Over the past few weeks, I have continued to monitor the ongoing tragedy in Iran, as illustrated by this simple grid (accompanied by a few headlines in Farsi, which I have translated).
As the economic depravity brought about by a corrupt, inept regime continues to consume Iran, there is also the utter destruction of Iran's Monuments. The utter disregard shown for the groundwater has been such that monuments near the Tomb of Cyrus are in danger of being consumed by the cracks in the ground. Villages around Isfahan have had to be evacuated. The former head of Iran's Environment Organization, Kalantari, noted that Isfahan is sitting on air because the groundwater has been destroyed.The tragedy of the death of Urimiyeh Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Middle East and the second-largest in the World, which has existed for over 7,000 years, also epitomizes the criminality that has prevailed. This is because the criminal thugs holding Iran hostage continue to insist on developing intercontinental ballistic missiles and enriching Uranium--the World will continue to apply sanctions.
As I was reflecting upon the realities, I could not believe my eyes when the clip came out about Shamkhani's daughter's luxurious wedding, as Shamkhani, Khameini's Senior Advisor (whose Son "Hector" has made billions off the sanctions as Iranians continue to suffer greatly). As the regime's henchmen continue to live lives of luxury and their children enjoy luxurious lives outside of Iran, Iranians continue to suffer power cuts and may potentially face a tripling of Gasoline prices. As this is not enough, there is talk by a Minister about shortages of gas — in a country that has the second-largest natural gas reserves in the World. It was also recently reported that the Capital, Tehran, (for which the Daily Outsider has a recent feature on why it is an unlivable city), only had six days of clean air in the past six months.
Recently, Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the Islamic Republic, asked during a visit to the South of Iran to imagine what the Islamic Republic would be like if it were no more. Iranians have lost over Three Trillion Dollars thanks to the criminal policies of the regime. As I reflected upon this, I know when I speak for many Iranians, when I tell the thugs, thieves, and murderers who have held Iran hostage to just leave, and Iranians will figure out a way to build Iran back better than before. I do remind myself that the Moon will never stay behind the clouds--but the clouds are yet to dissipate. As I close out these Month-End Random Thoughts with a Conversation Iranian Director Jafar Panahi Had With Martin Scorsese recently, I wonder if that day will come:
What has happened to Iran since the advent of the Islamic Republic, though, is simply tragic. This past week saw a $ 100 Million Building in London foreclosed to help pay for a judgment against Iran for breaching the so-called Crescent Contract, in addition to another 2.4 billion Euros at Malaysian banks. This is as Iran International had a panel discussion on how 120 Billion Dollars was spent to prop up the criminal regime of Bashar Assad--who's now basking in the Sun in Moscow. The new leader, Ahmad Al Shahrar, is discussing suing Iran for reparations. This is just the last 24 hours. In the meantime, the Economy is on the brink of total collapse as the value of the National Currency, the Rial, continues its downward spiral into the abyss.
What I find especially so infuriating is this image below I captured recently:
As I noted the irritations, I decided to feature this courtesy the Farhang Foundation about believing and how the message is simple: a better tomorrow is possible.
I close out these #RandomThoughts with this on the latest gimmick by the regime to move the Capital, Tehran, as they have presided over the utter collapse of Tehran: On moving the capital
This is also the third anniversary of the #WomanLifeFreedom Revolution in Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini at the hands of regime thugs in Iran. I created this grid in honor of it--and to remember a great Iranian I had the honor of writing about in my META Corner a few weeks ago, about embracing patriotism--and of course, a snapshot of the unfortunate reality and the future.
September is upon us, marking Labor Day Weekend, which signifies the unofficial end of summer. It has also been a very busy month at the Daily Outsider, as the work continues with moderation and curation of the web properties and social media platforms.
As we bid farewell to August, I want to take a moment to honor one of the greatest Iranians, Mohammad Ali Foroughi, by reflecting on his contributions as one of the key architects of modern Iran.
I had the pleasure of making a contribution in support of Ukraine with the images above.
As I write this, President Trump is slated to meet President Putin in Alaska. I have been a proud supporter of Ukraine, but will stay hopeful about the prospects for a Peace With Honor for Ukraine.
It is the dawn of a new month. I adopted the headline as a new month also begins at the Daily Outsider, and as I will stay hopeful in spite of the odds.
As I write this, Iran has pretty much shut down because the Regime cannot provide Water and Electricity while the onslaught of war lingers ever more. The Iranian Regime has not acknowledged any of its profound mistakes and continues to insist on Uranium Enrichment.
What is also of note is the Anniversary of the passing of Reza Shah the Great, the founder of the Pahlavi Dynasty that transformed Iran, and I released some perspectives courtesy the eminent Iranian Scholar Dr Abbas Milani and the eminent writer Faraj Sarkohi. Although they are in Farsi, the message is about a man who loved Iran and transformed Iran in every which way, including the building of the National Railway system, the creation of the modern Armed Forces, transforming Education, and cutting off the power of the Mullahs. I close out with a discourse on Iran International's "Chesmanzdaz (Perspective)" with a powerful discourse on the true realities of Iran right now. There was also a conference on Iran held in Munich hosted by Prince Reza Pahlavi, the former Crown Prince of Iran also featured here.
I will note this as I close out the thoughts: Iran, like the Phoenix, will rise again as it did after Alexander, after the Arabs and after the Russians--as the Russians undermine Iran at every turn:
I decided to release the following as some profound "food for thought" as I embrace the very challenge I decided to headline this mid-month #RandomThoughts and underscore a sense of hope in spite of the profound challenges before us.
I present the following #RandomThoughts on Iran : Dariush the Great's Prayer to Ahura Mazda (The Almighty) for Iran; Cyrus the Great's Declaration (the First Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and a snapshot of the influence by Iran over the past 2500 Years:
Will the war with Iran trigger an end to the era of the ayatollahs? Historian Abbas Milani, head of Iranian studies at Stanford University, is convinced it could. Itay Mashiach interview with Abbas Milani.
