PARIS/LONDON: Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi said she first had doubts about the 1979 Islamic Revolution when members of the Shah's regime were executed on the rooftop of a school housing its leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.She has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of Iran's clerical leadership, 40 years after Khomeini returned from exile in Paris on a special Air France flight to ecstatic crowds on Feb 1, 1979.But as Iran commemorates the rise of Khomeini, who won the support of millions opposed to the US-backed Shah's lavish lifestyle and ruthless secret police, her criticisms of its current rulers are compounded by frustrations about US policy.US sanctions designed to undermine Iran's ruling theocracy have only hurt ordinary Iranians who face widespread hardships, said Ebadi, a human rights lawyer and former judge who has been living in exile in Britain since 2009."The economic sanctions are not to the benefit of the people. They make the … [Read more...] about Ebadi urges world action to weaken Iran rulers on revolution anniversary
Islamic revolution
Iran decrees mass pardon in honour of revolution anniversary
By The Associated Press Thu., Feb. 7, 2019 TEHRAN, Iran - Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned a “large number” of prisoners in honour of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, state TV reported Thursday. The report did not say how many prisoners were released, but previous reports suggested it would apply to some 50,000 people, the largest number ever covered in a single pardon. Some prisoners would be released while others would have their sentences reduced. According to judiciary website Mizanonline.com, the pardon covers a wide range of people, from those serving a year in jail to life in prison. It said convicts in jail on armed opposition charges, kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, fraud, embezzlement, bribery, forging bank notes and coins, money laundering, smuggling and organized crimes will not be pardoned. However, men above age 70 and women above age 60 as well as prisoners suffering from certain diseases could … [Read more...] about Iran decrees mass pardon in honour of revolution anniversary
Large number of Iranian prisoners to be pardoned for revolution anniversary: Khamenei
DUBAI: A large number of prisoners in Iran will be pardoned on Thursday (Feb 7) in honour of the 40th anniversary of the revolution that toppled the U.S.-backed Shah, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on his Twitter account.The number of prisoners that will be pardoned by Khamenei was not announced, but Iranian media earlier said around 50,000 prisoners will enjoy "the Islamic clemency".The country is holding official celebrations for the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that will culminate next Monday in a nationwide rally.It was not immediately clear whether those who will be pardoned will include some of the hundreds of prisoners that human rights groups say have been jailed for political offences.Several dual nationals from the United States, Britain, Austria, Canada and France have been detained by Iran's security forces in past years and have been kept behind bars on charges including espionage and collaborating with hostile governments.Khamenei has the final … [Read more...] about Large number of Iranian prisoners to be pardoned for revolution anniversary: Khamenei
Iran in ‘successful test’ of new cruise missile on revolution anniversary
TEHRAN: Iran announced the “successful test” of a new cruise missile with a range of over 1,350km yesterday, coinciding with celebrations for the country’s 1979 Islamic revolution. “The test of the Hoveizeh cruise missile was carried out successfully at a range of 1,200km and accurately hit the set target,” Defence Minister Amir Hatami said, quoted on state television which broadcast footage of its launch. “It can be ready in the shortest possible time and flies at a very low altitude,” he said. Hatami described the Hoveizeh as the “long arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran” in defending itself. It is part of the Soumar group of cruise missiles, first unveiled in 2015 with a range of 700km, according to the minister. The Hoveizeh unveiling was part of an arms exhibition dubbed “40 years of defensive achievements” and held in Tehran. Friday marked the beginning of 10 days of celebrations of the Islamic revolution that … [Read more...] about Iran in ‘successful test’ of new cruise missile on revolution anniversary
Iranian oil: 40 years of revolution, war, sanctions and bans
LONDON: Nearly 40 years after the 1979 Islamic revolution saw the exit of Western oil companies from Iran, the Iranian oil sector faces yet another costly disruption after a series of interruptions from war, sanctions and diplomatic isolation.Washington will reapply sanctions to Iran's oil sector on Nov. 4, after ending its participation in an international deal governing Iran's nuclear sector. Iran's oil buyers outside the United States will stop or reduce purchases because of secondary sanctions applied on foreign companies that use the U.S. banking system.Having lifted a self-imposed revolutionary ban on foreign investors in 1995, Iran has struggled to attract external investment for any sustained period.The isolation caused by poor relations with the United States and, in recent years, Tehran's efforts to develop a nuclear capability have prevented Iran building output capacity.But huge reserves run by the National Iranian Oil Co have helped it cling to its position as one of the … [Read more...] about Iranian oil: 40 years of revolution, war, sanctions and bans