Benjamin Franklin once famously wrote to his fellow colonials: “Either we hang together or we hang separately.” Those words are just as true today as they were 270 years ago, for empires have always controlled by dividing their victims into regional tribal interests in order to be better conquered. While techniques have adapted to modern times, the essential ingredients … [Read more...] about Checkmate: Iran is spearheading a geopolitical sea change in West Asia
Iran
US is Building an Anti-Iranian Alliance, Backed Up by a Propaganda Campaign
We are seeing the creation of a new alliance against Iran – on November 19 this year the US held “talks” with officials from France, Germany, the UK, and the Persian Gulf nations, headed by Robert Malley, the US’s Special Envoy for Iran. Representatives from Jordan and Egypt also participated in the talks. The creation of this kind of anti-Iranian alliance can be seen as part … [Read more...] about US is Building an Anti-Iranian Alliance, Backed Up by a Propaganda Campaign
Turkey and Iran, Friends or Foes?
Turkey and Iran, whose cooperation and potential conflict are closely intertwined despite the occasional disagreement and contradictory views on world events, are still trying to maintain a complex balance between themselves to prevent a significant escalation of tension. Indeed, any shift in the balance of power between these two critical poles in the Middle East could … [Read more...] about Turkey and Iran, Friends or Foes?
Iran Puts US NAVY in a Peculiar Situation Yet Again
On January 12, 2016, it was reported by international media that two US Navy riverine command boats were seized by a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iranian territorial waters and how the Iranians brought valiant American Marines to their knees, taking away their weapons. Tehran circulated a video of this detention of two boats with ten US Navy Marines, … [Read more...] about Iran Puts US NAVY in a Peculiar Situation Yet Again
Tehran – Riyadh: the Ice Seems to Break
Representatives of Saudi Arabia and Iran held a new round of talks in Baghdad. Iraq is now acting as a mediator to help the two countries ease tensions. The meeting reportedly discussed “unresolved issues between the two countries in accordance with the previously agreed roadmap, including diplomatic representation between the two countries.” The Iraqi press noted that, … [Read more...] about Tehran – Riyadh: the Ice Seems to Break
Venezuela and Iran: Alliances Under Siege
In 2009, President Hugo Chávez announced that he would sell 20 thousand barrels of gasoline per day to Iran, as a show of support to the allied country against the constant attacks and siege by the US political elite. Almost ten years later, Iran sent Venezuela several oil tankers loaded with chemical additives and gasoline, in accordance with the bilateral cooperation … [Read more...] about Venezuela and Iran: Alliances Under Siege
Why is There Now a Crisis in Relations Between Azerbaijan and Iran?
Recent weeks have seen a significant military escalation on the border between Azerbaijan and Iran. With belligerent statements made by both sides, Iranian troops are being transferred to the border with their northern neighbor. Explaining the move, Brigadier-General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), said: “We … [Read more...] about Why is There Now a Crisis in Relations Between Azerbaijan and Iran?
Why is Iran Joining the SCO?
At the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), to be held on September 16-17 in Tajikistan, the official announcement of the procedure of Iran’s admission to its membership is expected. It will be an anniversary summit of the organization founded 20 years ago in 2001 by six states – The Shanghai Five (China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan), … [Read more...] about Why is Iran Joining the SCO?
Iran tells US to drop ‘addiction to sanctions’ after Iranians blacklisted over alleged kidnapping plot of journalist
Iran's Foreign Ministry has said the US is resorting to “Hollywood scenarios” in order to justify new sanctions against Tehran. Washington blacklisted Iranians accused of planning to kidnap a journalist in New York. “Supporters and merchants of sanctions, who see their sanctions tool box empty due to Iran's maximum resistance, are now resorting to Hollywood scenarios to keep … [Read more...] about Iran tells US to drop ‘addiction to sanctions’ after Iranians blacklisted over alleged kidnapping plot of journalist
Iran, Nicaragua Seek United Front Against US Pressure
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi has underlined the need for close cooperation with Nicaragua and other Latin American states on the world stage to foil US sanctions against independent nations. In a telephone conversation with his Nicaraguan counterpart, Daniel Ortega, on Tuesday night, Raeisi said that the coincidence of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution with the Nicaraguan … [Read more...] about Iran, Nicaragua Seek United Front Against US Pressure
How Beijing Helps Tehran
Ibrahim Raisi, winner of the presidential election in the Islamic Republic of Iran this year, with his team, expects to increase cooperation with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the next few years. The Iranian leadership has long been attaching great importance to its dialogue with China and has done everything in its power to strengthen diplomatic relations between the … [Read more...] about How Beijing Helps Tehran
The Stage Is Being Set For A War Between Israel And Iran To Potentially Begin Before The End Of 2021
The clock has been ticking for a long time, and now Israel is telling us that Iran is “only around 10 weeks away from acquiring weapons-grade materials necessary for a nuclear weapon”. The Israelis have always been very clear about the fact that they will never, ever allow the Iranians to get to that point, and so that would appear to leave only 10 weeks remaining to avert a … [Read more...] about The Stage Is Being Set For A War Between Israel And Iran To Potentially Begin Before The End Of 2021
