Hiker Allegedly Paralyzed In Iran Attack On Tourists

During Hamedi’s second court session on Tuesday, the detained reporter spoke about her dedication to the profession of journalism, stating: "I take immense pride in my role as a journalist and the work I have done." The statement was brought to light by her husband, Mohammad Hossein Ajorlou, who posted on Twitter, sharing insights into the court proceedings. He wrote: "The lawyers had a brief window to present their defense as the trial concluded. We now eagerly await the verdict in the coming days."

Hamedi, a former reporter from Shargh, one of the most popular reformist newspapers in Iran, and Elaheh Mohammadi, a fellow journalist from the Ham-Mihan newspaper, gained recognition for their coverage of events following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, after her arrest for allegedly not wearing the hijab in accordance with regime's standards.

The arrest and ensuing death of Amini whilst in the custody of the morality police sparked nationwide protests in September. Hamedi was apprehended shortly after reporting on Mahsa Amini's death and Mohammadi was detained while covering the funeral procession at the Saqqez cemetery in Kordestan province.

The first session of Hamedi’s trial presided by the notorious judge Abolghasem Salavati was held behind closed doors in Tehran on June 1. Saeed Parsaei and Mohammad Hossein Ajorlou -- the spouses of Hamedi and Mohammadi respectively – had already announced the schedule of the second court session for the two journalists, for Tuesday and Wednesday.

In a recent statement, the activists expressed their concerns about what they view as a systematic process of subjecting women to degrading sentences. "The issuance of such demeaning sentences against women appears to be a deliberate and systematic endeavor," the statement from the human rights group declared.

At the heart of the activists' condemnation lies the government's reliance on compulsory hijab, which humiliates women and places them unfavourably in the spotlight. The group suggests that by resorting to tactics of humiliation, rather than opting for traditional imprisonment, the Islamic Republic aims to minimize potential political consequences on the international stage and therefore aims to maintain a favorable international image, despite the suffering of women.

The statement included a comment from an anonymous but courageous Iranian woman: "We are forced to engage in a battle that has been imposed upon us, but as Iranian women, we have shown that we are not afraid of any struggle until we attain our rights," she said.

Furthermore, the group drew attention to specific sentences that are only imposed upon women, such as being subjected to carrying out free janitorial services, washing dead bodies, and enforced visits to psychologists, all of which are perceived as “deeply troubling and unacceptable”.

Despite facing increasing pressures, civil activists opposing compulsory hijab continue their struggle and civil institutions are actively amplifying their voices on the global stage, underlining the unwavering determination of those advocating for gender equality and human rights in Iran.

"I had previously warned against such methods that go against the law and Sharia during a meeting of the Supreme National Security Council," Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said in response to the scandal, following similarly critical remarks made by hardliner lawmakers on the parliament floor.

This is a typical response by regime officials in Iran who usually advocate ‘killing the messenger’ when faced with evidence of corruption or forbidden activities by insiders. 

Meanwhile, what Sharia in Iran clearly forbids is homosexuality among men, which it says is punishable by death.

The video that has gone viral on social media since Wednesday allegedly shows Reza Seqati (Seghati), a married man and the director general of the Islamic Culture and Guidance ministry in the northern Gilan Province who has close ties with the hardliner Paydari Front, engaging in sex with a young man, apparently at a ministry guesthouse. 

A few days after the publication of the video, the Islamic culture and guidance department announced that it had suspended Seqati and referred his case to the judiciary for further investigation.

Ghalibaf added that such matters could only be made public after the alleged crime is proven and a judge’s order is acquired. 

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The presidential administration, the judiciary and senior clerics have so far remained silent about the revelation. 

Hardliner lawmakers, Mojtaba Zolnouri and Kazem Delkhosh, had complained that the official should not be judged before investigations by judicial and law enforcement officials are completed and he is found guilty. 

The situation is completely different when it comes to dissidents or protesters. Not only they are often arrested without a warrant by plainclothes agents and taken to unknown locations, but immediate reprisals against their family members follow, and they spend month in prison without being indicted.

