As part of the most recent diplomatic initiatives to lessen the Islamic Republic's isolation by forming new relationships, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will set off on a rare African tour on Tuesday. It will be the first journey to Africa by an Iranian president in 11 years, and it will last for three days, visiting Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

Iranian President Raisi embarking on 3-day tour of Africa

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has delayed his tour of Africa and now will kick it off a day late on Wednesday (July 12), said Kenyan foreign ministry. The announcement was made after Raisi failed to appear at a scheduled press event in Nairobi.

The rare visit by the Iranian president to Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe has come as the Islamic Republic attempts to forge new alliances and tackle its international isolation. The three-day trip will be the first by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years.

On Tuesday morning, Raisi was scheduled to hold a press conference with Kenyan President William Ruto. But neither of them showed up.

"The schedule of the president has now been reviewed to allow for finalisation of key MoUs (memoranda of understanding) that are central to the furtherance of relations," Kenya's foreign ministry said.

"The Iranian president will now arrive tomorrow for a state visit," it said, adding that the two leaders would hold bilateral talks at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) on Wednesday.

A Ugandan official said Raisi's trip to the East African country would proceed as previously scheduled, with his two-day visit due to begin on Wednesday.

President Yoweri Museveni and his Iranian counterpart will hold talks, address the media and a business forum during the visit, said Faruk Kirunda, deputy press secretary to the Ugandan leader.

<h2>Iran not pursuing nuclear weapons currently: US</h2>

A United States assessment has said that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons at the moment. However, it says that Iran has ramped up activities which could help it develop them.

The assessment has come from the office of the Director of National Intelligence and was released on Monday (July 10). It says that Iran has taken steps to increase its capacity to make an atomic bomb since 2020 but has stopped short of that so far.

The findings corresponded with previous U.S. assessments about Iran's nuclear programme, although many in Congress and elsewhere have been sceptical of those.

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The Biden administration has been intent on returning to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA was struck during the Obama administration but his successor, former president Donald Trump pulled USA out of it.

The effort to revive the deal has become complicated in recent months due to suspension of chief negotiator Rob Malley who has been placed on unpaid leave last month pending investigation into claims that he mishandled information.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has delayed his tour of Africa and now will kick it off a day late on Wednesday (July 12), said Kenyan foreign ministry. The announcement was made after Raisi failed to appear at a scheduled press event in Nairobi.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has delayed his tour of Africa and now will kick it off a day late on Wednesday (July 12), said Kenyan foreign ministry. The announcement was made after Raisi failed to appear at a scheduled press event in Nairobi. The rare visit by the Iranian president to Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe has come as the Islamic Republic attempts to forge new alliances and tackle its international isolation. The three-day trip will be the first by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years. On Tuesday morning, Raisi was scheduled to hold a press conference with Kenyan President William Ruto. But neither of them showed up. "The schedule of the president has now been reviewed to allow for finalisation of key MoUs (memoranda of understanding) that are central to the furtherance of relations," Kenya's foreign ministry said. "The Iranian president will now arrive tomorrow for a state visit," it said, adding that the two leaders would hold bilateral talks at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) on Wednesday. A Ugandan official said Raisi's trip to the East African country would proceed as previously scheduled, with his two-day visit due to begin on Wednesday. President Yoweri Museveni and his Iranian counterpart will hold talks, address the media and a business forum during the visit, said Faruk Kirunda, deputy press secretary to the Ugandan leader. Iran not pursuing nuclear weapons currently: US A United States assessment has said that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons at the moment. However, it says that Iran has ramped up activities which could help it develop them. The assessment has come from the office of the Director of National Intelligence and was released on Monday (July 10). It says that Iran has taken steps to increase its capacity to make an atomic bomb since 2020 but has stopped short of that so far. The findings corresponded with previous U.S. assessments about Iran's nuclear programme, although many in Congress and elsewhere have been sceptical of those. Also Read | Two men hanged in public over shrine attack in Iran The Biden administration has been intent on returning to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA was struck during the Obama administration but his successor, former president Donald Trump pulled USA out of it. The effort to revive the deal has become complicated in recent months due to suspension of chief negotiator Rob Malley who has been placed on unpaid leave last month pending investigation into claims that he mishandled information. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi fails to appear at Nairobi press meet; Africa tour delayed, says Kenya

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has met with Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana. Both leaders have vowed to jointly confront the "aggressive imperial policy" of the United States, which has sanctions in place against both countries.

Iranian President Raisi meets Cuban counterpart Diaz, vow to confront US policy

Iran, Cuba vow to confront US 'aggressive imperial policy'

According to reports, Iran's president Ibrahim Rai will travel to Syria on Wednesday. Since the beginning of Syria's Civil War in 2011, this will be the first tour of this kind. The two-day visit takes place against the backdrop of improved relations between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia as well as growing Arab engagement with Damascus.

Raisi to lead economic and political delegation to Damascus

Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi delivered a novel speech to an annual pro-Palestine rally in the Gaza Strip. This was one-of-its-kind recognition from Iran of the importance of the Hamas militant group that controls the territory. Raisi delivered the speech virtually to a gathering of hundreds of supporters of Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group gathered at a soccer field in Gaza City.&nbsp;

Raisi’s speech appeared to mend a rift between Hamas and its long-time patron, Iran, over the devastating civil war in Syria. For years, Iran has been following the path of quiet diplomacy in Palestine’s internal politics, but on Friday the Iranian President praised the “Palestinian fighters”.&nbsp;

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Raisi dismissed Hamas’ domestic political rival, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, which has long sought to win Palestine statehood through negotiations with Israel. The Palestinian Authority administers autonomous enclaves in West Bank.&nbsp;

In his speech on “Jerusalem Day” or al-Quds Day, Raisi struck a hard line against the Palestinian Authority’s recent regional meetings with Israel in Aqaba, Jordan, and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

A spike in violence in Israel and the West Bank, part of it in response to an Israeli police raid on the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem last week, has undermined the summits, which aimed to de-escalate mounting Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

Violence in Jerusalem last week

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam, which is located in Jerusalem. The mosque is built on top of a walled esplanade, which was the site of biblical Jewish temples and is considered the holiest site in Judaism.

The complex has been a hotspot in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Last week, Israeli police evicted Palestinian worshippers who had locked themselves inside the mosque with stones and firecrackers in order to seek the right to pray there overnight.

Watch |&nbsp;Al-Aqsa mosque clashes-UN Security Council calls emergency session

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Following the raid, in which hundreds of Palestinians were detained and many were injured, Palestinian militants fired rockets towards Israel from Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

The Hamas leader in Gaza, Yehiyeh Sinwar, praised the rocket fire during Friday’s rally. “The response came like a simple electric shock,” Sinwar said.

Al-Quds Day marches have been drawing thousands to the streets of the Middle East for the past four decades. The event is most noteworthy in Iran, where crowds burn Israeli flags and chant “Death to Israel and America”.&nbsp;

What Raisi said in his address&nbsp;

“The initiative to self-determination is today in the hands of the Palestinian fighters,” Raisi said, dismissing the PA that nominally rules parts of the West Bank.

“Let everyone know that we have no hesitation in supporting the resistance,” he added.

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Despite being a Sunni Muslim organisation, Hamas has a terrorist component that has long maintained close links with Iran, a source of finance and a Shiite powerhouse. The shared hatred of Israel binds Hamas and Iran together. While Iran has not revealed the specifics of its assistance, Hamas has publicly hailed the Islamic Republic.

Experts claim Iran's assistance is both financial and political, with the terrorist organisation now receiving blueprint technology, engineering know-how, and training to enable it to build its own handmade arsenal of powerful rockets capable of striking all of Israel's land.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi delivered a novel speech to an annual pro-Palestine rally in the Gaza Strip. This was one-of-its-kind recognition from Iran of the importance of the Hamas militant group that controls the territory.

Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi delivered a novel speech to an annual pro-Palestine rally in the Gaza Strip. This was one-of-its-kind recognition from Iran of the importance of the Hamas militant group that controls the territory. Raisi delivered the speech virtually to a gathering of hundreds of supporters of Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group gathered at a soccer field in Gaza City. Raisi’s speech appeared to mend a rift between Hamas and its long-time patron, Iran, over the devastating civil war in Syria. For years, Iran has been following the path of quiet diplomacy in Palestine’s internal politics, but on Friday the Iranian President praised the “Palestinian fighters”. Also Read | Relative of Indira Gandhi's killer arrested in New Zealand for drug peddling Raisi dismissed Hamas’ domestic political rival, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, which has long sought to win Palestine statehood through negotiations with Israel. The Palestinian Authority administers autonomous enclaves in West Bank. In his speech on “Jerusalem Day” or al-Quds Day, Raisi struck a hard line against the Palestinian Authority’s recent regional meetings with Israel in Aqaba, Jordan, and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. A spike in violence in Israel and the West Bank, part of it in response to an Israeli police raid on the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem last week, has undermined the summits, which aimed to de-escalate mounting Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Violence in Jerusalem last week The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam, which is located in Jerusalem. The mosque is built on top of a walled esplanade, which was the site of biblical Jewish temples and is considered the holiest site in Judaism. The complex has been a hotspot in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Last week, Israeli police evicted Palestinian worshippers who had locked themselves inside the mosque with stones and firecrackers in order to seek the right to pray there overnight. Watch | Al-Aqsa mosque clashes-UN Security Council calls emergency session × Following the raid, in which hundreds of Palestinians were detained and many were injured, Palestinian militants fired rockets towards Israel from Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. The Hamas leader in Gaza, Yehiyeh Sinwar, praised the rocket fire during Friday’s rally. “The response came like a simple electric shock,” Sinwar said. Al-Quds Day marches have been drawing thousands to the streets of the Middle East for the past four decades. The event is most noteworthy in Iran, where crowds burn Israeli flags and chant “Death to Israel and America”. What Raisi said in his address “The initiative to self-determination is today in the hands of the Palestinian fighters,” Raisi said, dismissing the PA that nominally rules parts of the West Bank. “Let everyone know that we have no hesitation in supporting the resistance,” he added. Also Read | Russian strike on Ukraine's Sloviansk kills eight; Moscow puts naval forces on high alert for drills Despite being a Sunni Muslim organisation, Hamas has a terrorist component that has long maintained close links with Iran, a source of finance and a Shiite powerhouse. The shared hatred of Israel binds Hamas and Iran together. While Iran has not revealed the specifics of its assistance, Hamas has publicly hailed the Islamic Republic. Experts claim Iran's assistance is both financial and political, with the terrorist organisation now receiving blueprint technology, engineering know-how, and training to enable it to build its own handmade arsenal of powerful rockets capable of striking all of Israel's land. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In first, Iran's President addresses Palestinians in Gaza, vows full support for resistance

Two women were arrested in Iran for not wearing the hijab after&nbsp;a rowdy man created ruckus attacking the duo with what seemingly appears to be yoghurt in the&nbsp;northwest city of Mashad, as per reports.&nbsp;

The incident took place when two women were waiting in line at a shop. A man then enters the shop and starts talking to the woman in rage. He starts raising objection to the women for not wearing hijab (headscraf), which is part of essential dress code in Iran.

