Uskowi on Iran - اسکویی در باره ایران

Nader Uskowi writes new book on Iran's IRGC-QF and Mideast conflict

2018-11-11T03:54:00.000-05:00

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Nader Uskowi's anticipated new book title, "Temperature Rising: Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Wars in the Middle East" is now published and available for purchase.

The book details how the Quds Force and its allied Shia militias have fought in three theaters to advance Islamic Republic of Iran's regional ambitions and create a contiguous land corridor linking Iran through Iraq to Syria, Lebanon, and the Israeli northern fronts. The Iran-led operations are generating enormous political and security challenges for competing regional powers, contributing further instabilities in an already turbulent Middle East, with specters of direct military conflicts looming, pitting Iran against Gulf Arab states and Israel.

Mr. Uskowi has served as Senior Policy Advisor to United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), the branch of the U.S. military whose area of responsibility includes Iran and the Middle East, focusing on geopolitical and military developments across the region. He has recently testified before U.S. Congress, and published articles, appeared on Radio and TV news programs, and presented papers to seminars and symposiums on Iran.

Reviews for Temperature Rising:

“Temperature Rising is a riveting account of Iran’s way of war in the Middle East by a seasoned observer of the country’s regional strategy and military policy. Uskowi’s book is a powerful must-read for anyone interested in the region.” (General James Jones, former national security advisor to President Obama and former Marine Corps Commandant)

“If you want to understand Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and its action arm, the Qods Forces, Temperature Rising is the book you must read. Nader Uskowi takes you inside the organization, its funding, its relationship to the Supreme Leader, and its broad mission. It is not just about protecting the Iranian regime from possible internal threats; it is about spreading the reach of the Islamic Republic throughout the Middle East. Temperature Rising explains in a compelling fashion the threat, but also points out the new vulnerabilities the Revolutionary Guard is creating for the Iranian regime. This book reminds us that the Islamic Republic poses a threat but also is not ten feet tall.” (Ambassador Dennis Ross, Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

"Nader Uskowi has written an important and timely book that outlines the true scope of the challenge we face from the Islamic Republic. Today, as the United States grapples anew with Iran's malign influence in the Middle East, Temperature Rising should be essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the persistence of the Ayatollah Khomeini’s radical ideology, the extent of the Iranian regime’s regional reach, and the significance of the new web of influence that Tehran is building across the region." (Ilan Berman, senior vice president, American Foreign Policy Council)

[Please note: this is a supplemental post to the Uskowi on Iran site archive.]

Uskowi on Iran, signing off

2015-11-30T03:28:00.001-05:00

It is with heavy hearts that Nader Uskowi and I, Mark Pyruz, announce we are signing off at Uskowi on Iran. This is the last post.

Mr. Uskowi’s professional commitments no longer afford the time required to put into this publishing effort. I, in turn, have decided to focus on personal health issues.

Looking back, this publishing effort was initiated by Mr. Uskowi on 3 March 2007. I, Mark Pyruz, was recruited in April 2008. Subsequently, writers added to this effort included Paul Iddon, Amir Taheri and Dr. Jabbar Fazeli. We sincerely thank these three writers for their contributions.

During this nearly nine-year run, the total number of posts reached 6,663.

The total number of page views exceeded 8 million, for which we express our deepest appreciation to you, the readership.

Speaking for myself, I am eternally grateful to Nader Uskowi for including me in this effort. I learned a great deal in the process. In retrospect I realize I've been bestowed the opportunity to honor my paternal Iranian ancestral heritage. I know that in all of Mr. Uskowi’s many important endeavors, he is likewise motivated.

This site will remain up for a period of time primarily as a resource for Iran military-related studies.

Farewell from Nader Uskowi and Mark Pyruz.

Center: Nader Uskowi's father, Nasser Oskoui, a full Colonel in the IIA, later rising to the rank of Major General. In civilian suits: three uncles. Center right: Lt. Colonel and brother-in-law to the Uskowis. Circa 1960.

Mark Pyruz's paternal Iranian heritage:

Freydoun Merat, father, 1973

Ismail Merat, grandfather, Minister of Education and Health/Welfare, University of Tehran chancellor University of Tehran, 1936

Ismail Mumtaz, great-grandfather, writer of 1906 Constitution, Speaker of Parliament, circa 1902

IRIN commando training at Marines Training Base in Manjil, Iran

2015-11-29T02:22:00.000-05:00

Iran media imagery dated 28NOV15 depicting IRIN Marine commando training undertaken at the training center located at Manjil, in the Central District of Rudbar County, Gilan Province, Iran:

Gymnasium at IRIN Marines Training Base in Manjil. Cadets undertaking commando instruction seen equipped with G3-A4 battle rifles.

IRIN Marine commando training in the utilization of Jacob's ladder

Hand-to-hand combat instruction provided to IRIN cadets by Marine senior chief petty officer

Tactical Rope Suspension Techniques (TRST) training at Marines Training Base in Manjil

Military diver training exercise supervised by IRIN Marine lieutenant commander

IRIN Marine commando NCOs equipped with variety of small arms

IRIN Marine commando NCOs board inshore patrol boat, under supervision of IRIN lieutenant commander

IRIN Marine commando training exercise aboard inshore patrol boat at Sefid Rud ("White River") Lake

IRIN Marine commando training exercise aboard kayak at Sefid Rud ("White River")

IRIN Marine commando hand-to-hand drill in wetland conditions

Ideological instruction at IRIN Marines Training Base at Manjil

Map location for IRIN Marines Training Base at Manjil [image: Google Maps]

Photos: Ali Khara at Fars News Agency

Remains of deceased senior Iranian diplomat transported to Iran from Saudi Arabia

2015-11-28T00:41:00.000-05:00

Remains of Iranian senior diplomat Ghazanfar Roknabadi were returned to Iran from Saudi Arabia on 26NOV15, with a ceremonious funeral held 27NOV15 in Tehran.

