{"id":8779,"date":"2021-02-04T12:18:13","date_gmt":"2021-02-04T09:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/?p=8779"},"modified":"2021-02-04T12:18:15","modified_gmt":"2021-02-04T09:18:15","slug":"parliament-rejects-next-years-budget-bill-war-of-words-among-officials-over-russian-coronavirus-vaccine-iran-test-launches-satellite-carrier-rocket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/monitoring-and-translation\/iran-in-a-week\/parliament-rejects-next-years-budget-bill-war-of-words-among-officials-over-russian-coronavirus-vaccine-iran-test-launches-satellite-carrier-rocket\/","title":{"rendered":"Parliament Rejects Next Year\u2019s Budget Bill; War of Words Among Officials Over Russian Coronavirus Vaccine; Iran Test Launches Satellite Carrier Rocket"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mr. Vice President, Do Not Talk on Our Behalf!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Ebtekar is addressed to Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, urging him to honestly tell people about the government\u2019s incompetence and failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eshaq Jahangiri has recently pointed to the economic problems and the pressure of US sanctions, saying that people are bothered more by discrimination and corruption than by poverty. He added: \u201cWith regard to corruption, people feel that some are looting the country and amassing wealth, while others are in need of their daily bread.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the question is: has Jahangiri said something new, or as a citizen \u2013 and not an official \u2013 has he said something that people have already felt and known for years?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It goes without saying that after eight years of government, people do not expect the officials to recount the same problems and issues, while blaming the current situation on the emergence of a president like Donald Trump in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no doubt that the West\u2019s sanctions directly targeted the country\u2019s economy and has had a destructive impact. But does recounting these problems create any differences in the status quo?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While first vice president repeats what people already know, the government\u2019s record, particularly in its second term, shows that, even if there were no sanctions, there was no competence for making changes to the existing flawed structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jahanigiri\u2019s words will not heal the wounds of the frustrated people who day by day realize that their participation in elections has been meaningless. They expected that electing a government with an overwhelming majority would create effective, fundamental changes in flawed structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today people are tired of statistics. The truth is people\u2019s tables are empty and they have lost trust in the slogans they hear every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. vice president, instead of giving people statistics, you should honestly tell people the reasons for your incompetence and why you didn\u2019t keep your promises to the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ebtekar News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People\u2019s Distrust<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Aftab Yazd underscores the issue of distrust among Iranian people, focusing on how recent disagreements among Iranian officials over the COVID-19 vaccine have just furthered people\u2019s distrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different reasons for people\u2019s distrust which has not been created overnight. It has been a long process over which people gradually lost trust. According to latest reports, 80 percent of Iranian people are distrustful and do not trust anyone. Today we can say that 80 percent to 90 percent of people have lost trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distrust causes damage to the foundations of society. Iranian people have lost their trust as a result of the policies made in the country. When the officials didn\u2019t keep their promises, the distrust augmented. In the same line, low ranking officials too didn\u2019t fulfill their duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the governments act properly, it will enjoy people\u2019s support and trust. All over the world, as soon as presidents take office, they start fulfilling their promises. The officials must make realistic promises \u2013 not promises that are impossible to keep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of distrust, individuals will stop obeying the laws and heeding others. Today, distrust can be witnessed within different organizations, meaning that even individuals within a certain group do not trust each other anymore. That is why the Iranian health minister says something [about the COVID-19 vaccine] and other officials disagree with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People cannot trust officials\u2019 words, as they do not have any plans. Distrust will result in other damage including addiction and suicide in society. That is because the foundation of each society is trust; without trust, there will be no society. In Iranian society, there is no such thing as trust anymore and people act selfishly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aftab Yazd<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economic Growth Doesn\u2019t Lead to Welfare<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Jahan Sanat argues that even if the new US administration reduces sanctions on Iran\u2019s oil exports and Iran\u2019s oil revenues increase, this will not necessarily have any impact on Iranians\u2019 livelihoods and welfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Constructive interactions with the world have become one of the most important necessities in Iran\u2019s economy and Iranian officials admit that for a while they  hoped for the Democrats to take power in America and ease the pressure of economic sanctions against Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But can the new US administration remove all sanctions against Iran and pave the way for returning to the nuclear deal as soon as possible? It seems that this will not happen in the short run and it will take time for Iran and America to reach a comprehensive agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, it is possible that the US administration will alleviate the pressure on Iran and allow Iran to increase its oil exports. Given the fact that the current Iranian government is getting closer to the end of its second term, it is not likely for America to reach a long-term agreement with Iran and the fate of Iran\u2019s economy will be determined next year by the next government. So, if the next government in Iran can reach a comprehensive deal with the US administration, Iran will have more economic openings in the coming years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the light of the hopes and fears over Iran-US relations, the IMF has outlined different economic scenarios for Iran, based on reports published by Iranian domestic institutions. In one of the scenarios, the IMF has predicted that if America returns to the nuclear