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In the video footage that is now gaining traction on social media, the man then picks up a container from a shelf inside the shop and pours the liquid, seemingly yoghurt, on&nbsp;the heads of the women. He repeatedly does this and then stands there staring at the women with anger.&nbsp;

At this point, the shopkeeper comes running and gives a tight push to the man on his chest flinging him out of the shop.&nbsp;From the video, it can be seen that many people were present inside the shop at the time of the episode.&nbsp;

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Yoghurt Jihadist Attacks Women: a vigilante regime supporter objected to the way two Iranian women were dressed and attacked them with a bucket of yogurt in the northwest city of Mashad. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YoghurtJihadist?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YoghurtJihadist</a> has not been identified yet. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IranRevolution2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IranRevolution2023</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iranians?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iranians</a> <a href="https://t.co/j50SGOEHmA">pic.twitter.com/j50SGOEHmA</a>
— Maziar Bahari (@maziarbahari) <a href="https://twitter.com/maziarbahari/status/1642079385640394752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Following the incident, Iran's judiciary said the two women were arrested for flouting the country's compulsory hijab wearing law. The man was also put behind bars for disturbing the public order, it added.&nbsp;

Even the shop owner also got entangled in the midst of this. The Iranian judiciary sent him &nbsp;"necessary notices" asking them to comply with the law.&nbsp;Iran has been witnessing protests since the death of a 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini in police custody in September last year.

Watch | WION Exclusive: Indian Actor Dia Mirza speaks to WION on playing Geetanjali in 'Bheed'

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There was a huge public uproar and anti-government protests erupted in Iran. Many women took to the streets and defiantly came out not covering their heads with scarfs. As per reports, thousands of demonstrators have been detained.&nbsp;

Hossein Ali Haji Deligani, a member of parliament in Iran, has given the court 48 hours to come up with solutions to cease breaking the law. Moreover, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday, "Hijab is a legal matter and adherence to it is obligatory."&nbsp; 
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Two women were arrested in Iran for not wearing the hijab after a rowdy man created ruckus attacking the duo with what seemingly appears to be yoghurt in the northwest city of Mashad, as per reports.

Two women were arrested in Iran for not wearing the hijab after a rowdy man created ruckus attacking the duo with what seemingly appears to be yoghurt in the northwest city of Mashad, as per reports. The incident took place when two women were waiting in line at a shop. A man then enters the shop and starts talking to the woman in rage. He starts raising objection to the women for not wearing hijab (headscraf), which is part of essential dress code in Iran. Watch | Hot air balloon catches fire mid-air in Mexico, two dead and a child injured In the video footage that is now gaining traction on social media, the man then picks up a container from a shelf inside the shop and pours the liquid, seemingly yoghurt, on the heads of the women. He repeatedly does this and then stands there staring at the women with anger. At this point, the shopkeeper comes running and gives a tight push to the man on his chest flinging him out of the shop. From the video, it can be seen that many people were present inside the shop at the time of the episode. Yoghurt Jihadist Attacks Women: a vigilante regime supporter objected to the way two Iranian women were dressed and attacked them with a bucket of yogurt in the northwest city of Mashad. The #YoghurtJihadist has not been identified yet. #IranRevolution2023 #Iranians pic.twitter.com/j50SGOEHmA — Maziar Bahari (@maziarbahari) April 1, 2023 × Also Read | Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel admitted to hospital Following the incident, Iran's judiciary said the two women were arrested for flouting the country's compulsory hijab wearing law. The man was also put behind bars for disturbing the public order, it added. Even the shop owner also got entangled in the midst of this. The Iranian judiciary sent him "necessary notices" asking them to comply with the law. Iran has been witnessing protests since the death of a 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini in police custody in September last year. Watch | WION Exclusive: Indian Actor Dia Mirza speaks to WION on playing Geetanjali in 'Bheed' × There was a huge public uproar and anti-government protests erupted in Iran. Many women took to the streets and defiantly came out not covering their heads with scarfs. As per reports, thousands of demonstrators have been detained. Hossein Ali Haji Deligani, a member of parliament in Iran, has given the court 48 hours to come up with solutions to cease breaking the law. Moreover, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday, "Hijab is a legal matter and adherence to it is obligatory." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | Man attacks two women with yoghurt for not wearing hijab in Iran, all three arrested

What is Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi doing in China? Does the visit indicate the consolidation of an anti-American alliance?

Gravitas: What is Iran's President doing in China?

Iranian President Abraham Raisi is heading to China and his focus will be to shore up the bilateral economic and strategic ties. Raisi will arrive in Beijing later today.

Iran-China Ties: Ebrahim Raisi to visit Beijing on personal invite from Chinese President

Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi has arrived in China and his focus is on shoring up the bilateral economic and strategic ties. This has come against the backdrop of Iran being under scrutiny from the West.

Iran-China Ties: Raisi expected to meet Chinese businessmen and Iranian diaspora

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has arrived in China and his focus is on shoring up the bilateral economic and strategic ties. This has come against the backdrop of Iran being under scrutiny from the West.

Iran-China Ties: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi begins three day visit to China

Days after the European Parliament approved a resolution calling on the Block to consider a terrorist designation for Iran's Islamic revolutionary guard Corps, Tehran says it is planning to designate the Armed Forces of the EU States as terrorists.

Iran Prez Raisi: We will take 'reciprocal' measures against European Union

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi has said that the Islamic Republic will continue to crack down on protesters. His comments have come not long after Iran carried out the first execution of a protester.&nbsp;"The identification, trial and punishment of the perpetrators of the martyrdom (killing) of security forces will be pursued with determination," Raisi said at a ceremony honouring security forces killed during protests, according to state media.

Mohsen Shekari, a protester, was executed on Thursday marking first such conviction related to the countrywide protests.

Iran is witnessing nationwide protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was taken into custody by Iran's morality police.

Meanwhile, Molavi Abdolhamid, an outspoken Sunni cleric in the Shi'ite-ruled Islamic Republic, criticised the death sentence, according to reports.

"When someone has not killed but only blocked a road and stabbed and injured a Basij (militia) member with a knife, he cannot be put to death under sharia," Molavi Abdolhamid said on his website.

"Listen to these protesters and negotiate with the people of Iran. Beating, killing and executing is not right. This protest will not be quelled by killing people," he said, addressing authorities.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iran President Ebrahim Raisi has said that the Islamic Republic will continue to crack down on protesters. His comments have come not long after Iran carried out the first execution of a protester.

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi has said that the Islamic Republic will continue to crack down on protesters. His comments have come not long after Iran carried out the first execution of a protester. "The identification, trial and punishment of the perpetrators of the martyrdom (killing) of security forces will be pursued with determination," Raisi said at a ceremony honouring security forces killed during protests, according to state media. Mohsen Shekari, a protester, was executed on Thursday marking first such conviction related to the countrywide protests. Iran is witnessing nationwide protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was taken into custody by Iran's morality police. Meanwhile, Molavi Abdolhamid, an outspoken Sunni cleric in the Shi'ite-ruled Islamic Republic, criticised the death sentence, according to reports. "When someone has not killed but only blocked a road and stabbed and injured a Basij (militia) member with a knife, he cannot be put to death under sharia," Molavi Abdolhamid said on his website. "Listen to these protesters and negotiate with the people of Iran. Beating, killing and executing is not right. This protest will not be quelled by killing people," he said, addressing authorities. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran: President Raisi says crackdown on protesters will continue; Sunni cleric questions execution

It has been exactly one month since anti-hijab protest gripped Iran. Since the beginning, Tehran has been blaming the West for propagating and even funding the unrest.

Iran Anti-Hijab protests: Biden allows his comments to incite chaos and terror, says President Raisi

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday (October 16) accused US President Joe Biden of 'inciting chaos' in Iran. Raisi's statement came after Biden expressed support for nationwide protests in Iran that erupted after the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

"The remarks of the American president, who is inciting chaos, terror and the destruction of another country, serve as a reminder of the eternal words of the founder of the Islamic republic, who called America the Great Satan," Raisi said, referring to the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei.

"The enemy's plot must be countered by effective measures to resolve people's problems," Raisi added, according to a presidency statement.

Watch | Anti-Hijab row: Iran protests complete one month

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22-year-old Mahsa Amini was detained by Iran's feared morality police for her 'inappropriate attire'. On September 16, three days after her detainment, Amini died. This led to protests that have now spread across Iran. The intensity of the protests is such that the protesters are even clashing with security personnel.

Iran government's attitude has been to repeatedly denounce protesters by calling them 'rioters'. President Raisi has on more than one occasion mentioned the word.

Biden had said Friday that "we stand with the citizens, the brave women of Iran".

"It stunned me what it awakened in Iran. It awakened something that I don't think will be quieted for a long, long time," said the US president.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-at-evin-prison-extinguished-nine-injured-but-no-detainees-escaped-525838">Fire at Iran's infamous Evin Prison extinguished. Four dead, 61 injured</a>

Earlier Sunday, Iran's foreign affairs spokesman Nasser Kanani had shrugged off Biden's comments, saying that "Iran is too strong for its will to be swayed by the interference... by a politician tired of years of failure."&nbsp;

"We will together defend the independence of Iran," Kanani wrote on Instagram.

