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Week of August 5, 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.
More than a week has passed since the assassination of the political bureau chief of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran. The incident has left Iran, regional powers, and the international community anxiously awaiting a possible Iranian military response against Israel, which Iran and other actors have deemed responsible. Amid this waiting game, negotiations continue behind the scenes to prevent or at least moderate Tehran’s potential retaliatory actions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin dispatched his trusted envoy, Sergey Shoigu, to Iran for negotiations. The former Russian defense minister’s agenda included meetings with President Masoud Pezeshkian, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and chief of the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff Mohammad Bagheri. Last week, Russia condemned the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran.
The New York Times, citing two Iranian officials familiar with the war plans, reported that Iran had previously requested advanced air defense systems from Russia in preparation for a potential conflict with Israel. According to the newspaper, these Iranian officials confirmed media reports that the delivery of these systems has begun following Shoigu’s discussions with high-ranking Iranian officials in Tehran.
In an unusual and unexpected visit to Tehran, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with Iranian President Pezeshkian on August 4. Pezeshkian called the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh a “grave mistake” by Israel and asserted that “this audacity from Israel will not go unanswered.” Safadi, meanwhile, emphasized his nation’s support for the Palestinian cause and condemned the assassination of Haniyeh. He emphasized that the discussion aimed to address the “serious escalation in the region and to engage in a frank and clear discussion about overcoming the differences between the two countries with honesty and transparency.”
Safadi’s consultation was followed by a phone call between U.S. President Joe Biden and the Jordanian King Abdullah II on August 5. The two leaders “discussed their efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, including through an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal,” according to the White House readout. Also, on August 6, Safadi followed up with a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. According to the readout, Blinken “stressed the urgent need to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages, allow a surge of humanitarian assistance, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, and create the conditions for broader stability.”
Notably, Jordan’s air force was heavily involved in the multilateral defense of Israel on April 14, 2024, shooting down dozens of drones that were transiting its air space to strike Israel. That Iranian retaliation was conducted after Israel had bombed its consulate in Damascus and killed several senior military figures. Jordan’s actions had sparked anger and threats from Iran at the time, though there is now a new Presidential administration in Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani underscored Iran’s condemnation of the assassination in a press conference on August 5, reiterating Iran’s “unwavering right” to defend its national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He stated that no one could question Iran’s legal right to punish aggressors and create deterrence against Israel. However, Kanaani did not provide details on how and when Iran would retaliate, mentioning only that any action would comply with the UN Charter and international law.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Iran’s new President, Masoud Pezeshkian, discussed the situation in a phone call on Wednesday, August 7. Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s “reserved right to self-defense,” asserting that the Islamic Republic would not remain silent when its security and interests are threatened. He urged the United States and Western countries to pressure Israel into accepting a ceasefire, noting that preventing war hinges on ending Israel’s ten-month long war on Gaza.
The G7 foreign ministers issued a statement urging all parties involved in the Middle Eastern conflict to avoid escalating tensions. During a video conference chaired by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the ministers expressed concern over the rising tensions in Lebanon and the region. They also called for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.
Iran sought additional regional support by requesting an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of Islamic countries via the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). At this meeting, Saudi Arabia declared that the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran was a “clear violation” of Iran’s sovereignty.
Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s acting foreign minister, attended the emergency OIC meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In his speech, he stated that in the absence of adequate action by the UN Security Council against Israeli aggression, Iran had no choice but to exercise its inherent right to self-defense. Bagheri also met with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed al-Khuraiji, noting that Haniyeh’s assassination, as an official guest of Iran, further isolated Israel politically. In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Bagheri described Israel’s assassination of Haniyeh as a “strategic mistake,” asserting that Israel would pay a “heavy price.”
After the OIC gathering, the body issued a joint statement declaring that it “holds Israel, the illegal occupying power, fully responsible for this heinous attack” against Haniyeh. It continued that it found the attack “a crime of aggression, a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, and a serious infringement on Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security.”
