Iran News Roundup: August 6, 2012
Iran tests upgraded version of short-range missile, says can hit sea targets Israel’s envoy to U.S. jumps the gun, blames Iran for Sinai attack Olympics wrestling: Reihanpour Soryan claims Iran’s first ever gold Iran rial sinks 5 pct vs dollar as devaluation expected Israel hardens missile shield ‘Bootleg chicken’ sold for record prices in Iran […]
Iran’s Parliamentary Vote: The Beginning of the End of Ahmadinejad
Cross-posted from Huffington Post: Last Friday, Iran held its first elections since the controversial 2009 presidential contest, after which millions of voters poured into streets of Tehran. Unrest following the announced re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad culminated in mass detention, torture and the death of many protesters. It also led to the near-elimination of pro-reform […]
Akbar Ganji: “The Worst Scenario for Iran: A Different Look”
On June 15, 2011, Akbar Ganji published an article,”The Worst Scenario for Iran: A Different Look,” on BBC Persian, examining the economy of Iran and the effects of the international sanctions on it. NIAC’s Ali Tayebi and Sahar Fahimi have translated this article from Ganji’s original pen, Persian, to English. “The Worst Scenario for […]
Peace in our time!
The era of threat and force is over! At least according to President Ahmadinejad. During a meeting last Thursday in Tehran with Kuwaiti Speaker Jassim Mohammad al-Kharafi, Ahmadinejad stated: Those, thinking that they can be influential through threat and force, should know that the era of such behaviors is gone. The thought of Ahmadinejad claiming […]
Bartering Prisoners? Ahmadinejad hints at detained hikers’ release.
The Associated Press reports (via Washingtonpost.com) Ahmadinejad has hinted at the possible release of three jailed US hikers… in exchange for Iranians currently serving time in US prisons. “There are some talks under way to have an exchange, if it is possible,” he said. “Recently they (the U.S.) have sent messages, we answered to bring […]
2 More Executed in Iran
The NY Times reports that Mohammad-Ali Zamani and Arash Rahamipour were hanged before dawn for their suspected role in the April 2008 mosque bombing in Shiraz, Iran. The mosque bombing killed 13 people and left 200 others wounded. 9 others were also found guilty of “moharebeh”, or being enemies of God, as they were arrested […]
Zahra: No compromise, no recognition of Ahmadinejad government
“We have made a shield of our chest and are ready for any kind of attack and terror,” stated Zahra Rahnavard, wife of Mir Hossein Mousavi, responding to a question about the prices their family has had to pay. “These prices have not been paid for Mr. Mousavi, but for the Green movement. We are […]
Karroubi ‘recognizes’ Ahmadinejad…
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports (via www.payvand.com) that opposition leader Mehdi Karrubi recognizes Ahmadinejad as being the head of Iran’s government, although he is quick to maintain that the June presidential election was rigged. Karrubi’s new found stance could demonstrate a ploy to extract similar concessions from the ruling elite–sort of a quid pro quo. […]
Even More Crackdowns on Iranian Media
Radio Zamaneh reports ( via www.payvand.com) that Iran’s Ministry of Culture has cautioned fifteen newspapers for publishing criticism of Iran’s domestic unrest following the June presidential election. Iran’s Ministry of Culture has issued warnings for 15 newspapers for “spreading rumours” and “representing a false image of the country’s situation.” Seven of them were reprimanded for […]
“70 Percent of University Students Oppose Government: Iranian Official”
Rooz Online (via Payvand) is reporting that Mohammad Mohammadian, head of the Supreme Leader’s Office of University Affairs, stated today that “According to the existing data, 70 percent of students voted against Ahmadinejad.” The situation in the universities nationwide is growing more chaotic very quickly, the article states. Here’s more: Even for a while prior […]
Former minister gets the shoe
A protesting student at Tehran University threw his shoe at the Saffar Harandi, the former Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Iran under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reports Mowj Camp. Mowj Camp also reports that students delayed Harandi’s speech by chanting slogans such as “Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein” and booing him. Eventually, Harandi had to leave the […]
Amnesty International Issues Statement About Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani
Amnesty International released a statement today asking the Iranian government to review the October 8th death sentence handed down to Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani. The release states that, Zamani, 37, was sentenced to death by a Tehran Revolutionary Court on Thursday after he was convicted of “enmity against God for membership of and activities to further […]
