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The nuclear deal has “been working,” Zarif further wrote. “US can only blame itself for pulling out & leaving the table. Threats, sanctions & PR stunts won’t work. Try respect: for Iranians & for int’l commitments.”
The IRR trimmed losses against the dollar on the black market during July 31, ending the day at 106,500, compared to the all-time low of weaker than 120,000 seen two days ago.
2.4 Iran’s parliament discusses bill making national service optional
The Iranian parliament is discussing plans to make military service optional, Tasnim News Agency reported on July 30. Currently, national service is compulsory for all men aged over 18 years-old. Exceptions are granted to men in cases including where they are the only son or main breadwinner or have medical issues.
Iranian MP Abolfazl Abutorabi reportedly said: "Based on the new parliamentary plan, which has been drawn up with a model from the IRGC's [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’] experience in border areas, a soldier can become a reserve or be in the professional army with a duration of up to five years."
The proposal is to allow men to either join the national service programme or pay a “get out” fee three times higher than the average annual cost of keeping a draftee. If it is approved, several thousand young men in the country of 80mn would likely opt to skip the draft and pay the fee, which would provide much-needed revenue for the Iranian armed forces.
At different periods since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, various governments have offered an exemption to draftees in return for the payment of a fee. That has usually been determined according to at least two annual average salaries.
Iranians who live abroad, who number more than 40mn people by some accounts, are also permitted to seek exemption from the draft if they are over the age of 25. Currently, those under that age who live abroad are only permitted to enter Iran for up to three months per year and must leave within the deadline or face being drafted.
Women are not expected to conduct national service in Iran. They are banned from all military duties, including in the navy, army and air force.
2.5 Iran takes US ban on Persian rug exports to World Court
Iran is to take a complaint over a US ban on the sale of Persian rugs to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Islamic Republic News Agency reported on July 29.
Persian rug sales in the US were banned by the Clinton administration in the mid-1990s, but following the nuclear deal signed in late 2015 by Iran and six
8 IRAN Country Report August 2018 www.intellinews.com