The opinions of #Iran’s Jomhouri-e-Islami newspaper are not surprising as it has been a critic of Raisi’s administration for over the last year. It’s not reflective of the views of Khamenei on this issue. At most it’s a datapoint as to a debate. 1/3 theguardian.com/world/2022/nov…
And second these comments from Iran’s former ambassador to Russia about how MFA was in the dark are reminiscent of the complaints during the Zarif era. MFA has little decision-making influence on these issues and has been an executor under Rouhani and Raisi. 2/3
This about protesters is why system can’t be reformed: “Zarghami said the investigator had told him. “This was my most difficult interrogation because I do not understand what they are saying and they do not understand what I am saying. No matter how hard I try, I cannot.” 3/3
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Today @UANI is launching an online petition calling on the U.S., EU, & G7 countries to hold #Iran's regime accountable for its crimes against humanity & support for terrorism. Please use the below link to add your name to the petition. #MahsaAmini. 1/7
We are calling for the following measures: (1) The U.S. & E3 should end nuclear negotiations with #Iran's regime aimed at reviving the 2015 JCPOA, which risks resourcing the very entities & individuals oppressing the Iranian people. 2/7
(2) The U.S. & its allies & partners should sanction #Iran's supreme leader & president personally for their decades of human rights abuses & support for terrorism. 3/7
Watching this hearing with @USEnvoyIran thus far, I think the questioning is focused too much on rehashing the old arguments for and against the #Iran JCPOA. There have not been detailed questions asked so far about the deal that is on the table now. That is unfortunate. 1/4
I understand @USEnvoyIran would be reluctant to divulge the details, but when he speaks in his testimony about providing "limited sanctions relief in exchange for #Iran taking important steps to roll back and constrain its nuclear program," the use of the word "limited" 2/4
is certainly inconsistent with the public reporting about the revived Iran nuclear deal which is on the table now, that allegedly includes non-nuclear sanctions relief. That should be a line of questioning. 3/4
#BREAKING: After Israeli businessmen were targeted in @cyprus by an Azeri assassin deployed by #Iran, Azeri security forces have launched a widespread operation against pro-Iranian elements in the country, Israel Hayom has learned. 1/4
This also comes amid broader tensions between Baku & Tehran. Thus far, the operation has included the arrests of activists who have been trying to promote the approach of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Azerbaijan. 2/4
Big if true: on Tuesday, reports said that Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has also decided to shutter the Khamenei mission in Azerbaijan, which is headed by Ali Akbar Ojagnejad. 3/4
#Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi writes to Khamenei asking to be relieved of his duties as chief justice so he can focus on preparing to assume office--setting the stage for a new chief justice appointment by Khamenei. 1/4
Thread: #Iran's supreme leader spoke tonight ahead of the presidential election on Friday. He calls this "an event in the country that determines the fate of the nation" despite mass disqualifications and Khamenei remaining in firm control at the top of the system. 1/
It could be pivotal though if this is part of a plan to install Raisi as Khamenei's heir. Khamenei says if republican part of Islamic Republic is overlooked, Islamic Republic will not be realized--despite Khamenei himself gutting that very part of the system. Can't make it up. 2/
Khamenei says people's participation in the election strengthens the country in the international arena. But Khamenei and the Guardian Council's heavy-handed approach are ironically guaranteeing the opposite. 3/
Thread: #Iran's Supreme Leader gave a speech for the New Year today. Some takeaways: (1) Khamenei focuses as usual on the need for more production, saying there has been a rise in production in some fields, but not in all. 1/15
(2) Alluding to the next president, Khamenei says the new management must be anti-corruption; be able to overcome the problems of the country; must have a popular base; and sanctions will then become ineffective. This focus is part of what he calls "nullifying sanctions." 2/15
(3) Khamenei says sanctions imposed by U.S. are "a major criminality." But he says this threat was turned into an opportunity--with youths creating self-sufficient industries. (4) In combatting sanctions, there are two options: asking the other party to lift the sanctions or 3/15