Iranian media reported the body of Roknabadi, who was declared missing, was identified through fingerprints and DNA testing. [source: RFE/RL]

Secondary testing will be used to determine if Roknabadi died in the hajj crush, his brother was quoted saying by ISNA news agency.

"If the result of examinations in Tehran contradicts the Saudis' claim that my brother died in the Mina incident we will complain via international forums," Morteza Roknabadi said.

He acknowledged the rumours about his brother's death, which followed recent remarks by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian. [source: AFP]

Following is Iran media imagery of the transfer of Roknabadi's remains at THR:

Aircraft observed in transporting of Roknabad's remains to THR is Iran Air Airbus A320-232, reg. EP-IEB (cn 575)

Artesh presidential guard serve as pallbearers 26NOV15 at Mehrabad International Airport

Lebanese Hezbollah flag displayed at funeral procession for Ghazanfar Roknabadi

Until last year, Roknabadi was Tehran's envoy to Beirut, a highly sensitive post. Lebanon is home to the Iranian-backed Shiite movement Hezbollah, allied with President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war, who Riyadh has repeatedly urged to stand down. [source: AFP]

Imagery of the deceased on IRI flag-draped coffin, during funeral procession in Tehran

Bereaved family members during the funeral of Ghazanfar Roknabadi, in Tehran

Bereaved family members with image of the deceased at the funeral of Ghazanfar Roknabadi, in Tehran

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Expanded capabilities of Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah observed in Syrian conflict

2015-11-27T01:06:00.002-05:00

RuAF Su-24 and Mi-8 aircrew rescued with assistance by Iran-backed military special forces

According to ABNA:

While the Russians were planning for another operations to free the pilot immediately, General Soleimani contacted [Russian forces] and proposed a special task force unit be formed of Hezbollah's special forces and Syrian commandos who have been trained by Iran and are fully familiar with the geographical situation of the region to be tasked with the ground operations and Russia provide them with air cover and satellite intelligence.

Soleimani promised them to return the Russian pilot safe and sound; a promise that was kept in the end, according to the Syrian officer.

After tracing the place of the Russian pilot using his GPS, it was revealed that the pilot was being kept in a place 6km behind the frontline of the clashes between the Syrian army and the opposition.

Six fighters of Hezbollah's special operation unit and 18 Syrian commandos approached the frontline to carry out the operations and the Russian air force and helicopters concurrently created hellfire in the region and destroyed the terrorists' headquarters in a way that most of the enemy forces deployed in the region fled the scene and the ground was paved for the special unit's advance.

The Syrian officer added that every move of the special units was monitored and covered precisely by the Russian satellites in a way that the slightest moves made 100 meters away from the area of operation was reported to them and every moment of the operation was reported to a very high-raking official in the Kremlin (that he thinks was president Putin) and it was clear that he was monitoring the entire operations through satellites from Moscow.

According to the officer who called for anonymity, the operation later turned into a hunt of the terrorists in the operation zone by the Russian air force from the sky and by Brigadier General Soleimani's operations units on the ground.

COMMENTARY: Some of the details of the ABNA report haven't been verified, however it has apparently been corroborated that an 18-member Syrian commando team linked up with a 6-member Hezbollah special operations team already sitting near a border crossing point to effect the rescue.

It has been pointed out by another observer that the Iran-backed Hezbollah special operations team was performing a SICTA (strategic intelligence collection / target acquisition) mission. Such teams are probably all along that border right up to Jarabulus. [see HERE]

While others have been pointing to the Syrian conflict as a drain on Iranian and Iran-backed forces such as Hezbollah, this writer has stressed the expansion of capabilities--particularly on offense--that the Syrian conflict has spawned during the course of the war.

According to Associated Press:

A Hezbollah TV station says a joint operation by the Lebanese militant group and Syrian security agents killed an Islamic State figure suspected of involvement in Beirut's deadly bombing earlier this month.

AL-Manar TV says Abdul-Salam Hendawi, also known as Abu Abdo, died in an ambush in an IS-held area in Syria's central province of Homs.

It says Hendawi was responsible for bringing into Lebanon two suicide bombers who carried out the Nov. 12 attack in southern Beirut. The attack killed 43 people and wounded more than 200.

COMMENTARY: If accurate, such a strike by Lebanese Hezbollah (LH) represents a successful counter-terrorism operation beyond the formal boundaries of said military force.

While the United States, Israel, EU and GCC consider Iran-backed LH a terrorist organization, Russia does not, as expressed at the Vienna II Syrian conflict resolution talks. This may be considered another point of contention beyond the fate of Syrian President Assad, between the U.S.-led coalition against ISIL on the one hand, and the R+5 (Russia, Syria, Iran, Lebanese Hezbullah, Iraqi PMF and Syrian NDF) on the other.

