Political activist and human rights advocate
On August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie, an Indian-born British-American novelist, was viciously attacked as he prepared to speak at the Chautauqua Institution in New York.
The assailant, armed with a knife, rushed the stage and stabbed the renowned author multiple times, inflicting severe injuries. Rushdie, who had spent decades living under the shadow of a fatwa calling for his death, was once again fighting for his life. This brutal incident, occurring more than three decades after the initial controversy over his book “The Satanic Verses,” starkly reminded the world of the enduring dangers faced by those who dare to challenge religious and political orthodoxy.
The Satanic Verses was published in September 1988. Rushdie's magical realism novel explored themes of religious faith and identity and was met with immediate outrage from many in the Muslim community. Protests began in October 1988 in the United Kingdom and quickly spread across the globe. The book was condemned as blasphemous, leading to its banning in several countries.
By October 1988, the book had been banned in India, and by the end of the year, it was also banned in countries like Bangladesh, Sudan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Protests intensified, with public book burnings in the UK, including a high-profile incident in Bradford in January 1989.
The situation escalated dramatically on February 14, 1989, when Ruhollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran, issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie's execution, along with anyone involved in the publication of the novel.
The fatwa posed a personal threat to Rushdie and represented a broader challenge to the principles of free expression. Rushdie was forced into hiding, living under police protection for years. The fatwa led to violence and fear, with translators and publishers associated with the book being attacked, and even killed, in some instances. The global response was mixed; while many condemned the fatwa as an attack on free speech, others supported the outcry against what they saw as an insult to Islam.
The issuance of the fatwa against Rushdie came on the heels of another atrocity orchestrated by Khomeini—the mass execution of over 5,000 Iranian political prisoners in the summer of 1988. These prisoners, many of whom had already served their sentences, were summarily executed following brief, sham trials. The international community largely remained silent, failing to condemn this gross violation of human rights. This silence likely emboldened Khomeini and his regime, leading them to believe they could similarly impose their will through the fatwa without significant global repercussions. Just as they had stifled dissent and eliminated opposition within Iran, they sought to extend their reach by suppressing freedom of speech beyond their borders.
The Tehran Times, a prominent English-language Iranian government newspaper, is closely linked to the Islamic Development Organization, a religious and cultural entity created by Khomeini in 1982 to promote the ideologies of the Islamic regime. During the controversy surrounding Rushdie, the Tehran Times played a pivotal role in spreading the regime's propaganda and fueling global outrage, particularly in advancing the Islamic Republic's objectives abroad.
The Tehran Times became a mouthpiece for the regime, fervently defending the fatwa and condemning Rushdie in line with the directives of the Islamic Republic, echoing its stance on religious and political issues. Its editorial board penned and oversaw numerous opinion pieces defending the fatwa and condemning Rushdie. The newspaper, reflecting the regime's stance, framed the entire affair as a "Zionist plot" aimed at discrediting Islam. One headline read, "Penguin head ‘Peter Mayer’ identified as a Jew. Whole Rushdie affair a Zionist plot to discredit Islam."
Following this, the Tehran Times editorial board published an opinion piece on March 7, 1989, arguing that Britain should ban the book, citing previous cases like Spycatcher, where books had been banned for much less: "If Spycatcher can be banned and condemned, then why not The Satanic Verses, which has hurt 1 billion Muslims and others who believe that the beliefs of others should be respected."
Statements from other Iranian leaders further reinforced the fatwa. Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, then Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, declared that "only burning Rushdie’s book will diffuse the crisis." Tehran Times headlines echoed this sentiment, with proclamations like "Rushdie not forgiven, even if he repents" and "Rushdie is a dead author." The rhetoric was intense, with the Tehran Times reporting on the "rare solidarity" among Muslims worldwide and the increasing death toll in protests, such as the one in Bombay where 12 people were killed.
Despite the passage of time, the fatwa was never officially rescinded, and the threat to Rushdie's life remained. The attack in 2022 underscored that, even after decades, the tensions sparked by The Satanic Verses had not fully abated. The IRI’s hope of riding the wave of religious fervor backfired in the long term, as the protests eventually subsided, and the geopolitical costs became clear. The IRI had overestimated its influence, as demonstrated by headlines such as "European Economic Community (EEC), stand on Rushdie affair not to their interest" and "West losing over its defense of Satanic Verses," both of which reflected the regime’s frustration with the West's steadfast defense of free speech.
If Britain and other European countries had given in to Tehran’s threats, we would be living in a vastly different world today—a world less free, less tolerant, and more fearful. These nations' firm refusal to ban the book and defense of free speech upheld fundamental human rights. It prevented a dangerous precedent where violence and intimidation could dictate the limits of expression. Their refusal to capitulate preserved the principles of liberty and ensured that the forces of censorship and extremism would not easily silence dissenting voices.
