‘General Soleimani National Icon on Par with Mythical Heroes of Persia’

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January 3, 2021

Vaezi said General Soleimani had dedicated himself to the people and Establishment of Iran.

“He was a moderate in the true sense of the word because he never restricted himself to political factions,” said Vaezi.

“He does not belong to the people of Iran only; rather, he is an extremely popular figure among Muslims and nations around the world,” he added.

“The anniversary of his cowardly assassination is an ideal opportunity to review some of the features which has elevated him to such a lofty status,” he explained.

“General Soleimani was a man who was present in the field. … He was also very brave, and today no one, even his enemies, has any doubts about it,” he added.

“This bravery, which emanated from his faith, trust in God and purified soul, was the most striking feature which distinguished his method of commanding with that of others,” Vaezi added.
“His regular presence in the most dangerous battlefields and in the front line …. boosted the morale of friendly troops and struck fear in to the hearts of enemies,” he said.

Vaezi noted general Soleimani’s success in overcoming terrorists in Iraq and Syria was an achievement that few people thought he would be able to do.

“What was happening on the ground in the region was not simply a number of small terrorist groups gaining power in limited areas in some countries; rather, Takfiri terrorism was the result of wicked alliance between some reactionary governments in the region and certain evil players beyond the region,” he said.

Vaezi underlined that general Soleimani’s campaign against these terrorists was and “unequal battle” because they received huge logistic support as well as equipment and manpower from their sponsors.

He also said the millions-strong funeral ceremony held for general Soleimani in cities in Iraq and Iran was the manifestation of unity and rapport among people, which the top general always liked to see when he was alive.

Expulsion of US Forces from Region Gaining Momentum: Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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January 3, 2021

Speaking to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Ahed, Saeed Khatibzadeh further noted that Washington erroneously believes it can stop the campaign against oppression by killing people.

“The Americans believed the resistance front will be destroyed with the assassination of General Soleimani. Basically, the US front thinks it can stop public opinion and the fight against tyranny,” he said.

“But we have seen throughout the contemporary history that this policy has been a nonstarter. We saw in Lebanon that they killed Sayyed Abbas Mousavi, but Sayyed Hassan [Nasrallah] emerged from within the same resistance and followed in his footsteps with determination,” he added.

The spokesman added the assassination of Palestinian resistance leaders also failed to sap the will of Palestinians and even increased their support for resistance groups.

“The same thing has happened in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries,” he said.

“The situation of the Americans is like a drowning person who will clutch at a straw,” he added.

Khatibzadeh said Washington is wasting American taxpayers’ money to cover costs which have turned into a quagmire for US officials.

US Military Tired of Staying Alert for Fear of Soleimani Revenge: IRGC

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IFP Editorial Staff

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January 3, 2021

Brigadier General Remezan Sharif, the spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), said it is Iran that will determine when and where to take revenge against the US.

“Iran still has the opportunity to avenge the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, the late commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force. This will definitely happen, and will take place at the right time and place,” said the top general.

“This act of revenge should have the most effect on the enemy and should win the most support from the world of Islam,” he added.

“While the US is waiting to see Iran avenge the assassination of general Qassem Soleimani, it (the US) is sick and tired of remaining on standby,” he said.

He also noted the US is likely to make another mistake with regards to Iran.

“Tehran believes it is not unlikely for the US to commit another foolish act against Iran,” said General Sharif.

Soleimani’s Autobiography Unveiled with Ayatollah Khamenei’s Autograph

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IFP Media Wire

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January 3, 2021

Last week, Ayatollah Khamenei lent the autograph to the book, whose title translates as “I was Not Afraid of Anything.” The autobiography was unveiled at a ceremony in Tehran on Sunday.

The Leader’s note reads, “Anything that brings the memory of our dear martyr to the fore appeals to the eye and the heart.”

“Even though, God has brought his memory to the height of prominence and, in this manner, rewarded the purity of his good deeds, each and every one of us also has a duty,” Ayatollah Khamenei wrote, underlining the need for the Iranian nation to commemorate General Soleimani.

The 136-page book is the first work to be published by Haj Qassem Publications that is tasked with safeguarding his legacy through written content.

The book features handwritten notes by the general, spanning from his childhood years through his youth and up to his participation in the struggle that led to the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979.

General Soleimani, who commanded the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), was admired as the Middle East’s most influential and charismatic counter-terrorism leader. He played a key role in helping Iraq and Syria defeat foreign-backed terrorists, chiefly Daesh, in late 2017.

The top commander was assassinated on January 3, 2020 in a drone strike in Baghdad upon a direct order by US President Donald Trump.

His Iraqi trenchmate Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha’abi anti-terror force, along with several others were also killed when their convoy was hit.

Iran Says US Return to JCPOA ‘Worthless’ If Sanctions Not Fully Removed

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IFP Editorial Staff

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January 3, 2021

“The US war of perception aimed at exaggerating a worthless issue like the country’s return to the JCPOA will go nowhere,” Shamkhani said in a Sunday tweet.

