Week of September 23, 2024 | Iran Unfiltered is a digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council On Friday, September 27, the Israeli military undertook a major strike in the suburbs south of Beirut, leveling six buildings. Initial reporting indicates that the target of the strike was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. However, at the time of publication it is not yet clear whether Nasrallah was killed. Separate reporting indicates that two individuals have been killed and more than seventy have been injured. However, given the size of the buildings destroyed, it is likely that hundreds of civilians were killed in the strikes. The Iranian embassy in Lebanon issued a strongly worded statement condemning the attack. The statement decried the “bloody massacre” as a “reprehensible crime” that “represents a serious escalation and changes the rules of the game. The perpetrator (Israel) will be appropriately punished.”
Minutes before the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had addressed the United Nations General Assembly and asserted that Israel “yearns for peace,” while castigating Iran for representing a “curse” on the region. Hundreds have been killed in airstrikes in Lebanon following last week’s booby trap attack targeting communication devices utilized by Hezbollah. Iran’s government retains close ties with Hezbollah but has thus far withheld overt reactions to the deepening conflict. In his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian focused on Iran’s readiness to enter a “new era” of international relations. He called on the U.S. and Western nations to see his government as prepared for renewed political engagement, contingent on one major condition: respect and the removal of sanctions imposed on Iran. Pezeshkian’s speech began with a clear statement of intent: “I am laying the foundations for my country to enter a new era and play a constructive and effective role in the emerging global order. I will eliminate obstacles and challenges and organize my country’s relations based on today’s global realities.” Early in his speech, Pezeshkian addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel’s war with Hamas over the past year. He urged the international community to act immediately to halt the violence: “The international community must immediately stop the violence, establish a permanent ceasefire, and prevent Israel’s mad barbarism in Lebanon before it engulfs the region and the world in flames.” In another key part of his speech, the Iranian president revisited his proposal for a “regional union,” akin to the European Union, between Muslim-majority countries. He outlined the conditions for such a union, saying, “First, we must acknowledge that we are neighbors, and through this neighborliness, we will remain together. Outsourcing security to extra-regional powers benefits none of us.” Pezeshkian stressed the importance of a new regional order that benefits all neighbors equally. “Any order that fails to safeguard the interests of every single neighboring country cannot be sustainable,” he said, warning that valuable resources should not be wasted on arms races and destructive rivalries. The remarks appear aimed at efforts to forge an Israel-Arab normalization as part of a coalition against Iran, which has been a major focus of U.S. policy in recent years. Pezeshkian, who emphasized “national unity” at the start of his address, said that Iran had never attacked its neighbors and had only engaged in “heroic” self-defense. He stressed Iran’s desire for peace and security for all, including Ukraine and Russia. “The Islamic Republic of Iran opposes war and supports the immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine,” he said, noting that dialogue was the only way to resolve the crisis. “We live in an interconnected world where the security and interests of one country cannot be achieved at the expense of others. We need a new approach to global issues, one that focuses on opportunities rather than threats,” he added. Pezeshkian also reiterated Iran’s long-held position proposing a referendum involving all Palestinians, whether living in their homeland or displaced, to determine their future. “We believe that such a mechanism will lead to lasting peace,” he said, adding that only through this process could Muslims, Jews, and Christians coexist peacefully in a shared land, free from racism and apartheid. A significant portion of Pezeshkian’s speech addressed the ongoing issue of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and the sanctions imposed on his country. He highlighted Iran’s compliance with the deal’s terms, which were meant to lift sanctions in exchange for strict monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities. “The unilateral withdrawal of Trump from the JCPOA reflects a threat-based worldview in politics and an economic view centered on power. Unilateral sanctions target the people and aim to destroy Iran’s economic foundations,” Pezeshkian said. He expressed Iran’s willingness to engage with JCPOA members but stressed that any meaningful dialogue on other matters could only happen if the nuclear deal’s commitments were fully and sincerely implemented. Pezeshkian concluded his speech by addressing the American public and implicitly criticizing the U.S. government’s approach toward Iran. He highlighted what he said is Iran’s readiness to build a better world through equal and effective economic, social, political, and security interactions with global powers and its neighbors. “The appropriate response to such a message from Iran is not more sanctions, but fulfilling previous commitments to lift sanctions and improving the real economic conditions of the Iranian people,” he said, hoping that the world would “hear this message from today’s Iran.” In closing, Pezeshkian extended an olive branch to the international community, reiterating Iran’s willingness to engage constructively if treated with respect and fairness. Outside of the General Assembly, In an interview with American media, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran