by Dan Linnaeus (@Danlinnaeus)
Ronnie Kasrils and Ahmad Nouroozi Press TV Correspondence (Iran): May 18, 2021* [BLACK REWARD PRESS TV EMAILS]
Description: The Press TV emails show a high-level exchange between the Iranian government and former South African officials. The head of Iranian state broadcast IRIB’s international operations, and Press TV CEO, reaches out to South Africa’s former Deputy Minister of Defense and Minister of Intelligence Services Ronnie Kasrils, who, through sustained pro-Palestinian advocacy, operates in alignment with Iranian interests in shaping South Africa’s stance against Israel in international forums.
Exchange: In this exchange, Ronnie Kasrils and Ahmad Nouroozi, in his capacity as Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) World Service and Press TV’s CEO, discuss arranging an interview on Kasrils’ life and activism pursuant to Nouroozi’s outreach.
Ronnie Kasrils is a former South African intelligence minister, who has served in numerous key government positions in post-apartheid South Africa, including as Deputy Minister of Defense (1994-99), Deputy Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, and Minister of Intelligence Services (2004-08) under Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki [1].
Kasrils is both a prominent political figure and a notable anti-apartheid activist known for his support of Palestinian rights [2]. He was a senior member of the African National Congress (ANC) and a leader within its armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, during South Africa’s liberation struggle [3].
When Nouroozi initiated contact requesting the interview via email on Wednesday morning at 08:13 AM UTC, April 28, 2021, Kasrils responded shortly thereafter at 09:55 UTC, requesting information about Press TV: “Please explain what Press TV is, who owns and runs it, and your outreach.” A few minutes later at 9:58 UTC Nouroozi responds, “Press TV is the first Iranian international news network, broadcasting in English on a round-the-clock basis.” At 11:09, an hour later, Kasrils replies, agreeing to the engagement. Contact details are exchanged, scheduling preferences, and coordination linking Kasrils with Dr. Marandi, an academic and political commentator:
“Yes. That’s possible. I am available 1-7 May in the mornings – best time 11 am South African Time. Maximum time – 45 minutes via Zoom. By the way, can you put me in touch with my friend Mohammed Mirandi, the political commentator and academic who often appears on Al Jazeera?”
Dr. Mohammad Marandi, an Iranian academic at Tehran University and frequent media commentator, leverages scholarly work to influence perspectives on Western-Islamic relations. His CV reveals extensive publications critical of Western policies and narratives, with a focus on post-9/11 Western media portrayals of Islam. He actively shapes discussions on Iran’s stance in the Middle East concerning American influence and engages in international forums to promote pro-Iranian viewpoints [4].
Notably, Press TV’s servers reveal Dr. Marandi’s role in IRIB’s English-speaking media strategy, which underpins the foundation of Press TV’s mission**. Press TV is an Iranian state-funded news channel based in Tehran. It is wholly owned subsidiary of IRIB, which operates under the direct supervision of the Iranian government.
An article attachment, “RK Nakba Day Going Forward Sanction Israel,” is included in their final communication as part of Kasrils’ contributions to the planned interview.
Background: Kasrils’s work at the May 2024 Global Anti-Apartheid Conference, where Iranian-aligned narratives and objectives were prominent, further demonstrates his alignment with Iranian foreign policy objectives concerning Israel [5]. Held on May 10–12, 2024, at the Sandton Conference Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, this conference included notable South African figures such as Naledi Pandor and Mandla Mandela, as well as Hamas operatives like Emad Saber and Bassem Naim [6].
Shortly after his tenure as Minister of Intelligence Services ended in 2008, Kasrils openly supported efforts to investigate South African citizens serving in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) for alleged war crimes during Operation Cast Lead from December 2008 to January 2009. He contributed an affidavit to a legal dossier submitted to South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) that called for investigations into 75 South African IDF soldiers who served during this Gaza conflict [7]. This dossier, submitted by the Palestinian Solidarity Alliance (PSA) and the Media Review Network (MRN) and supported by Kasrils’ affidavit, aimed to utilize South Africa’s Rome Statute commitments. Kasrils’ position was notable at the time because of his high-profile tenure in the South African government and because, as conceded by the advocate representing both NGOs, of the 75 IDF soldiers listed, there was little evidence of their participation in the fighting except for one [8].
