Iran News Round Up - February 28, 2018

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley threatened that the U.S. “and [its] partners” may take unilateral action against Iran for its support to the al Houthi movement in Yemen on February 26. Haley’s remarks follow Russia’s veto of a UK-proposed UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution to condemn Iran for its involvement in Yemen. Haley also stated that the proposal’s failure “doesn’t help” as U.S. President Donald Trump decides whether he will continue sanctions relief mandated by the nuclear deal by May 12, 2018. Foreign Ministry officials including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned the U.S. for its support of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen following the UNSC resolution vote. (Reuters) (E) (IRNA) (Defa Press) (ISNA) (Shahid News)

• French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed concern over Iran’s ballistic missile program during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on February 27. Le Drian stated that “everything possible needs to be done” to ensure Iran’s ballistic missiles do not pose a threat to regional actors. (RFE/RL) (E)

Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) Chief IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri said that Iran will honor the ceasefire agreement in Syria but that “parts of the suburbs of Damascus, which are held by terrorists, are not covered by the ceasefire and clearing [operations] will continue there.” Bagheri also accused the UN of supporting a ceasefire in order to prevent Syrian forces from clearing out terrorists from Damascus. This statement follows a UN Security Council-imposed 30-day ceasefire on February 24. (Tasnim News Agency) (Defa Press) (Reuters) (E) (Twitter)

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced on February 23 that it will continue to suspend counter-measures against Iran for money laundering and financing terrorism. The FATF stated that “further steps” will be taken if Iran does not implement necessary reforms before June 2018. The FATF noted that pending legislation in Parliament influenced its decision to continue suspending counter-measures. Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy (NSFP) Committee Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi later lauded Parliament for its efforts to promote financial transparency. (FATF) (E) (Donya-e Eqtesad)

 President Hassan Rouhani stressed that the “nature of science is not related to ideology or partisanship,” and that the Islamic Republic’s efforts to Islamicize the sciences has failed during a speech in Tehran on February 24. Rouhani’s statements are part of a larger debate in Iranian society regarding Islam, science, and education. Hardliners have pushed for greater incorporation of Islamic principles and education in universities. Armed Forces General Staff Chief IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri countered Rouhani’s statements, saying Iranian students’ educations should emphasize Islam and revolutionary identity in order to maintain Iranian culture in the face of increasing technological advancement. (President.ir) (Tasnim News Agency)

Information and Communication Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi announced on February 25 that President Hassan Rouhani’s administration submitted a proposal to the Supreme Council for Cyberspace to allow public access to Twitter. The council includes President Hassan Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Judiciary head Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani, IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari and several additional Supreme Leader appointees. Iran began to block Twitter prior to the presidential elections in 2009. Prominent Iranian figures including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Rouhani maintain active Twitter accounts despite the censorship laws. (ILNA) (Radio Farda) (E)

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Iran’s “enemies” of instigating a recent wave of labor protests on February 5. Khamenei’s speech, which was released on February 26, came as Iranian workers continue nationwide strikes protesting their unpaid salaries. . Khamenei praised Iranian workers for “rejecting the enemy” during his speech. (Khamenei.ir)

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reportedly circulated three stipulations to European officials in order to ensure that the U.S. remains committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The three conditions include a commitment to negotiate with Iran on topics including Iran’s ballistic missile testing, international inspectors access to Iranian military sites, and the extension of the 2030 expiration date that limits Iran’s nuclear fuel production. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described the U.S. conditions  as “improper.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Ghassemi later stated that the U.S. remains internally conflicted on the JCPOA and that there are “several voices heard in the U.S.” regarding U.S. commitment to the nuclear deal. (New York Times) (E) (Tasnim News Agency) (IRIB News)

Mike Saidi discusses the implications of the recent Gonabadi Dervish protests in, “What the Gonabadi Dervish protests tell us about Iran’s protest scene.”

Mike Saidi and Daniel Amir released a new, more comprehensive graphic of the recent anti-regime protests in Iran. View the graphic here.