Six years ago, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, appointed by former President Donald Trump in 2017, ruled that the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller had not exceeded his authority by prosecuting associates of the man who appointed her, adding that his original appointment to the position “does not violate” the Constitution nor its “core separation of-powers principles.” Three other federal judges who considered that exact question ruled the same.

Yesterday, though, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump in 2020, ruled the opposite: that the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith, who filed charges against the former president for hoarding state secrets at Mar-a-Lago, was a clear and direct violation of the country’s founding document — indeed, a “substantial separation-of-powers violation.” Although Attorney General Merrick Garland exercises ultimate control over Smith, Cannon wrote that only Congress could authorize and fund an investigation led by an independent prosecutor.

If Iran is able to come to an agreement with the US about its nuclear programme and formally join the FATF, it might provide complete answers for its electrical issue under the Masoud Pezeshkin administration. Significant social, economic, and environmental effects have resulted from this crisis, with low-income households and vulnerable people bearing the brunt of these effects. Widespread power outages have increased poverty and inequality, caused economic losses, and sparked social unrest. Iran must make investments to update its infrastructure for generating electricity, increase the capacity of renewable energy sources, enhance governance, control domestic electricity consumption, and pursue international collaboration to overcome these obstacles. Iran can only guarantee the long-term energy security, economic stability, and social well-being of its people by adopting a diverse and inclusive strategy.

It will cost a lot of money to upgrade outdated power plants, incorporate cutting-edge technology into the energy industry, and support renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to meet these goals. Iran can lessen its effect on the environment and increase its energy resilience against upcoming problems by diversifying its energy mix and lowering its reliance on fossil fuels. Enhancing the energy sector's governance and transparency will also be essential for boosting investor confidence, drawing in foreign capital, and putting into practice sensible policies that put fair access to power for all societal groups first. International collaboration will be essential to improving Iran's energy infrastructure and advancing global sustainable development goals, especially in the areas of technology transfer and information exchange.

Dr. Umud Shokri is a distinguished energy strategist and senior foreign policy advisor with over two decades of experience in the field. Holding a Ph.D. in International Relations, he specialises in global energy dynamics, climate change, clean energy technologies, energy security, and geopolitics. Throughout his career, Dr. Shokri has shaped policies navigating the complex interplay between energy, environment, and international relations.Currently a Senior Visiting Fellow at George Mason University, Dr. Shokri actively influences academic discourse. His expertise spans analysing oil and gas market trends, geopolitical shifts, advising on sustainable energy policies, and technologies. He has authored 'US Energy Diplomacy in the Caspian Sea Basin' and collaborates with government, academic, and industry stakeholders on global energy challenges.

Dr. Shokri is dedicated to environmental sustainability and clean energy adoption, advocating alignment with environment, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks. His interdisciplinary collaboration and project management skills ensure efficient task handling and meeting deadlines, contributing valuable insights at the intersection of energy policy, regulation, and innovation.