Are We Getting Closer to Europe?
An Arman Meli newspaper editorial by Ali Bigdeli argued that politics profoundly influences the economy, suggesting that without proper alignment in foreign policy and effective communication with Western nations, it is extremely difficult to improve the economic situation. The column stressed that until these issues are addressed, fulfilling domestic expectations and achieving economic progress will remain challenging. The path forward involves overcoming this economic constraint, and improving relations with Western countries is a crucial part of this strategy.
It asserted that “Without establishing connections, opening up, and lifting sanctions, it is very difficult for our economy to recover from its current state. We cannot modernize our economy with the technology of China and Russia. Another point to mention is that, given the current circumstances, the economy is dependent on politics.”
The editorial added that Western countries have set conditions for improving relations. It was noted that while Iranian leadership has claimed there were no issues with Europe, the European response has been problematic. European nations have accused Iran of regional interference and escalating uranium enrichment to 60%, which contravenes international protocols. Additionally, disputes over missile programs and regional conflicts further complicate relations. The editorial discussed how, despite these tensions, European countries did not fully comply with Trump’s policies during his presidency, which aimed to activate the snapback mechanism against Iran.
The editorial discussed the need to navigate these complex dynamics by strengthening relations with Europe in the near future. If Trump were to win the next election, his strained relations with the European Union (EU) — stemming from his anti-EU stance — could create opportunities for Iran. Trump’s criticism of the transatlantic divide suggests a potential shift in US-EU relations, which might affect Iran’s diplomatic strategies. Thus, it is important for Iran to fortify its connections with European countries while the US and EU relations are discordant.
The editorial stressed that Iran should capitalize on any discord between the US and EU to improve its relations with Europe. It was noted that maintaining good relations with Europe is crucial, especially if Trump becomes president and Europe remains distant. Strengthening ties with European nations would be advantageous for Iran under such circumstances. This strategic realignment is necessary for preserving and enhancing Iran’s position and influence in international diplomacy.
The editorial highlighted the significance of diplomatic appointments in shaping Iran’s foreign policy. The potential appointment of Abbas Araghchi as foreign minister was emphasized, noting his extensive experience in negotiations. The editorial pointed out that Araghchi’s tenure could strengthen Iran’s diplomacy compared to the current administration’s efforts. His experience and the support of the leadership suggest a renewed commitment to engaging with the EU.
The editorial yet anticipated that if Araghchi is appointed, there will likely be a renewed push for negotiations with the EU. Given the role of the Foreign Ministry in shaping foreign policy and its approval by the leadership, his appointment would signal Iran’s intent to open new diplomatic channels with Europe. This shift aims to address recent challenges and enhance diplomatic efforts, positioning Iran favorably in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
This Was Not Expected
An editorial by Abbas Abdi in Etemad newspaper noted that on the day of the swearing-in ceremony, perhaps the last thing expected were the comments from Hadad-Adel. Adel, a senior “conservative” figure who has been tripped up by the newer wave of conservatism, made a somewhat misguided and perhaps self-perceived clever remark about Pezeshkian. This was surprising given that the supreme leader had issued explicit recommendations on how the Parliament should interact with the presidency, and it was anticipated that Adel would at least align with these recommendations. Yet, on a television program discussing the Parliament’s vote of confidence for Pezeshkian’s potential cabinet, he stated, “If Mr. Pezeshkian, whom we know in Parliament, makes decisions himself, I think he will have no problems. He will presumably make his own decisions. This is not meant as an insult, but if, God forbid, a list is presented to him and told to take it to the Parliament, this could be problematic.”
The editorial added that Adel, being a philosophy professor and translator of major European philosophical works, should have provided a more solid opinion. It questioned the expectations from respected “conservative” figures when they make such statements. If Pezeshkian is expected to make his own decisions, then why suggest otherwise? The editorial stressed that if the assertion is that Pezeshkian is someone who would be handed a list to take to the Parliament, this is a significant criticism. It is perplexing how such a view aligns with the idea that Pezeshkian will make independent decisions.
The editorial discussed that Adel’s comments might reflect a misunderstanding or misjudgment of Pezeshkian’s capabilities. It was noted that the comparison to past experiences, particularly with “conservative” government processes, shows a significant contrast. A report from July 28, 2024, highlights how ministers were chosen in the previous administration, which was criticized for its selection process. This report has not been denied, and comparing it with Pezeshkian’s selection process reveals that he is expected to take a thorough and informed approach rather than simply receiving a list.
The editorial further noted that while Pezeshkian’s capacity to select ministers might be limited to about 10% of the country’s specialized and managerial forces due to current political constraints, it is crucial to avoid reducing this capacity further. Adel is expected to help prevent this 10% capacity from being diminished to 5% or less due to the confrontational policies of the Parliament. The editorial suggested that Adel should recognize that some of the proposed lists include names from the proposed working groups of the Steering Council, emphasizing the need for cooperation rather than undermining the process.
