#NoToExecutions, Iran declines Gaza summit invite—and more
The Iranist for the week of October 17, 2025
THE هفت/SEVEN THINGS TO KNOW THIS WEEK:
۱/1 Iran and US wait on each other for talks
In the past week, the United States and Iran have shown interest in talks, but neither seems willing to take the first step. On October 11, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said:
“If we receive a reasonable, balanced, and fair proposal from the Americans for negotiations, we will certainly consider it.” (Reuters)
He added that Tehran wouldn’t give up its right to enrich uranium, but that confidence-building measures could be made. “Of course, this is conditional on the other side also taking steps to build trust—by lifting part of the sanctions,” Araghchi added.
On October 13, US President Donald Trump said in his speech to the Knesset in Jerusalem:
“And to Iran… And as you know, this is not said out of weakness. There’s no weakness. But I’m gonna say this, that we are ready when you are. And it will be the best decision that Iran has ever made. And it’s gonna happen. It’s gonna happen…. But let’s assume they didn’t, and let’s assume there was large-scale nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran. We couldn’t be here today, even if we signed the deal, which we couldn’t do because a lotta people would not wanna have anything to do with it. We took a big cloud off of the Middle East and off of Israel.” (Times of Israel)
Trump made similar comments at the Sharm El-Sheikh summit in Egypt:
“[Iran] took a big hit. And frankly, if we didn’t hit them on the nuclear, I don’t think you would have been able to have this incredible deal. I’d love to take the sanctions off when they’re ready to talk. They can’t really survive with those sanctions. Those sanctions are very tough. I think Iran will come along.” (Wall Street Journal)
(Read more about the summit in section ۳/3)
On October 14, the Iranian foreign ministry replied:
“How can one speak of peace and friendship, while in the midst of political talks attacking residential areas and peaceful nuclear facilities, killing over a thousand innocent people?” (Al-Monitor)
۲/2 Hundreds of prisoners stage hunger strike over executions rise
The hashtag #نه_به_اعدام (#NoToExecutions) has been shared by ordinary Iranians and activists inside Iran—including human rights activist Arash Sadeghi and dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi—and across the diaspora to express solidarity. Since January, more than 1,000 have been executed—the highest in fifteen years.
۳/3 Iran declines Gaza peace summit invite
On October 12, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote the following:
“Iran is grateful for President El-Sisi’s invitation to attend the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit. While favoring diplomatic engagement, neither President Pezeshkian nor I can engage with counterparts who have attacked the Iranian People and continue to threaten and sanction us.
Having said that, Iran welcomes any initiative that ends Israel’s Genocide in Gaza and ensures the expulsion of occupation forces. Palestinians are fully entitled to secure their fundamental right of self-determination, and all States remain obliged, more than ever, to assist them in their lawful & legitimate cause.
Iran has always been, and will always remain, a vital force for peace in the region. Contrary to the genocidal Israeli regime, Iran is not after Forever Wars—particularly on the dime of its purported allies—but seeks Forever Peace, Prosperity, and Cooperation.”
Ironically, in 1991, Iran was upset about not being invited to the Madrid Peace Conference on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Interestingly, on October 13, US President Donald Trump said in an exclusive interview that he credits the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities with making the Gaza peace deal possible (Fox News). Just days before, on October 11, responding to Trump’s recent comments about normalizing with Israel, Foreign Minister Araghchi told Iranian state television that it was “wishful thinking,” adding, “Iran will never recognize an occupied regime that has committed genocide and killed children.” (Reuters)
Meanwhile, on October 12, the state-linked newspaper Jomhouri Eslami published an editorial stating, “Contrary to many analyses and opinions, the Al-Aqsa Storm operation was a mistake,” referring to the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas on southern Israel. (Iran International)
۴/4 After French-German cyclist’s release, two French nationals receive new sentences
The families of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris—just handed lengthy prison terms on allegations of spying for Israel and France—say they have reached “the limit of what they can endure” and “can’t take any more.” (AP)
۵/5 Internet speed remains throttled post-war
۶/6 Stress relief dolls banned
Morteza and Marzieh are stress relief dolls shaped like a gorilla and a pig, currently sold on the Iranian market (BBC Persian). On October 13, the Tehran prosecutor’s office banned their sale, deeming them offensive because they share names with two revered Shia figures. (“Morteza” is another name for the first Shia Saint, Ali, and “Marzieh” refers to Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.) The decision reportedly came after an online campaign using the hashtag “Protect the Holy,” alongside a petition that gathered over 8,000 signatures. The prosecutor’s office also filed a case against the social media promoters of the dolls (X).
Meanwhile, bootleg Labubu dolls, also known as “Lafufus,” are reportedly a 100 billion toman ($1+ million) industry in Iran (Zoomit - Persian).
۷/7 MI5 chief says Britain faces growing Iran threat
OTHER اخبار/NEWS THAT MADE HEADLINES:
Human Rights
۰ Activist dies in custody after torture, rights group says (IranWire)
۰ 2 Baha’is arrested amid escalating crackdown on religious minority (IranWire)
۰ Baha’i citizen Fardin Bengaleh arrested (HRANA)
۰ Economic journalist released from Evin prison (IranWire)
۰ Crackdown on rap: Young artists arrested for songs of protest (IranWire)
۰ Official reverses on hijab, urges punishment for dissent (Iran International)
۰ New tactics to crush hijab resistance: Business raids and surveillance (CHRI)
۰ UN member states must urgently press authorities to halt executions after horrifying increase (Amnesty International)
۰ Deportation means death for Iran dissident in ICE lockup, supporters say (Iran International)
۰ Femicide crisis claims lives of women seeking independence (IranWire)
Domestic Issues
۰ Diplomatic concessions and reform needed to forestall war, Rouhani warns (Iran International)
۰ Pezeshkian blames Iran’s woes on mismanagement, not US pressure (Iran International)
۰ Iran faces deepening water crisis as key reservoirs hit record lows (Iran International)
۰ Alcohol poisoning cases far exceed official numbers, deputy minister says (IranWire)
۰ Tehran opens Virgin Mary metro station amid scrutiny over Iran’s Christian rights (Jerusalem Post)
Foreign Policy + Security
۰ Spies, burgers and bombs: After a new war, old wounds resurface in Tehran (New York Times)
۰ Man dies of wounds sustained in Iranian missile strike (Arutz Sheva)
۰ Iranian drone wreckage displayed at British parliament (IranWire)
۰ Former security guard at US Embassy in Norway convicted of spying for Russia and Iran (AP)
۰ Larijani held talks with Russia’s Putin in Moscow (Reuters)
۰ Iranian Kurdish dissident shot dead outside home in Istanbul, reports say (Iran International)
۰ Fearing fallout, Iran calls for cohesion amid shaky Afghanistan-Pakistan truce (Al-Monitor)
۰ Iran begins second phase of deportations (Amu)
۰ Under Western pressure, Iran turns to non-aligned bloc for backing in Uganda (Al-Monitor)
Iran Deal + Sanctions
۰ Iran says no plan to leave Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (Iran International)
۰ Iran has not given IAEA access, reports on nuclear sites—WSJ (Iran International)
۰ New US sanctions target 50 people, companies and ships for allegedly aiding Iran’s oil and gas trade (AP)
۰ Iraq criticizes US sanctions on firm, militias over ties to Iran (AFP)
۰ Tracking data shows Iran tankers hiding locations again—and how much Russian oil goes to India? (BBC News)
۰ Lebanon rejects $60 million Iran aid offer over sanctions fears, envoy says (Iran International)
۰ Iran’s sudden and brief ‘shadow fleet’ reveal (RFERL)