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Envoy says Iran hosting Afghan refugees amid US sanctions

By
IFP Media Wire
-

Takht Ravanchi has urged the international community to assist Afghan people to stand with honor and dignity.

“The international community has a moral responsibility to assist the Afghan people to stand on their own feet with honor and dignity,” he stated in his op-ed published by local media.

The full text of the Iranian envoy’s op-ed is as follows:

This Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors plus Russia gather in Tehran to assess the current calamitous situation in that country. They meet to discuss the possible ways and means of assisting the people of Afghanistan in overcoming the difficult and horrific challenges facing them.

Following the hasty US withdrawal and the sudden collapse of former President Ashraf Ghani’s government last August — and the takeover of the entire country by the Taliban — rapid developments have taken place which has brought about serious political, economic, social and security ramifications for the entire region.

As a neighboring country that enjoys historical, cultural, linguistic, and religious bonds with Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot remain indifferent to the plight of the Afghan people. During the last 42 years, Iran has used its good offices to bring Afghan factions — many with different ethnic and religious backgrounds — together to resolve their differences peacefully. For years, we have also been providing humanitarian assistance to more than three million Afghan refugees with practically little international support. The recent developments in Afghanistan have now meant that another few hundred thousand refugees have crossed the border into Iran. And again, we are hosting our Afghan brothers and sisters with almost no new resources from the international community. Besides food, shelter, medicine and education, we are now also providing the refugees with COVID-19 vaccines — all while we are under draconian and illegal US sanctions.

The current situation in Afghanistan requires a concerted international effort, and its neighboring countries can play a big role in this regard. We believe a regional approach — with the support of the UN — can help the Afghan people overcome the current crisis. We have supported a 6+2 format (neighboring countries plus Russia and the US) under the UN umbrella, and we are now hosting a meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors.

With these efforts, there are a number of issues that require urgent attention:

1) The absolute necessity of the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan. The domination of one ethnic or religious group over the entire country is doomed to fail. Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic country and a government representing all Afghans must be formed in order to gain the trust of the people of Afghanistan as well as the respect of the international community.

2) Current efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people should be redoubled. Winter is approaching and the humanitarian needs of the people are becoming dire. As such, the provision of assistance should not be contingent on other issues. For our part, we have intensified our efforts in this regard and will continue to do so.

3) An international response to the flow of refugees into neighboring countries—including Iran—needs to be intensified. It is incumbent upon the international community, and particularly the Western countries, to pay their fair share in providing assistance for the refugees.

4) During recent years, the Afghan people, including women who represent half of the population, have made great progress in the advancement of their country. These achievements should not be allowed to be rolled back. Based on Islamic teachings, the human rights of all Afghans, women, men, and children alike, from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, must be respected.

5) Terrorism must be confronted with full vigor. Terrorist groups, including Daesh, should not be allowed to take advantage of the present situation in Afghanistan to cause havoc and terrorize the population. The recent terrorist attacks in Kunduz and Kandahar are alarming and should serve to remind us of the continuous threats terrorists pose to Afghanistan and its neighborhood.

The US invasion and occupation of Afghanistan — lasting 20 years — in which many Afghans were killed by US forces, and the subsequent irresponsible withdrawal of US and NATO forces has created a dangerous situation in a turbulent region. The international community has a moral responsibility to assist the Afghan people to stand on their own feet with honor and dignity.

Equally important, the people have a historical responsibility to put aside their differences and establish an inclusive and broad-based government with the participation of all ethnic and religious groups. This can only be achieved through intra-Afghan dialogue and absent foreign interference.

It is high time for the international community to join forces to expeditiously help the Afghan people. We in Iran are doing our part. The alternative — not just for Afghans but for all of us — can only be a disaster.

High-profile cyberattacks since 2020

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Tasnim News Agency:  Here are some news stories about cyberattacks: 

 

-Some speculations say sabotage at the Natanz nuclear facility was not merely an ordinary blackout and that a large number of centrifuges were destroyed by magnetic shocks. 

Yahoo News: The Stuxnet virus attack on the Natanz nuclear facility was carried out at the behest of the CIA and the Mossad with the participation of the Netherlands, Britain and France. 

-Cyberattacks hit 200 US companies.

-The White House declared a state of emergency in 17 states following a cyberattack on America’s largest fuel pipeline. 

-Colonial Pipeline, which accounts for 45% of the East Coast’s fuel, said it has shut down its operations due to a cyberattack. The pipeline is 8,850 kilometers long and takes 2.5 million barrels of fuel per day to different areas especially New York. 

