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Week of November 4, 2024 | Iran Unfiltered is a digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council
Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election has placed Iran in a complex and paradoxical situation. While Trump is recognized for his hardline stance against Iran—marked by the dismantling of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), severe economic sanctions, and the high-profile assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force—his rhetoric during the campaign often emphasized openness to diplomacy to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, in contrast to war or regime change.
Despite the tumultuous history, certain aspects of Trump’s foreign policy could align with Iran’s regional interests. His stated desire for an end to ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, coupled with promises to limit U.S. military intervention abroad, could mirror Tehran’s desire for a reduction in the American military presence in the region. A potential U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq under Trump’s leadership might further shift regional dynamics in Iran’s favor.
However, there are also deep tensions and arguably bad blood between Trump and Iran’s government, highlighted by concerning allegations that factions in Iran are engaging in threats on the lives of the former President as well as former Trump officials in an apparent effort to retaliate for the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. On the campaign trail, Trump urged Biden to issue overt threats if Iran followed through on any of its alleged plots, including threatening to annihilate Iranian cities as retaliation. Trump’s advisors could also once again be more hawkish than the President-elect, exploiting these threats to encourage Trump to escalate militarily and tighten sanctions on Iran.
In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian downplayed the impact of the U.S. election, stating that Iran’s policy is guided by internal resilience and the strength of its people. “It never matters to us who wins the U.S. election,” Pezeshkian said during a gathering with his campaign staff, emphasizing the nation’s independence in its foreign policy. He reaffirmed Iran’s openness to building relations with other countries without restriction.
Meanwhile, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif posted a largely optimistic view on social media. “The American people, including most Muslims, have spoken loud and clear in rejecting a shameful year of U.S. complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza and carnage in Lebanon,” Zarif posted. Tagging the President-elect and Vice President-elect, Zarif continued “Let us hope that the incoming administration of @realDonaldTrump and @JDVance will stand against war as pledged, and will heed the clear lesson given by the American electorate to end wars and prevent new ones.” He offered a suggestion for the incoming administration, noting “Iran, having shown its resolve and ability to stand up to any aggression, will not be swayed by threats, but will be cognizant of respect.”
Likewise, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai described Trump’s victory as an “opportunity” for Iran to reassess and potentially recalibrate its approach to U.S. relations. Baghai’s comments, reported by IRNA, underscored the importance of scrutinizing the actual policies enacted by Washington rather than rhetoric. “We have experienced many bitter lessons from the policies of various U.S. administrations,” Baghai said, emphasizing that “what matters for Iran is the actual behavior of the U.S. government.”
While some Iranian officials dismissed or downplayed the election’s significance, the hardline newspaper Kayhan took a more defiant stance. The publication ran a headline declaring, “America is the Great Satan, no matter who is president,” referencing an enduring statement by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The statement reinforced that Iran’s hostile stance toward the U.S. is immutable, irrespective of leadership changes.
This sentiment was echoed by Mojtaba Zarei, a member of Iran’s National Security Committee, who, in an interview with ILNA, directed harsh words at Trump: “To the gambler and murderer Trump, we say: Withdraw your CENTCOM dogs from West Asia before it is too late, and focus on your deep internal crises.”
Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), linked the U.S. election outcome to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, asserting that “The Gaza resistance even has the power to change the war-mongering American administration.” He accused the Democrats of backing Israel’s military operations in Palestine and concluded that the American electorate had rejected war by voting against those supporting violence in the region.
Hamid Aboutalebi, a former diplomat and advisor to ex-President Hassan Rouhani, suggested that President Pezeshkian instead congratulate Trump, framing the moment as a “historic juncture.” According to Aboutalebi, Trump’s unconventional methods could foster agreements and catalyze legislative action that might place both nations at a strategic crossroads.
Hossein Mousavian, another former diplomat, proposed in Middle East Eye that Trump could leverage his presidency to end hostilities involving Israel and potentially pursue negotiations with Iran to prevent conflict. Mousavian suggested that a grand diplomatic agreement would be essential for lasting peace in the region.
Following Trump’s electoral victory, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally congratulated him, emphasizing shared concerns about Iran’s influence. Netanyahu’s office highlighted that their conversation revolved around “Israel’s security” and “the threat posed by Iran.” Despite a robust stance of self-reliance, Iran’s leaders remain cautious, watching closely for indications of how U.S. policy under Trump might evolve—whether it will renew avenues for dialogue or deepen the long-standing hostilities.
