has just met with and was hailed as a hero by the Supreme Leader.  On January 5, 17-year-old Aryan Gholami forfeited his chance at winning a $10,000 prize when he walked away from playing Israeli Ariel Erenberg at the Rilton Cup in Sweden.  According to the story, Gholami told the Palestinian Quds News Network: \u201cI refused this competition in order to defend the Palestinian people.  I do not recognize a place called Israel.\u201d  But the story also says Gholami told Swedish chess website Schack.se that he had no ill will towards the Israeli, but \u201cif I were to play against an Israeli, it would have serious consequences for me.\u201d  Hmm.  Why should the world media pass on criticizing Iran for blatant discrimination?  I hope FIFA and the Olympics and other organizations will press Iran, and any other country, to not discriminate and refuse to participate in international games based on the nationality of other participants.  See \u201cIran hails chess player who refused to face Israeli,<\/a>\u201d Toi Staff, Times of Israel, March 2, 2019.<\/span>
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\u201cIn Iran, Women\u2019s Political Participation A Trick Used To Mislead West,\u201d<\/a> Iran News Update, March 31, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Crypto Regulations: What\u2019s Happening Behind Closed Doors,\u201d<\/a> Maziar Motamedi, Coin Desk, March 31, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDefiant Khamenei emphasizes Iranian regime\u2019s aggressive policies,\u201d<\/a> Majid Rafizadeh, Arab News, March 31, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Bans Export Of Onions And Potatoes To Keep Prices Low,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 31, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWhy Iran Is So Afraid of a Free Iraq,\u201d<\/a> Michael Rubin, The National Interest, March 31, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHardline Cleric Claims \u2018Khamenei Did Not Make A Single Mistake In 30 Years\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 31, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cIranian proxies turn to crime to dodge sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Baria Alamuddin, Arab News, March 31, 2019<\/span><\/span>
\n
<\/span>Mar. 30, 2019.  A clue that Ebrahim Raisi may become next Supreme Leader.  IRGC commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari (and hardliner) has just criticized the selection of Pres. Rouhani in the 2017 election, blaming \u201cthe choice made by the people\u201d for the country\u2019s economic woes.  Tellingly, he said \u201cIf the winner is supposed to be the good orator, then the whole system will be about words.\u201d  \u2026  \u201cBut the candidate who is the man of real action might not be able to defeat his rivals during debates.\u201d  Who is that man of \u201creal action\u201d, who did not prevail in the debate?  Ebrahim Raisi.  See \u201cIRGC commanders begin to reprimand Iranians for electing Rouhani,\u201d<\/a> Ehsan Bodaghi, Al Monitor, March 25, 2019.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\nI am immediately reminded of my Mar. 13, 2019 blog post, just two weeks ago, in which the Supreme Leader chose hardline Iranian cleric Raisi as deputy chief of the Assembly of Experts, responsible for choosing the country\u2019s next Leader.  He also won that job less than a week after appointed head of the judiciary, again by the Leader.  And see my Mar. 11 news, \u201cEbrahim Raisi: Iran\u2019s New Chief Justice and Possible Supreme Leader in Waiting,\u201d<\/a> Mehrzad Boroujerdi, Iran Source.<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cArab summit: Tough action sought on Iranian interference,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Ramadan Al Sherbini, Gulf News, March 30, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Rouhani slams \u2018unprecedented\u2019 U.S. Golan recognition \u2013 IRNA,\u201d<\/a> Alfredo Boyd, Augusta Review, March 30, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Warns Arabs about Trump\u2019s Bid to \u2018Steal\u2019 Their Lands,\u201d<\/a> Iran Front Page, March 30, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nMar. 29, 2019.  Iraq may lose control over the Shatt al-Arab, the waterway between it and Iran.  The Shatt al-Arab is formed by the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates at the city of Qurna in Basra Province.  Around 125 miles long, the river flows into the Arabian Gulf at Faw, the southernmost point in Iraq.  The river width ranges from 1-2 kilometers, and it is a major economic lifeline for Iraq, serving as a navigational channel for boats heading to the ports of Basra via the Persian Gulf.  After the eight-year war between the two countries, Iraq declared the shared river agreement terminated.  Rouhani\u2019s recent trip to Baghdad was preceded by warnings in the Iraqi media against renewing the agreement, to preserve national interests.  But Iran has so much influence within the various parts of Iraq\u2019s national politics now that Iran may try to force a new agreement that reflects its interests.  See <\/span>\u201cWill Iraq lose its benefits from Shattal-Arab River to Iran?,\u201d<\/a> Omar al-Jaffal, Al Monitor, March 23, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran to \u2018resist\u2019 US decision on Israel\u2019s hold over Golan \u2013 Rouhani,\u201d<\/a> RT, March 29, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cOpinion: Iran Is Declaring War on Israel \u2013 From Gaza,\u201d<\/a> Muhammad Shehada, Haaretz, March 29, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSoutheast Asia should be aware of Iran\u2019s tactics to evade oil sanctions: US official,\u201d<\/a> CNBC, March 29, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


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Mar. 28, 2019.  Iranians do not have access to social media sites including Twitter and Facebook because the Regime severely restricts social media use, highlighted by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Iranian New Year.  \u201cNowruz brings family and friends together to reflect on the past while celebrating the future and is a time for connecting with loved ones both near and far.  As Iranians celebrate Nowruz this year, they should be able to have unrestricted access to social media sites to share photos of their holiday gatherings and to send New Year\u2019s greetings to loved ones living in other cities or even abroad.  The proud Iranian people deserve to enjoy the best of life without fear of repression.\u201d  He concluded, \u201cMay this Nowruz bring new beginnings and a brighter future for everyone!\u201d  <\/span>“Pompeo Urges Iran To Give Public \u2018Unrestricted Access\u2019 To Social Media,\u201d<\/a> Zachary Keyser, Jerusalem Post, March 27, 2019.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs U.S. Tightens Iran Sanctions, Militant Groups and Political Allies Feel the Pain,\u201d<\/a> Ben Hubbard, New York Times, March 28, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Mar. 27, 2019.  Normal, peaceful countries don\u2019t order missile attacks on other countries.  But <\/span>\u201cHamas Official:  Iran Ordered Rocket Attack On Central Israel \u2013 Report,\u201d<\/a> Ilanit Chernick, Jerusalem Post, March 27, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\u201cUncovering Iran\u2019s sanctions-busting sale of fuel oil on the high seas,\u201d<\/a> Roslan Khasawneh, Reuters, March 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIs Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister Taking Over the \u2018Iraq File?\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani Calls for Closer Regional Cooperation to Counter US, \u2018Israel\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Al Manar, March 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cMicrosoft Seizes Websites It Traces to Iranian Hackers,\u201d<\/a> Karen Weise, New York Times, March 27, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u201cFacebook removes fake accounts connected to Iran and Russia,\u201d<\/a> CBS, March 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

\nMar. 26, 2019.  <\/span>\u201cIran Bans Celebrities From Raising Money For Flood Victims,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 25, 2019.  The headline reveals the hard-heartedness of the System\u2014despite record floods, persons are held back from helping persons.  Most countries don\u2019t restrict their citizens from assisting those who are in need.  Control by the Regime is par for the course, not the encouragement of civil society, whether response to earthquakes, floods, or droughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cIran Moves to Cement Its Influence in Syria,\u201d Raja Abdulrahim and Benoit Faucon, Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cU.S. Targets \u2018Vast Network\u2019 Evading Iran Sanctions,\u201d Ian Talley, Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFacebook removes accounts from Russia, Iran for \u2018coordinated inauthentic behavior\u2019,\u201d Reuters, March 26, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Mar. 25, 2019.  The Revolution does not respect human rights.  Such is implied heavily from the news <\/span>\u201cIran Attacks U.N. Human Rights Rapporteur, Says It Is \u2018Largest Democracy In The World\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 24, 2019.  Two days after the most recent renewal of the U.N. Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran, the Islamic Republic harshly criticized the decision and announced that the country is the \u201clargest and the most developed democracy in West Asia and the world.\u201d  Beyond that surprising claim, the human rights staff of The Islamic Republic issued a statement on March 24 saying the renewal of the Rapporteur\u2019s mandate was \u201cunjustified and illegal action and a result of political trickery.\u201d  Further, the work of the special rapporteur is \u201cagainst the law\u201d and \u201ca clear evidence of the evil and hegemonic intentions of those who sponsor this scandalous theater.\u201d  As the article reports, Iran has one of the worst human rights records in the world, as regularly documented by many international rights organizations.  Iran does not allow U.N. rapporteurs to visit the country for research and observation.  But the General Assembly in 2018 adopted a resolution condemning Iran\u2019s violations of human rights, including unjustified arrests, torture of prisoners, and restrictions on speech freedom.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTop Iranian Official:  Islamic Republic Did Hack Netanyahu Family Phones,\u201d Zachary Keyser, Jerusalem Post, March 25, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cNew U.S. sanctions put spotlight on Iranian research institute,\u201d Richard Stone, Science, March 25, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cFrance bans Iran\u2019s Mahan Air for flying arms, troops to Syria, elsewhere,\u201d John Irish, Reuters, March 25, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cIran to cement ties with Lebanon, Hezbollah despite US pressure,\u201d Middle East Monitor, March 25, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMassive Floods In Northern Iran Force Military Response,\u201d Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 25, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Mar. 24, 2019.  So which is it?  A successful economy, or a terrible economy?  In his Nowruz address the Leader said both.  It sounds patriotic and strong to cite the following headline, <\/span>\u201cKhamenei says Iran has successfully resisted U.S. sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 20, 2019.  But then there\u2019s that other headline, <\/span>\u201cIran struggling under reimposed sanctions, country\u2019s leaders say,\u201d<\/a> AFP, Times of Israel, March 21, 2019.  \u201cThe economy is the country\u2019s urgent problem, it\u2019s the country\u2019s (most) serious and primary problem,\u201d the Leader  added, mentioning the devaluation of the national currency, the drop in purchasing power, and the fall in production as symptoms of the issue.  Sounds like it is the later, not the former.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIran: Who stole Torah scrolls from Tehran’s Jewish ghetto?,\u201d<\/a> Karmel Melamed, Arutz Sheva, March 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Is One of the Unhappiest Countries In The World \u2013 Report,\u201d<\/a> Zachary Keyser, Jerusalem Post, March 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cHamas Crackdown on Gaza Protests Instills Fear,\u201d<\/a> New York Times, March 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSyria, Iraq border reopening fuels fears of Iran \u2018land corridor\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Manuel Langendorf, The Arab Weekly, March 24, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>Mar. 23, 2019.  How does Iran avoid oil sanctions?  Lots of obfuscation.  Here is one example, revealed thanks to the work of Reuters reporters.  \u201cExclusive: How Iran fuel oil exports beat U.S. sanctions in tanker odyssey to Asia,\u201d<\/a> Roslan Khasawneh, Ahmed Rasheed, Ahmed Elumami, Reuters, March 20, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cUN Iran Human Rights Rapporteur Mandate Extended,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran bans tattooed footballers from national teams,\u201d<\/a> Asia News, March 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe IAEA\u2019s Diligent Investigation Of Iran\u2019s \u2018Atomic Archive\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Mark Fitzpatrick, Lobe Log, March 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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Mar. 22, 2019.  An Iranian dissident was sentenced to re-write three books word by word after calling the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a despot and demanding a national protest to end his rule.  Abulfazl Ghadiani, 74, a founding member of the banned reformist Mujahedin of Islamic Revolution Organization, had already served several years for criticism of the Leader, accusing him of betraying the Revolution\u2019s ideals in exchange for power and dictatorial rule.  The books Ghadiani was ordered to read and rewrite by hand are The Story of Winter by Saeed Akeff, and The Story of Sistan Province and How to Identify Your Enemy, both written by Khamenei.  Get out that writing pen and paper!  \u201cIranian dissident ordered to copy out books by Ayatollah Khamenei after branding Supreme Leader a despot,\u201d<\/a> Ahmed Vahdat, The Telegraph, March 19, 2019.<\/span>
