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Iran Update, February 16, 2024

CENTCOM Deputy Commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper stated that Iran directly supports the Houthis’ attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea during an interview with CBS News on February 15.[56] Cooper stated that Iranian support has been “critical” for the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. Cooper also stated that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is “inside Yemen, and they are serving side by side with the Houthis, advising them and providing target information.” CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla separately told CBS News that the IRGC has continued supplying ”advanced conventional weapons to the Houthis. . . to undermine the safety of international shipping.”[57]

Other American officials and outlets have similarly detailed the IRGC’s direct involvement in the Houthi attacks in recent months. The US deputy national security adviser stated in December 2023 that the IRGC is helping Houthi forces plan and execute drone and missile attacks targeting ships.[58] The Wall Street Journal reported in December 2023 that the IRGC intelligence gathering ship Behshad, which is stationed in the Red Sea, provides the Houthi movement with real-time intelligence, enabling them to target ships that have gone silent.[59] US outlet Semafor reported on January 15 that the IRGC Quds Force placed drone and missile operators and trainers as well as intelligence personnel on the ground in Houthi-controlled Yemen to direct attacks and provide tactical intelligence support to the Houthis.[60] The US Treasury Department sanctioned the Houthi “procurement director” on January 25 for coordinating with the IRGC to smuggle Iranian-provided drones, missiles, and other weapons components into Yemen.[61]

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-february-16-2024

So the reality is that Iran is attacking commercial shipping from its base in Houthi-Land. I figured as much. Houthis are inbred morons who fall off their camels when they try to ride them.

Iranians are smart. So none of that traditional Moooslim inbreeding there. Most Iranians are not serious Mooooslims. To make Iran great again, they just need to kill all the top Ayatollahs and return to Persian Zoroastrianism.

Iran’s economy is controlled by so called foundations that are run by the top Ayatollahs extended families. These families are very wealthy parasites from skimming from Iran’s oil & gas businesses and other large industries. MEANING, these fat piggy Mullahs are not just in it for fake Muhammad and Islam. They are in it for the money,

The modest tiers in Iran such as shopkeepers, restaurants and bakeries, food stores are not under such Mullah ownership and control. They have a normal capitalism situation.

While it's not entirely accurate to say that foundations completely control Iran's economy, they do play a significant role, alongside other entities. Here's a breakdown:

Foundations:

Bonyads: These are charitable trusts with significant economic influence, estimated to control 20% of Iran's GDP. They operate in various sectors like manufacturing, trading, and real estate. Some are directly controlled by the Supreme Leader, like Setad and Astan Quds Razavi.
Lack of transparency: Their operations are often opaque, raising concerns about accountability and potential conflicts of interest.

Other players:

Government: The state holds a substantial portion of the economy through state-owned enterprises and banks.
Private sector: Despite restrictions, it exists and contributes to the economy, though facing challenges like access to financing.
Military: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also expanded its economic activities in various sectors, raising debates about its influence.

Complexity:

No single entity controls the entire economy. It's a complex picture with different actors vying for influence.
Estimates vary: Some sources like DW put the foundations' share at 80%, which is disputed.

Additional points:

International sanctions have impacted Iran's economy considerably.
There are ongoing debates about economic reforms and transparency.

I hope this clarifies the situation. Remember, the economic landscape in Iran is complex and subject to ongoing discussions.

Copilot

Iran’s economy indeed has some unique features, and one of them is the presence of large religious foundations called bonyads. These bonyads play a significant role in Iran’s economic landscape. Here are some key points:

Bonyads: These charitable trusts control an estimated 20% of Iran’s GDP and are second only to the oil industry in terms of manufacturing, trading, and real estate development within Iran ¹.
Budget Influence: The combined budgets of these bonyads represent more than 30% of central government spending². They wield considerable financial power and influence.
Transparency: Unlike many other sectors of Iran’s economy, the stock market provides a relatively transparent view. The Iran Privatization Organization has divested a significant portion of state-owned assets through the stock exchange. While evaluating the influence of important players like the Revolutionary Guards or the Supreme Leader within the stock exchange provides a conservative estimate, it still sheds light on Iran’s economic dynamics ³.

In summary, while the public sector, state-controlled religious foundations, and the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps are often named as key players in Iran’s economy, the reality is more nuanced. The quasi-governmental sector, including bonyads, also plays a crucial role in shaping Iran’s economic landscape ³.

Iran Update, February 17, 2024

The Houthi movement said that it launched anti-ship ballistic missiles targeting the Pollux, a Panamanian-flagged and registered and Danish-owned vessel, in the Red Sea on February 16 and 17.[18] US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the Houthis launched at least three anti-ship ballistic missiles at the Pollux. CENTCOM added that the attack did not damage the Pollux or any other ships in the area.[19]

CENTCOM conducted two preemptive strikes targeting one mobile anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) and one surface naval attack drone in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on February 16 and 17.[20] CENTCOM conducted the strikes after determining that the cruise missile and attack drone presented an “imminent threat” to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the Red Sea.

full report: https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-february-17-2024