![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/03\/123.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Mr. Rouhani, You either don\u2019t Know or Pretend Ignorance<\/strong><\/span> Fighting Money Laundering<\/span><\/strong> A Simple News!<\/span><\/strong> High Prices for Iran\u2019s New Year\u2019s Eve and the Nightmare of Iranian Households<\/span><\/strong> Iranian \u201cReformist\u201d: Rouhani might not Last and Famine is on the Way<\/span><\/strong> Zarif, Deny\u2019s Human Rights Violations in Iran!<\/span><\/strong> Khamenei Slams EU and the US over the Warsaw Summit;<\/span><\/strong> Iran in Search of a $5 Billion Loan from Russia; the Dollar\u2019s Price is Rising Again<\/span> <\/strong> Mother of Jailed Worker Hospitalized after Being Attacked, Arrested by Judiciary Officials<\/span><\/strong> Mr. Rouhani, You either don\u2019t Know or Pretend Ignorance Iranian President Hassan Rouhani recently claimed that the cause of smuggling goods to other countries is the cheaper prices in Iran. Then he gave the example of Iraq, where the price of meat and gas is more expensive than in Iran, which has resulted in these […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6281,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[2819,481,2990,12,355,430,386,38,44,28,237],"class_list":["post-6296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week","tag-cft","tag-fatf","tag-hossein-rahimi","tag-iran","tag-irgc","tag-jcpoa","tag-khamenei","tag-rouhani","tag-russia","tag-tehran","tag-us"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6296","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=6296"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6296\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9229,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6296\/revisions\/9229"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nIranian President Hassan Rouhani recently claimed that the cause of smuggling goods to other countries is the cheaper prices in Iran. Then he gave the example of Iraq, where the price of meat and gas is more expensive than in Iran, which has resulted in these items being smuggled into that country. The editorial of Akhbar Sanat questions Rouhani\u2019s claim, arguing that it doesn\u2019t offer any solution to the problem of smuggling; it is an attempt to merely whitewash the issue of hiked prices in Iran.
\nFrom an academic point of view, what Rouhani has said is obviously right. However, the point is that he is the head of the executive branch and not an academic. What is more, Rouhani talks as if the prices inside Iran are so low resulting in Iranians enjoying a better living standard. The price of goods and services is very high compared to income levels, and the majority of Iranians have serious problems in making ends meet.
\nThe editorial continues to mention that under such conditions, Rouhani talking of higher prices in other countries is disgusting and embarrassing. Iranian officials keep talking about the high price of gas in other countries, without mentioning the astronomical price of cars in Iran.
\nWhenever Iranian officials begin to pay Iranians in dollars, only then can they talk about prices in other countries. For the time being, they should keep quiet and not add insult to injury. Apparently, Rouhani doesn\u2019t pay enough attention or pretends ignorance to the real cause behind the smuggling of Iranian goods to foreign countries which is the severe drop in the value of Iran\u2019s national currency.
\nThe editorial concludes by saying that Rouhani should stop talking about these issues and do something to save the people \u2013 the very people who are becoming poorer and much more worried by every passing day.
\nAkhbar Sanat \u2013 February 20<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe editorial of Roozan emphasizes the need to fight money laundering in Iran by ratifying the bills of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
\nPart of the money of credit institutes is transferred through money laundering and is no longer traceable. The owners of credit institutes and their families have pocketed the money, and people who have lost their money keep on demonstrating in front of the Central Bank and other places asking for their money. To avoid any possible problems, the government gave 30,000 billion tomans to depositors, which means that this significant amount of deposits was laundered by illegal institutes.
\nThe editorial continues to say that most of the dirty money is gained through selling narcotic drugs, smuggling goods or through bribery. The individuals who obtain such money illegally cannot announce the source of their money, so they turn to money laundering. This issue can be resolved by ratifying FATF bills because they make it compulsory for individuals to announce the source of the money they have received.