(With inputs from agencies)

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&nbsp;

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday (October 16) accused US President Joe Biden of 'inciting chaos' in Iran. Raisi's statement came after Biden expressed support for nationwide protests in Iran that erupted after the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday (October 16) accused US President Joe Biden of 'inciting chaos' in Iran. Raisi's statement came after Biden expressed support for nationwide protests in Iran that erupted after the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. "The remarks of the American president, who is inciting chaos, terror and the destruction of another country, serve as a reminder of the eternal words of the founder of the Islamic republic, who called America the Great Satan," Raisi said, referring to the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei. "The enemy's plot must be countered by effective measures to resolve people's problems," Raisi added, according to a presidency statement. Watch | Anti-Hijab row: Iran protests complete one month × 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was detained by Iran's feared morality police for her 'inappropriate attire'. On September 16, three days after her detainment, Amini died. This led to protests that have now spread across Iran. The intensity of the protests is such that the protesters are even clashing with security personnel. Iran government's attitude has been to repeatedly denounce protesters by calling them 'rioters'. President Raisi has on more than one occasion mentioned the word. Biden had said Friday that "we stand with the citizens, the brave women of Iran". "It stunned me what it awakened in Iran. It awakened something that I don't think will be quieted for a long, long time," said the US president. Also Read | Fire at Iran's infamous Evin Prison extinguished. Four dead, 61 injured Earlier Sunday, Iran's foreign affairs spokesman Nasser Kanani had shrugged off Biden's comments, saying that "Iran is too strong for its will to be swayed by the interference... by a politician tired of years of failure." "We will together defend the independence of Iran," Kanani wrote on Instagram. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran protests: Raisi accuses Biden of 'inciting chaos' in the country

According to Iran, it sees no point in reviving the nuclear pact without guarantees from the United States that it will now withdraw again. As per, the United States official Iran stance on this matter is unreasonable.

Iranian President Raisi blames Europe & US for failing to revive nuclear dea

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has warned Israel and said Iran will target Israel's heart if acted against Iran. He added that Iran watches any move by Israel closely.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi warns Israel against hostile moves

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday, arrived in Qatar for his firt visit to a Gulf Arab state for a major gas summit. The summit is likely to be dominated by tensions over Ukraine crisis.

Raisi and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, a close US ally, are also expected to discuss growing efforts to revive a stalled international deal to regulate Iran's nuclear programme.

Tuesday's Gas Exporting Countries Forum will be overshadowed by growing tensions around Ukraine which have boosted demand for gas as well as the price paid by consumers.

Producing nations say they will not be able to provide substantial amounts of gas to Europe if Russia, which has been accused of preparing an attack on Ukraine, cuts supplies in any sanctions showdown.

Raisi has not travelled in the Gulf region since taking office in June, and it is only his fourth trip abroad. Qatar authorities imposed stringent security for his arrival at Doha airport, where he was met by the emir.

Qatar has added the Iran nuclear dispute to its list of diplomatic hotspots where it has taken a behind-the-scenes mediation role.&nbsp;

Earlier this month Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani went on an unannounced visit to Tehran after the emir met US President Joe Biden in Washington.&nbsp;

'Common concern'

The Qatar government said that the emir and Raisi would discuss issues of "common concern" without giving details. Diplomats said, however, that the nuclear talks would be on the agenda.

In 2015, Iran and six world powers including the United States reached a landmark nuclear agreement that offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme.

The United States unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then president Donald Trump and reimposed heavy economic sanctions.

Talks on reviving the deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have been held in the Austrian capital Vienna since late November, involving Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia directly and the United States indirectly. 
&nbsp;

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday, arrived in Qatar for his firt visit to a Gulf Arab state for a major gas summit. The summit is likely to be dominated by tensions over Ukraine crisis.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday, arrived in Qatar for his firt visit to a Gulf Arab state for a major gas summit. The summit is likely to be dominated by tensions over Ukraine crisis. Raisi and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, a close US ally, are also expected to discuss growing efforts to revive a stalled international deal to regulate Iran's nuclear programme. Tuesday's Gas Exporting Countries Forum will be overshadowed by growing tensions around Ukraine which have boosted demand for gas as well as the price paid by consumers. Producing nations say they will not be able to provide substantial amounts of gas to Europe if Russia, which has been accused of preparing an attack on Ukraine, cuts supplies in any sanctions showdown. Raisi has not travelled in the Gulf region since taking office in June, and it is only his fourth trip abroad. Qatar authorities imposed stringent security for his arrival at Doha airport, where he was met by the emir. Qatar has added the Iran nuclear dispute to its list of diplomatic hotspots where it has taken a behind-the-scenes mediation role. Earlier this month Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani went on an unannounced visit to Tehran after the emir met US President Joe Biden in Washington. 'Common concern' The Qatar government said that the emir and Raisi would discuss issues of "common concern" without giving details. Diplomats said, however, that the nuclear talks would be on the agenda. In 2015, Iran and six world powers including the United States reached a landmark nuclear agreement that offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme. The United States unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then president Donald Trump and reimposed heavy economic sanctions. Talks on reviving the deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have been held in the Austrian capital Vienna since late November, involving Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia directly and the United States indirectly.

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi on maiden Gulf trip for gas summit

“It’s the economy, stupid.” That is the message of a just-published survey of Iranian public opinion.

However, the substance of the message differs for newly elected hardline Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the Biden administration as Mr. Raisi toughens his negotiating position and the United States grapples with alternative ways of curbing the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme should the parties fail to agree on terms for the revival of the 2015 international agreement.

Iranians surveyed last month by Iran Poll and the University of Maryland’s Center for International and Security Studies were telling Mr. Raisi that they are looking to him to alleviate Iran’s economic and other problems and have little hope that a revived nuclear agreement will make the difference, given lack of trust in US and European compliance with any agreement reached.

The Iranians polled seemed in majority to endorse some form of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s notion of a “resistance economy” as a way of blunting the impact of the US sanctions imposed by former President Donald J. Trump after he walked away from the nuclear agreement in 2018. Some 65 per cent of the responders said they favoured a self-sufficient economy; 54.2 per cent expected the economy to at least improve somewhat in the next three years.

A large number expressed confidence that Mr. Raisi would significantly lower inflation and unemployment, increase Iran’s trade with other countries, control the pandemic and root out corruption.

Meanwhile, 63 per cent suggested that Iran’s economic situation would be the same, if not better, if there were no return to the agreement and the government continued to pursue a civil nuclear programme. The figure seemed at odds with the 80 per cent who said Iran’s economic situation would improve if Iran and the United States returned to the agreement and both fulfilled their obligations under the deal.

The divergence may be a function of the fact that the poll, unsurprisingly, indicated that Iranians (64.7 per cent) had little trust in the United States living up to its commitments even though they expected the Biden administration to return to the deal (57.9 per cent). As a result, 73.1 per cent of those surveyed said Iran should not make concessions given that world powers would not live up to commitments they make in return.

At the same time, 63 per cent blamed the troubled state of the economy on domestic mismanagement rather than US sanctions. Only 34.4 per cent believed that the sanctions were the main cause of their economic difficulty. Iranians pointing the finger at the government rather than external forces was also reflected in the 60.5 per cent of those polled blaming Iran’s water shortages on mismanagement and bad policies.

The poll suggested that by emphasising domestic mismanagement, Iranians were going to judge Mr. Raisi on his success or failure in countering the debilitating effect of the sanctions even though 77.5 per cent of those surveyed said that the sanctions had a negative or somewhat negative impact on the economy.

Implicitly, Iranians were holding former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani responsible for the mismanagement given that Mr. Raisi only took office in August. Rated very favourable by 61.2 per cent of Iranians surveyed in 2015, Mr. Rouhani’s favorability dropped to 4.6 per cent in the most recent poll. By contrast, the favourable views of Mr. Raisi soared from 38.3 per cent in 2014 to 77 per cent last month. IranPoll and the Center have been conducting annual of surveys since 2014.

Mr. Raisi may have taken pleasure from that but more importantly, the poll implicitly suggested that he does not have much time to produce results before his significant public support starts to wane.

Of those polled, 66.7 per cent expected Mr. Raisi to improve Iran’s international standing, 55.7 per cent said he would be in a better position to negotiate with world powers, and 45.2 per cent predicted that he would enhance Iran’s security. Those expectations may have been to some degree validated in the public’s mind by last month’s acceptance of Iran’s application for membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that groups China, Russia, India, Pakistan and several Central Asian states.

The survey results seemed to suggest that ordinary Iranians were framing their message to the United States differently from the assessment of prominent scholars and analysts. The divergence may well be one primarily of timing but nonetheless has implications for policymaking in Washington. The message of the respondents to the poll was one of immediate impact while analysts and scholars appear to be looking at the middle term.

Without referring to the poll, Vienna-based economist and strategic consultant Bijan Khajehpour argued this week, seemingly contrary to the poll, that “mismanagement and the Covid-19 pandemic have both contributed to Iran’s poor economic performance in recent years, but it remains that US sanctions…will be the key factor in determining Iran’s future prospects.”

Mr. Khajehpour went on to say that “high inflation, capital flight and the erosion of household purchasing power alongside mismanagement of resources and the deterioration of the country’s infrastructure have the potential to spark more protests and further undermine the already faltering legitimacy of the Islamic Republic in the eyes of the public.”

No doubt, the jury is out on how Iranians respond if and when Mr. Raisi fails to live up to their expectations. If the past is any indication, Iranians have repeatedly taken to the streets at often substantial risk to liberty and life to make their discontent with government performance evident as they did with the low turnout in this year’s election that brought Mr. Raisi to power.

The risk of renewed protests was reflected in the fact that responses to various questions regarding the electoral system, the limited number of presidential candidates (because many were barred from running), and the public health system showed that it was often a slim majority at best that expressed confidence in the system.

Add to that the fact that 68 per cent of respondents to the poll said that the objectives of past protests had been a demand that officials pay greater attention to people’s problems.

Yet, at the same time, they were telling the United States that its efforts to generate pressure on Iranian leaders to moderate their nuclear and regional policies by imposing harsh sanctions had for now backfired. Iranians were backing a tougher negotiating position by the Raisi government.

Ultimately that could be a double-edged sword for Mr. Raisi. He has to prove that he can be tough on the United States and simultaneously improve the lives of ordinary Iranians. Failure to do so could have in Mr. Khajehpour’s words “unpredictable consequences.”

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

“It’s the economy, stupid.” That is the message of a just-published survey of Iranian public opinion. However, the substance of the message differs for newly elected hardline Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the Biden administration as Mr.