Salman Rushdie's resilience in the face of sustained threats has been remarkable. His most recent work, Knife, published after the attack, is a testament to his unyielding spirit. The book explores themes of survival and the power of storytelling, offering a message of hope and defiance. Despite the physical and emotional scars left by the attack, Rushdie's commitment to his craft and the ideals of free expression has not wavered. Knife is more than just another novel; it is a declaration that neither the fatwa nor the violence it inspired can silence Rushdie's voice. Its hopeful message resonates deeply, especially in a world where the threats to freedom of speech continue to evolve.
Reflecting on the attack and the legacy of the fatwa, it's crucial to recognize the broader implications of Rushdie's experience. His story is not just about one man or one book; it represents the ongoing struggle for the right to speak freely, to question, and to create. The endurance of Rushdie's voice, despite numerous attempts to silence it, inspires all who believe in the power of literature and the necessity of defending freedom of expression. The attack on Rushdie in 2022 was a tragic reminder of the enduring dangers he faces, yet it also highlighted the strength of his resolve and the lasting impact of his work. His journey, marked by immense challenges and extraordinary resilience, continues to be a beacon of hope for those who value the freedom to express ideas, no matter how controversial.
Hossein Raghfar, an economist and professor at Al-Zahra University in Tehran, referred to various lists of potential top officials in Pezeshkian's administration, claiming that a group of politicians aligned with market speculators and profiteers are poised to receive key positions.
According to Rouydad24, Raghfar was one of the four Iranian economists who met with Pezeshkian immediately after his election to warn him against the political and social consequences of the government's decisions.
Raghfar told the website that at the meeting he and three other economists, Mohammad Reza Vaez Mahdavi, Farshad Momeni of the University of Tehran, and Gholamreza Hassantash warned Pezeshkian no to follow the policies of his predecessors and instead, pay more attention to the underprivileged people.
The academic who is a member of socialist economic group known as "institutionalists," is a proreform figure close to former Prime Minister and Green Movement leader Mir Hossein Mousavi. The members of this group believe that all Iranian governments that came to power after the 1980s Iran-Iraq war were under the influence of "capitalists" and that they simply enriched themselves by "plundering people's wealth."
He told the website that the Iranian economy is overwhelmed by financial corruption. Meanwhile, he charged that some 40 percent of the market for pharmaceutical products is controlled by security agents.
According to Rouydad24, the institutionalists are based at the Institute of Religion and Economics that used to be called "The Society of God-Worshipping Socialists" in the early 1980s.
Raghfar says that all the politicians who criticize the institutionalists are the followers of liberalism and market economy. Using reverse argument, the statement defines the school of thought of Raghfar and others who gather at the Institute of Religion and Economics.
The economist says he has warned Pezeshkian that trying to introduce a single rate of exchange for the US dollar is an impossible task and doing so is likely to push the people to take to the streets. The Iranian government provides cheap dollars for the import of essential goods, which itself has become a source of corruption. However, Raghfar and his like-minded socialists advocate keeping the system in place because it supposedly makes food cheaper for low-income people.
Raghfar and his friends have published three open letters to Pezeshkian in less than six weeks. In their third letter, they complained that the new president has not responded to their previous correspondence, adding that the new government does not seem to have any economic plan or any solution for the country's economic problems.
Speaking about the group's plan about the country's economy. Raghfar said: "Based on our calculations we can supply the essential needs of the population with $35 billion. We do not need to allocate foreign currency to the production of tomato paste or carpets. Previous governments have authorized the activity of 160 motorcycle manufacturing factories that consume foreign exchange but do not produce any added value. During the war in the 80s Iran had $7 billion revenue in foreign exchange. We spent $3 billion on the people's essential needs and $4 billion on the war and the society could function properly."
He added: "Today, decision makers have their own interests rather than protecting the people's rights. For years we have been giving billions of dollars to import oil seeds and no one asked why we do not produce this. "
However, Raghfar failed to mention that Iran’s total annual oil revenues is $35 billion and if it is all spent to provide daily necessities, there will be nothing left for investments.
Raghfar added: "What we call financial corruption is in fact plundering of the people's wealth. Controlling corruption is not an economic matter. The government is responsible for stopping it."
Meanwhile, Farshad Momeni, another institutionalist economist has warned the president that "If Pezeshkian continues to behave in the same way he has done so far, his government will end up with the same fate as the Raisi administration. Mr. Pezeshkian must make a strategic choice. Either he wants to make the economic intermediaries and profiteers fatter, or he should prioritize the housing, nutrition, education and health of the poor people."
Araghchi, born in Tehran in 1962, earned his PhD in Political Science from the University of Kent in the UK.
Araghchi, who, like many Iranian officials, views former IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani as "Iran’s role model" and Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah as "Lebanon’s role model," joined Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) in the early days of the revolution in 1979.
