Monday
Jul052010
The Latest from Iran (5 July): Talks and Conflicts
Monday, July 5, 2010 at 18:46
1800 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. An EA correspondent brings the news that Amir Aboutalebi, an advisor to Mir Hossein Mousavi, was released today. Aboutalebi was detained on 28 December in the post-Ashura wave of arrests.
1400 GMT: And now the approved set of male haircuts, courtesy of the Ministry of Islamic Guidance and Culture:
1350 GMT: Rafsanjani "I Heart Khamenei". Rumour: Supreme Leader and former President Hashemi Rafsanjani meet, strike deal for Ayatollah Khamenei to limit the universities crisis with Rafsanjani praising the Supreme Leader.
Fact: Rafsanjani in Khabar Online --- "Not a day goes by where my regard for Ayatollah Khamenei is less than the previous day".
1345 GMT: Make the Connection. Less than 48 hours after we noted that the brothers Arash and Kamiar Alaei, two doctors prominent in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in Iran, have entered their third year of detention, we find this: "Increase of Sexual Transmission of AIDS in the Country".
1340 GMT: Grounding Iran? We have posted a separate feature with developing news that sanctions may be grounding Iran Air flights.
0935 GMT: Warnings. Peyke Iran claims that 10 daily newspapers have been warned because they published member of Parliament Ali Motahari's critique of the Government's subsidy reduction plans.
And in the academic world, Minister of Science and Higher Education Kamran Daneshjoo has allegedly said that students "opposed to the system" do not have a right to work".
0930 GMT: Revolutionary Guard Takes Power? Rah-e-Sabz has a lengthy article claiming that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps is taking over Iran's energy sector.
0925 GMT: Parliament v. President. The Majlis Research Center has declared that 37% of the laws for Ahmadinejad's 5th Development Plan are "unclear".
0920 GMT: Where's Mahmoud? Remember, President Ahmadinejad is opening the new steel project in northwestern Iran (see 0745 GMT). Here's his dramatic annoucement:
"Sanctions won't hurt Iran."
0910 GMT: Press Un-Freedom. The Guardian of London features an interview with photojournalist Javad Moghimi, who took one of the iconic photographs of the 2009 protest, about the plight of journalists in Iran:
"He is going through hell," says Moghimi. "When I hear his news I get very upset and I get a lump in my throat, because ... I don't know what the future holds for news reporters and my friends in Iran.
"Their crime was to take photographs of the protesters and the demonstrations. If the Islamic Republic of Iran is able to arrest a photojournalist charged with activities against national security or taking photographs of the protesters, it is a joke to say we have freedom of speech, because there is no freedom as long as they arrest people for the crime of taking photos of demonstrations."
0900 GMT: Sanctions Front. Kazem Jalali, spokesperson for Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, has warned, "Although international circles are not impartial in dealing with lawsuits filed by nations, Iran reserves the right to lodge a complaint against the US for imposing unilateral sanctions.
Jalali and other Iranian officials are specifically mentioning Washington's ban on sales of aircraft fuel to Iran.
0800 GMT: The Battle Within. A series of reports on the conflict within the establishment....
Hojatoleslam Banaei claims that the distributors of flyers against Ali Larijani after Friday Prayers in Qom have been identified: "there is a current in the country, which doesn't want calmness to be established in society".
Ali Asgari, the Parliamentary liaison of the Expediency Council, has belittled the challenge: "The radical current is a handful [of people], you can transport them with a minibus."
And the universities crisis rolls along: key member of Parliament Ali Motahari has warned the Supreme Council for Cultural Revolution against intervention, as its main duty is "policy-making, not legislation". Kazem Delkhosh has asserted that the gathering of Basiji in front of the Majlis to demonstrate against the Parliament's bill on Islamic Azad University, was "organised".
In contrast, Jomhouri Eslami notes the reports of a Khamenei intervention, via a meeting with Hashemi Rafsanjani (see our separate analyses), and says the quarrel has been settled and all is business as usual.
