Russia, China, Iran Kick Off Joint Navy Drills

"The European Council calls on third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," said the draft conclusions of a summit to be held next week, seen by Reuters.

Iran has provided Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, six sources told Reuters, deepening the military cooperation between the two countries, which are both under US sanctions.

Since mid-2022, Iran has provided hundreds of Shahed Kamikaze drones to Russia that have been used against civilian targets and infrastructure in Ukraine. The drones have also helped swarm Ukrainian air defenses during large-scale Russian missile attacks on cities. Iran still denies supplying the drones, although many parts and downed UAVs have been recovered.

"Reports that Iran may transfer ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia for use against Ukraine are very concerning," the draft conclusions of the March 21-22 summit said.

"The European Union is prepared to respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant measures against Iran."

The conclusions also said the leaders would call on High Representative Josep Borrell and the Commission to prepare further sanctions against Belarus, North Korea and Iran.

France, Germany and Britain last September retained ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation-related sanctions on Iran that were set to expire in October under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Officials at the time said that decision had been made in large part due to Russia's use of Iranian drones against Ukraine and the possibility Iran might transfer ballistic missiles to Russia.

British Defence Minister Grant Shapps said in an interview with House Magazine earlier this month that London had information concerning Iran's provision of ballistic missiles to Russia.

"I do. I can't go into it," Schapps was quoted as saying. "Whether it's ballistic missiles, or the Shahed drones that they supplied Russia with, we've seen that if there's struggle in the world, often Iran are egging it on, or helping to supply the food chain in this case."

The Biden administration tried to reverse former President Donald Trump’s policy of pressuring Iran and re-launched nuclear talks in April 2021. After nearly a year of negotiations in Vienna the effort failed when Russia’s attack on Ukraine began. Soon after, Tehran started supplying drones to Moscow.

With reporting by Reuters

Commenting on reports regarding wage determinations, he stated that according to expert assessments, the minimum livelihood basket for working families stands at 250 million rials (approximately $400).

Highlighting the plight of workers, Babaei noted, "The first group that has always been hit by mismanagement are the workers." He emphasized that workers are oppressed, their rights are often denied, and their job security remains uncertain. Babaei called upon the government and parliament to intervene to ensure minimal pressure is exerted on society, particularly on the working class.

In line with these concerns, the Iranian government has approved an average salary increase of 20 percent for workers effective after March 21. The new minimum monthly wage has been set at 115 million Iranian rials, equivalent to approximately 190 US dollars.

However, the economic backdrop remains challenging, with an annual inflation rate of around 50 percent. The purchasing power of consumers is closely tied to the fluctuating US dollar rate, which currently stands at 600,000 rials. The likelihood of further depreciation of the rial in the upcoming year poses additional challenges, potentially eroding the value of the minimum wage against the dollar.

Persistent inflation and a sluggish economy have led to a significant decline in the purchasing power of ordinary Iranians, pushing millions into the category of "working poor." Reports indicate that workers' wages cover only about 60 percent of their monthly household expenses, highlighting the pressing need for wage increases.

"We have never had an inappropriate approach to dealing with professors and university students at Tehran University, and no punitive action has been taken against any of the students, staff, and professors who are political and social critics in relation to their activities."

Responding to allegations of mass expulsions for academics participating in protests or showing support for the Women, Life, Freedom uprising, Moghimi said, "Expulsion has its own specific meaning. When the claim of expelling a professor is mentioned, it means terminating the contract of a professor with Tehran University for various reasons and unilaterally, which has not happened at Tehran University in the past 2.5 years."

However, recent reports suggest a contrasting narrative regarding academic freedom in Iran. In August, Etemad, a prominent reformist daily, published a list documenting the dismissal, forced retirement, or banning from teaching of 157 tenured professors between 2006 and August 2023. The purge reportedly extended to non-tenured lecturers, who were allegedly replaced by individuals aligned with the government's ideological stance.

The trend of academic purges purportedly intensified under successive administrations, including that of President Ebrahim Raisi, who initiated a "purification" campaign upon assuming office. Numerous professors, known for their secular views or dissenting opinions, faced disciplinary actions such as early retirement, contract non-renewal, and salary reductions.

The situation escalated following widespread protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody in September, with many academics expressing solidarity with the demonstrators. In response, the Raisi administration intensified crackdown measures, including summoning, detaining, and suspending professors.

"I’ve been asking for 8 months for information regarding the suspension of Special Envoy Robert Malley’s security clearance,” Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, stated during the hearing.

President Biden’s special envoy on Iran, Robert Malley, was placed under administrative leave in 2023 and is currently under investigation by the FBI for possible “mishandling of classified documents.”

Since then, several Republican members of Congress have tried to obtain information on the circumstances of his suspension – and the reasons his security clearance was suspended.

