Iran steps up nationwide surveillance to prevent abortions

"We are actively working together in the international arena, and our assessments of events taking place in the world are often very close," Putin said during a meeting with Pezeshkian on the sidelines of an international conference in Turkmenistan, as reported by Russia’s state news agency TASS.

"Economically and culturally, our communications are being strengthened day by day and becoming more robust," Pezeshkian was cited as telling Putin by Iran's official IRNA news agency.

"The growing trend of cooperation between Iran and Russia, considering the will of the top leaders of both countries, must be accelerated to strengthen these ties," he said.

In their first face-to-face meeting, Pezeshkian accepted an invitation from his counterpart to visit Russia, according to the state-run RIA news agency. However, RIA did not mention a specific date for the visit.

According to the Russian head of state’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, discussions between the leaders focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing the rapidly escalating crisis in the Middle East.

The deepening partnership between Iran and Russia has sparked renewed alarm in Washington and London, particularly over Tehran’s provision of ballistic missiles and suicide drones to support Moscow's war in Ukraine. In exchange, Russia is suspected of supplying Iran with sensitive nuclear technology and intelligence—a development that has left Western officials increasingly uneasy, as it could edge Iran closer to achieving its long-pursued ambition of developing nuclear weapons.

According to sources cited by Bloomberg, "the Kremlin has increased its cooperation with Iran over its ambitions to obtain atomic weapons in recent months," referencing concerns raised by Western officials.

Western intelligence has observed growing collaboration between Moscow and Tehran, sparking alarm over the potential transfer of nuclear expertise that could accelerate Iran’s path toward weaponizing its atomic program. These revelations were reportedly a key topic of discussion during a meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden at the White House in September.

During the international gathering, both Iran and Russia issued strong condemnations of Israel, with Pezeshkian asserting that Israel must "stop killing innocent people" while also attributing its actions in the Middle East to support from the United States and the European Union.

After a series of devastating Israeli operations targeting Hezbollah and the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, Iran retaliated on October 1 with a large missile barrage against Israel. This marked Iran's second missile strike since April, though, like the previous attack, it resulted in minimal damage. While Israel quickly vowed a decisive response, no counterattack has occurred so far.

Both Russia and Iran face heavy Western sanctions, leaving them somewhat isolated on the global stage. Russia's invasion of Ukraine made it the most sanctioned country in the world, surpassing Iran. Despite aiming for $40 billion in bilateral trade, the current level stands at just $4 billion, a gap even acknowledged by Iranian officials.

As both nations navigate sanctions, Iran is solidifying long-term agreements with key partners like China and Russia, in line with Supreme Leader Khamenei’s "Looking East" policy—a cornerstone of the hardliners' “revolutionary economy.” While Pezeshkian supports this approach, he has also expressed openness to dialogue with the West, aiming to ease sanctions.

Although this deal is not new, Zakani is facing renewed scrutiny from the General Inspection Organization of Iran (GIO), further intensifying tensions around his leadership and sparking debates over his handling of the city’s key challenges.

Following a trip to China in January, Zakani announced to the Tehran City Council that he had signed several significant agreements, including a €1.67 billion contract to improve the city’s transportation system.

The deal was set to cover a wide range of transportation products, including electric buses, taxis, vans, subway cars, and traffic cameras. However, despite the City Council approving a €2 billion budget for this purpose, members are still in the dark about the exact details of the agreements signed by Zakani.

The financial complexity of the deal has raised red flags. Tehran’s municipality lacks the hard currency reserves needed to cover the cost, leading to speculation that the funds will be drawn from Iranian oil revenues held in China.

The involvement of the Oil Ministry in the process suggested that the deal’s approval likely came from the highest echelons of power, with reports indicating the Supreme Leader’s office may have sanctioned it.

Most recently, the GIO, which operates under Iran’s judiciary, convened a session on the China deal. Media outlets, eager for information, reported that participants were surprised by the leak of the session’s news and were unwilling to disclose details discussed.

Tehran-based Didban News noted that the meeting addressed “ambiguities and issues regarding the municipality’s contract with China,” highlighting the continuing opacity surrounding the deal.

Speculation also emerged regarding a potential travel ban imposed on Zakani, attributed to the GIO’s ongoing review of the €2 billion contract. The issue has reportedly reached the Supreme Leader’s office, where Zakani is believed to have lodged a formal complaint about the GIO's scrutiny.

According to sources like Rouydad24, Zakani wrote a 10-page letter to Khamenei, expressing grievances against Mohammad Mehdi Bolandian, a senior GIO official.

The China deal is just one of the controversies enveloping Zakani's tenure. Earlier this year, Zakani faced a public outcry when a popular petition to unseat him gained significant traction.

In July, over 71,000 people signed the petition, which criticized his management of the capital, including the repurposing of green spaces for mosque construction and commercial developments. Many argued these decisions reflected a broader failure to address Tehran’s most pressing issues.

Zakani, a hardliner who was among the few candidates approved by the Guardian Council to run in the 14th presidential election, withdrew from the race in favor of other conservative figures.

His tenure as mayor has been marred by unresolved issues, from mismanagement of public spaces to his controversial stance during the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, where his name was included in sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom.

