Venezuela Cuts Relations with US over Iran Sanctions

Venezuela cut its relations with the US on Sunday in protest over Washington’s sanctions against the country’s oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). US imposed penalties on PDVSA last month for delivering $50 million worth of gasoline to Iran in 2010. The sanctions bar PDVSA from export licenses for sensitive technology, US Ex-Im Bank financing and any US government contracts. The company can still sell oil to US private companies [examiner.com, 6 June].

Ahmadinejad's Blatant Double Standard

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's silence over the ongoing crisis in Syria is very telling as little more than 12 weeks ago he was praising the Egyptians as they stood together in their unshakeable pursuit of democracy, however he hasn't made the same outspoken statements regarding the Syrian people who are being killed everyday in their struggle against the brutal dictatorship of Bashar Al Assad.



Around Valentines Day last year Hilary Clinton stated Iran was transforming into a military dictatorship, hinting that the growing power and influence of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij constituted this inevitability. As Wayne Madsen rightful points out in this RT report on these comments Clinton comes off as being hypocritically as she made these verbal criticisms of Iran from Saudi Arabia where the brutal mutaween clerical police were at the time of her visit (as Madsen also observes) brutally clamping down on any observances or celebrations of Valentines Day.

Saudi Arabia clearly is not a beacon of democracy in the region to set an example for the Iran on what kind of a state it should be, since it is the 7th most authoritarian state in the world, whilst Iran is the 9th and North Korea is number one. *

While supporters, sympathizers and people who view the current Iranian regime as a buffer to what they see as the greater evil of American hegemony are usually the first to point out such hypocrisies one doesn't have to be a political scientist or scholar to see Ahmadinejad's blatant hypocrisy regarding the Arab Spring of late.

Nearly exactly a year after Clinton's comments the Egyptian people stood together and ousted their President of 29 years Hosni Mubarak, Ahmadinejad took the timely opportunity to proclaim his support for the Egyptian people stating they had the right to (amongst other things) choose their own leaders and destiny, pivotal requirements in a democratic system, however he didn't seem to apply these professed beliefs about the Egyptians to his own people as his statements concurred with a peaceful opposition rally in Tehran being rapidly crushed by government forces.
This clear cut example of hypocrisy made for a well deserved lampooning by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show.

What is more telling than any of Ahmadinejad's statements in relation to his actions is his, and the Iranian governments current silence over the situation in Syria, clearly Ahmadinejad doesn't advocate the Syrian peoples drive for democracy as Syria under Al Assad is of vital importance in upholding Iran's political influence to the region, as both are Hezbollah's client states, therefore it isn't surprising that Iran is attempting to help the Assad regime quell this democratic insurrection.

It is clear that while Ahmadinejad's statements have been for some time self discrediting one thing has been made clear, that while he may point the finger at the United States and accuse it of being an irresponsible superpower that not only meddles in other peoples affairs, but also props up repressive dictators to protect its interests over the interests of the vast majority of peoples in their own countries - Ahmadinejad himself as president of a regional power appears to have shown no qualms over doing the same thing by clandestinely supporting the repressive minority regime currently in power in Damascus, which is a clear attempt to defend his own strategic interests in the volatile region, interests that would be hampered if the majority of the Syrian people were to achieve their own right of self determination.

Saleh Leaves Yemen - Flies to Saudi Arabia

President Ali Abdullah Saleh left Yemen and flew to Saudi Arabia today. He was seriously injured on Friday when opposition tribesmen hammered the presidential palace with rockets. Yemen is on the verge of civil war and economic collapse after more than two decades of dictatorial rule by Saleh. He becomes the third head of state falling during the Arab Spring.

Video of IL-76 Crash - UPDATE

UPDATE: As our readers have pointed out, the You Tube video was not of the crash of the Tu-154, as the title suggests, but of an IL-76 “Simorgh” on 22 September 2009. The crash happened during a practice for a military air show. The refueling plane could not be a C-130, but a Boeing 707 or 747. We sincerely apologize for the error in reporting earlier that the plane was the Tu-154, and I take full responsibility for it.

