Judge Orders Biden State Department to Turn Over Psaki Email Pertaining to Big Iran Lie
I have to hand it to groups like the ACLJ and Judicial Watch who keep ferreting out the lies and the dissembling of the Obama/Biden Administration, even years later. Talk about “she persisted.” They have persisted on behalf of all of us to try to get at the truth.
The ACLJ has managed to get at the truth in an old Obama administration lie and it’s coming back now to haunt Jen Psaki and the Biden team.
This is a real tale of a deceptive administration.
Back in February 2013, Fox’s James Rosen asked the State Department’s Victoria Nuland if the Obama Administration had been holding secret talks with Iran. Nuland denied it.
Rosen: There have been reports that intermittently, and outside of the formal P5+1 mechanisms, the Obama Administration, or members of it, have conducted direct secret bilateral talks with Iran. Is that true or false?”
“Nuland: We have made clear, as the Vice President did at Munich, that in the context of the larger P5+1 framework, we would be prepared to talk to Iran bilaterally. But with regard to the kind of thing that you’re talking about on a government-to-government level, no.”
That of course was a complete and utter lie as it was later revealed. They had actually been holding secret talks behind the scenes with Iran for some time.
So later in the year after it became obvious that that was in fact a lie and that they had been holding secret talks, Rosen asked then State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki about it.
QUESTION: Is it the policy of the State Department, where the preservation or the secrecy of secret negotiations is concerned, to lie in order to achieve that goal?
MS. PSAKI: James, I think there are times where diplomacy needs privacy in order to progress. This is a good example of that. . . .
So basically she was admitting that they’d lied. And it sure sounds like she’s indicating that they would lie to us again if they thought it merited it.
But it didn’t end there.
Fox then later discovered that exchange between Psaki and Rosen then mysteriously edited out from the video on the State Department’s official website and Youtube channel. Eight minutes including that part and other comments on the Iran Deal were replaced with a white-flash effect.
The Obama Administration initially denied it was deliberate, blaming it on a “glitch.” But they later were forced to admit that the very same day of the comments, a video editor got a call from a State Department official to eliminate that portion of the briefing from the video. But don’t worry, even though it was deliberately done and they lied about it being a glitch, they don’t lie, said John Kirby, by then the State Department spokesperson. Nor did they think it was important to figure out who ordered it to be edited because “there were no rules in place” about such things at the time. Oh.
But the ACLJ, through their FOIA efforts in the whole matter, were able to discover an email from Jen Psaki with information relevant to the lie about Iran and when the secret negotiations actually started. But it’s so redacted it’s hard to tell what it says. So the ACLJ is requesting an unreacted version. The Biden State Department is refusing to turn it over, claiming security reasons.
Now a federal judge has ordered that the Biden State Department has to turn it over to the court by March 12, 2021. The judge will view it in camera (meaning in private) to determine if in fact there is a security issue or the Biden State Department is just giving everyone gas.
Comment:Again we see the dismissive condescension from Biden’s, Press Secretary, Psaki – it’s on a need to know basis and we have determined that you (the public) don’t need to know.
This CCTV image shows the moment the South Korean-flagged oil tanker MT Hankuk Chem was captured by an Iranian Revolutionary Guards speedboat (in the red circle) in the Gulf’s Strait of Hormuz on Jan. 4, 2021, over the ship’s alleged oil pollution. The ship’s operator denied the allegations. (Yonhap)
Some time yesterday, Iranian naval forces boarded and seized the South Korean flagged Hankuk Chemi, a chemical tanker. The vessel, which was traveling from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, was carrying 20 crew members — five South Koreans, 11 Myanmarese, two Indonesians and two Vietnamese.
The official Iranian line is that the tanker was polluting Iranian waters, but the tankers operators deny this. Most international experts agree that the seizure is an attempt by the ayatollahs to pressure the ROK to release some $7 billion dollars being held by South Korea as part of the US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
This 2019 file photo shows the South Korean destroyer Choi Young. South Korea said on Jan. 5, 2021, that it is sending the anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit aboard the warship to waters near the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian naval forces seized a South Korean-flagged tanker, the MT Hankuk Chemi, for alleged environmental pollution in the Persian Gulf the previous day.