Opposition counteroffensive stalls against Iran-backed forces, SW Aleppo

2015-11-27T01:00:00.000-05:00

Iran-backed Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah T-72 type main battle tank, SW Aleppo front. Social media imagery emerging 24NOV15

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 26NOV15:

The Islamist rebels from the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra, Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, Jaysh Al-Islam, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham launched a large-scale offensive in southern Aleppo earlier this week, targeting the Syrian Arab Army’s frontline defenses at the multiple hilltops that surround the

Over the past 6 days in southern Aleppo, the Islamist rebels from Jabhat Al-Nusra, Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki have repeatedly tried to bypass the Syrian Armed Forces’ frontline defenses at the imperative village of Banes and Kafr Haddad; this powerful assault from the Islamist rebel factions has resulted in the capture of Kafr Haddad’s southern Sector, despite the Islamist rebels declaring this village as “liberated”.

With the ongoing firefights near Banes and Kafr Haddad, the Islamist rebels attempted to take advantage of the Syrian Arab Army’s brief hiatus from the battlefield in order to allow their soldiers to take leave for a few days before going back to battle.

According to a battlefield journalist that is embedded with the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division in southern Aleppo, the Islamist rebels have been unable to make any significant progress in the last 72 hours after failing to take Banes from the soldiers entrenched in this village.

The Islamist rebel offensive has proved to be rather unsuccessful thus far as several of their combatants have been reportedly killed by the Syrian Armed Forces.

COMMENTARY: Opposition forces committed not inconsiderable forces in launching this counteroffensive. While sections of theIRGC-QF line appeared to buckle, no opposition breakthrough appears to have been achieved.

What's more, with R+5 (Russia, Syria, Iran, Lebanese Hezbullah, Iraqi PMF and Syrian NDF) forces attacking at multiple axes and with the opposition committing much needed military resources to this now stalled counteroffensive, attritional losses at the Aleppo front as well as multiple stress points being applied may now be stretching opposition force resources as never before.

Iran-backed Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah T-72 type main battle tank movement through countryside village, SW Aleppo front. Social media imagery emerging 24NOV15.

Iran-backed Hezbollah force member equipped with Iran-manufactured AM50 anti-materiel sniper rifle, SW Aleppo front. Social media imagery emerging 24NOV15.

Iran-backed Hezbollah force member equipped with SPG-9 Kopye (“Spear”) recoilless gun, SW Aleppo front. Social media imagery emerging 24NOV15.

Claims and counter-claims of IRGC-QF Commander WIA on the Aleppo front

2015-11-25T15:44:00.003-05:00

Above: imagery appearing 21NOV15 depicting IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Soleimani on the Aleppo front inside Syria

According to Agence France-Presse, dated 25NOV15:

General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations wing, was lightly injured in fighting against Syria rebels near Aleppo, a monitoring group and a security source said Wednesday.

Soleimani "was injured a few days ago" in an offensive in the southwest of Aleppo province, a security source on the ground told AFP.

The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, also said the general had been hurt.

He was "lightly injured three days ago in the Al-Eis area in the south of Aleppo province," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

COMMENTARY: Reports of the death or severe wounding of IRGC-QF Maj. Gen. Soleimani have been circulating since at least 15NOV15, initially claimed by the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, JAN.

Above report offers further claim of "lightly wounded" by unnamed "security source" and Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). SOHR is a pro-revolution organization.

Iranian sources continue to deny the WIA of Soleimani, the most recent observed 24NOV15 from IRGC Brig. Gen. 2C Ramezan Sharif, in an article published at Sepah News, the official IRGC media site. In the article, Sharif, who is IRGC Director of Public Relations states that Soleimani is “completely healthy” and is “energetically” and “cheerfully” assisting the "resistance fighters in Iraq and Syria."

Map depiction of Al-Eis area, where it is claimed Soleimani was "lightly wounded." This 15NOV15 military situation graphic depicts Al-Eis in relation to drive to IRGC-QF directed drive towards relieving besieged Shia enclaves of Al-Fu'ah and Kafarya, an objective still not realized.

Busy week of diplomacy in Tehran

2015-11-25T04:07:00.000-05:00

Iran media imagery of diplomacy being conducted during the past week in Tehran:

President of Iraq Faud Masum (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 24NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

Left to right: First Vice President of Iran Eshaq Jahangiri, Prime Minister of Algeria Abdelmalek Sellal and Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 24NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Bolivia Evo Morales (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 24NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin (L) with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov (L) with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R), dated 24NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Bolivia Evo Morales (L) with with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) on 24NOV15 in Tehran

Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn (L) with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) on 24NOV15 in Tehran

Group photo of leaders and ministers attending third Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Tehran

Maja Gojkovic, President of the National Assembly of Serbia with Ali Larijani, Speaker of Parliament of Iran, dated 23NOV15 in Tehran

Maja Gojkovic, President of the National Assembly of Serbia, with Eshaq Jahangiri, First Vice President of Iran, dated 23NOV15 in Tehran.

Maja Gojkovic, President of the National Assembly of Serbia, with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of Iran, dated 23NOV15 in Tehran.

Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov (L) with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of Iran, dated 23NOV15 in Tehran.

Crispin Blunt, head of the Foreign Relations Committee of the British Parliament, with Ali Larijani, Speaker of Parliament of Iran, dated 21NOV15 in Tehran

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency, Khamenei.ir and Ali Abbaspour at Fars News Agency

Russian Air Force Su-24 combat aircraft downed by Turkish forces

2015-11-24T06:40:00.001-05:00

Doomed RuAF Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" attack aircraft, claimed shot down by THK F-16 "Viper" multirole fighter aircraft.

According to Reuters:

Turkish fighter jets shot down a Russian-made warplane near the Syrian border on Tuesday after repeatedly warning it over air space violations, Turkish officials said, but Moscow said it could prove the jet had not left Syrian air space.

