February 3, 2020.  “Iran to Halt Cooperation With Ukraine in Downed Jet Probe,” Sune Engel Rasmussen and Ann  Simmons, Wall Street Journal, February 3, 2020.  The headline says it all, doesn’t it?  International cooperation to investigate a plane crash is something that Iran will not provide.

February 3, 2020.  “An Iranian court on Monday sentenced eight activists to 72 years in prison for asking the country's supreme leader to resign, local media reported.  The Revolutionary Court in the northeastern city of Mashhad announced jail time for up to 26 years, according to Iran's Human Rights Activists News Agency.  The activists wrote an open letter in 2019 calling on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to resign from his office.  Abdol-Rasoul Mortazavi received 26 years, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri and Fatima Sepehri six, Hashem Khasttr 16 and Mohammad Nourizad 15. Khasttr and Nourizad are also facing a three-year travel ban.  The others will serve a year in prison.”  See “Iran slaps activists with prison for letter to Khamenei,” Mustafa Melih Ahishali, AA, February 3, 2020.  In contrast, members of Code Pink in the U.S. have called for the impeachment of Pres. Trump.  Their freedom of speech rights protect them, and protect them from punishment such as jail.  See “'We Apologize' for Trump's Reckless Aggression, US Peace Advocates Say in Open Letter to Iranian People,” Eoin Higgins, Common Dreams, January 24, 2020.

February 3, 2020.  “As many as 550 protesters have been killed in Iraq since protests began in October, the Iraqi Commission for Human Rights revealed on Monday. Overall figures are likely higher, because the data only begins on October 30 and many protesters were killed in October.”  This information is in “Iranian-backed militias may have killed 500 protesters in Iraq,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2020.

“Would most Iranians vote no to an Islamic republic?,” Pooyan Tamimi Arab, Ammar Maleki, and Pooyan Tamimi Arab, Open Democracy, February 3, 2020.

“Iranian youth sing to Khamenei: ‘Iran is invincible, Israel is facing its end’,” JNS, February 3, 2020.

February 3, 2020.  The civilian side, intertwined with the IRGC at the control tower, also knew from the start that a missile had been fired.  “Recording shows Iran knew immediately it had shot down plane: Zelenskiy,” Natalia Zinets and Babak Dehghanpisheh, Reuters, February 3, 2020.

“Eight Dissidents In Iran Sentenced To A Total Of 72 Years For Demanding Khamenei's Resignation,” Radio Farda, February 3, 2020.

“Iran will not have bilateral talks with U.S.: Iran foreign ministry,” Reuters, February 3, 2020.

“Iran foreign minister says Swiss humanitarian channel is not a sign of U.S. goodwill – ISNA,” Reuters, February 3, 2020.

“Iran Rejects Appeal To Free French Nationals, Saying 'Pressures Will Not Work',” Radio Farda, February 3, 2020.

“Iran finds 3 editors guilty of defamation and spreading false news,” Committee to Protect Journalists, February 3, 2020.

“Iran may block UN inspectors if it faces a ‘new situation’,” MyNorthwest, February 3, 2020.

“Iran to rebuild 30,000 housing units in Syria: report,” AMN, February 3, 2020.

“Senior commander in Iran’s Quds Force reported killed in Aleppo battle,” Times of Israel, February 3, 2020.

“Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif Calls UANI An Economic Terrorist,” UANI, February 3, 2020.

“Iran will continue to work with other countries on Ukraine crash investigation – statement,” Babak Dehghanpisheh,  Reuters, February 3, 2020.

“Missing From Iran Headlines: Its Imprisonment Of 11 Journalists, Who Top New ‘10 Most Urgent’ List,” Katherine Love, Forbes, February 3, 2020.

“Some Relatives Of Ukrainian Airliner Victims Complain Of Pressure From Iranian Authorities,” RFE/RL, February 3, 2020.

“Iran Develops 3D Printers on Par with European Samples,” IFP News, February 3, 2020.