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Week of July 22, 2024 | Iran Unfiltered is a weekly digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council - sign up to receive it in your inbox here.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei emphasized the importance of constructive interaction between the parliament and the incoming Pezeshkian administration. Khamanei made the remarks in a recent meeting with members of Iran’s Parliament that included Masoud Pezeshkian, the newly elected president from the 14th presidential election.
Khamenei stated to the twelfth Parliament that the success of the elected president in governing the country equates to success for all. He stressed the need for a united front, particularly on significant national issues, to ensure a single, cohesive voice that would deter those looking for signs of division. During his address, Iranian media paid special attention to the images of Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf seated together in the front row, signaling potential unity between the two former rival candidates for the presidency.
Khamenei stressed the importance of the Parliament approving the new cabinet proposed by President Pezeshkian. He urged swift action, stating that a prompt confirmation would benefit the country by enabling the government to start its work without delay.
Following the official ceremonies, including the inauguration and confirmation set for July 30, Pezeshkian will formally assume his duties as Iran’s new president. The twelfth Parliament will then face the task of granting confidence votes to his proposed ministers.
Ayatollah Khamenei called on the elected officials to be deeply committed to the Islamic Republic and maintain a national perspective, avoiding political and factional entanglements. Mohammad Javad Zarif, head of the “Transition Steering Council” for Pezeshkian’s administration, reiterated this sentiment in a recent interview, emphasizing the goal of forming a “national unity government” despite potential ideological differences.
In immediate reactions, Ghalibaf posted on social media expressing Parliament’s support for the new president and commitment to cooperation. Pezeshkian also thanked the Supreme Leader for his support, underscoring the importance of a unified voice for Iran’s progress.
In another part of his speech, Khamenei defended the “Strategic Action Plan to Lift Sanctions,” a contentious piece of legislation enacted during the eleventh Parliament amid the Rouhani administration’s final months in office. He dismissed criticisms of the law, praising it as a significant and correct move despite objections. Khamenei argued that while sanctions could be lifted honorably, neutralizing them was even more crucial.
During the recent presidential campaign, both Zarif and former President Hassan Rouhani criticized the law as an obstacle to lifting sanctions and reviving the nuclear deal (JCPOA). However, in a debate, Pezeshkian clarified his support for the law within the framework set by the Supreme Leader, countering claims of opposition.
The law, passed by the eleventh Parliament in December 2020 following Joe Biden’s election victory in the U.S., mandated the Iranian government to resume 20% uranium enrichment, reduce IAEA inspections, and increase low-enriched uranium stockpiles if U.S. sanctions were not lifted. This legislation, passed after the Israeli assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhhrizadeh and enacted during Biden’s first month in office, escalated tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and moved Iran further away from compliance with the nuclear deal President Trump exited.
As the new administration under President Pezeshkian takes shape, the focus will be on collaboration and unity within Iran’s political landscape, aiming to navigate the challenges ahead.
A public session of the Iranian Parliament descended into chaos after a representative protested the lack of consideration for his urgent proposal to lift internet censorship. Mohammad Qasem Osmani, representing Boukan in the Iranian Parliament, raised an objection during the session, stating: “I submitted an urgent proposal to the Presidium. This proposal has gone through all necessary steps, but Mr. [Mohammad Bagher] Ghalibaf vetoed it. By what right did you do this? Mr. Ghalibaf, you swore on the Quran to uphold the internal regulations of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.”
Addressing Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament, Osmani said: “This is not a military barracks; this is the Islamic Consultative Assembly. This is the House of the Nation. As a representative of the people, I drafted this proposal in their interest, and it followed the urgent procedure as per the regulations. Why did Mr. Ghalibaf veto it?” He continued: “Shouldn’t the Presidium adhere to the parliamentary regulations? If I, as a representative of the people, cannot speak, who will voice the people’s concerns?” Nikzad’s reference to the parliament not being a “military barracks” alluded to Ghalibaf’s long history as a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) before serving as the Mayor of Tehran and later as the Speaker of Parliament.
In Ghalibaf’s absence, the session was chaired by Ali Nikzad, the Deputy Speaker. Nikzad responded to the protesting representative, saying: “The attribution you made to the Speaker is not correct. Currently, there are 30 urgent proposals with the Presidium, and each must be addressed in due time.”
Following Nikzad’s remarks, several representatives politically aligned with the Speaker approached Osmani’s seat, engaging in a heated discussion. The argument was eventually resolved with the intervention of Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, another Deputy Speaker.
Internet censorship is a critical political and social issue in Iran, frequently discussed in public debates and election promises. During his campaign, President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian stated his opposition to the current state of internet censorship and made promises to improve the situation.
