I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 16, 2019 IN FOCUS 3 Enemies terrified of Iran’s scientific Leader names new chief of progress: Masoud Soleimani the Islamic unity forum POLITICAL TEHRAN — Leader of the Islamic Revolution POLITICAL TEHRAN — Masoud particularly the Swiss government,” Zarif deskAyatollah Ali Khamenei has named Hojatole- deskSoleimani, the Iranian tweeted on December 7. slam Hamid Shahriari as the new secretary general of the World scientist who was released from a U.S. jail Soleimani has said that during his deten- Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought. earlier this month, said on Sunday that ene- tion, the U.S. jail wardens told other prisoners In a decree issued on Sunday, the Leader expressed the mies are terrified of Iran’s scientific progress. that he was a terrorist with a mission to carry hope that in his new position, Shahriari would succeed in “The thing that upsets and terrifies the out bombings in the United States. promoting unity and closeness among different branches of enemies is Iran’s science and it really con- “U.S. authorities in the jail had told pris- Islam, Mehr reported. cerns them because they cannot tolerate the oners that I was a terrorist who wanted to country’s progress,” Soleimani said while carry out bombings in America,” Press TV addressing a ceremony at Tehran’s Tarbiat quoted Soleimani as saying upon arrival at Modares University. Tehran’s Mehrabad airport. “Nothing is more important than stand- “They had made such false statements so ing on our own feet and that can be reached that other prisoners would not come close only through science,” the scientist noted. to me and keep away from me,” he said. Earlier in the day, Soleimani was hospi- Meanwhile, the United States also dropped talized due to heart problems. charges against two Iranian researchers it He was scheduled to hold a press con- had accused of attempting to export chem- ference to answer questions by Iranian and icals to Iran in violation of trade sanctions. international media outlets, but the presser An Atlanta-based federal judge on was canceled, IRNA reported. Wednesday dismissed sanctions-violation However, he was released from the hos- cases against scientists Mahboobe Ghaedi pital later in the day. and Maryam Jazayeri, Politico reported on Soleimani, a 49-year-old stem cell sci- cember 7. where he was met by Brian H. Hook, the U.S. Thursday. Ayatollah Khamenei also thanked Hojatoleslam Mohsen Araki entist, left Iran on sabbatical last year, but The prisoner exchange happened through State Department’s special representative Both women were co-defendants in the for his efforts as the previous secretary general of the forum. was arrested upon arrival in Chicago and mediation efforts by Switzerland. for Iran, according to two senior United prosecution of Soleimani. The World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought transferred to prison in Atlanta, Georgia On the same day, Iran also freed an States officials. In recent days, Iran has voiced readiness is a body that was established in October 1990 by order of Aya- for unspecified reasons. American graduate student who had been Zarif said he was happy that Soleimani for a full prisoner swap with the United States, tollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran for the reconciliation between The United States released him in a pris- imprisoned in Tehran for more than three and Xiyue are joining their families. saying that the “ball is in the U.S.’s court”. different Islamic schools of thought and branches. oner exchange, after which Soleimani flew years on charges of being a spy. “Glad that Professor Massoud Soleimani “After getting our hostage back this week, It holds annual international conferences every year in the along with Foreign Minister Mohammad was flown in a Swiss gov- and Mr. Xiyue Wang will be joining their fully ready for a comprehensive prisoner Islamic Unity Week. In addition to annual conferences, many Javad Zarif from Zurich to Tehran on De- ernment airplane from Tehran to Zurich, families shortly. Many thanks to all engaged, exchange,” Zarif said via Twitter last Monday. conferences are held by forum for specific ceremonies.