\nAll over the world, banks are responsible to ask their depositors for an explanation with regard to the source of their money, except for Iran. Most of the money laundering in the country takes place through merchants, factory owners, and large-scale investors. Even though the Iranian government proposed a bill to act against money laundering in parliament and it was ratified by lawmakers, however, some individuals and interest groups have prevented the final ratification of this bill in Iran.
\nMoney laundering is even possible through the official banking system. Currently, the banking system has granted 150,000 billion tomans of loans to individuals and companies, and they haven\u2019t returned this amount. This money doesn\u2019t return to the banking system, and they offer bogus invoices to get more money.
\nThe editorial concludes by stating that embezzlement and rent-seeking have become the source of dirty money in Iran.
\nRoozan \u2013 February 19<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe editorial of Mardomsalari goes over the implications of a rather simple news story which reflects the dire conditions in Iran, emphasizing that the worst catastrophe in Iranian society is \u201cindifference\u201d towards such catastrophes.
\n\u201cA young addict killed 3 people over 20 kilograms of rice.\u201d There is no need to give more details about this story. In this short sentence, we can see the conditions in the country: unemployment, addiction, soaring prices of essential goods, and the lives of people being worthless. All these chronic problems have been summed up in this catastrophe that took place in a small town.
\nThe editorial continues by stating that perhaps if this news was published in another place or at another time, this tragedy would have alarmed Iranian public opinion, and the media would have spoken about it for a long time, as well as sociologists and psychologists studying its reasons. However, this story didn\u2019t attract any attention in today\u2019s Iran and was lost in other news.
\nThere are other stories that are alarming under ordinary conditions such as ever-increasing prices, cheating in the distribution of essential goods, a decline in the value of properties, and half of Iranian society living under the poverty line. Nevertheless, Iranian society has become numb and doesn\u2019t feel such catastrophes any longer, which is why everybody easily accepts that the value of life is less than 7 kilograms of rice. They justify it by talking of unemployment and economic pressures pushing the youth towards addiction and murder!
\nThe editorial concludes by saying that despite all the problems, one must say that the worst tragedy is getting used to tragedies, which is the biggest tragedy which has inflicted Iranian society. Iranian society had faced such problems repeatedly before, but \u201chope\u201d helped people to get out of those conditions. However, today we must accept that there is no hope in society.
\nMardomsalari \u2013 February 18<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAs we get closer to the beginning of the Iranian New Year (called Nowruz in Persian, starting from March 21), the soaring prices of goods have made it very difficult for Iranian families to celebrate this traditional event. The editorial of Jahan Sanat focuses on why the government and parliament must work together to find a solution to curb inflation and to bring back happiness to low-income families in Iran.
\nFrom the meetings recently held by lawmakers and the economic minister, it can be gathered that they are going to blame the dollar and its fluctuations in the currency market, profit-seeking opportunists, and sanctions as main factors behind the day-to-day price hikes Iran is witnessing particularly of essential goods. However, this will not solve the people\u2019s problems. Meanwhile, soaring prices on the eve of Nowruz have put additional pressure on Iranian households.
\nThe editorial goes on to say that the people expect the lawmakers and the government to put an end to the soaring prices with necessary legislation and supervision for once and for all. What seems to be more important than the blame-game is for officials to have the determination to fight soaring prices that have destroyed people\u2019s livelihoods. Prices of household appliances, gold, housing, vehicles and meat have turned into a bitter and painful nightmare for workers and employees whose salaries have been under the poverty line for years.
\nIt is about time that each official, lawmaker or manager puts himself in the shoes of the workers who go home empty-handed night after night, so they can understand the pain Iranian families go through. Workers\u2019 salaries are not enough to cover the daily expenses of their families, let alone for the usual purchases made during Nowruz such as clothes, fruits, and sweets!
\nThe editorial concludes by saying that with such soaring prices, Nowruz is no longer a time for happiness, unless the lawmakers and the government get together and find a way to fight inflation.
