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Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Pegah Banihashemi: What possibility is there for true reform in Iran?
A few weeks after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, several published statements have called for a referendum and a transition beyond the Islamic Republic. One of these, signed by 800 domestic and international activists, was issued by Mir Hossein Mousavi, formerly the prime minister during the Iran-Iraq war. Mousavi was also the leader of the Green Movement, running as a presidential candidate in 2009 against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. After alleging electoral fraud, he was placed under house arrest along with his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, where they remain to this day. Once close to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Mousavi later became politically aligned with Iran's reformist camp — and now, he is calling for a complete transition away from the Islamic Republic, explicitly demanding a referendum. At the same time, prominent activists — all either imprisoned or under security surveillance outside prison — have issued a statement. Signatories such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi and human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh are longtime fighters who have spent years moving between prison and freedom. Both statements express worry and a fear of worsening conditions. Meanwhile, some political officials have told the state-owned Press TV: 'Our intelligence indicates Washington seeks talks to prepare for war, not peace. If so, we see no reason to waste time and would rather focus on preparing for conflict.' One member of the Iranian parliament claimed on national television that the United States and Israel had already suffered heavy blows from Iran's military and insisted it is America — not Iran — that stands on the brink of collapse. He went on to mock the performance of the U.S. B-2 bomber and ridicule its military capabilities. On the other hand, ordinary Iranians — still in shock from the outbreak of war — believe the conflict may not be over and that the risk of the ceasefire collapsing is high. Tehran, a megacity of nearly 10 million people, faces daily crises such as electricity and water cuts. The dams around Tehran are running dry, and many residents in recent weeks have gone days without water or adequate water pressure. This situation is echoed in many other parts of yearslong energy crisis, worsened by government mismanagement, has led the government spokesperson to urge Tehran residents to travel out of the city; to ease the crisis, the government has even announced an extra holiday to encourage people to leave Tehran. In the midst of all these hardships, the issuing of these statements seeks to provide people with a sliver of hope for change. Former professor Hatam Ghaderi says that while he does not support a referendum — since, in his view, demanding a referendum is unrealistic when the regime remains firmly in power — he sees such calls as a means to apply pressure on the government, signal that public discontent exists and open up political thinking among the public. However, the majority of Iranians look at any prospect of political change with skepticism and doubt. The reality is that some are so stunned by the war and fearful of foreign domination over Iran that they avoid any political movement. Others, on social media, openly say they wish Israel had finished the job — that the war should have continued until at least it led to the removal of the regime's leaders. Meanwhile, some are staunch supporters of the current regime, participating in state-organized rallies to demonstrate their full backing of the government. Abroad, supporters of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, are also active. Yet none of the political parties or groups, inside or outside Iran, seem to have enough weight to attract the majority needed to drive major and fundamental political change, as happened in the 1979 revolution that toppled the monarchy and established the Islamic Republic. The Iranian regime, at every political juncture, has brutally suppressed peaceful protests, killing, imprisoning or executing thousands. Yet the core of Iran's civil society continues to show its presence through these statements, signaling that there is still a faint flame to be kindled, still an invitation to converge and unify. Although various media outlets have covered these statements, there has been no tangible movement from the public beyond that. Still, while continuing along the path of past civil society efforts, it is also necessary to seek new solutions. Over the past decades, the political faction known as the 'Reformists' — those loyal to the Islamic Republic but critical from within — have been part of the system and at times have held government positions. Figures such as Mousavi and many of the signatories of both statements come from this reformist camp. Although people have voted for reformist candidates to prevent hard-line loyalists to the supreme leader from gaining power, today, there is little optimism even toward the reformists. In fact, the civil society seems to prefer complete silence over any political reaction. Contrary to some predictions that Israel's attacks would spark political protests, no demonstrations have taken place. So what might awaken this silence into movement? In my view as a scholar of democracy and constitutional law, the answer lies in forging a new coalition — one that unites seasoned reformist insiders, well versed in the mechanics of power, with independent, battle-tested figures who have risked and sacrificed in pursuit of genuine change. This New Reformists movement must ambitiously seek to draw in academics, intellectuals, professionals and independent entrepreneurs — and, crucially, extend its reach to a broad spectrum of elite voices. Should it succeed in forging even a tentative alliance with monarchist factions, the political momentum it could unleash could prove formidable. Such a coalition has the potential to galvanize the public, revitalize civic engagement and chart a path toward profound transformation in the Islamic Republic — a transformation not born of war or foreign interference, but of domestic resolve and reimagined purpose. In such a moment, the long-silent majority may rediscover its agency, restoring fragile public trust and reigniting a spirit of collective action, under the banner of the New Reformists, untethered from the burdens and betrayals of the past.