Rah-e-Sabz takes a look over the political terrain and declares that "rifts in the hardliner camp are no longer hidden".
0755 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Advar News reports that journalist Masoud Lavasani, detained for more than nine months, has been granted a temporary release.
0745 GMT: Economy Watch. Press TV headlines the opening of a "key steel project" in Bonab in northwestern Iran, presided over by President Ahmadinejad. The website claims more than $170 million of finance with "800 job opportunities".
The ceremony comes a week after the opening of another steel complex in Natanz.
0715 GMT: We begin this morning with two contrasting analyses of yesterday's story of a meeting between the Supreme Leader and former President Hashemi Rafsanjani to resolve the dispute between Parliament and President over control of Islamic Azad University.
Meanwhile....
Iran and Sanctions
Looks like a disruption in the normal Ahmadinejed Government line that sanctions will have no effect on Iran's economy: Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, the new speaker of the National Security Council, has said that if sanctions are implemented, the country will enter a period of severe difficulties.
Parliament to Dismiss Minister?
Member of Parliament Mehrdad Lahouti says that the Majlis is preparing steps for the dismissal of Sadegh Khalilian, the Minister of Agriculture
Political Prisoner Watch
Aftab News reports that Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari Doulatabadi has met for "several hours" with high-profile detainees, includig Isa Saharkhiz, Ahmad Zeidabadi, Mansour Osanloo, Masoud Moradi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, and Davoud Soleimani.
1400 GMT: And now the approved set of male haircuts, courtesy of the Ministry of Islamic Guidance and Culture:
NEW Iran & Sanctions: Could Tehran’s Flights Be Grounded?
NEW Iran Analyses: A Rafsanjani-Khamenei Deal on Universities Crisis? (Siavashi and Verde)
Iran Special: The Green Movement, the Regime, and “the West” (Nabavi)
Iran Thought: Maybe The Robot Can Be President
The Latest from Iran (4 July): Who’s in Charge?
1350 GMT: Rafsanjani "I Heart Khamenei". Rumour: Supreme Leader and former President Hashemi Rafsanjani meet, strike deal for Ayatollah Khamenei to limit the universities crisis with Rafsanjani praising the Supreme Leader.
Fact: Rafsanjani in Khabar Online --- "Not a day goes by where my regard for Ayatollah Khamenei is less than the previous day".
1345 GMT: Make the Connection. Less than 48 hours after we noted that the brothers Arash and Kamiar Alaei, two doctors prominent in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in Iran, have entered their third year of detention, we find this: "Increase of Sexual Transmission of AIDS in the Country".
1340 GMT: Grounding Iran? We have posted a separate feature with developing news that sanctions may be grounding Iran Air flights.
0935 GMT: Warnings. Peyke Iran claims that 10 daily newspapers have been warned because they published member of Parliament Ali Motahari's critique of the Government's subsidy reduction plans.
And in the academic world, Minister of Science and Higher Education Kamran Daneshjoo has allegedly said that students "opposed to the system" do not have a right to work".
0930 GMT: Revolutionary Guard Takes Power? Rah-e-Sabz has a lengthy article claiming that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps is taking over Iran's energy sector.
0925 GMT: Parliament v. President. The Majlis Research Center has declared that 37% of the laws for Ahmadinejad's 5th Development Plan are "unclear".
0920 GMT: Where's Mahmoud? Remember, President Ahmadinejad is opening the new steel project in northwestern Iran (see 0745 GMT). Here's his dramatic annoucement:
"Sanctions won't hurt Iran."
0910 GMT: Press Un-Freedom. The Guardian of London features an interview with photojournalist Javad Moghimi, who took one of the iconic photographs of the 2009 protest, about the plight of journalists in Iran:
Since the June elections and following the demonstrations in December after the holiday of Ashura, two of his colleagues have been arrested, Moghimi says. His immediate boss, Majid Saidi, is on bail awaiting trial, charged with activities against national security and taking photographs of protesters. He says his close friend Masoud Lavasani, a political correspondent for Fars News, is in prison on hunger strike.
