Iran’s Khamenei downplays low election turnout

Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy of International Affairs of the Judiciary, announced on Wednesday that "criminal cases will be filed and pursued against any Iranian or non-Iranian person abroad who, through "insult and threat or creating fear and intimidation," prevents Iranians from participating in the presidential election voting."

The announcement follows a note of protest sent by the Iranian Embassy in London to the British government on June 30. The embassy claimed that there were "attempts to disrupt the presidential voting process and cause trouble for the voters."

It came after the first round of the presidential election, where some individuals in the UK protested outside Iran's missions against Iranians participating in the polls, urging them to boycott the elections as 60 percent of the populace did.

Opposition activists and many regime critics both within Iran and abroad say that the election is a sham exercise by the government, which has denied real freedom of choice to voters and has brutally suppressed dissent.

Since its establishment in 1979, the Iranian government has faced extensive criticism for its human rights violations, including numerous executions and extrajudicial killings. The government has consistently used the death penalty as a means of political repression, targeting dissidents, activists, and minorities. Widespread reports of torture, arbitrary detention, and unfair trials highlight the methods employed by security forces to suppress critics.

Human rights organizations continue to document the abuses, underscoring the government's ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression, assembly, and belief. Despite international condemnation, the Iranian government persists in these practices, creating an environment of fear and repression for its citizens.

The landmark litigation was filed on behalf of more than 100 victims of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people and led to the abduction of more than 250 people.

Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO and National Director of the advocacy group ADL, told Iran International anchor Fardad Farahzad, that the goal is to hold the three countries accountable and to seek justice for the victims and their families.

It is also a means of recording the brutality perpetrated by Hamas and its supporters to combat disinformation in an age of “denialism”, said Greenblatt.

“We will prove beyond a reasonable doubt the role that Iran, Syria, North Korea have played in propping up and preparing, supporting and training Hamas, allowing them to commit on Oct. 7th the worst act of terrorism in generations, the bloodiest day experienced by the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” he said.

Iran has not just been an ally of Hamas, but has also provided material, financial and tactical support to its proxy group according to experts.

On October 26, 2023, US Congressman Bill Huizenga, the Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, stated that Iran funds roughly 93% of Hamas’ budget which is about $350 million dollars per year.

In 2018, the US State Department report stated that Iran funds around $100 million a year to groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The evidence gathered was made up of open-source intelligence, and also evidence that was uncovered and not widely known, according to Greenblatt.

“North Korean armaments that were found on the ground in Gaza. And we've got more that we'll be sharing further. This is an explosive case, and it will be impossible for the regime to deny the role that it played in this horrible event,” he stated to Farahzad,

International human rights lawyer Gissou Nia said the inclusion of North Korea is unique, but not unheard of.

"There have also been actions against North Korea. They're not quite as frequent. We see that the actions against the Islamic Republic or the Syrian regime, far outstrip the number against North Korea. But this is not a first. And I think that the report about North Korean weapons that were allegedly used in Hamas's attack on Oct. 7th is what is precipitating, North Korea being included here.”

An Associated Press investigation in October stated that Hamas likely fired weapons produced by North Korea on Oct. 7. North Korea has previously denied the link.

The ADL’s 117 page complaint also seeks to establish that North Korea advised Hamas on its extensive tunnel network, which was used during the attack.

They are also trying to prove close ties between Syria and Hamas. During the decade-long Syrian civil war, Hamas, at one point sided with the opposition but Syrian President Bashar al-Assad restored ties with Hamas in 2022, under the guidance of Iran.

Nia said US nationals can bring a suit against Iran, Syria and North Korea which are three of the four countries listed on the US State Department’s State Sponsors of Terrorism.

Foreign governments are generally considered beyond the jurisdiction of US courts, but the terrorism exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) allows the courts to hold these countries accountable, where immunity is not absolute.

Since the US doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Iran, the US would effectuate service via the US Interests Sections, or with countries that are acting on behalf of these countries to make sure they are served.

