Iran Digest Week of November 10- November 17
/AIC’s Iran digest project covers the latest developments and news stories published in Iranian and international media outlets. This weekly digest is compiled by associate Samuel Howell. Please note that the news and views expressed in the articles below do not necessarily reflect those of AIC.
US- Iran Relations
US renews waiver letting Iraq pay Iran for electricity
The United States has issued a new 120-day waiver allowing Iraq to pay Iran for electricity, U.S. officials said on Tuesday, stressing Tehran could only use the funds for humanitarian trade and seeking to blunt criticism of giving Iran the money.
U.S. officials said the waiver was identical to one in July that for the first time allowed Iraq not only to make payments into restricted Iranian accounts in Iraq but also for the funds to be sent to similarly restricted accounts in third countries.
(Reuters)
Iranian foreign minister denies Iran's involvement in Red Sea drone attack
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian denied that his country was responsible for a drone attack in the Red Sea that appeared to be targeting a U.S. missile destroyer.
The drone, which originated from Yemen, was shot down early Wednesday morning by the USS Thomas Hudner as it was "heading in the direction of the ship," according to a statement from the Pentagon.
"We really didn't want this crisis to expand," Amir-Abdollahian told CBS News on Wednesday, referencing the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. "But the U.S. has been intensifying the war in Gaza by throwing its support behind Israel. Yemen makes its own decisions and acts independently."
(CBS News)
Nuclear Accord
Iran's nuclear enrichment advances as it stonewalls UN, IAEA reports show
Iran has enough uranium enriched to up to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade, for three atom bombs by the International Atomic Energy Agency's definition and is still stonewalling the agency on key issues, confidential IAEA reports showed on Wednesday.
Iran's steady progress in enriching to very high levels while failing to provide the International Atomic Energy Agency with the cooperation it demands on a growing list of issues presents a challenge to both the agency and Western powers that have repeatedly called on Iran to reverse course.
Iran's stock of uranium enriched to up to 60% grew by 6.7 kg (14.8 pounds) to 128.3 kg (282.9 pounds) since the last report on Sept. 4, one of the two reports to member states seen by Reuters said. That is more than three times the roughly 42 kg (92.6 pounds) that by the IAEA's definition is theoretically enough, if enriched further, for a nuclear bomb.
(Reuters)
Women of Iran
Mass Arrest Of Female Activists In Iran Following Teenager’s Killing
In the aftermath of the government-related killing of Armita Gervanad, more than 20 women activists and journalists have reportedly been arrested in Gilan, north of Iran.
Armita Geravand,16, died after an altercation with hijab police led to her falling into a coma. She later died in hospital in echoes of the death of Mahsa Amini last year, whose death triggered a nationwide uprising.
The detainees include notable figures such as animal rights activists Rozita Rajaei and writer, and civil activist Nina Golestani. Additionally, environmental journalists and activists Haleh Nateghi and Nasim Tavaf are among those detained.
Economy
Iran's Inflation Soars To Two-Year High Amid Failed Policies
The inflation rate in the past Iranian month was its highest in two years as the government grappling with large budget deficits continues to print money.
According to the latest data released by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), the inflation rate in the country has surged to its highest level in the past 22 months, hitting 54.8% for the month of Mehr (ended October 22), economic website EcoIran reported, after analyzing data released by the CBI. The central bank rejected the report as false, insisting that the inflation is about 45 percent. It claimed that there were discrepancies in calculations.
EcoIran says the number is based on the Central Bank's tables, which are presented periodically to the judiciary to calculate overdue debts, fines, and dowries. The CBI rejected EcoIran’s figure as “wrong” but did not elaborate on the table presented in its document.
Environment
Tree Felling In Historical Sa'dabad Complex Courts Environmental Concerns
The felling of ancient trees in Tehran's historical Sa'dabad Cultural-Historical Complex, home to the Shah's palace, has sparked controversy from environmental activists.
The historical complex constructed by the Qajar and Pahlavi monarchs, sprawling over 110 hectares in northern Tehran, encompasses natural forests, canals, gardens and museums, one of the capital's most famed destinations.
