Latest news with #Hosseini
Middle East Eye
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Iran: Executions soar following end of Israeli assault
At the height of Israel's war against Iran, Kambiz Hosseini - an anti-establishment figure working for the Saudi-funded media outlet Iran International - told his followers that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would soon be killed. On 19 June, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Khamenei's death would mean the end of the Islamic Republic, Hosseini urged his followers to wait just a little longer, writing: 'You have waited 46 years, 4 months, and 29 days; wait three more days.' For three days, nothing happened. Then, on the fourth, everything changed. Less than two hours after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, Hosseini posted anxiously on X: 'If Khamenei survives in these remaining hours, he will massacre the people! He will take revenge on everyone.' And Khamenei survived. It wasn't only Hosseini and his followers, who supported foreign intervention to overthrow the Islamic Republic, who were worried. Many Iranians inside and outside the country soon witnessed a wave of repression, arrests and executions after the war ended. On the morning of 24 June, just hours after the ceasefire took effect, three people were hanged in Urmia prison. Idris Aali, Azad Shojaei, and Rasoul Ahmad had been accused of collaborating with Mossad before the war and were swiftly executed. 'What threatens the establishment is not a foreign enemy, but the opposition and ordinary people inside Iran' - Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, Iran Human Rights In the days before that, three other prisoners - Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, Majid Mossayebi, and Esmail Fekri - were also executed in different prisons on charges of spying for Israel. At the same time, Iranian state media announced that over 700 people had been arrested across the country for 'espionage', 'spreading anti-establishment propaganda', or 'collaborating with hostile governments'. Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, head of the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights organisation, put the number at least 900 in an interview with Middle East Eye. He also pointed to a new law passed by Iran's parliament during the war, and its details revealed on 28 June, known as the 'intensifying punishment for agents collaborating with hostile states' bill. According to him, this law is meant to increase pressure on citizens and provide legal justification for future executions. 'The real targets are not Mossad agents, but ordinary people. Under this law, anyone can be accused of 'corruption on earth' and executed. Even talking to people outside Iran could now be considered espionage,' he explained. 'What threatens the establishment is not a foreign enemy, but the opposition and ordinary people inside Iran.' Ceasefires and executions For Iranians opposed to the government, ceasefires do not bring relief. The last time the Islamic Republic agreed to a ceasefire was in 1988, ending the eight-year Iran-Iraq war. What followed was the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners, some of whom were nearing the end of their sentences and awaiting release. At the time, the killings didn't receive media coverage due to censorship. Even years later, when the world learned about it, the perpetrators openly defended their actions. Now, many establishment critics fear that history is about to repeat itself. A former political prisoner who survived the 1988 massacre, who asked to remain anonymous, told MEE that although today's circumstances may be different, the repression has already begun. They pointed to the widespread arrests of political activists and dissidents reported in recent days. Among those detained are Hassan and Hossein Ronaghi in Tehran; Noyan Hejazi and Nazanin Abedini in Jouibar; Jalal Khodamoradi in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj; blogger Donya Hosseini from Khuzestan province; and four Kurdish activists in Piranshahr. According to this former prisoner, after intense conflict with a foreign enemy, the establishment always tries to eliminate any opposition at home. 'The regime knows it has been defeated by Israel in many military and intelligence areas, and for this reason, it is unwilling to take the risk of any internal dissent," they said. A member of the People's Mujahedin of Iran in France displays portraits of victims of the 1988 executions in 2019 (Eric Feferberg/ AFP) "It fears this could bring down a 46-year-old dictatorship.' They also recalled the wave of executions after the suppression of the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement in 2022, when protesters were swiftly tried and executed without access to lawyers. 