American-Iranian nationals Siamak Namazi and Morad Tahbaz are embraced by relatives after their release by Iran, Doha International Airport, Qatar, September 18, 2023 (Mohammed Dabbous/Reuters)
UPDATE, SEPT 20:
I joined Dublin NewsTalk’s Pat Kenny Show on Tuesday for more analysis of the significance of the release of US-Iranian political prisoners from Iran, and of the obstacles to a renewed deal over Tehran’s nuclear program.
As long as the Revolutionary Guards and the Supreme Leader’s office take a tough line, we will go round and round about whether it’s the Americans’ fault with sanctions or whether Iran could be moving to military use with its nuclear capabilities.
We also touch upon the complication of Iran’s supply of Shahed “kamikaze” drones for Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.
Listen to Discussion from 1:51:37
ORIGINAL ENTRY, SEPT 19: On Monday, the US and Iran completed a deal in which Tehran freed five American-Iranian political prisoners. In return, charges were dropped in the US against five Iranians — only two of whom chose to return to Iran — and $6 billion of Iranian assets were released from South Korea.
Chatting with Beverley O’Connor of The World on Australia’s ABC News, I review the deal and Iran’s overriding motive — its difficult economic position.
I caution that the exchange is unlikely to be the start of a deal to renew the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. Instead, tensions are rising over Tehran’s blocking of inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
We have two Irans in play here. One is the Foreign Ministry, which says a deal might occur. The other is that of the Revolutionary Guards and the Supreme Leader’s office, who are still hesitant about any talks with the Americans.
Iran’s “Unprecedented” Barring of Nuclear Inspectors
And I also emphasize that the Iranian leadership should not be allowed to deflect from nationwide protests for rights, reforms, and gender equality, just over a year after Mahsa Amini — seized by “morality police” for “inappropriate attire” — died in police custody.
See also UPDATES: Iran Protests — The Anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s Death
Iranian Doctor Remembers Kurdistan’s Protest Crackdown Atrocities
https://iranwire.com/en/special-features/120798-iranian-doctor-remembers-kurdistans-protest-crackdown-atrocities/
[This comment tries to use The Grayzone, a site using disinformation and conspiracy theories to promote the lines of the Kremlin and Syria’s Assad regime as well as propaganda about Iran. It has been deleted.
Please find a reliable source for your point.]
You don’t need to speak or understand farsi, just watch….
https://www.radiofarda.com/a/32601731.html
Iranian Physician Who Treated Victims of Protest Crackdown Rearrested
https://iranwire.com/en/news/120773-iranian-physician-who-treated-victims-of-protest-crackdown-rearrested/
Iranian Women’s Year-Long ‘No’ To Hijab Changing Society
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202309212535
Special Report: The Islamic Republic’s Use of Blinding as a Weapon of War Against Protesters
https://iranwire.com/en/features/114739-special-report-the-islamic-republics-use-of-blinding-as-a-weapon-of-war-against-protesters/
Government Raises Bread Prices In Iran In Risky Move
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202309217242
The village idiot is excited about his newly invented identity
[Editor’s Note: There is no evidence that US military materiel has been “captured by the Russians and transferred to the Iranians and Chinese”.]
Iran’s Raisi: US taxpayers’ money is lining the pockets of the US Military Industrial Complex: https://en.irna.ir/news/85233891/Iran-s-Raisi-US-taxpayers-money-is-lining-the-pockets-of-the
The U.S has sent tens of billions of military aid to Ukraine, some of which has been captured by the Russians and transferred to the Iranians and Chinese.
Russia has been sending some US-provided weapons captured in Ukraine to Iran, sources say: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/10/politics/russia-iran-ukraine-weapons/index.html
“Over the last year, US, NATO and other Western officials have seen several instances of Russian forces seizing smaller, shoulder-fired weapons equipment including Javelin anti-tank and Stinger anti-aircraft systems that Ukrainian forces have at times been forced to leave behind on the battlefield, the sources told CNN. In many of those cases, Russia has then flown the equipment to Iran to dismantle and analyze, likely so the Iranian military can attempt to make their own version of the weapons, sources said.”
Also, Raisi accused of the U.S of not wanting a ceasefire and stated Iran was against the war in Ukraine and wants to mediate: https://www.newsweek.com/irans-raisi-says-hes-against-war-ukraine-ready-mediate-1827983
“We have two Irans in play here. One is the Foreign Ministry, which says a deal might occur. The other is that of the Revolutionary Guards and the Supreme Leader’s office, who are still hesitant about any talks with the Americans.”
Iran’s Khamenei says ‘nothing wrong’ with nuclear deal with West: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iran-s-khamenei-says-nothing-wrong-with-nuclear-deal-with-west/2919662
Mohsen Qeysari: Shot and Killed while Helping a Protester
https://iranwire.com/en/features/120725-mohsen-qeysari-shot-and-killed-while-helping-a-protester/
“Iran Frees 5 US Political Prisoners — But What’s Next?”
I don’t understand, which one or which part of these hostages were the “politcal” elements? Or is it now that taking people hostage is an accepted and normal part of political conversation? and that is how we refer to it?