{"id":9868,"date":"2021-11-10T17:34:35","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T14:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/?p=9868"},"modified":"2021-11-10T17:34:37","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T14:34:37","slug":"newspapers-license-revoked-over-depiction-of-khameneis-hand-warning-about-the-economy-reaching-the-most-dangerous-historical-point-in-40-years-dissident-journalis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/monitoring-and-translation\/iran-in-a-week\/newspapers-license-revoked-over-depiction-of-khameneis-hand-warning-about-the-economy-reaching-the-most-dangerous-historical-point-in-40-years-dissident-journalis\/","title":{"rendered":"Newspaper\u2019s License Revoked Over Depiction of Khamenei\u2019s Hand; Warning About the Economy Reaching the \u201cMost Dangerous Historical Point\u201d in 40 Years; Dissident Journalist Exchanged With French Intelligence Officer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Cycle of Self-Destruction in Iran<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Ebtekar focuses on the migration of specialists and capital flight from Iran, urging that many are leaving the country due to the basic problems that they have to grapple with in their daily lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest challenges facing the country these days is the flight of capital and the migration of specialists from Iran. Some see it as being enamored by the West and some see it as betraying one\u2019s country. Social life, however, is impacted by a series of basic rights including freedom of expression and opinion, freedom of religion and the right to marry and have a family which are essential rights recognized in the UN Declaration of Human Rights. But these rights alone will not create a sense of fulfilment among people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the genuine measures for individuals to feel that they are making progress in life is based on being appreciated for one\u2019s true merits, being free to choose one\u2019s own clothing and lifestyle, social security and economic security. These issues prepare the ground for being happy or sad, successful or unsuccessful, while having a significant impact on an individual\u2019s life choices and prospects for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When individuals experience  problems regarding employment, clothing, housing and transport; when they do not have the opportunity to work in the fields they have specialized in; when they see that the law favors those who abuse their power and is against the poor; when they work hard to save some money for retirement but their money loses its value every year because the value of the national currency keeps plunging; when in crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, they are not supported by the government and authorities; then such issues make people feel hopeless and frustrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Iranians have lost all hope, so many have decided to migrate from the country. The country\u2019s authorities must know that the government is elected to serve the people. Otherwise, nothing will be achieved and the cycle of social self-destruction repeats itself and becomes larger. In so far as the government does not pay attention to people\u2019s demands, no developments or changes will be possible, which means more and more disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The Necessity of Limiting the Factors That Can Disrupt the Nuclear Negotiations on November 29<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Arman Melli, written by former lawmaker Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh,  argues that both Iran and America must adopt a  practical approach to revive the nuclear deal and avoid raising new issues if they are after reaching an agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reviving the nuclear deal (JCPOA), both the American and Iranian sides have wasted time which has harmed the deal. Of course, Iran\u2019s losses were heavier, as its economy is under sanctions. And in the meantime, Iran has also lost other opportunities which has resulted in further pressure  on Iranian society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Joe Biden took office, it was expected that the issue of reviving the JCPOA would be included in one of his first 20 executive orders, but this did not happen, causing more delay. After resuming the talks to revive the JCPOA, both sides raised new issues which were not related to the nuclear deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israel, some regional actors, and the Republicans in America have tried to create obstacles for reviving the JCPOA, saying that even if a new agreement is reached, it will not be binding on future administrations. In other words, they are trying to make reaching an agreement more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Iran too, there have been new issues. If the JCPOA was revived in the previous government in Iran, there would not be any hesitation within the country. The new Iranian government\u2019s hesitation in returning to the nuclear talks has no justification. Nothing can justify so much hesitation on behalf of Ebrahim Raisi\u2019s government, now that the Iranian people are paying so dearly for the sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that the talks are going to be resumed on November 29, if both sides adopt a practical approach, they can set aside their differences and reach a practical agreement, i.e., returning to the JCPOA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran is concerned that the Americans are trying to return to the JCPOA so that they might use the trigger mechanism embedded in the nuclear deal. But despite this, they can reach a common understanding about this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To conclude, if both sides try to raise new issues and allegations, the negotiations will not come to fruition. But if they act like they did at the time when they were signing the JCPOA, and particularly when they were trying to revive it, there is still hope for reaching an agreement. Otherwise, not reaching an agreement about reviving the JCPOA will make the situation more difficult for both Iran and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arman Melli<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investment With 50 Percent Inflation Requires Courage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Tejarat warns that making new investments in Iran is highly risky, because of the poor economic conditions and high inflation rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The labor minister has set the goal of creating 1.85 million jobs by the end of next year with the help of the private sector. When it comes to creating jobs and attracting investment, the participation of the private sector is very significant. It should be noted that effective employment is created by the private sector, not the public sector. Although the public sector is not responsible for creating jobs, it is responsible for providing the infrastructure for businesses and making laws and regulations flexible to create incentives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To create 1.85 million jobs, we need to provide a full package of facilities, incentives, raw materials, and remove the obstacles ahead of the private sector. Undoubtedly, it