Kasrils went on to publicly endorse the Goldstone Report, which was released in 2009 following the UN Human Rights Council’s investigation into Israel’s Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. The report, chaired by South African jurist Richard Goldstone, examined allegations of war crimes by both Israeli and Palestinian actors, although Israel refused to participate. In his address to the National Association of Democratic Lawyers of South Africa, Kasrils praised Goldstone’s findings and urged further action to hold Israel accountable, using his platform to amplify the report’s implications, reinforcing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign as a means to apply international pressure [9].
Following the Goldstone Report, Israel issued a comprehensive rebuttal in response to the allegations. Israeli authorities argued the findings were one-sided due to perceived biases within the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the report’s limited access to information. The rebuttal detailed Israel’s internal investigations, demonstrating that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) took significant steps to minimize civilian harm and investigated any breaches of conduct.
In 2011, Goldstone published an article in The Washington Post expressing regret over some of the report’s conclusions, particularly the assertion that Israel had intentionally targeted civilians as part of its military strategy in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead. He acknowledged that additional information, including Israel’s own investigations into alleged misconduct, suggested that civilian casualties were not a result of intentional policy [10].
Implications: Kasrils’s close association with Iranian-linked entities, including his ‘friend’ Dr. Marandi, his ensuing engagement with Press TV, and his vocal support for actions like BDS and ICC prosecutions targeting Israeli actions, suggest a coordinated influence effort by Tehran to align the South African government with its geostrategic aims. ——
Below:
Kasrils, R., & Nouroozi, A. (2021, April 28–May 18). Press TV interview coordination emails [Email communication]*
ahmad.nouroozi inbox
SUBJECT: Re: Press TV
FROM: rkasrils@gmail.com
Former
TO: ahmad.nouroozi@presstv.com
CC: —
BCC: —
DATE: 2021-05-18T13:38:05+00:00
See my article as attached
Ronnie Kasrils
On Tue, 18 May 2021 at 12:12, Ronnie Kasrils wrote:
— Thanks so much. And yes of course I will oblige for interview. Please tell
— them to contact me anytime.
— Ronnie Kasrils
— +27 827849236
—
—
— On Tue, 18 May 2021 at 11:45, ahmad nouroozi
— wrote:
—
—— Hi
——
——
—— This should work:
——
——
—— mmarandi@ut.ac.ir
——
——
—— Also we would like to have you as our guest on Press TV. My colleagues
—— say they were unable to fix a time with you.
——
——
—— Best,
——
—— Ahmad
—— ——————————
—— From: Ronnie Kasrils
—— Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 12:06:25 AM
—— To: ahmad nouroozi
—— Subject: Re: Press TV
——
—— Can you give me his email details please? I have mislaid his.
—— Ronnie Kasrils
——
——
—— On Wed, 28 Apr 2021 at 15:39, ahmad nouroozi
—— wrote:
——
——— Hi
———
——— I talked to Dr. Marandi. This is his number:
———
——— +98 912 105 6153
———
——— Passed yours to him as well.
——— ——————————
——— From: Ronnie Kasrils
——— Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 3:39:38 PM
——— To: ahmad nouroozi
——— Subject: Re: Press TV
———
——— Yes. That’s possible. I am available 1-7 May in the mornings – best time
——— 11am South African Time. Maximum time – 45 minutes via Zoom.
——— By the way can you put me in touch with my friend Mohammed Mirandi, the
——— political commentator and academic who often appears on Al Jazeera?
——— Best wishes,
——— Ronnie Kasrils
———
———
——— On Wed, 28 Apr 2021 at 12:04, ahmad nouroozi
——— wrote:
———
———— Hi,
————
————
———— Press TV is the first Iranian international news network, broadcasting
———— in English on a round-the-clock basis.
————
————
———— https://www.presstv.com/
————
————
———— Ahmad
———— ——————————
———— From: Ronnie Kasrils
———— Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 2:25:11 PM
———— To: ahmad nouroozi
———— Subject: Re: Press TV
————
———— Please explain what Press TV is, who owns and runs it, and your
———— outreach.
———— Ronnie Kasrils
————
————
———— On Wed, 28 Apr 2021 at 10:19, ahmad nouroozi <
———— ahmad.nouroozi@presstv.com— wrote
————
————— Dear Ronnie Kasrils,
—————
—————
————— Press TV has a brand new podcast that would be honored to have the
————— possibility of interviewing you for an episode on your life and activism.
————— Is this something you might accept?
—————
—————
————— https://soundcloud.com/presstv
—————
—————
————— Best,
—————
————— Ahmad
—————
—————
Attachment
Size
RK Nakba Day Going Forward Sanction Israel Final.docx
Detected mime: Microsoft Word 2007+
MD5: b4ae6e5cf15464a38f8ff9ed8a000027
SHA1: bd88b44dbdd7968ac751148a4a6b64ad3998174a
36.9
——
References
*Primary Source Below:
Kasrils, R., & Nouroozi, A. (2021, April 28–May 18). Press TV interview coordination emails [Email communication]
**Secondary Source: Media Strategy Document, under embargo.
1, Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC). (2017, Mach 6). MK’s 30-year contribution to the armed struggle. Alternative Information and Development Center (AIDC). Available from: https://aidc.org.za/mks-30-year-contribution-armed-struggle/
2, African National Congress. (2024, May 11). The Global Anti-Apartheid Conference on Palestine. @MYANC X (formerly Twitter). Available from: https://x.com/MYANC/status/1789236042744103359
3, Kasrils, R. (2017, February 16). How the armed struggle succeeded: MK’s 30-year contribution to ending apartheid. Alternative Information and Development Centre. Available from: https://aidc.org.za/download/kasrils-mk.pdf
4, Marandi, S. M. (2024). Academic profile and curriculum vitae. University of Tehran. Available from: https://rtis2.ut.ac.ir/cv/mmarandi
5, Irina Tsukerman, (2024, 10 September). “What’s Behind South Africa’s Anti- Israel Lawfare Campaign? Part II”, Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs,10 September 2024. Available from: https:/jcpa.org/article/whats-behind- south-africas-anti-israel-lawfare-campaign-part- ii/.
6, The African. (2024, May 11). End Israeli apartheid: Naledi Pandor urges progressive forces. The African. Available from: https://theafrican.co.za/politics/end-israeli-apartheid-naledi-pandor-urges-progressive-forces-c8e2b6d1-6287-43dc-9432-9d6a5251cda4/
7, Southern Africa Litigation Centre. (2009, September 2). War crime warning to SA. Southern Africa Litigation Centre.Available from: https://www.southernafricalitigationcentre.org/south-africa-war-crime-warning-to-sa/
8, Sapa. (2009, August 5). NGOs in SA press for charges over Israel’s Gaza offensive. Mail & Guardian. https://mg.co.za/article/2009-08-05-ngos-in-sa-press-for-charges-over-israels-gaza-offensive/
9, Kasrils, R. (2009, October 24). Who’s afraid of Richard Goldstone? William Bowles Info. https://williambowles.info/2009/10/26/whos-afraid-of-richard-goldstone-by-ronnie-kasrils/
10, Becker, T. (2011, April 7). Goldstone’s regret: Implications for Israel and others. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/goldstones-regret-implications-israel-and-others
— Black Reward Press TV Emails Provenance: A group of Iranian dissident hacktivists operating under the code name ‘Black Reward’ leaked Press TV’s email server in October 2022.
Media coverage:
SOCRadar. (2022, November 4). Hacktivist group Black Reward leaked Iran’s nuclear program secrets. SOCRadar Cyber Intelligence Inc. Available from: https://socradar.io/hacktivist-group-black-reward-leaked-iran-nuclear-program-secrets/
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization. (2022, October 23). Iran’s atomic energy organization says e-mail was hacked [Press release]. Reuters. Available from: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-atomic-energy-organization-says-e-mail-was-hacked-state-media-says-2022-10-23/
News coverage citing the Black Reward leaks:
Kinsella, W. (2024, January 20). The Iranian money connection. Toronto Sun. Available from: https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/kinsella-the-iranian-money-connection
Katerji, O. (2024, January 31). Hacktivist group Black Reward leaks secrets of Iran’s nuclear program. The Insider. Available from: https://theins.ru/en/politics/268781
Menn, J. (2024, June 2). Grayzone supports Russia and Iran. The Washington Post. Available from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/06/02/grayzone-russia-iran-support/
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