Iran International
Iran's Parliament Speaker has come under fire from Reformists and other supporters of Masoud Pezeshkian for joining ultra-hardliners in demanding Mohammad-Javad Zarif’s withdrawal from the government.
Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday surprised many who believed he supported Pezeshkian, who has insisted on keeping Zarif in his 'national unity' cabinet as his strategic deputy, despite controversies over his son’s American citizenship.
In a Thursday editorial titled “Repetition of Political Self-Harm,” the 'reformist' Ham-Mihan newspaper criticized Ghalibaf for two decades of political inconsistency, accusing him of shifting allegiance between political factions.
The editorial further alleged that Ghalibaf's shift in stance on Zarif was prompted by the recent dismissal of Mehdi Maskani, the chief executive of the National Retirement Fund and one of Ghalibaf’s closest allies, by Pezeshkian’s Minister of Labor, Ahmad Meydari.
“Every incompetent person is not supposed to remain in their jobs because of your support or affiliation to you. You’d better stop political self-harm and employ trustworthy and qualified advisors,” the editorial told Ghalibaf.
Led by the Paydari (Steadfastness) Party faction, ultra-hardliners in Parliament last week rejected to amend a 2020 law that prohibits appointing dual nationals or individuals whose spouses or children hold dual nationality to "sensitive positions" in the government. Hardliners argue the restriction applies to Zarif.
In Wednesday’s session, Ghalibaf said he, too, believed that Zarif’s appointment to the post was illegal and urged him to resign voluntarily.
Pezeshkian’s legal deputy, Majid Ansari, and a member of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office, Mehdi Fazaeli, maintain that Khamenei does not oppose the former foreign minister’s inclusion in the government.
Only three days before his so-called “U-turn”, Ghalibaf had said that he, too, knew about Khamenei’s position as expressed by Fazaeli.
A commentary on the moderate-conservative Asr-e Iran news website suggested that Ghalibaf's sudden U-turn may reflect a sense of betrayal, believing that Pezeshkian has failed to reciprocate the support he provided.
Pezeshkian, who refers to his administration as the "National Unity Government," appointed Eskandar Momeni, a close ally of Ghalibaf, as interior minister—a key cabinet position—and retained several ministers from hardliner Ebrahim Raisi’s administration, despite strong objections from Reformist politicians.
Ghalibaf and his supporters in Parliament played a pivotal role in securing a vote of confidence for Pezeshkian’s entire cabinet, including several prominent Reformists, despite the conservative-dominated makeup of the legislature.
Ghalibaf was one of the four hardliners and ultra-hardliners who ran against Pezeshkian in the presidential elections. He withdrew from the race in the runoff elections, very reluctantly and after much behind the scenes disputes and power struggle, to allow ultra-hardliner Saeed Jalili to compete with Pezeshkian. However, many of his campaign groups reneged and joined Pezeshkian’s campaign against Jalili.
Some Reformist politicians and activists, including Mostafa Kavakebian, the secretary general of the Reformist Mardomsalari Party, have also criticized Ghalibaf for siding with ultra-hardliners in demanding Zarif’s exclusion from the government.
"The country needs fresh decision-making and a strategic focus on resolving the people's problems. Unfortunately, however, the priority for some lawmakers, from the Paydari Party to His Excellency Ghalibaf, seems to be eliminating the country's diplomatic asset—Zarif—from Pezeshkian’s government," Kavakebian tweeted on Wednesday.
Ghalibaf’s supporters have taken to social media too to defend him against such criticisms.
“Ghalibaf became a symbol of development, transformation, and harmony yesterday when he played a central role in the [Parliament’s] approval of cabinet ministers but today he has become a hypocrite and a reactionary to you because he is demanding Zarif not to be in the cabinet, based on the law, to avoid the law from being violated. Doesn’t so much contradiction jolt you?” Hamed Akbari, a pro-Ghalibaf sociologist and journalist protested in an X post Wednesday.
The talks scheduled for November 29 were announced following a resolution by the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, condemning Tehran's lack of transparency and violations of its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
While the United States has stated it will not participate in the November 29 talks, some Iranian observers, including Mahmoud Abbaszadeh Meshkini, a former member of the Iranian parliament's foreign policy and national security committee, have expressed skepticism. Meshkini remarked, "Europeans do not make decisions on Iran's nuclear program independent of the United States. Their foreign policy aligns with US policies and priorities."
Meshkini warned that Iran should not enter the talks without a clear objective, adding that Tehran should avoid "negotiations for the sake of negotiating."
The hardline daily Kayhan, closely aligned with the office of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has emphasized that "while the talks are essential, the Pezeshkian administration should not be involved in the negotiations." Kayhan criticized the government for ignoring "the Europeans' hostile actions against Iran and the IAEA's recent resolution, which was drafted by the very countries Iran plans to negotiate with."