-Haaretz newspaper: China has hacked dozens of Israeli public and private sector groups. The international cybersecurity company FireEye said the attacks began in 2019 and they appear to be part of a long-term spying strategy in the area of technology and business competition and advancement.

-Jerusalem Post: The secret information Israel’s former cabinet member Gonen Segev gave to Iran can be used for missile or cyberattacks on Israel’s energy infrastructure. 

-A cyberattack on Israel’s electricity facilities caused a massive blackout in Tel Aviv, Haifa occupied al-Quds and some other cities.

-Jerusalem Post: Iranian hackers targeted 80 Israeli companies in a massive cyberattack.

-Israel’s cyber security company Portnox was hacked. Portnox has hundreds of clients including Elbit Systems. Days before the cyberattack, Israel’s aerospace industries were hacked and more than one terabyte of information like documents, projects and encoded files were stolen. 

-Israel newspaper Calcalist: The servers of dozens of Israeli companies importing military hardware came under a cyberattack. The hackers stole information that could have strategic value.

-Israel’s Minister of Water and Energy: Israel’s Water Organization is not prepared for possible cyberattacks by Iran and a complicated attack could disrupt water distribution infrastructure of the regime and poison water. 

-Head of Israel’s cyber defense sector: We are now facing unrelenting attacks from a network of obscure enemies from Iran and many others parts of the world. The scary scenario can coat 2 billion dollars in economic losses. During the Gaza war, hackers sneaked into 200 Israeli servers. 

-German newspaper Deutsche Zeitung: Iran is capable of launching destructive cyberattacks. Cyber security experts say Stuxnet virus attack under the Obama administration served as a catalyst to develop Iran’s cyber capability. 

-Iran is now capable of carrying out complicated cyberattacks. Trump had authorized another silent attack. The recent US cyberattacks mark the beginning of a new chapter of a new digital warfare that secretly started between Iran and the US. The war began in 2009 after the US and Israel sneaked into the Natanz nuclear facility using the Stuxnet malware. In 2012, Iran showed how it had improved its prowess to launch cyberattacks. The US accused Iran of developing the virus known as Shamon that contaminated thousands of computers at Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil company. The hackers first attacked a number of targets in the Middle East. They have now expanded their operations to the US including denial-of-service attacks on American banks. A destructive cyberattack by Iran is likely.

US says opposes Israel’s settlement expansion in West Bank

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The Biden administration has voiced opposition to settlement expansion plans by Israel in the West Bank, saying that they damage “the prospects for a two-state solution” in a rare criticism of its Israeli allies.

Price on Tuesday unambiguously rejected Israel’s recent push to build more settlements in the West Bank. He also criticised efforts to retroactively legalise irregular settlement outposts in the Palestinian territory.

“We are deeply concerned about the Israeli government’s plan to advance thousands of settlement units tomorrow, Wednesday, many of them deep in the West Bank,” Price added.

“In addition, we’re concerned about the publication of tenders on Sunday for 1,300 settlement units in a number of West Bank settlements. We strongly oppose the expansion of settlements, which is completely inconsistent with efforts to lower tensions and to ensure calm,” he continued.

But asked whether Israel will face repercussions from the US administration over the plan, Price was non-committal.

“These are concerns that we have discussed at very senior levels, at the most senior levels, with our Israeli partners,” he said, adding, “Our Israeli partners know where we stand, and we’ll continue to engage with them in our diplomacy on this.”

On Monday, the United Nations also expressed concern about the Israeli announcement, saying that “all settlements are illegal under international law”.

Israel captured the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in the 1967 war. Since then, it has occupied the land and been building settlements exclusive to Israeli citizens in the territory in what critics call a clear violation of the Geneva Convention.

In a report to the UN Human Rights Council in July, UN expert Michael Lynk concluded that the Israeli settlements amount to a war crime. In 2016, the UN Security Council condemned the settlements in a resolution that said they have “no legal validity”.

Since coming into office in January, Biden and his top aides have been reluctant to criticise Israel in public, other than issuing general warnings against steps that they say harm the two state-solution.

Biden has also rejected some US progressives’ calls to condition US aid to Israel, repeatedly stressing that his administration’s commitment to Israel’s security is “ironclad”.

Price’s comments on Tuesday came as Congress was expected to approve $1bn in funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system, additionally to the $3.8bn Israel gets annually in military assistance. Biden has signalled support for the new funding.

Tensions between the Biden administration and the Israeli government appeared to emerge late last week after Israel designated six Palestinian NGOs as “terrorist organisations”.

“We believe respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and a strong civil society are critically important to responsible and responsive governance,” Price stated on Friday when asked about the designation.

