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Week of May 1st, 2023 [[link removed]] | Iran Unfiltered is a digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council

*
Assault
on
teachers
union
spokesperson
Mohammad
Habibi's
Residence
[[link removed]]
*
International
Workers'
Day
and
Ongoing
Strikes
[[link removed]]
*
Iran's
Ministry
of
Information
Report:
Student
Poisonings
Linked
to
Stink
Bombs,
Pranks,
and
Chaos-Fueling
Videos
[[link removed]]
*
Continued
Crisis
over
Mandatory
Hijab
and
Harassment
of
Protestors
[[link removed]]
*
Two
Clerics
in
Qom
Hit
by
Car
and
Hospitalized
[[link removed]]
*
Iranian
Oil
Tanker
Seizure
and
Iran's
Response
[[link removed]]
*
Iranian
President's
Legal
Deputy
Proposes
Legal
Negotiation
with
the
US
Government
[[link removed]]
*
Stark
Poverty
Figures
Among
Elderly
Women
in
Iran
[[link removed]]
*
Parliament
Fails
to
Express
Confidence
in
Minister
Samat
[[link removed]]
*
Saravan
Police
Chief
Assassinated
[[link removed]]

Assault on teachers union spokesperson Mohammad Habibi's Residence [[link removed]]
On Friday, April 28, security forces arrested 9 union and labor activists who visited the home of incarcerated teachers union spokesperson Mohammad Habibi to see his wife, Khadijeh Pakzamir. Rehane Ansarinejad, Asal Mohammadi, Hirad Pirbadaghi, Anisha Asdalahi, Kamiar Fakour, Sarvanaz Ahmadi, Hassan Ebrahimi, Jaleh Rohzad, and Aldoz Hashemi were subsequently taken to Evin prison.

The Coordinating Council of Trade Unions of Iranian Cultural Organizations reported that a female teacher experienced a heart attack during the violent confrontation. Mohammad Habibi, currently imprisoned, has faced multiple arrests in recent years. On April 5, less than two months after serving a ten-month sentence, he was rearrested and has remained in custody.

The Fars news agency, linked to security institutions and the IRGC, alleged that those arrested at Habibi's residence were part of an organizational meeting involving individuals with histories of association with Marxist anti-revolutionary groups, dissidents, and French spies. Fars claimed their intent was to incite tension in worker and teacher gatherings, ultimately leading to nationwide strikes. The news agency also accused them of planning to introduce a project involving "artificial poisoning" in schools, according to Islamic Republic officials. The poisoning of schoolgirls across the country has sent over 12,000 students to the hospital, while Islamic Republic authorities have failed to identify the culprits or even the substance or substances being used.

International Workers' Day and Ongoing Strikes [[link removed]]
As International Labor Day was observed on Monday, May 1, social security pensioners held protest rallies in various cities, continuing a trend from recent months. They assembled and marched with demands for better living conditions. Coinciding with International Labor Day, workers from diverse industries in Iran gathered and demonstrated in different cities. Among the protestors were workers from the Yazd tire factory, who, as reported by the Azad Workers' Union, halted work and assembled in the factory area for the third day in a row to protest low wages.

Retired social security workers in Kermanshah, Kerman, Ahvaz, and Sari also assembled and protested. In Susa, retired workers demonstrated and chanted slogans like, "Only on the street, our rights will be earned." A group of Haftapeh sugar cane workers assembled at the factory to protest the company's "inappropriate treatment" of workers on hunger strike by the company's security guards.

Social media users also reposted photos and videos of workers who were killed in the national uprising. Users honored the "courage" of Majidreza Rahnavard, Seyed Mohammad (Kian) Hosseini, Mohammad Mahdi Karmi, and Zaniar Abu Bakri on "The Way of Freedom" and congratulated all Iranian workers on Labor Day. Rahnavard, Hosseini, and Karmi, all executed during nationwide protests, were employees in a fruit shop, a poultry farm, and the construction industry, respectively.

Abu Bakri had been previously killed by a war bullet during protests in Mahabad on October 27, 2022. According to Kurdish sources, he was a mechanical worker and also worked in building facades. Users also shared photos of Navid Afkari, an athlete who was executed on September 12, 2020 following his arrest amid the mass protests of 2018, and Sattar Beheshti, a blogger who perished in custody on November 3, 2012, to mark Labor Day.

As nationwide worker strikes continued in Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, during a meeting with workers, acknowledged labor-related protests, including delays in salary payments or improper and corrupt handovers. He said, "These protests are actually helping the government and the system and informing them." He added that wherever responsible institutions, such as the judiciary, intervened, they found the workers to be in the right.