Turkish presidential sources said the warplane was a Russian-made SU-24. The Turkish military, which did not confirm the plane's origin, said it had been warned 10 times in the space of five minutes about violating Turkish airspace.

Russia's defence ministry said one of its fighter jets had been downed in Syria, apparently after coming under fire from the ground, but said it could prove the plane was over Syria for the duration of its flight, Interfax news agency reported.

According to Russia Today News:

A Russian Su-24 fighter has been shot down in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said, adding the plane hadn’t violated Turkish airspace and was flying at an altitude of 6,000 meters.

“During the flight, the aircraft was flying within the borders of Syria, which was registered by objective monitoring data,” the ministry said, adding that the aircraft was "supposedly shot down from the ground.”

COMMENTARY: This is the first time a NATO member armed forces has downed a Russian or Soviet military aircraft since the 1950s.

This action by the Turkish military could be interpreted by the Russo-Iranian led coalition as rendering support for armed opposition forces, against Russian military forces engaged in supporting current Syrian pro-government offensive at northern Latakia Governorate. [see military situation map at bottom of post]

Russian and Turkish assets fell on fears of an escalation between these two countries that have seen periods of hostility and open warfare during the previous five centuries.

RuAF Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" attack aircraft falling to earth upon Turkmen Mountain, in the north of Latakia region of Syria

Flight radar track imagery of downed RuAF Su-24 attack aircraft, as provided by Turkish military following shootdown. Russian Defense Ministry disputes this, claiming it has evidence to show the downed attack aircraft remained within Syrian airspace.

Military situation map of area where RuAF attack aircraft are supporting Syrian government military forces in their current offensive at Latakia Governorate. [source: Peto Lucem]

Iran-backed Iraqi PMF buckle against opposing counteroffensive, SW Aleppo

2015-11-24T02:57:00.000-05:00

Tinted section of areas claimed taken by FH, JaF and FsyA during counter-offensive against IRGC-QF directed forces [source: archicivilians]

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 23NOV15:

On Monday morning in the southern Aleppo countryside, 16 Islamist rebel factions – led by Jaysh Al-Fateh (Army of Conquest), Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Jaysh Al-Islam, Jaysh Al-Mujahiddeen, and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) – launched a powerful assault on several sites under the control of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and their allies.

The Islamist rebels began their assault at the large village of Kafr Haddad, where they encountered a large force from Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary) and Kataeb Hezbollah (Iraqi paramilitary) that were protecting its southern flank.

Following a series of violent firefights, the Islamist rebels from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham broke-through Harakat Al-Nujaba’s frontline defenses and imposed full control over Kafr Haddad, Tal Al-Bakarah, and Tal Mamou.

Not long after capturing Kafr Haddad and its surrounding hilltops, the Islamist rebels – led by Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham – captured Tal Al-Banijayrah, Al-‘Aziziyah, Al-Makahlah, Al-Khariyah, and Tal Bajar; this left the strategic village of Al-Mariyoudah susceptible to an assault from the Islamist rebel groups.

However, the Islamist rebels did not attack Al-Mariyoudah; instead, they chose to attack the contested village of Burnah, seizing this site after a brief firefight with the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City.

COMMENTARY: The IRGC-QF directed push towards the besieged Syrian Shia enclaves at Kafarya and al-Fu'a appears to have been dealt at least a momentary setback, by an opposing force counteroffensive buckling sectors held by Iran-backed Iraqi PMF.

This counteroffensive follows the mobilization and commitment of opposing forces detailed above in the graphic rendered by "archicivilians."

Trophies of war depicted in Al-Qaeda Syria affiliate, including emblems of Iran-backed Kata'ib Hezbollah, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Ansar Allah al-Awfiyya.

Also appearing on social media, imagery such as this emerged of Russian Federation T-90A third-generation main battle tanks aboard transporters, claimed depiction at the Aleppo front

IRGC & Fatimiyoun Brigade KIAs, Operation Muharram near Aleppo

2015-11-24T00:27:00.002-05:00

Funeral held in Qarchak, Tehran province on 23NOV15 for Afghan Fatimiyoun Brigade member Ahmad Rahimi, KIA in during recent IRGC-QF directed operation in Syrian conflict. [source: ABNA]

Mourners and twos people paying their respects for Ahmad Rahimi, fallen member of Afghan Fatimiyoun Brigade. This reportedly the fifth soldier from Qarchak lost in the Syrian conflict.

IRGC 2nd Lt. 2nd Lieutenant Ahmad Rahimi has been listed as KIA during "Operation Muharram-Grand Revenge," the IRGC-QF directed offensive in the southern Aleppo countryside. [source: Ghatreh]

The IRGC-QF directed offensive takes its name from the month of Muharram, which to the Shia is a month of mourning (on its tenth day, the Ashura, Shi'ites commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein bin Ali in the Battle of Karbala).

The Al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front last week claimed the KIA of IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Soleimani. However the claim has turned out to be false, with a number of photos turning up since of the commander continuing to serve in role of military liaison, including above depiction near Aleppo emerging 21NOV15 on social media.

Putin meets with Khamenei in Tehran, on sidelines of GECF

2015-11-23T13:21:00.001-05:00

President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), on 23NOV15 in Tehran.

According to Reuters, dated 23NOV15:

Iran's supreme leader, at a meeting with Russian President Putin in Tehran on Monday, said U.S. policies in the region were a threat to both countries and called for closer ties between Tehran and Moscow.

"The Americans have a long-term plot and are trying to dominate Syria and then the whole region...This is a threat to all countries, especially Russia and Iran," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said at the meeting on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in Tehran, according to the state news agencies.