“It’s the economy, stupid.” That is the message of a just-published survey of Iranian public opinion. However, the substance of the message differs for newly elected hardline Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the Biden administration as Mr. Raisi toughens his negotiating position and the United States grapples with alternative ways of curbing the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme should the parties fail to agree on terms for the revival of the 2015 international agreement. Iranians surveyed last month by Iran Poll and the University of Maryland’s Center for International and Security Studies were telling Mr. Raisi that they are looking to him to alleviate Iran’s economic and other problems and have little hope that a revived nuclear agreement will make the difference, given lack of trust in US and European compliance with any agreement reached. The Iranians polled seemed in majority to endorse some form of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s notion of a “resistance economy” as a way of blunting the impact of the US sanctions imposed by former President Donald J. Trump after he walked away from the nuclear agreement in 2018. Some 65 per cent of the responders said they favoured a self-sufficient economy; 54.2 per cent expected the economy to at least improve somewhat in the next three years. A large number expressed confidence that Mr. Raisi would significantly lower inflation and unemployment, increase Iran’s trade with other countries, control the pandemic and root out corruption. Meanwhile, 63 per cent suggested that Iran’s economic situation would be the same, if not better, if there were no return to the agreement and the government continued to pursue a civil nuclear programme. The figure seemed at odds with the 80 per cent who said Iran’s economic situation would improve if Iran and the United States returned to the agreement and both fulfilled their obligations under the deal. The divergence may be a function of the fact that the poll, unsurprisingly, indicated that Iranians (64.7 per cent) had little trust in the United States living up to its commitments even though they expected the Biden administration to return to the deal (57.9 per cent). As a result, 73.1 per cent of those surveyed said Iran should not make concessions given that world powers would not live up to commitments they make in return. At the same time, 63 per cent blamed the troubled state of the economy on domestic mismanagement rather than US sanctions. Only 34.4 per cent believed that the sanctions were the main cause of their economic difficulty. Iranians pointing the finger at the government rather than external forces was also reflected in the 60.5 per cent of those polled blaming Iran’s water shortages on mismanagement and bad policies. The poll suggested that by emphasising domestic mismanagement, Iranians were going to judge Mr. Raisi on his success or failure in countering the debilitating effect of the sanctions even though 77.5 per cent of those surveyed said that the sanctions had a negative or somewhat negative impact on the economy. Implicitly, Iranians were holding former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani responsible for the mismanagement given that Mr. Raisi only took office in August. Rated very favourable by 61.2 per cent of Iranians surveyed in 2015, Mr. Rouhani’s favorability dropped to 4.6 per cent in the most recent poll. By contrast, the favourable views of Mr. Raisi soared from 38.3 per cent in 2014 to 77 per cent last month. IranPoll and the Center have been conducting annual of surveys since 2014. Mr. Raisi may have taken pleasure from that but more importantly, the poll implicitly suggested that he does not have much time to produce results before his significant public support starts to wane. Of those polled, 66.7 per cent expected Mr. Raisi to improve Iran’s international standing, 55.7 per cent said he would be in a better position to negotiate with world powers, and 45.2 per cent predicted that he would enhance Iran’s security. Those expectations may have been to some degree validated in the public’s mind by last month’s acceptance of Iran’s application for membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that groups China, Russia, India, Pakistan and several Central Asian states. The survey results seemed to suggest that ordinary Iranians were framing their message to the United States differently from the assessment of prominent scholars and analysts. The divergence may well be one primarily of timing but nonetheless has implications for policymaking in Washington. The message of the respondents to the poll was one of immediate impact while analysts and scholars appear to be looking at the middle term. Without referring to the poll, Vienna-based economist and strategic consultant Bijan Khajehpour argued this week, seemingly contrary to the poll, that “mismanagement and the Covid-19 pandemic have both contributed to Iran’s poor economic performance in recent years, but it remains that US sanctions…will be the key factor in determining Iran’s future prospects.” Mr. Khajehpour went on to say that “high inflation, capital flight and the erosion of household purchasing power alongside mismanagement of resources and the deterioration of the country’s infrastructure have the potential to spark more protests and further undermine the already faltering legitimacy of the Islamic Republic in the eyes of the public.” No doubt, the jury is out on how Iranians respond if and when Mr. Raisi fails to live up to their expectations. If the past is any indication, Iranians have repeatedly taken to the streets at often substantial risk to liberty and life to make their discontent with government performance evident as they did with the low turnout in this year’s election that brought Mr. Raisi to power. The risk of renewed protests was reflected in the fact that responses to various questions regarding the electoral system, the limited number of presidential candidates (because many were barred from running), and the public health system showed that it was often a slim majority at best that expressed confidence in the system. Add to that the fact that 68 per cent of respondents to the poll said that the objectives of past protests had been a demand that officials pay greater attention to people’s problems. Yet, at the same time, they were telling the United States that its efforts to generate pressure on Iranian leaders to moderate their nuclear and regional policies by imposing harsh sanctions had for now backfired. Iranians were backing a tougher negotiating position by the Raisi government. Ultimately that could be a double-edged sword for Mr. Raisi. He has to prove that he can be tough on the United States and simultaneously improve the lives of ordinary Iranians. Failure to do so could have in Mr. Khajehpour’s words “unpredictable consequences.” (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | Iran poll contains different messages for Biden and Raisi

The government of Iran has lost the trust of its people, who are facing several crises including the Covid pandemic, economic turmoil and water and power shortages, former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday.

“Right now, both the economic situation and social situation are dire. Relations with neighbours, and international relations are facing serious challenges. Above all is the distrust of the public,” he said in an interview to WION’s Executive Editor Palki Sharma when asked about challenges that Iranian leadership faces.

Pressed on about who exactly the public distrusted, he said, “the people do not trust the managers and decision makers.”

Iran is undergoing several mass protests over water and power shortages. Police firing at protesters had led to deaths in July.

Ahmadinejad was one of the contenders for this year’s presidential election but he was barred from contesting by the top clerical vetting body, the Guardian Council. 
 
Watch | Afghanistan Dialogues: Former Iran Prez Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks to WION on Afghan crisis

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He reportedly did not vote in the election.

His comments came even as hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi was sworn in as the next president of Iran.

Asked if the government of Raisi represents the will of the people of Iran, he said, “Everywhere, things are based on people. The energy that propels the country and takes it forward is the will of the people. Without people, no positive development is going to occur. The governments are entitled to nothing but propelling and developing the will of the people.”&nbsp;

On the current crises such as water and power shortages, he said, “the most important thing is the restoration of the national trust."

Iran is one of the worst-affected countries in West Asia in the ongoing Covid pandemic.

Asked if the government had done enough in minimising the damage, Ahmadinejad said, “Unfortunately, the government’s management of the pandemic has been very very bad, and today we have public disaffection because of this. Besides, the weak management has damaged Iran’s economy.”

Part of the interview will air on WION on Tuesday at 3:30 PM GMT.

The government of Iran has lost the trust of its people, who are facing several crises including the Covid pandemic, economic turmoil and water and power shortages, former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday.

The government of Iran has lost the trust of its people, who are facing several crises including the Covid pandemic, economic turmoil and water and power shortages, former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday. “Right now, both the economic situation and social situation are dire. Relations with neighbours, and international relations are facing serious challenges. Above all is the distrust of the public,” he said in an interview to WION’s Executive Editor Palki Sharma when asked about challenges that Iranian leadership faces. Pressed on about who exactly the public distrusted, he said, “the people do not trust the managers and decision makers.” Iran is undergoing several mass protests over water and power shortages. Police firing at protesters had led to deaths in July. Ahmadinejad was one of the contenders for this year’s presidential election but he was barred from contesting by the top clerical vetting body, the Guardian Council. Watch | Afghanistan Dialogues: Former Iran Prez Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks to WION on Afghan crisis He reportedly did not vote in the election. His comments came even as hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi was sworn in as the next president of Iran. Asked if the government of Raisi represents the will of the people of Iran, he said, “Everywhere, things are based on people. The energy that propels the country and takes it forward is the will of the people. Without people, no positive development is going to occur. The governments are entitled to nothing but propelling and developing the will of the people.” On the current crises such as water and power shortages, he said, “the most important thing is the restoration of the national trust." Iran is one of the worst-affected countries in West Asia in the ongoing Covid pandemic. Asked if the government had done enough in minimising the damage, Ahmadinejad said, “Unfortunately, the government’s management of the pandemic has been very very bad, and today we have public disaffection because of this. Besides, the weak management has damaged Iran’s economy.” Part of the interview will air on WION on Tuesday at 3:30 PM GMT.

Exclusive: Iranians do not trust decision makers anymore, says ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iran's new ultraconservative president voiced support Tuesday in his international debut for reviving a nuclear accord even as he berated the United States, hailing what he described as its failures.

President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric who succeeded a government that sought better relations with the West, called on the United States to fulfill its promises to end sanctions under the 2015 nuclear accord.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-first-address-at-un-general-assembly-2021-us-president-joe-biden-says-ended-afghan-war-to-enter-new-era-of-diplomacy-414726">Also Read: At UNGA, Biden says ended Afghan war to enter new era of diplomacy </a>&nbsp;

"The Islamic Republic considers useful talks whose ultimate outcome is the lifting of all oppressive sanctions," Raisi said in a recorded speech to the UN General Assembly.

Indirect talks brokered by the European Union have been on hiatus since June after months of negotiations with the previous government failed to secure a path forward.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-president-xi-vows-to-stop-funding-coal-projects-overseas-at-unga-414805">Also Read:&nbsp;Chinese President Xi vows to stop funding coal projects overseas at UNGA</a>

Raisi repeated the clerical state's stance that nuclear weapons are religiously prohibited, a position that has been met with skepticism notably by Israel, which has carried out a sabotage campaign to delay Iran's nuclear work.

Nuclear weapons "have no place in our defense doctrine and deterrence policy," Raisi said.

Raisi is notorious among human rights advocates for his role as a judge during mass executions in 1988 when the Islamic republic was solidifying control, with some activists encouraging the West to shun him.

But Western powers, as well as China and Russia, say they see the value in restricting Iran's nuclear program peacefully under the 2015 agreement, from which US President Joe Biden's predecessor Donald Trump withdrew the United States.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he will meet Tuesday at the United Nations with Iran's new foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and push him to restart the talks in Vienna "soon."

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas of Germany, which remains in the nuclear accord, said it was urgent to resume negotiations, amid Western concerns that Iran could advance nuclear work.

"We're not going to wait two or three months for the Iranian delegation to return to Vienna. It has to be quicker," Maas told reporters.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh, traveling with Raisi, said he expected a resumption of the indirect talks "in the coming weeks," without giving an exact date.

President Biden, appearing in person in his own maiden UN speech, renewed his willingness to return the United States to the nuclear accord and lift sanctions.

"We're prepared to return to full compliance if Iran does the same," Biden said.

Iran has taken steps away from the accord to protest the sanctions and has insisted on a full lifting of economic pressure -- while the Biden administration says only measures imposed by Trump over the nuclear program are on the table.

Raisi devoted most of his speech to fiery denunciations of the United States, pointing to the collapse of the Western-backed government in Afghanistan, as well as the mob attack of the US Capitol on January 6 by Trump supporters seeking to overturn his defeat.

The two events show that "the US hegemonic system has no credibility, whether inside or outside the country."

"What is seen in our region today proves that not only the hegemonist and the idea of hegemony, but also the project of imposing Westernized identity, have failed miserably."

Aiming squarely at US domestic politics, Raisi cited the slogans of Trump and Biden: "Today, the world doesn't care about 'America First' or 'America is Back.'"

The language was a marked difference from his moderate predecessor Hassan Rouhani, a fellow cleric, who called for allowing greater freedoms and interaction with the outside world.

But Raisi stopped short of the inflammatory language of previous president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, who isolated Iran on the international stage by calling for Israel's destruction and denying the Holocaust.

Raisi nonetheless denounced Israel in terms sure to anger the Jewish state, calling it the largest sponsor of "state terrorism, whose agenda is to slaughter women and children in Gaza and the West Bank."

Iran's new ultraconservative president voiced support Tuesday in his international debut for reviving a nuclear accord even as he berated the United States, hailing what he described as its failures.

Iran's new ultraconservative president voiced support Tuesday in his international debut for reviving a nuclear accord even as he berated the United States, hailing what he described as its failures. President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric who succeeded a government that sought better relations with the West, called on the United States to fulfill its promises to end sanctions under the 2015 nuclear accord. Also Read: At UNGA, Biden says ended Afghan war to enter new era of diplomacy "The Islamic Republic considers useful talks whose ultimate outcome is the lifting of all oppressive sanctions," Raisi said in a recorded speech to the UN General Assembly. Indirect talks brokered by the European Union have been on hiatus since June after months of negotiations with the previous government failed to secure a path forward. Also Read: Chinese President Xi vows to stop funding coal projects overseas at UNGA Raisi repeated the clerical state's stance that nuclear weapons are religiously prohibited, a position that has been met with skepticism notably by Israel, which has carried out a sabotage campaign to delay Iran's nuclear work. Nuclear weapons "have no place in our defense doctrine and deterrence policy," Raisi said. Raisi is notorious among human rights advocates for his role as a judge during mass executions in 1988 when the Islamic republic was solidifying control, with some activists encouraging the West to shun him. But Western powers, as well as China and Russia, say they see the value in restricting Iran's nuclear program peacefully under the 2015 agreement, from which US President Joe Biden's predecessor Donald Trump withdrew the United States. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he will meet Tuesday at the United Nations with Iran's new foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and push him to restart the talks in Vienna "soon." Foreign Minister Heiko Maas of Germany, which remains in the nuclear accord, said it was urgent to resume negotiations, amid Western concerns that Iran could advance nuclear work. "We're not going to wait two or three months for the Iranian delegation to return to Vienna. It has to be quicker," Maas told reporters. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh, traveling with Raisi, said he expected a resumption of the indirect talks "in the coming weeks," without giving an exact date. President Biden, appearing in person in his own maiden UN speech, renewed his willingness to return the United States to the nuclear accord and lift sanctions. "We're prepared to return to full compliance if Iran does the same," Biden said. Iran has taken steps away from the accord to protest the sanctions and has insisted on a full lifting of economic pressure -- while the Biden administration says only measures imposed by Trump over the nuclear program are on the table. Raisi devoted most of his speech to fiery denunciations of the United States, pointing to the collapse of the Western-backed government in Afghanistan, as well as the mob attack of the US Capitol on January 6 by Trump supporters seeking to overturn his defeat. The two events show that "the US hegemonic system has no credibility, whether inside or outside the country." "What is seen in our region today proves that not only the hegemonist and the idea of hegemony, but also the project of imposing Westernized identity, have failed miserably." Aiming squarely at US domestic politics, Raisi cited the slogans of Trump and Biden: "Today, the world doesn't care about 'America First' or 'America is Back.'" The language was a marked difference from his moderate predecessor Hassan Rouhani, a fellow cleric, who called for allowing greater freedoms and interaction with the outside world. But Raisi stopped short of the inflammatory language of previous president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, who isolated Iran on the international stage by calling for Israel's destruction and denying the Holocaust. Raisi nonetheless denounced Israel in terms sure to anger the Jewish state, calling it the largest sponsor of "state terrorism, whose agenda is to slaughter women and children in Gaza and the West Bank."

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi slams US, presses sanctions to be lifted

Iran's ultraconservative President Ebrahim&nbsp;Raisi&nbsp;said Saturday his government will prioritise&nbsp;tackling&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;and accelerating vaccinations ahead of an economic revival, as he defended his cabinet choices before parliament.

The conservative-dominated parliament began debating the male-only, largely conservative lineup in the morning ahead of a vote of confidence expected later this week.

"The government's first priority is controlling the coronavirus, improving the health situation and widespread vaccination,"&nbsp;Raisi&nbsp;said.

"The&nbsp;economy&nbsp;and the livelihood situation is the second" priority, he added, noting that his lineup is meant to bring about "justice and progress".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-embassy-in-pakistan-condemns-balochistan-attack-demand-thorough-investigation-407381">Also read |&nbsp;Chinese Embassy in Pakistan condemns Balochistan attack, demand thorough investigation&nbsp;</a>

Since late June,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has seen what officials have called a "fifth wave" of&nbsp;Covid-19 infections, the country's worst yet, which they have largely blamed on the more contagious Delta variant of the virus.

Daily infections and deaths have hit record highs several times this month, raising total cases since the pandemic started to over 4.5 million and fatalities to more than 100,000.

Iran, battling the Middle East's deadliest&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;outbreak, launched a vaccination drive in February but it has progressed slower than authorities had hoped.

Choked by US sanctions that have made it difficult to transfer money abroad,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;says&nbsp;it has struggled to import vaccines.

Raisi&nbsp;has tapped 63-year-old optometrist Bahram Eynollahi as his health minister.

He defended his pick as "a figure who can rally forces in the fight against coronavirus".

Eynollahi was named by local media as a signatory of a January open letter that warned former president Hassan Rouhani against importing vaccines made by the United States, Britain and France, as they may cause "unknown and irreversible complications".

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had in the same month banned the use of vaccines made by the US and Britain, calling them "completely untrustworthy".

More than 16.3 million people out of the country's 83 million inhabitants have been given a first vaccine dose, but only 5.4 million have received the second, the health ministry said Friday.

Iran's ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi said Saturday his government will prioritise tackling Covid and accelerating vaccinations ahead of an economic revival, as he defended his cabinet choices before parliament.

Iran's ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi said Saturday his government will prioritise tackling Covid and accelerating vaccinations ahead of an economic revival, as he defended his cabinet choices before parliament. The conservative-dominated parliament began debating the male-only, largely conservative lineup in the morning ahead of a vote of confidence expected later this week. "The government's first priority is controlling the coronavirus, improving the health situation and widespread vaccination," Raisi said. "The economy and the livelihood situation is the second" priority, he added, noting that his lineup is meant to bring about "justice and progress". Also read | Chinese Embassy in Pakistan condemns Balochistan attack, demand thorough investigation Since late June, Iran has seen what officials have called a "fifth wave" of Covid-19 infections, the country's worst yet, which they have largely blamed on the more contagious Delta variant of the virus. Daily infections and deaths have hit record highs several times this month, raising total cases since the pandemic started to over 4.5 million and fatalities to more than 100,000. Iran, battling the Middle East's deadliest Covid outbreak, launched a vaccination drive in February but it has progressed slower than authorities had hoped. Choked by US sanctions that have made it difficult to transfer money abroad, Iran says it has struggled to import vaccines. Raisi has tapped 63-year-old optometrist Bahram Eynollahi as his health minister. He defended his pick as "a figure who can rally forces in the fight against coronavirus". Eynollahi was named by local media as a signatory of a January open letter that warned former president Hassan Rouhani against importing vaccines made by the United States, Britain and France, as they may cause "unknown and irreversible complications". Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had in the same month banned the use of vaccines made by the US and Britain, calling them "completely untrustworthy". More than 16.3 million people out of the country's 83 million inhabitants have been given a first vaccine dose, but only 5.4 million have received the second, the health ministry said Friday.

Iran's Raisi says tackling COVID-19, reviving economy priorities

Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday named the chairman of a powerful state-owned foundation sanctioned by the United States as his first vice-president.

Mohammad Mokhber, who has been long rumoured by local media to be the top pick for the position, has for years headed the foundation known as Setad, or the Execution of Imam Khomeini's order.

Mokhber was appointed to the position by the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2007.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-take-new-steps-towards-the-development-of-ties-the-new-iran-president-tells-indias-foreign-minister-s-jaishankar-403497">Also read |&nbsp;Will take new steps towards the development of ties, the new Iran President tells India's foreign minister S Jaishankar</a>

This was following a string of official positions at the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

Raisi, himself, won a June 18 election marked by record abstention and took over moderate Hassan Rouhani.

On Thursday, Raisi took the oath of office before parliament, to which he must present a list of ministers within two weeks.

Raisi also picked Gholamhossein Esmaili, the judiciary's spokesman during his tenure, as his chief of staff.

Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday named the chairman of a powerful state-owned foundation sanctioned by the United States as his first vice-president.

Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday named the chairman of a powerful state-owned foundation sanctioned by the United States as his first vice-president. Mohammad Mokhber, who has been long rumoured by local media to be the top pick for the position, has for years headed the foundation known as Setad, or the Execution of Imam Khomeini's order. Mokhber was appointed to the position by the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2007. Also read | Will take new steps towards the development of ties, the new Iran President tells India's foreign minister S Jaishankar This was following a string of official positions at the southwestern province of Khuzestan. Raisi, himself, won a June 18 election marked by record abstention and took over moderate Hassan Rouhani. On Thursday, Raisi took the oath of office before parliament, to which he must present a list of ministers within two weeks. Raisi also picked Gholamhossein Esmaili, the judiciary's spokesman during his tenure, as his chief of staff.

US-sanctioned Mokhber named as first VP by Iran's Raisi

After his re-election triumph, President Hassan Rouhani must now grapple with a fiercely hostile United States and hardliners at home as he struggles to build a more moderate and connected Iran.

Iran&#39;s entrenched conservative establishment -- particularly in the judiciary and elite Revolutionary Guards -- remain deeply suspicious of Rouhani&#39;s talk of civil liberties and building ties with the West.

&quot;The non-elected institutions will try to prevent Rouhani from applying his reform agenda,&quot; said Clement Therme, Iran analyst for the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

&quot;So he will focus on the economic side. If the daily lives of the population improve, he will be in a stronger position to push for structural reforms on civil rights.&quot;

Fixing the economy will not be easy. Despite a nuclear deal with world powers, Washington still maintains a raft of sanctions that are scaring off global banks and foreign investors.

