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Iranian, Turkish Diplomats Discuss Syria Peace

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The discussions came in a meeting between the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Ali-Asghar Khaji, the senior assistant to the Iranian foreign minister in special political affairs, and the Turkish delegation on the sidelines of the 15th international meeting of senior experts from countries which are part of the Astana talks on Syria.

During the meeting, the two sides held lengthy discussions on the latest situation on the ground in Syria, including in Idlib and the east of the Euphrates river, as well as the trend of a political settlement of the crisis in the Arab country while emphasizing the role of the Syrian Constitutional Committee.

Delegates of both countries also stressed that the Syria crisis has no military solution, and can only be resolved through political means.

Khaji, for his part, briefed the Turkish delegation on the outcome of his recent visit to Damascus.
He also stressed the need to fight terrorism in Syria and help advance the political trend in that country within the framework of the activities of the Syrian Constitutional Committee.

Europe Must Prove in Action It Wants to Preserve JCPOA, Rouhani Tells Merkel

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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President Hassan Rouhani made the comment while criticizing Europe’s failure to live up to its commitments under the JCPOA following Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the deal during the former US President Donald Trump’s administration.

“The only way to preserve the JCPOA is to lift the United States’ inhumane sanctions,” said Rouhani in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday night.
Rouhani added it is impossible to add new topics to the JCPOA.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said uprooting terrorism in the region and in the world requires constructive cooperation among all countries.

“Intra-regional initiatives and dialogue hold the key to the settlement of regional problems,” President Rouhani noted.

He then underlined the need to utilize all potentialities to deepen and expand Iran-Germany ties given the historical relations between the two countries.

President Rouhani said the private sectors of both countries should become more active in order to boost trade and economic cooperation.

He urged both countries to enhance cooperation and exchange their experience in the field of fighting coronavirus, especially at a time when a new strain of the virus has spread as well.

Mountaineers Climb Barf Anbar Mountain in Iran’s Qom

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Photo of the Day
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Nuclear Weapons Have No Place in Iran’s Defence Program: President

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Speaking in a Wednesday cabinet meeting, President Rouhani said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran never wants to use nuclear weapons.”

“This is not what we say today; since 1991 we have talked about this issue many times and always had a consistent pinion in this regard that we don’t seek nuclear weapons; rather we are looking for nuclear technology and we will be, as it is our right,” he said.

“We do not want to have covert nuclear activity, neither yesterday, nor today, nor tomorrow, it is our firm decision, whether the United States, Europe and the United Nations want or not,” Rouhani said.

“In this regard, the opinion of the Supreme Leader as a fatwa is the principle for us and we will not breach our commitment,” he added.

The President also called the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA) the result of months of efforts between Iran and the six major countries and said, “This agreement has not been reached easily and today we believe in the JCPOA that was approved on July 14, 2015. We do not accept any change in it, and we stand by our commitment.”

President Rouhani said, “In the same year that Trump left the JCPOA under pressure from Israel, Saudi Arabia and American extremists, after his speech at the UN General Assembly, they sent us a message eight times that evening when Trump was looking to meet with us.”
“The next day, when I was scheduled to address the General Assembly, the French president brought a message that if Iran agreed to add two clauses to the JCPOA – that it accepts to hold negotiation over its role in the region and its missile programme in the future – Trump would return to the deal immediately. But Iran announced that the JCPOA could not be changed.”

The president continued, “In 2019, on the sidelines of my presence in New York, we were offered that if you accept that the P5+1 meeting be held with the presence of the leaders of the 7 countries, Trump would announce immediately after the meeting that he would return to the deal, but the Islamic Republic insisted that if such a meeting was to take place, Trump would have to announce his return to the deal before the meeting,” he added.
Referring to the law passed by the parliament on the implementation of nuclear obligations, Rouhani said, “The government will implement the law, although it has explicitly stated its opinion on it. The important thing about this is that we need to be precise. What will be implemented is that Iran will suspend the implementation of the Additional Protocol from February 23, but no inspector will be expelled from Iran.”

The president added, “The dismissal of inspectors will be interpreted in world public opinion in the sense that we want to pursue nuclear weapons, which is not true at all. We have to speak precisely.”

Rouhani referred to the European countries’ official request from Iran for an opportunity after Trump’s departure from the JCPOA, adding, “The Islamic Republic of Iran waited a total of one year due to repeated requests from European countries and Iran’s goodwill was proven to the whole world.”

