Iran Urges Fair Trial for Former Jailor In Swedish Court

According to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Iran witnessed the world's fastest growth in migration rates to wealthy countries between 2020 and 2021, with numbers soaring from approximately 48,000 in 2020 to 115,000 in the following year—an increase of 141 percent.

An analysis conducted by the IMO, using data from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), revealed that the number of new asylum applications globally by Iranians in 2022 increased by 44 percent compared to the previous year.

Simultaneously, the IMO reported that the number of Iranians studying abroad has been on the rise for eight consecutive years, climbing from 49,000 in 2013 to 70,000 in 2021.

Economic and political factors are identified as the primary drivers behind the mass migration. Iran has grappled with an inflation rate exceeding 40 percent for the past four years, exacerbated by US-led sanctions imposed over Tehran's nuclear program. Additionally, a heavy crackdown on dissent, following mass protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, and continued geopolitical tensions contributed to the exodus.

Traditionally, Iranian migrants have sought destinations in the US, Australia, Canada, and Europe. However, the ongoing development in the Persian Gulf region has made Arab states such as the UAE, Qatar, and Oman increasingly attractive for job seekers. Turkey has also gained popularity as a destination in recent years.

The departing population comprises not only professionals like athletes, artists, skilled workers, and technicians from the affluent elite but also a significant number of poorer Iranians attempting perilous journeys to reach western countries.

During a press conference held in Tehran on Tuesday, Momeni disclosed that over 20,000 lives were lost in the past year due to road-related incidents.

Last year, 17,000 deaths were recorded between March 2021 and March 2022.

The Traffic Police head provided a historical perspective, revealing that in the 2000s, the annual death toll reached 28,000 but gradually decreased to around 16,000 in 2016.

Identifying key factors leading to accidents, Momeni underscored “excessive speed, lack of attention to the road, overtaking, fatigue, and drowsiness as the primary causes.”

Nowruz, the Iranian New Year holidays, emerged as one of the deadliest periods for road accidents. This year alone, the country witnessed a staggering 85,000 accidents and 871 reported deaths during the Nowruz holidays (March 21- April 2).

However, Teymour Hosseini, the Traffic Police deputy chief downplayed the country’s poor and ageing vehicle standards and the dangerous quality of the country's roads which lack maintenance, as significant contributors to accidents.

Additionally, authorities in Iran say that 43% of traffic accident fatalities lose their lives after being transferred to the hospital, citing "failure to diagnose brain injury or internal bleeding" and "medical errors" as key causes.

About 300 influential Western figures, including military leaders, lawmakers, diplomats, scholars, and activists wrapped up the 2023 Halifax International Security Forum (HISF) Sunday, after three days of expert panels covering a wide range of topics. The discussions revolved around the challenges posed by CRINK, an acronym derived from the initials of the four nations that have been directly or indirectly involved in numerous military conflicts worldwide.

The summit delved into various themes, with a significant emphasis on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Notably, the alignment of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea was identified as a substantial threat to the established world order. Leaders of these countries, including Iran’s ruler Ali Khamenei, have repeatedly talked of a new global order not based on Western values.

After opening remarks on the first day of the event, Canada’s Minister of National Defense Bill Blair -- who co-hosted the 15th annual forum with the founding President of forum Peter Van Praagh -- answered to Iran International's Mahsa Mortazavi who asked about Canada's possible plans against the Islamic Republic's influence and its entrenchment into the Canadian society.

“Canada has already listed Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism which on a level of international law is a very significant and serious determination,” Blair said, when asked why Canada is not following its ally the US in designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. He noted that “part of Iran's export of terrorism is through the Quds force,” referring to the IRGC’s extraterritorial wing. “We've already listed those as a terrorist entity.”

About agents of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards active in Canada, Blair said, “I want to assure Iranian Canadians we understand how concerning the activities of the IRGC is. We believe that it is necessary to do more, and that work is ongoing.”

In one of the panel discussions, US Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) argued that the Middle East conflicts are fueled and funded by the Islamic Republic. “It is all Iran, whether Hamas, Hezbollah or Houthis, it is all Iran.”

Masih Alinejad, in a panel discussion with some fellow dissident activists, said “It's a shame that the US government designated the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, but the US allies are still hesitating to do the simple thing.”

