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The leadership of Iran, engaged in a long shadow war with Israel on land, air and sea, did not try to conceal the pleasure it took in the most recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Over the 11 days of fighting this month, Tehran praised the damage being done to its enemy, and the state news media and conservative commentators highlighted Irans role in providing weaponry and military training to Palestinian militants in Gaza to hammer Israeli communities.

Iran has for decades supported Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza and whose own interests in battling Israel align with Irans. Experts say that over the years, Iran has provided Hamas with financial and political support, weapons and technology and training to build its own arsenal of advanced rockets that can reach deep into Israeli territory.

But in the assessment of Israeli intelligence, Hamas made its decisions independently of Iran in the latest conflict.

In the past year, Israel orchestrated a string of covert attacks on Iran, including the sabotaging of Irans nuclear facilities. While Irans leaders have made no secret of their desire to punish Israel for the wave of attacks, they have struggled to find an effective way to retaliate without risking an all-out war or derailing any chance for a revised nuclear accord with the United States and other world powers.

So the conservative factions in Iran that had been urging payback for the Israeli strikes seized on a chance to portray the thousands of rockets fired by the Gaza militants as revenge.

The Gaza war woke up Israel to the fact that war with Iran means Israel getting plowed, Gheis Ghoreishi, a political analyst who has advised Irans foreign ministry on Arab affairs, wrote on Twitter.

One analyst in Israel suggested that Irans leadership believes that the new military capabilities displayed by the militants in Gaza during the conflict, in both quantity and range of rockets, might make Israel think twice before launching its next covert strike.

Iran viewed the rocket attacks as re-establishing deterrence for further Israeli attacks on its soil, said Meir Javedanfar, a political analyst in Tel Aviv who teaches Iranian security studies at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel.

But Israels foreign ministry spokesman, Lior Haiat, said this month that he had no intelligence connecting Iran to a role in the recent crisis.

Iran does not reveal the details of how it arms Palestinian militants. But Mr. Ghoreishi said Tehran had provided Hamas and another smaller Palestinian militant group in Gaza, the Islamic Jihad, with blueprint technology and training for how to domestically build an arsenal of advanced rockets with a range to target all of Israels territory.

Fabian Hinz, an independent expert on Irans military, said Iran had in the past sent to Gaza key components of the rockets that were fired at Israel and taught Palestinians to become resourceful in securing raw material locally. Militants have learned from Iranian experts how to use water pipes and how to repurpose unexploded shells to build up their artillery, he said.

But analysts said smuggling Iranian-made weapons and rockets into Gaza was extremely difficult because of a strict land and sea blockade enforced by Israel. Iran was able to transfer military hardware and components for building rockets through underground tunnels connecting Gaza to Egypt for a brief time after the Arab Spring of 2011. But analysts said that the current Egyptian government had cracked down on the route.

While Irans hard-liners may have been eager for retribution, public opinion within the country is far from monolithic when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many do not see the Palestinian struggle as their fight and oppose the governments funneling millions of dollars to an array of proxy militant groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen that could be used to address urgent economic problems at home.

No to Gaza, no to Lebanon, my life for Iran has been a popular slogan chanted every time protests against the government arise.

Our own people are being crushed by inflation, sanctions and coronavirus, said Maryam, a 51-year-old who works in the hospitality business and did not want her last name published for fear of retaliation by the Iranian authorities. Why doesnt our government resolve the problems of Iranians instead of worrying about Palestinians?

The rockets that were fired into Israel killed 12 people and sowed terror across much of the country. But they also invited a devastating response from Israels vastly superior military, whose airstrikes killed scores of militants, destroyed 340 rocket launchers and caused the collapse of 60 miles of underground tunnels.

While the Israeli strikes may temporarily set back the military capability of Irans Gaza allies, Israels international standing does seem to be taking a beating with cracks in the once rock-solid support of Western allies.

Iran watched in dismay last year as four Arab countries the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco normalized ties with Israel and declared Iran the biggest threat to regional stability. In the months before the Gaza fighting, Tehran lobbied intensely to prevent other Arab countries from following suit.

Then Israels airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, according to Palestinian officials. The assault also displaced more than 77,000 civilians. The heavy toll, which outraged Arab public opinion, could dim the prospects of any more countries in the region normalizing relations with Israel anytime soon.

The wrecked civilian infrastructure in Gaza could also give Iran a chance to bolster its influence once again through aid for rebuilding efforts.

On Friday, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, commended Palestinians for their battle against Israel and said all Muslim nations must assist Palestinians with military development, with financial developments.

On the newly popular social-networking app Clubhouse, hundreds of Iranian conservatives and members of the hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps rejoiced when rockets from Gaza penetrated Israels Iron Dome defense system and hit civilian neighborhoods.

They celebrated the violent clashes erupting across Israeli cities between Jewish and Arab residents. And they felt that the Israeli strikes on Iran, including the assassinations of a top nuclear scientist and a leader of Al Qaeda, had been at least partly avenged.