Khamenei Defines Iran’s Standards Regarding the Arab Spring

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today clarified the Iranian position on when it would support a popular movement in the Arab world. The country had shown different standards in its reactions to the Arab Spring, supporting the uprising in Yemen, for example, but actively opposing the uprising in Syria. Khamenei said today that if a popular movement is against a pro-US/Israel regime, Iran supports it. If, however, the uprising were against an anti-US/Israel regime, Iran would oppose it.

“Our stance regarding these public movements is crystal clear. Anywhere there is a popular Islamic and anti-US movement, we support it,” Khamenei said. “We support movements that are against the US and Zionism,” Khamenei added [IRNA, 4 June].

Slogan du Jour

“Mashaie Haya Kon, Ahmadi Ro Raha Kon!”
(Mashaie Shame on You, Leave Ahmadi Alone!)

A slogan used by Khamenei supporters during recent speeches by President Ahmadinejad. They accuse Ahmadinejad’s chief of staff and political confidant Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie of leading the “Deviationist” movement and call for his arrest. They also say that Ahmadinejad is under Mashie’s spell.

Ahmadinejad Attacks Israel – Again Calls for Its Elimination

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today that there will be no tranquility in the Middle East as long as Israel continues to exist.

"As long as the Zionist regime (Israel) exists, if only on a small piece of land in Palestine, the region will not see tranquility," Ahmadinejad said. "So all the people of the region shall move towards the disappearance of American domination in the region and the disappearance of the Zionist regime," Ahmadinejad added [IRNA*, 3 May].

The Iranian president made the remarks in the televised speech on the 22^nd anniversary of the death of the founder of Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Noteworthy that he did not use the phrase “Zionism,” as an ideology, but “Zionist Regime,” an expression used by the Iranian leadership to refer to the state of Israel.

* Translated by AFP, Persian text by IRNA

Freer and Sackler Galleries Receive Largest Gift Ever for Iranian Programs

Jahangir Amuzegar Endowments for Nowruz Celebrations and Iranian Arts

The Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, DC, have received what they described the largest gift ever for their Iranian programs in the history of the galleries. The donor, Jahangir Amuzegar, has established two endowments: the Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Persian Cultural Celebrations Fund, which will support an annual celebration in honor of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, and the Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Fund for Contemporary Iranian Art.

"My interest in establishing the endowments follows from the hope and trust that the Nowruz festivals should be celebrated for years to come and that the Galleries will have the ability to host contemporary Iranian art at the museum as far in the future as I can see," said Amuzegar. 



Dr. Amuzegar is an economist who has served as ministers of commerce and finance and the ambassador-at-large for economic affairs in the previous regime in Iran. He has also served on the Executive Board of the IMF and written numerous books and articles on Iran's economy, politics, and oil industry. Amuzegar earned his Ph.D. in economics from UCLA (although this is problematic, at least for this blogger and SC graduate) and has taught economics for many years.

Inflation Rising

The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) today reported that the country's annual inflation rate for the period ending 22 May (30 Ordibehesht) rose to 14.2%. The prices in the month of Ordibeheshet alone rose by 1.7%, corresponding to an annual rate of inflation of over 20% [IRIB, 2 June].

Economists attribute the rise in prices to the removal of government subsidies on energy and food products and monthly cash payments of some $2.4 billion to households to cope with higher prices. The subsidy reforms began last December.

Ahmadinejad Appoints an Acting Oil Minister

Backs Down In Face of Strong Opposition to Assume Control of Oil Ministry

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today appointed Mohammad Aliabadi as the Acting Oil Minister, ending a constitutional crisis over the issue of whether a sitting president could assume the responsibilities of one of his cabinet departments. Ahmadinejad had insisted that he could appoint himself as the acting oil minister. The Guardian Council, the country’s constitutional watchdog, had ruled that the president’s move was unconstitutional.

Yesterday, Majlis, the Iranian parliament, passed a resolution by an overwhelming majority calling Ahmadinejad’s action “illegal” and referred him to Judiciary, a major step in preparation of an impeachment process against a president. Today, Ahmadinejad backed down and appointed an acting minister.

