Iran Digest Week of May 5- May 12
/AIC’s Iran digest project covers the latest developments and news stories published in Iranian and international media outlets. This weekly digest is compiled by associate Samuel Howell. Please note that the news and views expressed in the articles below do not necessarily reflect those of AIC.
US-Iran Relations
US Seizes $80M Worth Of Heroin Departing From Iran
The US Coast Guard has seized $80 million worth of heroin from a fishing vessel transiting the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday.
US Central Command said on Thursday that USCGC Glen Harris was operating in support of the Combined Task Force when a team discovered 1,964 kilograms of heroin on a vessel transiting international waters after departing Chabahar, Iran.
The team also seized $30 million worth of methamphetamine and heroin two days ago from another fishing vessel that departed the same port. So far this year, the navy's Combined Task Force 150 has seized illegal narcotics worth $200 million.
Nuclear Accord
Five years after Trump’s exit, no return to the Iran nuclear deal
Five years ago today, President Donald Trump held up a signed executive order for the cameras at the White House, announcing a unilateral withdrawal from a nuclear deal the United States had signed in 2015 with Iran and world powers.
Despite years of efforts, and after many ups and downs, the landmark accord known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has not been restored, contributing to rising tensions across the region.
The Trump administration’s many designations of Iranian entities and institutions, specifically aimed at making it difficult for his successor Joe Biden to undo his damage, worked in tandem with a changing political climate to prevent a restored JCPOA.
Women of Iran
Iran Sports Boss Quits After Women Compete Unveiled: State Media
The head of Iran's athletics federation resigned Sunday over a sporting event featuring women without the mandatory headscarf, state media reported, as the Islamic republic toughens enforcement of hijab rules.
"Hashem Siami resigned from his post due to the controversies that arose from the endurance (running) race organized in Shiraz" in Iran's south, the official news agency IRNA said.
According to images from Friday's competition published by Iranian media, some women were running without headscarves, made compulsory shortly after the Islamic revolution of 1979.
(VOA)
Economy
Poor Iranians Sell Their Organs Amid Deepening Economic Crisis
An Iranian newspaper has reported that an increasing number of poverty-stricken Iranians are selling their organs to make ends meet.
The daily Jahan-e Sanat said in a May 4 report that kidneys, bone marrow, parts of livers, and “anything else that can be transplanted is being bought and sold on the black market” in Iran.
The newspaper said many of the organ sellers are men and women aged between 18 and 45. Some of them, the report said, have attempted to sell their organs in neighboring countries, including Turkey, for up to $15,000.
Iran’s non-oil trade with BRICS nations nears $40bn
Non-oil trade between Iran and members of the BRICS alliance of emergent economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – reached $38.43 billion in fiscal year 2022-23, according to data released by the Islamic Republic’s Customs Administration.
This represents a 14 percent increase from the previous fiscal year.
China remains Iran’s main trade partner in the BRICS alliance, with $30.32 billion in trade, an increase of 37 percent. India comes next with $4.99 billion, a 47 percent hike; Russia follows with $2.32 billion, Brazil with $466.55 million, and South Africa with $322.04 million.
Inside Iran
What is behind Iran’s execution spree, as Tehran hangs 10 prisoners this week?
Iran executed on Wednesday seven people on rape and drug-related charges, bringing the total to at least 10 confirmed cases of prisoners hanged this week, as rights groups sound the alarm over the “chilling” execution spree in the Islamic Republic.
Iran Human Rights (IHR) said in a report that four people convicted of rape were hanged at the Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, 36 kilometers (22 miles) west of Tehran. The Oslo-based group could not identify the identity of the men. It said that in most rape cases, confessions are obtained under torture and defendants do not have access to a lawyer.
Iranian authorities did not confirm the rape-related executions.
Regional Politics
Iran still smuggling weapons to Yemen despite Saudi deal, US says
The recent rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran hasn't stopped Tehran from sending weapons to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said Thursday.
Tehran and Riyadh, which back opposing sides in Yemen’s civil war, agreed in March to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their respective embassies shuttered in 2016. Lenderking told reporters that the United States welcomes the China-brokered agreement but remains concerned by Iran’s role in war-torn Yemen.
“They have armed and trained and equipped the Houthis to fight and attack Saudi Arabia,” Lenderking said. “These attacks have not taken place for over a year, but the Iranians have continued to smuggle weaponry and narcotics toward the conflict.”
Global Relations
UN Appointment Of Iran’s Ambassador Triggers Condemnations
The appointment of Iran's UN ambassador Ali Bahraini to the chair of the UN Human Rights Council 2023 Social Forum has sparked much anger and indignation.
Vaclav Balek, president of the Human Rights Council, said in a statement Wednesday that he had decided to appoint Bahraini following the receipt of a nomination from regional coordinators.
The forum to be held in Geneva on November 2 and 3 will focus on the contribution of science, technology, and innovation to the promotion of human rights including in the context of post-pandemic recovery.
Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran hold high-level talks in Moscow
The foreign ministers of Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran have met in Moscow for high-level talks on rebuilding ties between Ankara and Damascus after years of animosity during Syria’s war.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad was quoted as saying by the Syrian state news agency SANA that “despite all the negatives of the past years, there is an opportunity” for Damascus and Ankara to work together.
But the priority for the Syrian government was ending the presence of all foreign militaries, including Turkey’s. “Without progress in this matter, we will remain stagnant and will not reach any real results,” Mekdad was quoted as saying.
Analysis
A Requiem for the Iran Deal
By: Barbara Slavin
On May 8 five years ago, then President Donald Trump withdrew unilaterally from the Iran nuclear deal, arguing that he could find a better way to stop Tehran from acquiring the capability to build the world’s most destructive weapons and confront Iran’s other challenges to US interests in the Middle East.
At the time, Iran was complying with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had less than 300 kilograms of low-enriched uranium and allowed continuous monitoring of its nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran was not targeting US soldiers in Syria or Iraq or lobbing missiles and drones against its neighbors’ oil refineries and tankers. Iran was trying to balance relations with its most important economic partner — China — with continuing trade ties with the European Union.
Fast forward to 2023 and all aspects of the Iran challenge have gotten worse.
