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Taliban Backed by Public, Helped by God: Iran’s Top Sunni Cleric

“For several decades, the honourable people of Afghanistan have been suffering from war, insecurity and problems and today, this Islamic country is in need of peace, security and development,” said Molavi Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi, who is Zahedan’s Friday prayers’ leader, on his personal website.  

“One of the main problems the present world is facing is ignoring the realities. ‘Taliban’, just like others, are part of the realities of Afghanistan, whose sacrifice and Jihadi fight led to the withdrawal of western occupiers, who had come to Afghanistan from far away.”

Molavi Abdolhamid also said the Taliban “have their roots in the people of Afghanistan” and are supported by the Afghan public.

“Large-scale and rapid advances of the Taliban, who have captured vast swathes of Afghanistan[‘s territory], shows this movement has its roots in the people and enjoys God’s help and public support,” he said.

Abdolhamid also described the “present” Taliban as different from the “past”. He said such moves as declaring a “public amnesty” shows they are capable and, as they have said, they are after fighting corruption and ensuring justice, and not killing people.

“The Taliban have also announced they will have friendly and good neighborly ties with their neighbors and have undertook to pose no threat to neighboring countries, which is a high capacity they are showing,” he said.

Abdolhamid also touched on the militants’ “some acts of extremism”, saying these, including on the rights of women, are correctible if Islamic clerics advise them on the issue.

He also called for peace and security for Afghanistan and urged Afghans to seek unity and work together to ensure their security and development.

The Taliban militants have made rapid advances in Afghanistan, capturing 18 provincial capitals, so far. Some reports say they are now controlling two thirds of Afghan territory. Over the past weeks, the militants have been repeatedly accused of targeting civilians and imposing strict limits on women’s exit from their houses.

US, Not Iran, Hindering Release of Iranian-British Prisoner: Araqchi

“You know better than anybody else that deal for release of 10 prisoners – including Anoosheh Ashoori – was concluded weeks ago but your friends in [Washington] DC froze it,” Araqchi said in a tweet.

“Ashoori and 9 more are taken hostage by US for political goals. Hope you’ll explain this to your own people.”

Araqchi was responding to Dominic Raab’s tweet in which he accused Iran of “arbitrarily” detaining dual nationals.

“On the 4th anniversary of Anoosheh Ashoori’s detention, I call on Iran in the strongest possible terms to free Anoosheh, and all our dual nationals arbitrarily detained, so they can be reunited with their families,” Raab had said in a tweet.

Last month, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said Iran spoke indirectly with the US and also talked with the UK on the “humanitarian” issue of release of prisoners. He said the talks were held on the sidelines, but separate from, the Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Khatibzadeh said all sides agreed on a prisoner swap deal but the Americans failed to do their side of the deal. He said it later turned out that the Americans had tied the issue to the nuclear talks and their result, which the spokesman described as “wrong”.

“We advise them to stop exploiting the humanitarian issue for political ends and, instead of hollow statement, take action so that Iranian families can [at least] reunite with their families, [even] if they [the Americans] are not interested in the release of other prisoners,” he said.

He added that the option of a prisoner swap is still available to the Americans and the British if they fulfill their side of the deal.

Iran Concerned about Escalation of Violence in Afghanistan: Spokesman

In a statement on Friday, Khatibzadeh called for attention to maintaining the lives of people and civilians amid the current situation.

The spokesman said now that the city of Herat is controlled by the Taliban, the group needs to pay serious attention to ensuring the full safety of diplomats and diplomatic sites.

Khatibzadeh also noted that the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is constantly in touch with its Consulate-General in Herat, and follows up on the health conditions of the personnel stationed there.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry official Rasoul Mousavi had tweeted that the “Islamic Emirate” forces are now controlling the city of Herat, where Iranian diplomats, consul-general and personnel are still stationed.

He said those controlling the city are “committed to ensuring the full safety of the Consulate General and the diplomats and staff working there.

The three major cities of Kandahar, Lashkar Gah and Herat in western and southern Afghanistan were confirmed on Friday to have fallen to the Taliban, as the insurgency’s race to seize control of the country accelerated.

In seizing Kandahar and Lashkar Gah in the country’s southern Pashtun heartland, as well as Herat, a vital cultural and economic hub, the insurgents appear to be nearing a complete military takeover. Only three major cities — including the capital, Kabul — remain under government control, and one is under siege by the Taliban.

Iran Concerned about Escalation of Violence in Afghanistan: Spokesman

With both Kandahar and Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, in their hands, the Taliban now effectively control southern Afghanistan
Over the past week, the insurgents have toppled city after city in a stunning advance that has well positioned them to attack Kabul. It has also laid bare the Afghan security forces’ near complete collapse less than three weeks before the United States is set to completely withdraw. Some American officials fear the Afghan government will implode within 30 days, and are preparing for an evacuation of the US Embassy in Kabul.

