{"id":5912,"date":"2018-12-01T20:00:41","date_gmt":"2018-12-01T17:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/?p=5912"},"modified":"2018-12-01T10:49:07","modified_gmt":"2018-12-01T07:49:07","slug":"domestic-tensions-in-iran-irgc-provokes-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/monitoring-and-translation\/iran-in-a-week\/domestic-tensions-in-iran-irgc-provokes-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Domestic Tensions in Iran, IRGC Provokes US"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Impeaching Zarif!<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Ebtekar newspaper mulls over the consequence implications of impeaching Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif by hardline lawmakers. The issue of impeaching Zarif was raised when he, in his recent remarks, pointed out to existence of extensive money laundry in Iran.
\nAccording to the editorial, Zarif stands for the moderate approach of Rouhani\u2019s government that gained the majority of people\u2019s votes in two past presidential elections. This approach\u2019s agenda was Iran\u2019s glorious return to the international community. This priority still exists and majority of voters hold that active diplomacy is one of the main policies to surmount the existing problems.
\nThe editorial continues: impeaching Zarif by those who are against the nuclear deal can have no justifications at the time when Iran\u2019s diplomacy needs credit and legitimacy more than any other time. While Trump\u2019s administration and its regional allies are busy making Iran\u2019s active diplomacy ineffective and Iran\u2019s foreign policy has most responsibility to confront it, those proposing impeachment of Zarif insist on doing it.
\nThe editorial then asks: but is making Iran\u2019s diplomacy inefficient really less costly than Zarif\u2019s remarks about money laundry? Zarif\u2019s remarks about extensive money laundry in Iran are based on reiterated remarks of lawmakers and judiciary officials. What is more, those backing impeachment can wait until the reaction of the judiciary to Zarif\u2019s argument in this regard.
\nThe editorial concludes: rushing the plan for impeachment can only end in busying Iranian diplomacy with an issue that has had a great impact on diplomatic measures in interaction with the international community. And in the meantime, it will marginalize the key issue of confronting money laundering in Iran and joining FATF and CFT.
\n Ebtekar \u2013 November 27<\/a><\/p>\n

Reformists Escaping Forward and Few Fundamental Questions<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe editorial of Asr-e Maa Iranian brings about questions regarding Iranian reformists\u2019 response to the failure of Rouhani\u2019s government, asking them to apologize for the poor performance of the government.
\nThe editorial asserts: failure, confusion and inability are words that can best describe the current conditions of the government and Hassan Rouhani, as the president. In foreign policy, there is no longer any nuclear deal in actuality. And as for domestic affairs, the government has had no clear, effective achievements so far.
\nThe editorial continues: on the threshold of parliamentarian election and following the failures of the government in fulfilling its promises, Iranian reformists are now looking for a new political opening for themselves. Some reformist figures like Mohammad Reza Khatami, Gholamhossein Karbaschi, and Mostafa Tajzadeh have actually admitted the government\u2019s failures and in numerous cases, they have announced regret for backing it.
\nThe editorial then asks: had the reformists considered the destiny and lives of Iranian people in their decisions? Isn\u2019t it time for them to apologize to people officially? What guarantee is there that in the upcoming election they won\u2019t come back with their false, misleading slogans?
\nThe editorial concludes: the reformist current has no way but to be accountable and apologize for the poor performance of the current government which they fully supported during past two elections.
\n Asr-e Iranian \u2013 November 27<\/a><\/p>\n

It is not the Time for Exonerating Europeans!<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Vatan Emrooz focuses on Europeans\u2019 attitudes and performance regarding the nuclear deal (JCPOA) with Iran, suggesting that Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif insists on drawing a line between Europeans and Americans, while there are no differences between the two.
\nAccording to the editorial, Mohammad Javad Zarif, in response to the question if Americans and Europeans are playing \u2018good cops\u2019 and \u2018bad cops\u2019 with regard to the JCPOA, said, \u2018I should say that Europeans and Americans agree over some policies and issues and have different opinions over some other issues including the JCPOA; in my opinion, no one is playing good cop and bad cop in this regard.\u2019
\nThe editorial continues: no doubt, there are differences between the United States and Europe. But can we extend these differences to the question of the JCPOA? If so, how come European Union has accompanied the United States in the process of \u2018changing the JCPOA\u2019? Moreover, how come that the European officials have remained silent towards renewing ISA (Iran Sanction Act), ratification of CAATSA (Countering America\u2019s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) and restriction in issuing visa for those who travel to Iran?
\nThe editorial adds: has Mr. Zarif forgotten that people like Macron, Merkle, and Thresa May have talked repeatedly about Iran\u2019s destructive role in the region, shortcomings of the nuclear deal, the necessity of controlling Iran\u2019s missile capability, and the importance of negotiating with Tehran over imposing new nuclear restrictions? Has Mr. Zarif forgotten about Europe\u2019s utmost accompaniment with Trump\u2019s administration over \u2018changing the JCPOA\u2019?
\nThe editorial concludes: 6 months have passed since the US pullout of the nuclear deal. Europe\u2019s incentive package and their so-called \u2018special mechanism\u2019 for preserving the JCOPA have not been presented yet. Under such conditions, what does it mean to exonerate Europeans from \u2018violation of the JCPOA\u2019?
\n Vatan Emrooz \u2013 November 26<\/a><\/p>\n