Mohammad Aliabadi, the new acting oil minister, is the former director of Iran's National Sports Organization and the president of the country’s National Olympic Committee. Aliabadi’s 15-minute claim to fame came when he filed a formal protest against London’s 2012 Olympic Logo, saying the logo was reminiscent of the word ‘Zion’ and therefore racist.

Meanwhile, IRGC Brig. Gen. Rostam Ghasemi, the commander of Khatamolanbia Base, the industrial arm of the revolutionary guards, told IRNA minutes after the appointment of the acting oil minister that he was asked to accept the post and he was still considering the offer.

The acting oil minister will preside over the 8 June OPEC meeting in Vienna as Iran holds the rotating presidency of the organization. Ahmadinejad’s conservative critics wanted at all costs to prevent him using the prestigious platform as the spokesman for all oil producing nations to his political advantage. They produced a ruling by the Guardian Council and a resolution by Majlis to force him give up the position.

Tragedy Hits Sahabi Family

Haleh Sahabi

Haleh Sahabi, the daughter of Ezzatollah Sahabi, the chairman of the Iranian opposition’s National-Religious Activists Council, died at the funeral of her father of an apparent heart attack. She was 54. Opposition websites are reporting that Haleh collapsed when the security forces attacked the funeral ceremonies, and there are claims that she was severly hit in the chest by a member of security force during the attack. Security officers also arrested three family members and friends.

Haleh’s father, Ezzatollah Sahabi, began his involvement in anti-Shah opposition politics during Premier Mohammad Mossadeq’s oil nationalization movement in early 1950s. He later became a founder of Liberation Movement of Iran party that formed the government after Khomeini overthrew the Shah in 1979. Sahabi became the first director of the budget and planning organization of Iran after the revolution and later was elected as a member of Majlis, the Iranian parliament. He later joined the ranks of opposition to the Islamic Republic and was arrested during the Green Movement of 2009 and was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment. He died yesterday.

Haleh Sahabi was women's rights activist. She was arrested last year but was temporarily released to attend the funeral ceremony of her father.

File Photo of Haleh Sahabi / VOA

Majlis Moves Against Ahmadinejad

Majlis, the Iranian parliament, today called President Ahmadinejad’s decision to appoint himself as the acting oil minister “illegal” and referred the case to the Judiciary. The resolution was passed by a vote of 165-1 with 13 abstentions [ICANA, 1 June]. Last week, the Guardian Council also ruled that the president’s decision to take charge of the ministry was unconstitutional.

Iran is due to hold the one-year rotating presidency of OPEC on 8 June. As acting oil minister, Ahmadinejad could preside over the annual meeting of OPEC in Vienna scheduled for that day.

Photo: The Majlis Session. ICANA photo

Iran Had Issued Permission for German Chancellor’s Plane to Fly Over Its Airspace – Foreign Ministry

Iran's Foreign Ministry has denied reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's plane was not allowed flying over the Iranian airspace. The German government had earlier reported that Iran had prevented the chancellor’s plane to cross the Iranian airspace for nearly two hours en route to India.

“The permission required for the passage of the airplane carrying Mrs. Merkel through the airspace of the Islamic Republic of Iran had been issued in time,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in Tehran [IRNA, 31 May].

“The problem regarding the delay of the flight in question for crossing the Islamic Republic of Iran's airspace was caused by a technical glitch that was immediately solved and the plane was able to continue its course,” Mehmanparast added.

Iran Defense Minister Visits Bolivia, Causing Controversy

Iran’s Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi today visited Bolivia to inaugurate a military academy that was built with Iran's help. The Bolivian government soon received a notice from Argentina that the general was wanted by that country for being the alleged mastermind of the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires and was subject to an Interpol red notice issued in 2007. The Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca told reporters that he informed his Argentine counterpart that at the request of the Bolivian government the Iranian defense minister cut his trip short and has since left Bolivia.

