Iran Judiciary Calls for Regime-Aligned Gov’t

On Sunday, newly elected President Massoud Pezeshkian met with former reformist President Mohammad Khatami, who congratulated him on his election victory (Jamran)
On Sunday, newly elected President Massoud Pezeshkian met with former reformist President Mohammad Khatami, who congratulated him on his election victory (Jamran)
TT
20

Iran Judiciary Calls for Regime-Aligned Gov’t

On Sunday, newly elected President Massoud Pezeshkian met with former reformist President Mohammad Khatami, who congratulated him on his election victory (Jamran)
On Sunday, newly elected President Massoud Pezeshkian met with former reformist President Mohammad Khatami, who congratulated him on his election victory (Jamran)

The Iranian judiciary has called for the formation of a government that aligns with the nation’s governance regime.
“We must be proactive in forming the government and help the president-elect establish a government that aligns with the Islamic Republic,” said Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.
Ejei highlighted a 9% increase in voter turnout in the second round of the presidential elections held on June 28, compared to a 60% abstention rate in the first round.
“This shows the intelligence and alertness of our people,” he said.
Ejei echoed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s satisfaction with the elections being held in a “safe atmosphere” without disturbances.
“It was a strong blow to the enemies and opponents of Iran, thwarting their hopes to harm our country,” said Ejei.
Ejei then emphasized that the president-elect has significant responsibilities and must be supported.
Newly elected President Massoud Pezeshkian has promised to improve economic and living conditions in Iran.
Pezeshkian’s advisor, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, urged the world to “set aside sanctions” following the elections.
The president-elect continued consulting his advisors to form his government. On Sunday, Pezeshkian met with former reformist President Mohammad Khatami, who congratulated him on his election victory.
No details of their conversation were disclosed.
Iranian state television aired a brief report on the meeting, a rare move due to past restrictions on reformist leaders following the 2009 protests.
On Monday, Pezeshkian met with former Economy Minister Ali Tayebnia to discuss the economic situation. Tayebnia is expected to be the top candidate for the economy and finance ministry. Pezeshkian reaffirmed his commitment to improving economic and living conditions.
Pezeshkian aims to lift sanctions and revive the nuclear deal to address economic issues, as the deteriorating living conditions were a major concern in the elections. All candidates acknowledged the public’s dissatisfaction with the economic crisis.
Pezeshkian received his first international call from Russian President Vladimir Putin, with both leaders agreeing to meet in person later this year, according to the Tass news agency.

 



Trump Threatens to Cut another $1 Billion in Harvard Funding

Students, faculty and members of the Harvard University community rally, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo)
Students, faculty and members of the Harvard University community rally, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo)
TT
20

Trump Threatens to Cut another $1 Billion in Harvard Funding

Students, faculty and members of the Harvard University community rally, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo)
Students, faculty and members of the Harvard University community rally, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo)

US President Donald Trump is threatening to cut another $1 billion in funding for Harvard University, this time targeting health research, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, as the administration's row with elite schools escalated.
The Trump administration has withheld government funding from Harvard, Columbia and other universities in response to their tolerance of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in what the administration has labeled a failure to control antisemitism on campus.
Harvard pushed back last week, rejecting demands for control of its student body, faculty and curriculum, saying that it would cede control of the university to the government.
Within hours of Harvard taking its stand, the administration announced it was freezing $2.3 billion in federal funding to the school and the next day threatened to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status.
The Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported the plans to pull an additional $1 billion in research funds arose after administration officials thought a long list of demands they sent Harvard on April 11 was a confidential starting point for negotiations, and officials were surprised when Harvard released the letter to the public.
Trump officials had been planning to treat Harvard more leniently than Columbia but now want to increase the pressure on Harvard, the Journal reported.
The White House and Harvard did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Sunday.
Since his January inauguration, Trump has cracked down on top US universities, saying they mishandled last year's pro-Palestinian protests and allowed antisemitism to intensify on campus. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say their criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza is wrongly conflated with antisemitism.
The administration had previously sent a list of demands on April 3 to Harvard for the Ivy League university to continue receiving federal funding. These included a mask ban, removal of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and more cooperation with law enforcement.
The April 11 letter, signed by officials at the Education Department, the Health and Human Services Department, and the General Services Administration, expanded that list. It told Harvard to stop recognizing some pro-Palestinian groups and asked it to report to federal authorities foreign students violating university policies, among other demands.