Iran News Round Up - August 17, 2017

Turkish oil company Unit International stated that the terms of a recently-signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia's state-owned Zarubezhneft and Iran’s Ghadir Investment Holdings are worth $7bn. The field to be drilled under the terms of the deal reportedly holds 10bn barrels of reserves. Unit International did not name the specific field it described. (Press TV) (E)

Fatemiyoun Brigade members Mohammad Allah Asadi, Nematollah Mohammadi, Aref Rezaei, Khodabakhshi Rezaei, and Mohammad Esmail Mohammadi were buried in Qom on August 16. All five were reportedly killed in Syria. (ABNA)

Proposed Defense Minister Artesh Brig. Gen. Amir Hatami presented his policy agenda to members of Parliaments’ Industry and Mines Commission on August 16. Hatami stated that “the development and strengthening of defense equipment exports” is one of his highest priorities for his term as Defense Minister. Hatami added that he will also focus on “the expansion of missile capabilities… repair and construction of aircraft and [naval] vessels… and radar equipment.” (Tasnim News Agency)

IRGC Public Relations Deputy Brig. Gen. Ramazan Sharif responded to claims by Lebanese news outlet al Mayadeen that the IRGC had undertaken operations in Syria to avenge the death of IRGC member Mohsen Hojaji. ISIS captured Hojaji on the Syria-Iraq border on August 7 and executed him on August 9. Sharif stated that the IRGC “has not undertaken independent ground operations in Syria.” Sharif stressed that the IRGC is “more determined than ever” to continue to deliver “advisory services” to Syria following Hojaji’s death. (Radio Farda)

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized U.S. policy in reference to the Charlottesville demonstrations. Khamenei stated via Twitter that the U.S. and officials “better manage their country, [and] tackle white supremacy rather than meddle in [other] nations’ affairs.” (Twitter)

Armed Forces General Staff chief IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri met with Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli in Ankara on August 16. Bagheri’s meeting with Canikli follows discussions with Turkish Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar on August 15 as part of a three-day trip to Ankara. (Fars News Agency)

• Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ebrahim Rahimpour met with his Turkish counterpart Umit Yalcin on August 16. The two parties discussed trade, regional developments, and the Astana peace talks. (Tasnim News Agency) (E)

Newly-appointed Special Advisor to the President Shahindokht Molaverdi and new Vice President for Women’s and Family Affairs Massoumeh Ebtekar continued the criticism of the lack of gender diversity in President Hassan Rouhani’s second-term cabinet. Molaverdi stated that “the capabilities of women should be recognized officially within the framework of the law.” Ebtekar promised to “resurrect” the national interests of women and families during her term.  (ISNA) (ISNA)

Parliament vetted proposed Intelligence Minister Hojjat ol Eslam Mahmoud Alavi, proposed Economic Affairs Minister Massoud Karbasian, and proposed Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

• On Zarif: Representatives criticized Mohammad Javad Zarif for a “weakness in economic diplomacy.” Parliamentarian Mohammad Javad Abtahi complained that Zarif had been too passive in responding to U.S. sanctions and asked, “What else does America need to do for the Foreign Minister and President to accept that the nuclear deal has been violated?” Zarif nevertheless gained vocal support within Parliament. Parliamentarian Bahram Parsaei stressed that “Zarif is the easiest to defend” among Rouhani’s proposed ministers.
• On Alavi and Karbasian: Conservatives were quick to praise the conservative Alavi. National Security and Foreign Policy Commission head Alaeddin Boroujerdi praised Alavi’s “quick and definite decision-making [capabilities].” Parliamentarian Abdol Hamid Khadri criticized Karbasian for devoting very little of his agenda to the “empowerment of the public sector.” (Fars News Agency)

Green Movement leader Mehdi Karroubi announced via Twitter that he had begun a hunger strike on August 16. Karroubi’s announcement accompanied requests for the removal of security officials from his home as well as a public court date for his trial. (Twitter)

• Members of the reformist-backed Omid parliamentary faction issued a statement requesting that Karroubi stop his hunger strike. Omid deputy-head Mohammad Reza Tabesh stated that after consultation with Omid faction head Mohammad Reza Aref and Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Motahari the faction wanted to highlight “the level of its concern” regarding Karroubi’s health. Tabesh added that “we transferred the matter to the Intelligence Minister immediately, requesting that [he] follow it up seriously.” (ISNA)