On August 8, the leaders of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar issued a joint statement re-launching ceasefire negotiations for Gaza. It noted “The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal…We have called on both sides to resume urgent discussion on Thursday, August 15 in Doha or Cairo to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay.”
The U.S. State Department has reportedly communicated through multiple diplomatic channels that increasing regional tensions would not benefit Tehran. The U.S. has emphasized its commitment to defending Israel against any military threats, and hinted that the Iranian economy and government stability would suffer serious consequences if Iran goes through with plans for a major retaliation.
Meanwhile, other voices within Iran’s leadership have issued statements. Ali Saeedi, head of the Ideological-Political Office of the Supreme Leader’s Command, stated that Iran has three options: war, surrender, or active resistance. He argued that war is not in Iran’s interest, nor is surrender, and thus active resistance is the chosen strategy for the Islamic world and Muslim nations.
Former Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hossein Jaberi Ansari emphasized that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s strategic policy has always been to avoid new wars, reflecting a long-standing principle in Iran’s governance. He noted that Iran’s strategic logic involves managing crises without succumbing to Israel’s power balance. Ansari suggested that understanding this strategic logic is crucial at this sensitive moment. Iran can employ a range of tactics and strategies without engaging in a large-scale war, thus preventing Israel from imposing its deterrence framework on Iran and Hezbollah.
Overall, it seems Iran’s leadership agrees on the need to respond to Haniyeh’s assassination while avoiding an all-out confrontation with Israel. However, whether Iran can walk the tightrope of a response without falling into a broader war remains deeply uncertain.
Iranian athletes, particularly women, have delivered outstanding performances at this year’s Olympic Games. Notably, Iranian taekwondo athlete Nahid Kiani made history by winning the silver medal in the 57kg weight class. Kiani reached the final after three consecutive victories, including a notable win against fellow Iranian and friend Kimia Alizadeh, who was representing her new country of Bulgaria. However, Kiani was defeated by her South Korean opponent in the final match. Kiani’s silver medal marks the highest Olympic medal ever won by an Iranian woman.
Despite being denied a shot at the gold medal, Kimia Alizadeh continued the competition and secured a bronze medal for Bulgaria. This achievement makes Alizadeh the first woman born in Iran to win two Olympic bronze medals. Previously, Alizadeh had made her own mark on Iranian sports, securing a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. However, Alizadeh left the country after her historic achievement, criticizing Iran’s treatment of women and mandatory hijab laws. In the Olympic Games in Tokyo, she competed for the refugee team, but secured citizenship in Bulgaria in time to compete for her new nation at the Paris Olympics.
In the minus 49 kg category for taekwondo, Mobina Nematzadeh defeated her accomplished Saudi Arabian opponent, Dunya Abu Taleb, bringing home another bronze medal for Iran.
Iranian wrestlers have also showed their prowess and secured medals for their nation. Amin Mirzazadeh, competing in the super heavyweight category, defeated Iranian-born Azerbaijani wrestler Sabah Shariati in the bronze medal match, earning Iran’s first medal at the Paris Olympics. Mohammad Hadi Saravi, competing in the 97kg weight class of Greco-Roman wrestling, claimed victory in the final against Artur Aleksanyan, a ten-time Olympic and world medalist, with a score of 4-1. This victory secured the first gold medal for Iran at the Paris Olympics.
Young Iranian wrestler Alireza Mohammadi, aged 22, competed in the 87kg weight class final but was defeated by Semen Novikov of Bulgaria, earning a silver medal. This marked Iran’s first silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
In the 67 kg weight class final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Saeed Esmaeili, a multiple Asian gold medalist and two-time world junior champion, faced Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Parviz Nasibov of Ukraine. Despite trailing 3-0 at the end of the first three minutes, Esmaeili made a remarkable comeback to win 6-5, securing the Olympic gold medal.
Additional Iranian athletes will be competing before the conclusion of the Paris Olympics on August 11.
The Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that, effective from Saturday, August 10, citizens of Tajikistan and Iran can now travel between the two countries without a visa, with a stay of up to 30 days permitted. This visa-free arrangement, currently limited to passengers on direct flights between Dushanbe and Tehran, appears to be aimed at more closely monitoring the movement of citizens between the two nations.
The agreement to waive visa requirements for 30-day visits was signed during the visit of Iran’s former President Ebrahim Raisi to Tajikistan in the fall of last year. However, the implementation of this agreement was delayed following a series of armed attacks over the past year in Kerman, Shiraz, Istanbul, and Moscow, in which Tajik nationals were allegedly involved.
According to the Henley Passport Index, Iran ranks 94th globally, with visa-free access to 43 destinations, placing it among the bottom ten countries in the index. The relationship between Iran and Tajikistan dates back to the early 1990s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Tajikistan’s subsequent independence. However, cultural and historical ties between the two nations extend back thousands of years. Until about 300 years ago, Tajikistan and Iran, along with other territories, were part of a unified state.
Iran was the first country to establish an embassy in Dushanbe and was among the first to diplomatically recognize Tajikistan’s independence in 1991. Iran has since supported Tajikistan through diplomatic efforts and cultural exchanges, including the construction of new mosques and the promotion of Iranian media, literature, and cultural programs in Tajikistan.
Despite these commonalities, significant differences have also emerged. While Tajikistan is a secular state, Iran is an Islamic Republic. Additionally, Iran is predominantly Shia, whereas Tajikistan is largely Sunni. Leaders of Islamic movements in Tajikistan have publicly stated that Iran does not serve as a model for the Islamic state they envision for their country.
Relations between the two countries began to sour in December 2015 after Mohiuddin Kabiri, an opposition leader accused of terrorism in Tajikistan, was invited to a conference in Tehran and was warmly received by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tajikistan quickly lodged a formal protest, summoning Iran’s ambassador in Dushanbe and accusing Iran of encouraging terrorism. The situation further deteriorated in 2016 when Tajikistan suspended the activities of Iran’s cultural attaché office and the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee in Dushanbe, marking a significant low point in bilateral relations.
Tensions were exacerbated after the attacks on the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad. In response, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon visited Riyadh and condemned the attacks, a move that Iran interpreted as a sign of cooling relations.
In July 2017, Tajikistan closed Iran’s cultural attaché office in Khujand and banned the distribution of books related to Ayatollah Khomeini and other Iranian clerics. This followed accusations from Tajikistan that Iran was supporting terrorism and opposition movements within the country.
Since 2019, relations between Iran and Tajikistan have shown signs of improvement, particularly in the areas of security and defense. Concerns over border security with Afghanistan, now under Taliban control, and Kyrgyzstan, supported by Turkey, have prompted Tajikistan to prioritize defense cooperation.
In September 2021, during a visit to Tajikistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and President Emomali Rahmon signed eight cooperation agreements, mostly focused on economic ties, signaling a new phase in bilateral relations. In May 2022, Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces inaugurated a drone manufacturing factory in Tajikistan. This was followed by a visit from President Rahmon to Iran in June 2022, after a nine-year hiatus, further indicating a thaw in relations.
Raisi’s final visit to Tajikistan in November 2023 resulted in the signing of several agreements, including the visa-free travel agreement now in effect. The most recent visit by Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon to Iran took place on May 31, when he traveled to Tehran to offer condolences following the death of Raisi. Rahmon’s delegation left Tehran the same day, underscoring the evolving nature of relations between the two countries.
Iranian authorities are under scrutiny after a senior judicial official confirmed the identification and investigation of law enforcement officers involved in a violent beating of a young teenager that was captured on video amid enforcement of the country’s mandatory hijab laws. Following orders from the Tehran Military Prosecutor and an investigative judge, the officers were identified through surveillance footage, and a special case has been opened to address the conduct of these officers.
