IRAN III News Updates Thread

[Cyber Liberty]

I can already hear the Dims screaming about how Trump is destroying foreign governments.

@sneakypete

Impeachment Article V.

Recap:

Article III:  Executing a beloved Iranian warlord
Article IV:  Causing Iran to shoot down an airliner
Article V:  Causing regime change in Iran

[TomSea]

BNO News
@BNONews
Iran's missile attack on U.S. forces in Iraq threw 2 soldiers through a window and "several dozen" U.S. service members were treated for concussion; officials had previously said there were no injuries - WaPo
9:50 AM · Jan 14, 2020·TweetDeck

https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1217111646482640896

So, they are quoting Washington Post. We will see if we hear more about this.

[TomSea]

This website, "iranian.com" is surely put together by Pro-Iran sources, maybe they even have lobbyists there in Washington:

All the Times the US Allied With Soleimani Against Common Enemies, Giving Him Air Support
by Juan Cole

Since the U.S. political establishment and press has been demonizing Gen. Qasem Soleimani since he was rubbed out by Trump, it is perhaps worth complicating the story—especially now that Trump is accusing him of having targeted not one but four U.S. embassies. Trump is a notorious and compulsive liar, and there is no reason to think that charge is true. The prime minister of Iraq says he invited Soleimani to Baghdad for peace negotiations with Saudi Arabia and then Trump just suddenly blew his guest away. Soleimani came openly on a commercial flight and went through passport control with his diplomatic passport. His arrival in Baghdad was not part of a covert operation to hit Americans. Nor did Soleimani, as Wolf Blitzer breathlessly reported on CNN kill “millions” (when? where?).

Nor was he a terrorist; terrorists are non-state actors. He was a general in the Iranian military. Soleimani fought in the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-88, which was a defensive war on Iran’s part, since Iraq aggressively invaded under Saddam Hussein. The United States supported Saddam to the hilt in his aggression. So you’d have to say that in the 1980s Soleimani was doing something heroic, whereas the Reagan administration was doing something shameful. Reagan even ran interference for Saddam at the U.N. when Iran brought a complaint about the Iraqi use of chemical weapons.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Soleimani trained the Badr Corps, the Iraqi paramilitary of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), which is now the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq.

Read more at: https://iranian.com/2020/01/11/all-the-times-the-us-allied-with-soleimani-against-common-enemies-giving-him-air-support-at-tikrit/

It says this, above was from the website "Common Dreams", I've seen that website, Marxist I'd say.

Daily Beast:

Trump Admin Walks Back Anti-MEK Memo
CUT-AND-RUN

The State Department ordered employees days ago not to meet with an Iranian dissident outfit close to Rudy Giuliani and other Trumpworld figures. Now, the memo is being overridden.
Betsy Swan
Erin Banco
Asawin Suebsaeng
Updated Jan. 13, 2020 8:03PM ET / Published Jan. 13, 2020 7:07PM ET

At whiplash speed, the State Department is walking back an order barring American diplomats from meeting with controversial Iranian dissident groups—including one close with Trump World allies and previously designated as a terror group, the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK). The initial memo, greenlit by a career State Department employee, angered Congressional Iran hawks. And the Department’s move to change its guidance has drawn cheers from them.

The first memo, first reported by Bloomberg and reviewed by The Daily Beast, included sober warnings against meeting with the MEK, pointing to its terrorist past and saying most everyday Iranians have a low view of the group. The memo also warned about interactions with the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, highlighting its attacks on Iranian military targets; and directed diplomats to get permission from State Department headquarters before meeting with members of an Azeri separatist group. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sent out the memo on January 7, and it cautioned that meetings with these groups could undermine U.S. efforts to reach a deal with Tehran. Joey Hood, a senior career State Department official, approved the memo, according to the document The Daily Beast reviewed.

More: https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-administration-walks-back-anti-mek-memo

A few other articles there, one source, I would not repost. It's got rightfully a bad name.

[TomSea]

Jerusalem Post Middle East
Five rockets fired on US army base in Iraq
According to the Iraqi military, there were no casualties.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS   JANUARY 14, 2020 22:57

Five Katyusha rockets were fired at US army base Camp Taji, north of Baghdad on Tuesday evening, Arab media reported.

The attack has been described as "fierce," with one rocket landing near the gates according to the BBC, but reportedly no rocket hit the base itself.