The paper further accused the administration of "repeated retreats" from its positions while the West continues to disregard the Pezeshkian administration's "optimistic overtures." It also noted that European nations have failed to acknowledge Pezeshkian's victory in Iran's presidential election. Kayhan warned that some might view the government's approach as "a treacherous disregard for past experiences that have harmed Iran's national interests."
The daily characterized "negotiations with Europe as a mistake" and reiterated that talks with the EU-3 are bound to fail.
The upcoming negotiations are set to take place two years after the last round of talks between Iran and European nations. However, this is not a high-level meeting, as deputy foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss "a range of bilateral, regional, and international issues," according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
The broad scope of the talks suggests that the agenda extends beyond Iran's nuclear program. Meanwhile, the moderate news outlet Khabar Online described the talks as an effort by Iran to reduce tensions with Europe.
Iranian media have also lauded the role of former Majles Speaker Ali Larijani, now a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei, in shaping diplomatic developments with Europe and the Middle East. Larijani was the first to propose negotiating with Europe and the United States in recent weeks. Observers have also noted his involvement in brokering the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel.
Politician Ali Mohammad Namazi told Nameh News website that Larijani went to Syria and Lebanon with an important mandate from Khamenei and conducted some successful negotiations. Namazi said that Larijani's political comeback was significant and meaningful. He added that what brought him back to the forefront of Iranian politics included the prospect of a change in relations between Iran and the United States, and the tensions in Lebanon and Gaza that brought Iran very close to an all-out war with Israel.
He highlighted Larijani's experience as a former secretary of the Supreme Council of National Security from 2005 to 2007 and suggested that Pezeshkian, who maintains good relations with Larijani, should consider asking him to assume that role once again for Iran.
Reformist figure Mohammad Ali Abtahi echoed this sentiment, describing Larijani's recent mission to Lebanon as marking "a strategic shift in Iran's foreign policy" in the region. Similarly, another reformist, Mohammad Atrianfar, argued that Larijani should be reappointed as the secretary of Iran's Supreme Council of National Security, citing his pragmatic approach and his potential to facilitate the resumption of ties between Iran and the United States.
"Memories Left Behind" held over the weekend in Cologne, Germany paid tribute to the victims of 45 years of repression since the inception of the Islamic Republic in Iran.
The event coincided with the fifth anniversary of Iran's November 2019 protests, known as "Bloody November," in which security forces killed at least 1,500 protesters.
Organized by the Association of Victims' Families for Transitional Justice and the Association of Aban Families for Justice, the exhibition showcased personal belongings of victims, including handwritten letters, clothing and cherished keepsakes.
These items displayed served as a tribute to protesters, political prisoners, and victims of state repression beyond Iran's borders, spanning the mass executions of political prisoners in 1988 to the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising in 2022.
Soran Mansournia, whose brother Borhan was killed during the 2019 protests, reflected on the exhibition's meaning.
"We aimed to show the audience that the names and numbers seen in the news represent real people—human beings who fought for freedom and justice in Iran," said Mansournia, a co-founder Aban Families for Justice, whose name refers to the Persian month.
Mahboubeh Ramezani, the mother of Pezhman Gholipour, who was also killed during the November 2019 protests, shared a message with attendees which was played for the audience.
"Every photo, every name, every item displayed here tells a story of courage. These are stories of integrity and honor, of those who gave their lives for freedom and justice. We will not forget the crimes of the Islamic Republic."
Rahimeh Yousefzadeh, mother of Navid Behboudi, also killed during November 2019 protests remembered her son: “Navid, my passionate son, dreamed of justice and freedom, but the regime stole his dreams. We will not forget, and justice must be served.”
Fight against forgetting
The exhibition also commemorated the victims of the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising which began in September 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody and was defined by months nationwide protests against theocratic rule.
Among the items displayed was a dress belonging to Minoo Majidi, who was killed during the uprising on September 20, 2022 in Kermanshah, Western Iran.
"My mother wore this dress during her birthday celebration in England," her daughter, Mahsa Piraei, said. "It was the first and last time she wore it. One of the goals of the exhibition is to fight against forgetting. These souls were not just numbers; they were loved ones with families who adored them."
Similarly, a jacket worn by 17-year-old protester Artin Rahmani killed during the same uprising on 16 November 2022 in Izeh, Southwestern Iran was on displayed.
"Artin joined the protests dressed in black the day after I warned him not to wear this jacket, as it was too identifiable during the previous day’s protests," his uncle, Foad Choobin recounted. "The next day at the protests, the Islamic Republic killed him with three bullets. We are here today to amplify Artin’s voice and the voices of others who were killed by the Islamic Republic."
A pair of shoes belonging to Fereydoun Mahmoudi, who was killed on September 19, 2022 during the protests in the Kurdish city of Saqqez, Western Iran.
"When I saw the photos of our loved ones and Fereydoun’s shoes displayed, I choked up," his brother Farhad said.
