Iran News Round Up

Mike Saidi demonstrates how the recent protests highlighted weaknesses in the readiness of Iranian security forces in a dataset using videos submitted by Iranian protesters. View the dataset here and the graphics here.

Marie Donovan discusses the political background of Iran’s newly-sanctioned Judiciary Head Sadegh Amoli Larijani in, “Why Did the U.S. Sanction Iran’s Sadegh Amoli Larijani?”

Tehran Interim Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Emami Kashani and Qom Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Hashem Hosseini Busheri urged the government to tackle inflation and unemployment to prevent the U.S. and Israel from taking advantage of the country’s economic problems. Zahedan Interim Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat ol Eslam Ebrahim Hamidi said that the people are looking to the government to solve unemployment and inflation, but warned Iranians “not to fall into the enemies’ designs and plans.” Rasht Interim Friday Prayer Hojjat ol Eslam Gholam Reza Shafizadeh highlighted the Iranian government officials’ “heavy burden” of addressing the people’s demands. He warned  officials not to use addressing the people’s demand as an “excuse” to move the Islamic Republic “in the enemies’ path,” likely a criticism of President Hassan Rouhani’s efforts to improve Iran’s economy. (IRNA) (ISNA) (ISNA) (ISNA)

Senior clerics accused President Hassan Rouhani of denying the infallibility of the Prophet Muhammad and the Imams, a prominent Shia Muslim doctrine. Rouhani stressed that even the Prophet Muhammad allowed his followers to criticize him, and that Muslims will likewise criticize the 12th Imam upon his return in remarks on January 8. Twelver Shia hold that the 12th Imam, or successor to the Prophet, has been in hiding since 874 AD, and that clerics can substitute for the authority of the 12th Imam on some issues in his place. The Society of Qom Seminary Teachers stated that Rouhani’s remarks were in “stark contradiction of Islam and Shia religion” and called on Rouhani to focus on improving the economy and to “refrain from entering into issues of belief.” Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi claimed that Rouhani is creating discord at a time when unity is needed. He also stated that Rouhani should concentrate on reducing inflation, creating jobs, and creating a healthy internet environment. Conservative clerics’ rebuke of Rouhani highlights the increased tension between Rouhani and regime hardliners after recent anti-government protests. (Tasnim News Agency) (BBC Persian) (Mehr News Agency) (Radio Farda)

Senior Military Advisor to the Supreme Leader IRGC Maj. Gen. Yahya Safavi suggested that Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and other countries form an alliance to counter the U.S. and its allies in western Asia. Safavi asserted that 2,000-3,000 armed U.S. personnel currently operate in 25 percent of Syrian territory and warned that the U.S. is maintaining and exploiting conflict zones to instigate disputes in the region. (Defa Press)

• Foreign Minister calls for increased regional security network. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called for the establishment of a “Regional Dialogue Forum” in the Persian Gulf in a Financial Times op-ed. According to Zarif, the post-ISIS environment offers an opportunity for Middle Eastern states to work together in a cooperative security arrangement. He acknowledged that there would likely be conflicts of interest, but stated that these conflicts did not have to result in an unstable region. (Financial Times) (E) (PressTV) (E)

President Hassan Rouhani, Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Shamkhani, and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani all emphasized Iran’s support for a unified, stable Iraq, as well as close relations between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan during a meeting with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Tehran on January 21. Shamkhani expressed Iran’s support for all dialogue and cooperation between Iraqi Kurdistan and the Iraqi central government during his meeting with Barzani. Larijani stated that the KRG should advance its political agenda alongside the Iraqi central government. (IRNA) (IRNA) (IRNA)