Welcome again to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL publication that tracks the important thing points in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click on right here.
I am Hannah Kaviani, a senior broadcaster and editor at RFE/RL’s Radio Farda. Here is what I have been following and what I am watching out for within the days forward.
The Massive Challenge
The European Parliament on January 19 voted for Iran’s highly effective Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to be added to the European Union’s record of terrorist organizations in “gentle of its terrorist exercise, the repression of protesters, and its supplying of drones to Russia.”
The vote was nonbinding, but it surely got here amid calls by some European governments to blacklist the elite department of Iran’s armed forces. The EU’s overseas coverage chief, Josep Borrell, stated that might solely occur if a court docket in an EU nation decided that the IRGC was responsible of terrorism.
Because the vote, the EU has imposed recent sanctions in opposition to Tehran. Iran has expressed outrage at the potential of the EU blacklisting the IRGC, which might result in sanctions in opposition to the power. Tehran has warned of unspecified “penalties.”
Why It Issues: The EU’s potential blacklisting of the IRGC has uncovered the bloc’s hardening place on Iran.
European powers have lengthy pursued engagement with Iran, at the same time as tensions between Tehran and the US soared in recent times. However Europe’s strategy has shifted because of the battle in Ukraine and unrest in Iran.
Tehran has been accused of supplying fight drones to Russia, which has allegedly used them to focus on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
Iranian authorities have additionally waged a brutal crackdown on the monthslong anti-establishment protests contained in the nation, killing a whole bunch of civilians and detaining hundreds extra. As Iran’s ties with Europe dip, hopes of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers have sunk.
What’s Subsequent: At the same time as requires the EU to blacklist the IRGC enhance, the bloc is way from united on the difficulty. Two European diplomats who spoke to Radio Farda on the situation of anonymity stated France was “not very eager” on the transfer.
Whereas Germany’s overseas minister has supported it, the temper in Berlin seems to be unsure. Based on one diplomat, some Southern European international locations resembling Portugal and Malta are additionally against the IRGC being designated.
A senior EU diplomat informed reporters in Brussels on January 20 that blacklisting the IRGC “just isn’t a good suggestion as a result of it prevents you from going forward on different points,” together with Iran’s nuclear program. One other diplomat who spoke to Radio Farda stated the EU’s resolution to blacklist the IRGC will “rely upon how Iran will act over Russia.”
Tales You May Have Missed
- A 39-year-old Iranian poultry employee and martial arts coach who was executed by Iran earlier this month in reference to the antiestablishment protests has change into an emblem of state oppression, with many Iranians grieving his demise in absence of his household. Mohammad Hosseini was convicted of killing a member of Iran’s paramilitary forces as mourners demonstrated in a metropolis outdoors the Iranian capital in November. Hosseini was hanged on January 7 together with 22-year-old Mohammad Mehdi Karimi.
- Iranian officers held a controversial six-day convention that started on January 20 known as the Worldwide Congress for Ladies of Affect. The convention was hosted by Jamileh Alamolhoda, the spouse of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The occasion was attended by the primary women and politicians from plenty of pleasant international locations together with Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Serbia, and Nigeria. Some Iranian media shops criticized the extravagance of the occasion in addition to its timing, coinciding with the nationwide protests which have largely been led by girls.
What We’re Watching
Iran’s nationwide forex has misplaced round 30 % of its worth for the reason that protests erupted in September. On January 21, the rial fell to a new file low in opposition to the U.S. greenback. The greenback was promoting for as a lot as 447,000 rials on Iran’s unofficial market, in keeping with the overseas trade website Bonbast.com.
Why It Issues: Political instability triggered by the present wave of protests has worsened the financial scenario in Iran, the place the economic system has been crippled for years by robust U.S. sanctions and authorities mismanagement.
Experiences recommend that U.S. efforts to curb the move of {dollars} to Iran have borne fruit and exacerbated the forex disaster. The Wall Avenue Journal reported that the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Financial institution of New York has enforced tighter controls on greenback transactions by banks in neighboring Iraq, considered one of Iran’s foremost sources of onerous forex. For years, entrance corporations and smugglers have facilitated the move of {dollars} from Iraq into Iran.
That is all from me for now. Do not forget to ship me any questions, feedback, or suggestions that you’ve.
Till subsequent time,
Hannah Kaviani
If you happen to loved this briefing and do not wish to miss the subsequent version, subscribe right here. It will likely be despatched to your inbox each Wednesday.
