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Top military commander: Iran skies safer than ever

At the end of his force’s latest exercise, Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard said on Monday that Iranian skies are fully protected by the armed forces’ integrated air defense network.

General Sabahifard warned that any enemy attempt to penetrate the air space of Iran is doomed to failure.

“Any attempt to act on their (enemies) evil wishes and to violate the airspace of Iran will be met with a slap and an unforgettable lesson,” the brigadier general said.

The Iranian Army’s air defense commander said his forces are constantly monitoring enemy moves by making use of sophisticated domestically manufactured pieces of equipment that have been deployed in different parts of the country.

General Sabahifard also explained that forces under his command tested new advanced systems and equipment during their latest drill which will boost Iran’s deterrent capabilities.

Iran has been manufacturing various types of military equipment and weapons including missiles, anti-missile systems and radars despite many rounds of Western sanctions against its arms industry and other sectors.

Iran parliament rejects media reports of ‘Qalibaf comments on Evin footage’

Parliament issued a statement, saying media outlets ran news that falsely claimed Ghalibaf spoke about footage leaked from inside the jail.

IRNA had earlier cited Iran’s Parliament speaker as saying that violations have definitely happened at Evin Prison.

According to IRNA, Mohamamd Bagher Ghalibaf said it’s necessary to reform prisons’ structure, adding that a session was held to examine the abuses following a visit by lawmakers to the prison.

Meanwhile, two MPs said the clips that recently went viral are not new, with one noting they were shot between 2016 and 2020.

The lawmakers said people should be reassured that there’s no will in Iran to violate the dignity of inmates. Earlier, the Iranian Judiciary’s Deputy Chief Hojatoleslam Mohamamd Mossadegh said much of the footage was doctored. He added that the Judiciary will however deal with any abuses in prisons.

The CCTV images from inside Evin Prison purportedly showed inmates being beaten by what appeared to be prison guards.

Iran’s new atomic chief vows to overcome obstacles

On his first day at the AEOI in Tehran, Mohammad Eslami stressed the importance of domestic capabilities in overcoming problems facing the Islamic Republic.

“With help from God and through relentless efforts of our knowledgeable and valuable personnel especially the youths working for this organization, we can definitely succeed,” the new Iranian atomic chief said during an interview in the presence of his predecessor Ali Akbar Salehi.

Eslami also highlighted the strategic role of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, adding that the organization should intensify its efforts to boost Iran’s national strength.

In a decree on Sunday, President Ebrahim Raisi appointed Eslami as vice president and AEOI chief. He replaces Salehi who held the post since August 2013.

The new Iranian nuclear chief also praised Salehi’s efforts during his tenure.

Eslami served as Minister of Road and Urban Development in the administration of former president Hassan Rouhani.

Khatibzadeh: No new Iran-Saudi talks held in Baghdad

“No fresh round of talks was held with Saudi side in Baghdad”, Khatibzadeh told reporters on Monday in Tehran.

Some media outlets had reported that the two countries will hold new round of talks during the Baghdad conference on Saturday. 

The spokesman added that “three rounds of talks” have been held between Tehran and Riyadh, and new ones will be held again if necessary.

There is no deadlock between Iran and Saudi Arabia that cannot be resolved, Khatibzadeh stated, noting that it requires political will and action in the capitals of the two countries.

He also stressed that Afghan people should decide about their future and no nation or group outside the war-torn country should interfere in the process.

“We want the people of Afghanistan to decide about their own fate,” Khatibzadeh stated, adding “No force outside the geography of Afghanistan has the right to decide about the future of the country.”

He said Tehran welcomes the formation of an inclusive government in the war-ravaged country.

Referring to the recent shipment of Iranian fuel oil to Lebanon, he said “Neither the U.S. nor any other country is in a position to stop legitimate trade, It is a sovereign decision to sell our oil and fuel to any country or any customer.” 

Khatibzadeh also stressed that Tehran does not hold any direct or indirect talks with Washington, and the nuclear deal does not need any mediator.

“The talks in Vienna are between Iran and the G4+1,” the spokesman stated, adding that Iran has not yet seen any change in US behavior so far.”

Iran FM: Talks with Syria officials very useful

He added that the two countries are drawing up a plan for active development of economic and trade cooperation to counter the oppressive sanctions of the enemies.