Jordan News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
Iran: We Do Not Trust Israel or the United States at All - Jordan News
In a phone call on Tuesday with Tajikistan's Minister of Defense, Imam Ali Saberzada, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, affirmed that Iran has no trust whatsoever in the promises or commitments of the United States or Israel, and emphasized that the country is fully prepared to respond decisively to any new potential threat. اضافة اعلان According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Mousavi stated: 'This disgraceful aggression has proven to the world that the United States and the Zionist entity have fought Iran with all their might over the course of 12 days, disregarding all international standards and laws. Yet, they failed to achieve their objectives and suffered heavy blows, which forced them to request a ceasefire to save the Zionist entity.' Tajik Defense Minister Saberzada expressed condolences over the death of General Bagheri and other Iranian military leaders and civilians: 'The martyrdom of General Bagheri and several senior commanders, along with innocent civilians, is a great loss for the government, people, and armed forces of Tajikistan. We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy.' In return, Mousavi thanked Tajikistan for its support during the 12-day conflict, noting that the late General Bagheri had placed special importance on bilateral military ties: 'General Bagheri valued relations with Tajikistan and worked to strengthen cooperation between our armed forces. Positive and impactful steps were taken in that direction, and I will continue on the same path.' The statements reflect Iran's ongoing distrust of the U.S. and Israel, especially in the wake of the recent 12-day military confrontation, and signal a continuation of Iran's strategy of regional alliances and military readiness.
Leaders
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Iran Rebuilds Air Defense Systems After Clash with Israel
Iranian Regular Army's Deputy for Operations, Mahmoud Mousavi, announced that Iran has rebuilt its air defenses damaged in last month's clashes with Israel, according to Reuters. 'Some of our air defenses were damaged, this is not something we can hide, but our colleagues have used domestic resources and replaced them with pre-arranged systems that were stored in suitable locations in order to keep the airspace secure,' Mousavi said. In June, Israel's air force overwhelmed Iran's air defenses and asserted control over its airspace. In a response, Iran launched numerous waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory. Before the conflict that broke out on June 13, Iran had its own domestically-made long-range air defense system Bavar-373 along with the Russian-made S-300 system. There are no official reports of importing any foreign-made air defense systems to Iran in past weeks. On June 13, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists in an attempt to eliminate Iran's nuclear program. Related Topics: Iran Could Hold Nuclear Talks with Europeans Next Week: Tasnim 5.1-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northern Iran Iran to Hold Talks with China, Russia at SCO Summit Short link : Post Views: 9 Related Stories
NDTV
20-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Iran Replaces Damaged Air Defences Post-Israel Conflict
Iran has replaced air defences damaged during last month's conflict with Israel, Iran's Defah Press news agency reported on Sunday, quoting Mahmoud Mousavi, the regular army's deputy for operations. During the conflict in June, Israel's air force dominated Iran's airspace and dealt a heavy blow to the country's air defences while Iranian armed forces launched successive barrages of missiles and drones on Israeli territory. "Some of our air defences were damaged, this is not something we can hide, but our colleagues have used domestic resources and replaced them with pre-arranged systems that were stored in suitable locations in order to keep the airspace secure," Mousavi said. Prior to the war, Iran had its own domestically-made long-range air defence system, Bavar-373 in addition to the Russian-made S-300 system. The report by Defah Press did not mention any import of foreign-made air defence systems to Iran in the past weeks. Following limited Israeli strikes against Iranian missile factories last October, Iran later displayed Russian-made air defences in a military exercise to show it recovered from the attack. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Newsweek
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Boasts of New Air Defenses After Attacks From Israel, US