However, critics of Pezeshkian argue that policymaking in areas such as lifting censorship does not fall within the President’s jurisdiction and that such promises should not be used to sway voters. Pezeshkian, in his first speech after winning the election, asserted that he has not made any promises he cannot fulfill. Operating outside of the President’s direct oversight, the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, comprising various government bodies, along with the Working Group for Determining Instances of Criminal Content, operating under the Attorney General, holds extensive authority over internet censorship in Iran.
Russia has announced the completion of a “Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement” with Iran, which is now ready to be signed. Andrey Rudenko, a Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, informed the official news agency TASS that the drafting of the agreement, which took two and a half years, concluded following “final expert consultations in Moscow last month.”
Iranian media had previously reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran’s President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian had emphasized the importance of maintaining relations at the “highest level” in a telephone conversation. Putin expressed hope that the agreements reached during Ebrahim Raisi’s administration would continue. Pezeshkian accepted Putin’s invitation to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, this fall, and indicated that Tehran is prepared to sign the agreement at the summit.
Although details of the agreement have not been disclosed, Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Moscow, stated in an interview with IRNA last December that the agreement covers a wide range of areas and includes mutual respect and territorial integrity of both countries. He also assured that “the agreement is not secret or private” and indicated that the text of the agreement, after being approved by both governments, would be submitted to the parliaments of the two countries for ratification.
About 40 days ago, the state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Zamir Kabulov, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official and special envoy of Vladimir Putin to Afghanistan, stating that the comprehensive cooperation agreement was temporarily suspended due to “issues faced by Iranian partners.” However, shortly after this announcement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that Moscow and Tehran are still pursuing the agreement, though “the timing of certain events” might change. He emphasized that “Russia intends to develop its relations with Iran.”
Kazem Jalali also refuted the suspension news as “incorrect,” stating: “Our efforts have been focused on signing this agreement by officials of both countries in 2024.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later attributed the delay to administrative hurdles on the Iranian side.
In recent years, Iran has strengthened its ties with Russia and China through membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. Iran also signed a 25-year comprehensive agreement with China. Concurrently, the cooperation between Iran and Russia has intensified following the Ukraine war, with Moscow utilizing Iranian drones to fatal effect.
Notably, President Putin did not attend Ebrahim Raisi’s funeral and will not be present at Pezeshkian’s inauguration. Previously, IRNA reported that Putin informed Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, that the Russian State Duma’s Speaker would attend Pezeshkian’s inauguration next week in Tehran.
Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for Iran’s Crisis Management Organization, has announced that the organization is on high alert for an impending heatwave in several regions of the country. Zafari stated that provinces have been instructed to prepare for severe heat in the coming days. He also emphasized that the Ministry of Energy has been advised to consider closing government offices and high-consumption factories if necessary to manage energy use effectively.
In response to the heatwave, working hours for government offices, organizations, banks, and municipalities in some provinces have been reduced in the coming days with some provinces declaring Saturday a holiday. Sadegh Ziaeian, head of the National Center for Forecasting and Crisis Management at the Meteorological Organization, previously warned of rising temperatures over the weekend. He predicted that temperatures in Tehran could reach 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday and Sunday, with parts of Khuzestan expected to hit 122 degrees. He also noted that sections of Kerman, Khuzestan, Bushehr, and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces could see temperatures climb to 122 degrees or higher in the next two days. According to Ziaeian, July temperatures in Iran have been 1.3 degrees higher than the 30-year average, with residents expected to experience a 5-8 degree increase in the coming days. He specifically warned residents of North Khorasan province, who will see the most significant temperature rise.
Maziyar Gholami, director general of Tehran’s meteorological department, noted that the highest temperature recorded in the capital in recent years was 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit, with the highest provincial temperature reaching 114 degrees. Ziaeian expressed hope that temperatures would drop and return to normal by Monday.
Additionally, Ziaeian, revealed that the organization has not received funding for implementing the Crisis Management Law’s objectives in the past five years. He also mentioned that critical data for pollution forecasting was last provided in 2017.
Ziaeian criticized this situation, stating: “To forecast air pollution, we need current traffic data and emissions inventories, not data from seven years ago.” During a joint meeting with members of the Crisis Management Organization, he highlighted the vital role of meteorology in crisis management. He noted that “the Meteorological Organization is a key member of the Crisis Management Headquarters, with 90% of its services dedicated to crisis management. However, financial challenges and the lack of access to essential data layers for predicting weather-related hazards remain significant issues.”
Air pollution has become a severe problem in Iran over the past few decades, affecting residents of both large and small cities. Despite this, the government has yet to implement substantial and scientific measures to address the issue, which claims thousands of lives annually according to official statistics.
Iran and Sudan have officially exchanged ambassadors, nearly 10 months after re-establishing diplomatic ties. This marks a significant step in the renewed relationship between the two countries following an eight-year hiatus.
Sudan’s military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, received the Iranian ambassador, Hassan Shah Hosseini, who presented his credentials at a port on the Red Sea, away from the conflict-ridden capital, Khartoum. Concurrently, Sudan dispatched its new ambassador, Abdulaziz Hassan Saleh, to Tehran.