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\n
\n\u201cU.S. pressure on Hezbollah, Iran is working, Pompeo says in Beirut,\u201d<\/a> Lisa Barrington, Reuters, March 22, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cU.S. Says Iran Poised to Resume Work on Nuclear Weapons,\u201d<\/a> Ian Talley, Wall Street Journal, March 22, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cLatest Report Says Annual Inflation Close To 50 Percent In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 22, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS envoy Brian Hook: Sanctions are hurting Iran\u2019s $700m support for Hezbollah,\u201d<\/a> Joyce Karam, The National, March 22, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Mar. 21, 2019.  Happy Nowruz!  As the Chaharshanbeh Soori festival was held prior to this year\u2019s Nowruz celebrations, an announcement was made by the government that was not \u201cfake news.\u201d  \u201c[Chaharshanbeh Soori] not only lacks a religious basis, it also brings about harm and misdeed.  It is advised that [the rituals] be refrained from.\u201d  That is the text of a fatwa published by the official website of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in response to a religious question about Chaharshanbeh Soori, the ancient Iranian Festival of Fire held on the evening of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the start of the Iranian New Year.  The festival is marked with bonfires set up with people gathering to jump over the flames and celebrate the arrival of spring.  It is not known if this fatwa will decrease the celebratory mood of the people ringing in the Iranian new year.  See \u201cIran\u2019s Islamic authorities slowly embrace ancient Festival of Fire,\u201d<\/a> Zahra Alipour, Al Monitor, March 19, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran Denies Joint Military Operation With Turkey, Again,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFrance says nuclear deal no blank check for rights abuses in Iran,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIs Tehran trying to distance Qasem Soleimani from Iraq?,\u201d<\/a> Omar Sattar, Al Monitor, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRevolutionary Guards drill into Iran\u2019s gas potential,\u201d<\/a> Monavar Khalaj, Financial Times, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani felicitates New Year to heads of regional states,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran turns to crypto to enable easier spending by tourists,\u201d<\/a> Maziar Motamedi, Al Monitor, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Voices Support For Top Political Change In Kazakhstan,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIs Tehran trying to distance Qasem Soleimani from Iraq?,\u201d<\/a> Omar Sattar, Al Monitor, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFrance orders dissolution of four Hezbollah aligned organisations,\u201d<\/a> The National, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran brings in New Year by focusing on domestic production,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor, March 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n


<\/span>Mar. 20, 2019.  Millions of Iranian viewers spent Monday night without \u201c90,\u201d a very popular soccer show hosted by Adel Ferdowsipour.  The debate-oriented program is\/was quite different from conventional Iranian TV shows\u2014it has uncovered rampant corruption, nepotism, mafias in the world of Iranian soccer, topics otherwise hidden from the common viewer.  This did put guests in the \u201chot seat,\u201d making them address accusations and furious fans.  But since the Basij Organization\u2019s Ali Foroughi, the hard-line director of national broadcaster\u2019s Channel 3 took over in 2018, the word began circulating that Ferdowsipour should leave the show he created and ran.  The disagreement between Ferdowsipour and the state-sponsored channel became more apparent after the national broadcaster launched a rating competition for top programs via mobile phone messaging.  Only a few days into the polling, the minister of communications and information technology announced a manipulation of votes by the national broadcaster in favor of a rival show.  Hmm.  Speech (and the freedom to talk about soccer!) under attack in Iran.  <\/span>\u201cIran\u2019s state TV kills top-rated show,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor, March 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Mar. 20, 2019. <\/span> <\/span>Iran\u2019s president urged Iranians to put a curse on the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Israel, repeating his long-standing charge the U.S. and allies are responsible for Iran\u2019s poor economy.<\/span>  <\/span>According to <\/span>\u201cIran\u2019s Rouhani urges Iranians to \u2018put all your curses\u2019 on US,\u201d<\/a> AP, The News & Observer, March 18, 2019, <\/span>Hassan Rouhani\u2019s remarks were meant to deflect criticism of his administration\u2019s performance during a spiraling economy after Pres. Trump in 2018 withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran, targeting the oil sector.<\/span>  <\/span>\u201cPut all your curses on those who created the current situation,\u201d adding that \u201cthe United States, the Zionists\u201d and Saudi Arabia were to blame. <\/span> <\/span>He did not say what kind of curses the Iranians should invoke.<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cIran Labor Leaders To Stand Trial In Revolutionary Courts,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Radio Farda, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cRouhani Promises Wage Increase For Public Servants Amid Protests,\u201d<\/a> Ilanit Chernick, Jerusalem Post, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Sets Up Trade Mechanism To Match Europe\u2019s INSTEX,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDark money flows between Russia and Iran show how vital EU sanctions are againstboth,\u201d<\/a> Graeme Lamb, EuroNews, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran foreign minister urges government to join international money laundering watchdog,\u201d<\/a> Leila Gharagozlou, CNBC, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani Promises Wage Increases As High Inflation Persists,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani calls on Iran\u2019s political factions to end infighting, unite against enemies,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Zarif: will strengthen ties with nations tired of U.S. \u2018bullying\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 20, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cMorocco Speaker Accuses Iran of Disregarding OIC Rules,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTwo Top Clerics In Iran Allegedly Involved In \u2018Land Grab\u2019 Scandal,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHouthis Transfer Ballistic Missiles to Hodeidah in Trucks,\u201d<\/a> Saeed al-Abyad, Asharq Al-Awsat, March 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Mar. 19, 2019.  Hezbollah\u2019s weapons \u201cendanger the stability of Lebanon and the region\u201d according to <\/span>UN Sec. Gen. Guterres.  <\/span>It is an implicit reference to Iran when Guterres calls on member states to \u201ccarry out their duties\u201d to not supply arms and military equipment to entities in Lebanon. <\/span> <\/span>He also asked Lebanon\u2019s government to take \u201call necessary measures\u201d to disarm Hezbollah (supported by Iran) with the Taif Agreement and international resolutions.<\/span>  <\/span>Guterres also urged Hezbollah to \u201cstop interfering in the Syrian war and other conflicts in the region,\u201d and denounced the \u201cmovement of fighters and military equipment across the Lebanese-Syrian border.\u201d<\/span>  <\/span>It is important that the United Nations and its head clearly call out those responsible for sectarianism and violence in the region.  See <\/span>\u201cUN Chief: Hezbollah Weapons Threaten Stability,\u201d<\/a> Ali Barada, Asharq Al-Awsat, March 19, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\n\u201cIranian Media Pushes Dutch, Jewish Spy Conspiracy,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 19, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. says Iran missile program destabilizing Middle East,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 19, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAP Interview: Yemen\u2019s rebels say they won\u2019t give up port,\u201d<\/a> Ahmed Al-Haj, AP, March 19, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBillionaire On Trial For Corruption In Iran Says He Knows About Militant Groups,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 19, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cResponding to Rouhani, Hook Says The Iranian People Want Jobs,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 19, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEisenkot:  Hezbollah Was Planning To Infiltrate Israel With 5,000 Troops,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, March 19, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Pressures Iraq Over Embrace of Militias Linked to Iran,\u201d<\/a> Edward Wong and Eric Schmitt, New York Times, March 19, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>Mar. 18, 2019.  <\/span>Iran will meet to discuss \u201cways to combat terrorism\u201d (!) \u2013 Reuters is reporting that the military chiefs of staff of Iran, Syria, and Iraq will hold a rare meeting in Damascus.  No further details have been released yet.  <\/span>\u201cSyrian, Iranian, Iraqi military chiefs to meet in Damascus: paper,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 18, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cIran Hints at Using Foreign Militias in Domestic Crackdown,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Mehdi Jedinia and Sirwan Kajjo, VOA, March 18, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n
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\n\u201cIran denies joint operation with Turkey against PKK: Fars,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran and the future of the Afghanistan peace process,\u201d<\/a> Mohammed Al-Sulami, Arab News, March 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran-Backed Militias Step Up the Battle in Iraq,\u201d<\/a> Jonathan Spyer, Wall Street Journal, March 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian, Syrian military chiefs demand US withdraw its troops from Syria,\u201d<\/a> Task & Purpose, Reuters March 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cConservative Politician Wants To Eliminate The Presidency In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani says Iran will file legal case against U.S. for sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Building Two New Nuclear Plants,\u201d<\/a> Adam Kredo, Free Beacon, March 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Mar. 17, 2019.  \u201cIf you were being threatened with a needle of hallucinogenic drugs [hovering] above your arm, you would also confess to whatever they wanted you to confess.\u201d  A quote from Iranian environmentalist Niloufar Bayani in February before Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Court, rejecting charges of \u201ccorruption on earth,\u201d a nebulous allegation Iran often uses to prosecute Regime opponents.  \u201cIranian environmentalists ontrial: Tehran\u2019s latest miscarriage of justice unusually self-defeating,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Kahn, The Hill, March 16, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s threats to BBC Persian staff must be confronted,\u201d<\/a> Roy Greenslade, The Guardian, March 17, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran recalls ambassador to Kenya over court case,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, Ynet, March 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cHuman Rights Organizations Support UN Special Rapporteur For Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Rouhani inaugurates four new phases of South Pars gas field,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWhy hasn\u2019t Iran instructed the Houthis to implement the Stockholm Agreement?,\u201d<\/a> Khaled al-Yemany, Al Arabiya, March 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran recalls ambassador to Kenya over court case,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