"I want to express in the name of the Government of Bolivia my deepest apologies (to Argentina)," said Choquehuanca in a letter sent to the Argentine foreign minister and published by news agencies [AP, 31 May]. "As a result of this regrettable situation, the government of Bolivia has taken the corresponding provisions to see to it that Ahmad Vahidi immediately leaves Bolivian territory," the letter said.

Iran Navy: 12th engagement with pirates since Iranian new year

According to Fars News Agency:

An attempt by the Somali pirates to hijack a container ship in the Gulf of Aden was nipped in the bud after an Iranian fleet of warships present in the region rushed to the scene and attacked the buccaneers' vessels.

"In its 12th confrontation with pirates this year (Iranian year started on March 21), the Iranian Navy's flotilla dispatched to the international waters rescued the container ship of the V-Ships Multinational Enterprise through timely action," a statement by the Navy said on Tuesday, adding that the container ship was named "First Ocean".

The First Ocean came under attack by three pirate boats as it was sailing in the Eastern parts of the Indian Ocean, the statement said, adding that the buccaneers continued their attack despite the Iranian fleet of warships' warnings.

Yet, the pirates fled the scene after facing the heavy fire of the Iranian Navy's commandoes, it continued.

The Iranian fleet of warships then escorted First Ocean to a safe place and guided it to its line of voyage.

File photo: First Ocean container ship, IMO 9349576

Photo: Agustin Alapont Castilla (Tino)

German Chancellor Plane Not Permitted to Fly Over Iran for Two Hours - Update

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's flight to India was delayed for two hours when Iran's government refused the plane permission to fly over the country. The Iranian move forced Merkel's plane to circle over Turkey for about two hours on Tuesday morning before the plane was eventually allowed to fly over Iran. Germany summoned the Iranian ambassador in Berlin to protest "the breach of international protocol." The reason for the temporary refusal to pass through the airspace is unknown [AP, 31 May].

Photo: The new German government Airbus A340 Konrad Adenauer, Germany's equivalent to Air Force One. Merkel was on her first trip aboard the plane. AP Photo

UPDATE: Kayhan, the influential conservative daily published in Tehran, has offered reasons for the government’s decision to force Chancellor Merkel's plane to fly over Turkish airspace for nearly two hours before given permission to pass through Iran:

“In a show of strength, the Islamic Republic of Iran refused permission to supporters of terrorism to pass over the Iranian territory… Ms. Merkel was kept wandering over an area near the border where she had tried to keep it insecure with the help of the terrorist group PJAK.”

“German support of terrorist groups does not end with PJAK. The (Germans) throughout the years have supported the terrorist Monfegh group (Mojahedeen Khalgh Organization)… Members of the German Bundestag have even invited the group’s leader (Maryam Rajavi) to address the parliament. During her speech, Maryam Rajavi called for sanctions against Iran’s oil and gasoline.” [Kayhan, 31 May].

Iran Needs $150 Billion in New Investment to Maintain Oil Production

The Deputy Oil Minister Mohsen Khojasteh-Mehr today told reporters in Tehran that the country requires at least 150 billion dollars in new investment in the next five years to maintain its current levels of production. Without such investment, the minister warned, Iran’s oil production may fall to 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) within the five-year period.

“The national oil company plans to invest 150 billion dollars during the fifth development plan,” said Khojasteh-Mehr. (The fifth development plan ends in 2015.)

“If the investments are not realized, the country's oil output will drop to 2.7 million bpd," Khojasteh-Mehr added [IRNA, 30 May].

Iran’s current production is 3.7 million bpd, with more than 2 millions bpd exported. If the production levels falls to 2.7 bpd, the exports will have to be cut in half. However, an investment of $150 billion could actually increase the total production by nearly 1 million bpd. The deputy oil minister did not reveal possible sources for any new investment. The international sanctions against new foreign investments in the oil industry in recent years have severely limited the national oil company’s programs.