is not seeking to escalate the conflict in the Middle East. He also noted that Yemen’s Houthis do not take orders from the Iranian government. Pezeshkian accused Israel of trying to entrap Iran and draw it into a war that he claimed “no one would win.” Referring to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Pezeshkian pointed out that Iran had refrained from retaliation. Without naming the U.S. or other mediating countries, he said, “They told us they were negotiating for peace. They asked us to hold off, saying peace was coming. We waited, but peace never came. They promised peace within a week, yet day after day, Israel continues to bombard and destroy the people of Gaza. We understand better than anyone that war in the region benefits no one. We do not want to fight. It is Israel that wants to drag us into a war and destabilize the region.” When reporters questioned Iran’s role in regional instability, Pezeshkian responded, “Israel is expanding the war in the region every day, yet we are the ones accused of creating insecurity? How many more ways can we say we don’t want to fight? We, too, wish to live in peace. If we are building weapons, it is to defend ourselves. We have been the target of Israel’s assassinations—our scientists, our presidents, and our people. How many more times must we say we don’t want conflict or insecurity? Do not disrupt our security. Stop conspiring against us. It is they who conspire against us.” Addressing questions about Iran’s military response capabilities, Pezeshkian asked, “Must we strike to prove our defensive strength? The so-called Iron Dome in Israel—supported not only by Israel but by the U.S., Germany, France, and the U.K.—was meant to stop us from striking. How did we manage to hit them? Do you want us to do it again and spark a conflict? We’ve already proven we can. Now, do you want to claim we can’t, so we’re forced to act and start a war? We will respond at the right time and place. Pezeshkian’s meetings in New York have sparked significant criticism, particularly after the presence of an Israeli-American professor at one session ignited backlash among pro-Iranian government supporters. Liore Sternfeld, a history professor at Penn State University, participated in an “interfaith dialogue” alongside Pezeshkian, Abbas Araghchi, and other Iranian officials. The event took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, September 24. In response to the uproar, Iran’s UN mission issued a statement clarifying that the professor was invited as an “American Jew” who had conducted extensive research on Judaism, Islam, and Iran and had an “anti-Zionist background.” Moreover, it asserted that they were not aware of any dual citizenship that he held, and emphasized that the session featured a balanced group of scholars and university professors from Abrahamic religions. The statement was released following demands for clarification from hardline Iranian government supporters, who referred to the meeting as a “penetration project.” One social media user on X (formerly Twitter) asked, “If you’re not going to label and slander us again, explain how Pezeshkian’s team didn’t see this as a risk and allowed such a dangerous figure to get so close to the president of Iran.” Sternfeld’s participation in the event was widely covered in Israeli media, where it was framed as part of Iran’s new government’s efforts to redefine its relationship with the West. The Israeli press also reported that Sternfeld, an expert on Jewish communities in Iran during the 20th century, had received authorization from Israeli authorities to attend the meeting and even presented a copy of his book to the Iranian president. Speaking to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Sternfeld said that after receiving the invitation, he informed the organizers of his Israeli citizenship to avoid any awkward situations. He added, “They assured me it was not a problem.” Reflecting on his conversation with Pezeshkian, Sternfeld told Haaretz, “I first gave him my book, then I said I believe he is in a unique position to play a constructive role in the Middle East.” Sternfeld also recounted Pezeshkian’s response, saying, “The president told me that if Israel and the Palestinians reach an agreement acceptable to both sides, Tehran will also set aside the banner of resistance. I told him that if he shared this message publicly with Western audiences, it would have a very positive impact.” Additionally, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, who traveled to New York with President Masoud Pezeshkian and his delegation, announced that one of the objectives of this trip is to initiate a new round of nuclear negotiations. In a video interview recorded before his trip to the U.S. with Tabnak news website, Araghchi stated, “I will be staying in New York for a few days longer than the president and will have additional meetings with foreign ministers from various countries. Our aim is to begin a new round of negotiations on the nuclear issue.” “We are prepared, and if the other side is also ready, we can start new talks during this visit. Messages have been exchanged, and there is general willingness to proceed, but the current international climate makes restarting the nuclear negotiations more difficult and complicated than before.” When asked by the interviewer whether the necessary authorizations for this process have been issued from within Iran, Araghchi responded, “Diplomats never act or proceed without the required authorization.” In addition to official meetings and press engagements, President Pezeshkian and his delegation also met with some members of the Iranian American and diaspora community in the United States. From the outset of Pezeshkian’s visit to New York, Iran International TV stationed reporters outside his hotel, aiming to amplify criticism of him and expose the identities of those who came to meet with the delegation. These efforts appear to be part of a broader campaign to target and slander anyone supportive of engagement and dialogue and who are critical of militaristic policies.