The insurgents now control well over half of the country’s 400-odd districts. And they hold more than a dozen provincial capitals, including another capital south of Kabul, Ghazni, and one in the northwest, Qala-e-Naw.

UK Envoy Says No Ill Intention Behind His Photo with Russian Envoy

In the Thursday meeting, the Iranian official described the move as unacceptable and said it has hurt the national pride of the Iranian nation.

“The great people of Iran have proven throughout history that they strongly reject any move emanating from arrogant thoughts and will resist against it,” he added.

The British envoy, in turn, expressed regret over the misunderstanding created by the photo, and said he had high respect for the Islamic Republic of Iran and the great people of Iran and its history.

He further noted that there was no ill intention behind the photo and the two ambassadors only intended it to be a reminder of the alliance between Russia and Britain against the Nazi Germany during the World War II.

The British ambassador finally expressed hope that he will be able to help develop Tehran-London relations based on promotion of respect and mutual trust during his mission in Tehran.

The photo posted by the Russian embassy in Tehran was taken to bring to mind a World War II-era conference in Tehran that lives in infamy in the historical memory of the Iranian nation.

The meeting was held on the veranda of the Russian Embassy in Tehran, the site of a 1943 strategy meeting of the then ex-Soviet, US and British leaders — namely Joseph Stalin, Franklin Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill — two years after the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran.

Iran Summons Russian Ambassador to Protest Controversial Photo

Iran's Foreign Ministry

In the meeting, the Russian diplomat said by posting the photo, he only aimed to recall the union between Russia and Britain against Germany’s Nazi army during World War II, and that there had been no anti-Iran motive behind the posting of that photo.

The Russian ambassador highlighted Tehran-Moscow strategic relations as well as deep-rooted and cordial ties between the two sides, expressing regret that the photo had caused

misunderstanding and dismayed the people of Iran.

In turn, the Iranian foreign minister’s assistant and the director general of the Foreign Ministry’s Eurasia Department highlighted the friendly relations between the two countries, and recalled that the posting of such a picture, even if with the same intention that the Russian ambassador had explained, was unacceptable.

The Iranian diplomat underscored that ambassadors should pay due regard to the historical, political and cultural considerations of the host country.

In the meeting, it was also emphasised that the great Iranian people had, over the past 42 years, proven that they would seriously safeguard the independence that they have secured through sacrifices and historical resistance, and would, as a mighty nation, establish a relationship with other countries based on national dignity.

In a tweet, the Russian embassy in Tehran posted a photo which is a reconstructed picture of the embassy during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in the 1940s.

the controversial photo posted by the Russian embassy is accompanied by a controversial description.

“[Russian Ambassador to Tehran] Levan Dzhagaryan’s meeting with the new head of the British diplomatic mission in Iran Simon Shercliff on the historical stair, where the 1943 Tehran conference was held,” reads the description of the photo.

Next to the mentioned photo is posted another picture showing former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, former US President Franklin Roosevelt and ex-leader of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalinis sitting next to each other in the same exact place in the Russian embassy.

Iran Condoles with Algeria over Massive Wildfires

In a statement on Thursday, Khatibzadeh offered condolences to the Algerian government and nation, especially the families of the victims of the tragic incident, and wished recovery for those injured.

Algeria is fighting fires that tore through forested areas in the north of the country, killing at least 65 people, including 28 soldiers.

The worst hit area has been Tizi Ouzou, the largest district of the mountainous Kabylie region, where houses have burned and residents fled to shelter in hotels, hostels and university accommodation in nearby towns.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning for the dead.

Iran Outraged by Controversial Photo Tweeted by Russian Embassy

The tweet displays a reconstructed picture of the embassy during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in the 1940s.

“I saw an extremely inappropriate picture today,” wrote Zarif in a tweet.

“Need I remind all that Aug. 2021 is neither Aug. 1941 nor Dec. 1943,” he explained.

“The Iranian people have shown—including during the JCPOA talks—that their destiny can NEVER be subject to decisions in foreign embassies or by foreign powers,” he added.

Iran Outraged by Controversial Photo Tweeted by Russian Embassy

Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf called on the foreign ministry to pursue the matter.

“The disrespectful move by the Russian and British ambassadors should be immediately followed up by the [Iranian] foreign ministry,” said the top parliamentarian.

“Both ambassadors should officially apologize for the move; otherwise, a strong diplomatic reaction will be necessary,” he added.

It is noteworthy that the controversial photo posted by the Russian embassy is accompanied by a controversial description.

“[Russian Ambassador to Tehran] Levan Dzhagaryan’s meeting with the new head of the British diplomatic mission in Iran Simon Shercliff on the historical stair, where the 1943 Tehran conference was held,” reads the description of the photo.

Next to the mentioned photo is posted another picture showing former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, former US President Franklin Roosevelt and ex-leader of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalinis sitting next to each other in the same exact place in the Russian embassy.

