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Stating that Turkey is against the Trump administration’s sanctions targeted at Tehran, Erdogan added that Ankara was "deepening [its] cooperation with Iran".
2.6 Iranian president’s son-in-law resigns from geological survey post after nepotism claims
The newlywed son-in-law of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on December 17 resigned from a senior institutional appointment two days after taking up the post after accusations of nepotism. The exit of 33-year-old Kambiz Mehdizadeh comes after reports said he married one of Rouhani's daughters in August.
In his letter of resignation, Mehdizadeh thanked the industry and mines minister for entrusting him to head the Geological Survey of Iran but asked "to be relieved of my service so that I may continue my scientific and research activities".
Questions had been raised about Mehdizadeh's experience and qualifications to lead the Geological Survey. The resignation is another blow to centrist, pragmatic Rouhani, who has seen several of his cabinet members shot down by hardliners in recent months amid claims that they had failed to respond adequately to the economic consequences of the reimposition of heavy sanctions by the US.
Industry, Mines, and Business Minister Reza Rahmani defended the appointment of Mehdizadeh by saying that he had a "strong C.V." and the awarding of the job to him was unrelated to any family ties.
But there is a somewhat febrile atmosphere among Iranians at the moment when it comes to any hint of corruption or nepotism. The economic hardship ordinary citizens are having to endure within an economy sent back into recession by the sanctions war waged by Washington has put people on edge.
2.7 Iran’s special court for economic crimes sentences another 30
The Iranian judiciary’s special court for economic crimes has sentenced another 30 men to prison terms, Islamic Republic News Agency reported on December 9. There has been a public outcry in Iran over profiteering that has occurred amid the collapse of the Iranian rial (IRR) and soaring inflation , difficulties largely caused by the US attempt to throttle Iran’s economy with renewed heavy sanctions.
The special court was created in August after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there should be “swift and just” legal action to confront the “economic war” waged by foreign enemies. The objective appears to be to quell public anger by trying suspects quickly and discouraging others from committing offences.
The fast-track court rulings cannot be appealed unless the convict is given a death sentence.
10 IRAN Country Report February 2019 www.intellinews.com