Recent public outrage ensued as images circulated depicting the removal of at least four aged trees on Italy Street in Tehran. Despite claims by eyewitnesses that one tree was “alive”, the municipality asserted that two were entirely “dry”, justifying the action as a precautionary measure to “eliminate the danger.”
Regional Politics
Iranians see both sides of the Israel-Gaza conflict
The first time I witnessed a spontaneous pro-Palestine gathering was 20 years ago when I was doing a master’s degree in London. Back then I was astonished to see European students expressing such passionate support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel. In my home country of Iran — a theocracy which has prioritised the liberation of Palestine and annihilation of Israel — annual pro-Palestine rallies such as Quds Day at the end of the holy month of Ramadan are organised by the state and packed with loyalists.
Many Iranians believe Palestinians have been dealt a historic injustice. However, even they are likely to disapprove of the financial and military support the Islamic regime — a sworn enemy of Israel — provides for anti-Israel militants in the region, including Hamas.
These mixed feelings have become more complicated since the October 7 attacks, in which Hamas killed more than 1,200 Israelis. Even though Israel’s retaliatory air strikes and ground offensive have caused over 11,000 deaths in Gaza, it is almost unimaginable that there would be a rally in Iran on the same scale as those taking place in London, Washington, Berlin or even in Islamic countries such as Indonesia and Turkey. This month, Abbas Abdi, a reformist analyst, shamed hardliners who he said had only gathered a pro-Palestine crowd the size of a small village in Tehran. “This is not [simply] a failure. It is a thorough decadence,” he wrote on Telegram.
(Financial Times)
Global Relations
German police raid Islamic centre over alleged ties to Iran, Hezbollah
Police in Germany have conducted raids at 54 sites across the country as part of an investigation into an Islamic centre for alleged links to Iran and the Tehran-backed group Hezbollah.
The Ministry of the Interior said Thursday’s operation primarily targeted the Islamic Centre of Hamburg (IZH) as well as five affiliate groups as hundreds of police conducted raids in seven German states.
“I want to make clear that we are acting against Islamists, not against a religion or another state,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said.
US Asks China to Use Influence With Iran Over Middle East War
President Joe Biden has urged President Xi Jinping of China to leverage his influence in persuading Iran to refrain from actions that could escalate the Israel-Hamas war.
The two leaders met Wednesday in San Francisco and discussed a variety of difficult issues, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
US officials told Reuters that the Chinese foreign minister assured the American party that China has conveyed concerns to Iran on the matter.
Analysis
How Iran and Its Allies Hope to Save Hamas
By: Hamidreza Azizi
“We kiss the foreheads and the arms of the shrewd and astute planners and the courageous Palestinian youth.” On Oct. 10, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his unambivalent support for Hamas’ attack against Israel. Yet he swiftly repudiated any Iranian involvement, claiming, “Those who attribute the acts of the Palestinians to outsiders fail to understand the Palestinian people. They have underestimated them.” Khamenei’s remarks perfectly encapsulate Iran’s stance on the war in Gaza over the past month: championing Palestinian “resistance” against Israel while concurrently underscoring the autonomy of Hamas and other “resistance movements.” Indeed, both U.S. and Israeli authorities have, so far, found no concrete evidence linking Iran directly to the attack. Yet Iran’s extensive military, economic, and political backing for Hamas is widely acknowledged.
At the same time, Khamenei and other Iranian officials have been warning both Israel and its allies that their actions in Gaza could trigger escalation. Against this backdrop, there have already been increased hostilities between Israel and Hizballah along the Lebanese border, as well as rocket strikes against the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syrian territories. Meanwhile, Iranian-supported militias in Iraq have escalated their operations against U.S. assets. In less than a month, between Oct. 17 and Nov. 13, there have been 52 recorded incidents targeting U.S. entities in both countries. Finally, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen have also proclaimed their participation in the conflict, launching missile and drone attacks targeting southern Israel.
