Shirin Ebadi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Military Spending in Yemen, Syria Spread Poverty in Iran

Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi. Reuters file photo
Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi. Reuters file photo
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Shirin Ebadi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Military Spending in Yemen, Syria Spread Poverty in Iran

Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi. Reuters file photo
Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi. Reuters file photo

Iranian Nobel Peace laureate and most famous human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi said that Iran's authorities continue to neglect the Iranian people despite the fact that they have declared their demands.

She stressed to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the military spending in Syria, Yemen and Lebanon undermined the state budget and spread poverty in Iran.

Protests have shaken Iran for a week, and the majority of the Iranian nation is demanding a referendum because it is now aware that the current political structure, which is limited to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, can’t carry out reforms, according to Ebadi.

Speaking on the nature of protests and the way the authority dealt with protesters, Ebadi said that people took to the streets peacefully but were confronted by the police and security forces. “The government says up to 700 were arrested but I am certain that the number of detainees and casualties is much more than that,” she added.

This discrepancy in the number of casualties and detainees is attributed “to the conditions that prevent the press from performing their mission in following up the matter, and therefore the media can’t prepare precise reports. But what is for sure is that the number of detainees is high,” Ebadi added.

The Nobel Peace laureate asked Iran's police and the IRGC to drop their weapons and join protesters.

Iranians should stay on the street and the constitution gives them the right to protest, said Ebadi, calling on them to stop paying water, gas and electricity bills and taxes, and to withdraw their money from state-owned banks to exert economic pressure on the government, forcing it to stop the violence and meet their demands.

She said it is unlikely to have confidence in Iranian President Hassan Rouahni for holding security positions in the past 38 years, which means he is responsible for the deteriorating situation.

Commenting on the repercussions of the international community’s position on the national movement in Iran, Ebadi affirmed that human rights is an international concept that knows no boundaries, and any event in the world requires international stances.



Saudi-US Business Council: Trump’s Visit Marks New Chapter in Partnership

Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Saudi-US Business Council: Trump’s Visit Marks New Chapter in Partnership

Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE is being seen as a milestone, with its primary focus on economics, investment, and strategic deal-making.

Accompanying him is an unprecedented delegation of US business leaders and CEOs from major sectors including finance, banking, cryptocurrency, technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality. These leaders are seeking to open new investment horizons, forge partnerships, and follow Trump’s lead in crafting “win-win” deals that strengthen bilateral commercial ties.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council, said that Trump’s choice of Saudi Arabia as his first international destination signals the beginning of a new era in relations between the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and the broader Middle East.

“Beyond the warm welcome and political discussions, this visit will feature the announcement of new business deals and a celebration of the success of previous agreements,” he said. “More importantly, it marks the start of a deeper phase of economic cooperation and private-sector engagement between the two countries. The agreements set to be signed will significantly strengthen these ties and open doors to diverse investment opportunities.”

Driving Business Forward

Hallab, who is also the founder of Barrington Global, explained that the Saudi-US Business Council is playing an active role in this visit. “Our members and partners are fully engaged in the Investment Forum at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. There is considerable anticipation surrounding the major deals to be announced, and I can confirm that several significant agreements and new bilateral initiatives will be unveiled,” he said.

He added that interest spans numerous sectors—from defense, aerospace, and technology to newer areas like education, tourism, culture, and quality of life.

He said: “American business leaders are enthusiastic about forming partnerships with Saudi counterparts. President Trump is also keen to attract nearly $1 trillion in Saudi investments to the United States. This mutual interest shows that both sides are committed not only to commercial exchange but to meaningful, strategic collaboration.”

Hallab noted that this year’s investment forum stands out from those held in the past. “There is a new energy—an unprecedented focus on investments that align with the long-term economic goals of both nations. It’s no longer about short-term returns. Investments are being evaluated based on their broader impact, sustainability, and alignment with national visions such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

He explained that Saudi investors are looking for opportunities in the US that make sense within this broader strategy—not just financial gains, but partnerships that advance their long-term objectives. “I’m very optimistic. The pieces are falling into place in a way that serves both countries’ goals, which is exactly what we at the Business Council aim to promote—mutual benefit and shared growth.”

The Political Dimension

When asked about the role of politics, including negotiations with Iran and potential ceasefires in Gaza, Hallab acknowledged their influence. “We closely monitor political developments as they inevitably impact business decisions. But Trump’s visit highlights Saudi Arabia’s rising global stature, both economically and diplomatically.”

He praised the remarkable progress of Vision 2030, especially in terms of regulatory reform, anti-corruption efforts, and economic diversification, saying: “Having worked in the region for nearly 30 years, I’ve never seen changes of this scale and speed. Today, unemployment is under 7%, women make up 34% of the workforce, and over half of Saudi GDP comes from the non-oil sector. Saudi Arabia has emerged as a dynamic, diversified economy and a global tourism destination.”

Hallab concluded: “We at the Saudi-US Business Council are proud to contribute to this transformation and are committed to deepening our shared economic future.”