{"id":11392,"date":"2023-06-08T08:16:46","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T05:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/?p=11392"},"modified":"2023-06-08T08:17:25","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T05:17:25","slug":"seeking-to-form-naval-alliance-with-saudi-arabia-the-uae-death-anniversary-of-iranian-republic-founder-people-dance-in-streets-khamenei-calls-protesters-thugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/monitoring-and-translation\/iran-in-a-week\/seeking-to-form-naval-alliance-with-saudi-arabia-the-uae-death-anniversary-of-iranian-republic-founder-people-dance-in-streets-khamenei-calls-protesters-thugs\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeking to Form Naval Alliance with Saudi Arabia, the UAE; Death Anniversary of Iranian Republic Founder: People Dance in Streets, Khamenei Calls Protesters \u201cThugs\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Economic Development: Oil and Natural Gas Are Iran\u2019s Winning Card<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Eskenas explains that Iran\u2019s development plans have been unsuccessful because of the politicization of the economy in the country, while oil and natural gas can be Iran\u2019s winning card in economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big problem facing Iran\u2019s economy is that it is not separated from politics because it has always been at the service of the establishment, giving priority to provide for the ideological interests of the ruling elites over national economic expediency. Since Iranian politicians keep changing their minds, no single pattern is followed in making plans which is why the resources allocated for implementing a plan are then used for different purposes when a new political situation arises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, development plans, which turn into legislation after ratification in the Parliament, are sometimes set aside when unexpected political issues emerge because a part of the allocated resources are redirected toward those unpredicted situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, one of the reasons why Iran\u2019s economic growth was -1% instead of 8%, apart from management shortcomings and the lack of a strategic approach, was because of disruptions in allocating resources which were directed toward political \u2014 and not economic \u2014 purposes. Or else why should the rate of fixed investment be negative at the end of the Sixth Development Plan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Sixth Development Plan, there was a budget deficit each year which resulted in increased government borrowing, increased liquidity and chronic uncontrollable inflation rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People are really in a dire situation, unable to provide for their basic needs, and many more people are now living below the poverty line. Given the existence of a corrupt, rent-seeking economy, the process of development is challenged because rent-seeking and corruption are not compatible with development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corruption contradicts the idea and process of development. To achieve development, pragmatism must replace ideological dogma which leads to corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran ranks seventh in the world with regard to human resources and underground wealth. If oil and natural gas are properly utilized, these resources will be winning cards for the country\u2019s economic development. But Iran\u2019s economy does not follow the basic rules and regulations of the science of economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The science of economy and its requirements have been the launching pad of the world\u2019s newly emerging economies, helping them to move toward economic prosperity and development. Iranian politicians lack such a view toward development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eskenas<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor Management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Arman Emrooz urges that people\u2019s rightful demands must be recognized by the Iranian government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the demands of different social groups are genuine, then no one can stop people from asking for their rights. If peaceful and legal forms of expression are employed regarding the non-fulfillment of these demands, people will find a different way to express their discontent as their lives are deeply impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A negative response to people\u2019s rightful demands will not only not resolve the issue, but will make the situation more complicated. In the meantime, those who because of poor management and lack of any plans cannot respond properly to people\u2019s demands try to close their eyes to the question instead of resolving it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dialogue can settle many problems, differences and misunderstandings. But it can be useful when both sides not only put emphasis on their principles but show flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ruling party in Iran is currently showing no flexibility, holding that whatever it says is right and whatever the other side says is wrong. Such a viewpoint will not resolve the issue and will lead to a dead-end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, Iranian dissidents abroad take advantage of the gap which has been created in the country due to the absence or weakness of political parties and popular formations and say that they are the ones pursuing people\u2019s demands which is why a number of people follow opposition groups abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, if political parties and popular formations functioned properly and were not undermined, people inside the country would not gravitate toward opposition groups overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arman Emrooz<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circulation of Blood in JCPOA\u2019s Veins<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Arman Melli maintains that the recent news about the nuclear deal indicates new hopes for reviving it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, there was news of resolving another issue in Iran\u2019s nuclear case with the IAEA. Based on recent news, two significant steps have been taken by Iran and the IAEA: one is closing the case called Abadeh which was one of the three remaining issues between Iran and the IAEA and the other was the case of discovering residue of over 80% enriched uranium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Settling these two issues shows there is still hope for reviving the nuclear deal (JCPOA). On the other hand, the international and particularly regional atmosphere has changed and Iran too has made changes to its approach toward international developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Resolution 2231, the IAEA must report to the UN Security Council about Iran\u2019s nuclear issue, and if Iran cannot satisfy IAEA inspectors, then a resolution will be issued against Iran and Iran\u2019s case might be referred to the Security Council and