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Week of August 12 2024 | Iran Unfiltered is a digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council
The proposed cabinet list of newly-inaugurated President Masoud Pezeshkian was submitted to the Iranian Parliament, with only one female minister among the nominees. Shortly before the announcement, a spokesperson for the Reformist faction expressed concerns about the list, describing it as a continuation of “military and paramilitary leadership over politics.”
According to the list read aloud by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Abbas Araghchi has been nominated for Foreign Minister, Esmail Khatib for Intelligence Minister, Eskandar Momeni for Interior Minister, and Aziz Nasirzadeh for Defense Minister. Farzaneh Sadegh, the sole female nominee, has been proposed for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.
Two ministers from Ebrahim Raisi’s government have retained their previous roles in Pezeshkian’s cabinet: Esmail Khatib as Intelligence Minister and Amin Hossein Rahimi as Justice Minister. Additionally, Abbas Aliabadi, previously the Minister of Industry in Raisi’s administration, has been nominated as Energy Minister in the new government.
The Parliament is set to review the qualifications of Pezeshkian’s 19 proposed ministers in specialized committees this week, with the general assembly beginning discussions next week.
Before the official announcement, some senior reformists had heavily criticized the list. Esmail Khatib, whom the reformists have critiqued, has been active in security and intelligence since 1980, starting his career with the IRGC’s operational intelligence unit. He later held positions such as head of Qom’s Intelligence Office and Chief of Security for Astan Quds Razavi. He has also previously worked in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization as well as in the Ministry of Intelligence. During Raisi’s administration, Khatib was praised by a member of the National Security Committee, Mojtaba Zolnouri, who noted that both Mohammad Khatami and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had dismissed him from previous roles. Additionally, as the Minister of Intelligence during the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, many of the crackdowns on protests occurred under his leadership.
Farzaneh Sadegh, the only woman in Pezeshkian’s proposed cabinet, is an architect and urban planner. She previously served as Deputy Minister of Roads and Secretary of the Supreme Council of Urban Planning and Architecture. If confirmed, she would be the second female minister in the history of the Islamic Republic, following Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi, who served as Minister of Health in Ahmadinejad’s first administration.
Abbas Araghchi, a well-known figure in Iran’s nuclear negotiations, has been nominated as Foreign Minister. He previously served as Deputy Foreign Minister under Mohammad Javad Zarif and was appointed Secretary of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations in October 2021.
Eskandar Momeni, a brigadier general and former IRGC commander during the Iran-Iraq war, is proposed as Interior Minister – which was also deeply criticized by reformists. He has held several high-ranking positions, including deputy commander of the police and secretary of the Drug Control Headquarters.
Abbas Salehi, nominated as Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, has previously held this position under former President Hassan Rouhani’s administration. A 60-year-old graduate of religious schools in Mashhad and Qom, he does not wear clerical garb but has had a significant impact on Iran’s cultural policies.
For the Health Ministry, Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated Mohammadreza Zafarghandi, a vascular surgeon and professor at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Zafarghandi has led several important medical institutions and served as Secretary-General of the Islamic Society of Iran Medical Practitioners.
Satar Hashemi, proposed for the Ministry of Communications, is an AI expert and academic who previously served as Deputy Minister of Communications in the Rouhani administration. For the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, Pezeshkian has nominated Hossein Simaei, a legal scholar and former deputy minister. Mohsen Paknejad, proposed for Oil Minister, has held various senior roles within the oil ministry, including Deputy Minister. Aziz Nasirzadeh, a veteran fighter pilot and proposed nominee for Defense Minister, has served in numerous high-ranking military positions.
Furthermore, Alireza Kazemi, proposed as Minister of Education, has a background in educational administration and has held several significant positions in Khorasan Province. Abdolnaser Hemmati, a former Central Bank governor and presidential candidate in the 2021 election, has been nominated for Minister of Economy. President Pezeshkian also reappointed Mohammad Eslami as head of the Atomic Energy Organization and appointed Zahra Behrouz-Azar as Vice President for Women and Family Affairs. Behrouz-Azar, a political activist, previously served as Director-General of Women’s Affairs in Tehran during Pirouz Hanachi’s mayoralty.