is possible to create so many jobs by the end of next year, provided that the government only prepares the ground and oversees the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investment is a significant factor in creating jobs. So, if the government is intent on creating jobs, it must be thinking of encouraging new investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the question is: who dares to make investments with a 50 percent inflation rate? For creating 1.85 million jobs, the private sector must be in full control and the government\u2019s role must simply be overseeing the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High inflation is against employment and investment, and under the current circumstances, making investments has no justification. So, the government must provide for the private sector\u2019s requirements fully to increase the presence of the private sector in this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under these circumstances and given the economic conditions, no one can claim that the government is able to move forward and invest in big civil construction projects, but the private sector can enter this domain and create jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from factors that can create obstacles for job creation such as foreign policy, the inflation rate, high economic risks, there are also temporary risks like coronavirus which threaten existing jobs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Signs of a Dying Society<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editorial of Ebtekar expresses concern about the widespread sense of hopelessness and indifference felt among the Iranian people regarding whatever happens in society and whatever decisions are made by the Parliament and the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hope is considered as the last resort, be it for individuals or society. In other words, for both society and individuals, hope is the one last thing they have. Individuals might lose everything they have, but still survive on hope and prepare the ground for bringing in  changes and improvements. But once that hope is gone, then we can no longer be optimistic about individuals or society as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are certain obvious signs of loss of hope that can be identified. One of the most important features of loss of hope is indifference. If individuals in society do not show any appropriate reaction to what is happening in society, such indifference is the sign of the complete loss of hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, it seems that a large part of Iranian society, particularly after the events in recent years and the way the authorities reacted to these events, is suffering from indifference and hopelessness. Although \u201chardline ultra-conservatives\u201d in Iran who won both the parliamentary and presidential elections in 2019 and 2021 try to pretend that the Parliament and the government now represent the majority of society, any fair observer will testify that this is not true, and the current Parliament and government do not represent even half of Iranian society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the public reacts to the measures taken by the government and the Parliament clearly portrays the abovementioned indifference and hopelessness. No decision made by the Parliament or the government provokes any apt response in society. In fact, the issues are just being discussed by political elites, journalists and the few remaining social activists, and that is all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From hacking a prison\u2019s CCTV to the cyberattack against gas stations to Parliament\u2019s plan to protect cyberspace, all should have provoked strong reactions in society and among people. But it has been a while since any major event has elicited a strong reaction in Iranian society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Iranians should be concerned about this state of indifference and hopelessness which might culminate in widespread public instability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Newspaper\u2019s License Revoked Over Depiction of Khamenei\u2019s Hand<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Two days after publishing the graphic image of the Iranian supreme leader\u2019s hand on the front page of Kilid (Key) newspaper in relation to an article about the poverty line, Iran\u2019s Press Supervisory Board canceled the newspaper\u2019s license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, Kilid had published an article entitled \u201cMillions of Iranian Households Below the Poverty Line\u201d using the graphic image of a hand drawing the poverty line. Supporters of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei released this image on social media comparing it with Ali Khamenei\u2019s hand and calling it an insult against the supreme leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the deteriorating economic conditions in Iran and the increase in  poverty and corruption,  criticism against the role of the Iranian supreme leader has increased in recent years. During the nationwide protests of 2017 and 2019, the majority of the protestors\u2019 slogans were against corruption, discrimination, and poverty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, political activist Abolfazl Ghadyani issued a statement pointing to Khamenei\u2019s role in the economic crisis and asserted that  poverty has been imposed on people as a form of systematic violence which has caused the silent deaths of many people and a rise in corruption, addiction and prostitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iranian officials are very sensitive about any criticism against the supreme leader, and recently some political activists who had had criticized Khamenei and called for his removal or resignation from office were arrested and are still imprisoned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Article 27 of Iran\u2019s Press Law, if the Press Supervisory Board deems a case as an insult against the Iranian supreme leader, the license of the newspaper or magazine will be revoked and the license holder and the writer will be referred  to the judicial system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Kilid\u2019s license has been revoked for publishing a drawing critical of the Iranian supreme leader, Iran\u2019s press freedom rank is 174 out of 180 countries, according to the Reporters Without Borders annual report.  Kilid is the first newspaper which has had its license revoked during Ebrahim Raisi\u2019s government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mehr News Agency<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Former Iranian Intelligence Officer: Ruhollah Zam Exchanged With French Intelligence Officer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Akbar Khoshkushk, a former security officer in Iran\u2019s Intelligence Ministry, says that IRGC intelligence forces implemented the plan for abducting Iranian dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam in Iraq in  collaboration with French intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Khushkushk, the French General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) sought the release of  a French security officer who had infiltrated ISIS but was \u201ccaptured by the Resistance Axis in a conflict.