The leader of the Islamic Republic claimed, "In all protest cases, the labor community avoided the enemy, and the emphasis on companionship and friendship with the regime has not allowed ill-wishers to take advantage of protests and gatherings." In recent years, the Islamic Republic's security forces have repeatedly arrested labor activists. Moreover, the government does not permit demonstrations and marches customary in most countries on International Labor Day (May 1st). Nationwide strikes have reached a new stage following the revolutionary uprising of Women, Life, Freedom, with numerous reports of labor strikes in recent days.

Iran's Ministry of Information Issues Report Claiming Student Poisonings Linked to Stink Bombs, Pranks, and Chaos-Fueling Videos [[link removed]]
The Iranian Ministry of Information released a statement analyzing the chain poisoning incidents primarily affecting girls' schools. The statement categorizes the incidents into several groups: "stink bombs" used for pranks, "malingering" to escape school, and intentional poisoning to film protests. The Ministry of Information emphasized the seriousness of the "alleged poisoning" issue and the government's commitment to addressing the "inciting factors" firmly. According to the Ministry, tests conducted on all poisoning cases found no toxic substance capable of causing poisoning. They have divided the incidents into five categories: 1. Stink bombs: Abundant in the market and online sales platforms, these are typically used for jokes and unconventional entertainment, causing an unpleasant odor. Tear and pepper spray: Used with the intention of mischief, playfulness, harassment, and closing classes. Panic due to a smelly agent in the environment: Instances include manual and non-standard filling of cars, gas leaks, burning waste near schools, and using insecticides. Anti-security motives: The report alleged some incidents were aimed at creating insecurity, chaos, and protests to be filmed and shared on enemy Farsi-language networks or to create gatherings in front of schools. According to the statement, perpetrators are often arrested and handed over to judicial authorities, though reported arrests have been linked to individuals reporting or expressing opinions on the poisonings. Mass panic: Following recent events in Iranian schools, some experts suggested mass panic as a hypothesis, which the report alleges was proven valid for a significant number of schools through detailed examinations. The Ministry of Information statement attributed chain poisonings and their media coverage to opponents of the Islamic Republic. It denied the existence of a "network spreading poisonous substances" in the country, but acknowledged "numerous networks in cyberspace" aiming to create rumors and objectives like fostering school phobia and accusing the Islamic Republic system. During the poisonings, security officers have interacted with concerned families and suppressed protesting teachers. Several individuals have been arrested in connection with reporting on the poisonings. The Ministry's statement comes over five months after the first poisoning cases were reported. Chain poisonings have continued, mainly in girls' schools, since the end of Nowruz holidays. In some instances, significant citizen protests have occurred, leading to business strikes in cities like Saqqez in Kurdistan province. Teachers have organized rallies against the ongoing student poisonings and government inaction. In some cases, parents have formed guard groups outside schools. The Ministry of Information’s statement was released while the poisoning incidents involving female students have persisted. Most recently on May 1, reports and videos circulating on social media indicated that several students in Tehran, Karaj, Kermanshah, Saqqez, and Harsin had been admitted to medical facilities for treatment following poisoning. In the statement, all the factors presented to justify the poisonings, except for one, are attributed to mischievous behavior by students. The fourth case, which is not connected to student mischief, accuses opposition forces. With many already blaming the government for inaction or instigating the poisonings, it is unlikely that the statement will be convincing to the general public.

Verdicts Issued for the Defendants in the Ukrainian Plane Crash Case: An Overview and Reactions from the PS752 Family Association [[link removed]]
On April 16, the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued [[link removed]] verdicts for the accused individuals in the Ukrainian plane crash case, which caused the death of 176 passengers by theRevolutionary Guards’ missile fire . While the court sentenced the primary defendant to 13 years in prison, other defendants received one to three-year sentences. In response to the verdicts, the PS752 Family Association has condemned the court’s decisions and emphasized its lack of jurisdiction over the case.

The court’s verdicts are as follows:

*
The
primary
defendant,
the
commander
of
the
Tor
M-1
defense
system,
was
sentenced
to
13
years
in
prison,
with
ten
years
enforceable.


*
The
second
and
third-tier
defendants,
personnel
of
the
Tor
M-1
defense
system,
each
received
a
one-year
prison
sentence.


*
The
fourth
defendant,
responsible
for
the
defense
systems
desk
of
the
Tor
M-1,
was
sentenced
to
three
years
in
prison.


*
The
fifth-tier
defendant,
in
charge
of
the
command
post
of
the
M-1
defense
system,
was
also
sentenced
to
three
years
in
prison.


*
The
sixth-ranked
defendant,
the
then-commander
of
the
5th
Tehran
Air
Defense
Base,
received
a
two-year
prison
sentence.


*
The
seventh-tier
defendant,
the
shift
officer
of
the
Tehran
Regional
Operations
Control
Center,
was
sentenced
to
two
years
in
prison.