Ripping Apart the Bureaucracy or Turning to Youths?<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Arman daily addresses the inefficiency of the law passed by Iranian Parliament to prevent use of retirees in government positions in the country.
\nAccording to the editorial, the law preventing use of retirees is a measure taken by Iranian Parliament without conducting comprehensive studies. The biggest excuse to justify the necessity of passing this plan is to create opportunity and employment for the youths. Meanwhile, the elites in the society and those with experience in managerial level know that university graduates \u2013 due to different reasons \u2013 do not have the necessary capability for doing their jobs in the beginning.
\nThe editorial goes on to say: with respect to this law, the lawmakers were caught in a populist slogan and voted for it. The law, as it is, results in eliminating the efficient people, while certain people \u2013 those close to Iranian establishment \u2013 will be exempted from it. If the lawmakers intended to break the closed circle of managers within the government to bring in capable people from among the youths, one can see from the beginning that this goal will not be achieved.
\nThe editorial concludes: the clear signs of damages of this law are right in front of us. Shahindokht Molaverdi who has both the education and experience is set aside because of this law. In the meantime, certain ministers and senior officials are not subject to this law.
\n Arman Daily \u2013 November 26<\/a><\/p>\n

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International Islamic Unity Conference, or Platform to Insult Muslim Countries?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> <\/span>
\nIranian authorities used International Islamic Unity Conference held in Tehran as a platform to lash out at other countries including Saudi Arabi and Emirates \u2013 casting a shadow over the purpose of the conference which is to unify Shias and Sunnis. In the opening ceremony of the conference, Iranian President lambasted Saudi government for its relationship with the United States, while being insulted by that country. He also criticized some Arab countries for giving \u2018$450 billion \u201cgift\u201d to the United States and purchasing $110 billion arms from this country\u2019. Rouhani, in a different note, called Israel a \u2018cancerous tumor\u2019 and a \u2018fake regime\u2019.
\nIranian political activist and academic Sadegh Zibakalam slammed Hassan Rouhani for his sarcastic tone against Saudis at a conference which is supposed to bring together Shi\u2019as and Sunnis. Zibalam wrote in his twitter: \u2018It was in the framework of unity and sympathy between Shi\u2019a and Sunni that Mr. Rouhani talked with that offensive and humiliating tone about Saudis. I can\u2019t imagine what phrases and sentences he would have used if he intended to insult them!\u2019
\nThe Islamic Republic supreme leader Ali Khamenei, during his speech at the International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran, severely criticized Saudi Arabia for its cooperation with the US administration. Khamenei said America humiliates some of its followers in the region. \u201cAmerica and the Zionist regime are dead wrong to threaten Iranian nation,\u201d asserted Khamenei.
\nAli Larijani, Iranian parliament speaker, too, warned Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against supporting America and Israel. In his speech at the International Islamic Unity Conference, Larijani stated Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are making a \u201cmistake\u201d in supporting the U.S. and Israel. He added that Iran would not let go of this mistake and would retaliate.
\nThe US Secretary of States Mike Pompeo, in a press statement released on Monday, reacted to Rouhani\u2019s remarks regarding the United States and Israel during this conference, saying these remarks work \u2018to isolate regime from both world and Iranian people\u2019. The statement read, \u2018Iranian people know better and do not agree with their government which has badly represented them to the world for 39 years. The people have suffered under this tyranny for far too long.\u2019
\nDeutche Welle<\/a>
\nRadio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n