Amir Abdollahian continued, “We discussed the latest developments in the region. We believe that any political and security arrangements in the region will be achieved with the presence and participation of all regional countries, including the Syrian Arab Republic, and in this direction, we consider as important, the role of Iraq and Syria to help create new regional arrangements in the political, security and economic spheres.”

The Foreign Minister also said that the presence of foreign forces in the region will not contribute to security and lasting stability.

Amir Abdullahian also said, “Zionists are an important factor in regional insecurity. The Zionists have taken Muslims, Christians and even Jews captive in the historic land of Palestine. Undoubtedly, consultations and cooperation between the Muslim countries of the region play an important role in creating lasting security.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister noted that Iranian and Syrian officials took into consideration serious cooperation between the private sector and businessmen of the two countries during his visit to Damascus.

New Iran Nuclear Chief Appointed

Mr. Eslami was born in Isfahan in 1956. He holds a university degree in Civil Engineering.

Mohammad Eslami’s executive records involve working under previous administrations as the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, the northern county of Mazandaran Governor’s Office, the Deputy Minister for Industrial and Research Affairs of the Ministry of Defense and the CEO of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Company. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization plays a key role in advancing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. Under the guidance of the organization, Iran has taken long strides in its atomic program. The country has successfully tested its newest advanced centrifuges by feeding gas to their cascades. In 2020, Iran’s Parliament passed a law obliging the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization to increase its nuclear activities including uranium enrichment at 20 percent purity.

Top Iran commander: US Afghan withdrawal Humiliating Defeat

Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri made the remarks on Sunday during the inauguration ceremony of the new defense minister.

“The US committed murders and crimes in this Islamic land and plundered it, but withdrew from this country with a humiliating defeat.”, said the top Iranian military commander.

Paralympics 2020: Iranian Judoka Wins Gold

Nouri, who has a world championship and a Jakarta 2018 Asian Paralympics’ gold medal on his record, was drawn a first round bye. In the second round, he overcame his Brazilian rival with a fantastic ippon. He then faced a French opponent in the semis, in which the Iranian was announced the winner by golden score.

In the final round, he faced Britain’s former world bronze medalist Stewart Elliot. Nouri managed to beat Elliot after a hard fight, with an ippon, to add the Paralympics gold to his list of honors.

The gold was the second the Iranian Paralympics’ team bagged in Tokyo.

Earlier, Iranian weightlifter Rouhollah Rostami won the gold medal in men’s 80 kilogram category.

 

Report: Iran FM, UAE Premier Offended at Photo Opportunity at Baghdad Summit

The Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership was held in the Iraqi capital on Saturday where the top Iranian diplomat was also present.

The Iranian news website, Entekhab, quoted unnamed sources as saying, It seems the host country had arranged the locations of the participants at a photo opportunity in such a way that Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers would be standing next to each other.

Dismayed at the arrangement, the top Iranian diplomat stood in the first line, instead. 

But it was not the end of the story as the United Arab Emirates’ prime minister, who had attended the event, reportedly took offence at Amir Abdollahian standing in the first line, so much so that the Emirati premier did not deliver a speech at the conference and walked out. 

As a result, an Emirati minister gave a speech, instead.

Cooperation, Synergy Needed to Address People’s Problems: Iran President

On the sidelines of the meeting, head of the executive branch Ebrahim Raisi, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf talked to reporters.

Raisi said the country today needs closer consultations and convergence among the executive, judicial and legislative branches of the government.

“All institutions and potentialities in the country should come together to settle issues, and the meeting just held was aimed at consulting and working with one another to solve the problems facing the country,” Raisi explained.

The president also said, “People are suffering from the coronavirus disease, which needs cooperation by all institutions and the utilization of all national resources to resolve,” he said.

“Another key issue facing the country today, he said, is the issue of budget deficit, which should be pursued in cooperation and consultation with Parliament,” said the president.

Meanwhile Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said he takes as “good omen” the first joint meeting of the three branches of the government since President Raisi took office. 

He called for “synergy, rapport and cooperation” among the three branches. 

The judiciary chief also called for closer cooperation to address the problems facing people.

Mohseni Ejei said efforts should be done to spot priorities, bring about synergy, and avoid parallel work.