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Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan's Interior Minister: Iran border threat eliminated
Shafaq News/ Iranian Kurdish opposition groups no longer pose a military or security threat along the shared border, Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed stated on Wednesday. Ahmed confirmed to reporters that the joint high committee established by Iran, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region had completed its mandate, emphasizing that bilateral relations have now reached a 'constructive and advanced stage.' Addressing concerns over Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, he noted that 'appropriate measures' had been taken and 'these forces no longer represent a security or military threat along the shared border.' In September 2023, the joint high committee overseeing the implementation of the Iraq-Iran security agreement announced the complete evacuation of camps and headquarters belonging to Iranian Kurdish opposition parties in the Kurdistan Region, in preparation for reclassifying them as refugees. The disarmament deadline under the Iraq-Iran security pact expired on September 19, 2023. Iranian officials had earlier threatened military action against the groups if Baghdad failed to implement the terms. About Kurdish Iranian Opposition The Iranian Kurdish opposition comprises various political and armed movements advocating for Kurdish rights, many of which have been based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Below is a summary of the key groups: • Kurdi stan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI): Founded in 1945, led by Mustafa Hijri • Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan: Founded in 1969, led by Abdullah Mohtadi • Khabat (Or ganization of Iranian Kurdistan Struggle): Founded in 1980, led by Babashekh Hosseini • Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK): Founded in 1991, led by Hussein Yazdanpanah • Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK): Founded in 2004, led by Siamand Moeini and Zilan Vejin Iran has also launched cross-border strikes targeting their facilities, with operations by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) involving missiles and drones. Tehran has accused these groups of contributing to unrest within its borders. Earlier, the Kurdistan Regional Government stated that it does not permit any group to use its territory to threaten neighboring states.
Rudaw Net
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran to negotiate with US if sanctions lifted: FM
Also in Iran Iran prepared for war, but won't start it: IRGC chief Iran condemns extended UN investigation into rights violations Mahabad Kurd jailed in Iran for alleged KDPI links US sanctions target Iranian drone, missile networks A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's foreign minister on Saturday expressed Tehran's willingness to pursue nuclear talks with the United States in exchange for the lifting of what he called oppressive sanctions against his country. 'We are willing to pursue dialogue on our nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, based on the logic of trust-building in exchange for the lifting of oppressive sanctions against Iran,' Abbas Araghchi told diplomats in Tehran, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency. US President Donald Trump is pressuring Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear deal. He made an overture in a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last month, signaling openness to nuclear negotiations, but also threatened military action if Iran refuses to cooperate. 'In principle, direct negotiations with a party that constantly threatens to resort to force in violation of the UN Charter and that expresses contradictory positions by its various officials would be pointless, but we remain committed to diplomacy and are willing to try the path of indirect negotiations,' Araghchi said. Earlier on Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also blamed the United States for contradictions in its approach to negotiations and criticized threats from Washington. 'Iran's response to the US President's letter was tailored to the content and tone of his letter, while at the same time preserving the opportunity to use diplomacy,' Araghchi added. In his letter, Trump signaled openness to new nuclear negotiations but warned of possible military action if Iran refused to cooperate. Later in March, he threatened to bomb Iranian interests if it avoided talks. On Monday, a top aide to Khamenei, Ali Larijani, warned that his country will have 'no choice' but to develop nuclear weapons if it comes under 'any attack' by the United States or Israel. Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. The deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew the US from the accord and reimposed biting sanctions on Iran. Tehran waited a year and then gradually ramped up its nuclear activities. After returning to office, Trump in early February restored his maximum pressure policy on Tehran, arguing that it is 'too close' to a nuclear weapon.
Rudaw Net
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran condemns extended UN investigation into rights violations
Also in Iran Mahabad Kurd jailed in Iran for alleged KDPI links US sanctions target Iranian drone, missile networks Iran threatens shift toward nuclear arms if attacked by US or Israel Iran summons Swiss envoy to protest US 'threats,' potential Israeli 'mischief': FM A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran on Friday condemned the extension of a United Nations investigation into human rights violations in the Islamic republic. 'The content of this resolution as lacking legal value and credibility due to the ill intent of its drafters,' Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a statement. He accused Western countries, particularly the United Kingdom and Germany, of exerting political pressure and "following the United States in imposing illegal and inhuman sanctions against the Iranian nation." The UN Human Rights Council on Thursday expressed concern over human rights violations in Iran, especially a surge in executions, and urged Tehran to 'fully repeal' its new hijab law. In a resolution adopted with 24 votes in favor, eight against, and 15 abstentions, the council decided to extend the mandate of its fact-finding mission for another year. The mission was originally established in November 2022 during the Jin Jiyan Azadi (Woman, Life, Freedom) protests to investigate human rights violations. The Human Rights Council said it was alarmed 'at the ongoing surge in executions, including of individuals charged with offences that do not meet the threshold of the most serious crimes.' Iran ranks second globally for known executions and the number of death penalties it implements has risen dramatically in recent years. Tehran has been accused by human rights groups of using the death penalty to suppress minority groups, like Baluchis and Kurds, who were active in the 2022 protests. Tehran executed an estimated 909 prisoners in 2024, with Kurds making up 20 percent of the total, the Oslo-based Hengaw human rights organization reported in February. The Human Rights Council also urged a 'pause in implementation of the Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab and calling upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to fully repeal this law and all discriminatory compulsory veiling laws and policies, and to remove other barriers to the political and economic participation of women.' The Chastity and Hijab Law was passed in reaction to challenges the government faced enforcing its existing hijab laws in the face of widespread protests in 2022, ignited by the death of young Kurdish woman Zhina (Mahsa) Amini while in the custody of the so-called morality police for a lax hijab. Iran's parliament speaker said in March that the country is laying the necessary groundwork and regulations to implement the new controversial law. Sarah Hashash, deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, welcomed the expansion of the mission's mandate and its special rapporteur, saying it is important "for justice from survivors, victims' families and human rights defenders in Iran and in exile." 'Today's vote delivers a strong message to the Iranian authorities and their judges, prosecutors, security and intelligence agents that they cannot continue to commit serious violations and crimes under international law without the risk of consequences,' Hashash added. At the Human Right Council meeting, Iran strongly criticized the resolution. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Office Ali Bahraini described it as 'another waste of resources that will further shrivel trust in the work of this council.'
