In a Thursday speech, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian recounted feeling displeased during a management course in Thailand citing his displeasure for being instructed by "a short Thai woman."
In remarks that some netizens labeled as racist and misogynistic, Pezeshkian recounted: "We arrived, and a woman approached us. Our appearances contrasted with those around us, as we had traveled to the East, to Thailand, for management training."
He continued, "To be honest, we felt quite offended. There we were, nine university presidents in Thailand, being instructed on leadership. We led a revolution with aspirations to change the world, and yet they sent us here. To make matters worse, a woman—of short stature, no less—was expected to tell us what to do."
During the farewell and introduction ceremony for the outgoing and incoming ministers of Science, Research, and Technology—an event aired live on state television (IRIB)—Pezeshkian, in a disparaging tone, recounted that the woman assigned to train them had reacted to the large number of universities in Iran with a curious remark:
In what appeared to be a reference to the abundance of universities in Iran, the instructor asked Pezeshkian, "Are you planning to eat your own students?" She explained that economics addresses four key questions: What to produce, at what quality, in what quantity, and where to distribute it. She added, "We have failed to answer these four questions properly."
His speech caused a backlash on social media. One user, sarcastically referring to violence by security forces against students told Pezeshkian: "You should have told her, 'No, we want to imprison and torture them [the students], and then claim they committed suicide by hitting themselves with a hard object."
Another user wrote on X: "this speech hints at a comparison between Pezeshkian and Raisi; an educated fool is more foolish than an uneducated one."
"Because the instructor was a woman and short, he was offended. Of course, it’s not surprising that someone whose mindset is shaped by Nahj al-Balagha [Shiite religious book] would have such a view of a 'short woman.' His leader has said that women are deficient in intellect. Naturally, the shorter ones must be even more deficient in intelligence!" wrote a critic on social media.
Since the presidential campaign, Pezeshkian's frequent references in Arabic to Nahj al-Balagha—a centuries-old compilation of sermons often perceived as misogynistic—have drawn considerable scrutiny.
Pezeshkian has consistently expressed a disregard for formal protocols, openly admitting his reluctance to adhere to prepared scripts. He has come across as an unusual Islamic Republic politician who makes off-the-cuff candid remarks.
While his supporters interpret these actions as evidence of "simplicity, authenticity, and being of the people," they are likely to provoke more controversy.
However, in the role of President, Pezeshkian's remarks concerning citizens of foreign countries could carry significant diplomatic consequences.
With the United Nations General Assembly's annual meeting less than a month away, he is poised to deliver a speech and likely engage in additional interviews on the sidelines.
The official emphasized that Israel's ongoing operation, aimed at dismantling this Iranian-backed network, has no set end date.
The senior Israeli official outlined the extent of Iran's involvement in the West Bank, accusing Tehran of being the driving force behind the growing militant presence in the region. "Tehran has been involved in equipping, planning, and building terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank for more than two and a half years," the official stated.
"Officials of the Islamic Republic have provided money, weapons, and military training to Palestinian militants, and this [Israeli] operation aims to disrupt and destroy their capabilities."
Tensions have flared up between Tehran and Jerusalem in recent months, with Iran launching an unprecedented missile and drone attack on April that Israeli air defenses and allied air forces were able to fend off.
The official noted that the operation has already resulted in the deaths of 18 people, two of whom were civilians. "The military is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding these civilian deaths, but the focus remains on dismantling the terrorist networks that Iran has helped establish," he added.
The ongoing military operation, which began early Wednesday, is one of the largest attacks on the West Bank in months. It spans the flashpoint cities of Tulkarm, Jenin, and the Jordan Valley, involving hundreds of troops, drones, helicopters, and armored vehicles.
This campaign, as Israeli officials have made clear, is not just a reaction to local unrest but a broader strategy to counter Iranian influence in the region. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon has been vocal about Iran's role, stating, "Since October 7th, Iran has been actively working to smuggle sophisticated explosive devices into Judea and Samaria, intended for use in suicide bombings in the heart of Israeli cities."
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a large-scale surprise attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. This unprecedented assault involved the firing of thousands of rockets into Israel, along with coordinated ground operations where Hamas fighters breached the border and infiltrated Israeli towns and military bases. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, including both civilians and soldiers, and led to the capture of over 250 hostages, who were taken back to Gaza by the militants.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz has described the situation as "a war in every sense," highlighting Iran's attempts to destabilize the region by arming and funding militant groups. "The IDF is operating with force since the night, in the refugee camps of Jenin and Tulkarm to thwart Islamic-Iranian terror infrastructure that was set up there," Katz wrote on Wednesday. He suggested that Israel might need to consider "temporary evacuations" of Palestinian neighborhoods to minimize civilian casualties, a tactic that has already been employed extensively in Gaza.
Tehran's support for militant groups in the West Bank is viewed by Israel as part of a broader effort to encircle and weaken the Jewish state, much like the ongoing tensions with Hezbollah on Israel's northern border.