The Day of Reckoning
An editorial published by Hammihan Online pointedly remarked that the administrators of the 13th government could not have anticipated that, as their term neared its end, their claims would be closely scrutinized. Today, the dire state of electricity and energy in Iran serves as a glaring indictment of the administration’s previous assurances. What was once considered a strong suit for the government has now evolved into a significant vulnerability.
The editorial added that although problems with energy supply had been an issue prior to this administration, the situation has markedly worsened under their watch. The imbalance in gasoline supply has reached a critical stage, primarily due to flawed policies concerning pricing and the automotive sector rather than a drop in production. While rationing or importing gasoline could be potential solutions, the central problem lies in the imbalances within the gas and electricity sectors.
The editorial stressed that the situation has deteriorated even further this year. Key steel factories have been forced to shut down for over a month, resulting in daily financial losses amounting to billions of tomans per factory. An unofficial evaluation reveals that energy-intensive public companies are experiencing approximately $45 million in daily losses in value or production. Even more troubling is the fact that companies with their own power generation have had their electricity redirected to address household shortages, illustrating the absurdity and complexity of the current crisis.
It was discussed that key national crises are now manifesting as imbalances across various sectors, including energy, budget, pension funds, water resources, and broader socio-cultural, political, and media-related tensions. These variances have been exacerbated during the 13th administration, revealing deeper systemic flaws.
The editorial emphasized that today represents a day of reckoning for this government. Regrettably, rather than concentrating on resolving pressing issues and addressing the imbalances within their remaining term, the administration appears to be preoccupied with distributing positions, implementing unfair hiring practices, and divvying up the remnants of their power. This approach underscores the reality of the 13th government’s tenure and highlights the disconnect between their priorities and the urgent needs of the country.
The Country Shuts Down on the Day of the President’s Inauguration — And It Is a Dangerous Message!
In an editorial published in Setar-e Sobh newspaper, Secretary General of the Assembly of Former Parliament Members Yadollah Salami addressed the severe challenges facing Iran’s energy sector. The recent swearing-in ceremony of the president was notably overshadowed by a nationwide shutdown of all government offices and banks, a drastic measure necessitated by a critical shortage of electricity. This situation clearly reveals the extent of the imbalances within the energy sector, which have become so severe that they forced the entire country into a standstill.
The editorial added that Iran is a nation endowed with vast reserves of gas and oil, yet due to persistent policy failures, the country has been unable to effectively utilize these significant resources. It is truly astounding that production facilities are grappling with a lack of gas during the winter months and an absence of electricity during the summer. During the sweltering heat of summer, the need to supply power to residential areas has led to the shutdown of industrial plants, causing economic damage amounting to thousands of billions and inflicting severe damage on both the economy and the general population.
The editorial argued that despite Iran’s abundant sunshine throughout the year, which is a coveted asset for any nation pursuing clean energy, the country’s utilization of this renewable resource remains woefully inadequate. According to a report published in Setar-e Sobh, an energy expert recently revealed that energy wastage in Iran surpasses actual consumption. Each day, 50 million cubic meters of gas — equivalent to the output of two phases of the South Pars gas field — is wasted. The International Energy Agency’s report underscores Iran’s potential, citing 3,200 hours of sunshine annually and 24 wind points that make the country an ideal candidate for solar and wind energy production. Yet, Iran continues to spend approximately $8 billion every year on fuel for domestically produced vehicles that do not meet standard efficiency criteria. Such statistics beg the question: do these figures not indicate a dire level of economic mismanagement?
The editorial contended that it is imperative that the current administration and the broader government framework adopt a more accurate understanding of the prevailing realities and take decisive action to address the ongoing turmoil. The current state of affairs calls for a fresh approach, one that diverges from the ineffective methods of the past and present.
Iran Executes 30 Prisoners in Eight Days
In the past eight days, at least 30 prisoners have been executed in various prisons across Iran. Reports indicate that between Saturday, July 20 and Saturday, July 27, 30 prisoners sentenced for charges related to “premeditated murder” and “drug offenses” were executed. This translates to an average of around four executions per day during this period, reflecting a significant rise in execution rates following the recent presidential election.
The Iran Human Rights organization reported that three prisoners convicted of drug-related offenses were executed at dawn on July 27 at Parsilon prison in Khorramabad. The Iran Human Rights organization identified two of these prisoners as Ardshir Maleki, 40, from Kuhdasht, Lorestan, and Azim Amraei, 33, from Aligudarz. Two days prior, Kamran Sheikh, a prisoner from Mahabad and the last defendant in the case of Abdulrahim Tina, was executed at dawn on July 25 in Urmia prison.