\n\u201cHook Says Pressures On Iran Made Lebanese Hezbollah Call For Donations,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 16, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cYemen\u2019s Iran-backed Houthi militants threaten to target Riyadh and Abu Dhabi,\u201d<\/a> Arab News, March 16, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cKhamenei Reportedly Rejected Resignation Of VP Heading ‘Economic Resistance\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 16, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPakistan Receives Warning From Iran Not To Join Saudi Proxy War,\u201d<\/a> Micha\u2019el Tanchum, Jerusalem Post, March 16, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Mar. 15<\/span>, 2019.  Iran wants to continue financing terror groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.  This is most recently seen in the following article, helpful to quote from at length to explain why Iran is hesitating from joining the international body called the Financial Action Task Force.  Being part of FATF would open up the Regime for examination if not even prevent it from funding terror around the world, and would truly impact its strategy of spreading its Islamic Revolution.  \u201cJoining FATF \u2018Strategic Mistake,\u2019 Iran Assembly Of Experts Warns,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 14, 2019.  \u201cIran\u2019s Assembly of Experts has warned against Iran joining international financial transparency agreements aimed at curbing money laundering and terrorism funding, the Financial Action Task Force.  \u2026  The bills would also pave the way for Iran to join the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), Combatting the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes.  So far, two of the four bills have been ratified, but the fate of the other two is still in limbo.  \u2026  Adhering to rules for financial transparency would prevent Tehran from funding the Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas militant groups.  The bills have triggered a series of heated debates between parliament and the Guardian Council (GC), as well as the Expediency Discernment Council (EDC), which acts as the referee if a dispute occurs between parliament and the GC.  The AE\u2019s statement joining the chorus of voices against the legislation is unprecedented, as the body\u2019s constitutional mandate is only to supervise the Supreme Leader, not to comment on the particulars of government policy.  Now the fate of the bills is in the hand of the EDC, which has postponed the final decision until its next session in April. Two EDC members told local media March 1 that Khamenei had instructed them they could only pass the bills with a two-thirds majority, a condition that has no precedence.  \u2026  Iran and North Korea are the only countries on the FATF blacklist.  \u2026  Iran\u2019s participation in the agreements has long been demanded by the FATF, which has asked Iran to strengthen its legal framework to guard against money laundering and financing terrorism. If Iran fails to comply with FATF demands, the watchdog can extend a blacklist on Iran, severely restricting its ability to have banking relations with the rest of the world.  \u2026  Last month the FATF extended a February deadline it had given Iran to June.  The Paris-based FATF concluded its February meeting, saying that it \u201cexpects Iran to proceed swiftly in the reform path,\u201d according to Reuters.  If the shortcomings are not remedied by June, currently suspended countermeasures would automatically kick in.  \u2026  If countermeasures are reimposed, FATF members worldwide would be required to step up supervision of Iranian bank branches on their territory, including on-site inspections.  \u2026  In the absence of compliance, the FATF called on its members to advise their banks to scrutinize all business with Iran, including obtaining information on reasons for proposed transactions, stepping up controls on sales and identifying patterns of operations for further scrutiny.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
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Mar. 15, 2019.  No one is safe from detention under vague Iranian laws.  That is the conclusion of human rights lawyer and Amnesty International researcher on Iran, Raha Bahreini, who spoke about the current situation in Iran.  \u201cThere is \u2018no light on the horizon\u2019 in Iran,\u201d<\/a> DW Freedom, March 15, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe changing face of Iran,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Walter Posch, International Politics and Society, March 15, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cPro-Hezbollah and Iran Media Celebrate Rockets Over Tel Aviv,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 15, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHezbollah\u2019s capabilities \u2018doubled,\u2019 says Iranian official,\u201d<\/a> Middle East Monitor, March 15, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cSecret Mossad Files Show Underground Iran Nuke Facility Older Than Admitted,\u201d<\/a> Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, March 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Navy veteran held in Iran sentenced to 10 years in prison, lawyers say,\u201d<\/a> Melissa Etehad, San Diego Union Tribune, March 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Is Mastering the Final Frontier,\u201d<\/a> Kevijn Lim, Gil Baram, FP, March 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian media: Sistani\u2019s meeting with Rouhani endorsement of \u2018moderation\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor, March 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S.\u2013designated terrorist Soleimani gets Iran\u2019s highest military honor,\u201d<\/a> Behnam Ben Taleblu, Axios, March 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cBillions Of Dollars Involved In Two Corruption Trials In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

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Mar. 13, 2019.  Iraq\u2019s main Ayatollah has told Iran to respect Iraq’s sovereignty and not interfere in its internal politics.  It is helpful to quote most of the Reuters story below.  \u201cIraq\u2019s top Shi\u2019ite cleric tells Rouhani ties must respect sovereignty,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 13, 2019.  \u201cIraq\u2019s top Shi\u2019ite cleric told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday that Iraqi sovereignty must be respected and weapons kept in state hands, a veiled reference to increasingly influential Iran-backed militias.  It was the first meeting between an Iranian president and the 88-year-old Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who rarely weighs in on politics but exerts wide influence over Iraqi public opinion.  Sistani welcomed \u201cany steps to strengthen Iraq\u2019s relations with its neighbours … based on respect for the sovereignty of the countries and no interference in domestic affairs\u201d, a statement from his office said.  \u201cThe most important challenges facing Iraq are fighting corruption, improving services and keeping weapons in the hands of the state and its security services,\u201d it added.  The meeting came on the third day of a visit by Rouhani to Iraq which aimed to project Iran\u2019s political and economic dominance in Baghdad and expand commercial ties to help offset renewed U.S. sanctions meant to isolate and weaken Tehran.  \u2026  Sistani\u2019s comments will chime with the concerns of many Iraqis that powerful Shi\u2019ite militias, which are increasing their military and political influence after the defeat of Sunni Muslim extremist group Islamic State (IS), remain subservient to their Iranian patrons.  …  Since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iran has come to dominate Iraqi politics through allies in the government and parliament and has built up considerable influence over parts of the security forces.  Dozens of mainly Iran-backed paramilitary groups which played a key role in defeating IS in 2017 were brought formally into the security forces last year.  Critics say they have also begun to control parts of the economy. The groups deny this.  Iran is striving to shore up control of a corridor of territory from Tehran through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon where it holds sway through allies including those militias.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

\nMar. 13, 2019.  <\/span>Another sign the Supreme Leader won\u2019t change\u2014he has ensured hardline Iranian cleric Ebrahim Raisi was elected as deputy chief of the Assembly of Experts, responsible for choosing the country\u2019s next Leader.  He won the job less than a week after appointed head of the judiciary, by the Leader.  \u201cHardline Iranian Cleric Gets Powerful Position Days After He Is Tapped Head of Judiciary,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 12, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nMar. 13, 2019.  The Supreme Leader will never agree to diplomatic relations with the U.S., according to a new article by a Brookings expert, Kenneth Pollack.  Khomeini and Khamenei and their successors will not allow an end to Iranian-American conflict.  Pollack writes, \u201cOf the seven American presidents to serve since the Iranian revolution, at least four and arguably five wanted an end to the hostilities with Iran and made real efforts to bring that about.  In most cases, they paid a considerable political price to do so.  And while there certainly have been many Iranians, many Iranian officials, and at least three Iranian presidents who seemed to want the same, the Iranian regime as a whole and its two supreme leaders\u2014Iran\u2019s equivalent to the American president\u2014have never shown the least interest.  Instead, they have systematically shut down every effort toward meaningful peace between the two countries.\u201d  What the Brookings article does not say is this\u2014that Iran\u2019s Revolution is partly based on opposing the Great Satan, and to make peace destroys an important underlying rationale for 1979.  See \u201cAmerica\u2019s torch song for Tehran,\u201d<\/a> Kenneth Pollack, Brookings, March 8, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>Mar. 13, 2019.  <\/span>The Qods Force commander winning Iran\u2019s most prestigious award, the Order of Zulfiqar, augurs poorly for peace.  Qods\/Quds is sworn to take The Revolution to other countries, and retake Jerusalem by force.  In short, the Supreme Leader is not willing to allow his territory and people to act as other countries, not focused on peaceful relations and trade but instead bent on regional dominance.  This we learn from the Fars News Agency, that \u201cSoleimani Receives Iran\u2019s Highest Military Medal From Khamenei,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 11, 2019.  The IRGC Qods Force head Qassem Soleimani is the first commander to be awarded Iran\u2019s highest award after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.  That the Leader is willing to resurrect a medal, coined in 1921, associated with the militaristic rule of the Shah, and given to those exhibiting the greatest acts of Patriotism, reveals the Leader will continue the Regime’s push against its neighbors including Saudi Arabia and Israel and against the United States, influential in the Middle East.  Major General Soleimani leads Iran\u2019s military operations in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen\u2014in essence controlling foreign policy for Iran in those countries also.  