LATEST: Head of Chamber of Commerce Lashes Out at Hardliners Over Nuclear Talks

In a telling comment on Thursday, Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani indicated that Iran’s regime is still behind nuclear talks with the 5+1 Powers, but is preparing for any breakdown.

Larijani, often used as an outlet for the views of the Supreme Leader, told a ceremony, “We must take the ‘Resistance Economy’ seriously even if we want to succeed in the nuclear negotiations.”

The Speaker said that the Iranian nation has been in a “critical period” but had shown that its will would not break under pressure.

The Supreme Leader has been promoting the Resistance Economy since 2012, with declarations that Iran can withstand US-led sanctions and endure sacrifices to increase production, investment, employment, and exports.

Recently, that call has been elevated with the implicit statement that such a Resistance Economy will be necessary if the talks with the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, Germany, France, China, Russia) do not bring a comprehensive agreement lifting the sanctions.

See Iran Analysis: Why Tehran Desperately Wants A Nuclear Agreement

Last week, Ayatollah Khamenei told cadets at a graduation ceremony:

They are trying through these pretexts and pressures to dissuade the Iranian nation from resisting their bullying, but this will never happen….This very resistance has attracted the world nations to the Iranian nation and even many governments that lack the courage to stand up to bullying powers enjoy the resistance of the Islamic Republic establishment and commend it.

Iran’s talks with the 5+1 Powers resume on June 16 in Vienna. The two sides are seeking a comprehensive deal before the expiry of an interim Joint Plan of Agreement on July 20.

Head of Chamber of Commerce Lashes Out at Hardliners Over Nuclear Talks

The head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Yahya Al Isaac, has firmly supported nuclear talks by accusing opponents of profiting from continued conflict.

Al Isaac, echoing a line put out by President Rouhani and his Ministers, said:

Sanctions have greatly raised the cost of living for the people of Iran, while on that same note, the people that have been abusing these sanctions have made more than $25 billion during this time.

There are a number of (Iranians) both inside and outside Iran who have their interests tied to the failure of the nuclear talks, and they exploit sanctions for their own benefit.

But these people who “are worried” (a reference to the hardline “We Are Worried” campaign) about the negotiations know that their time is up, and despite some problems the negotiations will ultimately succeed.

Regime Facing “Tsunami” of Unemployment, as Youth Rate Hits 24%

Labour Minister Ali Rabi’i has warned of a “tsunami” of unemployment, as the Statistics Center announced that the jobless rate for those aged 15-24 is now 24%.

Rabi’i said, “1.1 million college graduates currently entering the job market won’t be able to find work, in addition to the 4.5 million college students that will also soon be graduating….We must act urgently, otherwise the job market will be faced with an tsunami of 5.6 million educated job seekers.”

Senior Presidential advisor Masoud Nili said the rate for women was even worse, reaching “the astronomical figure of 43%”.

Students Press for Release of Opposition Leaders Mousavi and Karroubi

University students have pressed reformist politican Mohammed Aref, a member of the Expediency Council, over the 39-month house arrests of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.

The students put a series of questions to Aref about the protests after the disputed 2009 Presidential election, in which Mousavi and Karroubi were candidates, and about the detentions.

Aref replied cautiously, “I am hopeful that the government will deal with house arrests of Mr. Mousavi and Mr. Karroubi in a sensitive manner.”

Director of “Happy in Tehran” Video Released on Bail

Sassan Soleimani, the director of the “Happy in Tehran” video that provoked the ire of the regime, was released on bail of about $16,000 on Thursday.

Soleimani and six participants in the video were arrested on May 20 after the YouTube video, showing young people celebrating and dancing to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”, began to receive worldwide attention.

The participants were soon released on bail to “confess” on State TV, saying they had been duped into making the film.

See Arrested — The Crime? Dancing to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” on YouTube