"He is going through hell," says Moghimi. "When I hear his news I get very upset and I get a lump in my throat, because ... I don't know what the future holds for news reporters and my friends in Iran.
"Their crime was to take photographs of the protesters and the demonstrations. If the Islamic Republic of Iran is able to arrest a photojournalist charged with activities against national security or taking photographs of the protesters, it is a joke to say we have freedom of speech, because there is no freedom as long as they arrest people for the crime of taking photos of demonstrations."
0900 GMT: Sanctions Front. Kazem Jalali, spokesperson for Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, has warned, "Although international circles are not impartial in dealing with lawsuits filed by nations, Iran reserves the right to lodge a complaint against the US for imposing unilateral sanctions.
Jalali and other Iranian officials are specifically mentioning Washington's ban on sales of aircraft fuel to Iran.
0800 GMT: The Battle Within. A series of reports on the conflict within the establishment....
Hojatoleslam Banaei claims that the distributors of flyers against Ali Larijani after Friday Prayers in Qom have been identified: "there is a current in the country, which doesn't want calmness to be established in society".
Ali Asgari, the Parliamentary liaison of the Expediency Council, has belittled the challenge: "The radical current is a handful [of people], you can transport them with a minibus."
And the universities crisis rolls along: key member of Parliament Ali Motahari has warned the Supreme Council for Cultural Revolution against intervention, as its main duty is "policy-making, not legislation". Kazem Delkhosh has asserted that the gathering of Basiji in front of the Majlis to demonstrate against the Parliament's bill on Islamic Azad University, was "organised".
In contrast, Jomhouri Eslami notes the reports of a Khamenei intervention, via a meeting with Hashemi Rafsanjani (see our separate analyses), and says the quarrel has been settled and all is business as usual.
Rah-e-Sabz takes a look over the political terrain and declares that "rifts in the hardliner camp are no longer hidden".
0755 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Advar News reports that journalist Masoud Lavasani, detained for more than nine months, has been granted a temporary release.
0745 GMT: Economy Watch. Press TV headlines the opening of a "key steel project" in Bonab in northwestern Iran, presided over by President Ahmadinejad. The website claims more than $170 million of finance with "800 job opportunities".
The ceremony comes a week after the opening of another steel complex in Natanz.
0715 GMT: We begin this morning with two contrasting analyses of yesterday's story of a meeting between the Supreme Leader and former President Hashemi Rafsanjani to resolve the dispute between Parliament and President over control of Islamic Azad University.
Meanwhile....
Iran and Sanctions
Looks like a disruption in the normal Ahmadinejed Government line that sanctions will have no effect on Iran's economy: Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, the new speaker of the National Security Council, has said that if sanctions are implemented, the country will enter a period of severe difficulties.
Parliament to Dismiss Minister?
Member of Parliament Mehrdad Lahouti says that the Majlis is preparing steps for the dismissal of Sadegh Khalilian, the Minister of Agriculture
Political Prisoner Watch
Aftab News reports that Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari Doulatabadi has met for "several hours" with high-profile detainees, includig Isa Saharkhiz, Ahmad Zeidabadi, Mansour Osanloo, Masoud Moradi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, and Davoud Soleimani.
