US sanctions more vessels and entities aiding Iran's oil exports

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected Trump's letter last week as deceptive, saying Trump's demands would intensify sanctions and increase pressure on Iran.

Araghchi said Tehran was still evaluating the letter and weighing its response. "Trump’s letter was more a threat, but it claims to offer opportunities. We paid attention to all points in the letter and will consider both threat and opportunity in our response.”

"There is an opportunity behind every menace."

Araghchi said Tehran would respond to Trump's letter in the coming days via appropriate channels, rejecting any direct negotiations as long as Washington levels pressure, threats and sanctions.

On Wednesday, Axios reported that Trump's letter gave Iran a two-month deadline to reach a nuclear deal or face stricter sanctions under the US President's renewed maximum pressure campaign.

In his first term, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal between Iran and major powers that had placed strict limits on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

After Trump's withdrawal in 2018 and re-imposition of sanctions, Iran breached and far surpassed the agreement's limits in the development of its nuclear program.

Western powers accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons by enriching uranium up to 60% purity, above what they say is justifiable for a civilian program.

Tehran says the development of its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that it respects its commitments under international law.

In his pre-recorded message marking the start of the Iranian year 1404, Khamenei accused the US of responsibility for the war in Gaza, saying, “America, undoubtedly, bears responsibility for this disaster.”

He said that the attacks occurred either at Washington’s behest or with its approval and declared, “America is also a partner in this crime.” Drawing a parallel to Yemen, he condemned the strikes on civilians as a crime that must be stopped.

Since 1989, after assuming his position, Khamenei has traditionally visited his hometown of Mashhad for Nowruz, delivering a speech at the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Shia Islam.

These speeches were typically broadcast live on state television. However, for the second consecutive year, Nowruz has coincided with Ramadan, perhaps prompting him to remain in Tehran instead. During the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, he similarly stayed in Tehran and issued pre-recorded messages.

Some observers, however, drew attention to the tense geopolitical conditions in the region and mentioned the possibility that Khamenei preferred to stay

The region's heightened geopolitical tensions raised questions about his decision to choose a safe and protected location.

In his address, Khamenei compared the previous year to 1981, a period of significant turmoil in the history of the Islamic Republic, when it was at war with Iraq.

He described 1403 as a challenging year for the Iranian people, citing major events such as the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in June and ongoing economic hardships.

In 1980, two years after the Islamic Revolution, Iran faced significant setbacks: territorial losses to Iraq in the southwest, the impeachment of President Abolhassan Banisadr, and the assassinations of President Mohammad-Ali Rajaei and Prime Minister Mohammad Bahonar by the Mujahedeen-e Khalq Organization (MEK).

Since 1998, Khamenei has assigned a theme to each new year in his Nowruz speeches, often focusing on economic issues.

Previous years' themes included 'National Unity,' 'Economic Jihad,' and 'Resistance Economy.' Last year focused on 'Leap in Production with People's Collaboration,' and this year's theme is 'Investment for Production,' as announced in his speech.

Khamenei conceded that the previous year had fallen short of expectations, emphasizing that the economy would be the central focus for the coming year.

He highlighted economic pressures and livelihood difficulties as other key events of the year, while praising the strength of will and spiritual morale of the Iranian people in facing these challenges.

He pointed to the swift presidential election and public aid to Lebanon and Palestine as demonstrations of this resilience.

Khamenei's address, devoid of Nowruz symbols and failing to offer new year greetings to people, highlighted the clear prioritization of religious observance, a theme echoed more boldly in the president's Nowruz message that also focused on Ramadan.

The Director-General for Women and Human Rights at Iran's Foreign Ministry, Forouzandeh Vadiati, described the move as provocative and irresponsible.

During the meeting with the German ambassador, Vadiati condemned the "instrumental use of the Human Rights Council and the abuse of human rights" to pressure Iran, citing Germany's past provision of chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein’s government during the Iran-Iraq war.