The President stated that the Trump administration suffered many and frequent defeats in the nuclear confrontation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Contrary to Trump’s claims and efforts, neither Iran surrendered nor the Islamic Republic collapsed; thanks to the wise leader and resilience of the Iranian nation, Iran won the war despite enduring many hardships and problems, and today we are on the verge of conquering the summit,” he added.

Rouhani pointed out, “The problem today is only oppressive sanctions. If the US government lifts the sanctions in practice, the Islamic Republic of Iran will return to all its suspended commitments shortly after verifying the lifting of sanctions.

This position has been explicitly stated by the highest official of the Islamic Republic of Iran, namely the Supreme Leader.”

Afghanistan Appreciates Iran’s ‘Timely’ Assistance after Islam Qala Fire

By
Emad Askarieh
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He expressed Kabul’s gratitude in a video conference call with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi on Tuesday.

In turn, Araqchi expressed the Iranian nation’s sympathy with the Afghan people over the recent fire, and said Iran stands by Afghanistan on the recent incident.

The two sides also conferred on the issues of mutual interest in bilateral relations as well as regional collaborations.

Tehran offered Afghanistan assistance to contain a conflagration caused by the explosion of a gas tanker on Iran-Afghanistan border.

Following the explosion at a gas tanker at the Islam Qala customs post on February 13, 2021 and the ensuing massive blaze there, the governor of Afghanistan’s Herat province contacted the governor of the northeastern Iranian province of Khorasan Razavi province and asked for help to contain the spread of the fire and prevent further harm to the installations as well as people at the border crossing, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh.

“Preliminary arrangements ware made immediately to offer more facilities to the individuals and vehicles engulfed by the blaze in area, and the Iranian consul general in Herat made contacts with authorities in the province, including the provincial governor, to review the dimensions of the incident,” said the spokesman.

“Moreover, in coordination with the [Iranian] Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Border Guard Unit and other relevant institution, the Islam Qala-Dogharoun border post was opened to trucks, vehicles and people fleeing from the blaze to the Iranian border,” he added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has also adopted measures to help those possibly hurt or wounded, and contacts are underway between relevant officials of both countries in that regard,” Khatibzadeh explained.

Iran, UN Exchange Views on Syria Political Process in Sochi

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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In the Tuesday meeting, the two sides held extensive talks on the Syria political process while stressing the necessity for continued work of the country’s Constitutional Committee.

Khaji pointed to the results of his recent trip to Damascus and his talks with Syrian officials including President Bashar al-Assad, and underlined Iran’s support for the process of the political settlement of the Syria crisis and the continued work of the country’s Constitutional Committee.

He also noted that the Islamic Republic will continue to support the mission of the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy on Syria.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to support the mission of the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for Syria, as it has done so in the past,” he added.

Pedersen, in turn, appreciated Tehran’s support for him in carrying out his mission, and underlined the necessity for trust-building among Syrian sides and international players.
He also highlighted the need for adopting a comprehensive approach to the settlement of the Syria crisis.

Iranian, Russian Diplomats Discuss Syria Peace in Sochi

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

The Iranian delegation headed by Ali-Asghar Khaji, the Iranian foreign minister’s senior assistant in special political affairs, which has travelled to the Russian city of Sochi to attend the 15th International Meeting on Syria within the Astana Format, held talks with the Russian delegation headed by Alexander Lavrentiev, the Russian president’s special envoy for Syria.

During the Tuesday meeting, the two sides held extensive negotiations on the latest situation of Syria, including the on-the-ground developments as well as the political settlement of the crisis within the framework of the Syrian Constitutional Committee.

Khaji elaborated on the results of his recent visit to Damascus, and highlighted the necessity of fighting terrorism in Syria and helping the progress of the country’s political trend within the framework of the Constitutional Committee.

The Russian diplomat, in turn, underlined the need for further coordination between Tehran and Moscow on the settlement of the Syria crisis.

Nice Words Not Enough; US Must Take Action This Time: Iran’s Leader

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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“We have said much about the JCPOA and stated the Islamic Republic’s policies. Words are uttered and promises are made. But today I would like to say just one thing: we have heard enough nice words and promises, which were later violated,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a speech on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.

“There is no point in paying lip service and making promises. This time [Iran] only [accepts] action,” the Leader stressed, addressing the new US administration.

“If we see the other side is taking action, we will do the same,” the Leader noted, echoing the country’s earlier stance that the US must first lift all anti-Iran sanctions before Tehran returns to compliance with the JCPOA.