tagged AIDS, Abbas Jafari Doulatabadi, Advar News, Ahmad Zeidabadi, Ali Larijani, Ali Motahari, Amir Aboutalebi, Arash Alaei, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Ali Larijani, Davoud Soleimani, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, Hojatoleslam Ali Banaei, Hojatoleslam Banaei, Iran, Iran Air, Isa Saharkhiz, Islamic Azad University, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Javad Moghimi, Jomhouri Eslami, Kamiar Alaei, Kamran Daneshjoo, Kazem Delkhosh, Kazem Jalali, Khabar Online, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Majid Saidi, Majlis Research Center, Mansour Osanloo, Masoud Lavasani, Masoud Moradi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mehrdad Lahouti, Mir Hossein Mousavi, National Security Council, Peyke Iran, Press TV, Rah-e-Sabz, Sadegh Khalilian, Supreme Council for Cultural Revolution, The Guardian, sanctions in Middle East & Iran
AIDS, Abbas Jafari Doulatabadi, Advar News, Ahmad Zeidabadi, Ali Larijani, Ali Motahari, Amir Aboutalebi, Arash Alaei, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Ali Larijani, Davoud Soleimani, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, Hojatoleslam Ali Banaei, Hojatoleslam Banaei, Iran, Iran Air, Isa Saharkhiz, Islamic Azad University, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Javad Moghimi, Jomhouri Eslami, Kamiar Alaei, Kamran Daneshjoo, Kazem Delkhosh, Kazem Jalali, Khabar Online, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Majid Saidi, Majlis Research Center, Mansour Osanloo, Masoud Lavasani, Masoud Moradi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mehrdad Lahouti, Mir Hossein Mousavi, National Security Council, Peyke Iran, Press TV, Rah-e-Sabz, Sadegh Khalilian, Supreme Council for Cultural Revolution, The Guardian, sanctions in Middle East & Iran
Reader Comments (22)
Execution Date for Mohammad Reza Haddadi Set for July 7, 2010 According to the announcement made by the parents of Mohammad Reza Haddadi, a young man who was charged and arrested at the age of 15 years old with committing a murder and consequently sentenced to death, his execution sentence will be carried out on July 7, 2010. The family of the juvenile offender condemned the sentence. http://persian2english.com/?p=12464" rel="nofollow">http://persian2english.com/?p=12464
Follow-up in English on hospitalised Journalist and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi after her release from Evin prison.(incl. photos):
http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jul/05/2138" rel="nofollow">http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jul/0...
Extreme reactions of Iran's Media Deputy called by Minister of Culture
The harsh treatment of journalists and newspapers by media deputy of the Ministry of Culture was finally noted by the Minister of Culture after the parliament questioned the impartiality of the ministry in dealing with the media.
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/extreme-reactions-of-iran.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/extreme-r...
A Year Has Passed Since Journalist Isa Saharkhiz’s Arrest and Temporary Detention
According to his son, Mehdi Saharkhiz, this is despite the fact that under Islamic Republic law, defendants are not supposed to be kept behind bars for more than 2 months for interrogation and while their case is being investigated.
http://www.rhairan.in/en/?p=5149" rel="nofollow">http://www.rhairan.in/en/?p=5149
Disappearing act of German politician Ruprecht Polenz? Remember last week we noticed Polenz, (influential CDU politician, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, recently appointed chairman of ZDF TV channel) would fly to Iran as head of a parliamentary delegation? His weblog stated: "Im Rahmen seiner Tätigkeit als Vorsitzender des Auswärtigen Ausschusses fliegt Ruprecht Polenz vom 2. Juli bis zum 6. Juli zu Gesprächen in den Iran". Apparently he never made it. The only information to be found on this (I searched the web intensively, also in German) comes from ISNA. Nothing on Polenz' personal weblog either...
Date : 2010-07-03
Time : 09:46:46
Title : German parliament delegation has postponed trip to Tehran: Iran MP
Iran - Tehran - TEHRAN (ISNA) - The Head of Iran's Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said German parliament delegation has postponed its trip to Iran. "The Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of German Parliament Ruprecht Polenz said in a letter that his doctor has banned him from boarding plane due to his illness and German embassy notified us of the issue through a message," Boroujerdi told ISNA.
Concerning the new date of German parliamentary delegation visit of Iran, he said, "the two sides need to make coordination for setting out an appropriate time."
Germany parliamentary delegation was going to visit Iran Saturday, led by Ruprecht Polenz. The delegation was officially invited by Boroujerdi and the two parliaments was going to discuss latest bilateral developments.