It feels like we had rage stuck in our throats against Israel, especially after the assassinations. And with every rocket fired, we gave a collective, deep sigh of relief, said Mehdi Nejati, 43, an industrial project manager in Tehran who moderated a daily Clubhouse chat on developments in Gaza.

There was also much boasting on social media about Irans role in enabling militants to amass more advanced rockets.

While Israel will have to continue to contend with Irans influence in Gaza going forward, Tehrans support for the militants there is just one of the many factors standing in the way of a longer-term peace, said Mr. Javedanfar, the political analyst.

Confronting Iran is only going to be part of the solution for Israels challenge in Gaza, he said. A bigger part of the challenge can be solved with smarter Israeli policies in Jerusalem.

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Iran, a Longtime Backer of Hamas, Cheers Attacks on Israel ...

An Iranian-flagged tanker seized by Indonesia in January over the suspected illegal transfer of oil has been released, an Indonesian official and Iranian state media said on Saturday.

Wisnu Pramandita, a spokesman for the Indonesian coastguard, said the Iranian-flagged tanker, the MT Horse, was released on Friday after a court decision earlier in the week.

The court ruled the vessel could leave Indonesia, while the captain would be subject to a two-year probation without any fine, the spokesman said.

Irans state broadcaster said the vessel had resumed its mission before returning home.

Jakarta has said it seized the MT Horse over the suspected illegal transfer of oil in Indonesian waters, while Iran's foreign ministry said the seizure was over "a technical issue and it happens in shipping field". read more

"The MT Horse, belonging to the National Iranian Tanker Company that had been detained in Indonesian waters since January 24, was released on Friday, said state broadcaster Seda va Sima. This vessel has now resumed its mission before returning to the countrys waters."

SHANA, the Iranian oil ministry news agency, quoted the tanker company as saying, "The MT crew, with their sacrifice and firm determination to pursue their mission, safeguarded Irans national interest in maintaining the export of its oil and petroleum products.

Tehran, under harsh U.S. sanctions that mainly target its oil exports, has been accused of concealing the destination of its oil sales by disabling tracking systems on its tankers.

Last year, it used the MT Horse to deliver 2.1 million barrels of condensate to fellow U.S.-sanctioned Venezuela.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

See more here:
Iranian tanker seized by Indonesia is released after 4 months - Reuters

BUCHAREST, May 27 (Reuters) -Iranian collectors are queuing to bid on anIranian-built luxury car given to the late communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1974 by the Shah ofIranto mark his election as president of the now-defunct Socialist Republic of Romania.

The Paykan Hillman Hunter, built from 1967 onwards, was the first car built by theIranian National Company, and became not only a landmark ofIranian industry but also a national icon.

"Interest is huge. We've received more than 100 offers," said Alina Panico, of the Artmark auction house in Bucharest.

"Romanian collectors of four-wheeled gems are present, but most of the bids come fromIranians who want to bring a national symbol from the 1970s back home."

The limousine version being auctioned on Thursday after 1530 GMT is completely roadworthy, with a top speed of 145 km/h (91 mph) and a 1.5 litre, four-cylinder in-line engine delivering 54 horsepower. The starting price is 4,000 euros ($4,900), but Panico said it was likely to fetch at least 10,000 euros ($12,200).

Hillman, originally based near the English Midlands city of Coventry, was one of the oldest and most prolific British car brands, and the marque continued to be used until 1976 by its then-owner, Chrysler.

After failed attempts to build Fiat models, theIranian National Company produced its first Paykan under licence from Hillman in 1967.

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi had visited Romania in 1966, beginning an era of commercial and diplomatic ties, and a friendship with Ceausescu.

The Romanian leader had come to power the previous year, and set about creating one of the most repressive regimes in Cold War-era Eastern Europe.

In 1989, as communism crumbled, he and his wife Elena fled mass protests in the capital but were quickly captured and shot by a hastily assembled firing squad.

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Police Investigate Videos Where Chinese Man Boasts Of Sex With Iranian Woman - Iran International

BUCHAREST, May 27 (Reuters) -Iranian collectors are queuing to bid on anIranian-built luxury car given to the late communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1974 by the Shah ofIranto mark his election as president of the now-defunct Socialist Republic of Romania.

The Paykan Hillman Hunter, built from 1967 onwards, was the first car built by theIranian National Company, and became not only a landmark ofIranian industry but also a national icon.

"Interest is huge. We've received more than 100 offers," said Alina Panico, of the Artmark auction house in Bucharest.

"Romanian collectors of four-wheeled gems are present, but most of the bids come fromIranians who want to bring a national symbol from the 1970s back home."

The limousine version being auctioned on Thursday after 1530 GMT is completely roadworthy, with a top speed of 145 km/h (91 mph) and a 1.5 litre, four-cylinder in-line engine delivering 54 horsepower. The starting price is 4,000 euros ($4,900), but Panico said it was likely to fetch at least 10,000 euros ($12,200).

Hillman, originally based near the English Midlands city of Coventry, was one of the oldest and most prolific British car brands, and the marque continued to be used until 1976 by its then-owner, Chrysler.

After failed attempts to build Fiat models, theIranian National Company produced its first Paykan under licence from Hillman in 1967.