Belligerent IRGC Threatens US Bases in Region<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\nCommander of IRGC Aerospace Force, Brigadier-General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, keeps threatening the US military forces in the region, calling them easy target for Iranian missiles. He said US bases in Afghanistan, UAE, and Qatar, as well as US aircraft carriers in the Gulf and Oman Sea, are within reach of Iranian missiles. In a TV interview with Iran\u2019s state-run TV, Hajizadeh stated that \u2018Al Udeid and Al Dhafra bases are less than 300km and Kandahar base less than 400km away from us; if they [Americans] make a move, we will strike them.\u2019 He went on to add that \u2018the same conditions exist in sea. Today we have achieved sea missiles with 700km range which can be used in Oman Sea; US aircraft carriers are easy target for us.\u2019
\nIslamic Republic\u2019s authorities have already threatened several times that if Iran cannot export its oil, other countries too will not be able to export oil \u2013 a threat seen as Iran\u2019s possible intention of closing Hormuz Strait as one of the most vital waterways for global oil.
\nAfter these remarks and other threats by Islamic Republic\u2019s authorities, Admiral John Richardson, operational commander of US naval forces, warned Iran that the United States, even by force, will keep Hormuz Strait open for traffic of ships.
\nThe remarks of Brigadier-General Amir Ali Hajizadeh are brought up when the US sanctions fully returned on November 4. National Security Advisor John Bolton urged that the United States intends to double down on sanctioning Iran. He added that \u2018we think the government is under real pressure and it\u2019s our intention to squeeze them very hard\u2019.
\nWestern countries including the United States and France consider Iran\u2019s missile program a threat against stability in the region. Trump\u2019s administration is after a new deal with Iran that will include Tehran\u2019s missile program. But Iran has kept rejecting these demands, urging that its missile program is nonnegotiable.
\nEntekhab<\/a>
\nRadio Frada<\/a><\/p>\n

Zarif on the Path to Impeachment<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nIranian hardline lawmakers eventually managed to submit the proposal for impeaching Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif with 24 signatures to the parliament\u2019s board of directors on Tuesday, November 27. Zarif\u2019s impeachment proposal consists of 11 main points including \u2018taking wrong positions towards money laundry\u2019, \u2018lack of attention to economy in the country\u2019s diplomacy\u2019, \u2018deploying inefficient ambassadors\u2019, \u2018lack of attention to development of relationship with Asian, African and Latin American countries\u2019, \u2018threatening the defense foundation of the country\u2019 and \u2018not securing the national interests in signed contracts\u2019. If the proposal is approved, Zarif will be the first Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic to be impeached.
\nZarif\u2019s recent remarks about \u201cextensive money laundering\u201d in Iran sparked extensive reactions. He had commented on the negative atmosphere against money laundry bills in Iran, saying that was because of \u2018economic interests of certain people\u2019. In an interview with Khabar Online website, he had urged on the existence of extensive money laundry, adding that \u2018many benefit\u2019 from this situation. He also said the major cause behind propaganda against anti-money laundering laws– such as CFT (Combatting the Financing of Terrorism) bill– was the \u201ceconomic interests\u201d of those individuals.
\nAt the core of the controversy is the issue of FATF. In recent past months, Iran\u2019s political domain has witnessed extensive disputes over joining the UN Terrorist Financing Convention. Friday Mass Prayer leaders, IRGC commanders, and a group of lawmakers \u2013 who signed a petition against this convention \u2013 are the most important opponents of joining Terrorist Financing Convention.
\nMeanwhile, the tension is mounting in the parliament. 27 lawmakers have written a letter requesting the investigation of Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani. The lawmakers, members of the Front of Islamic Revolution Stability, said in their letter that Larijani acted against the law when he referred the money-laundering bills to Iran\u2019s Expediency Council. The letter asked the parliament\u2019s committee on codification internal regulations to investigate Larijani\u2019s illegal behavior.
\nImpeaching Zarif will damage Iranian foreign policy, particularly at the time when US administration is trying to make Iran\u2019s diplomacy ineffective.
\nISNA<\/a>
\nBBC Persian<\/a><\/p>\n

Workers Ask to Be Paid; Iranian Judiciary Chief Threatens Them<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nIranian workers strike in cities of Ahvaz and Shush continued against all odds during past week. Workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Factory staged their protest, despite the fact that the police issued a statement \u201cforbidding\u201d any kind of assemblies in the city of Shush. The video clips published on social media showed workers chanting slogans such as, \u201cThey have stolen Haft Tapeh, and they are bragging about it too!\u201d as well as \u201cDeath to oppressors, long live workers!\u201d Workers\u2019 demands include ending the privatization of their factory, complete payment of their delayed wages and release of their representative Esmaeil Bakhshi who was arrested during labor demonstrations.
\nMeanwhile, workers of Iran National Steel Industrial Group took to streets of Ahvaz, chanting \u201cNeither the ruler, nor government cares about the nation!\u201d and \u201cWe are steel workers, we will uproot oppression!\u201d The workers asked for entire payment of their delayed wages as well as transference of their factory\u2019s ownership from National Bank of Iran to the government.
\nThe judiciary chief Sadegh Larijani had threatened workers, saying \u201cthe enemy\u201d was after taking advantage of their demands. \u201cIt is not acceptable to use workers\u2019 demands for disrupting order in the country,\u201d Larijani pointed out. He had warned that those demands would not be fulfilled through \u201cturmoil, crisis and measures against public order.\u201d Besides, members of the security council in Shush had \u201cpressured and threatened\u201d the representatives of Haft Tapeh workers to announce the \u201cend of strike\u201d, according to the Free Union of Iranian Workers.
\nMore, the private manager of Haft Tapeh factory, Omid Asadbeigi, published a video message in which he called for ending workers\u2019 strike and said, \u201cThis strike won\u2019t lead to anything but disorder and numerous problems for the factory.\u201d This video message came after judiciary spokesperson Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei announced last week that the manager of Haft Tapeh factory had fled and President Rouhani\u2019s chief of staff said he had been arrested.
\nRadio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n