FM Javad Zarif has now said that Soleimani is the man who made the Middle East safe, further showing how Iran tries to reshape reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIRIAF Commander reportedly fired after he kept secret that Israeli F-35 stealth fighters had violated Iran Airspace,\u201d<\/a> Dario Leone, The Aviation Geek Club, March 13, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cRouhani: US relocating terrorists from Mideast to C Asia,\u201d<\/a> MENA\/FM, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThousands Of Actors And Filmmakers In Iran On Secret Blacklist,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTehran deletes video portraying Rouhani as key leader,\u201d<\/a> Egypt Today, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s hard-liners praise Rouhani for boosting trade with Iraq,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPres. Rouhani: Iranian, Iraqi nations fully united in culture, belief,\u201d<\/a> ABNA, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPresident Rouhani meets with Ayatollah Sistani,\u201d<\/a> Mehr, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSatellite imagery appears to show Iran building advanced missile factory in Syria,\u201d<\/a> i24News, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cOn its Last Legs: Otherworldly Photos of a Dying Lake in Iran,\u201d<\/a> Ebrahim Noroozi, Vice, March 13 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s \u2018Road to the Sea\u2019 Exposed on Golan \u2013 Analysis,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, March 13, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s oil tanker fleet being squeezed as sanctions bite,\u201d<\/a> Jonathan Saul, Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cExpert: N. Korea Summit Shows Need To Stop Iran From Getting Nukes,\u201d<\/a> Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsrael Says Hezbollah Operative Is Setting Up a Terror Network in Golan Heights,\u201d<\/a> Felicia Schwartz, Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHuman rights center records over 25,000 Houthi violations in Taiz,\u201d<\/a> Arab News, March 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDid Iran ever stop funding Hamas?,\u201d<\/a> Ahmad Abu Amer, Al Monitor, March 12, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS Official: Iranian Regime Wants Iraq to Become a Province of Iran,\u201d<\/a> Rikar Hussein, VOA, March 12, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFears About Iran Stop Assad Taking More Prominence in Arab World,\u201d<\/a> Henry Meyer, Ladane Nasseri, and Fiona MacDonald, Bloomberg, March 12, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Threatens to Use Foreign Fighters against Its Own People,\u201d<\/a> Raman Ghavami, Fair Observer, March 12, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUN Expert Slams Iran\u2019s R<\/a>ights Record in 1st Report to Geneva Council,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin and Ramin Haghjoo, VOA, March 12, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.N. investigating suspected North Korean arms dealers in Iran,\u201d<\/a> Dan De Luce, NBC, March 12, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran: Pro-government vigilantes attack women for standing up against forced hijab laws,\u201d<\/a> Amnesty International, March 12, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cReport: Verdict issued against US Navy veteran held in Iran,\u201d<\/a> AP, Fox, March 12, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEbrahim Raisi: Iran\u2019s New Chief Justice and Possible Supreme Leader in Waiting,\u201d<\/a> Mehrzad Boroujerdi, Iran Source, March 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRecord corruption scandal puts spotlight on Iranians in Iran, US,\u201d<\/a> Rohollah Faghihi, Al Monitor, March 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian human rights lawyer sentenced to 38 years in jail, lashes \u2013 husband,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian couple arrested after public marriage proposal goes viral,\u201d<\/a> AP, The Guardian, March 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThree Jordanians who were detained in Iran return home,\u201d<\/a> Ammon News, March 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHamas Released Head Of Terror Organization Affiliate With Iran,\u201d<\/a> Jerusalem Post, March 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Tries to Expand Business in Iraq to Blunt U.S. Sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Alissa Rubin, New York Times, March 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHuman rights violations on the rise in Iran,\u201d<\/a> Majid Rafizadeh, Arab News, March 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran-backed Houthis commit 41 violations within 24 hours,\u201d<\/a> Mohamed Zain Sun, Egypt Today, March 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cOutspoken Lawmaker Tells Iran Judiciary \u2018Stop Wrong Practices\u2019, As UN Issues CriticalReport,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Hostage Recovery Bill Named After Jewish American Missing In Iran,\u201d<\/a> Ron Kampeas, JTA, Jerusalem Post, March 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPres. Rouhani: Europe should compensate for US\u2019 withdrawal from nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> ABNA, March 9, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian President To Meet With Iraqi Counterpart, Shiite Leader During Iraq Visit-Reports,\u201d<\/a> Fahad Shabbir, Urdupoint, March 9, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

\nMar. 8, 2019.  Give credit to Iran for fighting pirates.  Although we don’t know much from public sources, this story based on Iranian media claims that Iranian naval forces shot at and broke up an attack by 11 speedboats on an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.  International law calls on all countries to oppose piracy.  See <\/span>\u201cIranian navy thwarts pirate attack on oil tanker: state TV,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 8, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\u201cSix years after Rouhani\u2019s election, moderation is as far away as ever for Iran,\u201d<\/a> Julio Terzi, Euractiv, March 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
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\n\u201cIranian-backed hackers stole data from major U.S. government contractor,\u201d<\/a> Dan De Luce and Courtney Kube, NBC, March 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Dismisses Accusations Of Interference By Four Arab States,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran strives to be a \u2018regional hegemon\u2019: US Commander,\u201d<\/a> Al Arabiya, March 7, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Ex-President Says Without Reforms People Won’t Go To Vote,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 7, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAmbassador Says U.S. Is For \u2018Comprehensive Agreement\u2019 With Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 7, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cReport: Iranian hackers caused losses in hundreds of millions,\u201d<\/a> AFP, Al Arabiya, March 7, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n


<\/span>Mar. 6, 2019.  \u201cDuplicitous\u201d is the word coming to mind when reading what Iran\u2019s Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani said Monday about Syrian President Bashar Assad\u2019s visit to Tehran.  He implied Assad\u2019s trip is symbolic of Middle East countries\u2019 wanting Iran\u2019s government to be active and a leader in regional relations.  \u201cThe most significant message of Assad\u2019s meeting with leader of Islamic Revolution was tendency of regional countries and nations, including Iraq, Syria and Lebanon for effective participation of Iran in regional affairs.\u201d  Instead, we must remember that Iran significantly influences political decisions in those very states, and their leaders then coming to visit Tehran is a sign of control.  Countries don\u2019t normally act this way, including countries wanting to make a positive difference, often seen in rising personal income and freedom measurements.  <\/span>\u201cAssad\u2019s visit to Tehran proof of regional countries\u2019 tendency for Iran\u2019s participation in regional affairs,\u201d<\/a> March 4, 2019.<\/span>
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\u201cIran says no chance of negotiations, compromise with US,\u201d<\/a> AP, Washington Post, March 6, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\u201cSoleimani\u2019s Deputy Says Qods Force Brought Assad To Iran,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 6, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTurkey says it will stage raids with Iran against Kurdish rebels,\u201d<\/a> Al Jazeera, March 6, 2016<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cShe Defended Iranian Women Who Removed Their Head-Coverings.  Now She Is a Convict,\u201d<\/a> Rick Gladstone, New York Times, March 6, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUS, Rights Activists Slam Iran\u2019s Appointment of New Judiciary Chief,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin and Ramin Haghjoo, VOA, March 6, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cIranian Teachers Stage Nationwide Strikes To Protest \u2018Unfair Wages,\u2019 Jailing Of Activists,\u201d<\/a> RFE\/RL, March 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cMerging of Iran\u2019s military-related banks to create more risks, problems \u2013 analyst,\u201d<\/a> Azernews, March 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran daily calls for expulsion of French diplomats,\u201d<\/a> AFP, March 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. sanctions the Nujaba militia backed by Iran,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran frees three Jordanians detained in its waters,\u201d<\/a> AFP, Daily Mail, March 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cYemen Accuses Houthi Rebels of Breaking Cease-fire,\u201d<\/a> Ken Schwartz, VOA, March 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRevolutionary Guards commander flexes political muscle,\u201d<\/a> Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, March 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDutch Recall Envoy From Iran in Murder Plot Row,\u201d<\/a> Agence France-Presse, VOA, March 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHead of UN nuclear agency: Iran keeping to nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> AP, March 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUAE Slams Iran\u2019s Ongoing Occupation of its 3 Islands,\u201d<\/a> Asharq al-Awsat, March 4, 2019<\/span>
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\nMar. 3, 2019.  \u201cIran hails chess player who refused to face Israeli.\u201d<\/a>  The title of the story says it all\u2014and is the latest example of anti-Semitism that extends all the way to the top of Iran\u2019s Regime and is an anchor in its Revolution.  Story recorded by Toi Staff in Times of Israel, March 2, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

\nMar. 3, 2019.  Hmmm, blackmail.  \u201cBehavior of Europeans will affect the council\u2019s decision since we are not satisfied with their performance on JCPOA,\u201d said Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaeihe.  Interpretation\u2014The EU countries won\u2019t\/can\u2019t pay Iran enough money or through trade to convince Iran to comply with the nuclear deal.  \u201cIran: Europe\u2019s Behavior Will Influence Expediency Council\u2019s Decision on FATF,\u201d<\/a> Adil Al Salmi, Asharq al-Awsat, March 3, 2019.<\/span>
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\u201cIran, Hezbollah Commanding Forces Located Along Golan Border \u2013 Report,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, March 3, 2019<\/span>
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\n
\n\u201cExecutions Down In Iran, But Total 6,000 In Ten Years \u2013 Report,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran merging military-linked banks to stabilize sector,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, March 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terror Financing Bills In Limbo Until April,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cReport: Iran Forming All-Syrian Militia in Syria,\u201d<\/a> Sirwan Kajjo and Mehdi Jedinia, VOA, March 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span><\/div>\n