*
The
eighth-ranked
defendant,
the
then-commander
of
the
Tehran
Regional
Operations
Control
Center,
was
sentenced
to
one
and
a
half
years
in
prison.


*
The
ninth-ranking
defendant,
the
then-commander
of
the
Tehran
Air
Defense
Zone,
received
a
one-year
prison
sentence.


*
The
tenth-ranked
defendant,
the
then-commander
of
the
air
defense
of
the
IRGC
Air
and
Space
Force,
was
also
sentenced
to
one
year
in
prison.


*
In
addition
to
these
primary
sentences,
the
court
imposed
supplementary
punishments
for
the
second
through
tenth-tier
defendants.
The
decision
is
preliminary
and
can
be
appealed
within
20
days
from
the
date
of
notification.
The
court
also
designated
$150,000,
or
its
equivalent
in
Euros,
as
ex-gratia
payments
for
each
victim,
to
be
awarded
to
the
families
irrespective
of
judicial
proceedings.



The PS752 Family Association released a statement condemning the verdicts, referring to the judiciary’s proceedings as a “show court.” The association has not accepted the court’s jurisdiction over the case and refuses to abide by its sentence. The statement highlighted the court’s failure to prosecute the commanders and primary accused individuals, as well as the lack of transparency throughout the trial process. The association emphasized that the families are seeking justice rather than monetary compensation for their loved ones.

The association also criticized the court for holding secret meetings, insulting participating family members, and failing to conduct an impartial investigation . Over 70 family members who filed complaints ultimately withdrew their claims in an attempt to not legitimize the court’s jurisdiction.The verdicts as they stand currently are preliminary, and defendants have the opportunity to appeal within the specified timeframe.

Prominent Analyst and Critic Emad Afrough Passes Away [[link removed]]
Emad Afrough, a distinguished analyst and former member of the Parliament, died on April 25 due to cancer . Afrough, who was once a political activist, gradually moved away from political factions and focused his energy on research in social sciences. He became an outspoken critic of those in power, asserting that protesting is a fundamental right of the people.

In recent years, Afrough was known for his rigorous critiques [[link removed]] of the government, particularly in response to various protests throughout the country . He lamented the exclusion of the public from decision-making processes and urged those in power to prioritize justice over rhetoric. Afrough argued that the 1979 Islamic revolution was centered on social justice, and that officials’ performances should be evaluated against this standard.

Afrough attributed the unrest following the 2019 gasoline price hike to the public’s exclusion from decision-making . As a representative of the seventh round of the Parliament, he contended that the right to protest was justified in this case. He explained that political power should represent social power, but instead, it was manipulating the civil institution and social sphere for its own ends.

Regarding the protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini, Afrough cited the rejection of the protesters as a catalyst for the demonstrations . He described the events as “urban anger and the rebellion of the rejected,” rather than a social movement. Afrough believed that the regime should have apologized for Amini’s death and that relevant officials should have resigned.

In his analysis of the economic factors behind the protests, Afrough highlighted issues of inequality, monopolization, and rent-seeking in the distribution of economic benefits. He observed that certain individuals were granted privileges while the majority remained excluded from these advantages. The passing of Emad Afrough passing leaves a void in the world of critical analysis and social science research.

Iranian President Extends Official Invitation to Saudi King, Signaling Thaw in Relations [[link removed]]
The Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, has officially invited [[link removed]] the King of Saudi Arabia to visit Tehran, according to a statement from Nasser Kanani, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic . This move comes as the two nations work towards reopening their respective embassies by May 9 after a seven-year diplomatic hiatus.

The announcement of the invitation followed an earlier statement by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, expressing the country’s readiness to host the Saudi King . The statement was made in an interview with Al Jazeera, shortly after news broke of Saudi Arabia’s invitation to President Raisi to visit Riyadh.

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed, with mediation from China, to restore diplomatic ties on March 10, ending a seven-year suspension after an attack on the Saudi embassy in Iran by supporters of the Iranian government . The incident had occurred in response to the execution of Sheikh Nimr, a Shia cleric and vocal critic of the Saudi government. In addition to the reciprocal invitations extended by President Raisi and the Saudi King, the foreign ministers of both countries have also invited each other for official visits, as confirmed by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic.

Iranian President Extends Official Invitation to Saudi King, Signaling Thaw in Relations [[link removed]]
Iranian President Extends Official Invitation to Saudi King, Signaling Thaw in Relations [[link removed]]
Iranian President Extends Official Invitation to Saudi King, Signaling Thaw in Relations [[link removed]]
Iranian President Extends Official Invitation to Saudi King, Signaling Thaw in Relations [[link removed]]
Support NIAC's important work by making a contribution today.
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