US President Donald Trump has gone further, threatening to tear up the nuclear deal and visiting Iran&#39;s bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia this weekend, where he signed a $110 billion arms deal described as targeting &quot;malign Iranian influence&quot; in the region.

Nonetheless, European and Asian governments are determined to keep the nuclear deal alive and take full advantage of the lucrative investment opportunities in Iran.

They are cheered by Rouhani&#39;s victory over hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, who had threatened a tougher, more insular approach to foreign relations.

&quot;A lot of investors I hadn&#39;t heard from for three months were suddenly phoning me this morning. Some are already booking their tickets,&quot; said Farid Dehdilani, international adviser for the Iranian Privatisation Organisation after results were announced on Saturday.

&quot;Dr Rouhani will more aggressively pursue his economic agenda -- investing in factories, production and absorbing foreign capital. I think he&#39;ll make his cabinet younger and more agile,&quot; he said.

&#39;A smarter politician&#39;&nbsp;

Challenging the security forces, which control large swathes of the economy and need Iran&#39;s resources as a source of patronage, will be tough.

And Rouhani notably failed to win the release of jailed opposition leaders or prevent the arrest of several dual nationals by intelligence services outside his control.

Many fear his second term could mirror that of reformist president Mohammad Khatami in the early 2000s, when every attempt at reform was frustrated by the hardline establishment.

But Rouhani, a long-time regime insider, may be better placed than his predecessors, said politics professor Foad Izadi, of Tehran University.

&quot;Rouhani has shown himself to be a smarter politician than Khatami was,&quot; said Izadi.

&quot;He&#39;s been part of the system long enough to know how to navigate it. Khatami was more ideological which reduced his ability to get things done.&quot;

Crucially, Rouhani&#39;s technocratic approach has allowed him to co-opt key conservatives such as parliament speaker Ali Larijani.

&quot;The alliance with Larijani has been very helpful to Rouhani in getting his ministers and policies approved. That will continue to be crucial in his second term,&quot; said Izadi.

Next supreme leader?&nbsp;

The big long-term question is whether Rouhani can influence the rise of the next supreme leader after the death of the ageing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Raisi, touted as a possible successor, is now out of the running, said Izadi.

&quot;Maybe he will come back in four years, but with this type of showing we can rest assured that Raisi will not be the next supreme leader. The leader must show popular support.&quot;

But with hardliners firmly in control of the Assembly of Experts that will choose the next leader, Rouhani and his allies have little influence over the succession.

Nonetheless, this weekend&#39;s election has given a clear indication that Iran&#39;s youthful population supports his vision for the country&#39;s future.

&quot;Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change,&quot; said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group.

&quot;They have the maturity to understand that the solution to their country&#39;s predicaments are in competent management of the economy and moderation in international relations.&quot;

(AFP)

The Iranian non-elected establishment is keenly distrubed by Hassan Rouhani's talk of expanding civil liberties and building bridges with the West

After his re-election triumph, President Hassan Rouhani must now grapple with a fiercely hostile United States and hardliners at home as he struggles to build a more moderate and connected Iran. Iran's entrenched conservative establishment -- particularly in the judiciary and elite Revolutionary Guards -- remain deeply suspicious of Rouhani's talk of civil liberties and building ties with the West. "The non-elected institutions will try to prevent Rouhani from applying his reform agenda," said Clement Therme, Iran analyst for the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "So he will focus on the economic side. If the daily lives of the population improve, he will be in a stronger position to push for structural reforms on civil rights." Fixing the economy will not be easy. Despite a nuclear deal with world powers, Washington still maintains a raft of sanctions that are scaring off global banks and foreign investors. US President Donald Trump has gone further, threatening to tear up the nuclear deal and visiting Iran's bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia this weekend, where he signed a $110 billion arms deal described as targeting "malign Iranian influence" in the region. Nonetheless, European and Asian governments are determined to keep the nuclear deal alive and take full advantage of the lucrative investment opportunities in Iran. They are cheered by Rouhani's victory over hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, who had threatened a tougher, more insular approach to foreign relations. "A lot of investors I hadn't heard from for three months were suddenly phoning me this morning. Some are already booking their tickets," said Farid Dehdilani, international adviser for the Iranian Privatisation Organisation after results were announced on Saturday. "Dr Rouhani will more aggressively pursue his economic agenda -- investing in factories, production and absorbing foreign capital. I think he'll make his cabinet younger and more agile," he said. 'A smarter politician' Challenging the security forces, which control large swathes of the economy and need Iran's resources as a source of patronage, will be tough. And Rouhani notably failed to win the release of jailed opposition leaders or prevent the arrest of several dual nationals by intelligence services outside his control. Many fear his second term could mirror that of reformist president Mohammad Khatami in the early 2000s, when every attempt at reform was frustrated by the hardline establishment. But Rouhani, a long-time regime insider, may be better placed than his predecessors, said politics professor Foad Izadi, of Tehran University. "Rouhani has shown himself to be a smarter politician than Khatami was," said Izadi. "He's been part of the system long enough to know how to navigate it. Khatami was more ideological which reduced his ability to get things done." Crucially, Rouhani's technocratic approach has allowed him to co-opt key conservatives such as parliament speaker Ali Larijani. "The alliance with Larijani has been very helpful to Rouhani in getting his ministers and policies approved. That will continue to be crucial in his second term," said Izadi. Next supreme leader? The big long-term question is whether Rouhani can influence the rise of the next supreme leader after the death of the ageing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisi, touted as a possible successor, is now out of the running, said Izadi. "Maybe he will come back in four years, but with this type of showing we can rest assured that Raisi will not be the next supreme leader. The leader must show popular support." But with hardliners firmly in control of the Assembly of Experts that will choose the next leader, Rouhani and his allies have little influence over the succession. Nonetheless, this weekend's election has given a clear indication that Iran's youthful population supports his vision for the country's future. "Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change," said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group. "They have the maturity to understand that the solution to their country's predicaments are in competent management of the economy and moderation in international relations." (AFP)

President Rouhani's next challenge? Battling hawks in Iran and US

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani won a resounding re-election victory on Saturday as voters backed his efforts to rebuild foreign ties and kickstart the struggling economy.

Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli confirmed the result on state television, saying Rouhani had won 23.5 million votes -- 57 percent -- compared to 15.8 million -- 38.3 percent -- for hardline challenger Ebrahim Raisi.

It followed a huge 73 percent turnout on Friday which forced authorities to extend polling by several hours.&nbsp;

&quot;I congratulate the great victory of the Iranian nation in creating a huge and memorable epic in the continuation of the path of &#39;wisdom and hope&#39;,&quot; tweeted Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, referring to the government&#39;s slogan.

Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, framed the election as a choice between greater civil liberties and &quot;extremism&quot;.&nbsp;

Hardline cleric Raisi, 56, had positioned himself as a defender of the poor and called for a much tougher line with the West.

But his revolutionary rhetoric and efforts to win over working class voters with promises of increased handouts gained limited traction.&nbsp;

&quot;Rouhani&#39;s vote, particularly in rural areas, shows that Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change,&quot; said Ali Vaez, Iran analyst for the International Crisis Group, a think tank.&nbsp;

&quot;They have the maturity to understand that the solution to their country&#39;s predicaments are in competent management of the economy and moderation in international relations,&quot; Vaez told AFP.

Rouhani&#39;s central first-term achievement was a deal with six powers led by the United States that eased crippling economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran&#39;s nuclear programme.

He gained a reprieve this week when Washington agreed to continue waiving nuclear-related sanctions, keeping the deal on track for now.

But the election comes at a tense moment in relations with the United States, with President Donald Trump still threatening to abandon the accord and visiting Iran&#39;s bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia this weekend.

&#39;Voting to keep that&#39;&nbsp;

Although Rouhani has been deeply entrenched in Iran&#39;s security establishment since the early days of the revolution, he has emerged as the standard-bearer for reformists after their movement was decimated in the wake of mass protests in 2009.&nbsp;

&quot;We&#39;ve entered this election to tell those practising violence and extremism that your era is over,&quot; he said during the campaign.

At recent rallies, his supporters chanted the names of reformist leaders under house arrest since 2011 for their part in the protests.

International affairs researcher Foad Izadi, of Tehran University, said Rouhani may now have the leverage to push for more freedoms, despite opposition from the conservative-dominated judiciary and security services.&nbsp;

&quot;A number of years have passed (since the 2009 protests) and the country is demonstrating a high level of stability -- this gives the system confidence, which means more room for change,&quot; Izadi said.

But the economy remains the number one challenge.&nbsp;

Although Rouhani brought inflation down from around 40 percent when he took office in 2013, prices are still rising at nine percent a year.

Oil sales have rebounded since the nuclear deal took effect in January last year, but growth in the rest of the economy has been limited, leaving unemployment at 12.5 percent overall, and at almost 30 percent among young people.

&quot;We are still not pleased with the situation, but in the four years of Rouhani there has been a relative improvement and I&#39;m voting to keep that,&quot; said Alireza Nikpour, a 40-year-old photographer in Tehran, as he queued to cast his ballot on Friday.