One year after Iran’s missile strike on Jaish al-Adl’s base in Pakistan heightened tensions between the two nations, Iran has adopted a more collaborative approach in targeting the group’s strongholds. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s senior diplomat, recently visited Pakistan and met with top officials, including a high-profile meeting with General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Pakistan’s Army, at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
The meeting, attended by senior Pakistani military officials, Iran’s Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam, and Military Attaché Colonel Mohammad Mohsen Shahabi, centered on strengthening bilateral ties, regional security, and cooperative measures along the shared border. Following this strategic discussion, coordinated Iranian-Pakistani military operations targeted Jaish al-Adl positions.
On November 5, the militant group confirmed a joint aerial operation by Iranian and Pakistani forces in the border area of Saravan. The strike, which took place around 8 p.m., resulted in the deaths of 12 members and injuries to four others, including key leaders. The group confirmed the loss of Salman, its head of intelligence, and Amir Omar, responsible for recruitment and logistical support. However, they did not confirm the death of their leader, Salahuddin Farooqi, whose status remains uncertain. Despite the setback, Jaish al-Adl announced their resolve to continue operations against Iran.
Previously, on October 27, the Quds Base of the IRGC Ground Forces reported a drone strike targeting individuals responsible for an attack on an Iranian police patrol in Goharkuh, Taftan County. This incident had led to four fatalities and four detentions. The IRGC stated that the operation was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Intelligence and the police force (FRAJA).
Jaish al-Adl had claimed responsibility for the October 26 assault on an Iranian police patrol in Goharkuh, which resulted in 10 casualties. The group’s statement on Telegram highlighted the ambush of a patrol unit in Taftan County.
IRGC Commander Hossein Salami linked the Taftan incident to broader regional challenges, implying coordination among Iran’s adversaries. Meanwhile, on October 25, the Quds Base reported the death of Hamid Mazandarani, commander of the Golestan Province’s Neynava Brigade, along with pilot Hamed Jandaghi in an accident involving their ultralight aircraft during operations near the southeastern border region of Sirkand in Saravan. Spokesperson Ahmad Shafahi confirmed an additional IRGC casualty.
Since its founding in 2012, Jaish al-Adl has been active along the volatile Iran-Pakistan border. Designated a terrorist organization by Iran, Pakistan, and the U.S., the group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks, including:
- October 25, 2013: Killing 14 Iranian border guards in Saravan.
- April 6, 2017: Killing nine border guards and wounding two near the border.
- December 2018: Bombing in Chabahar that left two police officers dead and 42 injured.
- February 2, 2019: Attack on a Basij base in southeastern Iran, resulting in one casualty.
- April 9, 2024: Ambushing two police vehicles in Soran, Mehrestan, causing six fatalities.
On November 2, a viral video from the Islamic Azad University’s Science and Research Branch in Tehran sparked widespread public debate. The footage depicted a young woman on campus wearing only undergarments and later being detained by security personnel. The incident has fueled intense social media discussions and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding her actions.
Eyewitness accounts and video evidence confirmed that the event took place on Saturday afternoon near Block 1 of the university. In the videos, the woman is seen sitting on a platform while conversing with security staff, both male and female. Although the content of the conversation remains unknown due to the lack of audio, other footage shows her walking around the campus in a calm manner.
Details from the footage don’t offer total clarity on what transpired. The videos circulating online begin after the woman had already disrobed, leaving the events leading up to her state of undress unclear. One video, filmed from what appears to be a classroom window, captures her walking on a road near Block 1. Observers in the video indicate that she removed her clothing shortly before a white hatchback with security personnel arrived. The footage shows her being detained and placed into the vehicle.
The vides sparked conflicting accounts and social media reactions. Social media users and international outlets quickly speculated that the incident was a protest against Iran’s mandatory hijab regulations and alleged harassment by university security. The Telegram channel “Khabarnameh Amirkabir” reported that the woman’s actions followed harassment by a Basij member and an alleged altercation with security forces, framing her disrobing as an act of protest.
However, BBC Persian’s interviews with witnesses suggested otherwise. According to these sources, the woman entered several classrooms, appearing to film students. When a professor directed a student to inquire about her intentions, she reportedly shouted and later appeared in the courtyard undressed. Witnesses emphasized that there was no physical confrontation between her and the security staff prior to her disrobing.
