Prominent Lawyer and Pezeshkian Supporter Mohsen Borhani Arrested, Indirect Talks with the U.S. Continue Through Oman, Iran’s New President Faces Chilly Reception from the West Amid Firm Regional Stance, and More – NIAC Action

Week of July 8, 2024 | Iran Unfiltered is a digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council

Mohsen Borhani, a well-known lawyer and one of the speakers at the recent electoral rally for Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested. The former professor of law at the University of Tehran has been an outspoken critic over the past few years, particularly regarding the government’s response to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement and the execution of protesters. The official judiciary news agency, Mizan, reported Borhani’s arrest without detailing the charges, stating: “Mohsen Borhani, who had previously been convicted in a judicial case and whose sentence had become final, was summoned and introduced to prison to execute the court’s legal ruling.”

At the last electoral gathering for Mr. Pezeshkian in Tehran’s Heydarnia Stadium, Borhani stated, “Today, the rule of law is missing in the Iranian nation.” Borhani was one of the professors dismissed from the University of Tehran during the protests in 2022. In June of last year, he reposted an image of a meeting with three women who were blinded by security forces during the protests and criticized the actions of the security services as unlawful. He recommended filing a legal complaint, labeling the incident as an “intentional crime” against the victims.

However, Borhani’s arrest on July 7 immediately followed Pezeshkian’s victory, a highly symbolic move from security forces. Ahmed Borhani, Mohsen Borhani’s brother, confirmed the arrest in an Instagram story, stating, “After many ups and downs and despite remaining issues in the case, Mohsen Borhani was arrested.”

On July 2, Borhani had posted on his social media account on X (formerly Twitter), exposing the academic qualifications of Ali Bahadori Jahromi, the spokesperson for the thirteenth government, writing: “You obtained your doctorate without taking the entrance exam and became a faculty member at Tarbiat Modares University by threatening the university president with dismissal.” This message was in response to Jahromi’s tweet supporting Saeed Jalili, the conservative candidate in the fourteenth presidential election. Borhani also commented last week on the low voter turnout in the first round of the presidential election, writing on X, “I hope it has become clear that it is the ballot box that determines the numbers, not the length and breadth of the crowd at the funeral procession!”

Indirect Talks with the U.S. Continue Through Oman, Says Iranian Acting Foreign Minister

Ali Bagheri Kani, the acting Foreign Minister and head of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, stated that indirect negotiations with the United States via Oman are still ongoing. Bagheri Kani assumed the role of acting Foreign Minister following the death of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. In a televised interview on Wednesday, July 10, Bagheri Kani stated, “The process of negotiations with the U.S. through Oman is still underway.”

These indirect negotiations, conducted secretly during the late President Ebrahim Raisi’s tenure, have seemingly been conducted sporadically in recent months and, according to American accounts, primarily consist of warnings and efforts to deconflict regional tensions. However, Bagheri Kani assured that the “sanctions relief talks” are progressing positively. He expressed hope that the inauguration of the new government would create “favorable conditions” for lifting sanctions. Overcoming the JCPOA deadlock and resolving related foreign policy issues were key promises made by Masoud Pezeshkian, the newly elected President of Iran.

Iran’s New President Faces Chilly Reception from the West Amid Firm Regional Stance

One week after Masoud Pezeshkian’s election victory, he is working on preparing to assume governmental responsibilities. Notably, Pezeshkian has appointed former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as the head of the Advisory Council for the Fourteenth Government Transition. Zarif was a key champion and close advisor to Pezeshkian on the campaign trail, and is now continuing his close relationship with the President-elect as he prepares to assume the duties of governance and select key ministers and advisers.

On the other hand, the tepid reaction from European countries to Pezeshkian’s election and the position of Iran’s newly-elected president suggest a challenging diplomatic path ahead for Iran and the West. Western nations have largely responded coolly to President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian’s victory, despite his stated position in favor of pursuing more balanced relations, reviving the 2015 nuclear deal and lifting sanctions. In contrast, many Asian and Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt and Bahrain, which do not have diplomatic relations with Iran, have congratulated Pezeshkian through messages or phone calls. However, Western countries have largely remained silent.

