{"id":2433,"date":"2017-01-18T11:06:32","date_gmt":"2017-01-18T08:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/?p=2433"},"modified":"2017-01-18T11:06:32","modified_gmt":"2017-01-18T08:06:32","slug":"rafsanjanis-involvement-in-an-assassination-and-increasing-the-budget-of-irans-atomic-energy-organization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/monitoring-and-translation\/iran-in-a-week\/rafsanjanis-involvement-in-an-assassination-and-increasing-the-budget-of-irans-atomic-energy-organization\/","title":{"rendered":"Rafsanjani\u2019s Involvement in an Assassination and Increasing the Budget of Iran&#8217;s Atomic Energy Organization"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-435\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/06\/Prominent-Editorials-3.png\" alt=\"AGCIS\" width=\"188\" height=\"43\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u00bb\u00a0<\/span>Struggles in economy and opponents\u2019 offensive technique<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\nRouhani and his team are committed to four more years of administration, but the opposing team will not make it easy for them, which means that the next presidential elections will not be settled before its beginning. The competition in the next elections will be focused on the economic domain, where Rouhani has not fulfilled his promises, even though official economic indicators show improvements and lower unemployment rate. However, the general feeling among Iranians is dissatisfaction with the economic and living conditions, and there is not enough time for Rouhani to work on improving those conditions. Thus, strong blows will be directed at Rouhani\u2019s team in the economic domain.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">An Editorial in Ebticar Newspaper Jan. 16th, 2017<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u00bb\u00a0<\/span>Increase of nuclear deterrence<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\nSome political and security analysts have always said that Iran will include the nuclear weapons in its security theory. However, this decision has security and military dimensions because it aims at taking possession of the nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers and ships with nuclear propulsion engines equipped with ballistic missiles. After the announcement of this decision, Russia, and the United States announced that the decision constitutes a violation of the nuclear deal. The postponement of this decision after the signing of the nuclear deal was the right move because it [nuclear deal] reduced the wave of anger and fear towards Iranian nuclear program. Thus, moving toward this strategy had less cost in the international community. Perhaps using the US Congress&#8217;s decision to extend sanctions against Iran as an excuse to make such decision was a correct step, relieving Iran of international responsibilities. Iran has developed a new strategy to expand its navy, with focusing on increasing its capacity and proliferation in the open seas and by using them to increase Iran&#8217;s deterrence capability&#8211;, which depends on the nuclear propulsion engines that will be supplied to Iranian ships.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">An editorial in Shargh Newspaper Jan. 15th, 2017<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u00bb <\/span>Political approach of Michel Aoun<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\nThrough analyzing the shifts in Lebanon and the region and, of course, the psychology of the Lebanese president, Michel Aoun\u2019s political approach can be seen from different angles. Lebanon is going through the formation of the new political structure after the political vacuum that lasted for two years, and there is a deep fear among Lebanese people from the Saudi\u2019s impact on Lebanon (according to the Iranian newspaper) through this formation process sought by Michel Aoun. Lebanon believes that Saudi Arabia puts pressure on other countries in the region to decide on the nature of their relations with Lebanon, putting political and economic pressure on those states. Aoun&#8217;s visit to Riyadh did not mean giving up his alliance with Hezbollah and Iran, but it was to convey Lebanese interests to the Saudi government and stave off Saudi Arabia&#8217;s impact on the formation of the new political structure in Lebanon.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">An editorial in Siasat Rouz Newspaper Jan. 12th, 2017<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-436\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/06\/Prominent-News-1.png\" alt=\"AGCIS\" width=\"188\" height=\"43\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666<\/span> No more obstacles for JCPOA enforcement<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2434\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/1437485187_news.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1378\" height=\"822\" \/><br \/>\nIran Foreign Minister Deputy announced that all obstacles in the path of JCPOA implementation have been removed. Abbas Araghchi added that all Iran\u2019s assets in foreign banks are currently available. \u201cWe have had more than 80 thousand letters of credit and bank transfers in the past year, and around $26 billion have been moved, which shows financial system is at work.\u201d Araghchi said that a part of banking problems is due to the remaining U.S. non-nuclear sanctions. However, \u201cdespite continuing sanctions for transactions with U.S. dollar, Iran has been able to create other channels for moving money,\u201d continued Araghchi, \u201cfor instance, 600-million-Euro deal with Peugeot as well as buying air craft from Air Bus and Boeing.