During his visit to New York, Pezeshkian also held meetings with several world leaders, including the UN Secretary-General, the President of the European Council, the President of France, the King of Jordan, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the President of Switzerland, the President of Finland, the Prime Minister of Norway, the President of Bulgaria, the President of Turkey, the President of Tajikistan, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, the President of Serbia, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, and the Foreign Minister of China. A devastating explosion at the Tabas coal mine in Iran has claimed the lives of at least 50 miners, making it one of the deadliest mining accidents in the country in recent decades. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, September 21, was triggered by a sudden surge of methane gas within the tunnels of the Pervade-3 section of the mine. Rescue efforts have been ongoing, but authorities believe that the chances of survival for the miners are slim. At the time of the explosion, 65 workers were inside the mine. The high concentration of methane gas and the mine’s 250-meter vertical depth have severely complicated the rescue operations. Iranian officials have indicated that clearing the gas and reducing its concentration to safe levels would require the digging of an additional tunnel. The Tabas mine, operated by a private company established in 1966 under the oversight of the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), has been the focus of intense scrutiny as the tragedy unfolds. The explosion has reignited concerns over worker safety and rights in Iran’s industrial and mining sectors. According to Ali Moghaddaszadeh, head of the South Khorasan Islamic Labor Council, the mine lacked basic safety equipment, including methane gas sensors. He also revealed that miners were earning only 12 million tomans per month (roughly $240), a low wage given the dangerous nature of the work. “If we had a methane gas sensor like other mines, this disaster could have been prevented,” Moghaddaszadeh said in a video addressing Iran’s Minister of Labor, Ahmad Meidari. He also called for workers’ wages to be adjusted according to Article 41 of Iran’s labor law, which stipulates that wages should be based on the country’s inflation rate and the physical and mental demands of the job. However, many workers in Iran report that this law is not enforced, leaving them struggling with financial difficulties. Hassan Sadeghi, head of the Union of Retired Workers, criticized the lack of investment in safety technology, stating, “Employers are reluctant to invest in expensive technology. So who is responsible for oversight? The Ministry of Labor.” The Iranian government and media have pointed fingers at both the private company managing the mine and the regulatory bodies responsible for overseeing safety. Deputy Attorney General Gholam-Abbas Turki said that investigations showed clear safety violations and that past warnings about safety standards had been ignored. This view was supported by Mohammad-Hassan Nami, head of Iran’s Crisis Management Organization, who confirmed that preventive measures, such as installing gas sensors, had not been fully implemented at the mine. Despite these findings, Labor Minister Ahmad Meidari defended the contractor, stating that safety protocols had been followed and the explosion was unforeseeable. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, urged authorities to make every effort to rescue the trapped miners and minimize the impact of the tragedy. The explosion has left families and colleagues of the victims in mourning, with many criticizing the government’s response. One widow told ISNA news agency, “We even had to pay 15 to 20 million tomans to transport the body of our loved one home—without a proper morgue, just some blocks of ice.” Other workers have highlighted the poor working conditions at the mine. One survivor shared that they were only provided with basic masks, often without filters, while another noted that the self-rescue kits they were given were defective. The incident has drawn international attention, with organizations and leaders expressing their condolences. UN Coordinator for Iran Stefan Priesner offered his sympathies on social media, and Pope Francis issued a message from the Vatican, mourning the loss of life and praying for the victims’ families. The Tabas explosion is being compared to the 2017 Yurt coal mine explosion in Golestan province, which killed more than 42 workers. As rescue operations continue, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, before departing for New York, ordered an immediate investigation into the accident and called for a thorough review of the incident, pledging “severe action” against those responsible. The rescue mission is expected to continue until at least Monday, September 30, as the country grapples with one of the worst mining disasters in its recent history. In a separate incident, a massive fire broke out at the Aryan Atlas factory, a producer of refined oil and hydrocarbons, located in the Fajr Industrial Zone in Garmsar. The fire led to the explosion of several oil condensate tanks, causing significant damage and injuries. As of the latest reports, six workers with severe burn injuries have been hospitalized. Hossein Derakhshan, head of the Red Crescent Society of Semnan, confirmed that four firefighters have also been taken to the hospital due to exposure to heat, smoke, and exhaustion. The industrial zone houses several oil-related companies, and maps of the area show the presence of numerous storage tanks, raising concerns about the potential spread of the fire. Derakhshan reassured the public that the Garmsar industrial zone has now been secured, but the condensates are still burning. The crisis management office of Semnan province reported that they do not have precise information about the volume of fuel stored at the factory, making it difficult to estimate when the fire will be fully contained. Firefighters from nine cities across Semnan province, as well as teams