Nia said typically these countries do not send any counsel to defend in the courts and that results in a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs. Families typically won't see the recovery in millions of dollars in assets from these three countries, said Nia.

“There are practically no Islamic Republic assets available in the US. There really aren't Syrian regime assets, nor are there North Korea assets. So they would not be getting those assets directly from the regimes at this point, and instead they would be paid out by a victims' fund,” she said.

Greenblatt told anchor Fardad Farahzad, that the families will get "some financial recompense” through the US Victims Fund of State sponsored terror and will receive “some degree of justice.”

The 2015 Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act established the US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, whose funds can be disbursed to victims.

The ADL's Jonathan Greenblatt said the Islamic Republic regime "will pay for their crimes."

In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry cited the “violation of human rights” in suppressing pro-Palestine student movements in the US as the reason for the sanctions.

Between April and June, students across the US protested against Israel’s war with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza, following the deadly Hamas invasion on October 7, which killed 1,200 civilians. Another 250 hostages were taken to Gaza.

Israel’s subsequent retaliation has resulted in over 37,000 thousands of Palestinian deaths according to Hamas. Israel claims at least 16,000 of those are Hamas militants.

The sanctioned Americans include Linda J. Stump-Kurnick, Chief of the University of Florida Police Department and Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, among others.

The meaningless sanctions mean the officials would face blocked accounts and transactions within Iranian financial systems should they be banking there, asset freezes within Iran's jurisdiction, and a prohibition on obtaining visas or entering Iran.

However, since Iran is under US sanctions for its nuclear program, no American officials would be involved in financial activity with Iran, nor would it be safe to travel there amid Iran's hostage taking policy.

Iran is also sanctioned globally for its support of Russia's war on Ukraine and its human rights abuses at home.

Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have praised the Western university protests, viewing them as part of Iran’s resistance against US and Israeli policies. Khamenei has called the protesters part of Iran’s 'resistance front' against the US and Israel.

However, the Iranian government’s support for the protests has sparked backlash among Iranians, who see this stance as hypocritical. Iran's government, known for suppressing dissent, including imprisoning students and educators, is being criticized for celebrating American students' freedom of expression while denying the same rights domestically.

Ali Bagheri Kani made the remarks as fears of a third Lebanon war loom strong with drum-beating rhetoric from both sides.

Lebanon joined the war against Israel after Iran-backed Hamas's attack of October 7, in which 1,200 mostly civilians were killed in Israel and a further 240 taken hostage.

Since then, over 3,300 projectiles have been fired by Hezbollah towards Israel leaving 200,000 people displaced on both sides of the border.

It is a continuation of the war-mongering from Iran's government, with an aide to the supreme leader warning this week that Iran's proxies across the region would support the Lebanese militant movement with “all means.”

“All Lebanese people, Arab countries, and members of the axis of resistance will support Lebanon against Israel," he said in an interview with the Financial Times.

Iran's strongest and largest proxy, Hezbollah, is believed to have stockpiled over 200,000 missiles. Its leader has frequently boasted about advanced weaponry that has not yet been deployed in its persistent, albeit low-intensity, conflict with Israel over the past eight months.

Recently, Hezbollah has escalated its attacks, employing exploding drones and low-flying missiles. At least 11 civilians in Israel and dozens in south Lebanon have been killed. Around 400 Hezbollah militants and at least 15 Israeli soldiers have also died in the border war.

The assaults have occasionally overwhelmed Israel's short-range Iron Dome defense system, causing significant damage. Many of the drone attacks have resulted in extensive forest fires in Israel's agriculture-dependent northern regions.

The last major conflict between Israel and Hezbollah occurred in 2006 following the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers.

The war ended with the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which called for Hezbollah's disarmament—a mandate that has not been enforced as the terror group has only continued to expand and has continually breached the buffer zone of the UN agreement.

