Iran to remove anti-childbearing content from university curricula

Ultraconservatives have tabled a motion in parliament (Majles) to impeach Economy Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati for failing to control the fall of the Iranian currency. However, Mohammad Taqi Naqdali, an MP who is a member of the ultraconservative Paydari Party emphasized that "Staunch supporters of the government are among those who have called for Hemmati's impeachment."

Three other prominent ultraconservative lawmakers have also backed Naqdali's claim in interviews with Khabar Online website in Tehran.

One of these lawmakers, Mojtaba Yousefi, who is a member of the parliament’s presidium, said: "A cabinet minister who refuses to pay attention to the people's priorities should be impeached. The Majles will not ignore its supervisory role and will question the minister on behalf of the people."

Iran’s currency has plunged by approximately 30 percent since early September, following significant Israeli strikes against Hezbollah, Tehran’s main regional proxy, and the collapse of Bashar Assad’s rule in Syria. This decline is likely to exacerbate the country’s already soaring inflation and deepen the poverty crisis, which has been worsened by years of US sanctions and domestic mismanagement.

Hardline ultraconservatives, however, avoid criticizing the Revolutionary Guard or Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for regional and economic setbacks. Instead, they focus their attacks on the government, which has limited authority over military and major policy decisions.

Political activists backing President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration have pointed out that Khamenei has explicitly voiced opposition to early impeachments. They cited his remarks from June 2023: "Why should a cabinet minister be impeached just three or four months after receiving a vote of confidence from the Majles? Why an impeachment? What could the minister have possibly done in such a short time to warrant this?"

In at least one instance, some ultraconservative MPs demonstrated that they do not always follow Khamenei's orders and advice. This occurred shortly after the current Majles convened in 2024, when Khamenei urged members to refrain from factional infighting over the parliament's leadership. Despite this, outspoken ultraconservative MP Hamid Rasaei and members of the Paydari faction persisted in their smear campaign against Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Ultimately, Ghalibaf secured the Speakership, thanks to an alliance with other conservative factions in parliament.

In recent days, Ghalibaf has spoken out against the impeachment push, describing it as "a factionally motivated act" rather than a sound or prudent decision. It remains unclear whether this reflects Ghalibaf's personal stance or if he is acting as a conduit for Khamenei's message to the parliament.

Critics of the ultraconservatives on social media accused them of overusing the parliament's supervisory powers and questioned whether they would heed Khamenei's advice or defy it.

Ghalibaf criticized the ultraconservatives' actions as a political spectacle amid the country's currency crisis, stating in the Majles, "Unfortunately, some MPs exploit the people's demands to advance their factional interests." He warned that "if the impeachment motion proceeds, there will be no one in the government to manage exchange rates."

One of the advocates of impeachment said this was "the Speaker's personal opinion and the MPs are adamant to pursue the impeachment motion." Another lawmaker added that "It is not only the currency crisis that motivated the impeachment. There are also problems about fuel and inflation rate."

Another parliamentarian, Javad Hosseini Kia said: "There is a major problem with exchange rates, which is caused by the inefficiency of the Ministry of Economy and the Central bank. If the officials in charge cannot do their jobs they should step down."

According to Khabar Online, while quoting Khamenei as saying that "The Majles should help the government," Yousefi said: "We helped the government by giving our vote of confidence to all of cabinet ministers and passing their budget bill. Yes, we should help the government but at what price? Should not we use our supervisory tools despite the currency crisis and unemployment? We are using our supervisory role on behalf of the people."

“Diplomacy moves in tandem with the battlefield, complementing each other,” Araghchi said. “The battlefield paves the way for diplomacy, and diplomacy turns the achievements of the battlefield into national security, national interests, national pride, and national dignity.”

Referring to Iran’s approach as the “diplomacy of resistance,” he insisted that military and diplomatic efforts must move forward together to secure the country’s objectives.

Araqchi, without mentioning the developments in Syria and the fall of Bashar al-Assad, said: "The enemies think that if they inflict damage on the Axis of Resistance, it will be a victory for them. They must know that this marks the beginning of their defeat."

According to Iran’s Foreign Minister, "What has transpired over the past few months for the region, the Resistance, and Iran was a renewed manifestation of the complete coordination between the field and diplomacy."

The Islamic Republic’s officials’ reference to the battlefield and the Axis of Resistance pertains to the presence of Iran’s proxy forces in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.

