Official Claims Half of Prisoners in Iran ‘Involved With Drugs’

The ceremony saw Hajizadeh awarded the first Ferdowsi International Medal in the category of "epic-making" for his role in the April 13 assault, Iran’s first direct attack on its archenemy.

The Ferdowsi National Medal, given by the Ferdowsi Foundation, recognizes significant contributions across scientific, cultural, artistic, and political domains, honoring both Iranians and non-Iranians. The event coincides with Ferdowsi National Commemoration Day, honoring the Persian poet known for the epic poem "Shahnameh" (The Book of Kings), a cornerstone of Persian literature.

On April 13, dubbed Operation True Promise by Iran, an assault was launched against Israel, involving approximately 170 drones, 120 surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, and 30 cruise missiles. Supported by a US-led coalition, most of the assault was intercepted.

The offensive was allegedly in retaliation for an earlier Israeli airstrike on an Iranian consulate facility in Damascus, which killed seven IRGC officers including two senior commanders.

Israel responded on April 18 with a precise airstrike near Isfahan, targeting military installations. The action was aimed at reinforcing Israel's deterrence capabilities while avoiding further escalation of the conflict.

While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) successfully intercepted nearly all incoming projectiles, Iran hailed the operation as a major triumph, asserting it had inflicted significant damage on its arch enemy.

Besharat was one of seven people charged with "moharebeh" (waging war against God) and other offenses, of which six have already been executed.

Arrested in December 2009 alongside Anwar Khezri, Qasem Abasteh, Ayoub Karimi, Farhad Salimi, Davoud Abdollahi, and Kamran Sheikheh, the group faced allegations of "moharebeh," "corruption on earth," “supporting Salafi groups,” and the murder of Abdolrahim Tina, an imam in Mahabad killed in 2008.

Initially sentenced to death in 2017, Besharat's verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court, which sent the case back to the Revolutionary Court in Tehran for re-evaluation. Nevertheless, in June 2018, amid Iran’s secretive legal system, they were once again sentenced to death, a decision confirmed by the Supreme Court in February 2020.

The execution of Besharat at Ghezelhesar prison in Karaj on Wednesday follows closely behind that of Anwar Khezri, killed on May 1 after approximately 15 years in the same prison. The death sentences of Abasteh, Karimi, Salimi, and Abdollahi were also executed between November 2023 and January 2024.

Throughout their incarceration, Besharat and the other defendants had repeatedly professed their innocence in published letters, asserting that the charges against them were unfounded.

Besharat's execution occurred on a day when, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), four other prisoners were executed in Ghezelhesar prison for charges related to drug crimes and murder.

Amnesty International released a report on April 4 titled "Don't Let Them Kill Us," highlighting that 853 were executed in Iran in 2023, an unprecedented figure in the last eight years. Among those are huge numbers of minorities such as Kurds.

In an interview with The Washington Post on Tuesday, Zeine said Molly Phee, the State Department’s top official for African affairs, issued the threat during spring negotiations aimed at extending the presence of US forces in Niger.

According to him, the confrontation led to the “rupture” of military relations between the United States and Niger, previously considered a key ally in West Africa.

Le Monde reported earlier this month that despite international pressures, the military government of Niger still plans to proceed with the sale of hundreds of tons of refined uranium, or "yellowcake," to Iran.

Zeine, who met with President Ebrahim Raisi and other top Iranian officials in Tehran in January, stated that “absolutely nothing” has been signed with Iran, adding that if a deal had been inked, it would have “not been under the table … but in front of cameras.”

The strain in relations was exacerbated when Niamey announced the mid-March termination of its military cooperation with the US, shortly after a US delegation visit.

The US had been heavily involved in counter-terrorism operations in Niger, operating a major drone base near Agadez city. Following the cessation of cooperation, the US agreed in April to withdraw more than 1,000 American personnel, with ongoing discussions regarding the terms.

Relations between Niger and Western nations have deteriorated sinceast year’s July coup that ousted elected president Mohamed Bazoum. Post-coup, the junta expelled French troops and enhanced ties with Russia, which has since provided military instructors and equipment.

The sanctions also target the IRGC Navy and individuals such as Iran's Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, commander of the IRGC's Quds Force.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Australia and its partners of maintaining a “double standard” claiming they are aligned with Washington's policies.

Australia's sanctions, which also affect several Iranian businesspeople and entities involved in missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs, have been justified on the grounds of curbing Iran's "destabilizing behavior" and extensive proxy activities in the region. The Australian government asserts that these programs have long fueled regional instability.

In total, Australia has now sanctioned 90 individuals and 100 entities related to Iran, stating its commitment to apply pressure to compel Iran to cease its disruptive actions and adhere to international norms.

However, despite the sanctions, Australia has not designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization—a stance that aligns it with the UK, Canada, and France, rather than with the United States, which designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist group in 2019.

The expanded measures will allow the EU to target individuals and entities involved in supplying, selling, or transferring Iran's missiles and UAVs when supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, being used by armed groups and entities to undermine peace and security in the Middle East and Red Sea region, or breaching United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015).

"This framework, adopted in July 2023, currently prohibits the export of components used in the construction and production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from the EU to Iran, and provides for travel restrictions and asset freeze measures against persons responsible for, supporting or involved in Iran’s UAV’s program," stated the Council.

"In view of Iran’s continuing military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as well as of non-state armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea region, and following the Iranian drone and missiles attacks against Israel on 13 April 2024, the Council decided that the EU’s ability to impose restrictive measures will now cover not only UAVs, but missiles too."

Initially, Iran denied supplying drones to Russia but later acknowledged that it had provided a small number before Moscow initiated its war on Ukraine in 2022.

Following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza, Iran has stepped up its efforts against American and Israeli interests, deploying armed groups throughout the Middle East that it supports, arms, and trains.