Quote of the Day. “I’ve always defended the rights of the people. Human rights have been the most foundational base upon which I worked.” Iran’s president-elect Ebrahim Raisi. “Multiple rights groups have also specifically condemned his alleged involvement with a four-person “death panel” in 1988 that oversaw the mass execution of up to 5,000 political prisoners. Raisi has never commented on the death panel allegations. When asked about the executions during Monday’s news conference, he instead defended his track record as a prosecutor and judge. … Raisi added that he was “proud” that throughout his career he has defended human rights and said that he would continue to do so as Iran’s next president. Amnesty International demanded on Saturday that he be investigated for alleged crimes against humanity over the mass executions.” “Iran’s hardline president-elect Ebrahim Raisi says he will not meet with Biden,” Tamara Qiblawi, Frederik Pleitgen, Claudia Otto, Ramin Mostaghim and Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, June 21, 2021. “All of Raisi’s serious rivals were barred from the race and overall voter turnout was 48.8%, the lowest figure since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.” I think it was much lower than 48%.
The headline says it all. “Iran’s Raisi says ballistic missiles, regional presence ‘not negotiable’ — and he doesn’t want to meet Biden,” Erin Cunningham, Washington Post, June 21, 2021.
An unexplained shutdown. “Iran’s sole nuclear power plant undergoes emergency shutdown,” AP, June 21, 2021.
“White House: Khamenei still ‘decision-maker’ after presidential election in Iran,” Katherine Doyle, Yahoo, June 21, 2021.
“‘I am innocent’: Urgent pleas to release Australian-Iranian citizen held in Tehran prison,” Anthony Galloway, Sydney Morning Herald, June 21, 2021.
Thank you Guyana. “Guyana checks Winsome ways of Iran-linked tanker,” Lloyd’s List, June 21, 2021. “Guyana’s flag registry is one of 18 developing countries in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific regions used by flag-hopping owners of tankers engaged in subterfuge shipping.” This enables crime and proliferation, etc.
“Iran: Stop imminent execution of young man arrested and tortured at 17,” Amnesty International, June 21, 2021.