As a former leader of the Student Basij Organization, Zakani’s past continues to haunt him. His trip to Brussels in 2022 also ignited outrage, with critics like Belgian MP Darya Safai condemning his presence, citing his involvement in an organization sanctioned for human rights violations.

Is the call for weaponization genuine?

The short answer is "No." Since 2003, Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful. The push for weaponization comes from a small faction of hardliners—about 39 lawmakers, making up just over 10 percent of the 290-seat parliament. This parliament, however, has steadily lost its influence, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei increasingly bypassing it and delegating key decisions to others, such as the heads of the three branches of government and the unelected Expediency Discernment Council.

The longer answer lies in a popular Iranian saying: "No leaf falls from any tree without the Supreme Leader's permission." Khamenei makes all key decisions but prefers to give the appearance that others are initiating actions. If something fails, he can shift the blame; if it succeeds, he claims the credit. This pattern has been seen before, including during the negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Is weaponization something Khamenei wants?

Perhaps. However, Khamenei's primary goal is likely to disrupt and unsettle Iran's regional neighbors and adversaries. Tehran has almost lost one of its main tools of leverage—Hezbollah—after Israel significantly weakened the group's influence in the region. Now, Khamenei can shift focus to the nuclear issue, using it as a means to exert pressure on key players like the United States, Europe, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, maintaining his influence in regional and international affairs.

Hasn't he issued a fatwa against weaponization?

Khamenei’s position on nuclear weapons has been ambiguous. While he was quoted as opposing weapons of mass destruction in 2010 and reiterated in 2018 that "using nuclear weapons is prohibited," he never explicitly declared it as a formal fatwa. Instead, Iranian officials framed his statement as equivalent to a fatwa. A fatwa, a religious decree declaring something haram (forbidden) or halal (permissible), can only be issued by qualified religious scholars under specific conditions. Since Khamenei's rise as Supreme Leader, some senior religious figures, including grand ayatollahs, have questioned his authority to issue such decrees.

Supporters of the 2015 nuclear deal, both in Iran and the U.S., pointed to this supposed fatwa as evidence that Iran would not pursue weaponization. However, critics argued that even a genuine fatwa can be reversed by its issuer or challenged by other religious authorities. The recent calls from Iranian lawmakers for a shift in nuclear policy, citing the "dynamism of Shariah," have validated those critics' concerns, proving that the fatwa was never a permanent or uncontested safeguard.

Has anyone in Iran challenged the call for weaponization?

Yes, there has been pushback. Some critics have voiced their concerns cautiously, while others have openly warned Khamenei, politicians, and the public about the dangers of weaponization. Meanwhile, some hardliners remain enthusiastic about the idea.

The conservative website Nameh News quoted politician Hossein Anwari, who stated that Iran’s strategy towards Israel aligns with the Supreme Leader's directives, urging caution against "radicalism" and advising not to act prematurely. Meanwhile, reformist commentator Ahmad Zeidabadi, quoted by News24, argued that discussing changes to Iran's nuclear doctrine would not enhance deterrence but instead could provoke military attacks on the country.

How has Khamenei reacted?

Khamenei has remained silent on the issue so far. The closest statement came from Rassoul Sanaeirad, a deputy in the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces, who told the IRGC-linked Fars News Agency that discussions about changing Iran's strategic nuclear policies "cross regional and international red lines." However, it is unclear whether Sanaierad's remarks represent his personal opinion or reflect Khamenei's official stance on the matter.

Is this the final verdict on the issue?

Probably not. As observed over the past 45 years, statements by Iranian officials are often temporary, remaining valid only until another official steps in to contradict or refute them.

Addressing a Security Council meeting on the Middle East, Ambassador Danny Danon warned Iran to get its “bloodstained hands off Lebanon.”

During the speech, Danon pointed his finger directly at Iran’s UN representative - figuratively and physically.

The Iranian ambassador sat and listened. In previous Security Council meetings, Iran used to exit the room as soon as Israel took the stage. This time - they didn't.

Danon’s focus was on painting a picture where Lebanon could be an ally of Israel – and Iran as their common adversary.

“Lebanon belongs to the Lebanese, not to the Iranians!” he said.

He referred to Lebanon as a hostage of Iran-backed Hezbollah and urged its people to reclaim their sovereignty.

The Israeli ambassador also emphasized that his country does not seek to remain in Lebanon but is there to push Hezbollah away from the northern border to ensure the return of nearly 70,000 residents who became refugees in Israel after October 7.

Jonathan Harounoff, an international spokesperson for the Israeli mission to the United Nations, told Iran International that “Israel is not at war with Lebanon. It does not seek war with Lebanon."

The Israeli military has in recent weeks been launching multiple airstrikes against Hezbollah’s positions, killing the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah and almost all of its other commanders. However, there seems to be no end to the attacks in sight.

Twenty-two people were killed and 117 injured in the latest Israeli airstrikes in Beirut near a Shia area Thursday evening local time, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

The apparent target was Wafiq Safa, Hassan Nasrallah’s brother-in-law and one of Hezbollah’s high-ranking security officials, but that has yet to be confirmed.

