Iran News Round Up - January 29, 2018

IRGC officials claimed that they are unaware of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s recent order for the Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) to direct the IRGC and the Artesh to “exit” economic activities that are “irrelevant” to their missions. IRGC Sarallah Headquarters Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Kowsari stated that he did not know about any details regarding the order and “must follow up” on the details. IRGC Legal and Parliamentary Deputy Brig. Gen. Mohammad Saleh Jokar claimed he did not see any such order. Kowsari and Jokar both emphasized that the economic role of the IRGC is limited. Kowsari stressed that the IRGC’s involvement in the construction sector is “in the framework” of Iran’s constitution. (BBC Persian) (Voice of Iran) (Radio Farda) (E)

Judiciary head Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani seeks to publish the names of judges found guilty of corruption, but stressed that corruption in the Judiciary is not “systematic.”  Larijani stressed that that the executive branch of the government must address corruption within its institutions as well. (PressTV) (E) (ISNA)

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)  

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)

Ambassador to Turkey Mohammad Ebrahim Taherian called for cooperation between Iran and Turkey during a speech in Ankara, Turkey on January 26. Taherian cited Iran-Turkey cooperation with Iraq during  Iraqi Kurdistan’s push for independence as an example of Iran and Turkey’s ability to collaborate to counter foreign interference and instability in the region. (Tasnim News Agency) (Tasnim News Agency) (E)

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)

Marie Donovan discusses the political background of Iran’s newly-sanctioned Judiciary Head Sadegh Amoli Larijani in, “Why Did the U.S. Sanction Iran’s Sadegh Amoli Larijani?”

Mike Saidi demonstrates how the recent protests highlighted weaknesses in the readiness of Iranian security forces in a dataset using videos submitted by Iranian protesters. View the dataset here and the graphics here.

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.”