Zolnour who is deputy speaker has also said those who published the video had committed a much bigger crime than the person they made revelations about and demanded their punishment.

But another conservative member of parliament, Morteza Mahmoudvand blasted the silence and apparent inaction of parliament and top officials during a session Tuesday. He urged President Raisi to intervene "in the name of God," and called for the minister of Islamic guidance to resign.

The hardliners' silence or attempts to downplay the significance of the official's sex video have angered many Iranians. They argue that ordinary people are harshly punished for what the authorities consider 'immoral' actions, but when it involves regime loyalists, leniency seems to be the prevailing approach.

The reformist Mardomsalari newspaper highlighted on Saturday that the mere removal of Seqati from his position and the silence of hardliners regarding his alleged wrongdoing, where they would typically raise a storm if someone with different political affiliations were involved, is proof of hardliners' double standards in ethical and moral matters.

“Would they be so compassionate if a person from the rival political camp had done the same thing or would call him an agent of the CIA and Mossad in Iran who had taken money from the West to morally corrupt the [Iranian] youth,” Mardomsalari asked. 

The paper also drew attention to reports of Seqati’s close affiliation to former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, one of the leaders of the ultra-conservative Paydari group, his brother Vahid Jalili, and their political circle. 

Photos of Saeed Jalili and Seqati have been widely circulating on social media. Some news websites and social media users have speculated that the publication of the video may have something to do with internal conflicts in the hardliner camp and was meant to bring disgrace to Jalili and his immediate associates. 

Most social media users have expressed anger about Seqati’s hypocrisy as he was well known for his efforts to encourage hijab as an Islamic “value” but engaging in homosexuality which is a very serious offense in Islam and punishable by death according to Iran's Islamic Penal Code. 

The addition of the high precision Abu Mahdi missiles to the naval fleet will extend Iran’s ability to counter electronic warfare in the region. According to Iran's Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani “the missile system has been outfitted with cutting-edge artificial intelligence in its command-and-control systems.”

At a ceremony to mark the acquisition, which was attended by senior military officials, Ashtiani said the Abu Mahdi missile enables Iran “to counter electronic warfare tactics and adeptly evade radar systems, while also enabling it to autonomously chart its optimal flight path.”

The missile, which is domestically manufactured, is named after former Iraqi militia commander, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, who was killed in a US raid outside Baghdad's international airport in January 2020 along with former IRGC Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.

It is designed on basis of Kh-55 cruise missiles that Iran purchased from Ukraine 20 years ago, according to military analysts.

Iran has long sought to maintain its missile program independent of US and global sanctions tied to its nuclear program. However, recent geopolitical developments, notably the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have brought the perceived threats of Iran's missile program into sharper focus for the West.

The regime continues to provide military support, including drones, to Russian forces and its proxies across the region. Iran, nevertheless, claims that its missile program is entirely geared towards deterrence, with the aim of upholding regional stability.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between the countries over the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the critical Lachin corridor, which serves as the sole communication route between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Speaking at the press conference alongside his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, who was on an official visit to Tehran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian emphasized the significance of transit routes between Iran and Armenia. He said "Iran and Armenia recognize the importance of the historical transit route, and both nations seek to maintain and strengthen its functionality."

Furthermore, the Iranian foreign minister welcomed the continued peace talks between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. He said "We are closely following the peace process in the region and are committed to promoting stability and cooperation among our neighboring countries".

However, the Baku authorities have not yet issued a statement regarding President Ilham Aliyev's reported “assurance” to Tehran about the non-closure of the transit routes.

Iran has been deeply concerned about Azerbaijani moves to establish a corridor through Armenia territory to a piece of its territory to the west. While an Azerbaijani military threat exists to force such a corridor, Iran will lose its historic land connection with Armenia.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan has persisted for more than three decades, resulting in numerous military confrontations.

Tensions over the transit road have led to military exercises conducted by the Iranian armed forces near the border with Azerbaijan in recent years.