\n\u201cIran and Armenia propose gas transit to Georgia,\u201d<\/a> David O\u2019Byrne, Eurasianet, March 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIslamic Jihad shows off tunnels, rocket workshop on Iran TV,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, March 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTracking Iran\u2019s cyberterrorism,\u201d<\/a> Jennifer Bell, Arab News, March 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cKhamenei Creates New Hurdle For Financial Safeguards Bills,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, March 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran-backed hackers hit both U.K., Australian parliaments, says report,\u201d<\/a> Ken Dilanian, NBC, February 28, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cUN Urges Iran To End Child Executions,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 28, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cMyriad Human Rights Abuses In Iran Highlighted By Amnesty International,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 28, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\nFeb. 28, 2019.  The Supreme Leader imposed his will and reinstated the Foreign Minister, after FM Zarif had resigned.  It did not matter that President Rouhani had refused to accept the resignation, which would have normally in Iran\u2019s system kept the FM in his position.  The key moment in the drama was the Leader Khamenei\u2019s decision to keep Zarif in his figurehead role as maybe the only person able to maintain Iran’s relationship with Europe.  As reported, the FM had not been included in the recent visit to Tehran by Pres. Assad of Syria, an unusual move by any country to bar its chief diplomat from involvement.  But the Leader ultimately makes all key political decisions in Iran\u2019s Revolutionary and authoritarian system, and in the process protects his power.  The Leader has either direct or indirect control over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, and the military and media.  See <\/span><\/span>\u201cUPDATED:  Iran\u2019s supreme leader rejects resignation of Foreign Minister Javad Zarif,\u201d<\/a> D. Parvaz, Think Progress, February 25, 2019 <\/span>and <\/span>\u201cIran\u2019s Rouhani rejects resignation of foreign minister Zarif: IRNA,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, February 27, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\nFeb. 28, 2019.  The human rights situation in Iran has \u201cseverely deteriorated\u201d according to Amnesty International in a Feb. 26 report titled \u201cHuman Rights in The Middle East and North Africa: Review of 2018.\u201d  \u201cAI outlined state restrictions imposed on the freedoms of Iranians, including freedom of expression, assembly, association, and religion.  The report also catalogues instances of the state using excessive violent force against protestors and detainees, suppressing the media, and carrying out arbitrary arrests and inhumane punishments.\u201d  See <\/span>\u201cMyriad Human Rights Abuses In Iran Highlighted By Amnesty International,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 28, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cSmuggled in Suitcases: How Iran Is Upgrading Hezbolla\u2019’s Rocket Arsenal,\u201d<\/a> Amos Harel, Haaretz, February 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Khamenei says U.S. seeks war, sedition \u2018everywhere\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, February 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span><\/div>\n

\nFeb. 26, 2019.  Mike Pompeo is right\u2014Iran \u201cmust behave like a normal country and respect its people.”  He made these comments in response to the news that Iran Minister of Foreign Affairs Javad Zarif announced his resignation yesterday.  The U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo tweeted Monday evening: \u201cWe note [Zarif\u2019s] resignation.  We\u2019ll see if it sticks.  Either way, he and [Iran President] @HassanRouhani are just front men for a corrupt religious mafia.  We know [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] makes all final decisions.  Our policy is unchanged \u2014 the regime must behave like a normal country and respect its people.\u201d  <\/span>\u201cIran Foreign MinisterJavad Zarif resigns,\u201d<\/a> Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, February 25, 2019.  See also the NYT story, that <\/span>\u201cMohammad Javad Zarif, Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister, SaysHe Is Resigning,\u201d<\/a> Ben Hubbard and David Sanger, New York Times, February 25, 2019.  Here\u2019s what readers of this blog and Iran news should note\u2014the nature of the meeting and who was present, including one of the world\u2019s most dangerous men, Qassim Suleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.  NYT says the following:  \u201cMr. Zarif\u2019s resignation announcement came the same day as President Bashar al-Assad of Syria met with Iran\u2019s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other top officials during a surprise visit to Tehran.  Iran has played a critical role in supporting Mr. Assad and propping up his government since Syria\u2019s civil war started in 2011.  Along with providing funds to keep Mr. Assad afloat, Iran has provided supplies and militia fighters to back up his troops in battles against rebels seeking his ouster.  The visit was Mr. Assad\u2019s first publicly disclosed trip to the Iranian capital since 2010, and photos released by Iranian and Syrian state news agencies showed him chatting not only with the ayatollah but other Iranian officials, including Qassim Suleimani, the commander of the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.  He also met with Mr. Rouhani.  Mr. Khamenei praised Mr. Assad for strengthening the ties between Iran, Syria and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, the largest forces in a regional alliance that opposes the United States and Israel and refers to itself as \u201cthe axis of resistance.\u201d  \u201cThe Islamic Republic of Iran sees helping Syria\u2019s government and nation as support for the resistance movement and is deeply proud of doing it,\u201d Mr. Khamenei said.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/span>Feb. 26, 2019.  This picture explains the misery in Syria\u2014Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave a warm welcome yesterday to Syrian President Bashar Assad.  During the unannounced trip to Tehran they further discussed the billions of dollars of aid from Iran, reconstruction of certain parts of Syria, Turkey\u2019s efforts to set up a buffer zone in northern Syria, ISIS, and the U.S. troop withdrawal from much of Syria.  This is only the third trip abroad by Assad since the civil war against him broke out in 2011\u2014the other two trips were to Russia.  See <\/span>\u201cSyria\u2019s Assad visits Iran in rare trip abroad,\u201d<\/a> Nasser Karimi and Albert Aji, AP, February 25, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Rouhani rejects foreign minister\u2019s resignation \u2013 president\u2019s Instagram account,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, February 26, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani Mounts Strong Defense of FATF Bills,\u201d<\/a> Financial Tribune, February 26, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c\u2018Jihad\u2019 Announces Development of Precision Rockets with Iran\u2019s Help,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, February 26, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cMystery Surrounds Mohammad Javad Zarif\u2019s \u2018Resignation\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 26, 2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cExclusive: Iran buys Indian sugar for first time in five years to overcome U.S. sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Rajendra Jadhav, Reuters, February 26, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSyria\u2019s Assad Visits Tehran, Looking to Cement Ties,\u201d<\/a> Aresu Eqbali and Sune Engel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal, February 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Has Banned Publication Of News On Water Shortage,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n \u201cRouhani faces calls to resign over Iran\u2019s economic crisis,\u201d<\/a> Nasser Karimi| Associated Press, The Daily Star, February 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran launches cruise missile from submarine during drill,\u201d<\/a> Nasser Karimi, AP, February 24, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cAfghanistan Sends First Exports To India Via Iran\u2019s Chabahar Port,\u201d<\/a> RFE, Radio Free Afghanistan, February 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran releases French woman detained for nearly 4 months,\u201d<\/a> AP, February 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cVenezuela Ex-Spy Chief Reveals Maduro\u2019s Ties to Hezbollah, Drugs,\u201d<\/a> Hagay Hacohen, Jerusalem Post, February 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Communications Minister Accused Of \u2018Internet Espionage\u2019,\u201d<\/a> RFE, Radio Farda, February 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran questions Iraq\u2019s promise to import oil despite sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Adnan Abu Zeed, Al Monitor, February 24, 2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Threatens Retaliation Against U.S. Sanctions, Says 90% of Goals Achieve Syria,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, February 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFinancial Future Of Iranian Nuclear Power Plant In Question,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cLatest Official Stats In Iran Show Food Prices Reaching Dangerous Hyperinflation,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFATF Gives Iran Until June To Comply With Anti-Terror Financial Oversight,\u201d<\/a> Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, February 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cIRGC General Soleimani Says Roots Of Wahhabism Are Jewish, Linked To ISIS,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 22, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFeb. 21, 2019.  Iranians are acting against the Supreme Leader\u2019s policies, and today\u2019s news has two such stories.  But at least 271 protests occurred country-wide during January, according to Iran News Wire.  For example, a group attacked a morality police van in the East Tehran neighborhood of Narmak on Feb. 15, ripping off one door of the vehicle to rescue two young women arrested for \u201cimproperly\u201d wearing a compulsory headscarf.  Officers fired shots into the air to disperse the crowd, and the state-owned IRNA news agency carried the story.  <\/span>\u201cIranians attack police after women detained for wearing hijabs \u2018improperly\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, February 20, 2019.  See also <\/span>\u201cAngry Iranians Tear Down Image Of Iranian Forces Killed In Syria \u2013Report,\u201d<\/a> Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, February 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span><\/div>\n

\n\u201cIran\u2019s Soleimani Warns Saudis After Deadly Attack in Southeast Region,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, VOA, February 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Arrests Six Christian Converts \u2013 Sources,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran announces 3-day navy drill from Gulf to Indian Ocean,\u201d<\/a> France24, February 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s actions in Lebanon pose biggest war threat: report,\u201d<\/a> The National, February 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Feb. 20, 2019.  The U.S. is saving Iran’s Embassy in Washington, D.C.\u2014for Iran.  The State Department has been maintaining it 40 years under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and in hopes the two countries will restore diplomatic relations.  It is time for Iran to not act as a revolutionary cause, but like a normal state.  <\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u201cState Department video uses former embassy to send a message to Iranians,\u201d<\/a> NBC, February 19, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n


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\n\u201cIran will not rule out possibility of military conflict with Israel,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, February 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says \u2018There will be no trace\u2019 of Saudi Arabia\u2019s Royal Family within next 10 years,\u201d<\/a> Tom O\u2019Connor, Newsweek, February 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nFeb. 19, 2019.  Iran too quickly blamed its Gulf neighbors and the U.S. after the deadly attack on the IRGC.  This habit needs to stop in order to foster better relations with countries of the region.  Waiting for just a day or two or three to investigate and gather evidence is a wiser foreign policy decision, especially in the high-tension Middle East.  See \u201cIran Suicide Bombing Kills 27 Revolutionary Guards,\u201d<\/a> Thomas Erdbrink, New York Times, February 13, 2019, \u201cIran threatens retaliation against Saudi Arabia and UAE over car bombing that killed 27,\u201d<\/a> AP, The Japan Times, February 16, 2019, and \u201cIran points to Pakistan after deadly attack on Guard,\u201d<\/a> AP, Miami Herald, February 17, 2019.  <\/span>Shortly, Iran found militants in the cities of Saravan and Khash with the group Jaish al Adl (Army of Justice), which had already claimed responsibility for the IRGC bombing, as recorded in \u201cIran Arrests Militants Linked to Suicide Bombing Near Pakistan Border,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, February 18, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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\n\u201cRouhani inaugurates projects worth $1.4 billion: Persian Gulf Star Refinery to supply half of Iran\u2019s gasoline,\u201d<\/a> Tehran Times, Payvand, February 19, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cJordan asks Iran to release three jailed nationals,\u201d<\/a> The Daily Star, February 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cChinese and Iranian Hackers Renew Their Attacks on U.S. Companies,\u201d<\/a> Nicole Perlroth, New York Times, February 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran cancels broadcast of Bundesliga match \u2018because of woman referee\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Ben Farmer, The Telegraph, February 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\u201cIndia, Iran agree on close cooperation to fight terrorism,\u201d<\/a> India Times, February 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani says Iran ready to improve ties with Gulf states,\u201d<\/a> Channel News Asia, February 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Government Faces Angry Online Backlash Over Activists\u2019 Abuse Claims,\u201d<\/a> VOA, February 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran general accuses Pakistan of involvement in attack on Revolutionary Guard,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, Arab News, February 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran rejects \u2018laughable\u2019 anti-Semitism allegations by Pence,\u201d<\/a> Al Jazeera, February 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran points to Pakistan after deadly attack on Guard,\u201d<\/a> AP, Miami Herald, February 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran threatens retaliation against Saudi Arabia and UAE over car bombing that killed 27,\u201d<\/a> AP, The Japan Times, February 16, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani to unveil Fateh submarine Sunday,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, February 16, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Again Postpones Decision On Anti-Terror-Financing Bill As Deadline Looms,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 16, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran suffers Pulwama-like suicide bomber attack on elite guards; Rouhani blames US, Israel,\u201d<\/a> The India Wire, February 16, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cKamal Kharazi: \u2018Iran has the right to develop its own armaments\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Al Jazeera, February 15, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Teachers Denounce Suppression of Rights in Biggest Protests in Months,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin and Arash Sigarchi, VOA, February 15, 2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cParaguay Is a Fiscal Paradise for Terrorists,\u201d<\/a> Emanuele Ottolenghi, FP, February 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran-linked terrorist group warns of more attacks in Bahrain,\u201d<\/a> Ismaeel Naar, Al Arabiya, February 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran, Russia move closer to organising finance for wheat deal,\u201d<\/a> Polina Devitt, Reuters, February 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Feb. 12, 2019.  Bloomberg also carries another piece calling for the Regime to change and bring prosperity to the people of Iran.  The first paragraph captures these facts well\u2014\u201cGiven how Iran\u2019s economy has fared in the 40 years since the Islamic Revolution, it\u2019s reasonable for Iranians to wonder whether they might be more prosperous had the revolution never taken place.  Iran\u2019s average annual growth in gross domestic product for the years 1961-78 was 8.86 percent, or more than three times higher than the 2.44-percent average for 1980-2017.\u201d  See <\/span>\u201cInvestors Have Always Struggled in Iran:  Whether the ruler in Tehran has worn a turban or a crown, the business climate has remained awful,\u201d<\/a> Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Bloomberg, February 12, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\n\u201cHezbollah\u2019s Presence And Iran\u2019s Influence In Venezuela Coming Into Focus,\u201d<\/a> Penny Watson, Radio Farda, February 12, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\nFeb. 11, 2019.  The editorial board of Bloomberg got it right in its \u201cIran\u2019s 40 Years of Isolation\u2014It\u2019s time leaders of the Islamic Republic looked for ways to rejoin the world,\u201d<\/a> Bloomberg, February 11, 2019.  The board wrote that \u201cForty years since the Islamic Revolution toppled Iran\u2019s monarchy, the country has little to celebrate.  The theocracy has endured, but it has failed miserably to live up to the enormous potential of Iran\u2019s resources, human as well as petrochemical.  There\u2019s been little political progress: Voters elect a president and parliament every four years, but real power still rests with a clerical clique led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.  Iran\u2019s adventurous foreign policy has bought influence in the Middle East from Syria to Yemen, but at great cost in lives and treasure \u2014 at a time when the regime can ill afford it. It has also provoked lasting Arab hatred for Tehran.  At the celebrations today, the regime\u2019s leaders will doubtless blame foreign enemies \u2014 especially the U.S. \u2014 for their isolation.  But the Iranian people have grown increasingly dissatisfied with their rulers\u2019 corruption and mismanagement.  Young Iranians are especially anxious about falling behind the rest of the world.  What\u2019s perhaps most distressing is that they cannot reasonably expect things to get better.  The U.S. and most Arab states have lately become even more hostile, all but ensuring that Iran will remain marooned from the global flow of commercial and social development.  Iran\u2019s leaders should use the anniversary to take a hard look at the dead end into which they\u2019ve led their people, and consider turning toward normal interaction with the world.  They might start by releasing political prisoners and allowing Iranians greater freedom of expression.  Opening negotiations with the U.S. for a new nuclear-arms deal \u2014 by accepting restrictions on missile development and renouncing hostile behavior in the region, pledging especially not to threaten Israel\u2019s security \u2014 would loosen the economic straitjacket in which Iran finds itself.  Curtailing support for wars in Syria and Yemen would demonstrate a commitment to ending bloodshed in the Middle East.  None of this would be easy.  Lacking any legitimate mandate from their people, Iran\u2019s leaders attach great pride and prestige to what they regard as perseverance.  Perhaps they might draw inspiration from the Islamic Republic\u2019s founding cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who in 1988 found himself in similar circumstances.  After eight years of a pointless and costly war with Iraq, he realized that the stalemate was damaging his people\u2019s future, and agreed to negotiate a truce.  Famously, he likened it to drinking from a \u2018cup of poison.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nFeb. 10, 2019.  The New York Times is reflecting on the past, present, and future of Iran.  Long-time writer Thomas Erdbrink pens, \u201cIran\u2019s leaders face a growing dilemma of whether to start translating the social changes into new laws and customs or try to hang on to the 40-year-old ideals of the revolution.\u201d  See \u201cThe Iran Revolution at 40: From Theocracy to \u2018Normality\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Thomas Erdbrink, February 10, 2019.<\/span>
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\u201cZarif In Lebanon Meets Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah. Pledges Support,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\u201cIn Revolution anniversary speech, Rouhani lays claim to Bahrain, other neighbors,\u201d<\/a> Al Arabiya, February 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201c\u2018Death to America\u2019 chants and flag waving in Iran to mark 40th anniversary of Islamic Revolution,\u201d<\/a> South China Morning Post, February 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran and Israel trade threats of destruction,\u201d<\/a> Al Jazeera, February 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Central Bank Announces Unprecedented Budget Deficit,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, <\/span>Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, February 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran To Boost Nuclear Activities, Uranium Enrichment,\u201d<\/a> Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian protesters defiant in the face of \u2018worst\u2019 crackdown in a decade,\u201d<\/a> Hannah Ritchie, CNN, February 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Central Bank Announces Unprecedented Budget Deficit,\u201d<\/a> Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, February 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nFeb. 10, 2019.  As Iran turns 40, a grim story appears, indicating again that Iran during its first three decades after the Shah did not turn toward a country at peace with itself or others.  Reported in <\/span>\u201cWatchdog: Revolutionary Iran jails 1.7 million in 30 years,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>by ABC and AP, <\/span>February 7, 2019, R<\/span>eporters Without Borders reveals that 1.7 million people, around Tehran alone, were detained in Evin Prison, jailed, and sometimes executed in the first 30 years after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. <\/span> <\/span>These included regime opponents, Baha\u2019is, other religious minorities, and journalists.  RWB said its information was based on a confidential file of judicial proceedings obtained by whistleblowers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u201cHardline Cleric Says Iran \u2018Has The Formula\u2019 For Nuclear Bombs,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, February 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran FM extends support for new Lebanese government,\u201d<\/a> Zeina Karam,\u2009AP, Washington Post, February 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe day that changed Iran forever,\u201d<\/a> Caline Malek, Arab News, February 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nFeb. 9, 2018.  <\/span>The theme of this blog is that Iran\u2019s regime is refusing to join the community of nations, in how it operates and treats its people and the people and leaders of other regional and world countries.<\/span>  <\/span>This point comes to the forefront again when Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for the literal death of another country\u2019s top political leadership.<\/span>  <\/span>Simply put, there is no other country in the world who does such a thing, and not enough other countries are calling him out and holding the Supreme Leader and his regime accountable.<\/span>  <\/span>In <\/span>\u201c\u2018Death to America\u2019 Means \u2018Death to Trump,\u2019 Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Says,\u201d<\/a> Thomas Erdbrink, New York Times, February 8, 2019, this is recorded for the world to see.<\/span>  <\/span>When Iran uses the slogan \u201cDeath to America,\u201d the country\u2019s supreme leader said it is specifically wishing death on President Trump and two of his senior officials.<\/span>  <\/span>He said, \u201c\u2018Death to America\u2019 means death to Trump and John Bolton and Pompeo,\u201d referring to the President, John Bolton, the national security adviser, and Mike Pompeo, secretary of state.<\/span>  <\/span>But the Leader went further\u2014he said it means to whomever the president, national security adviser, and secretary of state are in the future\u2014\u201cIt means death to American leaders, who happen to be these people at this time,\u201d he added.<\/span>  <\/span>And just so we know this will continue as a regular part of Iran\u2019s statements and policies, \u201cDeath to America\u201d will remain part of Iran\u2019s official discourse, Khamenei\u2019s website, Khamenei.ir, quoted him as saying, until the United States changed its \u201cevil and mean\u201d ways.<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran showcases massive UNDERGROUND missile factory, with new rockets & warheads galore (VIDEOS),\u201d<\/a> RT, February 9, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n
\nFeb. 8, 2019.  In the category of \u201cAre any countries openly threatening sinking other countries\u2019 ships today?\u201d, Iranian state media IRINN released an animated video Feb. 1 showing one of the country\u2019s Ghadir-class submarines sinking an American aircraft carrier and four accompanying ships.  <\/span>\u201cIran airs animation showing its submarine sinking a US aircraft carrier,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, February 6, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nFeb. 8, 2019.  Iran won\u2019t have to worry whether its sponsored terror group Hezbollah will back it in case of war (does Hezbollah have a choice?).  The Associated Press is reporting in \u201cHezbollah leader says in event of war, Iran won\u2019t be alone,\u201d<\/a> AP, February 6, 2019, that Hassan Nasrallah says the Islamic Republic is the strongest state in the region, and the so-called axis of resistance led by Iran is the strongest it has ever been.  The axis is comprised of the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad, Shiite militias in Iraq, and Hezbollah.  Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, made his comments at a rally marking the 40th Anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.  Hezbollah dominates the politics and military of Lebanon.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEurope not to be trusted: Iran leader,\u201d<\/a> AFP, Daily Mail, February 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran to Propose Providing Air Defense System to Lebanese Army,\u201d<\/a> Khalil Fuleihan, Asharq Al-Awsat, February 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Second Attempt to Launch Satellite Fails,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, February 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cKhamenei calls for \u2018structural reforms\u2019 in Iran\u2019s budget,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor, February 7, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Builds New Secret Missile Site In Syria For Hezbollah,\u201d<\/a> Hagay Hacohen, Jerusalem Post, February 7, 2019<\/span>