Javad Emam, spokesperson for the Reform Front, criticized the proposed cabinet, stating that some members have no ties to the reformist movement and that the list suggests a continued “military and paramilitary approach to politics.” The Reform Front had supported Pezeshkian as their candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
Former President Mohammad Khatami, a supporter of Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasized the importance of continued support for the new president. In response to criticism of Pezeshkian’s cabinet choices, Khatami stated, “We should not rush into harsh criticism or opposition against a president who has yet to begin his work.” He also urged Pezeshkian to “stay true to his promises,” acknowledging that while there have been good selections, “in some cases, better choices could have been made, but we respect Mr. Pezeshkian.”
Another main criticism of Pezeshkian’s cabinet is his failure to honor the promise of including members of Iran’s Sunni community. Additionally, despite previous commitments, the average age of the cabinet is around 60 years, which is seven years older than Raisi’s cabinet.
These cabinet proposals come after Mohammad Javad Zarif, the head of the Strategic Council, had previously stated that being a woman, belonging to ethnic or religious minorities, and being under 50 years old were key factors in selecting ministers. Following the announcement of the cabinet, however, Zarif immediately resigned from his position as Vice President in protest against the list. However, he later confirmed that his resignation was also influenced by pressure over his children’s dual citizenship in the U.S., and that he stepped down to reduce pressure on President Pezeshkian.
President Pezeshkian responded to the criticism by urging the public to allow the cabinet to prove itself through its performance before passing judgment.
The Middle East remains on edge as Iran and the “Axis of Resistance” consider their response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, in Tehran, and Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. The nature of Iran’s potential retaliation remains unclear, as does whether any response will occur at all.
The assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, who was in Iran to attend Pezeshkian’s presidential inauguration, has been widely blamed on Israel, though Israeli officials have neither confirmed nor denied their involvement. The Iranian government has declared that Israel will face repercussions for the attack.
Ali Bagheri, Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister, condemned the assassination of Haniyeh, calling it a “violation of Iran’s sovereignty and national security.” He vowed that the Islamic Republic would “certainly take retaliatory action.” In a pointed remark, Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for the iIranian Foreign Ministry, dismissed Western calls for restraint against Israel as “brazen.” Concurrently, Israel has escalated its military alert to the highest level in anticipation of potential Iranian retaliation.
Kanaani also criticized the requests from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom for restraint, labeling them “lacking in political logic, contrary to international law, and excessively demanding.” He asserted that Iran “does not seek permission to exercise its rights” and accused European countries of hypocritically demanding that Iran refrain from punitive actions against a regime that continuously violates Iranian sovereignty.
These statements came as Israel and Gaza entered ceasefire negotiations, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York announced that Iran was not and would not be involved in these talks, despite previously expressing support for any agreement accepted by Hamas. Iran’s statement emphasized that while the recent assassination violated its national security, any Iranian response would be calculated to avoid undermining the ceasefire efforts.
The United States has expressed alignment with Israel’s concerns over a possible Iranian attack, and preparations are reportedly underway. Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, has convened senior military officials to discuss defensive measures.
Diplomatic efforts by the U.S. to engage Iran and reduce tensions continue, following consultations with Western leaders. Washington has also urged Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries to initiate dialogue with Tehran to de-escalate the situation.
In a joint statement, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany called for an immediate end to the conflict, the release of Hamas-held hostages, and the commencement of humanitarian aid to Gaza. They also urged Iran and its allies to refrain from escalating tensions, warning that they would be held accountable for actions that jeopardize peace and stability.
However, Iran has rebuffed these calls. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a phone call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasized that “a punitive response to an aggressor is the legal right of nations and a means to stop crime and aggression.”
U.S. President Joe Biden has said that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza would help deter Iran from retaliating against Israel. Negotiations to finalize a ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining hostages between the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar resumed on August 15. However, ahead of the discussion in Qatar, Hamas stated it would not participate because Israel added new conditions beyond President Biden’s ceasefire proposal.
