Syrian and Iranian-backed forces kill civilians in shelling

Amit Halevi shared his insider perspective as an Israeli official on the behind-the-scenes discussions surrounding escalating tensions in the Middle East during Iran International's 'Eye for Iran' podcast.

The Israeli lawmaker said Lebanon, where Iran's proxy Hezbollah is based, is crucial in the conflict as he hinted Israel's next move could play out there.

"Israel will not allow that Lebanon will stay a terror state," said Halevi.

The Middle East has been bracing for a possible strike by Iran and its proxies following Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran, along with the killing of top Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike in Beirut hours earlier.

If the Islamic Republic decides to back down, despite it telegraphing revenge, and not retaliate on Israel's soil like it did on April 13, Lebanon may very well turn into a bigger proxy battle field for the two nations.

Israel has not confirmed or denied any involvement in the killing of Haniyeh, but Iran and its allies and proxies are blaming the Jewish state.

Iran managed to lobby Saudi Arabia to say on Wednesday that the assassination of the Hamas leader in Tehran was a “blatant violation” of Iran’s sovereignty.

Halevi said, while the Saudi kingdom, may have said that in public, a different picture emerges behind closed doors.

"MBS, the King of Saudi Arabia understands very well the meaning of a strong Iran," said Halevi.

The Israeli official, who is the chairman of the Israel-Bahrain Friendship Association, said neighboring Arab countries that are part of Abraham Accords, have the same fears as Israel, and secretly support their Jewish neighbor.

"Behind the scenes they know that this religious ideological infrastructure threatens them," he said.

Find out more about the appointment of Yahya Sinwar as the new head of Hamas, how Israel would respond to a potential attack from the Islamic Republic and how neighboring Arab countries would likely react by watching the full episode on You Tube, or listening on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Iran has been threatening Israel for more than a week that it will ‘avenge’ the blood of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran on 31 July.

The Biden administration has been trying to dissuade Iran behind the scenes. On Friday, however, the talk was accompanied by a stern walk when reports emerged that the US is set to provide Israel with $3.5 billion to spend on US weapons and military equipment, hours after White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the US was ready to defend Israel with “plenty of resources” in the region.

"When we hear rhetoric like that, we've got to take it seriously, and we do," he said in reaction to remarks by the deputy commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), who had said Iran saw as its “duty” to punish Israel severely.

Iran’s previous retaliatory attack against Israel in April was nullified by the combined efforts of a US-led coalition that helped intercept missiles and drones launched from Iranian territory. This time, it seems the Biden administration has taken the threat more seriously and has not only warned Iran of “serious consequences” but also released the funds that the Congress had appropriated since April

According to a CNN report Friday, the State Department has notified lawmakers that the administration wants to release the money so that Israel can purchase “advanced weapons systems”, as Israel braces for an attack by Iran and (likely) Hezbollah.

The “systems” would not be delivered to Israel immediately and some may even take “several” years to be ready, according to sources who spoke with CNN. The timing of the announcement, however, seems to be intended as yet another message by the US to both Iran and Israel, clarifying the Biden administration’s stance if its diplomatic efforts to prevent an all-out war were to fail.

The message has been taken by the more moderate parts of the state, the newly elected president Masoud Pezeshkian, in particular, who, as Iran International reported a few days ago, tried to implore the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to hold back the attack against Israel for fears that it would adversely impact his term –even before he’s gotten to form his cabinet.

Khamenei has shown no sign that he agreed to Pezehkian’s plea. Many more signs exist to the contrary, in fact, as IRGC commanders keep promising to attack Israel.

“The Supreme Leader’s directives regarding severe punishment of Israel and avenging the blood of Ismail Haniyeh are clear and explicit,” IRGC lieutenant commander Ali Fadavi said Friday. “These directives will be carried out in the best possible way, and this is Iran's current duty.”

This message was reiterated Friday by IRGC’s Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani, who said that the attack on Israel this time will be harsher than the one in April. “We are preparing to avenge [Haniyeh’s] blood, a painful and difficult incident that happened in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is our duty," Qaani wrote in a letter to Haniyeh’s successor, Yahya Sinwar.

Qaani also emphasized the role of Tehran-backed regional militias within the "Resistance Front" in the retaliation, stating, "The heroic jihad of your brothers in the Islamic Resistance will amplify the impact of the punishment more than ever before and will lead to the swift eradication of this malevolent phenomenon."

"There is not only no disagreement at the strategic level of the Islamic Republic, but there is also a rare level of determination, unity, and consensus among the country's officials," the source told Tasnim.

"The way Iran will respond will be decided at the highest level, specifically at the Supreme National Security Council, which is chaired by the President," the source added.

On Wednesday, Iran International exclusively reported that Pezeshkian had urgently appealed with Khamenei to abstain from launching an attack on Israel, warning of the catastrophic consequences such an action could have on his presidency.

Pezeshkian cautioned that an Israeli decision to retaliate forcefully against Iran's national infrastructure and energy resources could devastate the Iranian economy, potentially precipitating the country's collapse.

In their third letter to Pezeshkian in less than a month, Farshad Momeni and Hossein Raghfar stated that their previous letters to President Pezeshkian have gone unanswered, despite being among the economists he initially consulted for ideas on addressing Iran's economic problems.

They expressed disappointment in the president's actions so far, but still offered criticism and guidance to the new administration. They urged Pezeshkian to distance himself from the economic policies of the past 35 years, which have caused significant hardships for the Iranian people.