Israel's military said its troops opened fire near a UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon after instructing UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces on Thursday morning.

Israel repeatedly says it targets military capabilities and militants in Lebanon, taking steps to mitigate risk of harms to civilians, accusing Hezbollah - as it does with Hamas - of hiding among civilians.

Israel’s military said on Thursday it uncovered a tunnel that crossed into Israel from Lebanon, finding weapons allegedly stored by Hezbollah in southern Lebanese villages. Danon said the findings support what Israeli security forces have been saying for months of a plan for Hezbollah to allegedly carry out another Oct 7 attack in the north of Israel.

Lebanon’s UN representative, Hadi Hachem, accused Israel of violating the blue line, saying it contravened resolution 1701, and that civilians, historical sites and a water station were recently targeted.

“This is a clear aggression of an independent, sovereign state,” said Hachem.

Hachem made no mention of Iran, and said only diplomatic solutions would be the right path forward, calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Israel's representative responded that Hezbollah brought Lebanon into the conflict, saying their silence has forced Israel's hand. Danon even encouraged Lebanon's representative to come sit next to him. Hachem was seated indirectly next to the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in support of Hamas, who launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and holding hundreds hostage.

The future of Lebanon, Danon said, must be one where there is no Hezbollah in place.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said now is the time for the Lebanese army to guard Lebanon against Hezbollah.

"While it may be fashionable to frame Israel’s pushback against Hezbollah as part of a third Lebanon war, the comment by Ambassador Danon is instructive. The occupying power in Lebanon is the Islamic Republic of Iran, which not only benefitted for so many years from using Lebanon as a forward operating base against Israel, but now is intent on wrecking it rather than call its proxy Hezbollah to stand down," said Taleblu.

Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani, spoke of destruction in Gaza, and also spent time eulogizing Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah.

He said he was a “critical factor for peace and stability in Lebanon” and said he was the “best remaining hope for advancing the ceasefire process."

Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike in Beirut on September 27.

Israeli forces have also killed his would-be successors, according to Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a commentary in Etemad newspaper, Abbas Abdi wrote: "There is no turnkey solution for the country's problems. If the President cannot bring about any improvement in the areas of Internet restrictions, women's freedom, foreign relations, and the way the state television operates, his national reconciliation will fail."

Pezeshkian’s slogan of reconciliation is largely interpreted as a call for cooperation among political factions within the Islamic government, rather than a true national reconciliation that would involve giving the public a greater voice in governance or addressing their demands.

"It’s not like flipping a switch to turn the lights on and off," Abdi said regarding the idea of a quick fix for the deep-rooted public alienation from the government. He added that if Pezeshkian’s promises to the people are not fulfilled, even the reconciliation among factions within the establishment will quickly unravel.

Abdi reiterated his post-election message to Pezeshkian: "The election is ongoing every day. The ballot boxes remain open in communal centers across cities and villages. Anyone who voted can retract their vote, and those who abstained can now cast theirs. Votes are not just pieces of paper; they embody the free will of the people. What drives the nation to decide how to act with these open ballot boxes is the government's official policies."

The reform-minded commentator added that the people have different ideas about how quickly they expect the promises to be met. At the same time, those who have refused to vote perhaps like to justify their political act by proving that Pezeshkian has failed.

Abdi also pointed out the oddity that even the government seems to overlook Pezeshkian's slogans and approach, despite his emphasis on "reconciliation." For the public, reconciliation is not the end goal but merely a step toward addressing pressing issues like improving the economy, curbing inflation, ensuring access to essential goods and services, lifting internet censorship, addressing women's concerns, and removing sanctions, among other challenges.

But Pezeshkian has given up everything in the interest of trying to bring about a reconciliation between various political groups. Some have even questioned his idea of reconciliation following his meeting with the ultraconservative Paydari party, that was perceived by reformists as tantamount to an undeclared coalition with his political opponents.

On Monday, ITC Minister Sattar Hashemi dismissed the idea of eliminating internet filtering or providing equal access, instead proposing "smart management of the Internet." In response, pro-reform website Fararu questioned the administration's resistance to pressures, including those on internet restrictions, and asked, "What happened to Pezeshkian's promises for change, including in internet access?"

During the June presidential election, Iranian poet and influencer Hossein Jannati said he would vote for Pezeshkian only if his advisers, former foreign minister Javad Zarif and former ITC minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, guaranteed the end of the Morality Police and social media filtering, and promised to inform the public if the president faced pressure to oppose the people's will. Both ministers, along with Pezeshkian, gave their assurances.

Pezeshkian wrote in an X post on 30 June: "I guarantee that the entire administration will wholeheartedly stand against compulsory patrols, filtering, the filter-breaking trade and all other pressures from outside the administration in all of their meetings."

However, these were not the only promises made by Pezeshkian before, during and after the election. Tasnim News Agency listed 14 of his promises.

Interestingly, the IRGC-linked Tasnim's list does not include controversial social and cultural problems such as Internet access and women's issue. The two matters are not even included in reformist Etemad daily's list of 6 of Pezeshkian's promises! An indication that both hardliners and reformists prefer to turn a blind eye on these problems.