Iran News Round Up
The Iran News Round Up ran from February 2009-September 2018. Visit the Iran File for the latest analysis.
Key takeaway: Hardline clerics continue to criticize the Rouhani administration in the wake of the recent, widespread protests.
Chairman of the Assembly of Experts and the Guardian Council Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said that officials must listen to the people, likely a criticism of President Hassan Rouhani and his administration. Jannati warned that the people are likely to take to the streets when a large gap exists between the people and the officials, an indirect reference to the recent protests in Iran. Jannati recommended that government officials should live simply. Jannati’s statement is likely an allusion to a 2016 scandal in which some Rouhani administration officials had received exorbitant salaries and benefits.
This Iran News Round Up predominantly covers events from February 3 - 4.
Iran’s Hardliners Can Leverage the Post-Protest Space.
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.”
Citations & Links
Citations & Links
Guardian Council chairman: The Rouhani administration must listen to the people.
Chairman of the Assembly of Experts and the Guardian Council Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said that officials must listen to the people, likely a criticism of President Hassan Rouhani and his administration. Jannati warned that the people are likely to take to the streets when a large gap exists between the people and the officials, an indirect reference to the recent widespread protests in Iran. Jannati recommended that government officials should live simply. Jannati’s statement is likely an allusion to a 2016 scandal in which some Rouhani administration officials had received exorbitant salaries and benefits.Jannati also expressed his personal apprehension about the future, saying that “it is important for us to know internal and foreign threats… [and] naturally I am afraid of the future and what things might happen.” (IRNA) (Fars News Agency)
LEF releases 34 workers arrested during strike.
Members of a Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) special unit released 34 protesters from the privately-owned Haft Tapeh sugar cane factory strike on February 4. The date on which security forces arrested the protesters is unclear. Haft Tapeh workers have gone on several strikes over the last year regarding unpaid wages and compensation, including in December 2017 and January 2018. (Radio Farda)
- Labor unions call for minimum wage increase. The Tehran Bus Workers’ Syndicate, Nikshahr Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Workers’ Syndicate, and the United Retirees’ Group issued a joint statement on February 4 calling for the government to raise the minimum monthly wage from approximately $250 to roughly $1350 per month. The labor organizations calculated the proposed minimum wage based on current monthly expenses and expected inflation rates. The statement also claimed that the Central Bank undervalues the actual inflation rate on which it establishes the minimum wage. Haft Tapeh sugarcane workers went on strike on January 7 for Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company management’s failure to pay workers’ wages. (Radio Farda)
Citations & Links
1.
IRNA
http://www.irna.ir/fa/News/82821192
2.
Fars News Agency
http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13961116001672
Citations & Links
1.
Radio Farda
https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_shoosh_hafttapehworkers_strike_arresting_releasing/29017600.html
2.
Radio Farda
https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_workers_unions_statement_wage/29019500.html
Foreign Ministry calls on Turkey to end Operation Olive Branch in Syria.
Foreign Minister spokesperson Bahram Ghassemi called on Turkey to end its recently-launched Operation Olive Branch against U.S.-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Afrin, Aleppo Governorate, Syria. Ghassemi stressed that Turkey should address Syria-related issues in the framework of negotiations. Ghassemi added that Iran is currently consulting with both Turkey and Russia on issues relating to Syria. (Radio Farda) (Jamaran)
Citations & Links
1.
Radio Farda
https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_bahram_ghasemi_turkey_syria/29019371.html
2.
Jamaran
https://www.jamaran.ir/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-59/855753-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%AB%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B7-%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D9%81%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%BA%D9%84%D8%B7-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA
