“What is US human rights? Answer: Unparalleled commitment to killing people!” the official account of the Iranian Foreign Ministry tweeted on Thursday, on the anniversary of the tragic incident.
“Persian Gulf has long witnessed US crimes in the region. 32 years ago, the US deliberately shot down an Iranian airplane. 290 were killed. US has not yet apologized nor embarrassed,” it added.
Back in 1988, the Iran Air Flight 655 with 274 passengers and 16 crew members on board was climbing inside an internationally recognized route to Dubai when the US cruiser, the USS Vincennes, fired two SM-2MR surface-to-air missiles at it, one of which hit the plane and killed all the people on board.
US officials claimed their warship had mistaken the airliner for a supersonic and variable-sweep wing Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter jet.
The allegation was made even as the warship was equipped with highly sophisticated radar systems and electronic battle gear, and the passenger plane was transmitting Mode III 6760 squawk code, typical of a civilian aircraft, and maintained radio contact in English with appropriate air traffic control facilities.
1- Hook: US Prefers Extension of Iran Arms Embargo to Other Sanctions
2- Zarif: Iran Has Decisive Options against Extension of Arms Embargo
3- Rouhani: Iran Won’t Tolerate US’ Political Blow to JCPOA
4- Saudi Envoy to UN: We’ve Shown Maximum Restraint vis-a-vis Iran
Afkar Newspaper:
1- UN Security Council Won’t Support US’ Move against Iran: Envoy
2- Tangible Efforts Must Be Made to Stop Israeli Policies: Qalibaf
Aftab-e Yazd Newspaper:
1- Iran Leader Sends Message of Condolence over Tehran Clinic Fire
2- US’ Isolation Biggest Fruit of UNSC Meeting: Analyst
Arman-e Melli Newspaper:
1- Iran Leader Urges Officials to Prevent Recurrence of Tehran Clinic Blast
2- Iran Won’t Tolerate US’ Political Blow to 2015 Nuclear Deal: Rouhani
Ebtekar Newspaper:
1- Iran’s Air Defence Not Dependent on Other Countries: Army Chief
2- Tehran, Moscow, Ankara Strongly Committed to Syria’s Independence, Territorial Integrity
3- Rouhani: Exaggerating Problems Won’t Resolve Anything
4- Qalibaf’s Parliamentary Diplomacy against Annexation Plan
* In Separate Messages to Int’l Officials, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Urges Attention to Issue of Palestine
Etemad Newspaper:
1- Dialogue for Peace: Iran, Russia, Turkey Hold Video Teleconference on Syria
Ettela’at Newspaper:
1- Rouhani: US Terrorists Must Immediately Leave Region
2- Foreign Policy: UNSC Meeting on Iran Results in US Isolation
Iran Newspaper:
1- Moderation Inside, Constructive Interaction with the World: Rouhani
2- We Still Have a Lot to Do on INSTEX: Outgoing German Envoy
Jomhouri Eslami Newspaper:
1- US Once Again Defeated against Iran at UNSC
2- Iran, Russia, Turkey Strongly Committed to Unity, Independence of Syria
Kayhan Newspaper:
1- Iran Leader Extends Condolences over Deadly Blast in Tehran Clinic
2- Israel Backs Off from Annexation Plan: Int’l Pressures Work
Sazandegi Newspaper:
1- White House Defeated in New York: UNSC Meeting on Iran Yields No Fruit for US
Shargh Newspaper:
1- Iran, Russia Dissatisfied with Caesar Sanctions
Vatan-e Emrooz Newspaper:
1- Resistance Front’s Missile Surprise
Palestinian Groups Test Fire New Generation Missiles in Gaza in Reaction to Annexation Plan
The people of Mashhad in north-eastern Iran make special pots using the rocks taken from Kouh-e Sangi, the most famous mountain around the city.
Despite the influx of Teflon and Pyrex utensils, some families still prefer to make broth or even some stews in these pots.
“Serpentine” stone with the local name of “Harkareh”, which means a pot that does everything, is taken from the southern mountains of Mashhad and is transferred to workshops to be turned into dining utensils, such as stone pots, bowls, glasses, decorative items, samovars, etc.
Harkareh is famous for its flexibility. Enjoying iron and magnesium ions in their structure, these dishes have many medicinal and effective properties against diseases such as anemia and osteoporosis.
