As of February 12, 2020, my former blog site at https://irannationorcause.blogspot.com has moved to https://blogs.acu.edu/coatesn
As of February 12, 2020, my former blog site at https://irannationorcause.blogspot.com has moved to https://blogs.acu.edu/coatesn
February 12, 2020. A really good way to lose your job. “Iran’s information minister apologized Wednesday for posting a photo on Twitter of what appeared to be a Halloween-type costume representing a spacesuit, in an effort to promote the idea of a manned space program for his country. The official IRNA news agency quoted Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, Iran’s information and communications technology minister, as saying his department’s advertising team “undeniably made a mistake in choosing the image” and expressed his apologies to “the people and space scientists” of Iran. [He didn’t even take personal responsibility but blamed the team]. The photo, posted on Jahromi’s Twitter account and depicting what looks like costume of a spacesuit with an Iranian flag sowed on the front, caused a stir on social media, with many Iranians turning to sarcasm and commenting about the fake spacesuit. After his apology, Jahromi removed the photo from his account. The timing of the minister’s faux pas was also unfortunate. An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, the latest setback for a program the U.S. claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program. The attempted launch followed two failed launches last year, of the Payam and Doosti satellites, as well as a launchpad rocket explosion in August. Also, a fire at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in February 2019 killed three researchers, authorities said at the time. Jahromi acknowledged the unsuccessful launch in a tweet shortly after the news broke on state TV, comparing it to a “few samples of US launch failures” and insisting that Iran’s space program was unstoppable. The failed launch had been planned amid celebrations ahead of this week’s anniversary of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran routinely unveils technological achievements for its armed forces, its space program and its nuclear efforts during this time.” See “Iranian minister apologizes over mock spacesuit post,” AP, WTMJ, February 12, 2020.
February 12, 2020. Incredible reporting by Frantzman reveals what most of the press doesn’t cover—the sudden additional pressures on Hezbollah due to the removal of Qasem Soleimani from heading Iran’s terror efforts. It is so significant to anti-terrorism efforts by multiple countries and to eventual peace that the linchpin of Iran’s foreign policy use of terrorism was removed from the long war against terrorism. Here’s the story, “Inside Iran’s push to get Hezbollah to take a role in Iraq,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 12, 2020.
“Facebook removes accounts run from Iran targeting Americans,” Donie O’Sullivan, CNN Business, February 12, 2020.
“Iran FM stresses Tehran’s rejection of US ‘peace deal’,” Middle East Monitor, February 12, 2020.
February 11, 2020. Let the world see again how Iran does not act as a normal country and cooperate in the investigation of a crashed airliner. “Iran says Canada's complaint over Ukrainian plane crash lacks legal basis,” Reuters, February 11, 2020.
“Iran And ISIS Could Arm Drones With Chemical Weapons, Ex-Cia Official Tells Jerusalem Post,” Logan Ratick, SaraCarter.com, February 11, 2020.
“US accuses Iran of building missiles through satellite bid,” AFP, Times of Israel, February 11, 2020.
“Is Iran's Space Program A Disguise For Its Ballistic Missile Development Project?,” Hannah Kaviani, Radio Farda, February 11, 2020.
February 11, 2020. Good news of a sort—not that many people came out for the nation’s founding holiday—only “thousands.” See “Iranians rally on 41st anniversary of shah's ouster,” AFP, February 11, 2020.
February 11, 2020. So it’s another statement among thousands by an Iranian official that Israel will disappear, be driven into the sea, destroyed, etc. How exactly does the Regime expect this to happen? What does that tell you? See “Iranian Armed Forces spokesman: Zionist state will disappear from Earth,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 11, 2020.
“Jeers as Weakened Rouhani Calls for Unity in Deeply Divided Iran,” Arsalan Shahla and Golnar Motevalli, Bloomberg, February 11, 2020.
“Egyptian delegation warns Hamas to stop supporting Iranian interests,” Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, February 11, 2020.
During the meeting, Egypt told Hamas to avoid supporting any militias that harm the region and expressed reservations about the relationship between Hamas, Iran and the Hezbollah terrorist group.
“Iran taunts US on anniversary of shah's ouster,” Lucie Peytermann, AFP, February 11, 2020.