"The United states is trying to achieve its failed military objectives in Syria now through political means," he added, referring to proposed peace talks to end the civil war in Syria.

COMMENTARY: Iranian media depictions of meetings between Khamenei and world leaders non-aligned with the U.S.-led security order remain persistently anti-American in tone and substance, even after signage of JCPOA. To a certain extent, this latest depiction may be related to Iran's diplomatic reversal with the recent UNGA resolution condemning Iranian-backed intervention participations in the Syrian conflict.

Currently Russia Federation and Islamic Republic of Iran are engaged in aligned military interventions with Syrian Arab Republic, in the Syrian conflict.

Present at the meeting between Khamenei and Putin, left to right:
- Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian Minister of Communication
- Sergey Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs

Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri (L) with President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin (R)

Gift offered by Vladimir Putin to Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei

Khamenei inspects Putin's gift: a replica of the oldest Koran in existence possessed by the Russian Federation

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

VEVAK claims arrest of two terror cells at Iranian border provinces

2015-11-22T23:35:00.000-05:00

IEDs said by VEVAK discovered in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan

According to PressTV, dated 21NOV15:

Iranian security forces have disbanded two terror cells, which were planning to carry out bomb attacks, in two provinces, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry [VEVAK] says.

Officials at the ministry said on Saturday that one of the terrorist groups was busted in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

The terrorists were planning to blow up over 150 kilograms of explosives in the form of ten bombs on the eastern Iranian border region.

Authorities added that another cell connected to groups hostile to the Islamic Republic, which had entered the country to commit acts of terror, was also smashed in West Azerbaijan Province.

Security forces also discovered and confiscated a large number of weapons and ammunition from the terror cell.

COMMENTARY: On 22NOV15 IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari claimed the Salafi Jihadist terror cell arrested in West Azerbaijan Province have been linked to ISIL.

Quoted by the ISNA, the IRGC commander stated Iranian security forces were monitoring attempts by militants to "create insecurity" in Iran.

"IS has multi-layered support networks. One such network was [also] identified in Kermanshah province (in western Iran) and its members were arrested," Jafari told Iranian media reporters.

Imagery detailing IEDs planted alongside the Rāsk-Iranshahr section of Iran's Road 99

Detail of IED's, among ten discovered in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan

IRGC members at site of diffused IEDs discovered in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan

Photos: YJC.ir

IRIAF combat aircraft, units escorting RuAF strategic aviation against ISIL

2015-11-22T01:53:00.000-05:00

Illustration by Babak Taghvaee (click to enlarge) detailing IRIAF escort of RuAF strategic aviation transiting Iran to attack ISIL, Al-Qaeda (AQ) and AQ-aligned armed groups in Syria. From Mr. Taghvaee's observations, the following Iranian combat aircraft types, units and base locations include:

IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B (9-12B) air superiority fighters (x2)
11th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Lashkari Tactical Air Base (TAB-1) – Tehran

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bombers (x4)
31st Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Nojeh Tactical Air Base (TAB-3) – Hamedan

IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters (x4)
81st/82nd Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Babei Tactical Air Base (TAB-8) – Isfahan

File photo by Rahim Sharafi: IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II of 31st TFS from Shahid Nojeh Tactical Air Base (TAB-3) – Hamedan.

File photo by Babak Taghvaee: IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B (9-12B), serial 3-6133 of 11th TFS from Shahid Lashkari Tactical Air Base (TAB-1) – Tehran.

File photo by MohammadReza Izadi: IRIAF F-14A Tomcats of 81st/82nd TFS from Shahid Babei Tactical Air Base (TAB-8) – Isfahan.

Photo emerging 21NOV15 of errant RuAF Kh-101 ALCM that landed in Shush County, Khuzestan

Iran's Air Force escorts Russian strategic aviation during airstrike against ISIL

2015-11-20T22:34:00.001-05:00

Social media video emerged 20NOV15 depicting Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) F-14A and F-4E combat aircraft rendering allied fighter escort for Russian Air Force (RuAF) strategic aviation over Iranian airspace. The Russian video depicts RuAF strategic aviation comprised of Tu-22M3 “Blinder’, Tu-95MS “Bear” and Tu-160 “Blackjack" combat aircraft. Video stills and complete video provided below:

IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighter accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform over Iranian airspace.

Detail of IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighter, as filmed by RuAF crewman while traversing Iranian airspace.

IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform over Iranian airspace.

What appears to be an IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E fighter-bomber accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform, emerging in Russian cameraman's LOS immediately following the drop-launch of ALCM. Next ALCM is now visible on rotated launcher.

COMMENTARY: IRIAF can now claim to have participated in the war against ISIL on two theaters: the Iraqi theater and now the Syrian theaters of war.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet Iranian Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 23NOV15 in Tehran.

COMPLETE VIDEO:

UNSC unanimously adopts French-proposed resolution against ISIL

2015-11-20T21:52:00.000-05:00

File photo: United Nations Security Council in session [photo: UN.org]

According to the UN News Centre, dated 20NOV15:

The United Nations Security Council this evening called on all countries that can do so to take the war on terrorism to Islamic State-controlled territory in Syria and Iraq and destroy its safe haven, warning that the group intends to mount further terror attacks like those that devastated Paris and Beirut last week.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body declared the group’s terrorist attacks abroad “a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security” following the “horrifying terrorist attacks” it perpetrated recently in Sousse (Tunisia), Ankara (Turkey), over Sinai (Egypt) with the downing of a Russian plane, and in Beirut and Paris.