Arshama, what happened?
Outgoing UN Nuclear Inspector Pushed Dubious Iran Nuclear Weapons Intel
by Gareth Porter, July 03, 2010
Olli Heinonen, the Finnish nuclear engineer who resigned Thursday after five years as deputy director for safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was the driving force in turning that agency into a mechanism to support U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran.
Heinonen was instrumental in making a collection of intelligence documents showing a purported Iranian nuclear weapons research program the central focus of the IAEA’s work on Iran. The result was to shift opinion among Western publics to the view that Iran had been pursuing a covert nuclear weapons program
Originally posted on IPS, but now only available for free here:
http://original.antiwar.com/porter/2010/07/02/outgoing-un-nuclear-inspector-pushed-dubious-iran-nuclear-weapons-intel/" rel="nofollow">http://original.antiwar.com/porter/2010/07/02/o...
WitteKr,
Sorry to jump in here, but I think I know what happened. Polenz consulted Octopus Paul about the trip and got an unfavourable prognosis. :-)
RE: 0930 GMT: Revolutionary Guard Takes Power? Rah-e-Sabz has a lengthy article claiming that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps is taking over Iran’s energy sector.
There's always someone who is the last to find out....
RE: 0930 GMT: Revolutionary Guard Takes Power? Rah-e-Sabz has a lengthy article claiming that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps is taking over Iran’s energy sector.
Excerpt from the Carnegie Endowment panel, TAKING TEHRAN’S TEMPERATURE:ONE YEAR ON, June 8, 2010
MR. INSKEEP: Let’s go back to Abbas Milani on that last point because you used the phrase “military junta.” What did you mean by that?
MR. MILANI: I meant precisely that the IRGC is now controlling minimally about 60 percent of the economy. Over the last three months alone, they have gotten their hands on close to $20 billion of no-bid contracts. They are now –
MR. INSKEEP: Bids for what, if I may ask?
MR. MILANI: Contracts for the construction of everything from oil and gas fields to the billions of dollars of construction that the regime is undertaking in everywhere from Latin America – right here in Venezuela, they just finished building 20,000 houses in Venezuela. In Africa, they’re spending millions of dollars to fight Israel vote-for-vote in the international community. All of this is being given in no-bid contracts to IRGC. The IRGC runs virtually the economy. And they are, in my view – in that triumvirate that became the dominant force in Iran – the triumvirate of Khamenei, Ahmadinejad and the IRGC commanders. They are the ascending force.
I just want to add one point to what my friend was saying, and that is that I don’t think the nature of the revolution has changed. I think the nature of the revolution is being revealed and I think the coalition that brought the revolution to power has now frayed and has collapsed. Ahmadinejad represents the element – the hoodlum element, the street-hoodlum element – that was part of the coalition that Ayatollah Khomeini formed, just as much as Mousavi was part of that coalition, as much as Rafsanjani was, as much as I was, as much as the bazaar was. Now, that radical fringe of that coalition is trying to get rid of everybody else and is trying to dominate. They have the IRGC in their hand.
Even the point of going after the clergy – let’s not forget, it was Khomeini who put Ayatollah Shariat Madari under house arrest, brought him on television and had one of the most shameful moments of Iranian history where they had an ayatollah of Shariat Madari’s stature come and repent in the most odious, Stalinist manner. Let’s not forget that Madari was derobed (sic) under the direct order of Ayatollah Khomeini. So attacking unfavorable ayatollahs has been the name of the game in this town. They are just now doing it more brazenly. And the person that is doing it, Khamenei doesn’t have the stature. That’s why he brought the IRGC in.
Catherine
"Olli Heinonen, the Finnish nuclear engineer who resigned........"
This article is proAN , proIR and against USA ; look at all the titles around ! this engineer was at his job even during Elbaradaï 's work and the former has always said untill the end of his job that , concerning nuclear, something is wrong in Iran; In french media you can find a lot of pro-israeli articles, explaining in detail, all the plans of war against Iran, which are not true !