South Korea have deployed their elite anti-piracy units to the gulf region in response. “The Cheonghae Unit arrived in waters near the Hormuz Strait earlier in the day. It is carrying out missions to ensure the safety of our nationals,” ministry spokesperson Boo Seung-chan told a regular briefing. The ministry refused to give details, but officials stressed that the unit is not taking military actions for the release.
On the diplomatic front, the South Korean government summoned the Iranian ambassador and call for the immediate release of the tanker. It was announced earlier today that a delegation headed by Koh Kyung-sok, director-general of the ministry’s African and Middle Eastern affairs, was headed to Tehran to pursue a diplomatic solution to the seizure.
The Hankuk Chemi is an oil/chemical tanker laid down in 2000 by Fukuoka Shipbuilding, Fukuoka, Japan. She has a Gross tonnage of 9797 tons and a Deadweight of 17427 tons.
Main Pic: View of U.S. Embassy in Baghdad from across the Tigris River, 03 January 2020. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)
Over 20 rockets were reportedly fired toward the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq this past Sunday night. Damage to property in the compound is reported to be “minor” and no U.S. personnel sustained injury. Some U.S. reports say it was only eight small rockets that were launched toward our property while Mehr News Agency reports at least three Katyusha rockets landed near the compound. Embassy personnel activated the C-RAM defense system which successfully repelled the attack. Installed in the Baghdad compound earlier this year, the C-RAM system intercepts missiles in mid-air, eliminating same before they are able to reach their intended target.
Buildings and cars in residential areas of the heavily fortified Green Zone have suffered damage and there are reports of injured Iraqi citizens. It is unclear if this is the result of incoming missiles or fallout from the C-RAM defense system.
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad released the following statement via Twitter, 20 December 2020:
“The U.S. Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone resulted in the engagement of Embassy defensive systems. There was some minor damage on the Embassy compound but no injuries or casualties. We have received reports of damage to residential areas near the U.S. Embassy and possibly some injuries to innocent Iraqi civilians. As we have said many times these sorts of attacks on diplomatic facilities are a violation of international law and are a direct assault on the sovereignty of the Iraqi government. We call on all Iraqi political and governmental leaders to take steps to prevent such attacks and hold accountable those responsible.”
Attacks on the Embassy have re-emerged since President Trump announced 17 November 2020 that the U.S. would begin decreasing troop presence in Iraq, bringing 500 of the 3,000 warriors currently stationed in the region back home. The troop withdrawal announcement has given birth to fresh acts of terrorism against U.S. personnel and property located in Baghdad. Sunday’s rocket fire may be a continuation of this new wave of resistance. Or, it could be Iranian retaliation for past U.S. military actions.
January 3 marks the first anniversary of a successful U.S. operation that took the lives of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, founder of the Iranian-backed militia Kata’ib Hezbollah. The strike occurred just outside of Baghdad airport, sparking a wave of outrage and non-binding parliamentary action where Shi’ite Iraqi officials called for the expulsion of all foreign troops from Iraq. A few weeks ago, staffing at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was temporarily reduced in anticipation of potential retaliation for this January 2019 incident.
Per Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Iranian-backed militia groups are “the most serious impediment to helping Iraq return to peace and prosperity.” Pompeo issued the following statement on Sunday nights rocket strike via the official Secretary of State Twitter account:
“Iran-backed militias once again flagrantly and recklessly attacked in Baghdad, wounding Iraqi civilians. The people of Iraq deserve to have these attackers prosecuted. These violent and corrupt criminals must cease their destabilizing actions.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called the attack an act of terror, declaring that a number of suspects had already been arrested.
“Yesterday’s bombing of the Green Zone is a cowardly act of terrorism, and the missiles landed on Iraqis and wounded them, and we will not accept any attack on diplomatic missions,” he said.
The Iraqi military has blamed the attack on an “outlaw group” but has not named who that may be.