Ahmadreza Pourkhaghan, head of the Judiciary Organization of the Armed Forces, acknowledged that the treatment of two women by law enforcement officers “is not acceptable.” This development follows a statement from the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA) in response to a viral video showing the violent arrest of a teenage girl. FARAJA claimed that officers had warned “two young women about their inappropriate attire and unveiling,” but were met with “insults and inappropriate language.” The statement conceded that the officers’ behavior did not meet “standards.”
On August 6, the news outlet Ensaf News published the video, reporting on the account of the mother of one of the teenagers, who said her 14-year-old daughter had been beaten by “Noor Plan” officers. The incident occurred on June 21 in Tehran’s Vatanpour Shomali Street.
Tehran police, in a statement, claimed that the officers resorted to violence after the two teenage girls were seen again in public with “inappropriate attire” following an initial verbal warning and altercation. The police report noted that one of the girls resisted during her transfer to a police vehicle, leading to a “scuffle” and “minor injuries” to one of the girls. The Tehran police concluded their statement by acknowledging that “such behavior by law enforcement personnel does not align with operational standards” and confirmed that the case is under investigation by the judiciary and FARAJA’s inspection division.
The police also disclosed that another video recorded by the police, along with footage from street surveillance cameras, has been submitted to judicial authorities for “clarification.” Tehran Military Prosecutor Mohsen Karami confirmed that a complaint related to the violent arrest of the teenage girl has been filed with the military prosecutor’s office. He stated that the officers involved have been identified and summoned, with a special investigator handling the case.
Karami told state media that one of the first actions taken in the case was the identification and legal summoning of the officers involved, with FARAJA’s full cooperation. Regarding the viral video, Karami clarified that the investigator had only ordered the extraction of the footage for inclusion in the case file, and no authorization was given for its release to the complainant or their lawyer, nor for its publication in the media.
Karami added that the video included in the case file was recorded from a different angle than what was circulated in the media. Ensaf News, citing the mother of the 14-year-old girl, reported that the officers “smashed her daughter’s head against an electrical box” and continued to beat her after forcefully placing her in a van. The mother recounted that when she later visited the morality police, she found her daughter in poor physical condition.
“I saw my daughter with a bruised face, swollen lips, a neck covered in bruises, torn clothes, and a voice that could barely speak. Her eyes were swollen shut from crying,” the mother told Ensaf News. According to Ensaf News, the mother was informed by the morality police that one of the female officers had two broken fingers from the incident and that she needed to obtain the officer’s “consent” before proceeding with any legal action.
The report also mentioned that the mother considered filing a complaint but was advised against it, being warned that if she pursued the matter, “the security and intelligence police” would become involved, which could result in serious consequences for her. The mother told Ensaf News that despite her efforts, she has received no response after more than a month of follow-up.
Iran launched the “Noor Plan” in April 2024 to enforce mandatory hijab laws, which increasing numbers of Iranian women have defied since the Woman, Life, Freedom movement of 2022. As part of this initiative, male and female officers have been violently arresting women who do not comply with the dress code, forcing them into white vans.
Since the start of the Noor Plan, numerous accounts of violent confrontations and arrests of women over hijab violations have surfaced. Reports have emerged of women facing verbal abuse, physical beatings, the use of stun guns, and sexual harassment at the hands of the police. A growing number of videos showing the physical abuse and mistreatment of women by officers have circulated widely.
Following the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini in custody, which sparked nationwide protests in 2022, the morality police temporarily suspended the activities of the “Guidance Patrols.” However, over time, judicial authorities and the police have implemented new measures to target women who refuse to comply with the government’s mandatory dress code.
The issue of enforcing mandatory hijab was a key topic during the recent presidential election debates. While many candidates agreed that using violence to enforce the hijab is not the correct approach, it appears that the treatment of women under the Noor Plan has not yet changed.
The ongoing crackdown on dissent in Iran has drawn significant attention, with a recent incident involving Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi at the forefront. On Tuesday, August 6th, the women’s ward of Evin Prison was attacked following protests against the execution of Reza Rasaei, a Kurdish political prisoner arrested amid the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and charged with killing a security officer. Several people were reportedly injured during the attack on the women’s ward, including three individuals who were in poor condition and were transferred to the infirmary.