Thank you, Arshama. I was looking into the news of UK, Germany and UAE refusing to refuel Iranian jets too, but was suspicious since the news came from Tehran. I saw one flight cancelled in Frankfurt so far. Thanks for this update as well!
Haircut Watch
For you guys only ...
Photos from haircuts approved by Ershad Ministry - No joke!
http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1112550" rel="nofollow">http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/newsdetail.aspx?News...
Catherine,
That's the idea! Why shouldn't we consult Octopus Paul for a prognosis on the date of regime fall ;-)
Arshama
Arshama,
I posted this yesterday but it's even more relevant today:
Iran claims sanctions against jet fuel illegal
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/iran-claims-sanctions-aga.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/iran-clai...
Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of Iranian parliament’s Foreign Policy and National Security Council announced that boycotting sale of petrol to Iran is illegal: “According to international laws such as YATA and regulations regarding air transport, companies have to provide the necessary fuel for airplanes.”
Is he right?
Price of petrol on its way up in Iran
Head of Iran transportation and fuel management headquarters announced that petrol subsidies will stop in the second half of the Iranian year and the price of petrol will increase.
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/price-of-petrol-on-its-wa.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/price-of-...
Given fuel for reactor Iran can halt enrichment
Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Iranian MP said that Iran’s National Security Council has announced: “If fuel is provided for Iran’s research reactor, Iran does not insist on domestic production of the necessary fuel.”
Boroujerdi also said that the Tehran Agreement will be the basis of Iran’s future negotiations.
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/boroujerdi-given-fuel-for.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/boroujerd...
RE: "That's the idea! Why shouldn't we consult Octopus Paul for a prognosis on the date of regime fall ;-)"
Well let's see how he does with the WK irst. Then, if he's still a credible oracle, we can put alternate Iranian flags on his food boxes and ask him to pick :-)
Catherine,
@ Economy Watch
Jaras reports that AN's government is indebted with $127 billions to Iranian banks and companies, including $23 billions foreign debts (very detailed list): http://www.rahesabz.net/story/18810/" rel="nofollow">http://www.rahesabz.net/story/18810/
Even without these debts governmental budget is out of control, rising from $78 billions in 2009 to $129 billions this year. "Small government" IR style!
Arshama
@ Political Prisoners Watch
Taghi Rahmani, husband of released and hospitalised HR activist Narges Mohammadi, reports that his wife suffers from recurring muscular paralysis attacks and that she was interrogated even during these attacks in Evin!
http://www.roozonline.com/persian/news/newsitem/article////107/-5332d4bf52.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.roozonline.com/persian/news/newsitem...
Here you are with your Islamic "justice"!
Arshama
They are not at all the representatives of Islam but devil's; for me Islam is Ayatollah Montazeri, or Mr Karroubi ! brave, humble full of love and "Najib" !
No fuel for airplanes, no fuel for cars... "Iran is to halt the sale of subsidised petrol from late September as part of plans to phase out subsidies on energy products, ISNA news agency reported on Monday.
"Based on decisions taken, from the second half of this (Iranian) year (late September), the rationed petrol sales will be stopped," said Mohammad Royanian, head of Iran's fuel transportation organisation, quoted by ISNA.
From September "the rationing of petrol will be scrapped," he added. He did not say what the new, unsubsidised price of petrol would be."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100705/wl_mideast_afp/iraneconomypetrol_20100705145923" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100705/wl_mideast...
Arshama
"Montazeri and Karroubi are an absolute minority in this country"
You want to say that green movement is the minority in the country ?! because they believe in both of them; there is no "Justice" in this caricatural IR, it's neither islamic, nor republic; it's why we had the latest uprisings in the country; but with men like Montazeri ( unfortunately dead) and Karroubi, do you think that we could have this kind of injustices ?