the snapback mechanism might be implemented against Iran. So, Tehran has tried to cooperate with the IAEA in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visit of Oman\u2019s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said to Iran also indicates that there might be more developments ahead, although Oman\u2019s sultan is after renewing diplomatic ties between Iran and Egypt \u2014 as indicated by his trip to Egypt before going to Iran. Furthermore, Iran\u2019s blocked money in South Korea is about to be released, though this money is not going to be directly put in Iran\u2019s possession. Probably, in the near future, Iran\u2019s dollars in Iraq will also be released under the same mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These parallel developments are positive signs that both sides are heading toward reviving the JCPOA and eventually lifting the sanctions. It seems that the Americans have no problem with this process because they do not want to get engaged in the region. The Americans are focused on containing China and Russia so they are not after opening a third front that would reduce their focus on China and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran too seems to be pursuing improvement of its relations with its neighboring countries to resolve its economic problems by reviving the JCPOA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arman Melli<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiraling Descent of the Middle Class<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Etemad underscores that the collapse of the middle class is a serious threat against the Iranian establishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies divide social classes in Iran based on economic indicators like monthly average incomes into three classes of upper, middle and lower classes. Based on the data of Iran\u2019s Welfare Website, last year 93% of Iranian households received subsidies, of which 35% were classified as poor, 57% as the middle class and 8% as wealthy. Despite the significant number of poor in comparison with the middle and wealthy classes, the issue here is the collapse of the middle class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The middle class consists of people from different professions. The majority of the working population is classified in this class with a life closer to the upper class. According to the abovementioned statistics, there was a relative balance in Iran, with the population mostly consisting of the middle class. But currently, due to economic pressures and with the 70% inflation rate, the middle class is rapidly spiraling down toward poverty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The collapse of the middle class which forms the majority of the country must be considered as an alarming sign for any country and now Iran is facing this huge problem. The middle class creates economic and social balance in society. When the middle class collapses, there is a vacuum which will cause significant social and cultural harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unproductive jobs, the drop in public health, the lack of motivation for education, the increase in the crime rate, the mitigation of public trust in the government, the decrease in people\u2019s support for the government are some of the fallouts of the collapse of the middle class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social problems always increase because of economic problems. And it must be acknowledged that these days with the collapse of the middle class, social problems in Iran are significantly on the rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fighting poverty and increasing social and economic welfare have been stipulated as the most important objectives of the government after the Iranian revolution. Since the survival of any political establishment depends on people\u2019s contentment, the deepening of poverty and the collapse of the middle class are considered as serious threats against the survival of the country\u2019s political system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Etemad<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Iran after Forming Naval Alliance With Saudi Arabia, the UAE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Iran says it will form a naval alliance with regional countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the Iranian army\u2019s navy, has stated that the naval alliance of Iran with regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq, will be soon formed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the US Fifth Fleet located in Bahrain, and a coalition of countries including France, Britain and the United States ensure maritime security in the Gulf region. The US presence in the Gulf goes back to after the Tanker War during the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The naval coalition of countries for providing maritime security in the Sea of Oman and the Gulf was formed in the years after the intensification of sporadic attacks against foreign ships. This naval coalition includes Australia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Albania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Strait of Hormuz is located in the waters of Iran and Oman but the name of this country is not included in the list of countries which, according to the commander of the Iranian army\u2019s navy, are going to form a naval alliance with Iran. The IRGC is in charge of controlling the country\u2019s waters in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and the Iranian army\u2019s naval forces are present in the Caspian Sea and the Sea of Oman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UAE recently announced that after conducting security assessments, it has pulled out of the naval US-led security coalition in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, the UAE\u2019s political relations have been cold toward Iran, but in recent months, after an improvement in relations with Tehran, the diplomatic relationship between the two countries has been upgraded to the level of ambassador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia too which had severed its political and economic relations with Iran for seven years recently restored diplomatic relations with Tehran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC Persian<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran International<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Death Anniversary of Iranian Republic Founder: People Dance in Streets, Khamenei Calls Protesters \u201cThugs\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

