Authorities Arrest 53 for ISIS Links; Editor Defies Khatami Media Blackout Authorities Arrest 53 for Online ISIS Connections Editor Defies Khatami Media Blackout Political Factions May Realign ahead of Elections Iran Role in Syria May Be Shrinking

Domestic Politics • Foreign Policy • Also Worth Reading • Media

Domestic Politics

Authorities Arrest 53 for Links to Pro-ISIS Websites: According to a report from Tasnim News Agency, Iranian cyber police have arrested 53 individuals for running websites that support ISIS over the past year and a half. The Chief of Iran’s cyber police, Commander Kamal Hadianfar, stated that the majority of arrests occurred “in provinces near border areas,” but he did not provide any additional details. The individuals were reportedly attempting to recruit individuals to come to the border province of Kermanshah, near the Iraqi border. The Iranian government also allegedly shut down 132 pro-ISIS websites during the ongoing investigation. Political Realignment Possible ahead of Elections: The Guardian writes that a realignment of Iran’s political factions may be imminent ahead of Iran’s February parliamentary elections. The article suggests, “[there is] speculation in that principle-ists like Ali Larijani, the parliamentary speaker, and Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri, a seasoned strategist, will help organize an electoral list for parliament broadly backing the president,” as his economic and foreign policy agenda gains support in the country. Editor Violates Khatami Media Blackout: The editor of the Ettelaat News, Mahmoud Doaei, was charged by Iran’s media court for using a picture of former reformist president and using excerpts of an interview Khatami gave to a Lebanese newspaper. Tehran’s prosecutor banned media outlets from publishing pictures of Khatami due to his repeated calls for the release of Green Movement leaders Mir-Hussein Mousavi and . Addressing President Rouhani, Doaei wrote, “Stop this unconstitutional procedure… We will continue our rational process of reporting on the gentle, popular and distinguished character of the revolution.” He called Khatmaian “old friend” of Khomeini, Iran’s first supreme leader.

Foreign Policy

Saudi Arabia to Launch Persian News Channel: Saudi Arabia announced the launch of a number of foreign language news channels, including one broadcast in Persian. Saudi officials say the channel aims to broadcast “correct information” about the country to Persian speakers. Broadcasts will also occur in Russian and Chinese. Iran has long broadcast news on a government-supported Arabic news channel. Shrinking Iranian Role in Syria Being Reported: Reports have emerged from Western and U.S. officials that Iranian troops present in Syria are beginning to retreat as Russia deepens its involvement in the Syrian conflict. Iran’s presence reportedly peaked at 7,000 troops in the country, though estimates now stand around 700; the withdrawal seems due in part to rising casualties. Talks have begun in Riyadh among Syrian opposition parties this week that have excluded the Iran-supported Syrian government; Iran suggested that ISIS-linked factions were present at the talks. Meanwhile, Gen. Yadollah Javani accused the United States of inciting Turkey against Russia and that “Iran wants to be a mediator between the Russians and the Turks.” Javani criticized Turkey’s policies in the region saying it “has been a piece of the puzzle of the enemy and played an important role in helping bring about terrorist groups in Syria and .” Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the tension between Russia and Turkey is destructive to the fight against terrorist groups. Larijani also stated, “If the West had done what Russia is doing against IS, Jabhat al-Nusra and other terrorist groups, we would not have had these regional problems.” Air France Resumes Flights to Iran: Air France announced that it will begin three weekly round-trip flights to Tehran in April, which would be the first direct flights to Tehran since 2008. Resuming flights to Tehran resulted from reaching the nuclear deal earlier this year. Air France called this approach “supporting the resumption of commercial exchange with Iran” and stated “in this way, Air France is illustrating its ambition to expand in a country with buoyant growth, as the European Union is Iran’s fourth most important economic partner.” Currently a number of European airlines already fly to Iran including Alitalia, Lufthansa, Austrian, Aegean and Turkish.

Also Worth Reading

Leaving Iran’s Nuclear Past a Mystery David E. Sanger The real shadow over Syria is cast by the mullahs of Iran Christopher Booker

Media

“Linking Human Rights To The Nuclear Deal” Sheneman | Iran2407

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