Last month, the Guardian Council&nbsp;excluded all but six candidates for the election but still left a stark choice between moderate-reformists and hardliners.&nbsp;

Two dropped out to back Raisi and Rouhani, respectively, while the remaining candidates -- reformist Mostafa Hashemitaba and conservative Mostafa Mirsalim -- won only a marginal percentage of the votes.&nbsp;

(AFP)

Hassan Rouhani has won the re-election with a resounding 57 per cent of the vote

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani won a resounding re-election victory on Saturday as voters backed his efforts to rebuild foreign ties and kickstart the struggling economy. Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli confirmed the result on state television, saying Rouhani had won 23.5 million votes -- 57 percent -- compared to 15.8 million -- 38.3 percent -- for hardline challenger Ebrahim Raisi. It followed a huge 73 percent turnout on Friday which forced authorities to extend polling by several hours. "I congratulate the great victory of the Iranian nation in creating a huge and memorable epic in the continuation of the path of 'wisdom and hope'," tweeted Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, referring to the government's slogan. Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, framed the election as a choice between greater civil liberties and "extremism". Hardline cleric Raisi, 56, had positioned himself as a defender of the poor and called for a much tougher line with the West. But his revolutionary rhetoric and efforts to win over working class voters with promises of increased handouts gained limited traction. "Rouhani's vote, particularly in rural areas, shows that Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change," said Ali Vaez, Iran analyst for the International Crisis Group, a think tank. "They have the maturity to understand that the solution to their country's predicaments are in competent management of the economy and moderation in international relations," Vaez told AFP. Rouhani's central first-term achievement was a deal with six powers led by the United States that eased crippling economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear programme. He gained a reprieve this week when Washington agreed to continue waiving nuclear-related sanctions, keeping the deal on track for now. But the election comes at a tense moment in relations with the United States, with President Donald Trump still threatening to abandon the accord and visiting Iran's bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia this weekend. 'Voting to keep that' Although Rouhani has been deeply entrenched in Iran's security establishment since the early days of the revolution, he has emerged as the standard-bearer for reformists after their movement was decimated in the wake of mass protests in 2009. "We've entered this election to tell those practising violence and extremism that your era is over," he said during the campaign. At recent rallies, his supporters chanted the names of reformist leaders under house arrest since 2011 for their part in the protests. International affairs researcher Foad Izadi, of Tehran University, said Rouhani may now have the leverage to push for more freedoms, despite opposition from the conservative-dominated judiciary and security services. "A number of years have passed (since the 2009 protests) and the country is demonstrating a high level of stability -- this gives the system confidence, which means more room for change," Izadi said. But the economy remains the number one challenge. Although Rouhani brought inflation down from around 40 percent when he took office in 2013, prices are still rising at nine percent a year. Oil sales have rebounded since the nuclear deal took effect in January last year, but growth in the rest of the economy has been limited, leaving unemployment at 12.5 percent overall, and at almost 30 percent among young people. "We are still not pleased with the situation, but in the four years of Rouhani there has been a relative improvement and I'm voting to keep that," said Alireza Nikpour, a 40-year-old photographer in Tehran, as he queued to cast his ballot on Friday. Last month, the Guardian Council excluded all but six candidates for the election but still left a stark choice between moderate-reformists and hardliners. Two dropped out to back Raisi and Rouhani, respectively, while the remaining candidates -- reformist Mostafa Hashemitaba and conservative Mostafa Mirsalim -- won only a marginal percentage of the votes. (AFP)

Moderate Rouhani wins Iran's presidential election

Iran has chosen the &quot;path of engagement with the world&quot; and rejected extremism, President Hassan Rouhani said following his resounding re-election victory on Saturday.

Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, said voters had shunned those who wanted to turn the country back to the past.

&quot;The Iranian people want to live in peace and friendship with the rest of the world, but will not accept any threat or humiliation,&quot; he said on state television.

With 57 per cent of the vote, Rouhani scored a convincing victory over hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi on 38.3 per cent.

But he faces a stark challenge from US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to tear up the nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions.

Rouhani made an apparent dig at regional rival Saudi Arabia, which is currently hosting Trump, saying: &quot;Our people have declared to neighbouring countries and the whole region that the path to ensuring security is the reinforcement of democracy and not relying on foreign powers.&quot;

There were jubilant scenes in the capital Tehran, with hundreds of young people singing and dancing in the central Vali Asr Square, in spite of police efforts to move them along.

Iranians flocked to the polls on Friday, with the turnout reaching 73 percent and forcing election officials to extend voting by several hours.

Raisi, 56, had cast himself as a defender of the poor and called for a tougher line with the West, but his revolutionary rhetoric and promise of increased handouts gained limited traction.

The result &quot;shows that Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change,&quot; said Ali Vaez, Iran analyst for the International Crisis Group think tank.&nbsp;

&quot;They have the maturity to understand that the solution to their country&#39;s predicaments are in competent management of the economy and moderation in international relations,&quot; Vaez told AFP.

Putin, Assad congratulate&nbsp;

Russia, which fights alongside Iran in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was among the first to congratulate Rouhani.

President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram confirming &quot;his readiness to continue active joint work... in line with maintaining stability and security in the Middle East and the world as a whole&quot;, the Kremlin said.

Assad also congratulated Rouhani for earning &quot;the trust the Iranian people gave him to continue bolstering Iran&#39;s position&quot;.

But European and Asian officials have also welcomed Rouhani&#39;s re-election as they pursue lucrative investments in the wake of the nuclear deal, that lifted global sanctions in exchange for curbs to Iran&#39;s atomic programme.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini tweeted her vow to work for greater &quot;engagement, regional peace... (and the) expectations of people in Iran&quot;.

&quot;A lot of investors I hadn&#39;t heard from for three months were suddenly phoning me this morning. Some are already in the process of booking their tickets,&quot; said Farid Dehdilani, international adviser for the Iranian Privatisation Organisation.

&#39;Era of extremism over&#39;&nbsp;

Rouhani put civil liberties at the heart of his campaign, and pointedly thanked reformist former president Mohammed Khatami, who has been banned from appearing in the media since supporting mass protests in 2009, in his acceptance speech.

He pushed boundaries over the past fortnight with his veiled criticism of the conservative-dominated judiciary and security services, telling supporters: &quot;We&#39;ve entered this election to tell those practising violence and extremism that your era is over.&quot;

But the economy remains Rouhani&#39;s top priority.

&quot;Dr Rouhani will more aggressively pursue his economic agenda -- investing in factories, production and absorbing foreign capital,&quot; said Dehdilani.&nbsp;

&quot;I think he&#39;ll make the cabinet younger and more agile.&quot;

Although Rouhani brought inflation down from around 40 percent when he took office in 2013, prices are still rising at nine percent a year.

Oil sales have rebounded since the nuclear deal took effect in January last year, but growth in the rest of the economy has been limited, leaving unemployment at 12.5 percent overall, and at almost 30 percent among young people.

&quot;Not everyone who voted for Rouhani thought his record was excellent, but the majority decided his competitor would be even worse,&quot; said Tehran University political researcher Foad Izadi.

(AFP)

An election framed as moderates versus extremism, Hassan Rouhani's win underlines the country's desire to eschew isolation

Iran has chosen the "path of engagement with the world" and rejected extremism, President Hassan Rouhani said following his resounding re-election victory on Saturday. Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, said voters had shunned those who wanted to turn the country back to the past. "The Iranian people want to live in peace and friendship with the rest of the world, but will not accept any threat or humiliation," he said on state television. With 57 per cent of the vote, Rouhani scored a convincing victory over hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi on 38.3 per cent. But he faces a stark challenge from US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to tear up the nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions. Rouhani made an apparent dig at regional rival Saudi Arabia, which is currently hosting Trump, saying: "Our people have declared to neighbouring countries and the whole region that the path to ensuring security is the reinforcement of democracy and not relying on foreign powers." There were jubilant scenes in the capital Tehran, with hundreds of young people singing and dancing in the central Vali Asr Square, in spite of police efforts to move them along. Iranians flocked to the polls on Friday, with the turnout reaching 73 percent and forcing election officials to extend voting by several hours. Raisi, 56, had cast himself as a defender of the poor and called for a tougher line with the West, but his revolutionary rhetoric and promise of increased handouts gained limited traction. The result "shows that Iranian people no longer believe in economic populism and radical change," said Ali Vaez, Iran analyst for the International Crisis Group think tank. "They have the maturity to understand that the solution to their country's predicaments are in competent management of the economy and moderation in international relations," Vaez told AFP. Putin, Assad congratulate Russia, which fights alongside Iran in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was among the first to congratulate Rouhani. President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram confirming "his readiness to continue active joint work... in line with maintaining stability and security in the Middle East and the world as a whole", the Kremlin said. Assad also congratulated Rouhani for earning "the trust the Iranian people gave him to continue bolstering Iran's position". But European and Asian officials have also welcomed Rouhani's re-election as they pursue lucrative investments in the wake of the nuclear deal, that lifted global sanctions in exchange for curbs to Iran's atomic programme. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini tweeted her vow to work for greater "engagement, regional peace... (and the) expectations of people in Iran". "A lot of investors I hadn't heard from for three months were suddenly phoning me this morning. Some are already in the process of booking their tickets," said Farid Dehdilani, international adviser for the Iranian Privatisation Organisation. 'Era of extremism over' Rouhani put civil liberties at the heart of his campaign, and pointedly thanked reformist former president Mohammed Khatami, who has been banned from appearing in the media since supporting mass protests in 2009, in his acceptance speech. He pushed boundaries over the past fortnight with his veiled criticism of the conservative-dominated judiciary and security services, telling supporters: "We've entered this election to tell those practising violence and extremism that your era is over." But the economy remains Rouhani's top priority. "Dr Rouhani will more aggressively pursue his economic agenda -- investing in factories, production and absorbing foreign capital," said Dehdilani. "I think he'll make the cabinet younger and more agile." Although Rouhani brought inflation down from around 40 percent when he took office in 2013, prices are still rising at nine percent a year. Oil sales have rebounded since the nuclear deal took effect in January last year, but growth in the rest of the economy has been limited, leaving unemployment at 12.5 percent overall, and at almost 30 percent among young people. "Not everyone who voted for Rouhani thought his record was excellent, but the majority decided his competitor would be even worse," said Tehran University political researcher Foad Izadi. (AFP)

Rouhani sweeps to second terms as Iran chooses 'engagement' with world

Iran, the Middle East&#39;s second largest power by economy and population, is the Shiite Muslim rival of regional Sunni giant Saudi Arabia.

Second biggest economy

Iran&nbsp;has the region&#39;s second largest economy after Saudi Arabia. With 79.11 million inhabitants (2015, World Bank), it is also the second most populous country in the Middle East, after Egypt.

A founding member of OPEC, it has the world&#39;s fourth-biggest oil reserves and the second-largest gas reserves, after Russia.

In 2014, income per capita was $6,550.

Some economic sanctions imposed on&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;over its nuclear programme have been lifted since mid-January 2016, allowing Tehran to resume oil exports and pick up trade with the European Union.

However, the fall in the price of crude has weighed on the economy.

Unemployment officially stands at 12.5 per cent, including 27 per cent of young people -- which analysts say is an understatement -- and foreign investment is only trickling in.

Shia&nbsp;Muslim power

Iran&nbsp;has an area of 1,648,195 square kilometres (659,278 square miles).

The descendant of the Persian Empire, it was long a monarchy ruled by a shah and dominated by the Pahlavi dynasty from 1925 to 1979.

In January 1979, shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was driven out by a popular revolt. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a revolutionary cleric who had lived in exile for a decade and a half, made a triumphant return on February 1.

The shah&#39;s government fell 10 days later when public radio announced &quot;the end of 2,500 years of despotism&quot;.