Despite these concerns, Israel remains resolute in its mission. "The State of Israel will not sit idly by and wait for scenes of buses and cafes exploding in city centers," ambassador Danon asserted, emphasizing Israel's determination to confront the threats.
The arrest comes amid growing outrage after a video surfaced showing the severe injuries inflicted on Mohammad Mir Mousavi while in custody, intensifying concerns about the systemic use of violence and torture by Iranian security forces.
On August 24, Mir Mousavi was arrested by police officers in northern Iran from a special unit during a local altercation. He was subsequently taken to a police station in Lahijan district, where he was subjected to torture, resulting in his death.
The Lahijan prosecutor has confirmed that five police officers from the area have been temporarily detained on charges of involvement in Mir Mousavi's death. However, many believe this action appears to be a superficial attempt to mitigate public outrage rather than a genuine effort to seek justice.
On Wednesday, a horrifying video surfaced, showing the lifeless body of Mir Mousavi. The video, recorded during the ritual washing of his body, revealed severe signs of torture, including deep wounds on his back and waist.
According to reports, security officials and the prosecutor exerted pressure on Mir Mousavi's family to prevent them from publicizing the murder. This tactic of silencing victims and their families is all too common in Iran, where the government has consistently demonstrated its willingness to go to any lengths to cover up its crimes and avoid international scrutiny.
Despite these efforts, the truth about the circumstances surrounding Mir Mousavi's death has come to light. However, this case is not an isolated incident. According to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, Mir Mousavi is the seventh person to die under torture while in the custody of Iranian security forces since the beginning of 2024 alone.
Amnesty International has reported that between January 2010 and September 2021, at least 72 deaths occurred in Iranian prisons and detention centers due to torture or other forms of physical mistreatment by intelligence and security agents or prison officials. Iranian authorities have consistently refused to take responsibility for these deaths.
In April 2022, Amnesty International released another report, "In death’s waiting room: Deaths in custody following deliberate denial of medical care in Iran’s prisons," which detailed the deaths of 96 people in Iranian prisons since 2010 due to deliberate denial of medical services. The report emphasized that the actual number of such deaths is likely much higher, pointing to the Islamic Republic's systematic negligence and abuse of those in its custody.
Hamid Haji-Esmaili told the press this week, that although nearly all the economists chosen by the President have joined his team, they lack coordination.
However, the lack of coordination among the ministers of the 'national accord' government is just one of its challenges. Last week, parliamentarians criticized Pezeshkian and his cabinet for not presenting practical plans to manage the state's affairs. In response, Pezeshkian, with a noticeable tone of boredom and impatience, retorted, "Just give us the vote of confidence and let us get on with our work!"
Haji-Esmaili did not elaborate on why he believes the government suffers from a lack of coordination, but it seems he was alluding to potential differences in opinion and approach among Pezeshkian’s key economic officials. For some, controlling inflation is the top priority, while others may believe that increasing subsidies is essential to support the country's large, impoverished segment of the population.
The most prominent economist in Pezeshkian's team is Vice President Ali Tayyebnia, who is known as an inflation fighter. He is joined by Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati, Labor Minister Ahmad Maydari, and Central Bank Governor Alireza Farzin. Additionally, former Central Bank Governor Abdoh Tabrizi is expected to join the team.
According to Haji-Esmaili, the government's ongoing appointments of deputy ministers and other senior officials are further complicating coordination, as the addition of new members is making it even harder to achieve cohesion.
He went on to say that the government's economic team could positively impact society and the economy if they can demonstrate a genuine effort to fulfill Pezeshkian's promise of addressing the current crisis, with one key step being the stabilization of market prices.
Since the United States pulled of the JCPOA nuclear deal in 2018 and imposed sanctions, Iran’s economy has faced many serious challenges, with its currency falling 15-fold, public services sharply declining and inflation topping 40% for the past five years.
Haji-Esmaili emphasized that the government must show it is listening to the people, who should, in turn, feel that their demands are being met. He added that while the government may struggle to implement a specific plan, its primary focus should be on stabilizing the market over the next six months.
Haji Esmaili emphasized the critical need to address issues in Iran’s foreign relations. He stated that it is crucial for Pezeshkian and his foreign minister to demonstrate to the world that they are adopting a different approach to international relations than previous governments and that they are open to dialogue.
National Development Fund Chief Mehdi Ghazanfari, who recently suggested that Iran should establish consular relations with the United States, shared that he met with Pezeshkian and is convinced that the new president is determined to prioritize the country's development and improve governance in Iran.
However, he stopped short of saying that Pezeshkian agreed with his idea about the US Consulate and whether he would seek Khamenei's approval for that.
Labor Minister Maydari in an interview before taking office, warned that any missteps in the effort to improve economic conditions could have serious consequences for Iran. He emphasized that the transition to a new economic state must be carefully calculated. To illustrate his point, he referenced the privatization in Mexico, which ultimately led to the transfer of state assets into the hands of local mafias.
Maydari suggested that the new government should be transparent and remove obstacles to creating a competitive economy. He warned that attempting to improve the economy without transparency could lead to financial corruption. He added that the government must clarify its regulations and resolve conflicts between various regulations.