In the meeting with the British charge d'affaires, coinciding with the anniversary of Iran's nationalization of its oil industry, Vadiati criticized what she called Britain's long history of interventionist policies in Iran's internal affairs and its anti-Iranian position at the Human Rights Council.

Vadiati also accused Germany and Britain of aligning with US sanctions against Iran.

Tehran’s diplomatic protest comes as the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Mai Sato, warned the UN Human Rights Council of Iran's increasing use of executions to suppress dissent.

Sato's report highlighted a surge in executions, with at least 169 recorded in January and February alone, raising concerns that the total could exceed 1,000 this year.

The report also detailed ongoing discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities, lack of transparency in human rights cases, and continued crackdowns on protests.

The UN Human Rights Office has previously accused Iran of "weaponizing" criminal proceedings and the death penalty to punish protesters and stifle dissent.

Its Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran has also documented widespread human rights violations, including torture and sexual violence in prisons, which they say constitute crimes against humanity.

While countries like Germany, Switzerland, and others called on Iran to end executions and repression, Iran's allies, including Venezuela, North Korea, and China, dismissed the UN fact-finding mission as politically motivated and defended Iran's human rights record.

“Nowruz is a joyous occasion for the Persian people, marking the beginning of spring, and the Persian New Year. This long-standing tradition presents a time to reflect on the blessings of the previous year and prepare for the coming spring with a renewed spirit of optimism,” he said in a message published by the White House on Wednesday.

The US has one of the largest expatriate population of Iranians abroad with numbers estimated to be around 620,000 in California alone, according to the Harris Poll and UCLA research.

Research from the United Nations Population Division in 2019 found that the US is the most popular destination for Iranians living abroad.

In his message, he highlighted the contributions of Iranians to various fields, saying, “The Persian people with their vibrant culture and exceptional talents in fields such as math, science, law, technology, and the arts, make many integral contributions to society.”

Trump’s statement comes amid a renewed policy of maximum pressure on Iran, including tough economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

A letter he sent to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, seemingly set conditions for de-escalation, calling for Tehran to dismantle its nuclear program, impose strict limits on missile development, and halt support for regional armed groups.

While Trump has voiced a preference for diplomatic means with Iran, he has not ruled out military options, while Khamenei has banned talks with the US under the current conditions.

“Our mobilization will not weaken: Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris must be freed from Iranian jails,” Macron said, referring to other citizens still left behind.

Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were arrested in May 2022 while traveling in Iran as tourists, accused of espionage.

Grondeau’s release comes after months of pressure from Paris, which had been demanding the release of its citizens.

In January, Grondeau publicly revealed his identity for the first time in a recorded phone call from prison, aired by France Inter. He described his detention as arbitrary and unbearable.

The 34-year-old tourist, who was arrested on October 12, 2022, in Shiraz during a world tour, said he was a victim of political blackmail as France and Iran negotiated his case.

He was later sentenced to five years in prison for “espionage and conspiracy against the Islamic Republic” and was held in Evin Prison, in a section designated for foreign and dual-national detainees. Exact numbers of such prisoners rights groups brand 'diplomatic hostages', remain undisclosed.

During his phone call, Grondeau pleaded with French authorities to secure his release and expressed hope that his request for parole would be granted.

The French Foreign Ministry, which had already summoned Iran’s ambassador on January 10, denounced the detention conditions of Grondeau, Kohler, and Paris.

“Their situation is intolerable, with inhumane detention conditions that, in some cases, constitute torture under international law,” the ministry stated.

Grondeau shared a cell with 18 other detainees and had limited access to a library and books sent by the French embassy. He also highlighted the harsher conditions faced by Kohler and Paris in his message.

“You, who have the power to influence this matter, hear this truth,” Grondeau said, addressing French authorities.

“Cécile’s strength, Jacques’ strength, Olivier’s strength—it is all running out.”

“Your responsibility is called upon to ensure the survival of three human beings.”

The IRGC has arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreign citizens in recent years, mostly on espionage and security charges.

Most recently, an Italian journalist was released following an arrest that was widely seen as leverage to pressure Italy into freeing an Iranian imprisoned on terrorism charges.