Amir Mahjoub, head of public relations at the university, denied any physical altercation between the woman and security. He confirmed his presence at the police station after her detention and reported that emergency services assessed her condition as stable. Mahjoub stated that the woman, who had previously exhibited disruptive behavior, began filming students without consent. Security intervened after students objected, escorting her outside, where she subsequently removed her clothing.
State media outlet ISNA also reported that the woman disrobed following objections to her unauthorized filming. Citing university sources, these reports suggested she was experiencing severe psychological distress and was transferred to a medical facility. However, it is worth noting that accusations of mental distress or insanity have been levied baselessly at protesters or opposition figures by Iranian authorities in the past.
The incident drew attention from global human rights organizations. Amnesty International called for the student’s immediate and unconditional release, urging authorities to prevent mistreatment and guarantee her access to legal counsel and family support. The organization also demanded an independent investigation into any potential violence during her arrest. Mário Satão, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, expressed concern over the incident on social media, indicating that he would monitor the situation closely.
Public response on social media was divided. Some users lauded the woman’s actions as a brave stance against compulsory hijab and university security measures. High-profile figures, such as attorney Maryam Kianarthi, offered legal support and framed the event as symbolic of the pressures facing Iranian students. Conversely, some speculated that the act was politically motivated or an expression of psychological distress unconnected to protest. Human rights advocates also voiced concerns over potential repercussions for the student, calling for her identity to be protected and for further support. Additionally, supporters of the Iranian government argued that the incident reflected efforts by opposition movements to promote immodesty or defiance against mandatory hijab laws.
Hossein Simayee Sarraf, the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, stated that the student had not been expelled and was receiving treatment. He described her behavior as inappropriate and suggested that sharing the video contributed to moral degradation. Sarraf asserted that sending the student to a psychiatric facility was a compassionate alternative to formal detention.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani also asserted that no punitive measures had been taken. She explained that social services facilitated the woman’s transfer for treatment and emphasized that early reports pointed to unauthorized filming as the root of the incident, not a hijab-related conflict.
The Iranian Psychiatric Association issued a statement advocating for the woman’s rights and condemning any political exploitation of the situation. As the story continues to unfold, calls for transparency and accountability persist, with human rights groups and prominent voices in Iranian society closely monitoring the case’s development.
In a tragic development, 70 dialysis patients in Iran have died after being administered peritoneal dialysis solutions contaminated with aluminum. The revelation came from Salman Es’haghi, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s Health Committee, who expressed deep regret over the loss of lives. Es’haghi stated that the committee had previously been informed about the deaths of 50 patients earlier this year due to the contaminated solution.
Es’haghi highlighted that an internal review with relevant officials identified negligence by a pharmaceutical company responsible for the contaminated products. The head of the implicated company admitted that the raw materials that were used had not been adequately monitored and were tainted with aluminum.
The issue first surfaced in June when Shahrzad Asareh, head of the Iranian Nephrology Society, reported fatalities among dialysis patients due to exposure to aluminum-contaminated solutions. Although the company behind the tainted products was confirmed to be Iranian, the number of fatalities initially remained undisclosed.
Asareh emphasized the importance of stringent quality control by manufacturers and thorough oversight by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent contaminated products from reaching patients. The FDA, however, maintained that its regulatory framework is rigorous, denying the possibility of oversight failures.
Despite these assurances, the FDA’s statement failed to explain how the contaminated solutions managed to claim the lives of 70 patients. Hossein Kermampour, head of public relations at the Ministry of Health, addressed the issue on social media, stating that the deaths occurred under the previous administration and that legal proceedings were already underway. He reassured the public that the contaminated solutions had been withdrawn from the market.
Es’haghi stressed that despite the committee’s findings three months ago, judicial action had been slow. He noted with dismay that the same company was reportedly permitted to continue production despite the incident.
The pharmaceutical company identified was Thamen Pharmaceutical, which is owned by Astan Quds Razavi – a quasi-governmental bonyad formerly run by the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Thamen Pharmaceutical, which has been producing sterile injectable and dialysis solutions since 1992, declined media inquiries, citing orders from the Ministry of Health and Astan Quds Razavi.
Reports indicate that the contaminated dialysis solutions were distributed as early as December of the previous year, continuing until May. Azam Panahi-Mehr Eisa-Loo, head of the Iranian Charity Association for Kidney Patients, warned then-Health Minister Bahram Einollahi about the inadequate quality control that led to the fatalities prior to the initial reporting in June. Einollahi, known for controversial stances including opposing Western COVID-19 vaccines and advocating for strict policies on abortion, has faced criticism for his lack of oversight during this crisis.
