Freedom Movement's Request for Iranian Officials to Avoid 'Adventurism in the Region'

The Freedom Movement of Iran, in a statement detailing the impact of sanctions on the 98 budget, called for 'constructive understanding and interaction' between the Islamic Republic and the 'developed world,' urging officials to refrain from 'controversial positions and political and military adventurism in the region.' According to the website Mizan News, the statement emphasized that 'Iran's economic crisis has a political solution.' The party demanded a 'redefinition of Iran's foreign policy doctrine in line with constructive understanding and interaction with the developed world and avoidance of controversial positions and political and military adventurism in the region.' It was stressed that these actions, along with 'utilizing the principles of public diplomacy to mitigate the effects of the joint political and economic decision-making of the right-wing governments of Israel and Saudi Arabia, are the only way that can lead the Iranian government towards achieving the objectives of the budget law and the necessities of transitioning from the current macroeconomic and political crisis.' This statement was released amid increased threats from Islamic Republic officials against the U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the holding of military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf. Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened that if Iran cannot export its oil, other countries will not be able to export theirs either, which has been interpreted as a potential intention by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil passageways. Following these threats, Admiral John Richardson, the operational commander of the U.S. Navy, warned Iran that the United States would maintain the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by force if necessary. Despite the escalation of verbal warfare between Iranian and American officials, several Iranian officials have dismissed the possibility of military conflict. In July, over a hundred political and civil activists inside and outside Iran issued a statement calling for 'direct and unconditional negotiations' between Iran and the U.S., referencing the 'global' welcome of the U.S. President's meeting with North Korea's leader and the 'dangerous situation in the region.' This statement drew severe criticism from close associates of the Supreme Leader and officials of Hassan Rouhani's government. Iranian officials have repeatedly dismissed the possibility of negotiations with the U.S. About three weeks ago, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported on secret negotiations between Iranian and American diplomats in London, but Hamid Baidi-Nejad, Iran's ambassador to the UK, denied this report. The Freedom Movement of Iran also emphasized in this statement that 'foreign policy is an extension of domestic policy,' and the government 'cannot seek favorable political relations with the world or expect the global economy to be convinced to invest in Iran while insisting on the continuation of a security atmosphere.' This group identified the way out of the current situation as 'returning to constitutional capacities by expanding fundamental freedoms, national sovereignty, and enhancing human rights indicators, and creating a general national consensus and cohesion among political forces, including factions within the government and independent civil parties and institutions.' The statement emphasized that the Iranian government 'by valuing freedom, democracy, social justice, and national sovereignty, not only prepares the ground for increasing its political credibility among the Iranian people but also gains leverage in political negotiations and public opinion in the world, effectively nullifying or minimizing the bargaining power of foreign governments.' The Freedom Movement and other like-minded groups have previously raised similar demands, but Iranian officials do not recognize this group and have not officially responded to these demands. Iranian officials have also referred to these demands as 'the words of enemies.' The Freedom Movement also stated that the projected revenues in the next year's budget 'seem unrealistic.' This group criticized 'financial indiscipline' in the 98 budget, 'allocation of enormous financial resources to unnecessary governmental institutions,' and 'paying hundreds of billions in budgets for institutions like the Guardian Council or the Assembly of Experts.' In the projected scenarios for the next year's budget, Iran's revenue from oil sales is expected to decrease to about half or one-third, and two ceilings have been set for the government's public budget. The Freedom Movement of Iran had also warned earlier this year about what it called the 'danger of political and social collapse' in Iran. This statement referenced events from 96, including the December protests, the protests of financial institution victims or workers, clashes with Gonabadi dervishes, fights over water resource distribution in cities of Isfahan province, and non-peaceful confrontations with gatherings advocating women's rights, predicting that if these protests recur this year, widespread 'violence' would not be unexpected. In this context, the United States will hold a global conference on Iran next month, following Iran's announcement of its withdrawal from the JCPOA after the launch of the Simorgh missile. The budget for the military is reduced while the budget for the IRGC is increased in the 98 budget bill. Where is the Freedom Movement heading? A warning from the Freedom Movement about the 'danger of collapse' in Iran. Severe government repression and the risk of 'underground' protests. What doctors and eyewitnesses recount about the injured in the protests. The limitations of China-Iran relations amid protests.