Raisi Urges Foreign Minister Zarif to Accelerate Iran’s COVID-19 Vaccine Imports

Speaking in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Ebrahim Raisi said, “The situation and the victims of COVID-19 require that we do not delay the measures needed to contain the situation, even for an hour.”

“I call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Zarif to take the necessary measures to accelerate and increase the import of vaccines into the country, and the officials of the Ministry of Health and institutions such as the Red Crescent to do their utmost to expand and accelerate public vaccination,” he added.

The President called the management of coronavirus the most important issue in the country today and added, “Controlling the outbreak of coronavirus, which has intensified these days, requires the cooperation of all officials like all other acute problems.”

He stressed that if all the country’s capacities are not used to curb the outbreak of coronavirus, it will be difficult to get out of the current situation.
“Another very important point is to persuade public opinion to participate in helping the government in this regard,” he went on to say.

“We respect all the steps that have been taken so far to contain coronavirus, but we must work actively and in more effective ways to overcome the problem,” he said.

Raisi stressed that no one should exclude themselves from observing health protocols and that everyone should feel that they must first follow the instructions themselves.

“Another important point is to pay attention to the families and individuals who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus for any reason,” the president said, adding, “As the Supreme Leader emphasised, we must not allow this part of society to suffer any more.”

Raisi added that using positive methods to encourage people to follow the protocols is definitely a priority, adding, “Apart from this issue, measures should be taken so that those who harm the people and society by not following the instructions know that observing the protocols is a must.”

President Raisi Presents List of Ministerial Picks to Parliament

US Protests to Engulf Entire America: Iran's Top Judge

President Raisi Presents List of Ministerial Picks to Parliament
Raisi on Wednesday introduced Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as his pick for foreign minister. Amir Abdollahian was the former deputy foreign minister who was sacked by Mohammad Javad Zarif and later on joined the ex pop parliament as an advisor to the speaker on the international affairs. 

Raisi has also chosen Javad Owji as his oil minister. Owji was a deputy oil minister and the managing director of the state-run National Iranian Gas Company. 

Rostam Qassemi who ran for president himself in 2021 is Raisi’s pick for the Roads and Urban Development ministry. Qassemi earlier served as oil minister under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. 

The former President of Iran’s Radio and TV Organization known as IRIB, Ezzatollah Zarghami, has also been named as Ebrahim’s Raisi’s pick for Tourism ministry.

Here is the full list of Raisi’s proposed cabinet:

Agriculture Ministry: Javad Sadatinejad

Economy and Finance Ministry: Ehsan Khandouzi

Defence Ministry: Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani

Education Ministry:  Hossein Baghgoli

Energy Ministry: Ali Akbar Mehrabian

Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Ministry: Ezzatollah Zarqami

Foreign Ministry: Hossein Amir Abdollahian

Health Ministry: Bahram Einollahi

Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry: Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili

Justice Ministry: Amin Hossein Rahimi

Intelligence Ministry: Esmaeil Khatib

Science, Research and Technology Ministery: Mohammad-Ali Zolfigol

Sports and Youth Ministry: Hamidreza Sajjadi

Roads and Urban Development Ministry: Rostam Qassemi

Interior Ministry: Ahmad Vahidi

Labour and Social Welfare Ministry: Hojjat Abdolmaleki

Petrochemical Ministry: Javad Owji

Communications and Information Technology Ministry: Issa Zarepour

Industry, Mine and Trade Ministry: Reza Fatemi-Amin

The Iranian new president also appointed Masoud Mirkazemi as chief of the Plan and Budget Organisation. Mirkazemi served as oil and commerce minister under Mahhmoud Ahmadinejad.

During the last week, Raisi also appointed Mohammad Mokhber as First Vice President and Gholam-Hossein Esmaeili as his Chief of Staff.

Mustafa Foundation’s 2021 KANS Science Contest – Call for Entries  

KANS is a scientific competition among scholars, university students, instructors, and innovators (under 45 years of age) throughout Islamic countries.

Those who are interested can participate in this competition by submitting their scientific achievements or their innovative solutions for challenges declared by international scientific institutions. KANS 2021 competition categories include:

1.  Economics, Banking & Finance

2.  Energy, Water & Environment

3.  Information & Communication Technology

4.  Health & Med-Tech

5.  Transportation

6.  2021 Special Field: Mining and Mineral Industries

 

Scientific achievements and solutions, in the form of 3 to 5 minute videos, should be uploaded on the competition’s website (kans.mstfdn.org) from July 6th to August 23rd. 

In the videos, participants describe a summary of their scientific achievements and suggested solutions. Scientific achievements and solutions could be presented in the form of Idea, Paper, Book, Prototype, MVP, or New product.

The 6 winners will be awarded: 

–        KANS Medal and a plaque of appreciation

–        30-gram Gold Insignia

–        Sabbatical worth $2000

–        Special privileges for benefiting from MSTF networking platforms: STEP and EISA

KANS is not only a competition but also a marketplace, in which young researchers and innovators could find overseas customer for their scientific achievements.