\u201d The \u201cResistance Axis\u201d are Shiite groups allied with Iran in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khushkushk alleges that French security forces had accompanied Zam to the French embassy in Baghdad, and when he left the embassy, they informed Iran\u2019s security forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruhollah Zam was living in France. In 2019, the IRGC announced his arrest and transfer to Iran. Zam was executed in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zam\u2019s charges included \u201cespionage for the intelligence services\u201d of Israel and France, \u201ccollaboration with the hostile country, America\u201d and \u201cparticipation in gathering classified information with the intention of submitting it to others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French authorities have not responded to the remarks and allegations made by the former Iranian security officer so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Khushkushk, \u201cwhen Ruhollah Zam entered Iran, a French security officer was transferred from Damascus to Istanbul and handed over to the French there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akbar Khoshkushk himself was one of the suspects in the politically motivated murders of Iranian intellectuals and political activists and was arrested during the investigations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to this former intelligence officer, Turkey\u2019s intelligence agency has \u201calways collaborated\u201d with Iran over the past 40 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khushkushk added that Turkey\u2019s intelligence agency had previously handed over Foroud Foladvand, founder of the Kingdom Assembly of Iran, and in return, the Turks demanded that somebody be handed over to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also claimed Habib Chaab, founder and former leader of the Arab Struggle Movement, was abducted by Iranian security forces in Turkey last year and transferred to Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC Persian<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning About the \u201cMost Dangerous Inflation Point\u201d in the Past 40 Years<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Majid-Reza Hariri, head of the Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce, states that Iran\u2019s economy is at its \u201cmost dangerous historical point\u201d in the past four decades, and there might be hyperinflation which will lead to the further skyrocketing of prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said that if \u201cwe pass the inflation rate of 50 or 60 percent\u201d it will be hard to control inflation, and any decision made in the country must also consider its consequences on increasing or decreasing the inflation rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, Iran\u2019s Statistical Center released a new report regarding the inflation rate showing that prices of foods and beverages had been subject to a  61.4 percent increase during the past 12 months compared to the same period last year, which is a new record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammad Reza Pour-Ebrahimi, head of the Parliament\u2019s Economic Commission, recently said that the policy of allocating forex at the lower government price for importing and distributing essential goods has failed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent months, there have been many warnings about hyperinflation in the country. Massoud Khanssari, head of Tehran\u2019s Chamber of Commerce, had stated in a tweet that with the continuation of the current situation, \u201cthe government will face an unprecedented inflation rate in the coming months, which has never been experienced in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iranian authorities have also spoken out against soaring prices. Sadegh Larijani, head of the Expediency Discernment Council, said that  the country\u2019s escalating inflation was \u201cvery concerning,\u201d adding that \u201cskyrocketing prices have taken away many common food items from people\u2019s tables.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahmad Khatami, member of the Guardian Council and Tehran\u2019s mass prayer leader has said that \u201cunchecked prices\u201d are hurting the people \u201cminute by minute,\u201d and called on President Ebrahim Raisi\u2019s government to deal with these problems as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Mohsen Rezaee: We Smuggle and <\/strong>Sell Oil and Bring Dollars Into the Country Clandestinely<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mohsen Rezaee, economic deputy to the Iranian president, has said that to contain the price of the dollar, Iran sells smuggled oil and brings the money into the country. Mashhad\u2019s mass prayer leader Ahmad Alamolhoda, who happens to be President Ebrahim Raisi\u2019s father-in-law, has also pointed to the government\u2019s measures, asserting that there is no need to transfer money through international banks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rezaee stated that America has put Iran \u201cunder siege\u201d for three years and does not allow it to sell its oil, calling for people to make a \u201chistorical decision and break America\u2019s siege.\u201d He asserted that \u201cIran sells oil by smuggling and brings its revenues into the country clandestinely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Alamolhoda highlighted the obstacles imposed by the United States to prevent Iran from  selling its oil, stating that \u201cfortunately, because of this government\u2019s courage, the norm has been breaking the sanctions, and we can sell our oil to the world and alleviate the pressure on our own people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He continued that the United States\u2019 last tool was \u201cnot allowing us to transfer our money through international banks, but because of this government\u2019s measures, we do not need to transfer our money through international banks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Joe Biden taking office in America and with talks for reviving the nuclear deal, it was expected that Iran\u2019s oil would be sold in global markets. But after six rounds of talks, the negotiations were stalled, and Rouhani\u2019s government handed over the nuclear file to Raisi\u2019s government.  Now, after five months, the nuclear talks are going to be resumed on November 29. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

BBC Persian<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The editorial of Ebtekar focuses on the migration of specialists and capital flight from Iran, urging that many are leaving the country due to the basic problems that they have to grapple with in their daily lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":9869,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[308,589,386,5912,5913],"class_list":["post-9868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week","tag-economy","tag-journalist","tag-khamenei","tag-newspaper","tag-warning"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9868","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=9868"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9870,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9868\/revisions\/9870"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9869"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}