"Those shoes, once worn at weddings and formal occasions, now serve as a memento far from his homeland. Fereydoun sacrificed everything for freedom, prioritizing the fight for his country’s liberty over his own ambitions."
Remembering PS752 Flight victims shot down by the IRGC
The exhibition also included items cherished by those who lost their lives in the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in January 2020.
A hat belonging to environmental activist Ghanimat Azhdari was among the artifacts. "This hat was part of her life," her sister, Azamat said. "Her memory and her fight lives on."
1988 mass executions: a legacy of loss
The exhibition also featured a section paying tribute to the victims of the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners.
Khatereh Moini, whose brother Hebat Elah was executed during then, shared a heartbreaking memory as she stood next to her brother’s shirt.
"I wanted to smell his shirt, to see if I could still remember his scent," she said, pointing to the faded shirt returned to her after over 35 years.
"Twelve of my family members were killed by the Islamic Republic, including my brother and my sister’s husband, Kasri Akbari Kurdestani, in the summer of 1988," Moini said.
During this time, Khatereh Moini witnessed the heart-wrenching plight of families, including her own, as they searched for their loved ones in unmarked graves.
In the wake of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners, many victims’ bodies were neither identified nor returned to their families. Instead, they were buried in mass graves at Khavaran, a cemetery in southeastern Tehran, where thousands of victims remain.
Moini, one of the witnesses to this atrocity, recalled the painful experience of searching for her family members' final resting place.
"I remember my mother digging the graves, and it is something that will never leave me," she said, her voice breaking.
Ongoing tragedies and transnational repression
The exhibition also highlighted transnational repression and ongoing tragedies, such as the disappearance of former political prisoner Ebrahim Babaei while fleeing Iran in 2021.
Among the items displayed was a pair of glasses that belonged to Babaei. His daughter, Shima, spoke about the pain of his absence.
"Instead of embracing my father, I was handed his belongings. His glasses and other personal belongings are a testament to his memory and the crimes committed against him. Two years and eleven months have passed, and I still cling to hope."
A collective vow for justice
Organizer and activist Lawdan Bazargan said the exhibition aimed not just at preserving lost loved ones' memories but winning a better future for Iran.
"This is not just about remembering the past but amplifying the voices of victims and their families. We will not forget. The voices of our loved ones must be heard, and justice must prevail."
The exhibition drew dozens of attendees, many visibly moved by the stories and items on display.
Bazargan noted that the exhibition only scratches the surface of the crimes committed by Iranian authorities against their people.
"The sheer scale of these crimes shocks viewers. Our fight for justice will continue until it bears fruit."
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s remarks came during a review of the Energy Commission's report on seasonal power outages and fuel shortages for Iran's thermal power plants on Tuesday.
"Energy is one of the country’s significant opportunities but look at the current situation. This summer, we faced over 15,000 megawatts of consumption imbalance," Ghalibaf said, highlighting industrial production losses of 1.5% during the same period, according to the Parliament’s Research Center.
"This is detrimental to both producers and the government, as the government cannot collect taxes from their profits."
Iran’s natural gas production has slowed significantly, with a production growth rate in the past three years reaching just a third of the previous decade’s pace. Much of this slowdown stems from the aging South Pars gas field, which accounts for 75% of the country’s output but is experiencing natural declines. International sanctions have compounded the issue, preventing the acquisition of advanced production platforms.
During the winter of 2023, Ghalibaf noted, the country faced a 250-million-cubic-meter daily deficit in the gas sector, even with industry shutdowns and pressure drops.
This shortage has resulted in widespread power outages and industrial declines. Iran’s steel production, for instance, fell by 45% in the summer, while the petrochemical sector, heavily reliant on natural gas, has been operating at only 70% capacity.
Ghalibaf attributed part of the crisis to inefficiencies within the ministries of oil and energy, saying that their lack of coordination has exacerbated the problem.
“There is a conflict of interest between these two ministries. Both have grown so large that their coordination is no longer manageable by senior officials,” he said. He urged the government and parliament to collaborate with experts to resolve these institutional issues and address organized fuel smuggling, which siphons off 25 to 30 million liters of refined products daily.
The energy shortages have had dire consequences for Iranian citizens. Widespread blackouts in residential areas have disrupted daily life, sparked public anger, and curtailed commercial activity. With 70% of the country’s energy consumption dependent on natural gas, no viable alternative exists to bridge the gap. Planned gas price increases, while potentially boosting revenue, are unlikely to significantly curb consumption given the low domestic gas prices.
Ghalibaf also touched on the international repercussions of Iran’s energy crisis. “There was a time when we could use oil as leverage against enemy threats,” he added, lamenting the loss of this strategic tool due to declining production and logistical issues.
With inflation exceeding 40% for five years, a halved national currency, and over 30 million citizens below the poverty line, the energy crisis adds yet another layer of strain to Iran’s already fragile economy.