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi had visited Romania in 1966, beginning an era of commercial and diplomatic ties, and a friendship with Ceausescu.

The Romanian leader had come to power the previous year, and set about creating one of the most repressive regimes in Cold War-era Eastern Europe.

In 1989, as communism crumbled, he and his wife Elena fled mass protests in the capital but were quickly captured and shot by a hastily assembled firing squad.

View post:
Former Iran Intel Minister Says His Outfit Was At The Disposal Of Soleimani - Iran International

Highlights

23-country oil producer bloc set to meet online June 1

OPEC+ delegates say the plan remains to ease quotas

Iran sanctions deal, Asia coronavirus hotspots bear watching

Oil prices are nearing $70/b again, western economies are humming from robust COVID-19 vaccine campaigns and the summer driving season is about to kick off prime conditions for OPEC and its allies to be sending more crude into the market.

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But coronavirus crises in Asia and the potentially imminent prospect of sanctions relief for Iran are sure to remain top of mind for the OPEC+ coalition, as it prepares to convene online June 1 to discuss production policy.

For now, delegates told S&P Global Platts that the 23-country alliance will press on with plans to relax output quotas over the next two months, until more clarity emerges over the fate of the Iran nuclear deal and the impact of coronavirus containment measures in India, Japan, Taiwan, and other hotspots.

OPEC+ countries, which held almost 7 million b/d of production offline in April, are in the process of boosting output by some 2.1 million b/d from May-July roughly 2% of pre-pandemic demand of which 1.4 million b/d will come from Saudi Arabia.

"It is premature to decide to delay any further easing of the production cuts while no agreement has yet been signed on the lifting of Iranian sanctions," one delegate said on condition of anonymity. "Compared to the previous month, the outlook for the short term is brighter, although uncertainties continue to weigh on oil demand."

Beyond July, however, production levels are yet to be determined. The supply accord between OPEC and its allies calls for quotas to be held steady from July to April 2022, although rapidly changing market conditions as the global economy continues to emerge from the pandemic make it likely to be adjusted, with OPEC and its allies now meeting almost every month.

Ministers will actually be convening twice in June a second meeting for OPEC members only is scheduled for June 24.

"The good part of the monthly OPEC+ meeting is giving opportunities to monitor the market closely," another delegate said. "The market is good but still can become fragile at any time."

The OPEC+ talks will be happening at the same time as US, Iranian, and European diplomats converge for another round of nuclear deal talks in Vienna.

Platts Analytics estimates that if a framework agreement can be reached in the coming weeks, before Iran's June 18 presidential election, sanctions relief for Iran could bring about 1.05 million b/d of Iranian crude supply into the market between May and December, potentially complicating OPEC+ efforts to prevent oil prices from backsliding.

Dated Brent, which Platts assessed at $65.68/b on the day of the last OPEC+ meeting April 27, has mostly wobbled in the upper $60s/b since hitting a two-year high of $70.30/b May 5.

But strong economic indicators from the US, UK, and other western economies, supported by fiscal stimulus measures, could help absorb the coming barrels as more cars hit the roads and industrial activity rebounds, offsetting any demand weakness from Asian countries hit hard by resurgent coronavirus infections.

Platts Analytics forecasts robust global oil demand growth of 5.1 million b/d in June and July, with supply still bullishly remaining 1.5 million b/d in deficit.

"The summer demand uplift appears to make our expected timing of Iran's return to market fortuitous for OPEC+ and market balances," Platts Analytics said in a May 28 note.

The OPEC+ deliberations will begin May 31 with a meeting of the delegate-level Joint Technical Committee to review supply-demand forecasts and assess member country compliance with quotas, which Platts calculated at 111% for April.

A nine-country Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and Russia is then scheduled to convene June 1, followed by the full OPEC+ meeting as soon as that ends.

Conformity levels have been enhanced over the past few months by an extra 1 million b/d cut that Saudi Arabia has implemented, papering over lackluster adherence by Russia, Kazakhstan, Iraq, and others. But with Saudi Arabia now dialing back its extra cut by 250,000 b/d in May, 350,000 b/d in June and 400,000 b/d in July, collective OPEC+ compliance levels could begin to drop below 100%, and pressure from the kingdom and other members on quota busters could grow.

Under the deal, countries that exceeded their caps have until September to make so-called compensation cuts of equivalent volume, although there is meager evidence of members making good on this requirement since it was instituted last year.

OPEC+ ministers also will be holding their meeting with the oil industry under a darkening environmental cloud, with ExxonMobil and Chevron shareholders rebuking the companies over their sustainability shortcomings and a court ordering Shell to slash its carbon emissions.

These actions came just after the International Energy Agency unveiled its roadmap to a net-zero world by 2050, which would require no new upstream oil and gas investments and significant declines in fossil fuel consumption.

OPEC has warned that advocacy around the IEA's roadmap could destabilize the oil market and lead to damaging price volatility, and ministers have been keen to defend their lifeblood industry while underscoring their commitment to clean energy.

Read more from the original source:
OPEC+ cheered by economy, but will monitor Iran talks as it meets to discuss oil cuts - S&P Global