February 5, 2020.  Iran continues to hold the black boxes hostage, forcing Canada to announce its indignation as this story shows.  “Canada will press Iran on Wednesday to send the black boxes from a downed airliner immediately to France where the data can be analyzed, Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told reporters.  Iran’s civil aviation authority said on Tuesday it would keep working with other countries investigating its downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane last month. Tehran has not released the black boxes.  Champagne said he would be talking to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif about the recorders, the probe and compensation for families of the 57 Canadians who were among the 176 people aboard who were killed.  “We are going to ask that the black boxes be sent to France ... (which) has all the equipment and technical expertise to analyze them,” said Champagne. “We don’t want there to be any more delays so we would like to see that happen immediately.”  Champagne said he and Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau met the head of the International Civil Aviation Organization last Friday to ask for its help to make sure the flight and cockpit recorders were sent to France.  “This is a message I will reiterate (to Zarif) ... we judge Iran by their actions, not their words,” Champagne said.”  See “Canada to press Iran to send downed plane's black boxes to France," Reuters, February 5, 2020.

February 5, 2020.  Amid the Guardian Council striking some 7,000 “reformist” candidates from the upcoming Parliament ballot, and with the Iranian Students Polling Agency reporting a survey that showed only 21% of the respondents said they vote in the upcoming election, we see two curious stories.  First, “Iran’s Khamenei defends pre-election purge of Reformists,” Al-Monitor, February 5, 2020, and “Iran's Khamenei Calls for a High Turnout in February Parliament Election: TV Affiliated Website,” Reuters, February 5, 2020.  He wants his cake and to eat it, too.

February 5, 2020.  By “cannot announce,” the President's Chief-of-Staff Mahmoud Vaezi means that it is the responsibility of the Coroner's Office and the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces to make the announcement.  “Rouhani Aide Says Government Cannot Announce Iran Protest Death Toll,” Reuters, Radio Farda, February 5, 2020.

“Arab Leaders Who Support 'Deal of the Century' Are Incompetent: Iran Supreme Leader,” Reuters, New York Times, February 5, 2020.

“Iran Frees Jailed Christian Converts,” Stefan Bos, Bos News Life, February 5, 2020.

“Iran’s Khamenei defends pre-election purge of Reformists,” Al-Monitor, February 5, 2020.

“Iran Literacy Rate at 96%,” Financial Tribune, February 5, 2020.

“Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias suffer heavy losses fighting in Syria,” Joe Truzman, Long War Journal, February 5, 2020.

“Iran; Betting on Children’s Street Fights,” Iran News Update,” Iran News Update, February 5, 2020.

“U.N. watchdog sees no new Iranian violations of nuclear deal,” Reuters, February 5, 2020.

“Iran to execute alleged spy who gave nuclear secrets to CIA,” Amir Vahdat, AP, February 5, 2020.

“Iran plans to send astronauts into space using domestic technology,” Tehran Times, February 5, 2020.

“Intl response group for PS752 victims demands black boxes from Iran,” UNIAN, February 5, 2020.

“Officials worry Iran will target defense contractors with cyberattacks,” Jackson Barnett, Fedscoop, February 5, 2020.

“Reveled: The deal made in Iran that brought Iraq's new PM to power,” Suadad al-Salhy, Middle East Eye, February 5, 2020.

“The deal of the century will die before Trump dies: Iran Supreme Leader,” Reuters, February 5, 2020.

“Four stories show that disinformation has a home on Iran’s State Television,” Reza Moradi and Farhad Souzanchi, Poynter, February 5, 2020.

“Iran will support Palestinian armed groups as much as it can -supreme leader,” Reuters, February 5, 2020.

“Iran’s president says America is a terrorist and commits terrorist acts,” Reuters, February 5, 2020.

“Exclusive: Iran-linked hackers pose as journalists in email scam,” Raphael Satter and Christopher Bing, Reuters, February 5, 2020.

“Yemen: Houthi affiliates from Iran, Hezbollah killed,” Alı H. M. Abo Rezeg, AA, February 5, 2020.

February 5, 2020.  They are Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, and China—a collection of successful countries.  “Irania nenvoy proposes new alliance of 5 countries,” Islamuddin Sajid, AA, February 5, 2020.

“What brought Iranian forces to Idlib front?,” Hamidreza Azizi, Al Monitor, February 5, 2020.

“Iran exporting million barrels of oil a day tracking firm data indicates,” bne IntelliNews, February 5, 2020.

“Iran's Khamenei calls for a high turnout in February parliament election: TV affiliated website,” Reuters, February 5, 2020.