{"id":6761,"date":"2019-07-25T15:55:18","date_gmt":"2019-07-25T12:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/?p=6761"},"modified":"2021-06-06T11:30:09","modified_gmt":"2021-06-06T08:30:09","slug":"iran-britain-tensions-over-oil-tankers-escalate-nato-warns-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/monitoring-and-translation\/iran-in-a-week\/iran-britain-tensions-over-oil-tankers-escalate-nato-warns-iran\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran-Britain tensions over oil tankers escalate; NATO warns Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\n \u201cReformists\u201c have a tough task in convincing the Iranian people<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Arman Melli explains why Iranian \u201creformists\u201c have a tough time ahead in convincing Iranians to participate in the next election and to vote for them.
\nCurrently, Iranian \u201cfundamentalists\u201d are in a better condition than the \u201creformists\u201c with regard to the upcoming election. This is because they have a fixed base, consisting of roughly 17 million people who voted for Ebrahim Raisi in the last presidential election. This number might even go up, as some of those who voted for Rouhani might join the \u201cfundamentalists\u201d.
\nHowever, this is not true for the \u201creformists\u201d. A large part of the 24 million people who voted for Rouhani have doubts about the performance of his government and the \u201creformist\u201d Omid faction in parliament. Therefore, it is not far from the truth to say that parts of the \u201creformists\u2019\u201d base have lost interest in participating in the upcoming election. If so, it can be predicted that the participation of the \u201creformists\u2019\u201d base in this election will not be the same as the last one.
\nThe \u201creformists\u2019\u201d talk of convincing the people to go to the ballot boxes and the former President Khatami recently said that the Iranian people should vote to save the country. Nevertheless, this seems very unlikely for two reasons.
\nFirst, when the time comes for the elections, it has always been said that we should go to the ballot boxes to say \u201cno\u201d to America, thus playing on nationalistic feelings. People are used to such words, so the same approach possibly would not work again. The second reason is that since 2015 Khatami has remained silent and hasn\u2019t even once talked to his supporters nor comprehended as to why they are frustrated. Now that there are few months left until the election, he has decided to talk to the people.
\nThis approach can hurt the \u201creformists\u2019\u201d base, making the people feel that the \u201creformists\u201d are using them at the time of the elections.
\n Arman Melli \u2013 July 23<\/a><\/p>\n

Legal consequences of detaining ships<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Setareh Sobh sheds light on the legal consequences of Iran detaining a U.K. oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
\nBritain\u2019s action in presenting a letter to the UN Security Council to complain about Iran detaining a U.K. flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz is an important issue and must not be ignored easily. Currently, Iran and Britain make different claims about the reason for Tehran detaining the U.K. oil tanker.
\nIf we suppose that Iran\u2019s claim is right, then detaining the U.K. tanker has taken place under legal conditions, given the fact that the tanker breached the domestic laws and regulations of the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran, which are drafted within the framework of international organizations and conventions. Thus, international experts and those who are connected with the International Maritime Organization, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea must approve those laws and regulations. It is for these experts to decide if a ship must be detained in case of any violations. In many cases, a warning is enough. On the other hand, if there is detention, it shouldn\u2019t be for long; the necessary penalty is decided, and the ship is released.
\nIran claims that the U.K. tanker is detained for environmental pollution or deviation from its legal path. In international maritime laws, there will be a financial penalty, not detention. Even if detaining the U.K. tanker is the right thing to do, the next measure will be important, as it must be in accordance with international laws and rules of navigating and shipping.
\nAs continuing to detain the U.K. ship will create legal issues for Iran in the international domain, therefore it is better to release it. In the meantime, many domestic newspapers write happily of Iran\u2019s retaliatory measures against Britain. In addition, unprofessional remarks made by political figures can be to the advantage of Britain.
\n Setareh Sobh \u2013 July 22<\/a><\/p>\n