from Tehran, have been dispatched to the scene to combat the blaze. However, reports indicate that intense heat and large flames are hampering efforts to bring the fire under control. A report from Tejarat News, based on data from the Iranian Statistical Center, shows that the cost of living in Tehran reached an average of 330 million tomans annually in 2023, with cities in Fars and Alborz provinces close behind. The highest rural expenses were in Bushehr, at 318 million tomans per year. Over the past decade, soaring food and housing prices have caused many Iranian families to lose purchasing power, pushing poverty levels to 30%, meaning that essentially one in three Iranians now lives below the poverty line. Ahmad Meidari, the Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, noted that poverty rates surged from 15% in the early 2000s to 30% after the second wave of sanctions and high inflation in 2018. The Iranian Statistical Center reports a steep rise in food prices from 2017 to 2024. Rice prices increased from 12,500 tomans to 112,000 tomans, lamb from 36,000 to 590,000 tomans, and chicken from 7,000 to 83,000 tomans. As a result, families have reduced their consumption of meat, dairy, and other staples. The average monthly milk consumption has halved over the past decade, while rice consumption has dropped by 28%. High inflation, coupled with stagnant wages, has worsened living conditions. The poverty line for a family of four in 2022 was set at 7.7 million tomans nationally and 14.7 million tomans in Tehran, far exceeding most workers’ wages. Despite the government’s distribution of subsidies, inequality has increased, with provinces like Sistan and Baluchestan showing the highest income disparities. The report warns that declining spending on education and healthcare could lead to long-term consequences, trapping future generations in poverty. With approximately 30% of the population now classified as poor, many households are on the brink of financial collapse, facing malnutrition and declining living standards. In a significant move, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has pardoned 39 political prisoners and commuted the death sentences of 59 individuals to prison terms. This announcement comes amid ongoing protests against the death penalty in Iran. The pardons and commutations were issued to mark the birthdays of the Prophet Muhammad and the seventh Shia Imam. According to Sadeq Rahimi, Deputy Judiciary Chief, a total of 2,887 prisoners received sentence reductions or pardons, including 2,745 from public and revolutionary courts, 11 from military courts, and 131 from the government’s punishment agency. Among those pardoned were 140 women, 40 foreign nationals, 39 political prisoners, and six individuals under 18. This news comes amid reports that at least 402 executions have been carried out in Iran in the past eight months, according to the Iranian Human Rights Organization. Shervin Hajipour, Vahis Ashtari, Yashar Soltani and Mohsen Borhani were among those pardoned, along with conservative activist Vahid Ashtari and journalist Yashar Soltani. Ashtari had been sentenced for exposing corruption involving the family of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in the “Sismoni-gate” scandal. Yashar Soltani, who had received a 14-month prison sentence, also saw his sentence overturned by the Supreme Court, which ordered a retrial. Soltani’s lawyer confirmed the news, expressing hope for his imminent release. Tehran University law professor Mohsen Borhani was released on September 23 after 79 days in detention following the pardon. Borhani had been outspoken in his criticism during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement and had publicly supported Masoud Pezeshkian in the 2024 presidential election. Shervin Hajipour, the singer behind the protest anthem “Baraye,” also announced that his case had been pardoned and closed. Hajipour expressed gratitude to his supporters and fellow artist Mohsen Chavoshi, voicing hope for the resolution of other protesting artists’ cases. Hajipour had initially been sentenced to 3 years and 8 months in prison, but an appeals court overturned the verdict in August. On the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini while in the custody of the morality police, Iran’s Guardian Council has approved the so-called “Hijab and Chastity” bill. The spokesperson for the Cultural Commission of the Iranian Parliament announced that the law would soon be enacted by the Speaker of the Parliament. Ahmad Rastineh, the spokesperson, emphasized that the bill prioritizes legal measures by responsible government agencies and outlines specific duties for all institutions to promote the culture of hijab and chastity in society. In a related development, Iran’s Prosecutor General, Mohammad Movahedi, delivered a sharp speech on September 18, denouncing opposition to mandatory hijab, which he labeled a “disease.” Movahedi stressed that “improper hijab” must be eradicated in the country and urged authorities to “identify” women who defy the mandatory dress code and file cases against them. He encouraged citizens to act as informants by sending text messages when they witness “improper hijab.” This renewed pressure from judiciary officials follows the first press conference by President Masoud Pezeshkian, where he responded to a question from Andisheh Pouya magazine journalist Maryam Shabani. She had mentioned taking backstreets to avoid the morality police, to which Pezeshkian replied, “I’ll look into it to make sure they don’t bother you.” Abdolhossein Khosropanah, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, voiced criticism of the morality police’s methods, particularly their use of vans to detain women for improper hijab. Speaking at an official event on September 14, Khosropanah stated, “Some officials believe that the van project can solve the hijab issue.” Instead, he advocated for “education” as the solution. His remarks gained traction on social media, with some interpreting them as opposition to the morality police’s tactics. |
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