Despite Netanyahu’s insistence on new demands that have drawn criticism, Israel still sent a delegation to participate in the talks. Critics argue that these new conditions are an attempt to derail the peace process, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing accusations of sabotaging the negotiations.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, stated that the overall goal of the U.S. in the Middle East is to reduce tensions.
A 31-year-old woman in Noor, Mazandaran Province, has been left unable to walk after being shot in the back by police while driving. The woman, Arezou Badri Afsouran, was reportedly driving a car that had been ordered seized due to her non-compliance with Iran’s mandatory hijab laws, although police have denied this was the reason for the shooting. This incident comes at a time where the implementation of Iran’s “Plan Noor” continues to fuel incidents of violence and harassment between Iranian police and Iranian women reportedly not properly adhering to the mandatory hijab.
According to BBC Farsi, doctors managed to remove the bullet from Badri’s back after about 10 days, but the damage to her lung and spinal cord was extensive. “She has no sensation from the waist down, and doctors have indicated that it will take months to determine whether she is permanently paralyzed,” a source close to the case reported, dismissing earlier claims that she was in a coma.
The incident unfolded after Badri allegedly ignored a police order to stop her vehicle. Officers, in an alarming escalation, first shot at her car’s tires before firing directly at her from the driver’s side. The police claimed that their actions were in line with legal protocols.
On July 24, the commander of the Noor police, without naming Badri, stated that “disregard of police orders by the occupants of a car led to officers opening fire in accordance with the law on the use of weapons.” This justification raises serious concerns about the protocols governing the use of firearms by police, especially in situations that clearly could have been handled with non-lethal methods.
Badri, a mother of two young children, was initially taken to a hospital in Noor before being transferred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari for lung surgery, where she remains under heavy security. Authorities only allow her family brief visits, confiscating their phones beforehand and prohibiting them from taking photos or videos—actions that further deepen concerns about transparency and accountability in this case.
The Mazandaran police have denied that the incident was related to hijab enforcement, though they confirmed the shooting. In a statement, the Information Center of the Mazandaran Provincial Police claimed the incident occurred during a theft prevention patrol when officers became suspicious of Badri’s car due to its tinted windows. The police report claims that the driver ignored stop orders and warning signals, leading to the use of force.
Despite the police’s narrative, the use of such extreme measures, regardless of the circumstances, highlights a troubling pattern of excessive force. Critics say the need for a thorough and independent investigation into the incident is urgent, as is a reevaluation of the policies governing the use of firearms by police.
In the aftermath, Brigadier General Massoum Beigi, Head of the Police Inspection Division, and Commander Mofakhami of the Mazandaran Police visited Badri and her family, ostensibly to monitor her treatment and review the incident.
The Mazandaran Police Information Center expressed hope for Badri’s full recovery and urged citizens to comply with police orders to ensure public safety. Yet, this incident raises critical questions about the balance between public safety and the appropriate use of force—questions that demand immediate answers to prevent further tragedies.
Amir Raeesian, one of the attorneys who represents Toomaj Salehi – a dissident rapper opposing the Islamic Republic – announced that the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan has acquitted his client of the charge of “corruption on earth” from his 2022 case. Salehi had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court in May for this same case, but Raeesian reported in early July that Iran’s Supreme Court had overturned this ruling.
On Wednesday, August 14, Raeesian wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan, which had previously issued a death sentence, has now issued an acquittal. He added that the court also issued an order to halt prosecution on other charges, while transferring two charges related to “spreading false information online” and “disruption of public order” to Criminal Court 2, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
Earlier this year, following the issuance of the death sentence for Tomaj Salehi, Raeesian had stated: “Our main argument is that despite [Tomaj Salehi] being among those eligible for the 2022 amnesty, not only was he not pardoned, but a death sentence was issued for him.”
Another attorney for Salehi, Mostafa Nili, stated on July 2 that Branch 39 of the Supreme Court had previously indicated that his client is eligible for the 2022 amnesty, and noted that this ruling remains valid. Nili also highlighted that this branch had raised objections to the charges in Salehi’s case, stating that “ultimately, we are dealing with three criminal charges,” and if Salehi is convicted on all three counts, his sentence will be “approximately three and a half years in prison.”
