Ahmadinejad Criticizes IRGC Intervention in the Economy

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. AFP file photo
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. AFP file photo
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Ahmadinejad Criticizes IRGC Intervention in the Economy

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. AFP file photo
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. AFP file photo

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad published two letters he had sent to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, demanding the cessation of interference of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the economy, and warning of increased popular resentment against the regime.

On Monday, Dolat-e Bahar website published the two letters, part of a series of moves in response to the arrest of Ahmadinejad's aides Esfandiar Rahim Mashai and Hamid Baqai.

The last letter dates back to Tuesday March 13, while the first is dated February 19. It was the first time that Ahmadinejad revealed the full content of the two letters.

Ahmadinejad demanded structural reforms in institutions such as the conservative-led Guardian Council and the Judiciary, and called for putting an end to the rule of parallel institutions. He also called for the establishment of a constitutional court and banning the armed forces from meddling in political and economic activities.

Furthermore, he asked for early parliamentary and presidential elections without the interference of the Council.

"Dissatisfaction with the performance of the government is very high," he indicated, saying three policies were responsible for the worsening crises and growing popular discontent. 

The first, is the arbitrary exercise of power, while the second is a "propaganda that everywhere is worse or at least similar to Iran, therefore everyone should be quiet and grateful." As for the third policy, Ahmadinejad believes it is "lack of transparency on important affairs."

The former president criticized Khamenei, wondering how one could remain silent after knowing of the discrimination and injustice of some departments, especially the judiciary, and the harsh treatment of some groups and youth for protesting or opposing certain individuals or behaviors.

Meanwhile, reformist political activist Mostafa Tajzadeh accused the top official of the Iranian regime of fighting corruption with "words without taking any actions."

Reformist and a former official of the Khatami administration, Mostafa Tajzadeh, also sent an open letter to the president of “Justice and Transparency Watch” conservative Ahmad Tavakkoli in response to a speech he had made on the roots of corruption.

In his letter, Tajzadeh indirectly described Iran's top religious leader as a "dictator".

Despite their differences, the letters of Tajzadeh and Ahmadinejad's showed converging viewpoints between the former president and reformists on the "corruption" of the Iranian judiciary and Khamenei's influence over the country's current situation.

Tajzadeh said Khamenei was fighting corruption "not by actions, but by words." He said that institutions and officials assigned by him - such as IRGCs' involvement in economic affairs – were contributing to corruption.

He also accused Khamenei associates of exerting great efforts to block the Internet.



US Imposes Sanctions on Vessels Linked to Iran, Treasury Website Says

A crew member raises the Iranian flag on Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, previously named Grace 1, as it sits anchored after the Supreme Court of the British territory lifted its detention order, in the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain, August 18, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
A crew member raises the Iranian flag on Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, previously named Grace 1, as it sits anchored after the Supreme Court of the British territory lifted its detention order, in the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain, August 18, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
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US Imposes Sanctions on Vessels Linked to Iran, Treasury Website Says

A crew member raises the Iranian flag on Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, previously named Grace 1, as it sits anchored after the Supreme Court of the British territory lifted its detention order, in the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain, August 18, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
A crew member raises the Iranian flag on Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, previously named Grace 1, as it sits anchored after the Supreme Court of the British territory lifted its detention order, in the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain, August 18, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on 29 vessels and their management firms, the Treasury Department said, as Washington continues targeting Tehran's "shadow fleet" it says exports Iranian petroleum and petroleum products, Reuters reported.

The targeted vessels and companies have transported hundreds of millions of dollars of the products through deceptive shipping practices, Treasury said.

Thursday's action also targets businessman Hatem Elsaid Farid Ibrahim Sakr, whose companies are associated with seven of the vessels cited, as well as multiple shipping companies.


Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Faces Foreign Aid Shortfall of up to 50 billion Euros Next Year

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. File Photo/The AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. File Photo/The AP
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Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Faces Foreign Aid Shortfall of up to 50 billion Euros Next Year

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. File Photo/The AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. File Photo/The AP

Ukraine is facing a foreign aid shortfall of 45-50 billion euros ($53-59 billion) in 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday, Reuters reported.

He added that if Kyiv did not receive a first tranche of a loan secured by Russian assets by next spring, it would have to significantly cut drone production.

Speaking in Brussels as EU leaders were set to take a decision on Moscow's seized sovereign wealth, Zelenskiy said this would mean that Ukraine would have far fewer drones than Russia, and would not be able to conduct long-range strikes on Russian energy facilities.


China Says Arms Trade With Cambodia, Thailand Unrelated to Border Conflict

Flags flutter at an entrance of Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone in Rayong province, east of Bangkok, Thailand, April 7, 2016. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom
Flags flutter at an entrance of Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone in Rayong province, east of Bangkok, Thailand, April 7, 2016. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom
TT

China Says Arms Trade With Cambodia, Thailand Unrelated to Border Conflict

Flags flutter at an entrance of Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone in Rayong province, east of Bangkok, Thailand, April 7, 2016. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom
Flags flutter at an entrance of Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone in Rayong province, east of Bangkok, Thailand, April 7, 2016. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

China said on Thursday its arms trade with Thailand and Cambodia is unrelated to the current conflict between the Southeast Asian neighbours, with which Beijing has close ties.

"We hope relevant parties will refrain from making subjective speculation and malicious hype," the Chinese Defense Ministry said in response to reports that Thai troops seized Chinese-made weapons from Cambodian positions as border clashes between the two nations reignited, Reuters reported.

Beijing hopes the two countries can reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, the ministry said, adding that China will continue to advocate for peace and talks.

Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia resumed this month and have killed more than 40 people and displaced over half a million in both countries.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in separate calls with his Thai and Cambodian counterparts on Thursday, also called for an immediate ceasefire and criticised "false information" that he said was aimed at smearing China's ties with the two countries.

"As a friend and close neighbour of both Cambodia and Thailand, China least wants to see the two sides engage in armed conflict, and is deeply saddened by civilian casualties caused by the clashes," the Foreign Ministry quoted Wang as saying.

China will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating peace, Wang said, urging both countries to protect the safety of Chinese projects and personnel.

Beijing last week warned Chinese citizens to leave border areas after media reports of injuries.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday a special envoy for Asian affairs would be visiting Cambodia and Thailand on Thursday to conduct mediation.