'Since 1979, this religious dictatorship has relied on executions to deal with opponents. By incorporating Shia jurisprudence into its system, it has even given religious legitimacy to these killings," they concluded. "More executions are certainly coming, and the regime will resort to killing and intimidating ordinary people to ensure its survival." One of the most evident signs of increasing repression is the return of Basij checkpoints to the streets. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The Basij is part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Its members, known as "volunteers", are rewarded with government jobs, university admissions, low-interest loans, and other benefits. How supporters of 'Woman Life Freedom' in Iran rejected Israel's assault Read More » The Basij have been deployed in many incidents the government wishes to distance itself from, such as attacks on Tehran University dormitories and the British and Saudi embassies in recent years. They also carry out arbitrary arrests during protests. Just two days after Israel attacked Iran, the government announced the return of Basij checkpoints. Their reappearance came with attacks by plainclothes agents on non-political public figures critical of the establishment. One such case was Voria Ghafouri, a former Iranian national football player. His cafe in western Tehran was shut down by seven plainclothes officers, without explanation or a court order. Meanwhile, the state has also been sending threatening mass text messages to citizens, warning them against following anti-government media outside Iran. One such message, seen by MEE, warned recipients that if they did not delete likes, comments, or follows from certain pages, they would face legal consequences. One citizen, who received the message, said he didn't even use his phone to read the news. 'I have two mobile lines, one for work and one personal. I got the text message on the phone that I wasn't even using for news,' he said. Public intimidation These intimidation tactics are not just isolated acts of harassment but part of a broader system of fear used to silence dissent and justify more extreme forms of punishment, including executions. According to Amiri-Moghaddam, the establishment often uses vague or fabricated charges like espionage, 'propaganda against the regime,' or 'corruption on earth' to legitimise these crackdowns. Amiri-Moghaddam also warned that if the international community remains silent, Iran's rulers may resort to mass executions. Iran says 71 killed in Israeli strike on Evin Prison Read More » 'The Islamic Republic has always followed one core principle: preserving the establishment. What has consistently threatened its survival is the domestic opposition,' he said. He added that one of the highest waves of executions occurred in the country during the 2015 nuclear negotiations with western countries. 'At that time, we warned EU representatives, but they told us their main focus was the nuclear deal, so they ignored the rest," he explained. He noted a similar pattern in the eight months leading up to the recent war with Israel. With attention on Iran's presidential election, Trump's return to power, and new nuclear talks, Iran used the last year to execute over a thousand people. There were at least 343 executions in Iran in the first four months of 2025 - a 75 percent increase over the same period in 2024, according to Iran Human Rights.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India will start operating evacuation flights from tomorrow, Infra News, ET Infra
Advt As for Indian nationals wishing to leave Israel, official sources said India will start operating evacuation flights for them from Amman on Sunday. They will be taken to Jordan by road on Sunday as border points are shut on Saturdays. Deputy chief of mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini said more evacuation flights could be operated in the coming days to bring back Indians, if required. The official also urged India to condemn Israel's actions saying this was a case of aggression against a country and must be condemned in line with international law."We consider Indians as our own people. Iran's airspace is closed but because of this issue, we are making arrangements to open it for the safe passage of Indian nationals," Hosseini said at a media briefing. "Around 1,000 Indians who were relocated from Tehran to Qom and then to Mashhad will be evacuated to New Delhi on three charter flights." Hosseini said Tehran is in close contact with the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and the Indian embassy in Tehran to ensure safe evacuation of Indian nationals. "We are arranging for the safe passage of Indians who want to leave via air or via road through third countries, or directly from Iran," he said. The Iranian diplomat said Indians in Iran are safe, but added that a few Indian students sustained injuries after an Israeli air strike hit a dormitory in Tehran.