“This time the Islamic Republic will not be convinced by words and promises as in the previous time,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, referring to the 2015 negotiations which led to the multilateral accord.

Standoff over JCPOA Must Be Resolved Diplomatically: Iranian Spokesman

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Speaking in a Tuesday press conference, Rabiei said the current row over the JCPOA should be settled diplomatically. “Basically, we believe the solution to the existing standoff over the JCPOA should be a diplomatic one.”

“If Donald Trump’s method had been effective in forcing the other side (Iran) into submission, it would have worked,” he noted.

“So, we expect other signatories to the JCPOA to be well aware of the dire consequences of the perpetuation of the current stalemate with regards to the implementation of the deal, and to behave responsibly to remove that stalemate,” Rabiei said.
He said the Supreme Leader’s message was clear to everyone and is, in fact, the message of the whole Iranian nation.

“I believe the message of the Supreme Leader [of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] was clear enough. The message is if they lift all sanctions, we will live up to all our obligations under the JCPOA. This is definitely and clearly the position of the Iranian society and nation,” he said.

Rabiei said Iran will move forward with the implementation of the Parliament’s legislation aimed at getting the sanctions lifted.

“Although we have some considerations on the effectiveness of the Parliament’s legislation called Strategic Action to Lift Sanctions and Safeguard the Iranian Nation’s Rights, the government will implement the law to the letter, and any other necessary measure … will be taken in accordance with major decisions adopted about the JCPOA at the Supreme National Security Council while taking all national interests into consideration and the government will follow up on that,” he said.

“Unlike the United States, Iran has always remained committed to the principle of acting responsibly to make good on its obligations within a balanced framework. However, the United States’ failure to discharge its responsibilities left us with no other option, but to resort to the rights stipulated in Clause 36 of the JCPOA. The United States continued its unacceptable behaviour in fulfilling its commitments,” he said.

Ball Is Now in US Court, Iran’s Rouhani Tells Swiss President

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Speaking in a Tuesday phone call with President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin, President Rouhani said, “Now the ball is in America’s court, and whenever it effectively lifts illegal sanctions, everything will get back on track.”

He said resolving problems through threats, pressure and coercion against the Iranian people has certainly failed.

“The US’ policy of maximum pressure has completely failed with the resistance of the Iranian people, and it is only through methods based on rationality and mutual respect that problems can be overcome,” he added.

President Rouhani further hailed good relations between Tehran and Bern and described them as historical and deep.

“It is necessary to develop and deepen these good relations more than before and within the framework of the joint cooperation roadmap, considering the high capacities in both countries. Tehran-Bern relations can be promoted to an appropriate level,” he added.

“Fortunately, Iran-Switzerland relations are in a good state thanks to a roadmap drawn for relations in various political, cultural and economic fields, such as transportation, health, medicine, agriculture and science and technology, even during the tough US sanctions,” he said.

“We are seeking to further facilitate the activities of important Swiss companies that have continued to operate in Iran despite sanctions,” Rouhani added.

He also called for the necessary measures to be taken effectively for the Swiss financial channel and the implementation of those joint agreements that have been suspended due to the policies of the previous US administration, and a step towards the use of capacities.

Rouhani also described the Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE) initiative as a step to encourage collective security in the region and welcomed any constructive and operational initiative by countries such as Switzerland.

“Undoubtedly, in an insecure environment, everyone in the region and in Europe will be harmed, and Iran is ready to take confidence-building measures if the other countries in the region show the necessary will,” he added.

Referring to the sad situation of the Yemeni people, the President called for an immediate ceasefire, the sending of aid, the prevention of arms transfers to some countries in the region, and finally the start of Yemeni-Yemeni talks as the final solution to return peace to the country.

In turn, the President of the Swiss Confederation congratulated the government and people of Iran on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and said, “Bern is willing to develop relations with Iran in areas of mutual interest and will make every effort in this regard.”

He expressed satisfaction with the activities of Swiss companies in Iran despite the US sanctions, and referred to the Swiss financial channel and its role, saying Switzerland is committed to transferring Iranian assets in some countries to this channel.

The Swiss president also described the current situation in the international field as another opportunity for all parties to return to fulfil their obligations, and said that Switzerland was ready to make efforts in this direction.

Parmelin also stressed the importance of returning security to Yemen and strengthening regional cooperation, saying that Iran, given its effective role in the region, could help restore peace to Yemen with the help of other parties, including the European Union.

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