The situation in the region shouldn\u2019t get more complicated<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Setareh Sobh focuses on the danger of Iran\u2019s retaliatory measures against Britain in the Gulf, as they might result in Iran losing the European support it has for the JCPOA.
\nOn Friday, the IRGC Navy detained the British oil tanker, Stena Impero, in the Strait of Hormuz for breaching international maritime laws. This was widely reported in the media. A look at the news regarding the detention of the oil tanker shows a great deal of difference in what was reported by international media and Iran\u2019s domestic media in this regard.
\nIn foreign media reports, Iran\u2019s action has made the situation more complicated, and it is a form of distrainment. Meanwhile, domestic reports talk of how Iran observed international maritime laws and in fact, it was Britain that violated them.
\nGiven the fact that Iranian officials had earlier said that they wouldn\u2019t remain indifferent to Britain\u2019s measures in detaining Iran\u2019s supertanker, Grace 1, it seems that the British oil tanker has been detained in a retaliatory measure by Iran. Taking this retaliatory measure will escalate the current crisis between Iran and America, as well as between Iran and European countries, such as Britain, and France.
\nIt seems, however, that Iranian officials have lost hope in improving foreign relations. Even though Britain\u2019s measure in detaining an Iranian supertanker cannot be approved and the consequences of Iran\u2019s retaliatory measure are unclear.
\nSo far, France and Germany — main supporters of the nuclear deal — have condemned Iran\u2019s action. Moreover, if such measures continue, these two countries, along with Britain, might pull out of the nuclear deal. As such, Iran\u2019s case might be referred to the UN Security Council once again.
\nThat is why Iran must consider its relationship with Europe while taking any measures in the region.
\n Setareh Sobh \u2013 July 21<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n NATO warns Iran over detaining a British tanker<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says if European countries stop their own measures including what they did in Gibraltar, they will receive the proper response from Iran, implying that the British oil tanker seized in the Gulf was in retaliation for Iran\u2019s supertanker being seized by Britain in Gibraltar.
\nThe IRGC detained a U.K. flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of breaching international maritime laws. Iranian officials including the speaker of parliament Ali Larijani welcomed this retaliatory measure against Britain\u2019s seizure of Iran\u2019s supertanker in Gibraltar for carrying oil to Syria.
\nRouhani praised the IRGC for its \u201ccourageous measure\u201d in detaining the British oil tanker, urging that the \u201cwhole world must thank the IRGC for the security in the Gulf.\u201d
\nAccording to the Daily Telegraph, the British government, following the detention of a U.K. flagged oil tanker by Iran, intends to impose economic sanctions on Iran. Possible sanctions might include freezing financial assets belonging to Iranian officials. London might ask the European Union and the United Nations to re-impose sanctions that were removed after the nuclear deal with Tehran in 2015.
\nOfficials from France, Germany, and some other European countries have expressed their deep concern over Iran\u2019s measure, asking for the immediate release of the British oil tanker.
\nIn a statement, NATO, too, condemned the detention of the U.K oil tanker by Iran, calling it a violation of free international shipping laws. For the first time since the beginning of the escalation of tensions in the Gulf, NATO warned Iran, asking for the immediate release of the detained ship and its crew.
\nBy detaining the U.K. flagged oil tanker, Iran has escalated tensions in the region.
\n Radio Farda<\/a>
\n RFI<\/a><\/p>\n

Khamenei\u2019s military advisor warns against a military conflict in the Gulf<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nOne of the military advisors of Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader pointed to Britain\u2019s proposal to form a European fleet to protect shipping in the Gulf, warning that any changes in the Strait of Hormuz can culminate in a \u201cdangerous confrontation\u201d.
\nHossein Dehghan, Military Advisor to Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, reiterated the position of Iran\u2019s officials, urging that Iran will not negotiate with the United States under any circumstances. He added that if Washington decides to go to war with Iran, all U.S. bases in the region will be attacked by Iranian forces.
\nRegional equations have become more complicated with the IRGC detaining a British oil tanker, which took place after an Iranian supertanker was seized in Gibraltar.
\nAfter the detention of the U.K. oil tanker by the IRGC, Britain has asked for the formation of a coalition by European countries to guarantee the security of shipping in the Gulf. Britain\u2019s Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt called the seizure of the tanker \u201cstate piracy\u201d, stressing that a navy fleet is needed to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. On the other hand, the United States that has imposed heavy sanctions on Iran to grind its oil exports to zero is also trying to form a global coalition to protect shipping in the Gulf.
\nThe U.S. administration pulled out of the nuclear deal with Iran last year, calling for another deal that would include Iran\u2019s missile program. However, Dehghan emphasized that Iran will not negotiate with anyone over its missile program.
\n Radio Farda<\/a>
\n Deutche Welle<\/a><\/p>\n

The Iranian government\u2019s one billion euros \u201cdisappear\u201d;<\/span><\/strong>
\n financial corruption in the Health Ministry<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nOne billion euros which belonged to Iran\u2019s government and was allocated for importing medications and essential goods has \u201cdisappeared\u201d, according to the chief of staff of Iran\u2019s president.
\nMahmoud Vaezi, President Hassan Rouhani\u2019s chief of staff, in a letter to the Ministers of Industry, Agriculture and Health asked for an explanation in this regard.
\nBased on a report by Shargh daily, Vaezi in his letter referred to nearly 849 million euros dedicated to importing \u201cessential goods\u201d and 130 million euros for medications.
\nVaezi accused 20 companies of not importing to the country what they had legally promised to do, while asking the Central Bank of Iran to introduce those who received euros to the Suspending Organization of Iran that is in charge of investigating violations by government officials.
\nPrior to that, the Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki had announced that a number of the Ministry\u2019s employees were arrested on charges of committing violations in importing medicines and medical equipment. He added that some importers had received two million euros for importing heart stents, but have imported power cables instead.
\nAn official at the Food and Drug Administration of Iran has said those who imported power cables instead of heart stents to Iran have fled the country.
\nLast year, after a sudden unprecedented increase in the price of foreign currency in Iran, government officials allocated government currency for importing certain essential goods to stop the impact of the soaring price of the currency on other products.
\nSince then, there have been numerous reports regarding importers taking advantage of the received government currency; some importers have been accused of selling the goods imported with government currency in the free market at higher prices.
\nAlso, it has been reported that a number of importers of necessary goods have received the currency at a price set by the government (dollar at 4200) and sold it directly in the free market.
\n Radio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n