An Islamic republic was proclaimed on April 1.

Between 1980 and 1988&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;fought a war with Iraq in which more than a million people were killed.

Rivalry with Saudis

For centuries, Shiite-majority&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has competed with Turks and Arabs for regional supremacy. Currently, its main rival is Sunni heavyweight Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

The two countries have taken opposing sides in wars in Syria and Yemen.

In Syria, Tehran backs the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the minority Alawite community, against Sunni rebels supported by Riyadh.

In Yemen, Saudi Arabia fights in support of pro-government forces against&nbsp;Iran-backed rebels and their allies.

Conservatives, reformers, moderates

After Khomeini died in 1989, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, president since October 1981, became supreme leader.

Moderate conservative Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was elected president and orchestrated economic reforms.

After eight years of rule by reformist president Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005), hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took office in 2005. His re-election&nbsp;in June 2009 sparked a massive political crisis and a crackdown on nationwide protests that decimated the reformist movement.

Historic nuclear accord

After taking office on August 3, 2013, President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate cleric, relaunched formal negotiations with major powers on&nbsp;Iran&#39;s nuclear programme.

An historic accord was signed on July 14, 2015 and implemented on January 16, 2016, bringing a 13-year-long dispute to a close.&nbsp;

Terms of the accord stipulate that Tehran will not try to build a nuclear bomb, an ambition it has always denied. In exchange, many international sanctions were lifted although remaining US sanctions continue to stifle trade.

State institutions

The highest political authority is the supreme leader, who has the final say on all national issues.

The president, elected for four years by universal suffrage, nominates the government.

The Assembly of Experts is a body of elected clerics that oversees the functions of the supreme leader. Constitutionally, it has powers to select and even dismiss the leader.

Parliament&#39;s powers are limited when compared to other institutions, and it is vetted by the Guardian Council.

The Expediency Council is&nbsp;Iran&#39;s top political arbitration body, tasked with resolving disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council and of advising the supreme leader.

The Revolutionary Guards are the elite arm of the country&#39;s military, and deeply embedded in Iranian political and economic life.

A primer on this year&#39;s election

Over 1,600 Iranians, of which 100 were women,&nbsp;threw their hats in the ring to be the next president. The Guardian Council whittled down the list to six candidates, none of whom were women.

The shortlisted names were incumbent President Hussain Rouhani, incumbent vice president Eshaq Jahangiri, Ebrahim Raisi, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Mostafa Mir-Salim and Mostafa Hashemitaba.

Ghalibaf and Jahangiri have dropped out in the last two days, leaving four candidates for the country&#39;s presidential post.

But it is widely suggested that this year&#39;s election will be a two-horse race between the current president and the hardline cleric Raisi.

Who is Rouhani?

With his snow-white beard, he comes across as jovial and scholarly, if not overly charismatic, when speaking in public.

He has presented himself as the candidate of change and social freedoms, attacking his opponents as &quot;extremists&quot; whose &quot;era is over&quot;.

His first term did see a groundbreaking 2015 deal with world powers that ended many sanctions and a 13-year standoff over&nbsp;Iran&#39;s nuclear programme.

But critics say he over-sold the economic benefits of the deal, and despite taming inflation, his popularity has been dented by continuing stagnation and high unemployment.

And while social restrictions have eased to some degree during his tenure, many journalists and political activists still face arbitrary arrest, and his efforts to release jailed opposition leaders have failed.

A Bill of Rights he announced in late 2016 was roundly dismissed by critics since it failed to impose any changes on the conservative-dominated judiciary and intelligence services.

Still, many young urbanites consider him the best hope for change.

Who is Raisi?

Born into a religious family in the holy city of Mashhad on August 23, 1960, Raisi wears the black turban of a &quot;seyed&quot; whose genealogy is said to lead back to Islam&#39;s Prophet Mohammed.

In public, he has an austere charisma, and is surrounded by an entourage with ties to the Islamic regime&#39;s most hardline elements.

He has focused his campaign on the poor, brandishing his credentials as the head of the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, which is also a powerful and hugely wealthy charitable foundation.

&quot;I represent the workers, the farmers, the impoverished women,&quot; he says, vowing to triple cash hand-outs.

It is a message that has fallen on fertile ground at a time when unemployment is at least 12.5 percent and almost everyone is feeling the stagnation of the economy.&nbsp;

He does not oppose the nuclear deal signed with world powers in 2015, which lifted sanctions in exchange for curbs to&nbsp;Iran&#39;s atomic programme.&nbsp;

But he says the current government&#39;s negotiating efforts were &quot;weak&quot; and called for a much tougher line &quot;in the face of the enemy&quot;.&nbsp;

There is little chance Raisi will ease social restrictions or release opposition leaders held under house arrest since the 2009 protest movement, known to conservatives as &quot;the sedition&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;Those who sympathise with the heads of sedition must know that the great nation of&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;will never forgive this great injustice,&quot; he said in 2014.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The election is being primarily fought between moderate President Hassan Rouhani and hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi

Iran, the Middle East's second largest power by economy and population, is the Shiite Muslim rival of regional Sunni giant Saudi Arabia. Second biggest economy Iran has the region's second largest economy after Saudi Arabia. With 79.11 million inhabitants (2015, World Bank), it is also the second most populous country in the Middle East, after Egypt. A founding member of OPEC, it has the world's fourth-biggest oil reserves and the second-largest gas reserves, after Russia. In 2014, income per capita was $6,550. Some economic sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear programme have been lifted since mid-January 2016, allowing Tehran to resume oil exports and pick up trade with the European Union. However, the fall in the price of crude has weighed on the economy. Unemployment officially stands at 12.5 per cent, including 27 per cent of young people -- which analysts say is an understatement -- and foreign investment is only trickling in. Shia Muslim power Iran has an area of 1,648,195 square kilometres (659,278 square miles). The descendant of the Persian Empire, it was long a monarchy ruled by a shah and dominated by the Pahlavi dynasty from 1925 to 1979. In January 1979, shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was driven out by a popular revolt. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a revolutionary cleric who had lived in exile for a decade and a half, made a triumphant return on February 1. The shah's government fell 10 days later when public radio announced "the end of 2,500 years of despotism". An Islamic republic was proclaimed on April 1. Between 1980 and 1988 Iran fought a war with Iraq in which more than a million people were killed. Rivalry with Saudis For centuries, Shiite-majority Iran has competed with Turks and Arabs for regional supremacy. Currently, its main rival is Sunni heavyweight Saudi Arabia. The two countries have taken opposing sides in wars in Syria and Yemen. In Syria, Tehran backs the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the minority Alawite community, against Sunni rebels supported by Riyadh. In Yemen, Saudi Arabia fights in support of pro-government forces against Iran-backed rebels and their allies. Conservatives, reformers, moderates After Khomeini died in 1989, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, president since October 1981, became supreme leader. Moderate conservative Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was elected president and orchestrated economic reforms. After eight years of rule by reformist president Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005), hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took office in 2005. His re-election in June 2009 sparked a massive political crisis and a crackdown on nationwide protests that decimated the reformist movement. Historic nuclear accord After taking office on August 3, 2013, President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate cleric, relaunched formal negotiations with major powers on Iran's nuclear programme. An historic accord was signed on July 14, 2015 and implemented on January 16, 2016, bringing a 13-year-long dispute to a close. Terms of the accord stipulate that Tehran will not try to build a nuclear bomb, an ambition it has always denied. In exchange, many international sanctions were lifted although remaining US sanctions continue to stifle trade. State institutions The highest political authority is the supreme leader, who has the final say on all national issues. The president, elected for four years by universal suffrage, nominates the government. The Assembly of Experts is a body of elected clerics that oversees the functions of the supreme leader. Constitutionally, it has powers to select and even dismiss the leader. Parliament's powers are limited when compared to other institutions, and it is vetted by the Guardian Council. The Expediency Council is Iran's top political arbitration body, tasked with resolving disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council and of advising the supreme leader. The Revolutionary Guards are the elite arm of the country's military, and deeply embedded in Iranian political and economic life. A primer on this year's election Over 1,600 Iranians, of which 100 were women, threw their hats in the ring to be the next president. The Guardian Council whittled down the list to six candidates, none of whom were women. The shortlisted names were incumbent President Hussain Rouhani, incumbent vice president Eshaq Jahangiri, Ebrahim Raisi, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Mostafa Mir-Salim and Mostafa Hashemitaba. Ghalibaf and Jahangiri have dropped out in the last two days, leaving four candidates for the country's presidential post. But it is widely suggested that this year's election will be a two-horse race between the current president and the hardline cleric Raisi. Who is Rouhani? With his snow-white beard, he comes across as jovial and scholarly, if not overly charismatic, when speaking in public. He has presented himself as the candidate of change and social freedoms, attacking his opponents as "extremists" whose "era is over". His first term did see a groundbreaking 2015 deal with world powers that ended many sanctions and a 13-year standoff over Iran's nuclear programme. But critics say he over-sold the economic benefits of the deal, and despite taming inflation, his popularity has been dented by continuing stagnation and high unemployment. And while social restrictions have eased to some degree during his tenure, many journalists and political activists still face arbitrary arrest, and his efforts to release jailed opposition leaders have failed. A Bill of Rights he announced in late 2016 was roundly dismissed by critics since it failed to impose any changes on the conservative-dominated judiciary and intelligence services. Still, many young urbanites consider him the best hope for change. Who is Raisi? Born into a religious family in the holy city of Mashhad on August 23, 1960, Raisi wears the black turban of a "seyed" whose genealogy is said to lead back to Islam's Prophet Mohammed. In public, he has an austere charisma, and is surrounded by an entourage with ties to the Islamic regime's most hardline elements. He has focused his campaign on the poor, brandishing his credentials as the head of the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, which is also a powerful and hugely wealthy charitable foundation. "I represent the workers, the farmers, the impoverished women," he says, vowing to triple cash hand-outs. It is a message that has fallen on fertile ground at a time when unemployment is at least 12.5 percent and almost everyone is feeling the stagnation of the economy. He does not oppose the nuclear deal signed with world powers in 2015, which lifted sanctions in exchange for curbs to Iran's atomic programme. But he says the current government's negotiating efforts were "weak" and called for a much tougher line "in the face of the enemy". There is little chance Raisi will ease social restrictions or release opposition leaders held under house arrest since the 2009 protest movement, known to conservatives as "the sedition". "Those who sympathise with the heads of sedition must know that the great nation of Iran will never forgive this great injustice," he said in 2014. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Iranian presidential election: Why is it important?

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