Former Iranian VP Said To Be Mulling Candidacy For Parliament

The forces from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have been deployed in response to escalating tensions with Iran and as a show of maritime strength.

Recent developments in the region, including Iran's seizure and harassment of vessels has seen tensions rising, most recently seeing Iran's unveiling of new maritime weaponry and Washington's potential armed presence on commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which sees roughly one fifth of the world's crude oil travel through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman. The US Navy's assertive posture also aligns with its efforts to reassure regional allies and maintain security in a volatile geopolitical landscape.

Additionally, the Biden administration's efforts to address Iranian drone supplies to Russia have led to mounting pressure. The Defense Intelligence Agency's presentation of evidence demonstrating the Iranian origin of drones shot down over Ukraine highlights the administration's commitment to countering destabilizing activities.

The USS Bataan (LHD 50), an amphibious assault ship, and the USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), a dock landing ship, entered the Red Sea via the Suez Canal after traversing the Mediterranean Sea.

The deployment falls within the context of the US 5th Fleet's extensive area of operations, spanning approximately 2.5 million square miles and encompassing vital waterways like the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and critical choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, and Strait of Bab el-Mandeb.

Nader Bazarafshan on Sunday revealed a serious decline in the demand for gold purchases, citing a decrease of 20-40%. He claims this recession in the gold market is even more severe than the challenges encountered during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While dismissing rumors of substandard gold entering the market, Bazarafshan has proposed a strategy to address the dwindling demand, recommending the consideration of gold with a karat value lower than 18, a move aimed at enhancing demand by adjusting prices in response to the prevailing decrease in people's purchasing power. However, the proposal has yet to gain official approval.

Gold has traditionally held a significant role in the financial landscape of Iranians, serving as a means of safeguarding assets against economic volatility. The recent economic fluctuations and downturns have further underscored the importance of gold jewelry as a secure investment avenue for the population.

This dire situation was previously echoed by Yuosef Taqizadegan, the head of the Mashhad Gold, Jewelry, and Silver Union, who highlighted the economic struggles faced by young couples. Taqizadegan revealed that the soaring price of gold, which has surged by 100% compared to the previous year, has prompted a shift towards purchasing silver rings, as many newlyweds find themselves unable to afford gold rings.

The World Gold Council, in a recent report, affirmed the decline in gold jewelry purchases within Iran. The report stated that during the first quarter of this year, gold jewelry sales experienced a 15% drop compared to the same period in the previous year.

Lawmaker Salman Es’haghi urged action from the regime. He warned: "Denial by some politicians notwithstanding, the reality is stark. Bread prices have increased by over 40% in more than 15 provinces. This has sparked significant public dismay and concern."

Es’haghi also voiced concerns over potential shortages of essential commodities. "The scarcity of [baby] formula [milk] has already escalated into a crisis in certain provinces. Moreover, if negligence persists in managing the supply of medicines, we could confront shortages during autumn and winter."

The Mehr News Agency has now raised concerns about possible bread price increases in other regions, including the capital, Tehran, as early as mid-August.

Approximately ten days ago, Ahmed Keshtgar, Head of the Mashhad Bakers Union, announced a 40% bread price increase in Khorasan Razavi province, with plans for a gradual nationwide implementation. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi last week downplayed the bread price surge as mere speculation.

A shift in policy regarding bread pricing occurred when Mohammad Jalal, the Director of the Flour and Bread Subsidy Smart Plan, announced in early July that the decision on bread prices would be devolved to provincial authorities.

Amidst these developments, Jahan Sanat newspaper reported that some service providers, including bus drivers, have leveraged the pretext of bread price increases to raise their service rates in specific areas of Tehran.

The crisis is worrying the regime as the anniversary of the death in morality policy custody of Mahsa Amini draws near and tensions across Iran are already rising.

The head of the Iranian Department of Environment, Ali Salajegheh, claimed the closure of vital entrances to the Caspian Sea are a major factor behind the crisis, particularly emphasizing the impact of the closure of the Volga River.