Claiming that Iran’s Khamenei, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping are “more united than Democratic countries,” Alinejad called for specific measures to counter the global threats Iran poses. "First, criminalize the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization," she said, adding that the second is ridding Canada from the IRGC agents. She claimed there are over 700 IRGC agents "living luxury lives” in Canada. “Kick them out not because they are the threats for us Iranians, they are threats for democracy; for Canadians as well.”

Participants expressed concerns about the volatile situations in the Middle East, the South China Sea, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, considering them potential hotbeds that could escalate into broader global conflicts. There was a consensus among democratic nations that unity is crucial to counterbalance the influence of the CRINK alliance.

Islamic Republic hardliners claim that closer economic and political relations with the East and Asian countries, which Khamenei has promulgated with the catchphrase "Looking East", will help Iran's development and strengthen it against Western powers, particularly the United States. Since 2018, and Khamenei's advocation of the policy, "Looking East" has become one of the centerpieces of a 'revolutionary economy' which hardliners have been hard at work to theorize and promote.

Almost all the experts were unanimous that the Middle East, particularly the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, and the crisis in South China Sea over Taiwan are the critical flashpoints, from which the conflicts can escalate into bigger wars. Additionally, the Russia-Ukraine conflict was highlighted in several panels, with global leaders stressing the importance of supporting Ukraine in resisting the Russian aggression.

Activists and experts urged the US to send a significant amount of weaponry so that Ukraine can come out a winner from the almost two-year war with Russia. Garry Kasparov, a former World Chess Champion-turned-political activist, told US military men present at the event that the arms needed by Ukraine to win the war “are collecting dust in Pentagon storehouses.”

The Halifax International Security Forum presents an award annually in honor of US Sen. John McCain, who died in 2018, to “individuals from any country who have demonstrated uncommon leadership in the pursuit of human justice.” “On the 75th anniversary of Israel’s creation, and in the aftermath of the October 7 attack that resulted in the greatest loss of life to the Jewish people since the Holocaust, it is fitting to present an award that bears Senator McCain’s name to: The People of Israel,” a statement by the security forum read.

As the HISF concluded, the consensus among democratic nations was clear: a united front is essential to address the destabilizing activities orchestrated by the CRINK alliance and to uphold the principles of the global world order.

Journalist Josh Rogin, who hosted one of the panels, said, “The bottom line is that … we're entering into a bipolar world... our adversaries are teaming up against us in Ukraine, in Israel, in Europe, and in the Pacific.”

“Iran is arming Russia and Hamas; North Korea is exporting weapons to Russia to use against Ukrainians; Russia and China are teaming up to help Hamas diplomatically; and China is helping Russia and Iran evade sanctions and continue their aggression,” he said, stating that “these conflicts are intertwined and therefore our response needs to be intertwined.”

As Kasparov put it, the leaders of CRINK exactly say what they are going to do, and they are delivering on their promises. He explained that Putin had talked of annexation of lands he deemed as part of Russia, or China’s Xi has been vocal about taking over Taiwan, and Iran’s Khamenei has been trumpeting his prophecy of Israel’s annihilation. He said the world should take their threats at face value.

“At times like this, conferences like this one matter. Threats to international stability are on the rise – and in the face of those threats, we’ve got to work together. We must learn from one another and share experiences. We must step up to address these challenges, and to preserve peace and prosperity for our peoples. Together, I’m confident that we can build a safer world. We can ensure that our militaries are ready to face the threats of tomorrow. And ultimately, we can protect and strengthen the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe.”

Bill Blair, Canada's Minister of National Defense

Amid the war in Gaza, declared by Iran-backed Hamas on October 7, the action echoes the deadly events of more than a decade ago when in 2010, the Israeli navy raided the Turkish Mavi Marmara, dubbed the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, carrying pro-Palestinian protesters aiming to impose a blockade.

After violent resistance, 10 activists were killed and a further 10 military personnel were injured in the incident.

Volkan Okçu is organising the latest mass blockade telling local news site Haber7, that the boats will carry 4,500 people from 40 countries. Among the 1,000 vessels will be 313 boats filled with Russian activists, and 104 filled with Spanish activists, he said.