Mehdi Mahmoudian, a former political prisoner, wrote on his X account: “Following the protest by women prisoners in Evin against the execution of Reza Rasaei, and the subsequent attack by security forces on the women’s ward, several political prisoners were injured and taken to the infirmary. Due to the disruption of phone communications, there is no information available on the condition of the prisoners in this ward.”
According to her husband, Taghi Rahmani, Mohammadi experienced a respiratory attack and severe chest pain after the encounter with prison guards. Rahmani clarified on social media platform X that while Mohammadi did not suffer a heart attack, the incident triggered a respiratory attack. Several other female prisoners were reportedly injured during the incident, raising concerns about the conditions faced by political prisoners in Iran.
Additionally, imprisoned activist Seronaz Ahmadi was one of the individuals who required medical attention following the attack on the women’s ward. Ahmadi was transferred to a hospital after experiencing a severe anxiety attack. Despite medical advice, Ahmadi was returned to prison. Her imprisonment is related to her advocacy for children and labor rights, which has attracted significant attention.
In response to these allegations, the Prison Organization issued a statement casting their crackdown in a favorable light and placing the blame on the inmates. According to their account, on August 6, several female inmates, allegedly incited by Mohammadi, attacked the guard on duty, broke the lock on the door leading to the outer yard, and attempted to leave the ward. The Public Relations Office of the Prison Organization reported that, due to the timely intervention of the prison protection staff and the facility manager, the situation was contained without any physical harm to the inmates, despite the inmates’ reported aggression towards the staff. The report also claimed that the prison’s guard and protection units did not enter the ward or engage in any conflict with the inmates.
Furthermore, the statement mentioned that two inmates experienced heart palpitations and stress due to the noise and commotion caused by their fellow inmates. After an initial check-up at the prison’s medical center, one was returned to the ward, while the other was sent to an external medical facility as a precaution. Following further examination, it was determined that there were no serious issues, and the inmate was returned to the prison. Officials assert that both inmates are in good health.
This development is part of a broader context of increasing security measures targeting activists and critics within Iran. Iranian authorities continue the imprisonment of social media activist Hossein Shanbehzadeh and Mehrdad Bakhtiari, the uncle of a victim of the 2019 protests, indicating the state’s efforts to manage and control dissent.
Hossein Shanbehzadeh, known for his critical stance towards the government and his advocacy for civil and human rights, is now facing several charges, including “insulting sacred beliefs, insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic and the Supreme Leader, spreading falsehoods, propaganda against the regime,” and propaganda in favor of Israel. These charges were presented during a court session on August 6 at Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Shanbehzadeh’s arrest on June 5 in Ardabil has prompted widespread discussion on social media, with many calling for his release. His reputation is built on his vocal critiques of the government and his defense of civil liberties, which resonate with many Iranians.
This is not Shanbehzadeh’s first experience with legal repercussions. In July 2022, he was sentenced to six years in prison on similar charges, with three and a half years to be served. He was held in Evin Prison until his release in March 2023 under a leadership pardon. Shanbehzadeh has previously shared accounts of the challenges he faced during his imprisonment, including the physical and psychological effects of corporal punishment, which has contributed to broader discussions about such practices in Iran.
In a related development, Mehrdad Bakhtiari – the uncle of Pouya Bakhtiari who was killed during the November 2019 protests – was arrested recently. Mehrdad’s sister, Saba Bakhtiari, shared details of his arrest on social media platform X, describing how over 20 officers entered their home, armed, and detained her brother after blindfolding him and covering his head with a scarf. This arrest comes while Pouya’s parents, Manouchehr Bakhtiari and Nahid Shirpisheh, remain detained. The Bakhtiari family has been put under severe pressure by the authorities since Pouya’s death in Karaj, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding protest victims and their ability to shape public opinion and highlight ongoing injustices.
These developments, including the situation involving Narges Mohammadi, are indicative of the significant toll on rights activists who continue to bravely defy Iranian authorities and call for justice.
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