Salajegheh expressed his concerns, stating, "The entrances to the Caspian Sea have been closed by the neighboring countries, especially the entrance from the Volga River has been shut. This has led to a significant decrease in the sea's water levels, which poses a serious ecological challenge."

The Iranian official further elaborated on the extent of the problem, asserting, "The Caspian Sea's water level has been steadily decreasing, and alarming statistics indicate a reduction of approximately one meter over the last 4-5 years. On average, the sea is receding by 20 centimeters annually."

However, he did not discuss the impact of increasing temperatures and climate change in worsening the crisis. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, he urged for collaborative efforts among the neighboring countries to address the issue.

It was an unusual attack from Iran considering the two sanctioned nations have become closer allies since the war in Ukraine, in which Iran has supplied drones and other military support to Russia. As Iran remains largely isolated on the world stage, it has become closer to Russia in economic dealings in addition to supporting it in military aspects.

The statement released Sunday addressed the Iranian nation as "the true owners of this country and its government," and maintained that "the rulers have no special privilege other thanrepresenting and serving the people."

The statement has been posted on Telegram messaging app in an account that belongs to Saham News, a media outlet that represented reformist figure Mehdi Karrubi, a former parliamentary speaker and presidential candidate.

The political activists, writers and civil rights defenders stated that the elections in Iran have been hostage to the "arbitrary supervision" of the Guardian Council, a body that operates under the direct supervision of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and vets the candidates based on their loyalty to him.

They also complained about the intervention of security and intelligence organizations in the election process. According to the statement, the worst examples took place in the 2020 parliamentary elections and the presidential election in 2021 which brought Ebrahim Raisi to power and packed the parliament with hardliners.

The activists also charged that the Assembly of Experts whose members are chosen based on the same kind of vetting by the Guardian Council lacks the independence and capability to supervise the Supreme Leader's performance, as the constitution requires.

"The Islamic Republic is overwhelmed by a crisis which is the outcome of distancing itself from the ideals of a republic and democracy and its submission to despotism and dictatorship. During the past 44 years, this has led to multiple political, economic and cultural crises as well as leading to poverty, corruption, repression, violations of the citizens' legitimate rights and freedoms," the statement added.

The activists further said: "As a result of this situation, young Iranians have lost their hope in any improvement in this dreadful situation and see only two options before them: Leave the country or continue living in Iran without dignity under the pressure of humiliation."

In another part of the statement, the signatories pointed out that the Islamic Republic has made hijab enforcement a security issue and by doing so has made the situation even more complicated for women who under the pressure feel further humiliated.

But what was even more notable in the statement was a demand to change the regime’s anti-West foreign policy.

"The country's independence has been seriously weakened as a result of a foreign policy devoid of dignity and prudence. This situation has made Iran's foreign policy a playground for Russia's aggressive policies," the statement said, adding that "The Islamic Republic's foreign policy has undermined Iran's national interests and disrupted the balance in its relations with East and West and made the country's progress and development hostage to seriously damaging sanctions."

The activists further pointed out that as a result of this policy despite its anti-imperialistic slogans, the regime has submitted to the humiliating oil for food arrangements and barter trade with underprivileged countries to provide food and medicine.

The signatories to the statement declared that "In such a catastrophic situation that has forced a large part of Iranians and their elites to leave the country for good, holding an election is nothing more than beautifying the regime in a bid to lend it some legitimacy. "We do not believe that such an election is going to lead to any improvement in governance," they insisted.

"What can justify people's participation in the upcoming election in March, is the regime's return to democracy by listening to the people and their elites and bringing about structural reforms in the country. A decision to hold a referendum to change the Constitution is a requirement for that change. Without doing this participation in the election would be a deceit against the country's national interests," the statement concluded.

Centrist politician Faezeh Hashemi, former state TV Chief Mohammad Sarafraz, 1980s militant journalist Isa Saharkhiz, and several cultural figures such as poet Ali Babachahi are among the signatories of the statement.