Trump revokes security for Pompeo, Hook despite alleged Iran threat - NYT

The resolution, details of which were released on Wednesday, also highlights Iran’s broader human rights violations, calls for the immediate release of detained EU nationals and for a stronger coordinated diplomatic efforts by EU member states.

In its resolution, the European Parliament “strongly condemns Iran’s use of hostage diplomacy” and calls for the immediate and safe release of all EU citizens held in the country, including Olivier Grondeau, Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris, and Ahmadreza Djalali.

The resolution also addresses the escalating use of the death penalty in Iran, particularly in cases involving activists and minorities, with Iran reaching record highs in excess of 900 last year.

The Parliament expressed its “strong condemnation of the death sentence against Pakhshan Azizi and Varishe Moradi” and demanded their “immediate and unconditional release.”

The motion also calls on the EU Council to take decisive action, including designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and extending sanctions to individuals responsible for human rights abuses. It reaffirms the Parliament’s opposition to the death penalty and urges Iran to impose an immediate moratorium on its use.

In addition, the resolution reflects growing support for Iranian civil society and the ongoing “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, underscoring the Parliament’s solidarity with the Iranian people.

“The European Parliament reiterates its full support for Iranian human rights defenders,” the text reads, urging Member States to provide greater financial and diplomatic backing to activists working under extreme pressure.

The resolution will be forwarded to EU institutions and Iranian authorities, including the Supreme Leader and the parliament, as part of ongoing efforts to address human rights concerns in the region.

The motion comes amid growing international scrutiny of Iran’s use of foreign and dual nationals as leverage in diplomatic negotiations.

Earlier this month, French citizen Olivier Grondeau, held in Iran for over two years on espionage charges, publicly revealed his identity and described his ordeal in a phone interview aired on French radio.

Rights groups and foreign governments have denounced such detentions as a form of “hostage diplomacy.”

Also this month, an Italian journalist was released from Iranian custody, reportedly as part of an effort to pressure Italy into freeing an Iranian detained on terrorism charges.

It is the latest in a series of cases spanning decades. Last year, a Swedish EU representative was released from Iran in exchange for the release of a former Iranian official in prison in Sweden on charges of crimes against humanity.

“Until now, I don't see any signal from Washington that they are ready to negotiate with the Iranian side while the Iranians are giving that signal,” Hussain told a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

“We are rather worried about the tension and we hope that both sides will choose a different approach. And that's the approach of, once again, negotiating," he said, expressing his country's readiness to play a role.

“The tension between Washington and Tehran, it affects us directly, not indirectly,” Hussein said,

Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian has conveyed Tehran's willingness to engage in talks with Washington but hardline factions have strongly criticized such gestures.

The remarks by Iraq's foreign minister follows reports suggesting Iran is actively seeking Iraqi mediation to facilitate talks with the United States, with which it has not had diplomatic ties since 1980.

An unnamed Iraqi political figure has been authorized to establish a special channel for discussions between Washington and Tehran, according to UAE-affiliated Erem News.

The presence of Iranian-backed Shia militias in Iraq is a key source of friction between Washington and Baghdad, despite the US describing its relationship with Iraq as a strategic partnership.

The outlet also said concerns are growing in Iraq about the potential repercussions of escalating tensions in the region between Iran, its military allies and Israel. With possible Israeli attacks on Iran, Iraq fears for its own security and stability, Erem News said.

The outlet added that Iranian political leaders representing Masoud Pezeshkian's government had informed Iraq of their readiness to engage in talks with the US. However, this idea continues to be rejected by Iran's Supreme Leader.

The proposal comes as Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday for his second, non-consecutive term as US President.

During his previous tenure, Trump introduced stringent measures to counter Tehran's influence, particularly targeting its nuclear program. The sanctions imposed by Washington during that time dealt a significant blow to the Iranian economy.

"The US has a long history of using such baseless, arbitrary listings and defaming independent countries as a tool to advance its foreign policy," Esmaeil Baghaei was quoted as saying by IRNA, Iran's state news agency, on Thursday.

On Monday, newly sworn-in President Donald Trump reversed the Biden administration's last-minute decision to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, the White House said.

The Cuban president responded late on Monday by calling Trump's decision to revoke Biden's measures an "act of mockery and abuse."

"Trump's goal is to continue to escalate the cruel economic war against Cuba with the aim of domination," Miguel Diaz-Canel said.

Cuba announced it would release 553 prisoners in a deal brokered by the Catholic Church after Biden's administration removed Cuba from the list.

Both Iran and Cuba are currently experiencing significant economic crises. Cuba is in its most severe economic crisis since the Soviet era, facing critical shortages of essential goods such as food, medicine and fuel.