It warned that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), or Da’esh as it is also known, “has the capability and intention to carry out” further strikes and called upon “Member States that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures, in compliance with international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law” on its territory.

Condemning “in the strongest terms” ISIL and other terrorist groups in the region such Al-Nusrah Front, the Council Member States “to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria.”

It called on Member States to intensify efforts to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters to Iraq and Syria and to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, and reaffirmed that those responsible for terrorist acts, violations of international humanitarian law or violations or abuses of human rights must be held accountable.

COMMENTARY: The full text of the resolution hadn't been uploaded by the UN at the time of this posting but it appears the the government of the Syrian Arab Republic was not condemned in the resolution, which is significant. According to Russia Today, dated 20NOV15:

Syria’s UN Ambassador, Bashar Ja’afari, hinted prior to Friday’s vote that this resolution was long overdue. “Welcome to everybody who finally woke up and joined the club of combating terrorists.”

Meanwhile, Russia is continuing its work on a draft resolution proposing international military campaigns to fight against Islamic State. The current text is an updated version of a document submitted on September 30.

Previously on 19NOV15 the UNGA human rights committee Thursday adopted a Saudi-proposed resolution condemning certain foreign interventions in Syria

According to Reuters, dated 19NOV15:

The U.N. General Assembly’s human rights committee Thursday adopted a Saudi-drafted resolution condemning Iranian and Russian intervention in Syria, a decision that the Syrian and Iranian delegations rejected as unhelpful and unjustified. The nonbinding resolution, authored by Saudi Arabia and sponsored by Qatar and other Arab nations, the United States and other Western powers, passed by the 193-nation assembly’s third committee.

There were 115 votes in favor, 15 against and 51 abstentions.

Without explicitly naming Russia, it said the General Assembly “strongly condemns all attacks against the Syrian moderate opposition and calls for their immediate cessation, given that such attacks benefit so-called ISIS and other terrorist groups, such as Al-Nusra Front.”

The resolution’s language is clearly aimed at Russia, which has been bombing opposition forces in Syria for two months. Moscow says it is attacking ISIS but Western officials say they have targeted other rebel forces and Western-backed groups.

The resolution also condemned the presence in Syria of “all foreign terrorist fighters ... and foreign forces fighting on behalf of the Syrian regime, particularly the Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [of Iran] and other groups such as Hezbollah.”

[…]

The resolution demands foreign militias leave Syria immediately.

It also blasts ISIS and other Islamist militant groups for rights abuses and atrocities.

But most of the criticism in the resolution is aimed at the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, whom Western and many Arab nations would like to see ousted.

COMMENTARY: Predictably, the Syrians and Iranians rejected the resolution. The Iranian response was put forward by Iran’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gholam Hossein Dehqani. According to PressTV, dated 20NOV15:

Dehqani warned of the “adverse consequences” of the resolution on the UN reputation and said Iranian military forces are present in Syria upon an official request by the Syrian government to provide consultations to the war-hit country.

“Therefore, the adoption of such a text is a violation of international regulations and a breach of governments’ right to establish peace in their own territory,” the Iranian envoy pointed out.

He said such claims are aimed at taking revenge against forces that have so far played the most effective role in the battle against terrorism and extremism, adding that Daesh terrorists would have overran more areas in the Middle East in the absence of such forces.

The Iranian diplomat once again reiterated that the resolution would act as an award for extremists and terrorists as well as all those who use financial and logistical resources to spread extremist and terrorist ideologies.

The Syrian response was put forward by Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari. According to Reuters, dated 19NOV15:

Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari rejected the resolution and accused its Saudi authors of hypocrisy about what he said are widespread human rights in the kingdom. He referred to "decapitation and flogging in public squares," saying they were like abuses of Islamic State.

He accused the Saudis, along with Qatar and Turkey, of supporting what he said were terrorists in Syria.

The delegates of Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia rejected the charges.

Russia sells Su-35 to China, seeks Superjet 100 sales to Iran

2015-11-20T01:46:00.000-05:00

Sukhoi Su-35BM "Flanker-E" "901 Black" with Sukhoi SSJ-100-95B Superjet 100 (RRJ-95B)

[Photo: Kulverstukas]

According to Reuters, dated 19NOV15:

China will buy 24 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia in a deal worth more than $2 billion, an industry source told Reuters on Thursday…

[…]

The deal makes China the first foreign buyer of the Su-35, one of Russia's most advanced military aircraft, and is one of the largest contracts for military jets ever signed between the two countries.

[…]

A delegation representing China's military and aerospace industry also held talks with Russian state-owned aircraft engine manufacturer United Engine Corp this week on the possible joint development and production of military engines.

This included the AL-41F-1S engine that powers the Su-35, United Engine Corp said in a statement.

COMMENTARY: This sale provides a boost to Russia's JSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

While the sale had been in the works for some time now, still it can be said the Russian intervention in Syria serves Russian arms manufacturers with an effective marketing tool being generated in the form of publicity on mainstream media outlets covering the war.

KnAAPO production facility for Sukhoi Superjet 100 - Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 (RA-89001) at Dzemgi Airport (UHKD)

[photo: Wikipedia]

According to PressTV, dated 19NOV15:

Russian officials say the country is negotiating with Iran over the local production of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ 100) airliner to replace the ageing Iranian fleet on regional routes.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin says Moscow may deliver a large batch of SSJ 100 planes – described as the country’s most modern commercial jets – to Iran before 2020.

Rogozin told the Russian media that the batch could comprise about 100 planes.