Militias and other resistance groups in Iran are denying their involvement, which is the general modus operandi when civilian casualties are involved. Kata’ib Hezbollah has been the most vocal in denouncing the attack, including the usual anti-American hate.
“Shelling of the embassy of Satan [U.S. Embassy] in current circumstances is an uncontrolled and undisciplined behavior and the competent authorities should prosecute the perpetrators of this attack.”
Their statement also condemns U.S. use of the C-RAM system, saying such “arbitrary measures” endanger civilian safety.
The Iranian’s official stance is that 23 rockets were fired at the U.S. Embassy complex, damaging buildings belonging to the U.S. Embassy as well as Iraqi civilian property. Spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh, shared his perspective on the attack during his weekly press conference on Monday:
“But the kind and timing of this attack [on the U.S. embassy], as well as the statement issued by the U.S. secretary of state, show that [the attack] is very dubious. Its timing is dubious. And more importantly, it seems that as if they had already prepared a statement to publish. And I strongly condemn the remarks of the U.S. regime’s secretary of state, who is known for his lies and cheating, whether in his current capacity or in his previous capacity as the CIA director. Therefore, I firmly and strongly condemn the remarks by the U.S. secretary of state.”
Khatibzadeh expressed certainty that Iraqi officials would find the responsible party and warned the United States against escalating tensions or indulging in any other “warmongering” ways.
Everybody has something to say about this failed attempt to destroy U.S. property and lives, some are more interesting than are some others. Yesterday, Capt. Bill Urban, Spokesman for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released a formal statement regarding Sunday’s attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. CENTCOM oversees troops in the Middle East and Asia.
“The Dec. 20, 2020 rocket attack on the green zone in Iraq was almost certainly conducted by an Iranian-backed Rogue Militia Group. While this 21 rocket attack caused no U.S. injuries or casualties, the attack did damage buildings in the U.S. Embassy compound, and was clearly NOT intended to avoid casualties.
These groups are Iranian-backed because Iran provides both material support and direction. They are rogue because they are actually acting on behalf of Iranian interests and direction in a direct betrayal of Iraqi sovereignty. It is important for the people of Iraq to understand that past attacks by the Iranian-backed Rogue Militia Groups have killed more Iraqi civilians and members of the Iraqi Security Forces than they have killed Americans. The United States will hold Iran accountable for the deaths of any Americans that result from the work of these Iranian-backed Rogue Militia Groups.”
The United States demonstrated there is some serious walk behind that serious talk. Three days ago, nuclear-power Ohio-class submarine the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) escorted by two Ticonderoga-class guided-missile carriers – the USS Port Royal (CG 73) and the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) – crossed through the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Arabian Gulf. The United States Navy did something surprising by publicly announcing the maneuver, also sharing some capability details about the Fleet. USN rarely talks about what submarines are up to, where they may be or where they may be headed. Openly sailing the Georgia into the Arabian Gulf is, indeed, a clear message. USN announcement:
USS Georgia Transits Strait of Hormuz 21 December 2020 From Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain – The nuclear-power Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) along with the guided-missile cruisers USS Port Royal (CG 73) and USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) transited the Strait of Hormuz entering the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 21.
Georgia’s presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s ability to sail and operate wherever international law allows.
STRAIT OF HORMUZ (Dec 21, 2020) The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) transits with the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) and USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), not shown, in the Strait of Hormuz, Dec. 21, 2020. Phillipine Sea is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and the three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce. (U.S. Navy photo my Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Indra Beaufort)
“As an inherently flexible maneuver force, capable of supporting routine and contingency operations, Georgia’s presence demonstrates the United States’ commitment to regional partners and maritime security with a full spectrum of capabilities to remain ready to defend against any threat at any time.
SSGNs are one of the most versatile platforms in the fleet, equipped with superior communications capabilities and the ability to carry up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles. The platform can also be configured to host up to 66 Special Operations Forces.
The 5th Fleet AOO encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three chokepoints, critical to the free flow of global commerce.”