“The full and definite removal of all sanctions is Washington’s only option to return from Trump’s failed strategy of maximum pressure,” he added, posting his tweet with the hashtag #Active_Resistance.

The US, under Trump, unleashed a so-called maximum pressure campaign against Iran in 2018, when it unilaterally left the JCPOA, reached between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 group of countries, the US, the UK, France, Russia, and China plus Germany, and endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Following its withdrawal, Washington targeted the Iranian nation with the “toughest ever” economic sanctions in order to bring it to its knees, but the country’s economy keeps humming and is getting back on its feet.

In an interview with CNN last month, US President-elect Joe Biden said he remains committed to the principles of the Iran nuclear deal.

Biden also denounced Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA.

Iran Pushing for Development of Knowledge-Based Companies: VP

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IFP Editorial Staff

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January 3, 2021

In a meeting with the lawmakers representing Tehran in the Iranian Parliament, held on Sunday, Vice-President Sattari stressed the need to settle the country’s problems with scientific methods and considering the domestic ecosystem.

The Vice Presidency for Science and Technology is currently pursuing two major strategies simultaneously, namely the development of knowledge-based and innovative companies and the promotion of soft technologies, he added.

Sattari noted that enhancement of soft and innovative technologies in Iran would create employment, promote innovation, and generate wealth for the country, citing new soft technologies in various sectors such as the motion pictures industry, publishing, video game industry, education, cultural heritage, fashion and clothing industry, and handicrafts sector.

The vice-president also criticized the educational system for its failure to train entrepreneurs, saying the Parliament’s support for the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology would accelerate the achievement of development goals on the basis of science and knowledge.

In the meeting, the vice-president and the lawmakers agreed on the formation of a “joint task force on science and technology”.

The MPs also expressed their support for the vice presidency and its scientific programs.

Daily Rise in Iran’s COVID-19 Cases Down to 102: Ministry

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IFP Editorial Staff

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January 3, 2021

In a press briefing on Sunday, the Ministry’s spokeswoman Sima-Sadat Lari reported 5,960 new cases of COVID-19 infection, raising the total number of cases to 1,243,434.

So far, Lari added, 1,013,018 patients have recovered from the disease or been discharged from the hospital.

Lari said 5,960 patients are also in critical conditions caused by more severe infection.
The spokeswoman noted that 7,777,488 COVID-19 tests have been taken across the country so far.

She said currently the four cities of Sari, Amol, Ramsar and Northern Savadkooh are in the “red” zone, 43 cities are in the “orange zone” and 401 are in the “yellow zone” in terms of coronavirus outbreak.

Iran to Start Vaccinating Priority Groups against COVID-19 in Weeks: Rouhani

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IFP Editorial Staff

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January 3, 2021

In an address to a Sunday session of the Administration’s Economic Coordination Headquarters, President Rouhani highlighted the government’s serious efforts to develop a homegrown vaccine for the coronavirus and purchase it from various foreign companies.

He expressed hope that the delivery of coronavirus vaccine to Iran in the coming weeks would allow the start of a nationwide vaccination program.

The president said the inoculation scheme will begin according to a list of priorities in the target groups, noting that the medical staff and the elderly will be the first to get the vaccine.

After hearing a report from the Health Ministry and the Central Bank of Iran about the plans to finance the purchase of coronavirus vaccine from the foreign producers, President Rouhani called on the Central Bank, the Foreign Ministry, and the Plan and Budget Organization to work with the Health Ministry for detailed plans to expedite the purchase and import of the vaccine.

The president further pointed to his administration’s experience of fighting a tough economic war for three years, saying the cabinet has devised the next year’s national budget with reliance on the experience of dealing with a full-flown war and neutralizing the inhumane sanctions and with the purpose of economic development and improving the livelihood of people.

He also dismissed any decision that may mount pressures on people and the country’s economy, calling for efforts to create a promising prospect for economic development.

The president finally underscored that the next year’s budget has been devised on the basis of a realistic view of the tax incomes and the oil revenues with a sensible prediction of economic progress.

In late December 2020, the president said his administration has devised a realistic, detailed and targeted budget for the next Iranian year with the purpose of nullifying the sanctions.

The budget bill is based on an in-depth analysis of needs of people and is cohesive, targeted, realistic and accurate, he explained.

Iran’s Masuleh Village Covered in Snow

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IFP Editorial Staff

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January 3, 2021

Winter has started in northern parts of Iran. Masuleh, an ancient village in Gilan province, is covered in deep snow.

Masuleh was founded in 10th century AD and is famous for its architecture. The roofs of houses on lower tiers are used as courtyards for houses on the tiers above.

In some cases, public streets are laid out along interconnected roofs.

The following are the photos Mehr News Agency posted of the historical village:

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