{"id":2652,"date":"2021-02-21T07:02:42","date_gmt":"2021-02-21T13:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/?p=2652"},"modified":"2021-02-23T06:57:15","modified_gmt":"2021-02-23T12:57:15","slug":"2652","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/coatesn\/2021\/02\/21\/2652\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

Iran must release all hostages belonging to any of the P5+1 states, and pledge to take no more because it will be punished for doing so, before the negotiations begin.\u00a0 This hostage taking (a practice since 1979) must stop.\u00a0 It is not normal for any country to hold people as pawns in international relations.\u00a0 See \u201cU.S. in Contact With Iran on Detained Americans, Biden Aide Says,\u201d<\/a> Tony Czuczka, Bloomberg, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

Note two things.\u00a0 First, the U.S. sanctions are forcing Iran back to the negotiating table, exactly what the U.S. hoped.\u00a0 (this is something the media is not yet picking up on).\u00a0 Second, the sanctions are not the fault of the U.S., they were imposed because of Iran\u2019s actions.\u00a0 (this is something the media will not admit).\u00a0 See \u201cUS sanctions inflicted $1 trillion damage on Iran\u2019s economy: FM,\u201d<\/a> Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

An accurate and concise statement\u2014\u201cIran’s deafening silence on China’s Uighur Muslim repression speaks volumes about Tehran’s reliance on Beijing’s money.\u201d\u00a0 See \u201cWhy Iran won\u2019t cross China on the Uighurs,\u201d<\/a> Kourosh Ziabari, Asia Times, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

Again, just words.\u00a0 Iran\u2019s FM says things like this headline, but there are no resulting actions.\u00a0 \u201cIran Says Ready for Talks With Arab States Without Preconditions,\u201d<\/a> Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

This article is an example of the Leader and his Regime making rational calculations to move toward what they want\u2014reduced sanctions, and not losing the ability to acquire ultimate weapons.\u00a0 \u201cIran\u2019s Compromise With Nuclear Monitors Limits Escalation,\u201d<\/a> Jonathan Tirone and Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Influence of Persian Racism on Status of Azerbaijani Turks in Iran,\u201d<\/a> Elchin Hatami, Modern Diplomacy, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

Reuters says, \u201cIran\u2019s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners in recent years, mostly on espionage charges. Rights activists have accused Iran of using them as bargaining chips, something Tehran denies.\u201d\u00a0 But Reuters, who has years of reporting on Iran\u2019s hostage taking, refuses to run a story on whether the U.S. citizens are criminals\/terrorists\/etc.\u00a0 Why won\u2019t Reuters do an investigative story on those held in Iran and those held in the U.S.\u00a0 And for other countries?\u00a0 This is not rocket science.\u00a0 See \u201cAny U.S.-Iran communication over detained U.S. citizens has been via Swiss \u2013 official,\u201d<\/a> Reuters, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

So Iran will follow its domestic law and end snap inspections under the JCPOA Additional Protocol.\u00a0 Using later domestic-passed law to obviate international agreements is actually a violation itself of treaty principles\u2014every International Law treatise includes this.\u00a0 Further undermining Iran\u2019s position here is that the Regime will not follow the letter of the law passed by the Majlis\u2014it will instead allow three months of limited snap inspections as a compromise with the IAEA.\u00a0 See \u201cIAEA strikes deal with Iran to cushion coming blow of slashed access,\u201d<\/a> Francois Murphy, Reuters, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

Reuters is making a lot of news today.\u00a0 This goes back to my point about not reporting about the true nature of the hostages.\u00a0 \u201cWhite House says U.S. communicating with Iran over detained Americans,\u201d<\/a> Michael Martina, Reuters, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cNon-oil trade\u201d is the key phrase.\u00a0 Regardless of U.S. sanctions, keep your eye on the ball about what is being shipped\u2014especially if it\u2019s not on the manifest.\u00a0 \u201cIran to launch direct shipping line to S. Africa, Latin America,\u201d<\/a> Hellinic Shipping News, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

A novel definition of \u201cnon-breach\u201d of an international agreement\u2014FM Zarif says \u201cAll our steps (to breach the deal) are reversible…The move on Feb. 23 is not abandoning the deal,\u201d Zarif said in a televised interview with Iran\u2019s English Language Press TV.\u201d\u00a0 Under international law, whether a step is reversible or not does not constitute the definition of breach.\u00a0 (I am having to offer too much international law guidance here\u2014why isn\u2019t the media interviewing international law scholars in the same article to refute what the FM claims?).\u00a0 See \u201cIran’s Zarif Says Ending IAEA Snap Inspections Doesn’t Breach Nuclear Deal,\u201d<\/a> Asharq Al-Awsat, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

Sometimes this blog carries news of countries that enable or influence Iran\u2019s behavior.\u00a0 Here is one of these.\u00a0 \u201cNo matter how warm relations between Washington and Delhi become, history shows that some level of non-alignment will always be part of India\u2019s policies.\u201d\u00a0 See \u201cWhat India\u2019s Relationship with Iran Means for America,”<\/a> Larry Wortzel, National Interest, February 20, 2021.<\/p>\n

It is really interesting and informing to read the types of stories carried by TASS.\u00a0 \u201cRussia, China seek to comply with nuclear deal, Europe does not – Iran\u2019s foreign minister,\u201d<\/a> TASS, February 21, 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Iran must release all hostages belonging to any of the P5+1 states, and pledge to take no more because it will be punished for doing so, before the negotiations begin.\u00a0 This hostage taking (a practice since 1979) must stop.\u00a0 It is not normal for any country to hold people as pawns in international relations.\u00a0 See … <\/p>\n

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