With all of the election hullabaloo, it can be easy to forget for a moment about our long time enemies in the Middle East. They don’t forget about us and will seize upon the slightest hint of national fracture or weakness to shove a wedge in, furthering the divide. Seems as though the real warmongers, the terrorists of an Islamic extremist variety, have overlooked one important fact when launching this most recent round of evil games, Donald Trump is still the President. And, using the official President of the United States Twitter account, the President of the United States of America has responded to this attack on our Embassy in Baghdad:
“Our embassy in Baghdad got hit Sunday by several rockets. Three rockets failed to launch. Guess where they were from: IRAN. Now we hear chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq …
… Some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over.”
Pic on President Trumps tweet about bombing of U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
Peace on Earth, Good will toward all of God’s children. God’s children. Ta Hades with Allah’s angry bastids. They do nothing but cause trouble.
It’s beginning to look like the last quarter of 2020 is not a good time to be a senior member of the Islamo-facist regime in Tehran.
Muslim Shahdan, a senior leader in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps got taken out in a drone strike near the Iraqi/Syrian Border late Saturday/early Sunday. This comes days after the killing of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
Shandan was traveling in a convoy delivering weapons and munitions into Syria when his vehicle was targeted by a drone.
“Iraqi security sources told Saudi-based al-Arabiya News that a drone killed Muslim Shahdan, a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in a targeted strike on his car,” The Times of Israel reported. “The reports did not say who was behind the strike”.
I mentioned here that I thought some scores would be settled before the Biden camp takes over. Looks like I was correct. There will be more, and I expect some Hezbollah and Hamas heads to roll.
President Trump said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would alert the UN Security Council about the United States’ decision to reimpose sanctions against Iran at a press conference Wednesday.
“Today, I am directing the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to notify the UN Security Council that the United States intends to restore virtually all of the previously suspended United Nations sanctions on Iran,” Trump said during the press conference. “It’s a snapback. Not uncommon.”
"Today, I am directing the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to notify the UN Security Council that the United States intends to restore virtually all of the previously suspended United Nations sanctions on Iran." pic.twitter.com/REA8WKMLod
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) August 19, 2020
“Two years ago I withdrew the United States from the disastrous Iran Nuclear Deal, which was a product of the Obama-Biden foreign policy failure, a failure like few people have seen in terms of the amount of money we’ve paid for absolutely nothing in a short-term deal,” the president explained. “This deal funneled tens of billions of dollars to Iran – $150 billion to be exact – plus $1.8 billion in cash, which I don’t know that the president had the authority to do, but gave $1.8 billion in cash. Just another great deal that turned out to be a total disaster.”
Under the “snapback” process outlined in the 2015 nuclear deal, once the US submits its complaint, the council has 30 days to vote on a resolution to continue Iran’s sanctions relief, a move the US could then veto. If a resolution is not adopted, UN sanctions that were eased in return for constraints on Iran’s nuclear program would be snapped back into place, killing the Iran nuclear deal.
There’s an environmental disaster in the making off the coast of Yemen. A derelict 1180′ oil tanker, with 1.1 million barrels of crude oil aboard, has been left to decay since the start of the Yemeni civil war. The SFO Safer, moored off of Houthi rebel controlled land, hasn’t been maintained for over five years, causing damage to the pipelines and increasing the risk of sinking. Rust has covered parts of the tanker, and the inert gas that prevents the tanks from gathering inflammable gases has leaked out. The tanker is moored near one of the richest fishing grounds in the region. Any leaks could put that fishery at risk.
Staying in the Middle East, Iran is in the middle of an outbreak of unexplained fires and explosions. The latest is a fire at a shipyard in Bushehr, in southern Iran. Over the last several weeks, explosions at a nuclear enrichment complex, a missile production factory, and a gas pipeline in an apartment building in Tehran have raised eyebrows. These mysterious incidents occur as Iranians are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the theocratic regime in Tehran.
An Appeals Court has temporarily blocked enforcement of a lower courts ruling about the Dakota Access Pipeline. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg made the initial move to halt the DAPL, ordering the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in March to complete an Environmental Impact Statement on the pipeline, which could take upward of 13 months to complete. The order from Boasberg would have required Energy Transfer, the company behind the project, to completely drain the pipeline while the EIS was completed.
