Iran News Round Up

Marie Donovan argues that Iran’s hardliners are undermining the regime’s best chance at improving Iran’s economy in the long run in, “Iran’s Hardliners Can Leverage the Post-Protest Space.”

Artesh Air Force Commander Brig. Gen. Hassan Shah Safi conveyed the Artesh Air Force’s readiness to maintain an “active presence” in supporting the “oppressed Muslims and the Axis of Resistance” during a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 8. Safi also expressed the Artesh Air Force’s preparedness to work with its “military alliance” to combat Israel and terrorism in the region. Iranian news outlet Tasnim News Agency Director Hossein Dalirian tweeted a photo of an Artesh Air Force C-130 transport aircraft flying above Fua, Idlib Governorate, Syria on the same day as Safi’s remarks. Turkey recently established a new observation post on February 5 at al Ais, Idlib Governorate, Syria as a part of Operation Olive Branch in northwestern Syria. Iran perceives Turkey’s actions at al Ais as a threat to the nearby Shia-majority towns of Fua and Kefraya. The presence of the C-130 may be part of brokered deal between Turkey, Iran, and Russia to de-escalate the situation in Idlib and evacuate the towns of Fua and Kefraya. (Tasnim News Agency) (Twitter)

An Israeli Air Force (IAF) helicopter detected and successfully intercepted an Iranian drone in the early morning on February 10 in Israeli airspace. Israel Defense Force (IDF) Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis noted that the “drone fell in [Israeli] territory and is in [Israel’s] position.” The Israeli military subsequently targeted 12 Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria in a “large-scale strike,” including four Iranian targets reportedly linked to the Iranian drone program in Syria. Syrian anti-aircraft missile systems, possibly S-200s, downed an Israeli F-16 fighter jet and separate unconfirmed reports claim that the Syrian military also downed an IDF Apache helicopter. (Twitter) (Twitter) (Haaretz)

• IRGC Deputy Commander refuses to confirm Israeli strike against Iranian UAV. IRGC Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Hossein Salami commented on the reports of an Israeli strike against an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), saying that “[Iran] does not confirm any reports from Israel’s side.” Salami stated that “if the Syrians confirm [the reports] then we will also confirm [the reports], because the Israelis are liars.” Salami also reiterated regime claims that Iran does not have a military presence in Syria rather Iran’s presence in Syria is strictly “advisory.” (Tasnim News Agency)

Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi said at a Euromoney conference in Paris that the U.S. must “make [the nuclear deal] a successful experience” before Iran could discuss other unspecified issues. Araghchi also denied any connection between the nuclear deal and Iran’s regional activities and emphasized that Iran has played a pivotal role in promoting stability and peace in the region. Araghchi’s comments likely reflect the regime’s efforts to preserve the nuclear deal. They do not necessarily indicate that the regime has become more willing to negotiate on certain issues, such as Iran’s ballistic missile program. Iranian officials have repeatedly refused Western calls to negotiate the ballistic missile program. (Reuters) (E) (Radio Farda) (Tasnim News Agency)

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on leaders within the Judiciary, Executive, and the Legislative branches of government to “seriously pursue people’s complaints about corruption and discrimination.” Khamenei described the Iranian people as victims of corruption and discrimination. Khamenei likened corruption to a seven-headed dragon and expressed his cognizance of the difficulty in combating corruption. Khamenei also discussed the importance of justice and called for the removal of the “large disparity between the various strata” of Iranians. Khamenei encouraged the Artesh Air Force to continue building equipment. Khamenei made his remarks during a meeting with Artesh Air Force Commanders and officials on February 8, celebrated as Air Force Day in Iran. (Khamenei.ir)

• Friday Prayer leaders across the country echoed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s call for officials to fight corruption. Arak Friday Prayer leader Ayatollah Ghorban Ali Dorri Najafabadi and Ayatollah Hashem Hosseini Bushehri said that authorities have a duty to fight corruption, discrimination, and unemployment. Ilam Friday Prayer leader Hojjat ol Eslam Mohammad Naghi Lotfi urged authorities to work to erase class divisions. Urmia Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat ol Eslam Mehdi Ghoreishi emphasized social justice as one of the founding principles of the Iranian revolution and urged officials to fight financial corruption and root out class divisions. (ISNA) (ISNA) (ISNA) (ISNA)