“The department’s defiance left me no choice but to hold this nomination until the [Department of] State responded,” Risch said.

Margaret Taylor's nomination as Legal Advisor for the Department of State by the Biden administration appeared unrelated to Robert Malley's case – though the confirmation hearing itself provided Senate Republicans with a chance to pressure the Department.

“I’m going to continue to hold her,” Risch said. “She’s the highest ranking and the one State Department wants the most to be confirmed. And I’m going to continue to do that until the State Department gives us some basic information that we really want.”

It’s still unclear why the State Department is refusing to divulge the information that the US lawmakers seek, even in a classified setting. The refusal has raised suspicions among many that there may be serious wrongdoing with repercussions beyond Malley himself.

“Certainly, it’s classified information,” Senator Risch said. “But I’m the most senior member of the intelligence committee. I hear this stuff every day…We cannot do our oversight work without getting this information.”

Another Republican Senator, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, recapped the story of Malley’s career and suspension, pointing out that it was through “press reports” - not the State Department - that Congress was informed of the envoy’s suspension.

“Malley wasn’t some low level official,” Ricketts said. “He was special envoy for Iran who played a critical role in this administration's Iran policy… In September a press report revealed that Iran had orchestrated an influence operation that involved Malley’s close associates. And yet we’ve not heard from SD on whether this revelation was related to Malley’s suspension and investigation.”

Last September, Iran International and Semafor obtained leaked emails from an Iranian foreign ministry official revealing the establishment of an influence network by the Iranian government to promote its agenda in the West. Known as the Iran Expert Initiative (IEI), this network consisted of at least four associates of Malley with Iranian backgrounds, who held a particular interest in Iran's nuclear program.

“We all listened to Mr. Malley for a long time,” Senator Risch said, “he told us things. We acted and formed beliefs based on those. And they won’t tell us why his clearance was suspended… This is not right... They act like we work for them instead of them working for us. And so until that happens I’m gonna continue to hold Ms. Taylor’s nomination.”

The Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Ben Cardin, does have the authority to bring the nomination to the floor, where Democrats, holding a narrow majority, may have the opportunity to secure Taylor's approval.

“I cannot be a stronger proponent of her nomination,” Cardin said of Taylor. “I’m convinced that she is likely the most qualified individual ever nominated to be legal advisor.”

He also explained that the information sought by the Congress is not held by the State Department. “It’s the FBI that has that information.”

Senator Ricketts, instead suggested subpoenaing the State Department. He argued that if the department lacks records, it would corroborate their claim. However, if they have basic HR documents concerning Malley's suspension, it could provide crucial insights into the reasons behind it.

The State Department, Senator Ricketts added, “has chosen to hide behind the Privacy Act despite the law providing a clear exception for oversight committees.”

President Biden and his Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, have come under intense pressure over Robert Malley’s appointment, role and suspension. Many critics see the Malley case (and the IEI saga) as the clearest signs of the Biden administration’s “appeasement” towards Iran.

Notably, near the end of the session, Senator Ricketts asked Taylor’s legal opinion on the Privacy Act and the State Department’s recourse to it: “based on your legal understanding,” he said, “do you believe that the Privacy Act would prevent disclosure to this committee information pertaining to the suspension of Robert Malley’s security clearance?”

“I don’t believe the privacy act would have that effect,” responded Taylor.

Mowlavi Abdolhamid said the upcoming session is a crucial step towards justice, a development awaited by the community, but amidst Iran's corrupt legal system, feared justice would not be done, the country's security forces protected from the repercussions of their brutal suppression.

On Monday, he said, "The perpetrators of the crime and those affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards and Basij will never face justice", revealing that the court session has been finally summoned with a limited presence of law enforcement personnel.

Bloody Friday, which took place on September 30, 2022, amidst nationwide protests for the Women, Life, and Freedom movement in Iran, marked a tragic chapter in Zahedan's history.

Following Friday prayers at the Makki Mosque, Zahedan residents gathered to protest the alleged assault by a police commander on a teenage Baluch girl in Chabahar. The peaceful demonstration turned deadly when law enforcement personnel opened fire from inside a police station, resulting in the loss of at least 100 lives.

Previous attempts at seeking justice were met with controversy, with reports indicating that the presiding judge attempted to resolve the matter through blood money settlements without adequately considering the statements of the victims' families. 

In November, Abdolhamid questioned why the perpetrators had so far not been brought to justice in spite of orders from the country's Supreme Leader. “It is surprising that despite the leader's order to punish the perpetrators and leaders of this crime, it has not been followed. Our belief until now was that the leader's orders are valid, and at least those who eat the bread of sovereignty and government will follow it," he said.

Zahedan, in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, is among the most economically deprived parts of Iran. The province has a large Baluch population, mostly Sunnis. They have historically been among Iran's most persecuted minorities, with the highest execution rate.