Photo: IRNA

Abadan Explosion an Accident – Majlis Report

An Iranian parliamentary inquiry into the explosion at Abadan Refinery during the visit of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has found not foul play or act of sabotage. The report by Majlis blames a gas linkage as the cause of the explosion and the ensuing fire that killed at least two people and injured dozens more. The incident occurred in a newly constructed part of the refinery that was to produce high-grade gasoline. Sanctions are in effect on the sale odf gasoline to the country.

Khamenei Calls on Government and Majlis to Work Together

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today called for an end to the crisis within the country’s ruling circle and asked the parliament and the government to work together.

"While there are weakness and problems, the composition of the executive branch is good and appropriate, and the government is working. The government and parliament must help each other," Khamenei said. "When a law is passed, the government must implement it with full power and without any excuse," Khamenei added [IRIB, 29 May].

The traditional conservatives have been urging Ahmadinejad to return to the “right path.” They are particularly against Ahmadinejad’s chief of staff and political confidant Esfandia Rahim Masahie, labeling him “deviationist,” and calling on Ahmadinejad to dump him.

“The deviationists seek to use money and power to influence the upcoming election,” Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of all-powerful IRGC said on Saturday.

Ahmadinejad has publicly announced his allegiance to Khamenei but at the same time has staunchly backed Mashaie and other close associates under fire.

“It is not in the national interests of the country for the government to be weakened, but it is necessary for the government to gradually distance itself from the deviationists,” said Mohammad Reza Bahonar, an influential Majlis deputy and its former deputy speaker. “The supreme leader wants the government to continue its work to the end of its term with serenity and on a natural course," Bahonar added.

It appears that the traditional conservatives would agree to work with Ahmadinejad until the end of his term in 2013. However, it is clear that Ahmadinejad should sacrifice Mashaie to hold on his post as president.

Iran Navy repels another pirate attack in Gulf of Aden

According to Fars News Agency

The Iranian Navy warships thwarted a pirate attack on an Iranian oil tanker in Yemen's Southern waters, near the volatile Gulf of Aden.

A statement issued by the public relations office of the Iranian Navy on Sunday said that the Navy commandos rushed to the scene after the Iranian oil tanker, Damavand, came under attack by a speedboat.

The Navy commandos repelled the attack through timely action and the 7 armed pirates onboard the speedboat escaped the scene, the statement added.

The statement also stressed that the tanker is now safe and heading towards its destination.

The incident was the Iranian Navy's 11th clash with the Somali pirates since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21), the statement added.

The Iranian Navy dispatched its 14th flotilla of warships to the Gulf of Aden earlier this month to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against Somali pirates.

The 14th fleet of warships is comprised of IRI Bandar Abbas Warship and IRI Shahid Naqdi Destroyer.

The Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, when Somali raiders hijacked the Iranian-chartered cargo ship, MV Delight, off the coast of Yemen.

File Photos (click to enlarge):

Iran Damavand crude oil tanker, IMO 9218478

IRINS Shahid Naqhdi (ex-US PF 104), Bayandor class corvette (FS 82)

Foreground: IRINS Bandar Abbas, Bandar Abbas class fleet supply ship (AORLH 421)

Photo of Damavand: Wil Weijsters (2010)

Growing Criticism and Threats Against Ahmadinejad

Hojatoleslam Ali Saeedi, Supreme Leader’s representative at IRGC, said today in Tehran that Ahmadinejad's government is infiltrated by “corrupt elements” and urged the Iranian president to return to the “right path.” He threatened Ahmadinejad that he would be dealt with if he continues crossing “red lines.”

“Unfortunately the government is inflicted by a great calamity, which is the presence of corrupt elements,” Saeedi said [Mehr News Agency, 28 May].

“I hope Ahmadinejad will turn back to the main path, having seen this much reaction from the people and from close confidantes… If a body like the executive or parliament wants to cross red lines or violate principles, it is the leadership that will warn them and, if ultimately the warnings are not effective, will confront them,” Saeedi added.

Saeedi’s harsh words and threatening language against Ahmadinejad and his supporters, the so-called “deviationists,” were a clear sign that Khamenei and the ruling clerics were paving the way to dump him as president unless he breaks away from Mashaie and company.