Meanwhile, Iran continues to battle severe currency depreciation and hyperinflation in the worst depression since the founding of the Islamic Republic.

Iran has cultivated alliances with Latin American nations like Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, strategically positioning itself to challenge Western influence in the region through diplomatic and ideological channels.

On Tuesday, at the World Economic Forum summit, Herzog was asked by conference interviewer Fareed Zakaria what message he had to convey to Javad Zarif, Iran's representative at the annual meeting.

”I’m not sure he's involved any longer in decision-making in the Iranian leadership, even if he has a title," Herzog replied.

Zarif, the VP for Strategic Affairs, was outraged at the public snub, retorting on Wednesday at the conference that Herzog is “a nobody in Israel”, when speaking at a round table at Davos.

The Israeli president snapped back with a public statement saying, ”Mr. Zarif, I suggest you look in the mirror”.

Zarif said: "Herzog can come to Switzerland because he is just another person in Israel; otherwise, he would have gone to The Hague like Netanyahu and Gallant,” delivering another sharp rebuke.

His comment referenced the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.

The two are accused of war crimes in Gaza, meaning that the 124 countries recognized by the ICC in theory, are able to arrest the pair.

While the ICC lacks its own enforcement mechanisms and the court depends on member nations to cooperate in executing arrest warrants, which they are obligated to enforce, Switzerland is one of the countries believed to be complying with the ICC.

During his Davos speech, Herzog called Iran an "evil empire" that spends billions to finance its military allies including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen, which have been in a 16-month conflict with Israel since the October 7 attacks by Hamas in 2023.

"Iran is repeatedly investing billions at the expense of its citizens to create a base for terrorism, it's unbelievable,” Herzog told attendees.

"They are working even now and do not take stock of how they failed and how much sadness they caused. They continue to rush towards the bomb, constantly planning terrorist attacks all over the world, including in our region - especially the Revolutionary Guards [IRGC] … there is a great danger as long as this regime in Iran remains in place and continues its efforts.”

As the shadow war between Iran and Israel came to the fore last year, with Iran launching two direct attacks on Israel and Israel allegedly doing a brazen assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in an IRGC compound in Tehran, the two countries’ leaders continue with fighting talk.

In April and October, Iran launched hundreds of drones, rockets and ballistic missiles to Israel, sending millions of people into shelters.

“We believe that there should be a clear message from world leaders to Iran - no more,” said Herzog.

"Fighting gender apartheid is not merely a struggle for women’s liberation from systemic oppression; it is an essential step toward achieving democracy, peace, and justice. One cannot oppress and enslave half of society while speaking of democracy, freedom, and equality," Mohammadi said during her speech to the Delegation for Women’s Rights of the French Senate and National Assembly.

Released on medical leave on December 4, the prominent human rights activist was due to return to prison on December 25. Her lawyer requested an extension which was supported by medical evaluations, but the decision remains pending.

In her address, Mohammadi raised concerns about the rise in executions in Iran, including those targeting women political prisoners. She highlighted the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Varisheh Moradi, detained in Evin Prison and facing execution.

"The Iranian regime is exacting revenge on women for the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement. Pakhshan Azizi and Varisheh Moradi… now face the looming threat of execution. The regime wields the noose as a tool of terror to break the resolve of Iran’s brave and conscientious women," Mohammadi said.

Varishe Moradi was sentenced to death in November by Tehran's Revolutionary Court on charges of "armed rebellion." Pakhshan Azizi received the same sentence in July.

Mohammadi urged the international community, including the French Parliament and Senate, to adopt a firm stance on human rights in dealings with the Iranian government.

"Make human rights a prerequisite and the central focus of all negotiations. Any negotiations that sideline fundamental human rights, women’s rights, and civil liberties risk emboldening religious authoritarianism and undermining the Iranian people’s efforts for democracy, freedom, and equality," she added.

The activist has spent over a decade in prison and has been sentenced to 36 years, 154 lashes, and 135 days in solitary confinement.

Her human rights advocacy has earned her international accolades, including the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, UNESCO's Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, and the Courage Award from Reporters Without Borders.

The United Nations human rights office reported in January that Iran in 2024 executed 901 people, including 31 women, marking a sharp rise in capital punishment cases.

"To stop the ever-increasing executions and to achieve human rights and women's rights, put pressure on the Islamic Republic," she said as last year's tally was a record high for decades.

Calling on international support, she added: "Prioritize international mechanisms such as universal jurisdiction to hold regime officials accountable, rather than normalizing a regime responsible for crimes against humanity."