34 years after the death of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Iranian republic, people showed their opposition to the revolutionary establishment by dancing and singing in the streets while Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei lashed out at protesters in his annual speech at Khomeini\u2019s tomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khamenei railed against the nationwide protests of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, calling those who participated in them \u201cthugs\u201d and \u201cfoot soldiers of the enemy, including a few spiteful individuals, a large number of ignorant and sentimental individuals and a group of thugs and hooligans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stated that the protests \u201cwere plotted in the think tanks of Western countries.\u201d Khamenei also maintained that Western security organizations provided financial and media support as well as weapons for protesters, without offering any evidence in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, video clips published on social media showed people, including women without hijab, dancing and singing in the streets of different Iranian cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, the Parliament received a bill according to which \u201cdancing contradicts public chastity\u201d and \u201cnoise pollution caused by performing or broadcasting unauthorized, trashy music\u201d is a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his speech, Khamenei also lauded those who suppressed the protests, including the student Basij and other \u201ccommitted individuals on the streets and universities who did a great job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 500 protesters, including 70 children, were killed and tens of thousands arrested during the demonstrations triggered by the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Seven individuals were hanged for participating in the protests. More than 100 journalists were taken into custody, tried and imprisoned in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VOA Persian<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC Persian<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammad Javad Zarif Slams Iranian Leadership\u2019s \u201cWishful Thinking\u201d in Foreign Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on his Instagram page, defended \u201ccompromising\u201d in foreign policy, called for making correct and intelligent choices, and slammed \u201cwishful thinking\u201d in Iran\u2019s foreign policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zarif wrote, \u201cHaving hope gives direction to life, but paying attention to capacities makes possible moving toward ideals. Today, we need to understand and make intelligent choices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zarif added that after \u201c75 years of planning for development, national resources have been squandered and no development has been achieved, because most plans are expressions of the wishful thinking of the country\u2019s leaders rather than outlining a path to overcome the country\u2019s backwardness in accordance with existing possibilities and opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He went on to write that some Iranian politicians have tried to \u201ccurb the damage caused by the wishful thinking\u201d of Iranian leaders in the past, but have been accused of being \u201ccompromisers\u201d and even \u201ctraitors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the former foreign minister did not mention Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei as two of these leaders, his remarks drew strong criticism from some figures and media outlets close to the Iranian government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the IRGC, slammed Zarif, writing that he sees his own ambitions for the nuclear deal with the United States have come to naught, he tries to attribute his failure to the ideals of the country\u2019s political system, without mentioning the \u201cbrilliant achievements\u201d of the country and Iran\u2019s supreme leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in his recent meeting with foreign ministry officials and Iran\u2019s ambassadors emphasized on \u201cthree words of dignity, wisdom and expediency\u201d in foreign policy, saying that \u201cdignity means negating the diplomacy of begging both in words and content.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one of his recent speeches, Khamenei claimed that what he had earlier called as \u201cheroic flexibility\u201d was misunderstood, and now there must be \u201cflexibility\u201d in foreign policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

VOA Persian<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

64% Decrease in Iran\u2019s Exports to the EU in the Past 14 Years<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Iranian media outlets have quoted the Custom Office\u2019s statistics saying that Iran\u2019s non-oil exports to the EU have dropped by 64% in the past 14 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statistics show that Iran\u2019s non-oil exports to the member countries of the EU declined from $2 billion in 2009 and 2010 to $725 million in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has been said that Iran\u2019s exports to the EU started to decline after the UK exited the EU and the number of member countries of the EU decreased, and the United States pulled out of the nuclear deal and the sanctions against Iran were intensified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the meantime, after the Iranian government refused to pass the FATF bills regarding money laundering and reforming the financial system in the country, Iran was added to the FATF blacklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FATF is an international group which aims to eliminate money laundering at the global level. Only Iran and North Korea are on the FATF\u2019s blacklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Iranian Chamber of Commerce\u2019s statistics show a 57% rise in Iran\u2019s imports last month compared to the same period last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the latest report of Tehran\u2019s Chamber of Commerce, in the past 9 months, Iran had imported $9 billion worth of goods, mostly from China, the UAE, Turkey, Germany and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last month, Iran\u2019s non-oil exports reached $3.8 billion showing 6.1% growth. A large part of what is called non-oil exports by Iranian institutions are actually crude oil products. Iran\u2019s imported goods include corn, smartphones, soybeans, auto parts and rice. For several years in a row, Iran\u2019s imports have exceeded its non-oil exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radio Farda<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radio Farda<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Economic Development: Oil and Natural Gas Are Iran\u2019s Winning Card The editorial of Eskenas explains that Iran\u2019s development plans have been unsuccessful because of the politicization of the economy in the country, while oil and natural gas can be Iran\u2019s winning card in economic development. The big problem facing Iran\u2019s economy is that it is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":11396,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[386,13,25],"class_list":["post-11392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week","tag-khamenei","tag-saudi-arabia","tag-uae"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11392"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11392\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11399,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11392\/revisions\/11399"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}