Dutch supermarket Spar accused of helping Iran evade sanctions - report

During the session she was formally informed of charges against her for performing an online concert without a hijab, violating Iran’s dress mandates, Emtedad news website reported.

She was released on a 30-billion-rials (nearly $38,000) bail. Members of her band, who were also charged, were released on a 20-billion-rials (approximately $25,000) bail each.

On December 12, the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic issued a statement saying that Ahmadi's concert was held "without legal authorization and adherence to Sharia principles" and that "appropriate action" will be taken against the singer and production team.

The Caravanserai Concert, held December 11, quickly became one of the most discussed topics on Iranian social media.

Despite YouTube being restricted in Iran, the performance attracted over 1.5 million views over just three days, with clips widely shared online.

Highlighting growing dissatisfaction, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei directed the attorney general and provincial prosecutors to cooperate with security forces to prevent unrest, emphasizing that decisive action is needed to maintain stability during this critical period.

Nationwide measures to combat air pollution and the energy crisis, including the closure of government offices, schools, and public places as well as reduced industrial operations began earlier this month.

These closures are costing the country's economy an estimated 50,000 billion rials (over $63 million) daily.

Businesses struggle with full wage payments despite reduced hours, exacerbating existing financial burdens. These disruptions also threaten the government's projected 39% tax revenue increase for the next fiscal year.

Despite possessing vast oil and gas reserves, Iran's energy challenges are expected to persist due to the combined impact of international sanctions and domestic economic policies that have constrained investment. The potential reinstatement of broader sanctions under a future US administration could further exacerbate Iran's economic vulnerabilities.

Violent protests shook Iran in November 2019, when the government suddenly tripled gasoline prices.

On Monday, the committee’s spokesman cited a law that bans individuals with dual citizenship or close relatives with dual citizenship from holding sensitive positions as the basis for the action.

Zarif's children automatically received US citizenship after being born in New York while he served a large part of his career with the Iranian delegation at the United Nations.

Although his children now reside in Iran, the Law on the Appointment of Individuals to Sensitive Positions, enacted in October 2022, bans Zarif from holding his position as vice president for strategic affairs.

The law was not passed when he was chosen as foreign minister under former President Hassan Rouhani from 2013-2021.

Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that while Iran has actively engaged with opposition groups, it does not maintain direct ties with Syria’s ruling faction, responsible for the overthrow of the decades-long Assad dynasty.

“Our involvement has always been about preventing ISIS's advance and the spread of terrorism to regional countries,” Baghaei said during a press briefing in Tehran on Monday.

He added that Iran’s focus included advancing Syria’s political processes and preventing the country from becoming a haven for extremist groups.

“The issue of various terrorist groups operating in Syria has been a major concern since the beginning of developments in Syria 13 years ago,” he said.

Iran has long had a military presence in Syria, as has its armed allies such as Lebanese Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist group by nations such as the UK and US.

Responding to speculation about a message from Syria’s leadership via Turkey, Baghaei said that regional concerns, including Syria, are often addressed during multilateral discussions.

“Our stance is to preserve Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while ensuring that the Syrian people determine their fate without foreign interference,” he added.

After the storming of the embassy

Baghaei described a coordinated effort involving Iran’s embassies in Damascus and Beirut to evacuate nationals.

“At present, no non-resident Iranian nationals remain in Syria,” he said, adding that Iranians, including military advisors and diplomatic staff, were successfully evacuated during the recent unrest which saw the Iranian embassy ransacked.

Prospects for nuclear negotiations

Turning to nuclear negotiations, Baghaei said Iran is committed to dialogue. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has never shut the door on negotiations. We have always participated in good faith, despite many concerns being unfounded,” he said.

Referencing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Baghaei said that Iran’s cooperation had yielded agreements in the past but criticized the lack of follow-through by other parties.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, was signed in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries (the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany).

The agreement aimed to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program by imposing strict limits on its uranium enrichment activities and granting extensive access to international inspectors in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Despite its initial success in curbing Iran's nuclear advancements, the deal faced challenges, particularly after the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018 under the Trump administration and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

This withdrawal led to a gradual erosion of the agreement, with Iran scaling back its commitments in response and since, escalating its nuclear program beyond international limits.

Efforts to revive the JCPOA have been ongoing, reflecting its significance in promoting regional stability and preventing nuclear proliferation. However, negotiations remain complex, with both sides expressing concerns over compliance and mutual trust.

Baghaei denied reports of a message being sent from US President-elect Donald Trump.

Iran-Turkey relations and broader goals

Baghaei also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong ties with Turkey, describing it as a significant regional neighbor.

“We are committed to good-neighborly relations with Turkey, which benefit both nations,” he said. While acknowledging occasional differences, Baghaei expressed confidence in ongoing dialogue to resolve disputes.

Recent tensions between Iran and Turkey over Syria have highlighted the complexities of their regional relationship. While both nations have historically cooperated on various issues, their conflicting interests in Syria have created friction as each vies for power.

Iran, a staunch supporter of Syria's government under Bashar al-Assad, has expressed concerns over Turkey's help to the ruling group in Syria which ousted Assad after 13 years.

Turkey, on the other hand, justifies its actions as necessary to combat Kurdish militias, which it considers terrorists.

“The region’s security depends on collective adherence to international obligations and the rejection of foreign interference,” Baghaei added, Syria having played a critical role in Iran's regional foreign policy since the outbreak of Syria's civil war, with multiple bases spread out across Syria and forces in place.

The Russian delegation is headed by deputy prime ministers Alexei Overchuk and Vitaly Savelev, Russia's Interfax news agency said, adding, “The parties are expected to discuss the joint work of Iran and the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) within the framework of a full-fledged agreement on a free trade zone.”

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei also said Monday that Iran and Russia have been working on setting a date to complete an agreement, which was announced a few years ago. He said the deal is set to be finalized in January.

Tehran and Moscow initially signed a long-term agreement in March 2001. Officially known as the Treaty of the Foundation of Mutual Relations and the Principles of Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation Act, it was initially set for ten years but was extended twice for five-year terms.

According to Iran’s ambassador to Russia, the countries agreed to extend the agreement for another five years in 2021, setting its expiration date to 2026.

In 2023, reports emerged of possible difficulties in developing the new agreement with Russia, though very few details have been made public on what the new agreement would include.

Russia has bolstered closer ties with Iran and other countries hostile towards the United States such as North Korea since the start of the war on Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in October that Moscow and Tehran intended to sign a deal which would include closer defense cooperation. The two countries have participated in regular military drills together and have been working closely on drone and missile technology.

The United States accused Tehran in September of delivering close-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, and imposed sanctions on ships and companies it said were involved in delivering Iranian weapons. Tehran denies providing Moscow with the missiles.