Iran Digest Week of September 2 - September 9
/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
U.S. flies B-52 bombers over Middle East in show of force
Two U.S. B-52 bombers flew a mission over the Middle East on Saturday in an apparent show of force in the region, the fourth of its kind this year, the U.S. Air Force announced Sunday.
Why it matters: The latest flyover comes as the U.S. and Iran struggle to reach an agreement on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.
The U.S. has frequently flown such missions at points of high tension with Iran, per AP.
The big picture: The nuclear-capable B-52 departed from a Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Fairford, England, and "flew over the Eastern Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula and Red Sea before departing the region," the Air Force said in a statement.
(Axios)
Nuclear Accord
Israel ramps up security talks with US to stave off Iran deal
The European Union's foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell admitted yesterday, Sept. 5, that an agreement on a return to the Iran nuclear deal might not be reached as soon as he thought just last week. Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said today it is still too early to know whether Israel had managed to thwart the efforts to revive the pact.
On a visit to the Nevatim airbase, Lapid said, “If Iran keeps trying, it will discover Israel's long arm and capabilities. We will continue to act on all fronts against terrorism and against those who seek to harm us. As President [Joe] Biden and I agreed, we have full discretion to do whatever we deem appropriate to prevent the possibility of Iran becoming a nuclear threat.”
Health
Arbaeen pilgrimage helpful in promoting Iran’s medical experience: health minister
Health Minister Bahram Einollahi has said the Arbaeen pilgrimage will be very helpful in promoting Iran’s medical experience to the neighboring countries.
Moving on the path of health diplomacy is among the ministry’s prioritized programs, IRNA quoted Einollahi as saying on Monday.
Considering that the international conference on the Arbaeen pilgrimage was held with the participation of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, we will boost cooperation with these neighboring countries in the field of health, he added.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Imam of Shia Muslims, and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Economy
Top Cleric, Politicians In Iran Slam The Government Over The Economy
Criticism of Iran’s governing hardliners fills the pages of some local media for failing to manage the economy and making irrational decisions that hurt the people.
Responding to Iranian hardliners' insistence on employing clerics to supervise government and private institutions in a wide range of areas from banking to medicine, Iranian lawmaker, Massoud Pezeshkian said that no cleric, judge or government minister would put his life at risk by going to a doctor who is a devout Muslim but does not have the medical qualifications.
He said, on the contrary, many of those officials would go abroad to seek medical assistance for a simple surgical operation but when it comes to taking care of the people, they advise that religious virtues, without the right qualifications, comes over and above their academic credentials.
Environment
Iran environment exhibition slated for Oct.
The 20th international environmental exhibition (Iran Environment 2022) will be held on October 11 to 14 in Tehran.
The event is held to promote the role of knowledge-based companies, businesses, and green jobs in environmental protection and to introduce the latest environmental achievements.
The Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, Innovation and Prosperity Fund, National Environment Fund, and Tehran Municipality organized the event.
Another goal of this exhibition is a meaningful link as well as direct and bilateral communication between domestic producers of environmental products and foreign consumers in order to support domestic production and reduce dependence on similar foreign products.
Inside Iran
Iran sentences two LGBT activists to death
Two LGBT activists have been sentenced to death in Iran, rights groups say.
A court in Urmia found Zahra Seddiqi Hamedani, 31, and Elham Choubdar, 24, guilty of "corruption on Earth".
The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported that they were accused of promoting homosexuality, promoting Christianity and communicating with media opposed to the Islamic Republic.
Iran's judiciary later confirmed the sentences, but said they were connected to human trafficking and not activism.
(BBC)
Queiroz signs contract to lead Iran at World Cup - report
Former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz has agreed a deal to lead Iran at the World Cup finals in Qatar in less than three months' time, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday.
The Islamic Republic News Agency, the country's official news outlet, said Queiroz travelled to Tehran over the weekend and has signed a deal to replace Croatian Dragan Skocic as coach.
Skocic qualified the Iranians for the World Cup finals and won 15 of his 18 games in charge since taking over as the fulltime replacement for Marc Wilmots.
Queiroz previously led Iran at the World Cup finals in both Brazil in 2014 and Russia four years later.
(Reuters)
Regional Politics
Lebanon To Send Delegation To Iran To Get Free Fuel
Lebanon is preparing to send a delegation to Iran for talks on acquiring “free fuel” to ease its power outages, without being exposed to US sanctions.
Two Lebanese government sources said on Wednesday that Iran's ambassador in Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, has proposed an Iranian "gift" of fuel to Lebanon.
If a deal is reached between Tehran and Beirut, the fuel deliveries would be Iran's first directly to the country after it previously sent some to its ally Hezbollah, a powerful armed group that is part of Lebanon's coalition government.
Lebanon has been struggling with outages for decades but its economic meltdown since 2019 has drained state reserves and slowed down imports of fuel for government plants, leaving most of the country with just one or two hours of state-provided electricity per day. The outages have forced households to rely on subscriptions to private generators that have skyrocketed as global fuel prices spiked.
Global Relations
Albania cuts diplomatic ties with Iran over cyberattack
Albania has cut diplomatic ties with Iran and expelled the country’s embassy staff over a significant cyberattack nearly two months ago that was allegedly carried out by Tehran on Albanian government websites, according to the prime minister.
The government’s decision was formally delivered to the Iranian Embassy in Tirana in an official note, Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Wednesday.
All embassy staff, including diplomatic and security personnel, were ordered to leave Albania within 24 hours.
On July 15, a cyberattack temporarily shut down numerous Albanian government digital services and websites.
Analysis
What would multilateral security in the Middle East look like?
By: James M. Dorsey
With the fate hanging in the balance of the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program, prospects for greater security and stability in the Middle East are meagre with or without a deal.
Undoubtedly, the region will be better off with a revival of the accord from which the United States walked away in 2018 than without a US and Iranian recommitment to the deal.
A recommitment could be only days away if European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is right. Adding to the anticipation, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the United States was also “cautiously optimistic.”
Even so, the impact of a revival is likely to be limited.