\u201d As for relations with the upcoming U.S. State Department team, he stated \u201cexcept for technical issues related to JCPOA implementation, sanctions and bank transactions, Iran has no other negotiations with U.S. authorities.\u201d<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">VOA News<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Iran Minister: Rafsanjani never asked me to run for president<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2435\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/f-570x330-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1150\" height=\"675\" \/><br \/>\nIran Health Minister Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi has denied that Hashemi Rafsanjani had asked him to stand as a candidate for presidential election, calling it a \u201clie\u201d and \u201clibel\u201d, reported ILNA. The news was published by a Telegram channel quoting Ghazizadeh as saying Rafsanjani had told him the \u201ccurrent political situation is not to the benefit of the government\u201d and \u201can option for replacing Mr. Rouhani is necessary\u201d, asking Ghazizadeh to run for presidential election.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Shargh Daily<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Economy Minister: government owes 700 thousand billion Tomans<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2436\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/large-\u0648\u0632\u064a\u0631\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0642\u062a\u0635\u0627\u062f\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0655\u064a\u0631\u0627\u0646\u064a\u060c\u0639\u0644\u064a\u0637\u064a\u0628\u0646\u064a\u0627\u060c\u0637\u0647\u0631\u0627\u0646-\u0648\u0643\u0627\u0644\u0627\u062a-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1251\" height=\"756\" \/><br \/>\nMinister of Economic Affairs and Finance said that according to latest estimates, government\u2019s debts have reached 600-700 thousand billion tomans, while in the beginning, it was estimated as 150 thousand billion tomans. Ali Tayebnia added that when the 11th government started to work, an office in Economy Ministry was formed to clearly find out the amount of government\u2019s debts.<br \/>\nHe continued that the biggest economic problem is that government is cash-strapped. Minister of Economic Affairs explained that in Iran, 20 to 30 thousand billion Tomans is spent on development project, while 42 thousand billion Tomans is distributed as cash subsidies among Iranian people.<br \/>\nAli Tayebnia pointed out to unfair collection of taxes in the country, while high illogical tax exemptions are putting the industry and transparent economic sectors under a lot of pressure. He added that there are people who are transferring hundreds of millions of currency, and still do not have tax records.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Tejart Online<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Nategh-Nouri is a good option for heading Expediency Council<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2437\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/rfdiraq-sfSpan1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1119\" height=\"848\" \/><br \/>\nMember of central council of Imam Assembly Forces talked about options that are proposed for replacing Hashemi Rafsanjani. Hadi Ghaffari believes that Nategh-Nouri would be a good choice for heading Expediency Discernment Council because of his moderation and more importantly not being accused of partisanship. He pointed out to Nategh-Nouri\u2019s revolutionary records and the attention he received from both Khomeini and Khamenei, saying, \u201cHe is a worthy educated person who can be the best option.\u201d<br \/>\nAs for the possibility of Haddad Adel becoming head of Expediency Discernment Council, Ghaffari said, \u201cHaddad Adel does not have any records in the revolution, and is by no means accepted by existing currents and parties. Moreover, as we saw, he was not elected to the parliament with all facilities he had in his possession. The leader will certainly not elect him.\u201d<br \/>\nGhaffari further mentioned Hashemi Rafsanjani\u2019s role in not allowing Expediency Discernment Council get involved in political conflicts, because this Council is for \u201cresolving those cases where there are differences between the parliament and the Guardian Council.\u201d He added that head of this Council should have the approval of all political factions, not taking any sides in political disputes.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Asr Iran<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Rafsanjani\u2019s involvement in assassination of Shah\u2019s Prime Minister<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2438\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/b411e54ea25a1edbda35393bc83ea9bf.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1220\" height=\"689\" \/><br \/>\nHashemi Rafsanjani\u2019s office has issued a statement against the comments of former conservative lawmaker Assadollah Badamchian. According to the statement, \u201csome individuals\u201d have said that during the Shah\u2019s regime, Hashemi Rafsanjani provided the weapon for the assassination of Hassan Ali Mansour by the [Devotees] group. \u201cThis issue is not documented and lacks accuracy\u201d, concludes the statement.<br \/>\nHassan Ali Mansour was Iran\u2019s Prime Minister from 1964 to 1965. He was assassinated in January 1965.