The planes can be in part be localized by Iranian producers if Tehran makes the political decision to purchase ready-made aircraft, he told Rossiya 24 TV during a two-day trip to Iran.

[…]

Sukhoi Superjet 100 is Russia’s newest twin-engine regional passenger aircraft which began operating commercially in 2011. More than 60 aircraft are in service with airlines in Laos, Mexico, and Russia.

Last month, France-KLM's CityJet signed a deal with Sukhoi to purchase 15 SSJ 100 planes worth over $1 billion. Sukhoi has also sold three SSJ 100s to Thailand and one to Kazakhstan.

COMMENTARY: It must be stated the favorite in the sale of this class of aircraft has to be the Airbus A320 series, for it's no secret the Iranians perceive the prize of the nuclear agreement in the form of renewed access to purchasing European hi-tech products such as commercial aircraft. President Rouhani even alluded to this, prior to his trip to Paris being postponed due to the national emergency currently gripping France.

Very unfortunate that the Boeing 737 series will likely be ineligible for Iranian purchase due to American domestic politics, and the history of U.S.-enforced sanctions directed againstg Iran's commercial airline industry.

Were the Iranians to purchase the Sukhoi Superjet 100, this would provide yet another boost to Russia's Russia's JSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

UN Special Envoy for Yemen & Russian Deputy PM in Tehran

2015-11-19T01:52:00.000-05:00

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed (L) with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) on 18NOV15 in Tehran.

The UN Special Envoy is in Tehran for talks on the latest developments in Yemen. He is visiting Iran following his trips to Saudi Arabia and Oman.

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed with IIranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian (R1).

Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri (L) with Dmitryi Olegovich Rogozin (R), Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, on 18NOV15 in Tehran.

Rogozin's portfolio includes the Russian aerospace industry, shipbuilding, maritime operations, prevention and elimination of emergency situations, and the defense manufacturing sector.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitryi Olegovich Rogozin (L) with Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Iran, on 18NOV15 in Tehran.

Upon the Russian Deputy Prime Minister's return to Moscow, it was reported by Tass the following:

Russia will be ready to go over to the partial localization of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 production in Iran, if Tehran takes a decision on purchasing ready-made aircraft, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin who has completed a two-day visit to Iran told the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

and...

Iran and Russia have reached agreement on expanding cooperation in space research, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told TASS on Wednesday upon the end of talks with the Iranian Vice President in charge of science and technologies, Sorena Sattari.

COMMENTARY: The Russians are interested in providing Iranian commercial applications with GLONASS system, as well as providing satellite launch services.

NEZAJA 'Muhammad Rasulullah 3' military exercise

2015-11-18T02:59:00.000-05:00

Iran media imager depicting NEZAJA 'Muhammad Rasulullah 3' ("Muhammad the Messenger of God 3") military exercise involving 177th Independent Infantry Brigade and 38th Independent Armored Brigade, taking place 17NOV15 at Iran's eastern city of Torbat-e Jam in Khorasan Razavi Province:

Main armament of NEZAJA T-72 type main battle tank

NEZAJA 2nd lieutenant (L) and 2nd warrant officer (R) atop T-72 main battle tank turret

NEZAJA T-72 type main battle tank firing main armament

NEZAJA T-72 type main battle tank alomngside technical equipped with ZU-23-2 autocannon

IRIAF Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighter-bombers of 141st TFS from Mashhad/Shahid Hashemi Nejad TFB-14

IRIAF Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighter-bomber of 141st TFS from Mashhad/Shahid Hashemi Nejad TFB-14

IRIAA Bell AH-1J International Cobra (209), serial 3-4437 (cn 26637) of Attack Squadron from 5th Support & Assault Group.

IRIAA Bell (Agusta) AB-206B JetRanger II of Reconnaissance Squadron from 5th Support & Assault Group

Ghods Mohajer (“Migrant”) type reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

NEZAJA ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon

NEZAJA soldier equipped with RPG-7, with 2nd sergeant (R) looking on

NEZAJA corporal equipped with Iranian-manufactured G3-A3 battle rifle

NEZAJA soldier equipped with SPG-9 Kopye (“Spear”) 73 millimeter calibre recoilless gun

NEZAJA soldiers handling 73 mm round for SPG-9 recoilless gun

NEZAJA soldiers with machine gun belts, within infantry trench

NEZAJA marksmen equipped with Iranian-manufactured G3-A3 battle rifle fitted with telescopic sights

NEZAJA soldiers equipped with infantry mortar

NEZAJA soldiers equipped with DShKM type 12.7 mm heavy machine gun

Prepared position for recoilless guns, machine guns and hull-down technical

Simulated bombardment near road-bound NEZAJA BTR-60 armored personnel carriers

Foreground: NEZAJA Commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Reza Pourdastan

VIDEO:

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency and Mostafa Abbasi at Fars News Agency

Russia Deploys Long-Range Bombers to Syria

2015-11-17T13:38:00.000-05:00

The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video of its strategic bombers conducting their first airstrikes in Syria on Tuesday. RT reports that groups of Tupolev Tu-95 (Bear), Tu-22 (Blinder) and Tu-160 (Blackjack) long-range bombers took off from Russian airfields and returned to base after striking their targets in Syria. Russia also launched cruise missiles against the targets.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that the involvement of its fleet of 25 strategic bombers will allow Moscow to double the number of airstrikes in Syria. Up to now, the sorties were carried out by Sukhoi Su-25, Su-24 and the new Su-34. (RT, 17 Novemver)

Photo credit: Russian Tu-160 bombers (Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters)

Syria Ceasefire Could Happen within Weeks – Kerry

2015-11-17T11:30:00.000-05:00

Secretary of State John Kerry said today in Paris that a ceasefire between Syrian government and opposition could be just weeks away from reality. He told reporters that the ceasefire envisioned by the political process agreed upon in Vienna on Saturday would exponentially help efforts to fight the Islamic State.

