The Latest from Iran (2 July): Ahmadinejad v. Larijani?

1930 GMT: The Battle Within. Back from a break to find what may or may not be a significant incident in the internal tension between the President and Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani.

Iranian Labor News Agency reports that, after Qom Friday Prayers, a number of supporters of the Ahmadinejad Government issued a statement --- signed "People of Hezbollah" --- saying that they no longer regard Larijani as their representative in the Parliament and "want their votes back".

The statement claimed, "“It is said that you voted for Mr. Ahmadinejad’s opponent.”

NEW Iran: Establishing the First “Anti-Censorship Shelter”
NEW Iran Analysis: Assessing Europe’s Sanctions & Tehran’s Oil (Noel)
Iran Interview: Ahmad Batebi “The Green Movement Goes Underground”
The Latest from Iran (1 July): Establishing the Pattern

1755 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. HRANA reports that Hamed Rouhinejad is in critical condition in Evin Prison due to complications related to multiple sclerosis and a lack of proper medical care.

Rouhinejad, a philosophy student, has been in detention since April 2009 on charges of membership in an anti-government organization and has been refused medical leave. He was sentenced to death in a trial last autumn but this was later commuted to 10 years in prison.

The website also writes that authorities in Karaj’s Rajae Shahr Prison have extended Behrouz Javid Tehrani’s time in solitary confinement, which has now lasted more than a month, at the request of the Ministry of Intelligence.

Javid Tehrani is the last remaining political prisoner from the 1999 student protests, the anniversary of which takes place next week.

1420 GMT: Friday Prayers Goes to Penalties Update. Looks like Ayatollah Emami Kashani may have made it through to the next round with a couple of late, hard challenges in his Tehran Friday Prayers sermons (see 1320 GMT).

Having played a conventional, unexciting game, Kashani suddenly got aggressive and put his boot into lawyers: "Defending the false is religiously prohibited and court attorneys should only defend the rightful. When they read a file and realize that the client is not in the right, they should not defend them.”

1415 GMT: Assessing the Situation. The full interview with Professor Ardeshir Amir-Arjomand, an advisor to Mir Hossein Mousavi, which we noted noted this morning (0725 GMT), is now in English.

1320 GMT: Your Friday Prayer Summary. Ayatollah Emami Kashani giving it his best today on the Tehran podium but I'm not sure he is going to eclipse World Cup fever.

Emami Kashani played it safe by going with a bash-the-West approach, "They accuse Iran of [efforts aimed at] producing nuclear weapons while Iran's [nuclear] program is scientific and industrial. Producing nuclear weapons has no place in Iran's nuclear pursuit."

There was the "they're keeping us down line" --- "They are well aware of this but they do not see Muslim states prosper. They do not want Islamic glory and awakening" --- which moved into the rallying call, "[Let's] join hands and through cooperation manage the country's affairs in the best possible way, particularly at present when the enemies are attacking the Islamic Republic with false accusations."

And Kashani went to the tried-and-true of Palestine, notably Gaza: "If Muslim states awaken and fulfill their duties, this land (Palestine) will not be swallowed up by the enemy."

So a competent performance but nothing too creative: I'm not sure if that would get Kashani past the quarter-finals of a major competition.

Then again, when are we likely to see the champions of recent years. e.g., H. Rafsanjani, vie for the Friday Prayers Cup?

1015 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Peyke Iran claims that Ghaemshahr Prison with a capacity of 250 prisoners, now has 763 detainees.

The website also has published this list of detainees in Rejai Shahr Prison:

Behrouz Javid Tehrani, 9 years imprisonment
Kobra Banazadeh, 5 years
Zahra Joushan, 1 year
Mansour Radpour, 8 years
Mansoor Osanloo, 5 years
Alireza Karami-Kheyrabadi, sentenced to death
Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, unclear status
Mostafa Eskandari, unclear status
Masoud Bastani, unclear status
Ahmad Zeyabadi, unclear status
Mehdi Mahmoudian, unclear status
Reza Rafiee, unclear status
Behnam Foyuji, unclear status
Rassoul Bodaghi, unclear status
Isa Saharkhiz, unclear status
Davoud Soleymani, unclear status
Ali Saremi, sentenced to death
Mohammad Ali Mansouri, 17 years of prison
Saeed Massouri, lifetime sentence
Houd Yazorlou, 3 years
Meyslogh Yazdannejad, 13 years
Ali Moubedi, 3 years
Afshin Baymani, lifetime sentence
Seyed Mehdi Fetrat, 3 years
Karim Marouf-Aziz, lifetime sentence
Hossein Tofah, 15 years
Shir-Mohammad Rezaie, 4 years
Farhang Pour-Mansouri, lifetime sentence
Reza Joushan, 1 year
Shahram Pour-Mansouri, lifetime sentence
Nasseh Yousefi, 5 years
Esmail Ordouie, 15 years