deal and oil sanctions are removed, Iran\u2019s oil revenues will increase, resulting in growth in Iran\u2019s GDP this year. In another scenario, the IMF has predicted that if Iran cannot increase oil exports, it cannot avoid negative economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These indicators and assessments, however, have nothing to do with people\u2019s welfare, as even double-digit economic growth cannot promise an improvement in living standards. That is because international institutions only pay attention to economic indicators in their assessments of countries\u2019 economies and do not focus on the impact of these changes on people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, despite the fact that with the new US administration coming to power, domestic and international institutions and organizations hope for an increase in Iran\u2019s oil exports, this doesn\u2019t promise  job creation, an increase in welfare, and social and economic justice for the Iranian people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jahan Sanat<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lifting Sanctions in Any Way<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Tejarat, written by the head of the Parliament\u2019s diplomacy faction Hossein Nooshabadi, stresses that Iran should take advantage of the change in the US administration\u2019s approach to lift US sanctions on Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, the US policy \u2013 regardless of which administration is in power \u2013 has been clear. One of their strategic policies is supporting Israel \u2013 an issue that is institutionalized and is still a challenge for the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the ruling administration in America takes every and any opportunity to achieve its goals;  only its methods and manner differ. To prove this claim, one should only look at the large-scale policies of Republicans and Democrats in America: they have a consensus \u2013 it is their manner and behavior that are different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donald Trump was aggressive and demagogic, while Joe Biden\u2019s policy is milder and less aggressive. But eventually their strategies are the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is up to other countries to use these approaches to their own advantage. Currently, Iran\u2019s diplomatic apparatus must take advantage of the existing opportunities to advance the country\u2019s national interests \u2013 just as the Americans are pursuing their own interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is unlikely that with the new US administration coming to power, anything new will take place regarding regional and international issues, particularly with regard to Iran. But we must take advantage of the differences in views and approaches of the US administrations to further our own interests on a global level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We must ensure that the other sides fulfill their obligations, using any possible means or discourse to lift these unjust sanctions. Meanwhile, if the US administration is convinced to talk to Iran within the framework of the nuclear deal, they too must fulfill their obligations. The other sides must pay the penalty and compensate for the damage caused by not fulfilling their obligations so far. Iran abided by its obligations; they were the ones that did not do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if they want to deal with other issues not raised in the nuclear deal, Iran will not give in. We will remain committed to our own principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tejarat<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Parliament Rejects Next Year\u2019s Budget Bill; Rouhani Raises Alarm on Skyrocketing Prices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Iranian Parliament members have rejected the budget bill for the next fiscal year (beginning March 2021) with 148 against, 99 in favor and 12 abstentions out of 261 this week, while President Hassan Rouhani said any changes in the budget bill can \u201cinflict grave damage to people\u2019s livelihoods and the path of development and economic management in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next year\u2019s budget bill was proposed by the government after some amendments by the Parliament\u2019s Joint Committee. However, it was met with disagreement from a majority of lawmakers \u2014 an unprecedented move in the process of budget review in the Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government spokesman Ali Rabiei expressed his approval of the bill\u2019s rejection, saying its structure had been reorganized during the committee\u2019s review. Moreover, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that according to law, Rouhani should have attended the Parliament to defend the budget bill, but he never replied to his invitation which was sent several days ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of Rouhani, his deputy for economic affairs Mohammad Bagher Nobakht took charge of defending this bill. In reply to lawmakers\u2019 criticism over the bill\u2019s dependence on oil sales, Nobakht said he wished Iran\u2019s conditions were different in a way that they could disregard oil in the budget bill; nonetheless, as the Parliament speaker knows very well, the country\u2019s $109 billion revenue has been significantly reduced. He added that he could not give the exact figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, lawmaker Ali Babaei-Karnami referred to the supreme leader\u2019s call for reducing dependence on oil revenues, noting \u201cwe did not see it in the next year\u2019s budget bill, while our oil sales has even increased.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, the head of the Parliament\u2019s Economic Committee Ehsan Khandouzi said Rouhani\u2019s administration has two weeks to amend the bill, otherwise it will be passed partially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fararu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Iran Test Launches Satellite Carrier Rocket<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Iran state television recently broadcast footage of launching a satellite carrier rocket, Zoljanah, adding that it was not launched into orbit as this was suborbital testing. The Defense Ministry spokesperson in space affairs said that this satellite carrier is the more developed example of the previous 2-stage satellite carriers which used liquid fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important feature of Zoljanah is that it is equipped with Iran\u2019s strongest solid fuel engine, which will make it possible for Iran\u2019s Defense Ministry, as well as IRGC\u2019s Aerospace Force, to achieve the technology for building mid-range ballistic missiles with a range of up to 4,000 kilometers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran has always claimed that its development of satellite capability is for scientific research and does not have any military objectives. But Tehran\u2019s space program has always worried western countries, particularly the United States and Israel in recent years. The technology used in designing and building solid fuel engines in satellite carriers, as well as the information gathered during testing, has always helped the IRGC\u2019s Aerospace Force and Defense Ministry in building mid-range ballistic missiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike previous satellite carriers developed by the Defense Ministry and the IRGC\u2019s Aerospace Force, Zoljanah has a solid fuel engine which is said to be the strongest in Iran and its thrust is 75 tons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it is still not clear whether the new US administration will return to the nuclear deal with Iran, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has recently said that reviving the deal will be used to raise the issue of Iran\u2019s missile capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