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\u201cWhat does Iran want in Afghanistan?,\u201d<\/a> Maysam Behravesh, Al Jazeera, February 6, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran to Increase Range of Land-to-Sea Missiles,\u201d<\/a> Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, February 6, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran ready to help rebuild Syria: Zarif,\u201d<\/a> The Daily Star, February 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIntercepted chats tie Iranian diplomat to alleged Paris terror plot, official says,\u201d<\/a> Borzou Daragahi, Independent, February 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran built copies of a Soviet-era nuclear-capable missile without violating the nuclear deal,\u201d<\/a> Alex Lockie, My San Antonio, February 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran: Environmentalists\u2019 Flawed Trial, Detainees Allege Torture in Detention,\u201d<\/a> Human Rights Watch, February 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Lawyers Condemn Tehran\u2019s Jailing of Colleague, Demand Release,\u201d<\/a> Michael Lipin and Shahram Bahraminejad, VOA, February 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Complains Europeans Aren\u2019t Buying Oil Despite U.S. Waivers,\u201d<\/a> RFE, February 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTehran bats away EU criticism of Iranian missile tests,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, February 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s first president says Khomeini betrayed 1979 Islamic revolution,\u201d<\/a> John Irish and Michaela Cabrera, Reuters, February 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Battle Over Khamenei\u2019s Successor is Just Getting Started,\u201d<\/a> The National Interest, February 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian dissident attacked in Berlin by masked assailants: police,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, February 4, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran voices support for Maduro,\u201d<\/a> AP, February 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cYemen: Triple Terrorist Threat under Iranian Cover,\u201d<\/a> Emile Amin, Asharq al-Awsat, February 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran said to put \u2018guided warheads\u2019 on missiles that can reach Israel,\u201d<\/a> Toi Staff, Times of Israel, February 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cPresident: Iran Ready to Invest in Africa,\u201d<\/a> Tasnim News Agency, February 2, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIran displays new long-range missile,\u201d<\/a> The Week, February 2, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\u201cCould Iran\u2019s Missiles Do the Unthinkable: Sink a U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier?,\u201d<\/a> Sebastien Roblin, National Interest, February 2, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cMaduro\u2019s Bid to Fly Gold Out of Venezuela Is Blocked,\u201d<\/a> Patricia Laya, Bloomberg, February 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cIran begins marking 40th anniversary of Islamic Revolution,\u201d<\/a> Nasser Karimi, AP, The Spokesman-Review, February 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFacebook Removes 783 Fake Pages, Accounts Tied To Iran,\u201d<\/a> CBS SF BayArea, <\/span>February 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFacebook nukes hundreds of \u201cinauthentic\u201d accounts \u201ctied to Iran,\u201d<\/a> Cyrus Farivar, ARS Technica, January 31, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cIran Slams U.S. Over Venezuela. Secretly, Some May Be Relieved,\u201d<\/a> Golnar Motevalli  and Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg, January 31, 2019<\/span><\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cNearly All Of Iran\u2019s Advanced Nuke Centrifuges Failing, Top Expert Reveals,\u201d<\/a> Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, January 30, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\u201cIran bans dogs from riding in cars and public walks in Tehran,\u201d<\/a> Shirzad Bozormehr and Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, January 30, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Wants to Improve its Missile Accuracy, Not Range,\u201d<\/a> Adil Al-Salmi, Asharq Al-Awsat, January 30, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran facing the toughest economic situation in 40 years: president,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, January 30, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPres. Rouhani: Nobody can harm us as long as we follow Supreme Leader,\u201d<\/a> AhlulBayt News Agency, January 30, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cWoman Hanged In Nowshahr Is The 87th Executed Under Rouhani,\u201d<\/a> Women NCRI, January 30, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Jan. 29, 2019.  <\/span>Someone needs to tell FM Zarif that it has happened again\u2014another Iranian official has declared their country will destroy Israel.<\/span>  <\/span>Javad Zarif recently gave an interview in December with the French magazine Le Point in which he claimed that no officials in Iran have ever made such threats.<\/span>  <\/span>\u201cWhen did we ever say that we were going to destroy Israel?<\/span>  <\/span>Show me one person who made such a statement.<\/span>  <\/span>No one said such things.\u201d<\/span>  <\/span>See <\/span>\u201cZarif: We never said Israel should be destroyed,\u201d<\/a> Elad Benari, Arutz Sheva, December 24, 2018.  However, on January 21, 2019, the latest such comment was reported.  The commander of Iran\u2019s air force, Brigadier Aziz Nasirzadeh, said Iran will \u201celiminate Israel from the Earth\u201d in a fiery statement to the Young Journalist Club.  \u201cThe young people are impatient and fully ready to battle the Zionist regime and make them vanish from the Earth,\u201d Nasirzadeh said.  \u201cOur next generation with the knowledge necessary to learn their strengths are the promised ones who will destroy Israel.\u201d  See <\/span>\u201cIran air force chief threatens to make Israel \u2018vanish from earth\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Al-Arabiya January 21, 2019.<\/span>
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\n\u201cHouthis Attack UN Demining Team in Hodeidah,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, January 29, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Cyber Spies Looking to Get Personal,\u201d<\/a> Jeff Seldin, VOA, January 29, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHezbollah\u2019s Backing of Maduro May Shine Light on Links With Venezuela,\u201d<\/a> Venezuela Investigative Unit, January 29, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHow Bitcoin Could Help Iran Undermine U.S. Sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Thomas Erdbrink, New York Times, January 29, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran rejects talks on missiles, but says no plan to increase range,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, January 28, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. Ramps Up Huawei Fight With Iran, Trade-Secret Charges,\u201d<\/a> Patricia Hurtado  and Chris Strohm, Bloomberg, January 28, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Announces Offensive Strategy against Threats,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, January 28, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEU agency says Iran likely to step up cyber espionage,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, January 28, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran inches closer to unveiling state-backed cryptocurrency,\u201d<\/a> Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, January 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani forwards act of amendment to anti-money laundering law,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, January 27, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Publicly Hangs Man On Homosexuality Charges,\u201d<\/a> Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, January 26, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran showcases rapid deployment forces in army war games,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, January 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cArab Coalition: Houthis blocking passage of four aid ships since 34 days,\u201d<\/a> Al Arabiya, January 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThere\u2019s good reason to fear Iran\u2019s global reach: Teheran\u2019s capabilities and actions suggest it will continue to pose regional and global security challenges for the forseeable future,\u201d<\/a> Yonah Alexander and Milton Hoenig, Times of Israel, January 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cThe Cold War between Iran and the Arab World,\u201d<\/a> Kourosh Ziabari and Nader Hashemi, Fair Observer, January 25, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Soleimani Seeks New Balance of Terror With Israel. For Now, He Failed,\u201d<\/a> Amos Harel, op-ed, Haaretz, January 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cJournalist contends her arrest without charge in U.S. was tied to work for state-funded Iran media,\u201d<\/a> Spencer Hsu, Washington Post, January 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Regime Divided Over Bill To Combat Terror Financing,\u201d<\/a> Iran News Update, Poorang Novak, January 25, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani\u2019s Comments On Hijab, Censorship Draw Ire Of Ayatollahs,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, January 25, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>Jan. 24, 2019.  Interesting and telling comparison.  It is not good to detain and imprison persons for political views.  Amnesty International tells us 113 persons had this happen to them in 2018 in Egypt.  See <\/span>\u201cAmnesty says Egypt detained 113 in 2018 for their views,<\/a>\u201d<\/a> Hamza Hendawi, AP, Washington Post, January 24, 2019.   In contrast <\/span>\u201cIran arrested 7,000 dissidents in \u2018year of shame\u2019, says Amnesty,\u201d<\/a> Mattha Busby, The Guardian, January 23, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\nJan. 24, 2019.  In the past, Iran has used the anniversary of the country\u2019s founding, Feb. 11, 1979 for controversial acts such as ballistic missile tests and satellite launches as reminder of the power (if not threat) of the Revolution.  The timing of these launch attempts this year in 2019 is likely also tied to negotiations with Europe regarding continued purchases of Iranian oil.  And this year will be the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on Feb. 11.  For example, see <\/span>\u201cRouhani Pressures Europe to Continue Oil Trade with Iran,\u201d<\/a> Critical Threats.org, January 23, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Nuclear Chief: We Bought Nuke Spare Parts To Rebuild Later,\u201d<\/a> Hagay Hacohen, Jerusalem Post, January 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s former envoy to Germany slams \u2018rogue operations\u2019 abroad,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor Staff January 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran and the headscarf protests,\u201d<\/a> Suzanne Maloney and Eliora Katz, Brookings, January 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cHuge Bail Set For Iran Writers Leads To their Incarceration,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, January 24, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cReport: Iran court sentences whistle-blower to 5 years,\u201d<\/a> AP, January 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani Adviser Indicted For Remarks On House Arrests,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, January 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Rights Activist Reza Khandan Gets Six-Year Prison Sentence,\u201d<\/a> RFE, January 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran says moving towards readiness to ramp up nuclear program,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor, January 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran arrested 7,000 dissidents in \u2018year of shame\u2019, says Amnesty,\u201d<\/a> Mattha Busby, The Guardian, January 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s president says media censorship has backfired on regime,\u201d<\/a> Euronews, January 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cExclusive: Ex-Iranian prisoner Hassan Karimi reveals secrets of regime\u2019s jails,\u201d<\/a> Lenah Hassaballah, Al Arabiya, January 23, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDanon:  Iran Spends $7B A Year On Middle East Terror,Incl. In West Bank,\u201d<\/a> Tovah