US Accuses Iran of Pursuing Chemical Weapons<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\nThe United States has accused Iran of not declaring chemical weapon-related activities in violation of commitments to Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The US ambassador to OPCW, Kenneth Ward, brought up these charges against Iran at The Hague on November 22. He said that the United States has been long concerned that Iran has a \u2018chemical-weapons program\u2019 and it hasn\u2019t declared it to OPCW, adding that the United States is also \u2018concerned that Iran is pursuing central-nervous-system-acting chemicals for offensive purposes\u2019.
\nIranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to these allegations in a tweet, writing: \u2018US wants to resort to int\u2019l conventions to make allegations against Iran when it\u2019s made a policy of violating them itself. WMD allegation \u2013 by a country that supported Iraq\u2019s use of CW against Iran; then invaded Iraq to allegedly rid it of them \u2013 is not just obscene, it\u2019s dangerous.\u2019
\nIf the United States is after following these allegations up, the OPCW\u2019s powers are currently limited. Yet it is possible that the United States seeks to impose more sanctions on Iran based on these accusations.
\nBBC Persian<\/a><\/p>\n

A Chinese Company Replaces French Total SA in South Pars<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\nIran\u2019s Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh announced that the Chinese company CNPC has officially replaced France\u2019s Total for developing phase 11 of the South Pars natural gas field. Zanganeh added CNPC has not started its work in the field yet. Iran should negotiate with the Chinese company to determine its starting operation date, Zanganeh stated. Total SA, a French oil company that ranks as one of the world\u2019s major petroleum corporations, abandoned operations to develop the South Pars gas field\u2019s phase 11 in the wake of U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal.
\nThe contract to develop Phase 11 of South Pars natural gas field was initially signed last year by Total with 50.1%, CNPC with 30% and Iranian Petropars with 10.9%. But after the US pulling out of the JCPOA, Total announced that it would leave the project if it couldn\u2019t get exemption from sanctions. This company eventually stated that the United States had not agreed with granting exemption and left the project.
\nWith European major companies leaving Iran, it hopes to find ways to alleviate the economic pressures due to US tough sanctions, mainly by turning to allies like Russia and China.
\nTasnim News Agency<\/a><\/p>\n

40% Live under Relative Poverty Line, 32% under Absolute Poverty Line in Iran<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nA number of economists and lawmakers have expressed alarm over poverty rate in Iran, saying 40 percent of the country\u2019s population live under relative poverty line and 32 percent, under absolute poverty line. Economist Hossein Raghfar had previously said the \u201cabsolute poverty line\u201d for a family of four living in a city was around 4 million tomans. Based on that information, 33 percent of Iran\u2019s population; namely 26 million, suffer from absolute poverty. Besides, 6 percent of the country\u2019s population; namely 5 million, live under \u201chunger line\u201d, meaning they cannot even afford to pay for their food let alone their housing, transportation or clothes. In addition, Parliament Member Rasoul Khezri lately said poverty line will be reaching 10 million tomans in Tehran, and 5 million tomans in provinces.
\nMeanwhile, economist Fereidoun Khavand stated Iran\u2019s Ministry of Welfare and Social Security has refused to announce the total number of the poor in the country as well as criteria used for evaluation of poverty since 2005.
\nEtemad online\u2014November 28<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Impeaching Zarif! The editorial of Ebtekar newspaper mulls over the consequence implications of impeaching Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif by hardline lawmakers. The issue of impeaching Zarif was raised when he, in his recent remarks, pointed out to existence of extensive money laundry in Iran. According to the editorial, Zarif stands for the moderate approach […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[2884,1637,2658,355,2885,1363,237],"class_list":["post-5912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week","tag-domestic","tag-iran-in-a-week","tag-iran-in-aweek","tag-irgc","tag-provokes","tag-tensions","tag-us"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5912","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=5912"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5920,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5912\/revisions\/5920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}