Copy of Iran Digest Week of October 4 - October 11
/Iran Digest Week of October 4 - October 11
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 Communications Associate Zaynab Siddiqui and Seamus Ryan. Please note that the news and views expressed in the articles below do not necessarily reflect those of AIC.
Nuclear Accord
Iran to Sue U.S. Over Breach of Nuclear Deal
Iran is readying to sue the United States in the International Court of Justice over President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon the landmark nuclear deal and reapply tough new sanctions on Tehran, according to officials in Iran’s judiciary.
Laya Joneidi, Iran’s vice president for legal affairs, announced on Monday that Iran will bring charges against the United States and seek an undisclosed amount of monetary damages as a result of America’s "breach of the nuclear deal," according to the country’s state-controlled press.
With Iran’s economy on the ropes as a result of the Trump administration’s sanctions, Tehran is seeking multiple avenues to recoup lost revenue. Iran has won monetary awards in the past for suits brought before the ICJ. The Obama administration sought to settle several pending cases at the court that resulted in Tehran being awarded hard currency. (FreeBeacon)
Iran's Nuclear Program Is Back To Pre-JCPOA Situation, Says Nuclear Chief
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Chief Ali Akbar Salehi says Iran will soon introduce a set of 30 modern IR-6 centrifuges within the next 2 or 3 weeks as the latest development in its nuclear program.
Salehi added that a new part of the heavy water reactor in Arak in central Iran will become operational within the next two weeks.
This comes while Iran is bound by its 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) not to employ more than 30 of this model of centrifuge until 2023.
Salehi said in an interview with Iran's state TV on Tuesday October 8 that Iran's nuclear program has "returned to pre-JCPOA situation" as it has increased the production of over 3.5 percent enriched uranium to 5 to 6 kilograms a day. (Radio Farda)
Economy
Iran's Economy to Shrink by 8.7% in 2019/20, Says World Bank
Hit by wide-ranging US sanctions, Iran's economy is expected to contract by 8.7% in the financial year 2019/20 mainly due to constraints on its oil and gas industry, the World Bank said.
Washington's policy of applying "maximum pressure" on Iran through sanctions has shredded the country's oil revenues, sent its economy into recession and devalued its national currency.
"The expected deterioration in economic growth would mean that by the end of 2019/20 the economy would be 90% of its previous size compared to just two years earlier," the World Bank said in a regional economic report, according to Reuters. (AAWSAT)
Women of Iran
Iran football: Women attend first match in decades
Iranian women have attended a World Cup qualifier in Tehran after being freely allowed to enter a stadium for a men's match for the first time in decades.
Women have effectively been banned from stadiums when men are playing since just after the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The change followed the death of a fan who had set herself alight after being arrested for trying to attend a match.
But Amnesty International described the move on Thursday as a "cynical publicity stunt". (BBC)
Regional Politics
Iran urges Turkey to pull forces out of Syria
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement opposing Turkey’s incursion into northeastern Syria: “Iran’s Foreign Ministry expresses concern over Turkey’s military action inside Syria’s territory, and with serious consideration for the humanitarian situation and respective dangers for civilians in the region under conflict, it calls for an immediate suspension of attacks and withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria.”
The statement continued, "Just as Iran understands the security concerns of Turkey, it not only believes that military action will not solve security concerns, but that it will bring widespread humanitarian and material damages. Iran opposes these actions.” The statement said Iran is in contact with both Syria and Turkey and stressed a “peaceful resolution that respects Syria’s territorial integrity.”
Iran’s criticism of Turkey’s decision to send forces into Syria has been relatively mild in comparison to their reaction to US and Western military actions inside Syria. Iranian military officials have not addressed the incursion, though they typically would if Iran was aggressively opposed. (Al Monitor)
Iran Says Missiles Hit One Of Its Oil Tankers Off Saudi Coast
An Iranian oil tanker was attacked by suspected missiles off the coast of Saudi Arabia, causing oil to leak into the Red Sea, according to Iranian media and the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC).
The hull of the Sabiti was hit by two separate explosions about 100 kilometers off the Saudi port city of Jeddah, the state-owned company said on October 11.
The statement said the blasts were "probably caused by missile strikes.”
But the claim has yet to be independently confirmed and there is still some confusion about the exact damage and the state of the vessel; whether it is capable of moving or is stuck where the incident took place. (Radio Farda)
Iran holds military drills near Turkey, tells it to stop Syria attack as Russia accuses U.S. of 'dangerous game'
Iran launched unannounced drills Wednesday near its border with Turkey as the Islamic Republic warned its neighbor not to move forward with its military operation in northern Syria and Russia criticized the United States for setting up a potentially deadly scenario in the region.
Iranian army chief Major General Abdul Rahim Mousavi oversaw what was described as surprise exercises designed to "measure the readiness, mobility and speed" of his forces in the country's northwest. Without specifying the exact nature of the maneuvers, Mousavi explained in an official release that the results of the drills were positive.
"This is a good message for the great Iranian nation that its soldiers and children are fully prepared to carry out their missions to counter any possible enemy movement," Mousavi said, saying the troops are "at the peak of their readiness." (News Week)
Iran sees Iraq unrest as a plot to undo bilateral ties
Since they erupted a week ago, the deadly protests in Iraq have been tracked closely in Iran where they are seen as a plot to undermine ties between the neighbours.
Tehran has close but complicated relations with Baghdad, holding significant clout among its Shia political groups.
The two countries fought a devastating war from 1980 to 1988 and Iran's influence in Iraq grew after the US-led invasion toppled longtime ruler Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Clashes that broke out in Iraq last week between protesters and security forces have killed over 100 people and wounded over 6,000 - most of them demonstrators struck by bullets. (Al Jazeera)
Analysis
Europe Is Not Bowing To The U.S. On Iran
By: Elder Mamedov
Following the (still unexplained) September 14 strikes on two Saudi oil facilities, there is a growing perception—expressed with hope by some, dismay by others—that Europe is moving closer to the United States in its assessment of the Iranian threat. The reality, however, may be more complex.
The statement of the E3 (Britain, France and Germany), who are driving the European Union’s Iran policy, placing blame for the attacks squarely on Iran, may certainly create an impression of such a shift. The statement contains some blunt language, such as claiming that “there is no other plausible explanation for the attacks” but Iran’s hand. Although it is entirely legitimate to suggest at least some level of Iranian involvement, responsible states base their conclusions on evidence, not mere plausibility. Are implausible explanations completely out of the question, in a region with no shortage of players with arms, conflicting agendas and both will and capability to harm adversaries?
(LobeLog)