Lazaroff, Jerusalem Post, January 22, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cGermany Bans Iran\u2019s Mahan Air over Terrorism and Spying Fears,\u201d<\/a> Grace Dobush, Fortune, January 21, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cIran TV Aires \u2018Confessions\u2019 of Activists Who Had Complained Of Torture In Prison,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, January 20, 2019<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cIran Lawmaker Says Military Budget Has Been Boosted By Parliament Committee,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, January 20, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\u201cIllegal Iran fuel shipments financing Houthis in Yemen, UN experts say,\u201d<\/a> The National, January 19, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cUN experts: Fuel from Iran is financing Yemen rebels\u2019 war,\u201d<\/a> Edith Lederer, AP, January 19, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Funds Homes in Gaza,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, January 18, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIRGC head vows to protect military advisers in Syria,\u201d<\/a> Al-Monitor, January 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIsraeli Strategists Warn of War With Iran, Syria, Lebanon,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, January 17, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran: Unrelenting Repression,\u201d<\/a> Human Rights Watch, January 17, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran says it will be ready for new satellite launch in a few months,\u201d<\/a> The National, AP, January 17, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cIranian ambassador claims Free Nazanin campaign is \u2018unhelpful\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Patrick Wintour, The Guardian, January 16, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNew research shows how Iranian hackers have collaborated to become one of the world\u2019s most fearsome hacking forces,\u201d<\/a> Kate Fazzini, NBC, January 16, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cRocket failure dooms Iranian satellite launch,\u201d<\/a> AP, NBC, January 15, 2019<\/span>
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<\/span>Jan. 14, 2019.  Just after the news of the latest American hostage (Michael White) being taken by Iran (See <\/span>\u201cIran is at it again: Another American has been taken by the regime,\u201d<\/a> Jason Rezaian, Washington Post, January 14, 2019), Lebanon\u2019s PM-designate Hariri sent a message to Iran Pres. Rouhani calling for the release of Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese citizen detained in Iran.  More countries around the world simply must insist that Iran give up its long practice of taking hostages, and tie their foreign policy decisions to such.  See <\/span>\u201cHariri demands Zakka\u2019s release in message to Rouhani,\u201d<\/a> Daily Star, January 15, 2019.<\/span><\/span>
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\n\u201cCrazy-rich Iranians face blowback at a time of sanctions and economic stress,\u201d<\/a> Erin Cunningham, Washington Post, January 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDeath of an electrician: how luck run out for dissident who fled Iran in 1981,\u201d<\/a> Daniel Boffey, Martin Chulov, The Guardian, January 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNuclear chief says Iran exploring new uranium enrichment,\u201d<\/a> Nasser Karimi, AP, January 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian cargo plane tries to land at wrong airport; 15 dead,\u201d<\/a> NBC, AP, January 14, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIs Tehran spying on Southern California? Feds say O.C. waiter and \u2018Chubby\u2019 from Long Beach were agents of Iran,\u201d<\/a> Melissa Etehad, Los Angeles Times, January 13, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cIran tells France to avoid repeating \u2018irresponsible\u2019 claims on its missile work,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, January 11, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNavy veteran from San Diego has been imprisoned in Iran, authorities there confirm,\u201d<\/a> Melissa Etehad, Herald-Mail, Los Angeles Times, January 10, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>Jan. 10, 2019.  Iran\u2019s refusal to join the community of nations, international law, human rights, etc., is seen a recent strong statement by the main diplomat of Iran.  In response to Secretary of State Pompeo\u2019s speech in Cairo, Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif tweeted that, \u201cThe day Iran \u2026 become[s] a \u2018normal\u2019 country is the day hell freezes over.\u201d  The quote and related story can be found at <\/span>\u201cIran Slams Pompeo\u2019s Middle East Speech, Says It Will \u2018Mimic\u2019 U.S. Human Rights Model \u2018When Hell Freezes Over,\u201d<\/a> Jason Lemon, Newsweek, January 10, 2019.  Secretary Pompeo\u2019s speech is at <\/span>\u201cFull Text:  <\/a>Mike Pompeo\u2019s Cairo Speech on Mideast Policy and Obama,\u201d<\/a> Haaretz, January 11, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\u201cIran Judge Says Going To Islamic Prison Reduces Punishment \u2018In Afterlife\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, January 9, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cExclusive: New documents link Huawei to suspected front companies in Iran, Syria,\u201d<\/a> Steve Stecklow, Babak Dehghanpisheh, James Pomfret, Reuters, January 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cU.S. lawsuit by Post journalist seeks $1 billion in damages from Iran to deter taking of hostages,\u201d<\/a> Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, January 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Lawmaker Warns His Country Could Collapse Like The Soviet Union,\u201d<\/a> Jason Lemon, Newsweek, January 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cE.U. Imposes Sanctions on Iran Over Assassination Plots,\u201d<\/a> Michael Schwirtz and Ronen Bergman, New York Times, January 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFurther Investigations Show Ties of China\u2019s Huawei To Iran,\u201d<\/a> Kenneth Rapoza, Forbes, January 8, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran arrests demographers, the latest target amid an escalating crackdown on academics and activists,\u201d<\/a> Melissa Etehad and Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times, January 7, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cAnti-Money Laundering Bill Approved in Iran to Maintain International Trade,\u201d<\/a> Albawaba, January 6, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cEbrahim Raisi: The cleric who could end Iranian hopes for change,\u201d<\/a> Saeid Golkar op-ed, Al Jazeera, January 5, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\u201cIran\u2019s boat people \u2014 and why they\u2019re coming to Britain,\u201d<\/a> Sohrab Ahmari, The Spectator, January 5, 2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\u201cIran to send warships to the Atlantic, closer to U.S. waters,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, January 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cTehran the master of fake news in Mideast,\u201d<\/a> Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Asia Times, January 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cKhamenei Appoints Hardliner to a Key Post in Iran, As Tensions With US Rise,\u201d<\/a> Patrick Goodenough, CNS News, January 4, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJan. 4, 2019.  This op-ed in Al Arabiya discusses a recent seminar at Westminster University in London advocating the return of Iran in the role of a nation-state as an important need for Middle East stability and peace.  Iran\u2019s actions since 1979, instead as a revolutionary state, are harming the region and relations among states and prosperity.  It was also noted that, compared to other 20th Century revolutions, the Khomeinist Revolution can be considered a failure across a number of measures of “successful” revolutions.  The article is at \u201cIran\u2019s schizophrenia heats up the debate,\u201d<\/a> Amir Taheri, Al Arabiya, January 4, 2019.<\/span>
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<\/span>Jan. 3, 2019.  Using their banking sector to support terrorism and Hezbollah and crime and money laundering would be at risk if Iran adopts transparent international financial standards.  So it is no surprise the Guardian Council has again refused to meet the standards of the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF).  See <\/span>\u201cIran Banking Reform Blocked for Second Time by Clerical Council,\u201d Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, January 1, 2019.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cIran \u2018Has Had 400 Years\u2019 Worth Of Progress Since Revolution\u2019 Says Senior Ayatollah,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, January 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Ready To Train \u2018Palestinian Resistance\u2019 Forces, Says Police Chief,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, January 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cPompeo: US \u2018will not stand by and watch\u2019 Iran develop ballistic missiles,\u201d<\/a> Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, January 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran\u2019s Health Minister Resigns Over Proposed Budget Cuts,\u201d<\/a> RFE, January 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cSuspicious Iranian Cargo Plane Made 72 Flights Since September,\u201d<\/a> Seth J. Frantzman, January 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cOpposition Leader In House Arrest Demands Khamenei Release Old Tape,\u201d<\/a> Radio Farda, January 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to go on hunger strike in Iran prison over lack of medical care,\u201d<\/a> Josie Ensor, The Telegraph, January 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cNizar Zakka\u2019s Family Says Iran Could Torture him to Death,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, January 3, 2019<\/span>
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\n\u201cU.S. warns Iran on space launches, Tehran rejects concerns,\u201d<\/a> Doina Chiacu, Reuters, January 3, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\u201cYemen: Houthi rebels\u2019 food aid theft only tip of iceberg, officials say,\u201d<\/a> Peter Beaumont, The Guardian, January 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFood With \u2018Rodent Feces\u2019 Served to Political Prisoners in Iran\u2019s Great Tehran Penitentiary,\u201d<\/a> Center for Human Rights in Iran, January 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cDefense Minister: Iran to Proceed with Missile Program,\u201d<\/a> Tasnim News Agency, January, 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran bans Instagram – where the president has 2 million followers,\u201d<\/a> James Titcomb, Technology Intelligence, The Telegraph, January 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani: Palestinians Must Resist The Israeli Regime,\u201d<\/a> Yevette J. Deane, Jerusalem Post, January 2, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cFull Impact Of U.S. Sanctions Coming Into View: Iran\u2019s Exports Halve,\u201d<\/a> Dalga Khatinoglu, Radio Farda, January 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Banking Reform Blocked for Second Time by Clerical Council,\u201d<\/a> Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, January 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIranian Plan To Spend $2B On Russian Passenger Jets Collapses Due To U.S. Sanctions,\u201d<\/a> Dominic Dudley, Forbes, January 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n
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\n\u201cIran Declares Telegram Crypto Aspirations an Act Against National Security,\u201d<\/a> <\/span>Aaron Wood, Coin Telegraph, January 1, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n
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\n\u201cRouhani says his govt. seeks to boost \u2018electricity diplomacy\u2019,\u201d<\/a> Mehr News Agency, January 1, 2019<\/span>
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cTehran Court Sentences May Day Demonstrators To Jail, Lashes,\u201d Radio Farda, August 31, 2019. August 31, 2019.  Told you.  The court in Gibraltar should never have believed Iran that it would not send its tanker to Syria.  \u201cIranian Tanker Headed to Lebanon, Not Turkey,\u201d Jerusalem Post, Reuters, August 30, 2019. \u201cIran Decides To Revise Controversial Rule Restricting Freedom … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “2019 News through August”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2819,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-173","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2819"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=173"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":184,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/173\/revisions\/184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}