Rudaw Net
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Mahabad Kurd jailed in Iran for alleged KDPI links
Also in Iran US sanctions target Iranian drone, missile networks Iran threatens shift toward nuclear arms if attacked by US or Israel Iran summons Swiss envoy to protest US 'threats,' potential Israeli 'mischief': FM Iranian intelligence block access to Qazi Muhammad's tomb on execution anniversary A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Kurd from Mahabad in Iran's West Azerbaijan province has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for allegedly collaborating with the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI). Notably, family members of the convicted individual were previously targeted by Iranian authorities, a watchdog reported on Thursday. Thirty-two-year-old Wahab Khediripour 'was sentenced to 10 months in prison by the [Islamic] Revolutionary Court' of Mahabad, reported the Oslo-based Hengaw Organization for Human Rights on Thursday, citing family members as stating that he was being jailed for allegedly "collaborating with' the KDPI. Iran has long been locked down in a conflict with exiled Kurdish opposition groups, including the KDPI, which it designates as a terrorist organization. The groups additionally include Komala, the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) and the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK). Hengaw also noted on Thursday that Wahab Khediripour's brother, Sohrab, was killed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2021 for allegedly being a member of the KDPI. His cousin, Shamal Khediripour, was also one of the victims during the Jin Jiyan Azadi (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising in 2022, the watchdog added. In mid-September 2022, a Kurdish woman, Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly violating Iran's compulsory hijab law. Her death sparked nationwide protests in Iran - the longest protest movement the country had seen in four decades. These demonstrations then grew into an anti-government uprising, with Iranian authorities facing international criticism for their brutal crackdown, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests. Hengaw added on Thursday that Khediripour has been denied family visits and access to legal counsel during his detention. His sentence follows his January detention, after which he was 'temporarily released from the city's [Mahabad's] central prison on February 19, 2025, after three weeks of detention on bail of 500 million Tomans [around $6,250 at the time] pending the completion of his trial.' Following Khediripour's January arrest, Iranian Kurdish opposition groups called for a general strike across shops and businesses across the country's Kurdish-majority regions.
Rudaw Net
03-03-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Economic, security uncertainties loom for Iran amid regional, international developments: Academic
Also in Iran Iran-Syria relations conditional on fair elections: Academic Zarif resigns as Iran's VP amid cabinet turmoil US views Iraq through the lens of Iran: Former US diplomat KDPI spokesperson welcomes Ocalan's call for disarmament A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A renowned professor at Tehran University has emphasized that Iran's economy, foreign relations and security are in a precarious position due to ongoing regional and international developments. 'Three key aspects - economy, foreign relations, and security - have been threatened,' said Ebrahim Motaghi in an interview with Rudaw, elaborating that 'inflation has risen, regional fluctuations have emerged in foreign policy, and in security, Iran has lost part of its surplus power in the region.' Following a swift offensive, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, on December 8 toppled the regime of Tehran's ally, Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia with his family. The downfall of Assad has been characterized as a major blow to the Iran-led 'Axis of Resistance,' which also includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. These groups have also suffered setbacks over the past 16 months due to ongoing conflict with Israel. On the international stage, the United States President Donald Trump in early February restored the maximum pressure policy against Iran. He argued that Tehran is 'too close' to obtaining nuclear weapons, but expressed interest in negotiating a deal with Iran. In response, Iran has repeatedly denied any intentions of developing nuclear weapons and its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei slammed negotiations with the US as 'unwise.' Motaghi told Rudaw that in light of these developments, the Iranian people are in stall for many uncertainties regarding economic policies and foreign relations. In a different vein, the Iranian academic highlighted the positive effects of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration, including his more relaxed implementation of the hijab law. Iran's 1979 hijab law requires all women in the country to cover their hair with a hijab and wear loose-fitting clothing in public. Tehran's Guardian Council in early December approved a stricter hijab law, which includes measures such as hefty fines for violations, the installation of CCTV cameras with facial recognition technology in state offices to identify offenders and penalties for businesses that fail to enforce the dress code. Additionally, the law also empowers ordinary citizens to report violations. Pezeshkian in December emphasized discussions are needed to determine the feasibility of the new hijab law, asserting his commitment to reformist principles. Notably, the strict hijab law came despite the nationwide protests which broke out in Iran in September 2022, and were sparked by the death of a Kurdish woman, Zhina (Mahsa) Amini, in the custody of Iran's morality police. Amini was detained for allegedly violating the dress code. Motaghi noted that 'over the past two years, debates surrounding political and social unrest have been taking place in Iran, primarily due to the systematic political paradigm for controlling hijab enforcement laws. Mr. Pezeshkian has clarified that enforcing the hijab law should not be a top priority for the government. He emphasized that every country must first ensure security and welfare before focusing on such issues' The Iranian scholar also stressed that social freedoms, including concerts, student activities, and a greater sense of hope, contribute to societal change. He emphasized that "if such conditions were met,' many value frameworks would inevitably shape the social structure in a deterministic way.