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Khabar online<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Proposal for 10 times increase in Atomic Energy Organization budget<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2439\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/Mojtaba-Zolnour-1-640x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1067\" height=\"676\" \/><br \/>\nIn a letter prepared by Iranian parliament\u2019s Nuclear Committee, there is a proposal for 10 times increase in the budget proposed by Iran\u2019s government for Atomic Energy Organization next year. Mojtaba Zolnour, head of parliament\u2019s Nuclear Committee confirmed this news, saying, \u201cWe are certain that the proposed budget for Atomic Energy Organization is very low, and it is not clear how the budget will be spent.\u201d<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Arman Emrouz<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Vaezi: Iran railroad to connect to Russia, Azerbaijan<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2440\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/06-PAGEONE-Vaezi.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1309\" height=\"791\" \/><br \/>\nMinister of Communication and Technology Mahmoud Vaezi emphasized the necessity of serious efforts to export from Alborz to Russia and Azerbaijan, saying that in an about a month, Astara railroad will be connected to these two countries, making transportation through this route very inexpensive.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Arman Emrouz<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>4 billion cubic meters less water in Iran dams<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2441\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/10065-e1484482898736.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1419\" height=\"752\" \/><br \/>\nIran\u2019s Ministry of Energy announced that since the beginning of this water year, 7 billion cubic meters of water has entered the country\u2019s 169 dams, which is approximately 4.1 billion cubic meters less, compared to the same period last year. The amount of water that had entered the dams in the same period last year was more than 11 billion cubic meters, showing 37% decrease this year.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Mehr News<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>IRGC spokesperson lambasts Tehran MP<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2442\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/shref.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1079\" height=\"667\" \/><br \/>\nRamazan Sharif, the spokesperson for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, has slammed Tehran Parliament Member, Ali Motahari, for his \u201cdisdainful comments.\u201d MP Ali Motahari had recently said in an interview that \u201cpreventing JCPOA implementation through launching missiles, giving excuses to enemies by human rights [violations] and calling any opponent a seditionist has harmed our revolution.\u201d Motahari added that such measures are done due to \u201cunreason\u201d or desire to \u201cgain power at any price.\u201d In reply, IRGC spokesperson called Tehran MP a \u201cwesternized\u201d and \u201cfeeble-minded\u201d person who \u201cechoes the enemy\u2019s voice\u201d. Sharif continued that such comments about the \u201cmissile power of Islamic Iran\u201d would disturb public opinion.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Fars News Agency<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666 <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Iranian\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Army: No relation between JCPOA and defending the country<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2443\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/ar-1427144-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1294\" height=\"757\" \/><br \/>\nIran\u2019s Chief Armed Forces spokesperson said that as \u201cevil regimes threaten Iran; we have no choice but to reinforce our defense capabilities.\u201d Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri added that there is no relation between JCPOA and defending the country. \u201cBasically, the issue of defense has had no place in nuclear negotiations,\u201d stressed Jazayeri, \u201cauthorities and members of negotiation team took this point into account and explained it to other parties in 5+1 as well.\u201d Jazayeri also said that there might be some individuals who \u201cout of ignorance\u201d would disagree with strengthening defense abilities, including upgrading missile systems.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Fars News Agency<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Anti-aircraft fire sparks public curiosity in Tehran<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2444\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/587d21c7c3618881388b459d.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1169\" height=\"668\" \/><br \/>\nA sound of continuous shootings by anti-aircraft weapons in central Tehran took people by surprise Monday afternoon. This was the second time in a month that antiaircraft guns had opened fire in Tehran. The authorities later announced that it was a \u201ccamera drone\u201d both times. Ali Asghar Nasserbakht, Deputy Governor of Tehran for Security Affairs, told Fars news agency \u201cthe drone was flying close to a forbidden zone,\u201d but it \u201cflew away after the anti-aircraft shooting.\u201d Alireza Elhami, the deputy commander of Iran\u2019s air defense organization told people \u201cnot to worry\u201d and that \u201cwhat we saw was not any particular threat.\u201d Sounds and images of the event, however, went viral on Iranian social media by people who expressed their shock as well as joked about it.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Etimad daily<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>We observe activities of Government\u2019s opponents, says official<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2445\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/\u0645\u0639\u0627\u0631\u0636\u0629.