\nTejarat \u2013 February 17<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/03\/234.jpg\")
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\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/02\/Saeed-Hajarian.jpg\")
\nSaeed Hajarian, a well-known \u201creformist\u201d, says Hassan Rouhani\u2019s Government is facing grave difficulties and his presidency might not last.
\nHe adds that due to increasing economic pressures, famine might break out in Iran. \u201cIf we reach that point, the permission for negotiating with the U.S. will definitely be issued,\u201d asserted Hajarian.
\nHe also referred to Iran\u2019s upcoming elections next year, saying people will lose hope not only in the ballot box but also in \u201cthe whole country\u2019s governing system\u201d because of livelihood problems. \u201cThen they will neither know principlists, nor reformists\u201d, noted Hajarian, \u201cAnd they will neither care about parliament nor government.\u201d
\nAnother well-known \u201creformist\u201d, Mostafa Tajzadeh, said with regard to negotiations with America that if the conditions become critical, then the structure of power must and will take different decisions.
\nDuring Iran\u2019s unrest in January 2018, people chanted \u201cprinciplists! reformists! The game is over\u201d\u2014which provoked negative reactions among \u201creformists\u201d.
\nIran International<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/02\/Zarif-Deny\u2019s-Human-Rights-Violations-in-Iran.jpg\")
\nThe Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in an interview during the Munich Security Conference, answered a question regarding the conditions of imprisoned environmental activists in Iran, saying that the Iranian government doesn\u2019t have the right to interfere in the judiciary system; it can only make sure that the judicial procedures are enforced properly, and the detainees\u2019 rights aren\u2019t violated.
\nZarif\u2019s speech in this conference was full of contradictions. He criticized the unilateral policies of Donald Trump\u2019s administration for changing the regime in Iran, while saying that Europe\u2019s INSTEX financial channel for trades with Iran is not enough to save the nuclear deal.
\nZarif defended the Iranian state in which Hassan Rouhani\u2019s government is powerless, and incidentally, this powerlessness was manifested when the host asked Zarif about the imprisonment of the environmental activists.
\nZarif talked of the detainees\u2019 rights while it has been more than a year that Sam Rajabi, Amir Hossein Khaleghi, Hooman Jokar, Sepideh Kashani, Nilofar Bayani, Taher Ghadirian, Abdolreza Koohpayeh, and Morad Tahbaz have been detained by the IRGC Intelligence Organization without any specific charges. In addition, one of the detainees, Kavoos Seyyed Emami, died in custody for reasons that are not clear yet.
\nMore than a week ago, the third court session of the environmental activists was held in the absence of the defendants\u2019 trusted lawyers. One cannot claim that the detainees\u2019 rights were observed in the court, headed by Judge Abolghassem Salavati \u2013 who is notorious for unfair rulings issued since 2009.
\nAt the same time, according to media reports, security agents are trying to make a film against these activists. The families of these detainees have recently written a letter to the Islamic Republic\u2019s Leader and pointed out to the interrogation of these environmental activists under severe conditions, calling for their release.
\nNiloofar Bayani, one of the imprisoned environmental activists, reportedly said in her second court session that she had been coerced to confess under pressure and threats by the interrogators.
\nHassan Rouhani\u2019s government has not taken any measure in this regard so far and has not made any objections against the detainees\u2019 rights being violated. Even though the Ministry of Intelligence has announced the innocence of the detainees, the government has not resolved or does not have the power to follow up the rights of these detainees.
\nzeitoons<\/a><\/p>\n
\n Rouhani Talks of Muscle Flexing with the US<\/span><\/strong>
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/02\/Khamenei.jpg\")
\nThe Islamic Republic\u2019s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei severely criticized the U.S. and the EU and called the Warsaw Summit on peace and security in the Middle East a \u201cfailure\u201d. Khamenei added that in the Warsaw Summit, \u201cofficials of apparently Muslim countries\u201d assembled with Israeli authorities, hence \u201cdishonoring themselves.\u201d
\nIn another part of his speech, Khamenei lambasted Europe, calling its behavior \u201cdeceitful.\u201d He noted that the Americans are openly defying Iran, but officials must be cautious in dealing with the Europeans as they act deceitfully. Khamenei then urged his establishment and its affiliated institutions not to be deceived by the Europeans.