France too has underscored that in new tough negotiations with Iran, the issue of Iran\u2019s missile capability must be discussed \u2013 an issue that has been seriously rejected by Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israel has always said that Iran\u2019s satellite program is a cover for developing Tehran\u2019s ballistic missile capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tabnak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

War of Words Among Iranian Officials Over Russian Coronavirus Vaccine;<\/strong> Student Organizations Lambast \u201cSuperstition, Irrational Restrictions\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the verge of the fourth wave of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran, the authorities are busy lashing out at each other over which vaccine to get into Iranian people\u2019s arms while other countries have already started the vaccination process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health Minister Saeed Namaki recently accused critics of Russia\u2019s Sputnik V vaccine of \u201cnational treason.\u201d He stated, \u201cDo not portray those who serve people as traitors!\u201d adding, \u201cI swear to God this is national treason during the hardest times of this country.\u201d Namaki said he would not allow anyone to take financial advantage of this crisis. He also urged solidarity under the guidance of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khamenei recently banned the import of American and British coronavirus vaccines to Iran, saying he has no trust in them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Namaki\u2019s remarks came after a member of the scientific committee of the National Coronavirus Headquarters said she would not receive the Russian vaccine. Minoo Mohraz added that this vaccine has not been vetted by any countries. \u201cSince when has Iran\u2019s Food and Drug Organization become an international source?\u201d she noted after Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, following his recent trip to Moscow, suddenly announced Russia\u2019s Sputnik V vaccine has been authorized for Iran and its first batch would be imported to this country soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reaction, Kianoush Jahanpour who heads the Health Ministry\u2019s public relations remarked that Mohraz is not qualified enough to assess coronavirus vaccines. Praising the Russian vaccine, Jahanpour accused its critics of \u201chostility,\u201d adding that they have launched an organized attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, 48 student organizations nationwide issued a statement accusing the establishment of \u201csecrecy,\u201d urging officials to purchase the vaccines without any \u201cirrational restrictions,\u201d \u201csuperstition\u201d and \u201cselfishness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s Medical Council (IRIMC) also warned against the administration of Russian vaccines, saying it has not been confirmed by the WHO. \u201cAny responsibility regarding the import and administration of this vaccine rests with the Health Ministry,\u201d said Managing Director of IRIMC\u2019s public relations and international affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ISNA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Another Execution Based on Another Repetitious Charge Carried out in Iran<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A 31-year-old Balochi prisoner named Javid Dehghan Khold was hanged on the charge of \u201cenmity against God\u201d on the morning of January 30 in Zahedan prison. Dehghan had been behind bars since 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had urged Iranian authorities to halt his execution, and Amnesty International had called for a fair trial for him, referring to serious shortcomings in the process of his trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since mid-December, \u201cat least 28\u201d executions have been carried out in Iran, \u201cincluding of people from minority groups,\u201d according to OHCHR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public relations of Sistan and Balochistan Justice Department described Dehghan Khold as \u201cone of the leaders of a small group related to Jaish al-Adl organization\u201d who had participated in \u201cterrorist operations\u201d in Iranshahr. Reportedly, two IRGC officers were killed and five border guards were kidnapped in those operations in 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The execution of Balochi citizens has accelerated in the past five weeks. At least 20 individuals residing in Sistan and Balochistan \u2013 where the population is mostly Sunni Muslims \u2013 were hanged in the cities of Mashhad, Esfahan and Zahedan during this period of time, four of whom had been sentenced to execution on political and security charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two days before Dehgan Khold\u2019s execution, an Ahvazi-Arab citizen was hanged in the southern city of Ahvaz. His name was Ali Motiri, a 30-year-old boxer. He was also charged with \u201cenmity against God\u201d and \u201ccorruption on earth.\u201d Motiri was also accused of being an ISIS member. According to human rights activists, he suffered physical and mental torture in a detention center run by the IRGC\u2019s intelligence office. Not to mention that he was tortured after being transferred to a solitary cell in Shayban prison. In protest to his torture, Ali Motiri went on a hunger strike by sewing his lips a week before his execution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aftab News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Deutsche Welle<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mr. Vice President, Do Not Talk on Our Behalf! The editorial of Ebtekar is addressed to Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, urging him to honestly tell people about the government\u2019s incompetence and failures. Eshaq Jahangiri has recently pointed to the economic problems and the pressure of US sanctions, saying that people are bothered more […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":249,"featured_media":8781,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8779","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\/249"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8779"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8779\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8784,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8779\/revisions\/8784"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8781"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}