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1017\" height=\"574\" \/><br \/>\nIran\u2019s Deputy Interior Minister for political affairs Ali Asghar Ahmadi made an announcement about \u201cactivities of government opponents on the brink of an election,\u201d saying that the vice president for legal affairs observes such activities and if any crime is committed, it will be definitely prosecuted. Asked if the Popular Front of Revolution Forces has a permit for its activities, Ahmadi said factions with a valid permit could work together and inform the Article 10 Parties Commission that they work on a particular topic for a specific time.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Arman Emrouz<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Ahmadinejad\u2019s Intelligence Minister: Zarif made mistake<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2446\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/D9A7FCF2-D53A-4BE8-859C-C35BAE29D992_mw800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1268\" height=\"958\" \/><br \/>\nHeydar Moslehi, Ahmadinejad\u2019s Minister of Intelligence, said that nuclear negotiations took two years, and \u201cwhenever we got closer to the time of negotiations, Obama talked of the military option.\u201d Moslehi added, \u201cZarif made a mistake and said that the U.S. can destroy our military plants and facilities with pushing a button. At that time, I said we should show our military plants and facilities to him [Zarif] so that he can realize it is not like that.\u201d<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Shargh Daily<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>700 thousand more unemployed after JCPOA<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2447\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/C0yXJh3W8AAkDGQ.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1203\" height=\"615\" \/><br \/>\nThere have been 700 thousand more unemployed after JCPOA, as the rate of unemployment from 10.7% in autumn of 2015 (before implementation of JCPOA) has reached to 12.7% in the summer of 2016, according to Statistical Center of Iran. One of the key promises of Hassan Rouhani from the beginning was resolving the issue of unemployment and creating jobs for the youth, and since the implementation of JCPOA, the same promise has been repeated. But, observing government\u2019s policies from the beginning shows that the plan for creating jobs has been overlooked by the 11th government.<br \/>\nThe government thought that with JCPOA, it can secure the economic interests of the country, and with unfreezing billions of dollars of Iranian assets and oil revenue, it can increase production growth, as well as oil and gas export in international markets. But what is certain is that oil-dependent economy will not benefit employment in Iran.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Javan<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Hassan Rouhani\u2019s destiny in post-Hashemi era<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2448\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/06_rouhani2_g_w.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1285\" height=\"734\" \/><br \/>\nSome believe that Hashemi was rather an emotional support and not a real source of power for reformists and moderates in Iran\u2019s politics. This comes from Hashemi\u2019s supporters. They think Hashemi has not been able to do anything in politics for a long time. However, this is not true. He had a decisive role in constructive moments, such as the 2013 presidential election. At the time, Hashemi became an ultra-pragmatic figure, helping to form Rouhani\u2019s cabinet, as well as the two elections of a 10th parliament and Assembly of Experts, not to mention his role in the fruition of Rouhani\u2019s central idea, JCPOA.<br \/>\nTherefore, Hassan Rouhani might be the best option. He has proved to be able to work with both factions. Post-Hashemi era has also started for Rouhani&#8211; he is a pragmatist and knows this is the only way left: he should have a new role.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Mardomsalari<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Iran must halt execution of 12 alleged drug offenders<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2449\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/iran-execution.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"938\" height=\"631\" \/><br \/>\nTwo independent human rights organizations, Amnesty International and Human rights Watch, in a common statement, asked Iran to immediately stop executions of 12 male prisoners who are sentenced to death, on drug-related charges. These two organizations \u201cexpressed concern that despite repeated government promises, Iran has not made any tangible progress in reducing its alarming execution rate.\u201d<br \/>\nSarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Human Rights Watch Middle East and North Africa Division emphasized that hasty transfer of drug-related criminals to the gallows would only worsen the legal and judiciary conditions in Iran and will not resolve drug problems.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Radio Zamaneh<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Air pollution increases death rate<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2450\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/IRAN-2-jumbo-v2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1092\" height=\"737\" \/><br \/>\nMember of Tehran City Council said that air pollution in Tehran has increased the rate of mortality in Tehran, mentioning that despite 21 government organizations that are responsible in this regard, none of them is accountable. Abulfazl Ghana\u2019ati emphasized that air pollution is a major concern for all those who live in Tehran, causing loss of life in sensitive people from different age ranges. \u201cStatistics from Behesht Zahra [Tehran\u2019s cemetery] show that on days with air pollution, the rate of citizens\u2019 mortality goes up,\u201d added a member of Tehran City Council.