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.”

Former Defense Minister and Former IRGC Quds Force Commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi stated that Iran “does not recognize any action in Syria to which the Syrian government does not consent.” Tabriz Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat ol Eslam Mohammad Ali Hashem said that Iran’s presence in Iraq and Syria has been at the request of their respective governments, unlike other countries’ interventions. Both officials’ comments are likely intended as a criticism of Turkey’s recently-launched Operation Olive Branch against U.S.-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Afrin, Aleppo Governorate, Syria. (YJC) (ISNA)

Assembly of Experts Chairman Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati warned that the government would soon take action regarding cyberspace issues following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s recent meeting with information technology experts. Jannati stated, “If cyberspace were controlled,” the protests “would not have happened.” He stressed that Iran “needs a transformation on the issue of cyberspace” and warned, “We have put aside those who are unable” to enact this transformation. Jannati downplayed the regime’s efforts to control Iranian cyberspace, and noted, “I do not believe in blocking [cyber]space completely; the reality is that cyberspace is restricted in many countries.”

• Jannati pointed to the role of credit and financial institutions’ failure to repay depositors in causing the recent protests, and stated, “Recent turbulences - especially those that arose in holy Mashhad, arose because of banking problems… Unfortunately, we had warned of the situation of the banks before, but attention was not paid.” Jannati’s statement is likely aimed at the Rouhani administration. (Fars News Agency) (Radio Farda)

Tehran Interim Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami emphasized that the regime is not against cyberspace but that authorities should use domestic capabilities to create a safe internet free from external intervention. He added that the people are looking to the government to create an internet environment that protects their children’s morals and national security. Arak Friday Prayer Leader Ghorban Ali Dorri Najafabadi likewise said that authorities should use the internet and social media to instill proper cultural values and thwart foreign attempts to weaken Iranian society’s revolutionary and religious foundations. He urged the government to confront the challenges of cyberspace and strengthen the country’s internet infrastructure. Iranian officials have accused U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia of utilizing social media and messaging applications, such as Twitter and Telegram, to instigate anti-regime protests, and some officials have advocated for the creation of Iranian-made messaging applications. (YJC) (ISNA)