Intelligence bodies investigating contaminated cakes: health minister Army commander: Enemies POLITICAL TEHRAN — Health Minister Saeed Nam- such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, cetirizine, hydroxyzine, deskaki has said Iran’s intelligence bodies are metoclopramide and even empty blister packs.” resolved to frustrate people investigating the case of contaminated cakes. The development comes 19 months after U.S. President “This is a security issue and the Health Ministry along withdrew the United States from the 2015 POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Army commander said on with security and intelligence bodies are investigating this Iran nuclear deal and targeted the Iranian nation with its deskSunday that since the enemies do not dare issue,” Namaki said on Sunday, Mehr reported. “maximum pressure” policy, which includes harsh sanc- to wage war on Iran they have decided to frustrate the people, “A group took systematic actions to manipulate public tions, widespread propaganda, and possible acts of sabotage, especially the youth. opinion and cripple the country’s food industry, especially among other things. Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi made the remarks the cake and chocolate industry,” he said. Tehran has repeatedly said that the U.S. sanctions will in a military ceremony in Javad ul A’emeh garrison. “Fortunately, no poisoning or side effect has been re- prevent it from buying medicine. The senior commander said anybody who seeks to disappoint ported after consumption of these contaminated cakes,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said last month the people is helping the enemy. the minister added. that the United States’ sanctions and economic war on Iran “Anybody who embarks on harming the people’s hope, inten- Recently, photos circulated on the internet showing pills have targeted the ordinary people’s health and livelihood. tionally or unintentionally, is moving in favor of the enemies,” inserted in confectionery products such as cakes, biscuits “There was a time when such warfare was used to simply the Army chief commented. and wafers. limit the activities of some countries. However, new warfare “Today, the enemies have embarked on waging psychologi- At least 12 Iranian confectionery brands were affected. celling industries,” Jahanpour said, according to IFP news. of the United States and what Trump has called the ‘eco- cal war (against Iran) via abusing economic problems to target Contaminated products were found in eastern provinces He added the drugs had “not undergone any changes in nomic war’ have targeted the ordinary people’s livelihood the public opinion. If one day the enemies were targeting the of Kerman, Hormozgan, and Sistan-Baluchestan as well as their color and composition, signaling that the drugs were and health,” the chief diplomat lamented. country’s vital sites by launching bombs and missiles, now they the western Ilam province, which borders Iraq. placed in various packages after production and during Earlier this month, Zarif mentioned U.S. Secretary of are targeting the people’s hope and motivation” he explained. Iran’s Food and Drug Organization spokesperson, Kianoush distribution stages.” State Mike Pompeo in a tweet, saying, “@SecPompeo once “Especially the youth are under the enemies’ propagandistic Jahanpour, said on Saturday the country’s food industry No narcotics or rumored aluminum phosphide tablets again admits that US #EconomicTerrorism on Iran is de- assaults.” was targeted in a bid to spread “terror.” have been found inserted in any of the products, the spokes- signed to starve, and in the case of medical supplies, kill On November 25, when people took to the streets in Tehran to “It’s the standing of the whole food and confectionery person explained. our innocent citizens.” condemn violent acts in response to hike in gasoline prices, Mousavi industry that has been targeted as one of the country’s ex- “Most of the examined drugs have been household drugs “#EconomicTerrorism kills,” he tweeted. said people are not indifferent to the security of their country. “People do not keep mum vis-a-vis the rioters who are led by the U.S. and attack the great Iranian nation’s lives, properties and Ashraf Ghani receives credentials of Iran’s new ambassador honor,” General Mousavi said while participating in the massive rallies in Tehran to show allegiance to the Islamic Republic system. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Afghan hammad Javad Zarif said foreign interference the Taliban with the Afghan government in In addition to Tehran, rallies were held in some other cities deskPresident Ashraf Ghani in the Afghan peace talks is “unacceptable”. the center,” he said. across the country to condemn violent acts. met Iran’s new ambassador to Afghanistan “Peace is for the Afghans and must be He added, “We believe the United Nations In the protests that followed the decision by the government to on Sunday and received his credentials. managed by the Afghan government, and could become active to bring all domestic increase gasoline price, the United States and opposition groups, A day earlier Ambassador Bahador Amin- the Taliban must be part of this process,” groups as well as international partners of including the cult group of MKO, monarchists were inciting unrest ian submitted a copy of his credentials to IRNA quoted him as saying in the interview. the Afghan government under one umbrella through their media outlets including the BBC Persian, Manoto, Afghan acting Foreign Minister Idrees Zaman. During a speech at the Ministerial Confer- to facilitate this process.” and Saudi-funded Iran International. Aminian said that Iran seeks to expand ence of Heart of Asia Countries in Istanbul on In a meeting with Afghanistan’s Chief Ex- Mousavi said the people, despite having many problems, attend relations with Afghanistan in various areas. December 10, Zarif said that Iran supports an ecutive Abdullah Abdullah on the sidelines rallies to foil plots when they notice the Islamic Revolution is threatened. He also said that Iran supports Afghan Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization On November 15, the government raised the extremely cheap peace talks. with the participation of all political groups (SCO) meeting in Uzbekistan on November 1, gas price in order to moderate the national consumption rate, Zaman praised Iran’s support for the and factions. Iranian First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri which stands at 110 million liters per day, 40 million liters above Afghan people and government. “We support an Afghan-owned and Af- also said that people in Afghanistan should the maximum domestic requirement. In an interview with an Afghan TV channel ghan-led peace process with the participation decide their own fate, reaffirming Tehran’s The measure initially prompted peaceful protests, but riot- aired on December 10, Foreign Minister Mo- of all political groups and factions including support for Afghan-Afghan peace talks. ous elements, abusing the situation destroyed public property, setting ablaze banks and gas stations among other facilities, and It’s time to ditch the failed maximum pressure strategy against Iran opening fire on people and security forces. and engage in pragmatic diplomacy: National