Haider Mohammadi, head of the FDA, stated that Thamen Pharmaceutical had a reliable track record but admitted that this was the first incident of its kind. Investigations revealed that two sources of raw materials had contributed to the contamination. Mohammadi assured that production processes had been “corrected” and the case referred to the judiciary. Es’haghi issued a warning, stating that if tangible results are not presented within 10 days, the Health Committee will pursue other avenues for resolution. The Iranian judiciary has yet to respond publicly to the issue.
Tensions between Iran and Israel continue to simmer amid fears of a broader conflict in the region. On November 1, President Joe Biden extended the United States’ “national emergency” status regarding Iran for another year, which has become an annual bureaucratic step to ensure the continuation of sanctions enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The White House stated that Biden had informed Congress about the decision, emphasizing ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions. Biden underscored that continuing this status serves “U.S. national interests,” highlighting the enduring strains between Washington and Tehran.
In a speech on November 2 marking the anniversary of the 1979 U.S. embassy takeover, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning to the U.S. and Israel. Khamenei declared that Iran’s potential response to Israel following its October 26 attack would be “decisive and crushing,” asserting that any retaliation would conform to “religion, ethics, and international law.” He added, “We are taking all necessary measures to confront arrogance,” a reference to Western powers.
Following Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian radar and missile installations last month, senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have vowed retaliation. Esmail Kowsari, a member of Iran’s National Security Committee, stated that while details of the response remain classified, coordination with “resistance forces”—regional militias allied with Iran—was underway. Reports suggest Iran’s next move could surpass prior operations such as “Promise of Truth 2” on October 1. Military officials in Tehran indicated that their response would be “more complex and powerful.” The Wall Street Journal, citing Egyptian sources, reported that Iran’s forthcoming actions may involve larger warheads and the participation of both IRGC and regular army forces. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on November 5, described Israel’s actions as “aggressive” and reiterated Iran’s right to self-defense.
Rouhollah Harizavi, deputy head of Iran’s Islamic Propaganda Organization, warned that persistent hostilities would make U.S. and Israeli embassies “unsafe,” adding that Israel would face significant repercussions for further military actions. Speaking at Sharif University, IRGC Deputy Commander Ali Fadavi confirmed that the counteroffensive, called “Promise of Truth 3,” was imminent. While operational details are undisclosed, Fadavi stressed that the response would be unavoidable.
In response to rising tensions, the U.S. has issued warnings to Iran, cautioning that further provocations could lead to significant consequences. Axios reported that Washington conveyed to Tehran that it might not be able to restrain Israel if provoked further. U.S. officials are also concerned about potential Iranian strikes through Iraq. On November 3, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced B-52 bomber, warship and tanker aircraft deployments to the region, which were approved by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to strengthen the U.S. military posture.
Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder affirmed America’s commitment to defending its personnel and supporting Israel, warning, “If Iran or its proxies target U.S. personnel or interests, we will take all necessary measures.” Washington has reiterated its support for Israel amid ongoing conflicts involving Hamas and Hezbollah and has pledged to protect American forces from Iranian-backed attacks in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
These developments will undoubtedly be influenced by the outcome of the U.S. election. The presence of Donald Trump in the White House is likely to prompt both Iran and Israel to reassess their previous plans and adapt to the new circumstances. Amid this uncertainty, the potential for a new escalation remains very high.
In a groundbreaking move for gender representation, Kowsar Yousefi has been appointed as the head of the Central Bank of Iran’s Oversight Board. This appointment, made by Iranian Economy Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati, marks the first time a woman has held this position.
The Central Bank’s Oversight Board comprises three auditing members and two economists with expertise in banking. These members are selected based on recommendations from the Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and confirmed by the General Assembly of the Central Bank for a term of two years.
Yousefi, according to Iranian media, holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Texas and has undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. The administration of President Masoud Pezeshkian has taken incremental steps to increase women’s participation in government management roles, reflecting the broader social, educational, and political progress made by women in recent years. Women now hold key roles, including the Minister of Roads and Urban Development and the government spokesperson, with more female appointments in various deputy minister positions. However, considering strong opposition to women in leadership among Iran’s political elite over the past 45 years, it remains unclear how far these reforms can extend and how sustainable they will be.
While many systemic challenges remain, Yousefi’s appointment as the head of the Central Bank’s Oversight Board is the first of its kind in the history of the Ministry of Economy. It thus represents a significant milestone in gender diversity in Iran’s top financial and auditing positions.
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