According to a statement by the Iraqi military there were no casualties; The US-led military coalition fighting Islamic State also said no troops were affected in the attack.

See more at: https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Rockets-fired-on-US-army-base-in-Iraq-Report-614172

But the drone per below, I read came from Qatar...

Jerusalem Post Middle East
Iran threatens retaliation against Greece for US use of military bases
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis supported the killing of Qasem Soleimani
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL   JANUARY 14, 2020 22:09

The Islamic Republic of Iran launched a new round of saber-rattling by declaring last week that it will retaliate against Greece if Athens allows the US to use military bases against Tehran.

The Greek paper Kathimerini reported on Monday that Iran’s regime said the use of US military bases in Greece would be considered a “hostile act” and the clerical regime would  respond “in a clear and decisive manner.”

The paper wrote that “The warning came in a letter sent by the Iranian embassy in Athens to Kathimerini, which was published on January 10 in the column Readers’ Letters. It was commenting on an article published in the newspaper on January 6, which stated that ‘Greece will have some involvement’ in case of a US operation against Iran, ‘though not with a warship… due to the extremely fragile balance’ in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

See more at:  https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-threatens-retaliation-against-Greece-for-US-use-of-military-bases-614185

Then, lastly, I dismissed reading about this earlier because the time stamps are off I heard but the NY Times declares it "authentic", video of the two missiles that hit the jet. Well, there's a bit of an overlap with this and the "Ukrainian Jet" story, probably best to soon let one or both go in the regular forum.

Okay, I'm having a slow net feed but this last story is out there much. I just saw still frames, not the whole video.


Israel is probably bombing some Iranian interests as well, bombing drones so they can not be used against Israel by their foes...

[TomSea]

Syrian official helped in intelligence in getting Soleimani, just so we didn't kill him in Syria.

Syrian official gave US intel on Soleimani whereabouts - report
The source said that the official, who has been in contact with the Americans for a long time, had set a condition that the Americans would not eliminate Soleimani in Syria.
By YASSER OKBI/MAARIV   JANUARY 14, 2020 16:37

A senior Western intelligence source told the London-based paper The Independent Arabic that a senior Syrian official gave American intelligence information on Qasem Soleimani's movements in Syria, provided that the assassination would not be carried out on Syrian soil.

The source, who was aware of the incident, added that the official had leaked accurate and important information to US intelligence on Soleimani's movements in Syria, and even informed them of the date of travel and the information regarding his civilian aircraft and escort details.

Read more at: https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Syrian-official-gave-US-intel-on-Soleimani-whereabouts-report-614143

It could just be a smokescreen, just someone saying this...too, Iran was and surely, is still powerful in Syria. This might have helped set them back a little, good for Russia at least.

[Smokin Joe]

Syrian official helped in intelligence in getting Soleimani, just so we didn't kill him in Syria.

It could just be a smokescreen, just someone saying this...too, Iran was and surely, is still powerful in Syria. This might have helped set them back a little, good for Russia at least.

Well, it would be a bit of a dirty trick to leak information that would point to an actual bad guy being the source and let his cronies take care of it....

[bigheadfred]

terrorists are non-state actors

What a load.

What is the difference between a terrorist and a war criminal?

[Smokin Joe]

What a load.

What is the difference between a terrorist and a war criminal?

With a war criminal, someone declared a war, otherwise, it's just terrorism.

[bigheadfred]

With a war criminal, someone declared a war, otherwise, it's just terrorism.

Right. So we have that. The war on terror.

[TomSea]

Flashpoints
Iran’s support to the Taliban, which has included MANPADS and a bounty on US troops, could be a spoiler for peace in Afghanistan
Shawn Snow

 As the U.S. looks to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, recent tensions coupled with Iran’s history of meddling in the country could jeopardize talks between the U.S. and the Taliban to end the 18-year long conflict.

U.S. military intelligence assessments dating back to 2010 suggest Iran’s elite paramilitary unit, the Quds Force, has track record of providing training and lethal arms to the Taliban. The list includes portable shoulder-fired air-defense systems known as MANPADS.

While the level of that support from Tehran does not appear to be a game changer on the battlefield, the recent succession of the former head of Iran’s Quds Force branch in Afghanistan, Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, to be the top commander of the elite Iranian unit could amplify Iran’s destabilization efforts in Afghanistan.