Interest Iran defuses ‘systematic POLITICAL TEHRAN — In a commentary in maximum pressure is having a counterproductive effect. Tehran also shot down U.S. surveillance drones over cyberattack’ on government deskthe National Interest published on It’s true the Iranian government is bleeding money. the Persian Gulf in summer. December 14, Daniel R. DePetris, a fellow at Defense But so are ordinary Iranians, whose lives have gotten In short, proponents of maximum pressure have Priorities and a columnist at the Washington Examiner, tougher as a result of U.S. policy. The value of Iran’s been wrong every step of the way. 1 “We recently faced a highly organized and state-sponsored says the Trump administration’s maximum pressure currency has atrophied due to an inflation problem au- The time is ripe for a dramatic but sensible shift attack on our e-government infrastructure which was...repelled policy against Iran has failed as Tehran has adopted thorities have had difficulty controlling. A less valuable in U.S. policy. Trump campaigned as someone who by the country’s security shield,” Azari Jahromi told reporters maximum resistance in the face of maximum pressure. currency means goods on the shelf are more expensive; would restore realism in U.S. foreign policy and strike after a cabinet meeting last Wednesday. Following is an excerpt of the article headlined according to Iran’s Statistical Center, food prices have solid deals on behalf of U.S. national security. This is The major attack was repelled by Dejfa, the minister added. “Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ Strategy Against Iran risen by 61 percent, and clothing prices have increased precisely what he should do. Instead of moving closer “It was a very big attack,” Azari-Jahromi said, adding that Isn’t Working (It’s Time For A Change): by 51 percent over a 12-month period. As is often the to unnecessary conflict, the president should authorize details would be revealed later. More than a year and a half since the Trump admin- case, the poorest Iranians will suffer the most. new talks with Iran immediately. Back in June, Washington officials said that U.S. military istration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran Given such poor results, the economic pain the U.S. For a fresh negotiation to have any chance of success, cyber forces launched a strike against Iranian military computer began, Washington is no closer to taming the country’s is inflicting on Iran can hardly be justified. In the 19 Washington and Tehran will need to arrive at a pragmatic systems as President Donald Trump backed away from plans for behavior or getting a “better deal” with Tehran. President months since the administration withdrew from the arrangement in the short-term. That arrangement is a more conventional military strike in response to Iran’s downing Trump needs to accept the reality in front of him: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and relatively straightforward: in exchange for Iran coming of a U.S. surveillance drone in the Persian Gulf. problems are not going to be solved by more sanctions, reinstated economic penalties lifted under the deal, back into compliance with its obligations under the U.S. officials told Reuters in October that the United States isolation, or military deployments. It’s time to ditch there is no evidence that Iran is more amenable to U.S. 2015 nuclear deal, the U.S. would reissue waivers that had carried out a secret cyber strike on Iran after the Sept. 14 the failed maximum pressure strategy and engage in demands. Rather than sending representatives to the permit Tehran to sell its oil on the market. The Trump attacks on Saudi oil facilities, which Washington and Riyadh pragmatic diplomacy. negotiating room and hashing out a more far-reaching administration would have to return to the pre-maximum claimed Iran was responsible for. The logic behind maximum pressure was simple: By agreement on Washington’s terms, Tehran is respond- pressure status quo before it withdrew from the nuclear In a post on his Twitter account back in June, Azari Jahromi slashing Iran’s oil exports, deterring foreign businesses ing to maximum pressure with maximum resistance. deal and slapped stringent restrictions on the Iranian said Iran had managed to thwart about 33 million cyber-attacks from investing in the Iranian market, and shutting Iran In retaliation, Iranian officials have spent 2019 sys- economy. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has in- against its sensitive sites last year (March 2018-March 2019). out of the global financial system, Washington would tematically reneging on its own commitments —enriching sisted repeatedly that such changes would allow him to “Last year, we neutralized not a single strike but 33 million force political leadership in Tehran to come begging higher-grade uranium, exceeding the uranium stockpile re-enter negotiations with Washington. He reiterated attacks with the Dejfa firewall,” he wrote, stressing that the U.S. for economic relief. that was capped under the JCPOA; and reinstalling that message to the Iranian people on December 4. tries hard but has not carried out a successful attack. Oil exports have declined from 2.8 million barrels a advanced centrifuges previously put in storage. In No- Such an about-face may be a tough pill for the president Head of the Civil Defense Organization Brigadier General day in the spring of 2018 to less than 500,000 barrels vember, Iran announced the resumption of uranium to swallow, but the diplomatic and security benefits of a Gholam Reza Jalali said in October that Iran was taking legal per day in September, a reduction of more than 80 enrichment operations at its Fordow site. If developments policy change outweigh the political costs. By stabiliz- action against the U.S. over repeated cyberattack attempts and percent. The International Monetary Fund projects continue, there is a possibility Iran will cease cooperating ing the situation, Trump will have not only prevented threats, while it is putting in place robust security measures to the Iranian economy to contract by more than 9 per- with the International Atomic Energy Agency, as Iran’s a repeat of the dangerous tension of last summer but protect its vital infrastructure. cent once the year is up, a number that will inevitably speaker of parliament stated this month. created an opportunity to resolve substantive disputes “The Americans have repeatedly threatened and mounted worsen the unemployment rate and contribute to a sense between the U.S. and Iran peacefully. cyberattacks against us,” Jalali said. of disillusionment among younger Iranians entering “Tehran is responding to The American people expect statesmanship from Tensions have escalated between the U.S. and Iran ever since U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew Washington last year from the workforce. maximum pressure with their foreign policy leaders. There is nothing more All these figures, however, don’t make up for the illustrative of U.S. leadership than demonstrating the the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran and began a policy of “maximum big picture: Despite the stress on Tehran’s economy, maximum resistance.” courage to talk to your adversary. pressure.” Iran has since been hit by multiple rounds of sanctions.