Simultaneously, Hassan Yousefi-Azar from Naqdeh was also executed at the same prison. Qader Jamshidi, sentenced for drug-related offenses, was executed on the same day in Torbat-e Jam prison. Additionally, Hamed Nadari and Ali Moharramkhani were executed on July 25 in Choubindar prison, Qazvin, and Motiullah Barkhazi, an Afghan national, was executed a day earlier in Qaen prison, South Khorasan.
On July 23, Ramadan was executed in Vakilabad prison, Mashhad. Seven prisoners, including three women, were executed on July 22 in Birjand prison, and Afghan national Golab Shah Noorzai was executed in Bandar Abbas prison. The previous day, Danial Kazemi-Nejad and Khalil Jamali were executed in Dizelabad prison, Kermanshah, and Hassan Fallahi in Qom prison.
Human rights activists had warned of a potential rise in executions post-election. Iran Human Rights reported that, in the first half of 2024, at least 249 individuals were executed, 147 of whom were convicted on drug-related charges. Although this represents a 30% decrease from the previous year, there are concerns about a possible increase in executions following the presidential election.
Proxy Groups Attend Pezeshkian’s Inauguration Ceremony
Masoud Pezeshkian took the oath of office as the ninth President of the Islamic Republic during a ceremony at the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Before the inauguration, he met with leaders of proxy groups supported by Iran in the region.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Tuesday, July 30, was attended by foreign delegations and national and military officials in the Assembly chamber. During his oath, Pezeshkian pledged to uphold the Iranian republic’s system and Constitution, and reiterated that the 14th government will follow the “Vision Plan and General Policies” document set by the supreme leader.
In his speech, Pezeshkian emphasized that his administration would not yield to bullying, pressure, or double standards in negotiations. He pointed out that two decades of negotiations with Iran should have demonstrated Iran’s commitment to its promises and its resistance to excessive demands from others.
Pezeshkian also criticized Israel during his speech, prompting some attendees to chant against Israel and the United States. Leaders of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah and the Houthi militia expressed support for Pezeshkian’s remarks. The inauguration was attended by representatives from 86 countries and 114 foreign delegations, with coverage by over 600 journalists.
European Parliament member Adam Bilan criticized the EU’s decision to send Enrique Mora to the ceremony, calling it “highly inappropriate and dangerous.” He argued that engaging with regimes that threaten peace undermines global credibility.
International relations expert Hossein Aghaei suggested that Pezeshkian’s presidency would likely exacerbate regional and nuclear tensions as the Iranian republic continues to use these issues to pressure the US and European powers.
Afghan Consulate in Mashhad Transferred to Taliban
Today, the Afghan consulate in Mashhad is set to be officially handed over to the Taliban, following a last-minute decision by the new Iranian administration. The Taliban claims that Abdul Jabbar Ansar’s term as the consul general, which began on June 6, has concluded, and his signature on all issued documents is now invalid.
The crucial issue is that the Taliban is neither recognized by Iran nor by other countries, and their identification documents remain valid under the previous government’s rules. Therefore, an unrecognized government should not be the authority to declare the end of a diplomatic mission.
Earlier in June, reports indicated that the Taliban had removed Ansar and appointed Mawlawi Nasir Ahmad Haqqani, the deputy of the Taliban’s embassy in Tehran, as the new consul general. Iran’s Foreign Ministry opposed this change, citing violations of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
ISNA reported that Iran has now accepted the Taliban’s conditions and has requested Ansar’s formal dismissal. This abrupt decision could create complications for the new administration under President Masoud Pezeshkian and his Foreign Ministry team, potentially leading to a contentious transition.
Iran’s Oil Sales Hit $15.7 Billion in Four Months
According to Tasnim News Agency’s economic reporter, Mohammad Rezvani-Far announced that by the end of July, $18.5 billion worth of goods had been imported, marking a 6% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, exports increased by 8%, leading to a trade deficit of $1 billion excluding oil. Notably, $800 million worth of gold bullion was imported by July.
Rezvani-Far, the head of customs, stated that including $15.7 billion in oil exports, total foreign trade amounted to $51 billion. Consequently, with oil included, the trade balance is positive by $14.8 billion. He noted that petrochemical exports totaled $7.7 billion, with the average price of exported goods rising by 4%.
Among the $18.5 billion in imports, $6 billion were essential goods, with their average price decreasing to $1,546 per ton. The UAE, China, Turkey, Germany and India were the top import sources. Rezvani-Far also mentioned that customs revenue reached 71 trillion tomans, and transit increased by 59%. Additionally, drug seizures rose by 150%, while human trafficking cases decreased significantly.