While it is not backed by the Turkish government, President Erdogan has recalled the Turkish ambassador in Israel and been forthright in his condemnation of the attacks on Gaza in response to the massacre in Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 mostly civilians. A further 240 were taken hostage to Gaza.

Turkey is also host to Hamas, one of the two bases outside Gaza used by political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who is currently in Doha meeting with Red Cross officials to negotiate a ceasefire in return for the release of some of the hostages, which include 40 children, the elderly and the sick.

Okçu told Haber7 that the flotilla is scheduled to leave Turkish coasts on Thursday, first stopping in Cyprus before going next to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The goal he says is to disrupt trade and goods heading to Israel for up to 10 days.

The Turkish activist said there will not be a repeat of the incident of 2010, the flotilla following international law and the vessels sailing under flags of the US, the UK, Luxembourg, Russian, Germany, Spain, Poland, and others.

The Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association announced this week its intentions of delivering aid to Gaza. ”We are setting out again towards Gaza as a civil and independent movement in line with the decision we made with the International Freedom Flotilla, of which we are a member,” the association said on its website.

“Our actions against the naval blockade in Gaza adhere to the principles of nonviolence and non-violent resistance," it added.

As the Israeli onslaught of Gaza continues, hundreds of the militia’s commanders assassinated and large swathes of the strip destroyed, Hamas’s political leader in exile, Ismail Haniyeh, said that a truce with Israel was “close”.

In spite of the celebrations of victory by Hamas, the proscribed terror group is being pushed further underground as Israel’s land incursion deepens, unraveling the group’s thousands of miles long terror tunnel network.

It is understood that both sides would agree to release women and children, Hamas to release hostages, and Israel to release those held in its prisons, according to Hama’s Issat el Reshiq.

Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), met Haniyeh in Qatar on Monday to "advance humanitarian issues" related to the conflict, the Geneva-based ICRC said in a statement. She also met separately with Qatari authorities.

The ICRC said it was not part of negotiations aimed at releasing the hostages, but as a neutral intermediary it was ready "to facilitate any future release that the parties agree to.” In Israel, families of the captives demand the organisation do more to access the hostages to prove signs of life and address critical health needs.

The flotilla comes as the war on Hamas widens further into the international arena. Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, conducted its most brutal assault on Israel’s norther border since the start of the war on Monday. Iran’s largest and most powerful terror proxy employed more developed destructive weapons, in spite of Iran’s ongoing official denials of its involvement in the conflict. Top regime officials however have lauded the Hamas attacks and voice support for other groups joining the efforts of “resistance” against Israel.

On Sunday, Iran’s proxy the Houthis in Yemen, hijacked a Japanese-operated cargo ship in the Red Sea. The car carrier, Galaxy Leader, was taken to a Yemeni port, the proxy group believing it was owned by an Israeli businessman. On Monday, Japanese officials announced they were in direct talks with the Houthis after confirming the vessel was operated instead by Tokyo-based firm Nippon Yusen.

The former head of Spain's center-right People's Party in the Catalonia region, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, was shot in central Madrid on November 9 and taken to hospital. Spanish media was teeming with stories about Iran’s possible role in the assassination attempt. 

One of the suspects was arrested in the southern port city of Malaga and the other two in Granada, a police source told Reuters. Two of them were Spanish men and the third arrested was a British woman, the source said.

The 78-year-old conservative politician survived the attack as the bullet passed through his jaw but he is reportedly still in hospital.

Immediately after the incident, Spanish media reported speculations of Iran’s possible involvement in the attack with claims that Vidal-Quadras told doctors and relatives post-surgery that he believes Iran is behind the hit, which was then relayed to Spanish authorities. If true, it would be an unprecedented attack by the Islamic Republic on Spanish soil.

In October 2022, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs imposed sanctions on a long list of critics for their solidarity with the popular uprising sparked by the death in custody of a young woman that came to be known as the Women, Life, Freedom movement.

Vidal-Quadras, who served as European Parliament vice-president between 2009 and 2014, was accused by Tehran of "supporting terrorism and terrorist groups and spreading violence and hatred" for his strong condemnations of the crackdown on protests by the country’s ruling circle as well as his contacts with exiled opposition group Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK). The Spaniard was among eight European entities and 12 people who were blacklisted by Tehran in retaliation to the European Union sanctions imposed on Iran.