Ahmadinejad Says Open to Talks with Trump, Questions Khamenei's Foreign Policy

Khamenei’s message also emphasized the need for the dissociation to become a worldwide movement among Muslims.

"This disavowal must be evident in the words and actions of nations and governments, and it should restrict the maneuverability of the executioners and their supporters," he declared.

His comments during the Hajj echo his historical pattern of using the pilgrimage as a platform for political statements, particularly against Israel and the US, and indirectly targeting Saudi Arabia—despite recent diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with Riyadh.

Khamenei obviously hoped that Riyadh would abandon plans to establish ties with Jerusalem after the Gaza war, but this may not be the case due to mediation by the United States.

Last month, Ali Khamenei revisited a phrase introduced by his predecessor Ruhollah Khomeini, "Distancing from the infidels." The concept had previously escalated tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, contributing to the deaths and injuries of many pilgrims during the 1987 Hajj in Mecca, amid disturbances instigated by Iranian government agents.

The Supreme Leader's politicization of the Hajj contrasts sharply with his calls for Muslim unity. Such contradictions have deepened divisions within the Muslim world, notably during a time when discussions about establishing diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel are underway. His comments have not only exacerbated regional tensions but have also disillusioned many Iranians who view the Hajj as a purely religious obligation, rather than an opportunity for political expression.

Kazem Gharibabadi, head of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights, stated on social media platform X that "Hamid Nouri, who has been in illegal detention in Sweden since 2019, is free and will return to the country in a few hours."

Nouri was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Swedish court in 2022 for crimes against humanity linked to his involvement in the mass executions of prisoners during the 1980s in Iran. He was arrested when he visited Sweden according to the principle of universal justice.

In a reciprocal move, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed the release of two Swedish citizens, Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi, who had been detained in Iran under unclear circumstances.

The Swedish Prime Minister noted, "Today, they will land on Swedish soil and be reunited with their families and loved ones. Welcome home!" He emphasized that the Swedish government had "worked intensively" to secure their freedom.

Saeid Azizi’s lawyer, Reza Shafakhah, revealed that the prisoner exchange deal was conducted without his or the Azizi family's prior knowledge. "This exchange was done without my knowledge as a lawyer and without the client's family's knowledge,” Shafakhah stated on X on Saturday. Shafakhah further disclosed that Azizi was released from prison last night and subsequently flew to Sweden.

The Iranian clerical rulers decided to summarily execute about 5,000 political prisoners in 1988 and prosecutors proved that Nouri was involved in the mass crime as a prison Guard.

The prisoner exchange can become controversial due to the nature of Nouri's convictions, and Iran's practice of arresting foreigners to use them as de facto hostages. Critics argue that such swaps might undermine international legal standards by effectively rewarding countries that detain foreigners on dubious grounds. The return of Nouri, in particular, raises ethical questions about the implications of negotiating with governments accused of severe human rights violations.

The United States last year released around $6 billion in Iran's frozen funds to secure the release of five dual nationals arrested on trumped-up charges and held in Iran. That arrangement raised strong public criticism about rewarding hostage taking.

In recent years, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards have detained numerous dual nationals and foreigners, predominantly on accusations of espionage and security threats. Human rights organizations have criticized Iran for these arrests, suggesting they are strategically used to leverage concessions from other nations.

Iran is scheduled to hold a snap presidential election on June 28 following the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions in a helicopter crash last month.

According to Goudarzi, the border guards engaged in an “intense armed confrontation”, injuring “several terrorists and preventing their entry into the country.”

“A significant cache of weapons and explosives, including C4, gunpowder fuses, electronic detonators, an M16 rifle scope, Kalashnikov and pistol ammunition, US-made hand grenades... and a walkie-talkie were confiscated,” he alleged.

Jaish al-Adl, designated a terrorist organization by Iran and included in the United States' list of foreign terrorist organizations since 2010, is often accused by Iranian officials of being behind similar attacks.

Critics argue that the Islamic Republic leverages such incidents to justify oppressive measures against its citizens, with many Iranians skeptical of the government's claims about its military and intelligence prowess. Iranian security officials often claim foiling terror plots but they rarely produce evidence to hold trials.

In a separate incident on Saturday, Hamed Torkashvand, the head of a Sharia punishment office in Paveh, western Iran, was killed on Saturday. The motive behind Torkashvand's killing remains unclear.

Mehdi Ghannadi, the Public Relations Manager of the Kermanshah Prosecutor's Office disclosed, "Investigations have shown that the assailant had been lying in ambush outside the victim's residence for several hours before the attack."

He added that the perpetrator fired four shots at the Torkashvand's head and chest.

During a meeting in Mecca, attended by the Iranian Ambassador to Riyadh, Navvab stated that "Some of the host country's (Saudi Arabia) actions have been unprecedented in any previous Hajj seasons."

He highlighted the recent expulsion of six individuals, identified by Iranian officials as members of an Iranian government media group, suggesting that these expulsions occurred under questionable circumstances. Navvab also mentioned that an Iranian detained in Medina is facing harsh conditions, with little hope for a prompt release. No further details about this individual were provided.

The statement by the official come as Tehran has historically used the Hajj and the presence of Iranian pilgrims to instigate political demonstrations. In a speech on May 6, Supreme Leader Khamenei criticized the US and Israel, indirectly targeting Saudi Arabia by condemning those who befriend these nations.

He reiterated a call for Iranian pilgrims to distance themselves from "the criminal Zionist enemy and its supporters," reviving a rhetoric of confrontation reminiscent of past decades.

Although the Islamic Republic resumed diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia last year, brokered by China, after a seven-year break, the two regional powers are far from establishing close ties and exhibiting mutual trust.

The Iranian official did not reveal any details or provide any names.

Doubts persist about the feasibility of these claims. The trend of Iranian expatriates returning to contribute to state-run projects remains minimal, with many questioning the viability of repatriation efforts amidst ongoing internal issues such as political instability, economic challenges, and a lack of academic freedom.

These conditions have historically driven the brain drain, pushing numerous academics and professionals to seek opportunities in more stable environments abroad.

Moslemi-Naeini discussed the plans in the context of launching a national center, focused on advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics, slated to be operational by year's end.

However, critics argue that while the Iranian government projects optimism about attracting global talent, the systemic issues that plague the nation cast a long shadow over the potential success of such initiatives.

In September, Dr. Saeid Moidfar, chairman of the Iranian Sociological Association, conveyed a grim outlook for Iran. He noted the pervasive sense of despair among Iranians, exacerbated by the government’s severe crackdown on dissent, curtailment of women’s rights, and a deepening economic crisis. Moidfar criticized the governance of the country, stating that when people feel disconnected from decision-making, suffer economically every day, and witness the degradation of social values, they see no future in staying.