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran has "restored" its air defense network heavily targeted by Israel during last month's conflict, state media reported on Sunday, citing a senior Iranian military official. Why It Matters Israel homed in on Iran's air defense network ahead of launching its strikes on the country's nuclear sites and other military targets in June. Iran retaliated, the repeated exchange of strikes becoming what has been dubbed the 12-day war. Israel quickly said it had established "full aerial superiority" over the Iranian capital and the area west of Tehran, meaning it could operate its advanced aircraft over Iran with little fear they could be shot down by air defenses. Israel's knocking out of Iranian air defenses also cleared the path for U.S. aircraft to launch their own strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran then attacked the U.S.'s Al Udeid military base in Qatar before a ceasefire was reached. A Russian-made S-300 air defense system, right, is on display for the annual Defense Week, marking the 37th anniversary of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, at Baharestan Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. A Russian-made S-300 air defense system, right, is on display for the annual Defense Week, marking the 37th anniversary of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, at Baharestan Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. KHOSHIRAN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Israel's "first targets" during the June war between the two countries were Iran's radars and air defense systems, Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi, the deputy chief of operations for the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, said in comments carried by several state media and semiofficial outlets. Mousavi said "some" air defenses were damaged. Israeli national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, said in June the Israeli military had destroyed "dozens and dozens" of Iranian air defense systems. "With the efforts of my comrades, however, the damaged systems were replaced and deployed at predetermined locations," Mousavi said. Newsweek has reached out to the Israeli military for comment. There are many types of air defenses, including large ground-based systems designed to intercept advanced missiles or keep aircraft far away from key targets. Iran has operated a mixture of domestically-made and imported air defense systems, including the Russian-manufactured S-300 long-range system and the shorter-range Tor. The Context President Donald Trump's administration has insisted Iran's nuclear sites were "obliterated" after the U.S. strikes last month, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer. Some intelligence assessments have been more cautious in their view of how far back the U.S. "bunker buster" bombs and missiles set back Iran's nuclear program. Iran has long said its nuclear program is peaceful, but its officials have openly floated discussions on whether Tehran needs nuclear weapons. Experts say highly enriched uranium, far beyond that needed for non-weaponized nuclear development, has been found in Iran and it would not be hard for Tehran to make the leap toward a nuclear weapon. Israel said in June the Iranian government was on the verge of a nuclear weapon, something the U.S. and many other Western countries have consistently deemed unacceptable. After the U.S. strikes, Iran stopped cooperating with United Nations nuclear inspectors. Iran's semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday Tehran had agreed to resume nuclear talks with the U.K, France and Germany, citing an anonymous source. Newsweek was unable to verify the report. France, the U.K. and Germany told Iran on Thursday that they would restore U.N. sanctions unless it reopened talks on its nuclear program immediately and produced concrete results by the end of August. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Friday "any new round of talks is only possible when the other side is ready for a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial nuclear deal." If France, the U.K. and Germany—or the European Union—"want to have a role," Araghchi said, "they should act responsibly, and put aside the worn-out policies of threat and pressure, including the 'snapback' for which they lack absolutely no moral and legal ground." This term refers to the process of reinstituting sanctions. "It was the US that withdrew from a two-year negotiated deal—coordinated by EU in 2015—not Iran; and it was US that left the negotiation table in June this year and chose a military option instead, not Iran," the foreign minister said. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), often referred to simply as the Iran nuclear deal, during the Republican's first term. The agreement was signed in 2015. What People Are Saying Mousavi said Iran had "managed to restore airspace coverage using existing systems and by deploying new replacements." The Chief of Iran's General Staff, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, said on Friday that the country's air defenses had proved their "ability to withstand all levels of threats."