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First Post
21-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
Iran urges India to condemn 'Israeli aggression', asks Pakistan to not 'harm' interests
There is speculation that Washington was looking at using Pakistani military bases in case it decides to launch attacks on Tehran read more Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran. Reuters Iran expects India and other like-minded nations to condemn Israeli 'military aggression' against it as such actions are a 'breach' of international law, a senior Iranian diplomat said on Friday. Mohammad Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy, also hoped that Pakistan would not do anything that will harm Iran's interests. His response on Pakistan came when asked at a media briefing about Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Wednesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There is speculation that Washington was looking at using Pakistani military bases in case it decides to launch attacks on Tehran. Hosseini also said that India is a leader of the Global South and Iran expects New Delhi to condemn the Israeli actions of 'breaching' international law by attacking a sovereign country. 'We believe every country including India should condemn it (Israeli military actions), not because of their relations with Iran but because these actions are in breach of global norms,' he said. Israel and Iran have fired hundreds of missiles and drones at each other's cities as well as military facilities since the hostilities began over a week ago. Asked if Iran was considering shutting the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian diplomat did not give a direct reply and said several options are on the table. Nearly 30 per cent of the world's daily oil consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the International Energy Agency, even a brief disruption of passage through the strait will have a significant impact on oil markets. 'We have many things on the table, but it doesn't mean that we are going to do it now. It depends on the situation and how the other players want to go,' Hosseini said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'If they want to solve the problem, definitely some of these things will be put aside,' he added. Asked about possible impact of the hostilities with Israel on Iran's Chabahar port, the Iranian diplomat only said that any further escalation of tensions could have far-reaching implications for the flow of energy and other commodities. 'It is not just a matter of Chabahar, it's a matter of the whole region. If it escalates, it will definitely affect many things, definitely the flow of oil, shipments and commodities which are going through these channels will be affected,' Hosseini said. 'Because of this, those countries who will be affected, it is better for them to think and to start stopping this aggression, to avoid any kind of negative effects on the economy of the region, which will definitely spread out to the whole world,' he said.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India will start operating evacuation flights from Israel from tomorrow
Indian students sitting in first evacuation flight from Iran (File Image) NEW DELHI: India's Operation Sindhu launched earlier this week to evacuate Indians stranded in Iran picked up steam with two more special flights expected to land in Delhi on the intervening night of June 20 and 21. As a "special gesture", Tehran agreed to lift airspace restrictions to facilitate the exercise. India has chartered Iranian carrier Mahan Air flights for the evacuation. While the first flight from Mashhad in Iran landed late Friday, another one was from Ashgabat in Turkmenistan was expected later. An IndiGo flight was also en route from Ashgabat. Iranian authorities said around 1,000 students will return to India in the next few days. tnn As for Indian nationals wishing to leave Israel, official sources said India will start operating evacuation flights for them from Amman on Sunday. They will be taken to Jordan by road on Sunday as border points are shut on Saturdays. Deputy chief of mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini said more evacuation flights could be operated in the coming days to bring back Indians, if required. The official also urged India to condemn Israel's actions saying this was a case of aggression against a country and must be condemned in line with international law. "We consider Indians as our own people. Iran's airspace is closed but because of this issue, we are making arrangements to open it for the safe passage of Indian nationals," Hosseini said at a media briefing. "Around 1,000 Indians who were relocated from Tehran to Qom and then to Mashhad will be evacuated to New Delhi on three charter flights." Hosseini said Tehran is in close contact with the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and the Indian embassy in Tehran to ensure safe evacuation of Indian nationals. "We are arranging for the safe passage of Indians who want to leave via air or via road through third countries, or directly from Iran," he said. The Iranian diplomat said Indians in Iran are safe, but added that a few Indian students sustained injuries after an Israeli air strike hit a dormitory in Tehran.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran helps India fly out 1,000 Students
Live Events In a notable move, Iran on Friday opened its airspace for India to facilitate the evacuation of around 1,000 students, making an exception amid the ongoing conflict with will operate three special flights on Friday night and Saturday from the city of Mashhad to New Delhi to bring back these Indian students, Iran's deputy envoy to India Mohammad Javad Hosseini said on Friday. These students have already been relocated from the capital Tehran to Mashhad via Iranian airspace remains shut to most international flights following ongoing missile exchanges and drone attacks involving Israeli and Iranian if the US joins the conflict on the side of Israel, Hosseini said, "We are ready for any scenario..."We want every country to condemn the attack (on Iran), Including India"(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)The Indian government had earlier evacuated students from Iran's Urmia University, got them to cross over to Yerevan, Armenia, on Tuesday, and then flew them to New Delhi. At least 94 of the students were from Jammu and Kashmir, with the rest belonging to Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Thursday, India also decided to start evacuation operations for its citizens in Israel. In a statement, the government said under ' Operation Sindhu ", travel of these citizens will be facilitated through Israel's land borders and thereafter by air to Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv is making arrangements for the evacuation. The embassy warned Indians to stay vigilant and strictly follow safety guidelines issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command.