Pezeshkian has indicated a continuation of Iran’s traditional policy of supporting the resistance axis, including in his responses to congratulatory messages from Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. In his message to Nasrallah, Pezeshkian affirmed that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the resistance of regional peoples against the “illegitimate Zionist regime.” He emphasized that this support is rooted in the foundational principles of the Islamic Republic and it will continue with strength.

“I am confident that the resistance movements in the region will not allow this regime to continue its aggressive and criminal policies against the oppressed people of Palestine and other nations in the region,” Pezeshkian wrote. “I appreciate your sincere prayers for me and ask Almighty God for your continued honor and success, for the prosperity and advancement of the Lebanese people, and for divine support for the heroic mujahideen of the resistance.”

Pezeshkian also responded to Haniyeh’s congratulatory message, writing that the Islamic Republic of Iran, adhering to the principles and lofty goals of the Islamic Revolution, considers supporting the Palestinian people and their struggle against Israeli occupation and apartheid as its human and Islamic duty. “I am confident that, with the historical resilience of the Palestinian people, the oppressed yet strong Gaza, and the heroic struggle of Palestinian resistance fighters in the ongoing war, victory and divine support will be granted to dear Palestine,” Pezeshkian stated. “I pray to Almighty God for your health and honor, for the dignity and freedom of the Palestinian people, for divine support for the heroic mujahideen of the resistance, and for the vast mercy of God for the esteemed martyrs of Palestine.”

The cool Western response was highlighted earlier this week by dismissive remarks from National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, who indicated that the U.S. was not particularly interested in new nuclear negotiations and pointed to Iran’s regional role – including support for Hezbollah and Hamas – as justification. However, the early signs from Iran are that Iran’s regional approach will continue, regardless of whether or not Pezeshkian is empowered to alter it. While Pezeshkian has signaled readiness to negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program and to achieve a renewed agreement to lift sanctions, there is little reason to believe he would alter Iran’s regional approach in fundamental ways.

Iranian Destroyer Sahand Sinks After Accident

The Iranian destroyer Sahand, once touted as one of Iran’s most advanced warships, sank following an incident on Sunday July 6. Despite a two-day rescue effort, the ship ultimately completely sank. On Tuesday, July 9, the Etemad newspaper’s website published a photo of the destroyer, showing several people standing on its partially submerged hull.

The First Naval District of Bandar Abbas released a statement on Sunday confirming that Sahand had been involved in an incident after being repaired and transferred to one of the naval industry docks in Bandar Abbas. According to the report, water had infiltrated Sahand’s ballast tanks, causing it to lose stability. Efforts to restore balance were reportedly ongoing at the time. Images showed marine rescue units and ships attempting to stabilize the vessel. However, Etemad Online later reported that the destroyer sank after a strap holding it broke.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy had commissioned the destroyer in 2018, naming it Sahand in memory of a frigate that was sunk in a naval confrontation with the United States in 1988. The new Sahand, carrying the same hull number as the older frigate, began its service with the southern fleet. General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army, attended the commissioning ceremony on December 1, 2018, declaring it a significant day in Iranian naval history.

The warship measured 94 meters in length and 11 meters in width, equipped with modern electronic and defense systems. Rear Admiral Alireza Sheikhi, then-commander of the navy’s shipyards, described Sahand as the most advanced destroyer in Iran at the time. The ship had a displacement of 1,300 tons and could reach speeds of over 25 knots. Sahand was the third in the Mowj-class series of destroyers built by the Iranian navy, following Jamaran and Damavand.

According to a report by Eghtesad Online, Iranian media refer to these ships as destroyers, but international classification considers them frigates. In recent years, Sahand participated in joint exercises with China and Russia.