\nThe Iranian President Hassan Rouhani too called the Warsaw Summit a failure, saying that muscle flexing between Iran and America has reached its highest point now. Rouhani urged that these conditions have been rare in the past, asserting that the U.S. is using all its power against the \u201cnation of Iran\u201d.
\nRouhani then called the Warsaw Summit \u201cunsuccessful\u201d and \u201cshameful\u201d, adding that Americans failed once in May when they wanted Europeans to join them in exiting the JCPOA.
\nRouhani stressed the U.S. authorities first announced that the Warsaw Summit was against Iran, but later changed their words under pressure. They had to say the meeting was not about Iran, but about peace, security and weapons of mass destruction.
\nRouhani said Iran is after friendly relations with the European Union — \u201chowever, we do not accept anyone\u2019s irresponsible behavior.\u201d He added the EU should fulfill its commitments and avoid having new expectations.
\nIRIB News Agency<\/a>
\nRadio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/02\/Iran-in-Search-of-a-5-Billion-Loan-from-Russia-the-Dollar\u2019s-Price-is-Rising-Again.jpg\")
\nUnder the mounting pressure of US economic sanctions, the Islamic Republic becomes more and more dependent on Russia and China. Iranian lawmakers approved an act to extend authorization for the government to take a loan up to $5 billion from Russia.
\nThe parliament had previously granted the authorization to the government to take the $5 billion loan in 2016; so far Russia has paid $2 billion to Iran directly or in the form of investment.
\nMeanwhile, the price of the dollar started to rise again, reaching more than 13000 tomans\u2014the highest rate in the past three months. This recent rise is said to be related to the Expediency Council postponing the approval of Iran joining the Palermo Convention (United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime).
\nIran\u2019s Expediency Council announced on February 16 that its recent meeting on the Palermo Convention was fruitless, putting off its decision in this regard to another session.
\nThe deadline set for Iran by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will expire this week. The Palermo Convention and CFT (Combating the Financing of Terrorism) are two of four recommendations proposed by FATF for Iran to join.
\nAs the fluctuations in the Forex market continued, Tehran\u2019s police chief announced that 20 foreign exchange dealers were arrested. Hossein Rahimi pointed out there are nearly 190 currency dealers in prison and almost all illegal foreign currency shops have been sealed.
\nTehran\u2019s police chief also warned that the police will confront those who announce false prices of currency in cyberspace in order to increase its rate.
\nRadio Farda<\/a>
\nRadio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/02\/Esmaeil-Bakhshi.png\")
\nThe mother of detained worker activist Esameil Bakhshi has been hospitalized after being attacked and arrested by judiciary officials, according to the worker’s syndicate of Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Factory.
\nThis happened when she went to the prosecutor\u2019s office in the city of Shush, southern Iran, to inquire about her son\u2019s conditions in prison.
\nWhen Bakhshi\u2019s mother asked the prosecutor to clarify her son\u2019s situation, he issued her arrest warrant. Then, as officials rushed towards Bakhshi\u2019s mother to handcuff her, she fainted due to a heart problem. She was transferred to a hospital afterward because of her critical conditions.
\nBakhshi\u2019s family, including his daughter, staged a protest in front of Shush\u2019s justice office in protest against the continuation of his arrest.
\nEsmaeil Bakhshi has reportedly been under severe pressure to confess again and write a letter of remorse over his previous statement about being tortured in detention. He was also pressured to falsely confess that all he said was dictated by \u201cenemies of the Islamic Republic\u201d and the opposition media.
\nBakhshi was taken into custody for the second time after talking about his torture in jail. The arrest was made after his coerced confessions were aired on Iran\u2019s state TV.
\nPeike Iran<\/a>
\nVOA Persian<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"