The judiciary had brought additional charges against Salehi, but in March of last year, he was acquitted of the charges of “spreading false information” and “incitement to violence“ by the Criminal Court 2 of Isfahan.
The initial announcement of the death sentence for this dissident artist by the Revolutionary Court sparked widespread global outcry, with human rights organizations and Western governments demanding the cancellation of his sentence as well as his release.
Amnesty International, in a letter published in late May, asserted that Salehi had been tortured during his detention and was repeatedly beaten.
The imprisoned rapper was released on bail on November 18, 2023, “after enduring 252 days in solitary confinement, and a total of one year and 21 days in prison.” However, just 12 days later, after releasing a video describing his torture in prison, he was re-arrested. Salehi had played an active role in the widespread protests of 2022 as a leading voice of support for all protestors, detainees, and political activists.
As summer temperatures soar, Iran’s industrial, agricultural, and residential sectors are once again facing widespread power outages. Despite government assurances of reduced blackouts, power cuts began as early as the first week of July 2024, highlighting the worsening electricity crisis throughout the country.
Officials from the Ministry of Energy and the state-run Tavanir company have repeatedly claimed that outages would be less severe this year. However, many citizens across Iran report hours-long power cuts in their homes and workplaces, particularly on July 8, when power disruptions in parts of Tehran coincided with the presidential election, raising concerns about potential damage to household appliances.
The government has blamed the blackouts on factors such as drought, rising temperatures, and cryptocurrency mining. However, Mojtaba Tavangar, head of the Digital Economy Committee in Parliament, dismissed the idea that cryptocurrency mining significantly contributes to electricity shortages. Instead, he pointed to halted investments and an aging distribution network as the primary causes. Eiman Zare, a digital currency expert, supported this view, arguing that the electricity consumption of cryptocurrency miners is not significant enough to cause recurring blackouts. He emphasized the lack of adequate fuel for power plants as a more critical issue.
Ibrahim Khosh-Goftar, chairman of the Syndicate of Power Plant Owners, highlighted financial imbalances as one of the main problems affecting Iran’s electricity industry.
The increasing frequency of blackouts and disruptions to industrial production have escalated what was once considered a “power imbalance” into a full-blown electricity shortage. This shortage is exacerbated by declining investments in the sector. Hamidreza Salehi, vice chairman of the Energy Commission at the Iran Chamber of Commerce, noted that last year’s severe electricity deficit was due to a lack of resources for production and development. He warned that this year’s deficit could be even more severe, with an estimated shortfall of 13,000 to 14,000 megawatts, which could lead to job losses and factory closures.
Zabihullah Azami Sarouddini, spokesperson for the Agriculture Commission in Parliament, assured that this year’s power cuts would not affect farmers, a sector that suffered significant losses last year due to outages. However, the residential and industrial sectors remain at risk.
Ahmad Moradi, vice chairman of the Energy Commission in Parliament, predicted that the government would increase electricity production by 10,000 megawatts annually, aiming to reach 40,000 megawatts over four years. He emphasized that efforts would be made to minimize power cuts this year through proper management.
Yet, statistics reveal a sharp decline in private sector investment in the electricity industry, dropping from $6.2 billion in 2011 to just $600 million in 2021. By the end of 2023, the government had failed to make significant progress in attracting investment or addressing these challenges. There is still hope that the 14th administration will implement practical solutions to improve the electricity situation.
To address the growing gap between electricity production and consumption, the government must consider a range of solutions, including improving the financial viability of the electricity industry, expanding power generation from non-fossil sources, adjusting electricity rates to reflect actual costs, implementing smart meters for consumers, attracting domestic and foreign investment, and establishing a real energy exchange to tackle the electricity shortage.
Lifting sanctions—which have hampered Iran’s oil and gas exploration and extraction compared to neighboring Gulf countries—could also improve access to these resources. However, Iran’s aging infrastructure, already weakened by years of sanctions, poses a significant challenge.
Foreign investment, a crucial element for improving infrastructure, has been scarce in Iran for decades due to numerous obstacles. The few foreign investors or domestic private sector players willing to participate have often been discouraged by bureaucratic hurdles, eventually opting to withdraw rather than continue their involvement.
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