1010 GMT: More on the Drug Issue (see 0915 GMT). Abbas Deylamizadeh, the head of an Iranian welfare organisation, claims 300,000 poor drug users are in danger of becoming street addicts.

1005 GMT: The Battle Within. Hojatoleslam Mohammad Ashrafi Esfahani has warned that "radicals", with their unwillingness to discussion, have divided the "hard-line" camp in Iran, splitting it into two groups.

0959 GMT: The Budget Battle. The Parliament has passed President Ahmadinejad's 5th Plan on Monday with the cancellation of three articles. One of the cancelled provisions would have given the President millions in spending for "cultural purposes". Ahmadinejad's representatives reportedly were offended and left the session.

0955 GMT: The Oil Squeeze. Rah-e-Sabz reports that the Kuwaiti Independent Oil Group has joined the international suspension of gasoline sales to Iran.

0945 GMT: Labour Front. Peyke Iran claims that dismissed workers in Sanandaj in Kurdistan have gathered in front of the work ministry and that workers of Tabriz Tile Company have not been paid for four months.

0940 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. RAHANA reports that detained student Zia Nabavi is in serious condition after hysteria and convulsions in Evin Prison.

0915 GMT: "Psyche Spinners" in Tehran. Writing for The Huffington Post, Setareh Sabety takes a look at disillusionment and drug use in Iran's capital.

0910 GMT: The Labour Front. Iran Labor Report claims that many Tehran Bus Company employees with more than 20 years of service have been offered a "buyout" of $15,000. The website adds that, to put pressure on  the workers, the company has moved depots farther from the city and even to other cities such as Karaj while reducing employee bus shuttles.

Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran asserts the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps is starting a takeover of the company with purchase of buses and new bus lines. The chief executive of the company is alleged to be Revolutionary Guards commander Ardeshir Moghimpour, using the pseudonym Hossein Bijani.

There is still no news from detained bus union members Saeed Torabian and Reza Shahabi.

0905 GMT: We have posted a separate feature on the establishment of the world's first "anti-censorship shelter".

0735 GMT: The Oil Front. Amidst our discussion today of Iran's energy sector, a point to note about its internal production: Deutsche Welle claims that a fire at the Naft Shahr wells is still burning 40 days after it started.

And, with thanks to EA readers, another item about foreign investment: "South Korea's GS Engineering & Construction ( said on Thursday that it has called off a 1.42 trillion won ($1.2 billion) gas project in Iran following sanctions on the Middle East nation."

0730 GMT: The Battle Within. The Motalefeh party, fighting back against pressure from Ahmadinejad supporters, has asserted its "good" credentials, declaring that the hope for leaders of "fitna" (sedition") to return to the Revolution has faded.

0725 GMT: Challenging the Radicals. Mohammad Salamati, secretary-general of the reformist Mojahedin of Islamic Revolution, says that radicals have "no real understanding of leading a country". Professor Ardeshir Amir-Arjomand claims "hardliners" are implementing a new constitution and declares that an independent media is needed.

Those criticisms do not appear to have had any effect, however, on Gholam-Hossein Elham, a member of the Guardian Council. He says those who want to change the religious regime into a secular state, on the basis of the Constitution and "wrong" reformist currents, are a symbol of division.

0715 GMT: Nuclear Front. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Andrei Nesterenko has announced that the P5+1 group (US, UK, Russia, France, Germany, China) will meet today in Brussels.

0605 GMT: We start today with a look at Iran's economic position and sanctions. In a separate feature, Pierre Noël looks at Europe's sanctions and their effect on Iran's oil and gas sectors.