 More: https://www.airforcetimes.com/flashpoints/2020/01/14/iran-support-to-the-taliban-which-has-included-manpads-and-a-bounty-on-us-troops-could-be-a-spoiler-for-peace-in-afghanistan/

[TomSea]

Various Senators recognize Iranian protests, condemn retaliation:

Source:

https://twitter.com/A_Jafarzadeh/status/1217555394421280769

Alireza Jafarzadeh
@A_Jafarzadeh
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee & Sens. Lindsey Graham, Martha McSally, James Lankford, Marco Rubio, Joni Ernst & Mitt Romney introduced a resolution making clear the United States Senate stands with the Iranian people. #FreeIran2020

[sneakypete]

@TomSea

They have no real power to do anything in this situation,but I am still glad they did it. Those people need all the international support they can get.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/politics/service-members-injured-iran-strike/index.html

US troops were injured in Iran missile attack despite Pentagon initially saying there were no casualties

 (CNN)Several US service members were injured during last week's Iranian missile attack on Al-Asad airbase in Iraq despite the Pentagon initially saying that no casualties had taken place.

"While no U.S. service members were killed in the Jan. 8 Iranian attack on Al Asad Air base, several were treated for concussion symptoms from the blast and are still being assessed," the US-led military coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria said in a statement Thursday.

"Out of an abundance of caution, service members were transported from Al Asad Air Base, Iraq to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for follow-on screening. When deemed fit for duty, the service members are expected to return to Iraq following screening," the statement added.

A US military official told CNN that 11 service members had been injured in the attack, which was launched in retaliation for the US airstrikes that had killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani the previous week. Defense One was first to report on the injured service members.

more at link.

https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1214739853025394693
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
8:45 PM · Jan 7, 2020

[sneakypete]

"While no U.S. service members were killed in the Jan. 8 Iranian attack on Al Asad Air base, several were treated for concussion symptoms from the blast and are still being assessed," the US-led military coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria said in a statement Thursday.

"Out of an abundance of caution, service members were transported from Al Asad Air Base, Iraq to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for follow-on screening. When deemed fit for duty, the service members are expected to return to Iraq following screening," the statement added.

@Once-Ler

Good for the US Air Farce! I can remember a time when the US military didn't take concussions so seriously.  I went through several months when I seemed to be living in some sort of fog. I could remember who I was,but not where I was supposed to be or what I was supposed to be doing. Which WOULD have been a golden opportunity for me to have some fun if I had understood what was going on.


Ok,ok. I SORTA remember a time when they didn't take concussions so seriously.  MOST of us are lucky,but a concussion can be a VERY serious thing.

[PeteS in CA]

Is the, "Iran intentionally missed," narrative a casualty of this news?

[Cyber Liberty]

Is the, "Iran intentionally missed," narrative a casualty of this news?

Maybe, but the Rats will run this by the Permanent Select Committee on Impeachment, to trump up another Article in the never-ending Impeachment of 45.  Mad Maxine's moist dream.

[TomSea]

No reason given. They were finally allowing women to see the games... and now this??

Iran Banned from Hosting International Football
Friday, 17 January, 2020

 Asharq Al-Awsat
Iran's football federation said Friday it has been told it will not be hosting any international matches on Iranian soil.

The federation said it received a letter from the Asian Football Confederation saying that all matches involving Iranian teams will be held in a third country.

The Iranians did not say if any reason was given or if the decision is related to the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian jetliner last week, which killed all 176 people on board.

Read more at: https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2087626/iran-banned-hosting-international-football

[TomSea]

This is a pretty impressive detail from John Cardillo's twitter account:

John Cardillo
@johncardillo
Full text of the JCPOA:

https://europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/122460/full-text-of-the-iran-nuclear-deal.pdf

On page 86, Soleimani (Soleymani) is one of those protected under the deal.

Let’s be clear. Obama gave blanket immunity to the world’s deadliest terrorist and warned him when Israel had him in the crosshairs.



Read more and see full exhibit at:

https://twitter.com/johncardillo/status/1216506314517635073

Cardillo, his bio piece says, works at Newsmax. I thought he looked vaguely familiar....  Anyway, that above is pretty shocking.  Pretty important.

One of the comments reads this way:

Carpetfrog
@Carpetfrawg
Replying to
@johncardillo
In case anyone wants to dispute the spelling of his name, look on page 95, and you will see the spelling we are seeing in the media.

https://twitter.com/Carpetfrawg/status/1216780354121617408

More amazing stuff... yes, that spelling threw me some...

