The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, stated that moving the capital is no longer a choice but an obligation due to the severe ecological strain on Tehran, citing sinking land and shrinking water supplies as evidence of a looming catastrophe. The government is considering moving the capital to the Makran coast, a remote area, to alleviate overcrowding and resource stress. This plan, which has been proposed before, faces challenges including high costs and political resistance, while critics also question the area’s readiness and security.
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In an interview, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the compulsory hijab and crackdowns, stating individuals have a right to choose. He also welcomed international nuclear inspections while commenting on reports of renewed construction at an underground site near Natanz, which may be intended to rebuild Iran’s nuclear program. Despite his moderate stance, observers note that Pezeshkian has limited power. Pezeshkian warned against actions that could “set fire” to the region while declaring that Iran will defend itself against any attacks.
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Iran’s “reformist” president, Masoud Pezeshkian, oversaw approximately 700 executions in the months following his election. This staggering number represents a significant portion of the record 1,000 executions reported in Iran during 2024, a figure representing the highest in three decades. The sheer scale of these executions calls into question the very meaning of “reformist” in the Iranian context, particularly when considering the regime’s established record of human rights abuses.
The claim of reform seems especially jarring given that these executions occurred across 86 prisons, including the deaths of 34 women and seven juveniles. Such actions directly contradict any notion of progressive governance, raising serious concerns about the nature of political change within Iran’s theocratic system.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood