#IranElection2021 and the Trajectory of Iran's Domestic and Foreign Policies

Iran’s presidential election will take place tomorrow amid widespread disillusionment across Iranian society. After eight years of President Hassan Rouhani, many Iranians see no point in voting after many of the reforms and economic gains they were promised never materialized. U.S. sanctions re-imposed by Trump in 2018 also crippled the economy and empowered Iran’s most hardline factions, who are now poised to take total power.  

Much of the reporting suggests that conservative candidate and Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi will win the election, raising a number of questions about how Rouhani's successor will impact Iran's political trajectory, foreign relations, and engagement with the West for years to come. The election also comes at a pivotal moment for the Iran nuclear deal. The IAEA’s Director General this week said that the ongoing Vienna talks to restore the nuclear deal may not reach a conclusion until after the next Iranian president enters office in August. Both Raisi and Hemmati have signaled support for the JCPOA, but Raisi’s overall hardline politics may make the nuclear deal the ceiling for U.S.-Iran diplomacy and diminish prospects for broader negotiations and détente.

Learn More

📌 Read: #IranElection2021: Who is the Frontrunner in Iran’s Presidential Race?

📺 Watch: Dr. Assal Rad Joins AJ Stream to Discuss Iran’s Upcoming Election

🎧 Listen: Sina Toossi Joins the Foreign Exchanges Podcast to Explore Iran’s June 18th Election

Rep. Ted Lieu Apologizes for Tweet on Global Vaccine Distribution

On Monday, NIAC Action’s powerhouse Los Angeles Chapter met with Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33) to share their disappointment in his recent tweet indicating that Iran should be deprioritized on vaccine distribution. It was a productive conversation, and we appreciate Rep. Lieu for listening to our volunteers. 

In response, Rep. Lieu issued a statement expressing regret for his words and clarifying that everyone is deserving of vaccines, while thanking Iranian Americans for sharing their stories. This is a testament to the power of our community when we band together to write, call, and meet with our elected officials. Thank you to everyone who joined in the call to ensure equitable vaccination distribution worldwide. 

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 Building Political Power 

Congratulations to NIAC Action Endorsee Ramin Fatehi!

Last week, the voters of Norfolk County, VA turned out and made their voices heard: they want Ramin Fatehi to serve as the next Commonwealth Attorney! The Fatehi campaign secured over 60% of the vote in the Virginia Primary on election night after weeks of hard campaigning during the early voting period in the state. Ramin will advance to the General Election on November 2, 2021, where he is running unopposed. Read more about Ramin here > 

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 Spotlighting Human Rights in Iran 

The upcoming election on June 18 may be a break from the past. The frontrunner and presumed favorite of the hardline establishment — Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi — has had his path to election so thoroughly cleared for him via state-sanctioned anti-democratic machinations that few doubt he will accede to the presidency on Friday… Yet, even with the highly scripted nature of this election contest and broad popular disengagement, the authorities will still likely proceed with throttling or shutting down the internet for good measure. And, for the first Iranian presidential election since 2009, U.S. sanctions will actually assist Iranian authorities in blocking Iranians from accessing a free internet.  Read More >

 

Iranian Political Prisoner Sasan Niknafs Dies in Custody

Less than four months after the tragic death of Iranian prisoner of conscience Behnam Mahjoubi, another political prisoner has died in the custody of Iranian prison authorities from maltreatment and lack of access to proper medical treatment. Like Mahjoubi, who suffered from a serious panic disorder that required daily medication, Sasan Niknafs needed suitable medical attention for his serious health issues, including epilepsy, diabetes, and depression. Read More >

📖 Read more from our Human Rights Tracker >

➡️ Follow NIAC's Human Rights Tracker on Twitter >

📥 Subscribe to receive our Human Rights Tracker in your inbox >
 

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 From Our Staff  

America’s Ironclad Commitment to Israel is More Ideological Than Logical
Assal Rad for Mondoweiss