Let's talk Iran - May 9, 2021

Defying a wave of repressive measure by Iran’s regime, retirees and pensioners took held protest rallies across the country on Sunday.

DOMESTIC

Iran: Retirees, pensioners, call for elections boycott in widespread protests

Defying a wave of repressive measure by the Iranian regime, retirees and pensioners of the Social Security Organization took to the streets and held protest rallies across Iran on Sunday. The regime's presidential election is scheduled for June 18. LINK

Iran’s Elections 2021: State-Run Media Admit Regime Is Engulfed in Crises

Iran’s sham presidential elections will be held on June 18. The regime’s factional feuding is escalating, fueled by the increasing people’s social and economic hardships. LINK

Heshmat Alavi @HeshmatAlavi

May 9—Tehran, #Iran Graduate teachers rally from across the country in the capital and outside the regime's Majlis (parliament), protesting the Education Ministry's refusal to employ them into schools. Protests by people from other walks are life are also reported. #IranProtests

Zarif’s Tape a Deadly and Painful Blow to Iran’s Government

The audio file leak of Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was such a blow for the entire system that even after a week it has its consequences and aftershocks. LINK

Official Report Says Iran's IRGC Companies Owe Tehran City Government $4 Billion

In a report to the Tehran City Council it was revealed that around $4 billion paid to entities belonging to the Revolutionary Guard have not been repaid to the city. LINK

TERRORISM

Heshmat Alavi @HeshmatAlavi

U.S. Navy seized a shipment of weapons from a "stateless dhow" in int'l water of North Arabian Sea on May 6-7 Note: -#Iran uses dhows to support for the Houthis in Yemen -U.S. State Dept. revoked Houthis' terror designation as an olive branch to Tehran

Arab Coalition intercepts Houthi drone targeting Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushait

The Arab Coalition intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen towards the city of Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. LINK

Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah join to incite terror against Israel - analysis

Iran is using tensions over Jerusalem as an excuse to lead other extremist groups in the region to push for terror attacks against Israel. LINK

Heshmat Alavi @HeshmatAlavi

#BREAKING Video circulating on social media of a reported explosion aboard a tanker off the coast of Baniyas, #Syria On April 24 a fire following a suspected drone attack on a tanker carrying Iranian oil off Baniyas left 3 dead. timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry…

Iraqi activist Ehab al-Wazni shot dead in Karbala's al-Haddad district

Unidentified gunmen (read Iran-backed militias) assassinated prominent Iraqi activist and member of October demonstrations coordination group, Ehab al-Wazni, on Saturday, in an armed attack in the al-Haddad area of Karbala. LINK

‘A dirty business’: how one drug is turning Syria into a narco-state

Reminder:

Iran's regime has been providing at least $15 billion/year to the regime in Syria, parallel to destroying the country by sending militias and weapons in support of Assad. LINK