The Christian Science Monitor runs with the "Ahmadinejad bans Coca-Cola" story, which links up with Tehran's public spin of defiance: Press TV is headlining, "Iran Sanctions May Hit Japanese Firms".

More significantly, Press is featuring a sign of hope amidst the growing international pressure on Iran. Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said in an interview, "Turkey will continue to cooperate with Iran because the sanctions did not include any specific restriction on energy deals....Energy is not part of the UN sanctions."

Oh, I guess we should also mention that President Obama has signed the new US legislation passed by Congress earlier this week: "With these sanctions --- along with others --- we are striking at the heart of the Iranian government's ability to fund and develop its nuclear programmes."

Obama added:

To date, Iran has chosen the path of defiance. The door to diplomacy remains open. Iran can prove that its intentions are peaceful. It can meet its obligations under the [nuclear non-proliferation treaty) and achieve the security and prosperity worthy of a great nation.

Comments

[Arshama]

@ Sanctions

S.Korea GS E&C says scraps $1.2 bln Iran gas deal http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFTOE66007020100701" rel="nofollow">http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idA...

Only $1 billion? Peanuts ;-)

[Catherine]

RE The Battle Within - Tehran Hostile Takeover

In the presidential elections of 2001, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf ran against Ahmadinejad as the candidate of the Jamiate Isargaran Engelab Eslami (Society for Devotees of the Islamic Revolution), a group led by Hossein Fadai, Alireza Zakani, Ahmad Tavakoli and others. In early 2009 it appeared that he was going to run against Amedinjad again, but then he closed his campaign offices. Some moderate conservatives are now hoping he will become president 2013 after Ahmadinjad's second term ends.

Having watched the attempt of the Ahmadinejad and his allies to take control of the Azad University network, I can't help but notice a parallel power grab directed at Tehran mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf in the guise of all the recent talk of moving the capital elsewhere (the danger from earthquales has been known for decades, and in Ahmadinejad's plans to force some 326 state-owned companies in Tehran to relocate other cities. This would deprive Tehran of the reason so many people move there: jobs.

Most cities in Iran are run by governor-generals appointed by the government, but Tehran is an exception, with its own municipal government and budget. However, the central government is planning to divide the city into 22 neighbourhoods and apppointing its own governors to control security, another move that would reduce Mr Qalibaf's power.

Mr Qalibaf''s chances of running for president depend on him staying on as mayor. Parliament - perhaps acting on the same motivations as in the Azad University takeover attempt - seems to have assisted Mr Qalibaf by delaying Tehran's municipal election until 2013, thereby ensuring he holds onto his post until the presidential election in the same year. This would give him a strong platform to challenge the candidate that the hard-line faction will be fielding as a succesor to Ahmedinajad..

[Ange-Paris]

“Turkey will continue to cooperate with Iran because the sanctions did not include any specific restriction on energy deals….Energy is not part of the UN sanctions.”
He's right Mr Yildiz; but with the latest sanctions signed up yesterday night by Obama, Turkish cies have to choose between working :
-with Iran
OR
-with USA
And I can guess the outcome !

[Ange-Paris]

Catherine
Do you think that AN will stay as president untill 2013 ?with what he's doing as nonsenses everyday !
I hope that he will be removed as soon as, ( meaning during present year) and Mr Galibaf will take his place; sort of transitional period untill 2013; I think that he will be so brillant and in 2013, he will be elected by people themselves :-)

[Arshama]

@ Hijab Front

Women's world has posted a revealing series of photos, showing Ershad troops harrassing women and youths: http://jahanezan.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/thmin-47/" rel="nofollow">http://jahanezan.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/thmin...

Provision of employment IR style. After all AN has to feed his devoted Bassiji and Fati Commando gangs!

[Catherine]

Ange,
RE " I hope that he will be removed as soon as, ( meaning during present year) and Mr Galibaf will take his place; sort of transitional period untill 2013... "

If there is a plan circulating amongst some circles to remove Ahmadinejad before he finishes his term and instal Qalibaf as his replacement, that would further explain why Ahmadinejd and his operatives are trying to undermine Qalibaf now. Remember the clash Qalibaf had with the president over the government's refusal to fund expansion of the Tehran metro system even though the government is legally obliged to do so? And who do you think is behind those well-organised thefts of huge bronze statues in Tehran using cranes and heavy lifting equipment - common criminals wanting to melt them down or pro-govenrmnet forces seeking to undo Mr Qalibaf's popular efforts to beautify the city's street and parks with art?