See also: Here’s what’s problematic. . .
Moderna, one of several companies working on a vaccine for the WuFlu, has reported better than expected results for the phase one trials of it’s candidate. The participants were split into three groups of 15 to test doses of 25 micrograms, 100 micrograms and 250 micrograms. They were given a second dose of the same amount 28 days later. After the first round, antibody levels were found to be higher with higher doses. After the second round, participants had higher levels of antibodies than most patients who have had Covid-19 and gone on to generate their own antibodies.
Dr. Ronny Jackson won a Republican primary run-off race Tuesday night. If that name sounds familiar it is because he is a former White House physician who served at the White House from 2006 to 2018. He served as the president’s physician from 2013 to 2018. He is a retired United States Navy rear admiral. Now he lives in Texas’ 13th District and very likely headed to serving as a member of the House of Representatives in the seat now occupied by retiring Rep. Mac Thornberry.
Congratulations to @RonnyJackson4TX on a big win against a tough and really good opponent. Ronny will be a fantastic Congressman – Will represent the wonderful people of the Great State of Texas, and the USA, very well. Proud of you Ronny!!!
As has been usual, I’m going to wrap up with some site news. First, remember to mash that bell, bookmark the site and follow on Disqus. That way you can keep up with all the new, original content here. If you’re on the tag list and want off, or not on the tag list and want on let us know in the comments. But once again, we don’t plan on tagging for long.
Next, if you’re on the Twitter, consider giving the site account a follow. We’re @Milvetsandpatr2 there.
— Milvets and Patriots (@Milvetsandpatr2) July 15, 2020
Got a story idea, tip or suggestions for the site? You can send it to us via our contact page.
Finally, if you want to contribute content to the site, and we’re always looking for new authors, reach out to Rogue Unicorn or myself, we’ll get you set up and get you going.
Today’s featured image is of Oneida lake at sunset, taken from Verona Beach state park.
I have to wonder what is going on with the Trump campaign. Every poll I’ve seen shows Trump trailing Plugs by a considerable margin. My take? The campaign lacks a coherent direction. For every positive step forward, there seems to be a step or two backwards. For historical perspective, this was the position his campaign found itself in 2016. What happened to change it? He brought in Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway to run everything. Perhaps it’s time for a shake up.
Heres a quick update on the Bonhomme Richard, direct from the Navy:
As of 3:30 p.m. Pacific time July 13, firefighting teams continue operations on board @LHD6BHR. 59 personnel, 36 @USNavy Sailors and 23 civilians, have been treated for minor injuries including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. Currently, there are no personnel hospitalized. pic.twitter.com/P8SLgEJEyQ
— Naval Surface Forces (@SurfaceWarriors) July 13, 2020
I hate to sound ableist, but that’s the most retarded thing I’ve ever heard. New York had 33,000 (and counting) covid19 deaths, more than 6,000 in nursing homes and seeded the rest of the goddamned country. In what world is that to be praised? Then again, Jarrett thought the Iranians would abide by the JCPOA.
Speaking of Iran, they seem to be experiencing some accidents of late. The latest happening yesterday at liquid gas plant in the Kavian Fariman industrial zone, south of the city of Masshad. This comes on the heels of explosions at a pair of suspected nuclear sites.
I’d like to take a minute and thank the team here at milvetsandpatriots.com for all their hard work and dedication. Paul Evancoe, White Knight Leo, AuntiE, Mr Wizard, Walt Mow, Chance, and most of all my partner in crime Rogue Unicorn. Without all of you, this place wouldn’t be what it is. Join me in a big round of applause and a hearty Huzzah!
The bigmouther, Senator from Hawaii is at it again. Mazie Hirono, in a televised interview, called Trump supporters white supremacists.
never forget, this is what the Democrats think of millions of Americans. https://t.co/y2T8v5mPIz
I, for one, have had it up to here with politicians saying shite like that, and not getting called on it. I suppose representing a state where there’s zero chance of being voted out has its perks. . . .