“That’s a gigantic step,” Kerry said. “If we can get that done, that opens up the aperture for a whole bunch of things. We’re weeks away conceivably from the possibility of a big transition in Syria… We are not talking about months, we are talking about weeks hopefully.” (AP, 17 November)

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will host a meeting of Syrian opposition by mid-December, at which they are to agree on a delegation to send to talks with representatives from Assad’s government. Once those negotiations begin, a ceasefire is to take effect, according to the agreement reached in Syria talks in Vienna on Saturday.

Photo: Secretary of State John Kerry in Paris (Chesnot/Getty Images/AP)

Russia Confirms Bomb Brought Down Metrojet in Saini - UPDATE

2015-11-17T10:43:00.001-05:00

‘This Was a Terrorist Act’

Alexander Bortnikov, the head of FSB, Russia’s state security organization, said today that a homemade explosive device brought down the Metrojet 9268 over Saini Peninsula.

“According to our experts, a homemade explosive device equivalent to 1 kilogram of TNT went off onboard, which caused the plane to break up in the air, explaining why the fuselage was scattered over such a large territory. I can certainly say that this was a terrorist act,” Bortnikov said. (AP, 17 November)

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for downing the Russian plane in written statements, as well as video and audio messages posted on the Internet following the 31 October crash that killed all 224 people onboard. ISIL said the attack was retaliation against Russia’s air campaign the organization in Syria.

Meanwhile, Russian President Putin vowed to hunt down those responsible for the terrorist attack and punish them. Putin added that the air campaign in Syria “should not only be continued but should be intensified.” He instructed the Defense Ministry and General Staff to present their plans on how Russia’s operation in Syria could be modified.

“We will act in accordance to the UN Charter Article 51, which gives each country the right to self-defense,” Putin said. (AP, 17 November)

UPDATE: Russia conducted several strikes in Raqqa on Tuesday. Fox News quoting a defense official in the region said the strikes included cruise missiles and possibly long-range bombers. The assault on ISIL’s capital in Syria came hours after Russia confirmed that a bomb brought down a Russian passenger jet in Sinai. ISIL has taken responsibility for bringing down Metrojet 9268 on 31 October.

Photo credit: A Russian investigator walks near wreckage a day after Metrojet Airbus 321-200 bound for St. Petersburg, Russia, crashed in Saini Peninsula, Egypt. (Amr Nabil/AP)

Yemen Exiled President Returns to Aden

2015-11-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

Yemen’s exiled President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi today returned to Aden. Yemeni Foreign Minister Riad Yassin said President Hadi’s return is permanent. Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia in late March when the Houthis advanced on Aden. Since then, the UAE/Saudi-led pro-government forces have retaken major cities of Aden and Mareb and are closing in on Taez, where coalition warplanes hit Houthi positions in the city several times on Tuesday.

Photo credit: Yemen exiled President hadi arriving at Aden International Airport; Tuesday 17 November 2015 (Twitter/@yemen_updates)

Paris Attacks Update

2015-11-16T17:53:00.000-05:00

French authorities today identified two men they believe were responsible for planning and launching the terrorist attacks in Paris that left 129 people dead. Officials believe Salim Benghalem, a French national who joined ISIL several years ago, directed Abdelhamid Abaaoud, an ISIL activist and a Belgian national, to orchestrate Friday’s rampage. (NPR, 16 November)

Three teams of assailants, using automatic weapons and explosive suicide vests, targeted six sites across Paris, including the national stadium, a crowded concert hall and several restaurants. The Islamic State has taken responsibility for the terrorist attacks. And French President Francois Hollande said in a speech before both houses of Parliament that France was at war with ISIL.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Paris this afternoon in a show of solidarity with the French. Kerry is scheduled to meet with French officials.

Top photo: The Eiffel Tower illuminated in blue, white and red (Twitter)
Bottom photo: People gather in front of Paris City Hall, and throughout France, to hold a minute of silence; Monday 16 November 2015 (Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA/LANDOV/NPR)

Iran Begins Dismantling 10,000 Centrifuges

2015-11-16T14:46:00.001-05:00

Amid Growing Tensions in Iran over JCPOA and its Aftermath

The director of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali Akbar Salehi, said today in Tehran that the country has begun dismantling some 10,000 centrifuges in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. The nuclear agreement, JCPOA, requires Iran to dismantle most of its 19,000 centrifuges.

Salehi said some members of Iranian Majlis were concerned by the speed of process. But he added the quicker the centrifuges were disassembled the sooner sanctions will be lifted.

Meantime, tensions between the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, and the hardliners over the JCPOA and its aftermath are growing. Some hardliners opposed the accord as a submission to foreign powers, especially the United States. Many hardliners believe that Rouhani wants to parlay the nuclear accord into the start of new relations with the U.S. and an eventual normalization of relations between the two countries, a prospect strongly opposed by the hardliners who remain America’s bitter enemies.

The political struggle post-JCPOA has produced anti-U.S. rhetoric and a surge in arrests of the moderates, including journalists, by the IRGC Intelligence Organization, run by the hardliner Hossein Taeb, who reports directly to the supreme leader. The tensions between the moderates and hardliners are expected to grow even further as we approach the all-important elections for the Majlis and the Assembly of Experts, scheduled for late February.