The Sudanese government issued a statement highlighting the meeting and the symbolic importance of this diplomatic exchange. This move signifies the latest effort to mend ties that were severed in 2016 when Sudan cut relations in solidarity with Saudi Arabia, following attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran by protestors outraged over the execution of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr in Saudi Arabia.
In a reflection of shifting alliances, Iran and Saudi Arabia restored their relations early last year with China’s mediation, prompting Sudan to reconsider its stance and renew ties with Iran. However, Bahrain, a close Saudi ally, has not yet resumed relations with Iran.
Sudan’s Foreign Minister had previously visited Tehran to offer condolences after the death of Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, setting the stage for this recent diplomatic development. Hussein al-Amin, Sudan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, described the exchange as the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations.
Since the 2019 military coup that ousted long-time leader Omar al-Bashir, Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating civil war. The conflict pits al-Burhan’s army against the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, al-Burhan’s former deputy. This war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
The conflict has drawn in various international players, with Egypt and Turkey supporting Sudan’s army, while other Arab and Islamic countries back the Rapid Support Forces. In December, Sudan expelled UAE diplomats over allegations of support for the Rapid Support Forces, though the UAE maintains it is neutral.
Notably, in March of this year, Reuters reported the use of Iranian-made drones in Sudan’s civil war, further suggesting that regional rivalries are playing out in the Sudan war. Additionally, Sudan has sought closer ties with Russia, with experts noting Moscow’s reassessment of its relationships with Sudanese militias. The diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and Sudan represents a critical juncture as both nations navigate complex regional dynamics and seek to strengthen their positions amid ongoing conflicts and shifting alliances.
Saeed Rad, a distinguished actor who began his significant presence in Iranian cinema in the early 1970s and starred in several key films of Iran’s “New Wave” movement, passed away on July 22 at the age of 80. In recent days, reports about his deteriorating health had been released by his family and friends. Nega Rad, his son, confirmed his father’s passing on the morning of Monday, July 22.
Hooshang Golmakani, editor of the “Film” monthly magazine, mentioned on July 21 that he had visited Rad at a nursing home some time ago, where he remained bedridden. Golmakani noted, “The Saeed Rad I saw that day on the bed bore no resemblance to the man we remember from even recent years.”
Born on October 26, 1944, in the Sanglaj neighborhood of Tehran, Ahmed Saeed Haghpour Rad had his first cinematic appearance as an extra in the film “The Conquerors of the Desert.” His first major role came in Amir Naderi’s “Goodbye Friend.”
Rad’s notable performances include roles in Kamran Shirdel’s “The Morning of the Fourth Day” and Amir Naderi’s “The Imperative.” His character “Ali Khoshdast” in “The Imperative,” accompanied by Fereydoon Foroughi’s song “Dadares,” remains one of the most memorable roles in Iranian cinematic history. This film was a significant work of the “New Wave” cinema and a standout example of pre-revolution “street films,” a genre popularized by directors like Naderi and Fereydoon Goleh. Rad also collaborated with renowned directors such as Masoud Kimiai in “The Stone Journey” and “The Red Line,” and Nasser Taghvai in “The Dead End.”
Having quickly risen to stardom, Rad appeared in over 30 films within less than a decade, most of which were part of commercial cinema. After the revolution, Rad starred in films such as “Dadshah” and “The Purgatory,” but his career faced a major setback when he was banned from acting after his role in the blockbuster “The Eagles,” directed by Samuel Khachikian in 1984, which is considered by some to be the highest-grossing film in Iranian cinema history. Following this, Rad emigrated from Iran.
Returning to Iran after 15 years in 1999, Rad starred in Ahmad Reza Darvish’s film “Duel.” He received the Best Actor Honorary Diploma for his role in “The Receiver” at the 2011 Fajr Film Festival.
Rad continued to work in cinema, television, and home video, with his most significant role in the 2010s being in Ebrahim Hatamikia’s “Che,” where he portrayed Valiollah Fallahi, the commander of the Islamic Republic’s ground forces in the early years following the revolution.
In 2014, during the opening ceremony of the 32nd Fajr Film Festival, Rad reminisced about pre-revolution actors such as Mohammad Ali Fardin and Behrouz Vossoughi. His comments provoked anger from media outlets and officials opposed to the then-administration, leading to Hojatollah Ayoubi, the head of the Cinema Organization of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance at the time, publicly stating that honoring pre-revolution actors was not the official stance of the Ministry.
Saeed Rad, who had a career spanning over four decades in Iranian cinema, ultimately passed away approximately 24 hours after his family provided an update on his health. The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) extends its condolences to Mr. Rad’s family and friends, as well as to all those who have enjoyed his remarkable performances in Iranian cinema over the years.
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