[TomSea]

More:

A report in July 2015 in the British news service The Telegraph revealed that on page 86 of the annex of the newly agreed upon Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) known commonly as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, was an interesting clause granting amnesty to Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed last week in a drone strike. The Telegraph’s  Defence Editor, Con Coughlin, was astounded at the revelation, describing Soelimani (spelled Gasem Soleymani in the JCPOA) as “one of the world’s leading terrorist masterminds.”

“For a decade a more he has been the driving force behind an array of Iranian-sponsored terrorist groups, from Hizbollah to Hamas, which have orchestrated a reign of terror throughout the Middle East,” Coughlin wrote. “Thanks to Mr. Obama’s scandalous capitulation to Tehran, Mr. Suleimani has overnight gone from being one of the world’s most wanted terrorists to the White House’s newest best friend.”

 https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/143161/report-obama-granted-amnesty-to-soleimani-in-iran-deal/

Amazing, who woulda known that? Probably mentioned on Newsmax, I'll have to try to see it when I can again.

[EdinVA]

This is a pretty impressive detail from John Cardillo's twitter account:

Cardillo, his bio piece says, works at Newsmax. I thought he looked vaguely familiar....  Anyway, that above is pretty shocking.  Pretty important.

One of the comments reads this way:
More amazing stuff... yes, that spelling threw me some...

I wonder if that was a factor in our withdrawal from the agreement..

[TomSea]

EXCLUSIVE: Secret document that PROVES Iran was building a nuclear weapon as far back as 2002 - even while they claimed the technology was only for peaceful purposes

    The document was seized as part of a raid by Israeli intelligence agents on a compound in Tehran in 2018

    It is from an Iranian official requesting the parameters of a warhead fitted on a missile in November 2002

    Scribbled in the top left corner is a note from regime's nuclear chief Moshen Fakhrizadeh, who signs off plans

    Document forms the centrepiece of an as-yet unreleased report highlighting Iran's 'clandestine' nuclear

By Jack Elsom For Mailonline

Published: 06:33 EST, 18 January 2020 | Updated: 08:04 EST, 18 January 2020

A never-seen-before secret Iranian government document proves the regime was trying to build a nuclear weapon as far back as 2002.

It shows scientists outlining their proposals for a 'warhead', which are given the green light by Tehran's top nuclear official.

The document was seized as part of a raid by Israeli intelligence agents on a compound in Tehran in 2018, and is now being exclusively revealed to the world by MailOnline.



See more at: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7901827/Secret-document-PROVES-Iran-building-nuclear-weapon-far-2002.html

[Smokin Joe]

Everyone who has claimed they were harnessing the atom for peace has built weapons.

No surprise, there.

The only surprise is that they (still) expect people to fall for that BS.

[Cyber Liberty]

Everyone who has claimed they were harnessing the atom for peace has built weapons.

No surprise, there.

The only surprise is that they (still) expect people to fall for that BS.

Give a Muzzie 200 smoke detectors and he'll hand you a "dirty bomb," if we are to believe the hype from over a decade ago.

[TomSea]

UN Security Council must recognize Iran as the real Mideast aggressor, Kelly Craft says
By Ben Evansky | Fox News

UNITED NATIONS – Kelly Craft, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, called out the Security Council in a speech Tuesday, saying the world body continued to criticize Israel but failed to work toward keeping Iran in check.

Speaking at the quarterly Security Council debate on the Middle East, which historically has focused solely on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Craft said its diplomats needed to be more active when dealing with the Tehran regime. She cited Iran arming Houthi rebels in Yemen and supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Craft told the council, “When Iran attacked tankers in the Persian Gulf and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia last year, the council was silent. When Iran provided weapons to the Houthis and Hezbollah, the council was silent. When Iran sought to prop up the Assad regime’s brutal repression of its own people, the council was silent. And, it is not though Iran’s malign behavior occurs without this council’s knowledge. It has been well documented by the U.N. or is simply out in the open.”

More on Fox News

[Smokin Joe]

Give a Muzzie 200 smoke detectors and he'll hand you a "dirty bomb," if we are to believe the hype from over a decade ago.

How do you know they haven't seeded convenience stores and the like with radiation sources?

(Unless you pack a detector, you don't.)