Araghchi expanded on these themes during his recent interview with China’s state-run CCTV, aired Saturday. Addressing the prospect of further Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, he struck a defiant tone.

“We are fully prepared for the possibility of further Israeli attacks,” he said. “I hope Israel will refrain from taking such reckless action, as it could lead to a large-scale war.”

Amid speculation that Israel may escalate its response to ballistic missile and drone attacks by Iran's allies, Araghchi cautioned against the potential consequences of such actions. However, he underscored Iran’s preference for diplomacy, highlighting the importance of reason in preventing conflict. “We believe that reason will ultimately prevail and prevent actions that could have serious consequences,” he told the broadcaster.

The interview, conducted during Araghchi’s late-December visit to Beijing, also highlighted Iran’s efforts to strengthen ties with China. Araghchi discussed regional security and the nuclear deal, reaffirming Tehran’s interest in fostering international alliances to counter US sanctions and Israeli military actions.

Araghchi’s remarks come amid increasing geopolitical and economic pressures on Iran. Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly targeted Iranian-backed forces in Syria, while ballistic missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels—armed by Tehran—have added to regional instability.

At the same time, Iran faces internal criticism over its setbacks in Syria and the broader region.

It seems Iran’s rhetoric of resistance aims to project strength even as its regional position has weakened. By tying military successes to diplomatic gains, Tehran seeks to sustain its influence in Syria and counter perceptions of weakness.

Araghchi’s remarks also reflect Iran’s broader narrative of perseverance. Whether through alliances with powers like China or the fusion of battlefield and diplomatic strategies, Tehran appears determined to adapt to shifting regional dynamics without conceding defeat.

Referring to earlier discussions, Mohajerani noted that Iran's president met with Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October, and expressed optimism about finalizing the deal.

"Specifically with Russia, we anticipate the president's visit to Moscow, during which we hope to see progress on two key issues: the North-South Corridor, which is already underway, and the plan to transfer Russian gas to Iran—both of which have been key points of agreement between the two sides," Mohajerani said.

Tehran and Moscow initially signed a long-term agreement in March 2001, officially called the Treaty of the Foundation of Mutual Relations and the Principles of Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation Act. The agreement was originally set for ten years but was extended twice for five-year terms. However, similar promises have been made in the past without finalizing a renewed treaty.

According to Iran’s ambassador to Russia, the countries agreed in 2021 to extend the agreement for another five years, setting its expiration for 2026.

In 2023, reports surfaced about possible challenges in developing the new agreement with Russia, though few details about its content have been disclosed publicly.

Shariatmadari argued that the advocates of talks are either "naive" or "inefficient" and are using negotiations with the US as a cover for their inability to solve problems. He also accused them of "having ties with the enemy out of deceit or greed."

His comments come as on Friday, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with China's CCTV network that Tehran is ready for "constructive and prompt" negotiations over its nuclear program.

In recent days, some officials in Masoud Pezeshkian's administration and insider political figures have called for talks with Donald Trump, who will officially assume the US presidency on January 20.

Among them, Ali Abdolalizadeh, Pezeshkian's special representative for maritime economy and head of his campaign during the 2024 presidential election, said on Tuesday that negotiations with Trump are necessary.

"We cannot keep the country's issues suspended," Abdolalizadeh said, adding, "The entirety of the ruling system has also reached [the necessity] of face-to-face negotiations."

"So far, the impeachment of Mohsen Paknejad, the Minister of Oil, with 23 signatures, and the impeachment of Abdolnaser Hemmati, the Minister of Economy, with over 70 signatures, have been officially registered in the parliament system," Naderi said.

Meanwhile, on the same day, President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized corruption in Iran's economy, which is mostly controlled and regulated by the government.

"In a situation where the allocation of preferential currency rates to certain individuals in both the public and private sectors has turned into quotas and insider privileges, leaving others at a disadvantage, how can such a market be considered competitive? This process certainly needs reform," he said.

Iran is grappling with a dire economic situation, with its currency, the rial, depreciating by over 30% since September. This decline has been driven by regional conflicts and setbacks in Syria and Lebanon.

In late December, business owners and workers in Tehran’s historic bazaar staged a rare strike to protest runaway inflation and soaring foreign currency rates. The strike sparked similar demonstrations in other commercial hubs across the capital.

Unrest in the historic heart of Iran’s commerce reflects the grim state of the country’s economy. In 1979, protests in the bazaar were a precursor to the Islamic Revolution that overthrew the monarchy, underscoring the political significance of such discontent.