[Catherine]

Nokia rebuked for giving Iran media monitoring capability

Yesterday a seminar entitled “The New Political Role of Internet and Mobile Phone: Example Iran” took place in Brussels with the presence of tens of Iranian and European journalists, political analysts and social activists. The Radio Zamaneh correspondent reports that Ben Roome, Nokia-Siemens representative was questioned about the equipment his company has provided for the Islamic Republic government.
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/nokia-rebuked-for-giving.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/nokia-reb...

[Catherine]

Nokia rebuked for giving Iran media monitoring capability

Yesterday a seminar entitled “The New Political Role of Internet and Mobile Phone: Example Iran” took place in Brussels with the presence of tens of Iranian and European journalists, political analysts and social activists. The Radio Zamaneh correspondent reports that Ben Roome, Nokia-Siemens representative was questioned about the equipment his company has provided for the Islamic Republic government.
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/nokia-rebuked-for-giving.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/nokia-reb...

[Catherine]

Follow-up on Baha'i Houses Demolished In Iran
On June 28, 2010, the Persian-language radio station, Radio Farda, aired an interview with Mr. Derakhshan, one of the Baha’is whose property was destroyed in the village of Ivel, Iran.

Excerpts from the interview (via Baha’i World News Service) in English translation here: http://persian2english.com/?p=12417" rel="nofollow">http://persian2english.com/?p=12417

[WitteKr]

Catherine, I watched the conference on internet. It has been archived and can be seen here: http://www.greenmediabox.eu/archive/2010/07/01/iran/" rel="nofollow">http://www.greenmediabox.eu/archive/2010/07/01/... (in case you have time enough, i.e. are not watching Holland winning from Brazil :-)

[Catherine]

Scott,
Check out what WitteKr just posted in reply to me (right above)!

[Catherine]

WitteKr,
I love how it's the "Greens in the European Parliament" who co-hosted the conference! :-)
As for the "big game" - I'm not as optimistic as you are, but I really hope Holland plays well because I'll have no choice but to watch it at the gym this afternoon :-).

[ScottLucas11]

WitteKr/Catherine,

Thank you so much --- I was unable to watch the European Parliament conferrence live so am very pleased to find that it has been archived. I will be viewing as soon as we have white smoke on the Holland-Brazil result (good luck to all concerned).

S.

[Ange-Paris]

I think behind all this lays Mr Mojtaba KH; It's not Mr KH who has not controlled the situation; I believe there are people in Sepah who are wise ( the majority of Sepah ) and smart witnessing the disastrous outcome of AN's reign ! they are buying all the cies in Iran but having shares ( beyond 70 % of iranian economy) in a bankrupted country is not a good deal anywhere ! KH to get out of this situation, has to remove AN in order to find the " Unity " in Iran; Neither AN nor Moussavi and Karrouvi but a third appreciated person , and it's why Galibaf is the best; from the beginning I have said it !
I hope he will be able to lead Iran as a True President with Justice and without being obliged to report , every 2 minutes what he does to KH !

[WitteKr]

More pressure on laywers. "Mohammad Emami Kashani, Tehran’s Friday Mass Prayers leader today, told worshippers: “Defending the false is religiously prohibited and court attorneys should only defend the rightful.” Fars news agency reports that Kashani warned attorneys saying: “When they read a file and realize that the client is not in the right, they should not defend them.”
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/iranian-attorneys-critici.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/iranian-a...

[Catherine]

Ange,
I don't know about the ratio of wise to corrupt in the Sepah :-), but I have read on many occasions that Mojtaba KH is pulling important strings in the regime and is accused of being behind the harsh crackdown on post-election protesters. The country may be on its way to bankruptcy, but as long as it's all his after daddy bites the dust, so what?

As for your man Qalibaf, he's no paragon of democratic values either. He's a former commander of the IRGC and remained silent during the whole dispute about election fraud and the violent suppression of protesters. And many people say all the hard work he's done to improve Tehran is because of his ambitions to succeed Ahmadinejad as president.

[Ange-Paris]

You are right; he has been remaining silent ! I didn't think about this , perhaps because I have thought subconsciously, he was silent to pounce on an opportunity !