The ultraconservative Jalili and the relatively moderate Pezeshkian frequently accused each other of lacking expertise, basic knowledge, and plans, and of making false promises.

At the start of the debate, Pezeshkian said, "Last night it seemed as though I disrespected the national hero Haj Qasem Soleimani. I consider him a symbol of national pride and a thorn in the side of our enemies, and if our youth follow his path, many of the country's problems can be solved."

During the debate on Monday night, Pezeshkian used a Persian expression to highlight Soleimani’s role in creating trouble for the United States in the region. However, this expression could easily be interpreted as belittling the IRGC operative.

Although the debate was supposed to focus on the economy, much of the discussion revolved around nuclear negotiations, the failure of the JCPOA, the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic, and negotiations with the West, with both candidates reiterating their previous positions.

In response to a question about why he opposed the Strategic Action Plan passed by the parliament in December 2020 to authorize more uranium enrichment, Pezeshkian said, "It's not true to say we don't accept the law. We said from the beginning we would follow the framework of the law and the policies of the Supreme Leader. So, there's no way we wouldn't implement the law."

Previously, key figures in Pezeshkian's campaign, including Mohammad Javad Zarif, had criticized the Strategic Action Plan and called Jalili "a source of sanctions." The law, enacted as President Joe Biden won the White House, was meant to harden Iran’s negotiating position before expected talks to revive the 2015 JCPOA nuclear agreement, which was abandoned by the Trump administration.

Pezeshkian added, "One of the issues with this law is that the US must fulfill all its commitments before we return to the JCPOA. We need to discuss with the parliament, the Supreme National Security Council, and other relevant bodies to find a common language to address this challenge."

Jalili responded, "The parliament passed a law, and it must be followed."

Ali Khamenei praised the law and warned that no one should deviate from it.

Jalili continued, "We fulfilled our obligations under the JCPOA. You should be demanding compliance from the other side, not pressuring the nation to make concessions. When the other side hasn't fulfilled their commitments, what concessions are you going to make? Tell the people."

Without mentioning Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government or his own role, Jalili said, "You talk about honesty. The governments of Hashemi, Khatami, and Rouhani, which included your friends, have been in power, and you're still demanding more. You've been in power for 40 years."

The fundamentalist Jalili is the main figure in an ultraconservative political faction that believes most other politicians loyal to the Islamic Republic and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei are weak in their religious zeal and commitment to a more extremist version of the Islamist vision. Jalili and his allies were staunch supporters of former President Ebrahim Raisi and his “revolutionary” administration.

Pezeshkian replied, "You claim to have achieved results, so where are they? Didn't you promise to double employment and build a million homes a year? In these three years, you've only issued permits for 900,000 homes."

He added, "You say you have plans; why didn't you give them to Mr. Raisi to implement? Weren't you part of his team?"

Pezeshkian pointed to Jalili and said, "This person's entire experience is being the head of the National Security Council and reviewing some papers. Someone who hasn't managed anything now claims to have a plan for the country."

Referring to the significant boycott of the first round of elections, Pezeshkian said, "Despite all our campaigning, only 40% of the people participated. 60% did not, rejecting all of us. If this mindset prevails, turnout will drop to 20%. Can you govern the majority with just 20%?"

He concluded, "The 60% boycott in the first round sends a message to the government. I've heard and continue to hear this voice of doubt, dissatisfaction, and disillusionment."

During the debate, Saeed Jalili accused Pezeshkian of lacking basic knowledge, even in healthcare, despite being a physician. "It's good that Mr. Pezeshkian recites Quranic verses and hadiths, blessing our session. But these hadiths should be put into practice."

He added, "Mr. Pezeshkian, you lack knowledge on many topics and even basic information on some. Yet you want to become president."

Jalili concluded, "Already, they're shouting against me because they know I'll address their corruption in state-owned companies. I need the people's support to tackle these issues. Those who belittle Iran's capabilities continue to undermine our potential."