Tomorrow is the Alabama GOP Senate run-off. It pits former Alabama senator and Attorney General Jeff I have to recuse myself Sessions and former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville led Sessions by 13,000 votes in the regular primary, but Alabama rules state a run-off is necessary. Whoever wins is expected to beat Doug Jones , the Dem who beat Roy Moore for Sessions old seat.
A few more site notes. If you like what you see here, give the bell a mash. We don’t plan on tagging for much longer. If you’re on one of the platforms we don’t have notifications for, bookmark the site, and check us regularly. We strive to bring you the best new and original content.
If you have any suggestions about the site, let us know in the comments.
We’re always on the lookout for new content, and if you want to write for us, let either me or Rogue Unicorn know, we’ll get you set up to do so. You can send tips and content ideas to admin@milvetsandpatriots.com or simply send them to us via the Contact page.
The plot thickened on Thursday afternoon hours after a building at a nuclear facility looked to have blown up in Iran. Reports of a “explosive device planted,” and an early warning, as well as a dissident group taking responsibility now adds to questions and concerns about what happened at the sensitive site.The building affected by some kind of an explosion is located at the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran had alerted the world to the incident in the morning of July 2 and even took state media for a tour to show that while there had been some kind of incident, the nuclear facility was not in danger. It is the third mysterious explosion in a week and has led to many questions.The New York Times reported that “a Middle Eastern intelligence official…said the blast was caused by an explosive device planted inside the facility. The explosion, he said, destroyed much of the above ground parts of the facility.”This is important because it was allegedly the above ground portion of a larger area where new centrifuges are “balanced before they are put into operations.” Iran is known for building underground facilities that obscure or protect their activities, including at missile and nuclear sites.It now looks increasingly likely the incident was deliberate, an attack of act of sabotage. Adding to the question of how this happened, a group called the “Homeland Panthers” claimed responsibility, according to emails allegedly sent to BBC Persian. The emails arrived “hours before any news of the incident had emerged,” according to Radio Farda. The emails however claimed something more complex. They asserted there was an attack and then a cover up. They wanted to blow the lid on the cover up.When did the attack happen?Around two in the morning on July 2. It was not widely reported in Iranian media until some eight hours later. IRIB News gave a tour of the area that was burned in the afternoon. The Associated Press noted that the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has data from a satellite tracking fires that shows a fire at around 2 a.m. This corresponds with someone on the ground who allegedly heard an explosion.
IRIB is now broadcasting footage of the spokesman of #Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization giving a tour of the wreckage from the incident at #Natanz. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/zk9b6HK2zg
The Associated Press report quotes Fabian Hinz of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies as noting the fire took place at a new centrifuge production facility. David Albright of the Institute for Science and International Security agreed that the fire was at a new production facility. This would be a set back for Iran’s production. Hinz said it could delay the advancement of centrifuge technology.Iran may be hinting at threats to Israel now.An analysis piece at IRNA news said the “Zionist regime and the US” were crossing red lines. Natanz has been struck in the past. In 2010 workers found that high-speed centrifuges had been sabotaged by the Stuxnet computer worm. In November 2019 as Iran began to walk away from the Iran nuclear deal in response to the US also leaving the deal, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said it had doubled the number of advanced centrifuges at the site. Iran had previously agreed to install only 5,060 of the lesser efficient centrifuges it had at Natanz until 2026. An inspector of the site was also denied entry the same month. This means it was widely known last year that Iran was progressing with enrichment at Natanz. According to reports at the end of last year it had unveiled 30 IR-6 centrifuges and there were 60 of these spinning at Natanz at the time.
The incident at Natanz comes a week after an explosion at or near another suspected nuclear site, Parchin, just east of Tehran and a day after an explosion in a hospital in Tehran.
Who the “Homeland Panthers” are is unclear, as the MEK, who are the Kurdish resistance to the ayatollahs, denied any responsibility for the explosion at Natanz. Official Iranian state media are pointing to Israel as the culprit.