Iran has a government-dominated economy, where almost 80 percent of enterprises are either directly or indirectly owned and controlled by state entities. This, coupled with a lack of democratic accountability and transparency has led to increasing corruption in the past three decades.

Meanwhile, the Islamic regime's confrontational foreign policy and its contentious nuclear program have triggered international sanctions, which have severely hindered foreign investment, the import of technology and expertise, and overall economic growth.

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The two economists emphasized that only a fundamental "change of course" in economic policy can create opportunities for growth and improvement in Iran. They criticized Pezeshkian’s selection of cabinet ministers and state officials, noting that many informed scholars, including some of his own supporters, have questioned the validity of these choices. They warned that collaborating with individuals responsible for previous policy failures, particularly in agriculture and industry, would undermine public trust in Pezeshkian and his promises.

Momeni and Raghfar also cautioned Pezeshkian that despite his promises and the public’s expectations, he has yet to take steps to involve the people in determining their political and economic future. They argued that the first step to reversing Iran's counterproductive policies is to implement technology-friendly development plans, productive employment policies, and social justice initiatives—areas where no progress has been made so far.

The economists offered several specific suggestions, calling for greater transparency in Pezeshkian’s selection of cabinet ministers and other officials. They advised against making decisions "behind closed doors" and warned Pezeshkian to avoid working with those responsible for the failed policies of the past 35 years.

They further emphasized that revenues from the country's natural resources should be used to invest in infrastructure, human resources, communications, energy, and improving livelihoods, rather than being diverted to benefit a select few. The economists also suggested reforming the tax system to prevent the undue influence of powerful and wealthy individuals, recommending that it be brought under the direct supervision of the President.

Additional recommendations included reforming the monetary system to channel funds toward productive sectors, removing military and security forces from economic activities, encouraging the private sector, promoting social justice, and prioritizing national interests over those of a minority.

Despite these suggestions, the economists noted that Pezeshkian has ignored similar advice in the past. They also warned that it may be too late for some of these recommendations, as rumors suggest that decisions about key government appointments have already been made, even if not yet announced.

Rasaei, who was executed earlier that morning in western Iran, had been arrested during the nationwide 2022 protests. His execution sparked widespread global condemnation including protests by political prisoners at Evin.

According to information obtained by Iran International, the protest at Evin women’s ward began when the prisoners received news of Rasaei's execution. They gathered in the prison courtyard, chanting slogans against the death penalty. The protest was met with a violent response from prison authorities, led by Hadi Mohammadi, the deputy officer in charge. Guards, acting on the deputy’s orders, violently dispersed the protesters, severely beating several women.

Among the injured was Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who suffered a “respiratory attack and intense chest pain, causing her to collapse and faint,” after being beaten by prison guards along with several other inmates, according to a statement released by her family on Thursday.

“The women's ward was flooded with armed guards, and an order was issued to assault the protesters. Several women who stood in front of the security forces were severely beaten. The confrontation escalated, resulting in physical injuries for some prisoners and nervous breakdowns for others,” the statement said.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi has sounded the alarm over the safety of political prisoners in Evin Prison, including Narges Mohammadi and journalist-activist Sarvenaz Ahmadi.

"The lives of Narges Mohammadi, Sarvenaz Ahmadi, and all political prisoners in various prisons are in danger. They are paying the price for the insatiable totalitarianism of the Islamic Republic,” Ebadi said in a post on Instagram.

Political prisoner Varisheh Moradi, who is facing charges that could result in the death penalty, was also among those injured during the assault. After being beaten by the officers, she sustained a serious wrist injury, and bruises across various parts of her body.

Sarvanaz Ahmadi collapsed from a panic attack, while Samaneh Asghari, Reyhaneh Ansarinejad, and Sepideh Qoliyan were kicked and spat on by officers. Sarina Jahani and Mahboubeh Rezaei suffered severe beating, leaving them with splinted hands and intense pain. Nasrin Khazari Javadi, Houra Nikbakht, and Rana Korkur fainted during the assault, requiring oxygen treatment. Parivash Moslemi was also severely beaten, causing extensive bruising and pain.

Despite sustaining injuries, at least 15 of the prisoners have been denied medical care and have not been transferred to the hospital for treatment.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns Iran’s executions surge

This incident occurred amidst an alarming increase in executions in Iran, drawing international concern. Despite global condemnation of Rasaei’s execution, at least 29 more people were executed just a day later, on Wednesday.

On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed extreme concern over reports that Iranian authorities had executed 29 people in the last two days. "This represents an alarmingly high number of executions in such a short period of time," said UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Liz Throssell.

Though the death toll could not be independently verified by the United Nations, the reported executions bring the total number to at least 345 this year, including 15 women.

Throssell also highlighted the disproportionate impact of these executions on minorities, including Kurds, Hawassi Arabs, and Baluch, and condemned the use of the death penalty for drug-related offenses. "Imposing the death penalty for offenses not involving intentional killing is incompatible with international human rights norms and standards," she stated.

The crackdown on Evin’s prisoners and the broader surge in executions reflect the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran, despite the election of President Masoud Pezeshkian in July. Since his election, at least 87 people have been executed, raising further concerns about the future of human rights under his administration.

Last year Amnesty International reported that of all recorded executions globally, Iran accounted for 74% with at least 853 people put to death.