Man tortured to death, Khamenei talks negotiations—and more
Man tortured to death, Khamenei talks negotiations—and more
The Iranist for the week of August 29, 2024
۱/1 Khamenei says there’s ‘no barrier’ to nuclear talks
On August 27, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared to open the door for renewed negotiations over Iran’s controversial nuclear program (AP). During a meeting with the cabinet of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Khamenei said:
“It is not contradictory to engage the same enemy in some places, there’s no barrier. The issue is that we should not pin our hope to the enemy and trust him.” (New York Times)
Reacting to the comments, a State Department spokesperson said:
“We will judge Iran’s leadership by their actions, not their words… If Iran wants to demonstrate seriousness or a new approach, they should stop nuclear escalations and start meaningfully cooperating with the [International Atomic Energy Agency].” (AP)
With Abbas Araghchi, the former chief nuclear negotiator during the Hassan Rouhani presidency, as the new foreign minister, many analysts speculate that Tehran wants to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, Araghchi appears to recognize that the nuclear deal, as it stands, cannot be revived (Amwaj.media). The foreign minister said on August 23, “This document needs to be reopened, and some parts need to be changed. This is not an easy task,” suggesting he recognizes how hard it is to lift US sanctions but also that the country’s nuclear program has accelerated. On August 27, Araghchi said that the Supreme Leader wants him to “neutralize the sanctions and its impacts on the people.” (PressTV)
۲/2 Latest IAEA report says Iran further increased its uranium enrichment
۳/3 Man tortured to death while in police custody
On August 24, Mohammad Mir Mousavi was arrested in northern Gilan province, reportedly during an altercation, and died under torture the same day at the police station (Iran International). A now-viral video taken during the washing of the victim’s body—a funeral rite—shows “severe signs of torture, including deep wounds on his back and waist.” The security apparatus and the judiciary have reportedly threatened to arrest Mir Mousavi’s family if they speak out about his death. According to Hengaw Human Rights Organization, Mir Mousavi is the seventh person to die under torture in 2024 alone.
On August 28, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Lahijan acknowledged a “suspicious death of a suspect” without naming the victim (IranWire). Five police officers have reportedly been arrested in connection with the case. On August 29, President Masoud Pezeshkian called for the interior minister to establish a committee to investigate the case (X).
۴/4 Nurse in coma as strikes continue across Iran
Learn more about the strikes by reading last week’s newsletter.
۵/5 Zarif back as vice president for strategic affairs
After resigning earlier this month, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is back in his role as vice president for strategic affairs.
I’m officially coining the phrase, “Pulling a Zarif,” since this isn’t the first time he’s done this (X).
۶/6 VP Harris mentions Iran during her DNC speech
On August 23, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, discussed Iran in her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
In it, Harris said:
“And know this: I will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend our forces and our interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong-un, who are rooting for Trump. Who are rooting for Trump.” (New York Times)
۷/7 Tehran plotted to murder a US protected defector in Maryland
OTHER اخبار/NEWS THAT MADE HEADLINES:
Human rights
Tortured and tried: Nasim Gholami faces death sentence (IranWire)
68 human rights organizations call for immediate halt to executions in Iran (CHRI)
Singer begins six-month prison sentence for ‘propaganda’ (IranWire)
Journalist stabbed, undergoes surgery (IranWire)
Political Prisoner Afshin Baymani transferred from prison to hospital (HRANA)
Iran charges female director, actor for defying hijab mandate (IranWire)
Prisoner faces new charges for reporting bedbug infestation (IranWire)
Tehran University suspends student for hijab defiance (IranWire)
Congress should back bipartisan “Internet Reach and Access Now Act” (CHRI)
Domestic issues
۰ Former official credits 2022 protests for women in cabinet (IranWire)
۰ Hardliners outmaneuver Pezeshkian with final push for hijab bill (Iran International)
۰ Father shoots teenage daughter in alleged honor killing (IranWire)
۰ 90,000 people own 500,000 vacant homes (Iran Focus)
۰ Iran announces arrest of 14 ISIS members across several provinces (Al-Monitor)
۰ Second soldier dies after gas leak at IRGC center (IranWire)
Foreign policy + security
۰ Iran operated fake human-resources firm to root out unfriendly spies, researchers say (Reuters)
۰ Inside Iran’s hacking operation that has US officials on edge ahead of 2024 election (CNN)
۰ With Hezbollah-Israel conflict contained, Iran’s next move may be modest (Washington Post)
۰ Iran says Hezbollah’s attack shows Israel losing its deterrent power (Reuters)
۰ Israel says it is prepared for any retaliatory attack from Iran or Hezbollah (CNN)
۰ Germany orders deportation of Iran-linked cleric in Hamburg (Iran International)
۰ Qatari FM meets Araghchi, Pezeshkian in Iran amid Gaza cease-fire talks (Al-Monitor)
Arts + culture
۰ Islamic Republic children’s movie in disguise sneaks its way to Israeli theaters (Jerusalem Post)
۰ Germany submits exiled Iranian director’s film for Oscar (IranWire)
Diaspora
۰ Scholar and former minister Gholamreza Afkhami dies at 87 in the US (IranWire)
۰ Writer, director or scamster and failed spy? The travails of the father of Iranian cinema in India (Scroll.in)