February 10, 2020. Note how Pres. Rouhani defended Iran’s missile capabilities, after Tehran unveiled a short-range ballistic missile powered by a "new generation" of engines. “Our missiles are against terrorism; our missiles are against crimes. We have never built and stored missiles for aggression,” Rouhani said. “We reassure all our neighbors and the people in the region that our desire is peaceful coexistence." See “News: Iranian President Rouhani Defends Tehran's Missile Capabilities After Reveal Of New Weapon,” Wesley Dockery, International Business Times, February 10, 2020.
“Ukraine Is Pressing Iran for Black Boxes on Downed Plane,” John Follain, Bloomberg, February 10, 2020.
“Iran unveils a short-range ballistic missile,” Yahoo News, February 10, 2020.
“Trial Of Abducted Iran Activist Begins, With Threat Of Death Sentence,” Radio Farda, February 10, 2020.
“Ukraine Is Pressing Iran for Black Boxes on Downed Plane,” John Follain, Bloomberg, February 10, 2020. Bottom line—Iran doesn’t want to admit (again) it shot down an airliner, and then lied about it. And then to properly compensate for its mistake and lack of competence and professionalism. This is so outside the norm of international cooperation.
“Watchdog to rule on Iran’s financial isolation,” The National, February 10, 2020.
“New Secretive Iranian Nuclear Sites Spark Concern in Congress,” Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, February 10, 2020.
February 9, 2020. Don’t protest in Iran. “Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) agents arrested a teachers’ representative at his home in Iran on February 8. Mohammad Taqi Fallahi is the secretary of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, an independent entity which campaigns for higher salaries, better work conditions and improvement of schools in Iran. IRGC agents also confiscated some of Fallahi’s personal items during the arrest, including his telephone, computer case and a hard disk. Agents told his family to remain silent and not talk to any media. Mr. Fallahi was arrested last May, along with other activist teachers, when they protested outside parliament against low teacher salaries. He was released six days later after posting bail and later received a suspended eight-month prison sentence and ten lashes. Intelligence agencies and Iran’s hardliner Judiciary have harassed, detained and convicted many activist teachers in recent years. Salaries of school teachers are among one of the lowest for government employees, close to the minimum wage of about $110 a month. Recently, labor groups petitioned the government to increase the minimum wage, arguing that expenses for food and basic necessities for a family of four is $660 per month. Teachers have also demanded improvement of school buildings as the government invests little in the upkeep of infrastructure in general. Many school buildings are in dilapidated condition, especially in rural regions.” See the story at “Iran's Revolutionary Guards Arrest Teacher Activist At His Home,” Radio Farda, February 9, 2020.
“Inside the IRGC: Two Kurdish Guards shed light on Iran’s secretive elite,” Nasser Piroti, Rudaw, February 9, 2020.
“Purge of reformists in Iran election could doom nuclear deal, say diplomats,” Patrick Wintour, The Guardian, February 9, 2020. This is because hardliners are poised to sweep to absolute power in the Parliament after 90% of the reformist candidates were barred from ballot by the Guardian Council.
February 8, 2020.
"Khamenei says Iran should increase military might to prevent war," Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, February 8, 2020.
"Khamenei says Iran should increase military might to prevent war," Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, February 8, 2020.
February 7, 2020.
“Iranian journalists under pressure of authorities after PS752 crash, - Reporters Without Borders,” 112 Ukraine, February 7, 2020.
“British ambassador returns to Iran after brief arrest last month,” Reuters, February 7, 2020.
“Iran displays remnants of U.S. remotely piloted reconnaissance aircraft,” Dylan Malyasov, Defence Blog, February 7, 2020.
“The Return Of Pro-Iranian Militia Fighters To Afghanistan Fuels Fears In Kabul, Washington,” RFE/RL, February 7, 2020.
“Legislative Elections Deepen Rouhani’s Dispute With His Opponents,” Asharq Al-Awsat, February 7, 2020.
“State Department Official Condemns Harassment Of Iranian Journalists Abroad,” Radio Farda, February 7, 2020.
“Iran Police Targeting 'Indecently Dressed Mannequins' In Shop Windows,” Radio Farda, February 7, 2020.
“Iran can disable U.S. RQ-4 drone from remote distance: commander,” Tehran Times, February 7, 2020.
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