Iran News Round Up - January 6, 2018

The Islamic State urged its supporters in Iran to capitalize on the recent protests in Iran and “denounce the governance” and ideology of the Islamic Republic in its digital weekly newspaper published on January 5. The newspaper stated that the protests have “become a revolution against a regime that calls itself revolutionary.” (Available by subscription at ent.siteintelgroup)

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned the U.S. against interfering in Iran’s domestic affairs on January 4. Ryabkov cited a U.S. proposal for an extraordinary UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting regarding the anti-regime protests in Iran as “harmful and destructive.” Ryabkov also stated that Iranian claims that external forces provoked the protests were not groundless. Ryabkov’s comments follow U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley’s remarks that the U.S. seeks an “emergency session” of the UNSC to address developments in Iran. (Reuters) (E) (Radio Farda) (E) (CNN) (E)

• Fars News Agency reported that Russia called for an UNSC meeting on the protests “behind closed doors.” The UNSC was scheduled to meet on the Iran protests on January 5. (Fars News Agency)

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah stated that the anti-regime protests in Iran “are nothing to worry about” during a television interview on January 4. Nasrallah attributed the protesters’ grievances to economic hardship and accused the U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia of exploiting the issue to instigate social unrest in Iran. Nasrallah stated that the ongoing protests are not comparable to the 2009 Green Movement in Iran and described the demonstrations as “not large.” Nasrallah also praised Iranian authorities for addressing the protests “calmly and wisely.” (Associated Press) (E) (Reuters) (E)

ILNA reported on January 4 that Iranian authorities discontinued blocking the social media platform Instagram. ILNA also noted that Iranian authorities will continue to block access to the messaging application Telegram. (ILNA)

• The Iranian embassy in London requested that the British Office of Communications (OFCOM) censor Persian language media based in the UK. The embassy alleged that Persian media outlets such as Manoto and BBC Persian are inciting armed revolt in Iran. (ILNA) (Reporters Without Borders)

Attorney General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri accused U.S. Central Intelligence Agency officer Michael D’Andrea of spearheading an initiative with cooperation from Israel and Saudi Arabia to foment social unrest in Iran. The New York Times previously reported that D’Andrea was previously appointed to head the CIA’s Iran operations. Montazeri claimed that D’Andrea worked with an unidentified individual affiliated with Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, while Saudi Arabia financed some of their expenses. IRNA reports that the Mojahedin-e Khalgh Organization (MEK), “monarchists,” and other nationalist groups participated in this initiative. Montazeri also stated that the individuals employed two “operation rooms” in Erbil, Iraq and Herat, Afghanistan to introduce ISIS militants into Iran during the protests. Separately, interim Tehran Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami stated the Saudis and Americans financed the recent protests in Iran. He also stated that “weapons were supposed to arrive from an American think tank in Erbil [Iraq] and Herat [Afghanistan].” (IRNA) (IRNA) (IRNA) (E) (New York Times) (E)

• Representative of Shahinshahr Hossein Ali Haji Daligan said that “100-150 individuals,” some of whom “came from outside the city of Shahinshahr, caused disturbances in several areas.” He noted that some of them brought weapons. (Alef)

Mashhad Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat ol Eslam Ahmad Alam ol Hoda called for cooperation between the government and its people to resolve economic difficulties. Tabriz Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat ol Eslam Mohammad Ali al Hashem and Ahvaz Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Mousavi Jazayeri emphasized the need to address economic issues such as unemployment and inflation. Orumiyeh Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat ol Eslam Mehdi Ghureyshi stated that the people’s demands are the same as those of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Prayer leaders in Tehran, Qom, and Rasht, Gilan Province, and Shahr-e Kord, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province also acknowledged the economic grievances of the anti-regime protesters. Qom Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Alireza Arafi called for protesters to demonstrate and voice their grievances legally.  (ISNA) (ISNA) (ISNA) (ISNA) (ISNA) (ISNA) (ISNA) (Reuters) (E)

• 2017 presidential candidate and Astan Quds Razavi Foundation Head Hojjat ol Eslam Ebrahim Raisi warned that Iran’s enemies are attempting to manipulate the people of Iran. He added that the Iranian’s economic problems can be only resolved through harmony, national unity, and tranquility. (Basij News)