Several killed, wounded in Daesh attack in Iraq

By
IFP Media Wire
-

An attack in Iraq resulted in 11 dead and more than a dozen wounded, security sources announced.

A local security source stated it is believed Daesh militants attacked a village in eastern Iraq, killing 11 and injuring 13.

Another source said the village was where many security service members lived.

Both the sources told AFP most of the villagers were part of the Bani Tamim tribe. One of the sources added the village has been secured and a search is out for those who attacked the village.

The attack follows an Islamic State (IS or Daesh) group bombing in Uganda that killed at least one person Saturday.

Iraq announced the group had been defeated in 2017 but a 2021 UN report stated there were 10,000 active Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Two other attacks by the Islamic State group occurred in Iraq in recent months.

The country announced earlier in October it had arrested the financial overseer of the Islamic State group, Sami Jasim.

Raeisi: US involved in terror attacks in Afghanistan

By
Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani
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Raeisi was speaking during a meeting with Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Tehran. 

The president referred to the importance of cooperation between neighboring countries especially Iran and Tajikistan to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan and said, “We are after an inclusive government in Afghanistan made up of all ethic and political groups”. Raeisi reiterated that there must be a broad-based government in Afghanistan that would be able to guarantee its security and put an end to war, bloodletting and fratricide. 

Raeisi added that the terrorist attacks in Afghanistan are heart-wrenching for any human being and there is no doubt that the US is involved in these incidents and do not want peace and security in Afghanistan. 

The Iranian president expressed hope that the meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors will result in finding common ground on the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan. 

Sirojiddin Muhriddin also said Raeisi’s visit to Tajikistan opened a new chapter in the Tehran-Dushanbe ties. 

He said Tajikistan is determined to raise the level of ties with Iran and implement agreements between the two countries. 

Muhriddin added that his country believes that Iran’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will have many blessings and will help establish peace and stability in the region. 

Muhriddin also spoke of Tajikistan’s concerns over the situation in Afghanistan. He said a government must take office in the country that would respect all Afghan ethnic groups.

Raeisi: US Afghan presence has led to nothing but bloodshed

By
Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani
-

President.ir: The President described the relations between Iran and Uzbekistan brotherly and developing, and said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not see any restrictions in the development of relations with Uzbekistan in various political, economic and cultural fields.”

Speaking in a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov, Ayatollah Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi referred to the commonalities and capacities of cooperation between Tehran and Tashkent, saying, “Iran and Uzbekistan enjoy brotherly and kinship relations”. 

Referring to the two countries’ common concern about the situation in the region, especially in Afghanistan, the President said, “The result of the presence of outsiders, especially the United States, in Afghanistan is nothing but misery, murder, bloodshed and holding Afghanistan back. We must help the Afghan people taste peace and security”.

Referring to the presence of about four million Afghans in Iran and the continuation of Iran’s humanitarian aid to these suffering people, Ayatollah Raisi said, “I hope a common solution and vision will be found at the meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries”.

At the same meeting, the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov said, “The two countries have a high capacity and potential for the development of relations, and we are determined to take advantage of these capacities”.

Stating that Uzbekistan welcomes the initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to look into the situation in Afghanistan, he said, “Given that the superpowers could not do anything for Afghanistan, the Tehran summit is of great political importance and we fully support its results”.

Noting that the establishment of peace and stability in the region is in the interest of both countries and countries in the region, the Uzbek Foreign Minister said, “Uzbekistan seeks close cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in various regional and international areas”.

Iranian, Tajik FMs discuss mutual ties, Afghanistan, fighting terror

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The top Tajik diplomat is in Iran to participate in the second meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors.

During the meeting, Amirabdollahian thanked Tajikistan for hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit with the presence of a high-level delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran chaired by President Ebrahim Raeisi, and the important agreements reached between the two presidents.

Amirabdollahian expounded on the Iran’s approach towards relations with neighboring countries calling it one of the most important foreign relations priorities of Tehran.

He described the deep cultural and linguistic commonalities with Tajikistan as an important capacity for bilateral cooperation.

He also said the capacity of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of technical-engineering services, tourism, industries, mining and agriculture is at a significant level, which the two countries can benefit from especially in the form of cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The top Iranian diplomat also referred to the meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors in Tehran on Wednesday, emphasizing the Islamic Republic of Iran’s view on the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan.

He expressed hope that this meeting can take effective steps so that the will of the people of Afghanistan will be realized, and contribute to the stability, peace and development of this country.

Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin also thanked Iran for the invitation to take part in the meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors and expressed satisfaction with the presence of the Iranian president and his accompanying high-level delegation at the SCO summit in Tajikistan.

He stressed the need to implement the agreements reached between the two presidents in Tajikistan.

The Tajik foreign minister said the volume of trade between the two countries is not commensurate with their existing capacities and expressed hope that bilateral trade would increase to an appropriate level.

He also said the two countries have close views on the topics of counter-terrorism, extremism and separatism, and underscored the necessity of cooperation in bilateral and multilateral fields, especially within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Raeisi: US behind insecurity in Afghanistan

By
IFP Media Wire
-

President Raeisi stressed the role of Afghanistan’s neighbors specially Pakistan in restoring peace and stability to the country.

President Ebrahim Raisi has expressed hope for the formation of a government in Afghanistan which would represent all groups and strata of people in the country and said regional countries could play an effective role in building security in Afghanistan.
The Iranian President made the remarks in a meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi here on Tuesday.
Raisi said Iran saw no restrictions in growing economic and security relations with Pakistan as well as exchange of economic and political delegations between the two countries.
On Afghanistan issue, he said Iran was seriously concerned about the plight of people there and highlighted the importance of cooperation with Pakistan as a country that plays an effective role in materializing security and tranquility in the country.
President Raisi said Iran holds the US responsible for the insecurity in Afghanistan which is due to the presence of ISIS after the expulsion of the Americans from Afghanistan because “the problems in Afghanistan are the work of the Americans because ISIS was formed by the United States.”
Referring to the meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries to be hosted by Iran, he expressed hope that the meeting can cut off the hands of Americans from the region and find a solution to solve Afghanistan’s problems.
Foreign Minister Qureshi underscored that Iran and Pakistan as two neighbors of Afghanistan were keen to work for national peace and reconciliation in this country.
Afghanistan needs urgent assistance which has to come from its neighbors and the international community, he said.

President Raeisi: Inclusive Afghan govt. leads to peace

By
IFP Media Wire
-

President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated existing will to expand relations with Turkmenistan in bilateral, regional and international arenas and said the current level of cooperation between the two countries was far below capacities.

The President made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov during which he highlighted the will of two countries official to expand ties and said bilateral cooperation could help boost regional peace and stability.

He expressed his gratitude to Turkmenistan for supporting Iran’s permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) which he believed was to the deep and strong cultural and religious bounds between the two nations.

Stressing dissatisfaction with the current level cooperation between Ashgabat and Tehran, the Iranian President said further expansion of mutual cooperation in various fields particularly transit and energy sectors will benefit the whole region.

Commenting on the situation in Afghanistan, he highlighted the need for establishment of peace and security there which would lead to the formation of an inclusive government there which must represent all ethnic and political groups.
The Turkmen Foreign Minister, too, expressed his

country’s interest in strengthening and deepening comprehensive Tehran-Ashgabat relations and stressed that Turkmenistan regarded Iran as a brother and friendly country and thus sought to increase the level of relations and cooperation with Iran in various fields including oil, gas, transportation and trade.

He said Turkmenistan supported the initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Afghanistan and was ready to have close relations and cooperation with Tehran at all regional levels.

Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Meredov, who arrived in Tehran on Tuesday morning heading a high-level delegation, was welcomed by his Iranian counterpart.

The Turkmen diplomatic delegation will attend the 16th annual Joint Economic and Cultural Commission meeting.

Meredov will also attend the second Foreign Ministerial Meeting of Neighbors of Afghanistan hosted by Tehran.

It should be noted that at the initiative of Pakistan, the first meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors was held on September 8, 2021.

President Raisi will inaugurate the second ministerial meeting with a speech.

Japan gives Iran $6.3 million aid to fight Covid

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

The financial aid document was signed during a ceremony on Tuesday by Seyed Jafar Hossein, Representative of the World Health Organization in Iran, and Hirotaka Mateo, Japan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Tehran, in the presence of officials from Iran’s Ministry of Health.

Under the project, six MRIs will be purchased to boost Iran’s capability to fight Covid-19.

Jafar Hossein thanked Japan for this financial assistance, saying it’s going to be of great help. “The MRI machines that the World Health Organization will buy with this grant will not only serve to respond to Covid-19, but will also be used in the long-run for other diseases”, he added. “The coronavirus has spread rapidly around the world, endangering not only human lives but also the global economy,” Hirotaka Mateo said.

Mateo underlined that strengthening the health sector is one of the key priorities of the Japanese embassy, adding that Japanese science and technology can play a key role in expanding relations between Iran and Japan.

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