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Mehr News<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Europe\u2019s serious message to U.S. about JCPOA<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2451\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/les-politiques-economiques-en-Iran_pic.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1162\" height=\"664\" \/><br \/>\nExtending Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) by the U.S. has created differences between Tehran and Washington about implementing JCPOA, which was the main topic in the meeting of a joint commission of P5+1 and Iran in Vienna. ISA which was going to terminate by the end of 2016 was extended by radical oppositions in the U.S. Congress. Iran considered it as a violation of JCPOA, asking joint commission of P5+1 to address the issue.<br \/>\nEuropean members of P5+1 that unanimously support maintaining JCPOA issued a statement warning the U.S. to stay committed to Obama\u2019s executive order in this regard. These members that have their own interests in mind are after protecting it against the U.S. They have used Iran\u2019s protesting extension of ISA to warn new U.S. president in this regard.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Iran Newspaper<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>U.S. senate, House to call IRGC foreign terrorist group<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2452\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/us-senate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1033\" height=\"695\" \/><br \/>\nU.S Senators Ted Cruz and Jim Inhofe proposed a bill, demanding U.S. State Department to recognize Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organization. In the bill\u2019s draft, it is suggested that IRGC matches U.S. laws\u2019 standards for recognizing the foreign terrorist organization. After ratification of the bill, U.S. Secretary of State will have 30 days to decide on enlisting IRGC as a foreign terrorist group or not.<br \/>\nA similar bill was also proposed by U.S. Representative Michael McCaul. He said that if an organization looks and acts like a terrorist group, and supports terrorism, then it should be called a terrorist organization. He emphasized that in recent years, Quds Force has trained groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, thus endangering U.S. Allies and its national security in the region. Michael McCaul added, \u201cIt is time to hold the Ayatollahs accountable.\u201d<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">VOA Persian<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Rafsanjani\u2019s death to leave no vacuum in Clergy Association<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2453\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/Akbar-Hashemi-Rafsanjani-Ali-Khamenei.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"950\" height=\"639\" \/><br \/>\nSpokesperson of Tehran Combatant Clergy Association, Gholamreza Mesbahi Moghadam, said that due to Hashemi Rafsanjani\u2019s absence from this Association\u2019s meetings for many years, there would be no vacuum in Combatant Clergy Association after Rafsanjani\u2019s death. Mesbahi Moghadam added that even though there were no obstacles for Rafsanjani\u2019s participation in meetings of Combatant Clergy Association, he himself had said that he could not take part in these meetings for security reasons.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Shargh Daily<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Gas Export Company dissolved<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2454\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/zangane.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1185\" height=\"677\" \/><br \/>\nBy the order of Oil Minister, National Iranian Gas Export Company was officially dissolved. In continuation of structural changes to the body of Iran\u2019s National Oil Company, a new management under the title of \u201cGas Export\u201d was launched in this company.<br \/>\nOil Minister Bizhan Zanganeh had said earlier that Gas Export Company would be dissolved and replaced with a management in National Oil Company, as some were after its privatization.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Mehr news<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>238 work-related deaths in Tehran<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2455\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/worker-deaths.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1007\" height=\"591\" \/><br \/>\nDuring 8 months, 238 work-related deaths&#8211; 233 men and 5 women&#8211; were reported to centers of General Office of Legal Medicine in Tehran, according to the head of this office. Massoud Ghadi Pasha said that this number shows 7.1% decline compared to the same period last year.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Etimad Newspaper<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>\u2018Trump will be Gorbachev for U.S.\u2019, says IRGC official<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2456\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/Mohammad-Reza-Naqdi1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1271\" height=\"726\" \/><br \/>\nIRGC cultural deputy said that those who believed that sanctions would be lifted by shutting down nuclear facilities should apologize to people for raising doubts. Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naghdi added that since the beginning of nuclear negotiations, the U.S. has passed a bill against Iran every month. He urged that \u201cwe had to pay the price of negotiations to end all doubts.\u201d Naghdi stated, \u201cToday people know that those who talk of negotiating with the U.S. are traitors.\u201d<br \/>\nIRGC cultural deputy also predicted that the new U.S. president, by disrupting all trade relations in his country, will be another Gorbachev for America, destroying the country with his decisions.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Tasnim News<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Parliament\u2019s legislation: Government bound to increase missile capabilities<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2457\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/5873c585c3618835168b45de.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1121\" height=\"633\" \/><br \/>\nThe Iranian parliament has passed bills during the review of 6th Development Plan which, if approved by the Guardian Council, will bound the government to add 5% from \u201cpublic budget\u201d to defense budget, for \u201cdeveloping and increasing missile capabilities.\u201d<br \/>\nAccording to this bill, the government must take necessary measures in \u201cdeveloping and increasing capabilities in producing missiles, developing and strengthening air defense, as well as facilities for cyber war and defense, and developing and updating capabilities in producing drones and arming them.\u201d Furthermore, \u201cmodernizing military aircraft, developing naval fleet, as well as the quantitative and qualitative strengthening of Basij forces\u201d are among other upcoming government undertakings.<br \/>\nThe UN Security Council Resolution 2231 calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons until the date 8 years after JCPOA adoption day.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Radio Farda<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>Business relations between ExxonMobil and Iran<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2458\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/AP_Rockfeller_02_jrl_160324.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1191\" height=\"648\" \/><br \/>\nAccording to USA TODAY, ExxonMobil used to do business with Iran, Sudan and Syria while Rex Tillerson was the CEO of the oil giant company. Those three countries were under U.S. sanctions at the time. ExxonMobil told USA TODAY the transactions were legal because they were done via a European subsidiary, and no U.S. institution or person was involved. The sales were conducted in 2003, 2004 and 2005 by Infineum, in which ExxonMobil owned a 50% share, according to a Democratic research group. Rex Tillerson, who has close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, is currently President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s nominee for secretary of State.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Fars News Agency<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><span style=\"color: #339966;\">\u2666\u00a0<\/span>5+1 Approves transfer of huge shipment of uranium to Iran<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-2459\" src=\"http:\/\/arabiangcis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/01\/uranium1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"921\" \/><br \/>\nTwo senior diplomats have told the New York Times that U.S. and five other world powers have approved the transfer of a significant amount of natural uranium to Iran, reported Tasnim News Agency. Transferring natural uranium to Iran is in exchange for this country\u2019s exporting tons of its heavy water abroad, say the New York Times sources. According to this report, Russia is to deliver 116 metric tons (nearly 130 tons) of natural uranium to Iran.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\">Jame-Jam Online<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00bb\u00a0Struggles in economy and opponents\u2019 offensive technique Rouhani and his team are committed to four more years of administration, but the opposing team will not make it easy for them, which means that the next presidential elections will not be settled before its beginning. The competition in the next elections will be focused on the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":2360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[103,42,154,1443,1438,1442,1296,1441,57,1440,258,308,461,1370,1445,1446,1439,20,12,355,1444,430,361,151,1447,73,159,388,788,38,44,29,28,267,1031,624,79,527,39],"class_list":["post-2433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week","tag-103","tag-agcis","tag-ahmadinejad","tag-air-pollution","tag-ali-tayebnia","tag-anti-aircraft","tag-arabian-gulf-center-for-iranian-studies","tag-atomic-energy-organization","tag-azerbaijan","tag-badamchian","tag-clergy","tag-economy","tag-europe","tag-exxonmobil","tag-gas-export","tag-gorbachev","tag-hadi-ghaffari","tag-human-rights","tag-iran","tag-irgc","tag-irib","tag-jcpoa","tag-media","tag-missile","tag-new-york","tag-press","tag-rafsanjani","tag-reformist","tag-revolutionary-guards","tag-rouhani","tag-russia","tag-shah","tag-tehran","tag-terrorist","tag-trump","tag-u-s","tag-unemployment","tag-uranium","tag-zarif"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433","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=2433"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2462,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433\/revisions\/2462"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}