Tehran Scores Points against the Mossad
Confronting intelligence and special operations have never been a one-way game. Sooner or later, the opponents begin to play on an equal footing because no one likes a “weakling” anywhere, especially in the Middle East. It should be noted that, according to many experts, three intelligence agencies that may have been involved in several events in Iran have been particularly … [Read more...] about Tehran Scores Points against the Mossad
Iran’s new president vows to lift ‘tyrannical’ US sanctions during inauguration speech
Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s new president, has used his inauguration speech to vow to work towards lifting “tyrannical” sanctions imposed on Tehran by the US, and to improve living standards for Iranians. Raisi said in a televised speech to the nation on Tuesday that a mission of his presidency will be easing US sanctions on Iran, declaring that “we will seek to lift the … [Read more...] about Iran’s new president vows to lift ‘tyrannical’ US sanctions during inauguration speech
On China’s Role in Afghanistan
Fearing increasing instability and the risk of widespread civil war in Afghanistan, many countries have recently been working to fill the vacuum created by the US withdrawal from that South Asian country. Thus, regional powers Turkey and Iran actively seek to strengthen their influence. In particular, Turkey, in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s expansionist policy, … [Read more...] about On China’s Role in Afghanistan
Iran’s new govt should learn from past experience that ‘trust in the West doesn’t work,’ Supreme Leader Khamenei urges
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the country’s president-elect against placing trust in negotiations with the US, noting that the West broke its commitments with outgoing president Hassan Rouhani. “Others should use the experience of Mr. Rouhani’s government. One experience is distrusting the West. In this administration it became clear that trusting … [Read more...] about Iran’s new govt should learn from past experience that ‘trust in the West doesn’t work,’ Supreme Leader Khamenei urges
‘Mossad cell’ arrested over plans to provoke violence during ongoing protests in Iran, Tehran claims
Members of an armed cell who allegedly worked with Israel’s Mossad spy agency and planned to provoke violence during protests in Iran have been detained, Tehran’s Intelligence Ministry has told local media. The group, which allegedly had access to a heavy shipment of weapons and ammunition, was recently apprehended after entering Iran through its western border, an … [Read more...] about ‘Mossad cell’ arrested over plans to provoke violence during ongoing protests in Iran, Tehran claims
‘Failure of US sanctions’: Iran launches first oil terminal in Gulf of Oman to bypass Strait of Hormuz
Iran has opened its first oil terminal in the Gulf of Oman and referenced the “failure” of US sanctions to deter its progress. It will allow oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has recently seen multiple incidents. The new oil terminal is located at the port of Bandar-e Jask, which lies just south of the strait. The facility was inaugurated by the country’s … [Read more...] about ‘Failure of US sanctions’: Iran launches first oil terminal in Gulf of Oman to bypass Strait of Hormuz
Biden Targets Iran. Cyber, Military and Legal Provocations. Economic Warfare
On June 18, 2021, the Iranian people elected Ebrahim Raeisi as the next president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Raeisi is a conservative jurist who ran for office pledging to fight “poverty, corruption, humiliation and discrimination.” He is viewed in Washington as a tool of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. At a press conference held on Monday, June 21, 2021, Raeisi … [Read more...] about Biden Targets Iran. Cyber, Military and Legal Provocations. Economic Warfare
For Now, the Mossad is Outplaying Tehran
The multiple secret operations carried out by the Israeli special services in recent years against Iran are legitimately indicative of the vulnerabilities inherent in the Iranian strategic infrastructure. And, given the many years of confrontation between Israel and Iran in the area of covert operations, this vulnerability is currently taking on a special significance for … [Read more...] about For Now, the Mossad is Outplaying Tehran
The Talks in Vienna: What is Going On Behind the Scenes?
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called on the US President, Joe Biden, to cancel the sanctions against Iran and on Tehran to reopen talks on the full implementation of the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He also presented his (incomplete) report on the implementation of the deal to the UN Security Council: “I … [Read more...] about The Talks in Vienna: What is Going On Behind the Scenes?
The Middle East: USA’s Provocative Actions
On June 27, 2021, US warplanes carried out surprise air strikes targeting three locations of Iran-backed militia along the border between Iraq and Syria. In its Telegram channel, Sabereen News reported that four fighters were killed as a result of the attack on the headquarters of the 14th Brigade of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), more commonly referred to as al-Ḥašd … [Read more...] about The Middle East: USA’s Provocative Actions
First Christians Sentenced to Prison under New Law in Iran
(Morning Star News) – The first Christians to be punished under a newly amended law in Iran aimed at halting the growth of Christianity and other religious groups were sentenced to five years in prison for spreading “propaganda” against Islam after they refused to renounce Christ, sources said. Amin Khaki, Milad Goudarzi and Alireza Nourmohammadi, all converts from Islam, … [Read more...] about First Christians Sentenced to Prison under New Law in Iran