In a 2013 interview with Panjereh, a weekly publication aligned with the IRGC, Araghchi reminisced about his time as a Revolutionary Guard, saying, "My heart remains with them, and I have carefully preserved the sacred uniforms from those days."
He also described Ali Khamenei as "our everything," and stated, "For me, he transcends the roles of leader and Supreme Leader; in a word, he is 'Agha' (Sire)."
Araghchi has one daughter and two sons. In the same interview, he mentioned that his son-in-law is a cleric, adding, "To me, the clerical robe is sacred; it embodies virtue and is without flaw."
In 1989, after his service with the IRGC, Araghchi worked as a diplomat in Saudi Arabia. In 1999, Araghchi was appointed as Iran's ambassador to Finland. He later served as Iran's ambassador to Japan from 2007 to 2011. Following his tenure in Japan, Araghchi returned to Iran, where he took on the role of Deputy for Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and briefly served as the ministry's spokesperson.
Role in foreign ministry during President Rouhani’s administration
Araghchi served as deputy to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during Hassan Rouhani's administration, playing a pivotal role in the negotiations that led to the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal. His involvement in the talks alongside Zarif brought Araghchi widespread recognition.
However, his experience in Iran's nuclear negotiations extended back to the tenures of Ali Larijani and Saeed Jalili as secretaries of the Supreme National Security Council. During the JCPOA negotiations, many viewed him as Khamenei's trusted representative on the nuclear team—a belief later validated by his subsequent appointments.
In the final days of Rouhani’s government in 2021, Araghchi, as head of the nuclear negotiation team, traveled to Vienna to lead talks on reviving the JCPOA with the Biden administration. However, the negotiations failed to produce any results, with Rouhani and Zarif attributing the failure to domestic sabotage and parliamentary interference.
When Ebrahim Raisi's administration took over, all members of Zarif's team were dismissed. However, Araghchi was appointed as the Secretary of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, a position he still holds today. The Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, established in 2006 by order of the Supreme Leader, has its members appointed directly by Khamenei.
Kamal Kharazi, head of the council, stated in October 2021, "The Leader's view on Abbas Araghchi was that he should be utilized within the council, leading to his appointment as secretary."
Under Raisi's administration, Iran’s acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri-Kani, a close associate of hardliner politician Saeed Jalili, assumed the role of chief negotiator with the West. Bagheri-Kani was reported to have adhered to Jalili's negotiation strategies, which ultimately failed to produce any agreements. In 2013, Araghchi remarked on Bagheri-Kani, saying, "We differed in our negotiation approaches, but I had, and still have, great respect for him."
Family controversies and nephew’s corruption scandal
During his tenure as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Hassan Rouhani, Abbas Araghchi was indirectly involved in a corruption case.
His nephew, Ahmad Araghchi, appointed as Deputy for Foreign Exchange at the Central Bank in August 2017, was arrested in August 2018 on charges related to a foreign currency exchange corruption case.
At the time, conservative media outlets criticized Ahmad Araghchi’s appointment at the Central Bank as an example of "nepotism and family favoritism."
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the judiciary spokesperson at the time, accused Ahmad Araghchi of "disrupting the country’s economic, foreign exchange, and monetary system."
Ahmad Araghchi was released on bail two months after his arrest, but his legal ordeal continued. Initially, Tehran's Revolutionary Court sentenced him to eight years in prison as the case’s second defendant. However, the Supreme Court later overturned this sentence, reducing his sentence to fines, while the prison sentences of most other defendants were upheld.
Opposition to Iran’s Woman Life Freedom protests
During Iran’s "Woman, Life, Freedom" nationwide uprising, which spurred large-scale protests by the Iranian diaspora in support of demonstrators inside Iran, Abbas Araghchi, Secretary of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, stated, "We should not allow protests to be constantly held against us…Although I believe the Islamic Republic is stronger than this and won’t be shaken by these winds, we still must ensure that the damage does not escalate."
The new president’s prayer leader
With Masoud Pezeshkian’s confirmation as a presidential candidate, Araghchi, along with other former members of Rouhani’s government, threw his support behind him.
On June 8, 2024, during the election campaign, a photo emerged from Pezeshkian's campaign headquarters showing him and Zarif praying behind Araghchi. This image energized Pezeshkian's supporters and positioned Araghchi as the leading candidate for Minister of Foreign Affairs in the upcoming administration.
Now, with Pezeshkian’s presidency underway, Araghchi is poised to potentially return to the top position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is expected that he will face some tough opposition in parliament for his role in the nuclear deal, but if Khamenei has already agreed to his candidacy, he will eventually receive a vote of confidance.
Pezeshkian's administration, which pledged to reduce tensions in foreign policy, faced an immediate crisis when Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, was assassinated in Tehran just one day after the inauguration.
The killing of Haniyeh and the possibility of Iranian retaliation against Israel could shift the primary issue on Araghchi’s desk from reviving the JCPOA to addressing regional conflict.