Election and \u201creformists\u2019\u201d indecision<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nIranian \u201creformists\u201d do not deny the fact that society has no motivation for participating in the upcoming election, and they themselves have not made their final decisions as to their presence in the parliamentarian election. Meanwhile, the former President Mohammad Khatami has called for people to participate in the upcoming election in order to stop the danger of a possible war with America.
\nKhatami has asked \u201creformists\u201d, as well as those who are dissatisfied, to go to the ballot boxes. He played a remarkable role in the victory of Hassan Rouhani in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections. Khatami himself admitted in 2019 that these victories have not resulted in any \u201creal reforms.\u201d
\nAli Shakoorirad, Secretary General of the \u201cUnity of Nation\u201d party said: \u201c the People\u2019s condition is much worse than 2017. People say we should wait and see what will happen, which is the most miserable thing to say, because it means that people are waiting to see what the foreign forces or subversive forces inside the country will do. No one asks the parties what they plan to do, because people have come to believe that they no longer have power.\u201d
\nThis political \u201creformist\u201d activist argued that as people have not seen the results of their participation in the last three elections, they don\u2019t see any benefit in participating in elections any longer.
\nAzar Mansouri, a member of the \u201creformists\u2019\u201d supreme policy-making council, admitted that the people\u2019s relationship with the ballot box has been destroyed because they see no change in the judicial system; and there are still problems in foreign policy and in the economy. People are still being arrested, and they are still facing problems over their lifestyle issues.
\nMeanwhile, Ahmad Alamolhoda, a \u201chardline\u201d member of the Experts Council and a representative of the supreme leader in Khorasan Razavi, had a meeting with the Guardian Council, asking it to be careful in order to prevent \u201cinfiltrators\u201d qualifying for the upcoming election.
\nThe Guardian Council is in charge of filtering candidates for elections in Iran, disqualifying those who are not in line with the Iranian regime.
\n Deutche Welle<\/a>
\n Radio Zamaneh<\/a><\/p>\n

17 individuals arrested on charges of \u2018espionage for the U.S.\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nIran\u2019s Intelligence Ministry announced that 17 individuals have been arrested on charges of \u201cespionage for the CIA\u201d and some of them have been sentenced to death.
\nThe Intelligence Ministry\u2019s counterespionage department deputy said it had \u201csuccessfully dismantled an espionage network which was connected to the US Central Intelligence Agency.\u201d According to the same report, some of those individuals are to be executed as \u201ccorruptors on earth.\u201d
\nThe manager of the Intelligence Ministry\u2019s counterespionage department \u2013 whose name was not mentioned \u2013 pointed out that those individuals \u201cworked in cells\u201d in Iran and had no relations with each other.
\nHe added the defendants were employees of \u201csensitive centers\u201d in the country, including economic, nuclear, military and cyber centers. They also worked as contractors or consultants for private sector companies related to those centers, he asserted.
\nThe manager of the Intelligence Ministry\u2019s counterespionage department also contended that the arrested individuals were mostly scientists and academics, not government officials. Without offering any pieces of evidence, he continued that the CIA agents \u201cwith diplomatic titles\u201d had approached the defendants on the sidelines of scientific conferences in European, African and Asian countries.
\nIranian state-run TV, in a documentary called \u201cHunting Spies\u201dbroadcast \u201cconfessions\u201d made by these individuals, claiming that they had had meetings with American intelligence officers in Thailand, Dubai, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan.
\nThe U.S. President Trump denied Iran\u2019s claim, calling it totally false, and the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, without confirming or denying it, said that he couldn\u2019t comment on this particular issue, but added that he very much doubts anything Iran says.
\n Radio Farda<\/a>
\n BBC Persian<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cReformists\u201c have a tough task in convincing the Iranian people The editorial of Arman Melli explains why Iranian \u201creformists\u201c have a tough time ahead in convincing Iranians to participate in the next election and to vote for them. Currently, Iranian \u201cfundamentalists\u201d are in a better condition than the \u201creformists\u201c with regard to the upcoming election. […]<\/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":[3200,12,3197,3198,3201,562,142,3199,1363],"class_list":["post-6761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week","tag-escalate","tag-iran","tag-iran-britain","tag-iran-britain-tensions","tag-iran-britain-tensions-over-oil-tankers-escalate-nato-warns-iran","tag-nato","tag-oil","tag-oil-tankers","tag-tensions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6761","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=6761"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6761\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9329,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6761\/revisions\/9329"}],"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=6761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6761"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}