IRGC Commander Urges Restraint Among Jalili Supporters Following Election Defeat

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, has called on supporters of Saeed Jalili, the defeated candidate in Iran’s recent presidential election, to refrain from making comments that could undermine the legitimacy of President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian’s victory. In a note published in the Wednesday, July 10th edition of Javan, a newspaper affiliated with the IRGC, Hajizadeh emphasized that Pezeshkian is the president of “the entire nation and all Iranians,” and enjoys the support of revolutionary forces. He stressed that backing a particular candidate and engaging in electoral competition were actions relevant only before the election.

Pezeshkian secured the presidency in the runoff election, winning 53.6% of the vote against Jalili’s 44.34%. Since the announcement of Pezeshkian’s victory, Jalili supporters have taken to social media in large numbers, with some attacks directed at those who voted for Pezeshkian. One notable instance includes a Jalili supporter posting a video accusing Pezeshkian voters of frivolity during the election period and warning them not to complain about future economic hardships or shortages of medicine.

Several figures, including Mohammad Manan Raeisi, a representative from Qom in the Iranian Parliament, have blamed the Guardian Council for Pezeshkian’s win. Raeisi criticized the Council’s candidate selection process in a social media post, calling it a significant error in political arrangement. He condemned the Council for hastily deciding on the candidates in a non-transparent manner without adequate analysis, resulting in an outcome that couldn’t be rectified despite the tireless efforts of young and revolutionary clerics.

Raeisi’s remarks prompted a response from Mohammad Taghi Rahbar, a member of the Society of Combatant Clergy of Tehran. Rahbar reminded Jalili’s supporters that Pezeshkian is also their president and questioned why they were blaming the Guardian Council. He criticized the tendency to view everything positively when one’s preferred candidate wins and to fault the Guardian Council when they lose.

The aftermath of Iran’s 14th presidential election remains contentious. Many Jalili supporters have criticized Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf for not withdrawing from the race to support Jalili. Hamid Rasaee, a staunch Jalili supporter and parliament member, urged followers on the social media platform X to ignore insults and slander from the supporters of other candidates. Conversely, Ghalibaf’s supporters argue that Jalili’s stubbornness led to the necessity of a runoff election, insisting that Ghalibaf could have won against Pezeshkian in the first round if Jalili had stepped aside.

Wildfire Rages in Khayiz Mountains Despite Ongoing Efforts

A wildfire in the Khayiz Mountains, straddling the border of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad and Khuzestan provinces, continues to burn after four days, hampered by the region’s harsh conditions, high temperatures, and lack of adequate resources.

Reports indicate that as of July 12, the fire is still active. Photos show efforts to control the blaze, including the evacuation of an injured person and firefighting attempts from the previous night. Iranian media reported that the fire, which began on July 7, was initially contained but reignited the following day.

Current firefighting efforts rely primarily on blower devices. An activist noted that an aerial water drop was attempted but failed as the water evaporated before reaching the flames due to the intense heat. The rocky terrain further complicates firefighting efforts, requiring teams to be deployed by helicopter.

Environmental activists have criticized the response, arguing that if the fire, which started in the lowlands near Behbahan, had been extinguished earlier, it would not have spread to the Khayiz Mountains. They highlight the severe lack of firefighting resources, with most efforts carried out by local villagers, mountaineers, and hikers battling the flames without sufficient supplies. Hamzeh Mohaqeqzadeh, the governor of Kohgiluyeh, described the situation as critical in an interview with Mehr News Agency on July 10. He stressed the urgent need for helicopters and water-dropping aircraft to control the fast-spreading fire from Behbahan.

“Volunteer forces, the Basij, mountaineers, and the county crisis management team have been quickly dispatched to the area, but these efforts alone are not enough,” Mohaqeqzadeh said.

In July 2020, the protected Khayiz area also experienced a wildfire that reached the Maroun Dam, home to dense wildlife habitats. Delays in deploying necessary firefighting resources were criticized then as well, and a young volunteer named Mohammadjavad Mokhtari died from severe burns. The series of wildfires in the Zagros Mountains in 2020 resulted in the deaths of six volunteers and the destruction of 40,000 hectares of forests and rangelands in the provinces of Fars, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Khuzestan, and Ilam.