In addition to reducing the amount of water in the food, these utensils provide the nutrients needed by the body by releasing the beneficial salts in the stone, and gradually provide the food with the extra flavour it needs.
Stone utensils can be used to cook broth, stews, and other dishes, but they never cook rice or fry anything in them.
After being extracted from the mine, the stones were polished with tools such as an axe, and compass in the workshop.
With the help of a hatchet, they cut the unevenness of the stone and make a hole in it. After that the desired inscriptions are etched on the container.
Today, despite the new technology, this is done with a machine, which both facilitates the work and speeds up the production of dishes.
Mines of this particular stone can be found in region such as Zanjan, Sistan, Kerman, Khoy, Mako, Sabzevar, Torbat Heydariyeh and Birjand, but its major source of extraction is the mines around the holy city of Mashhad.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry spokesman categorically condemned and slammed as “groundless and worthless” the comments from US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, denouncing the American official’s divisive mission to the regional countries and his threats against Iran.
“Alongside the desperate attempts at unfounded justification of subject of the arms embargo extension, Brian Hook is talking of military option against Iran, a moulded option that has been collecting dust for years on the table of the delusional American presidents,” he added.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled policy in the military sector is absolutely clear and the nature of this program is totally defensive,” Mousavi underlined.
“The real threat to the region is the destructive and destabilizing presence of the US, transforming the region into military bases, preventing progress and development of the region with the aim of creating division, and fomenting fear for the easy sale of products of the military industries of that country (the US),” the Iranian spokesperson added.
“As long as the US officials talk about the military option against the Iranian nation being on the table, although in vain, and delay their withdrawal from the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran will spare no legitimate efforts to strengthen its military power with reliance on domestic capabilities, and considers this as its inalienable right to defend the national interests of Iranians,” Mousavi stressed.
“Brian Hook has held consultations about the arms embargo on Iran while his country and a number of its allies are in possession of hundreds of nuclear bombs and other weapons of mass destruction, and, at the same time, are not cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international institutions at all, and the Agency (IAEA) is not conducting any inspection of their nuclear facilities either,” he deplored.
“What is worse is that the US has practically turned the region into a powder keg with the mass sale of advanced arms and equipment to these countries, as much of these weapons are still being employed against the oppressed and defenceless people of Yemen, Palestine, Iraq, Syria and other regional nations,” the Iranian diplomat stated.
“Ensuring the security of region in the hands of the regional countries is the principled and invariable policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Mousavi concluded.
Addressing a video teleconference of the Astana Peace Process on Wednesday, President Rouhani said the illegitimate presence of the US regime’s occupying forces on Syrian soil has become a source of instability in Syria and the whole region.
By increasing the number of its illegal military bases in Syria’s oil-rich region on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, the US is plundering the natural resources of Syria, the Iranian president said at the summit, held via videoconference.
“I emphasize that it is necessary for the terrorist American forces to leave the region, particularly Syria, immediately, and that the Syrian government’s sovereignty would prevail all over those territories,” President Rouhani added.
The Iranian president also described the Astana Peace format as the “only successful process” contributing to the peaceful settlement of crisis in Syria, saying Iran, Russia and Turkey –the three friends and guarantors of the Astana Process- should protect and promote the achievements of the format.
President Rouhani then underlined that Tehran, Moscow and Ankara share views on “common basic and unchanging principles” regarding Syria, which are protecting Syria’s solidarity and territorial integrity, respecting Syria’s national sovereignty and independence, and determination of the fate of Syria in the hands of Syrian people alone and through Syrian-Syrian talks without foreign interference.
The president then lashed out at the US government for imposing new unilateral and inhumane sanctions against Syria under the so-called Caesar Act, saying Washington is making such vain attempts to fulfill its illegitimate political objectives while the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has caused widespread health and economic problems in Syria as the Syrian people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including medical equipment and pharmaceuticals to combat the epidemic.
“Such measure taken by the US regime amounts to economic terrorism that violates the international law, the human rights, the international humanitarian law, and the sovereignty of nations,” President Rouhani added.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns any sanction against nations in the world, particularly against Syria, and emphasizes that it will continue to support the people and legitimate government of Syria more vigorously,” President Rouhani underlined.
“Such illegitimate and inhumane measures from the US regime will not cause any disruption to the resolve of Syria’s friends and allies,” he added.
The president further reminded the US that economic pressures against Syria and punishing Syrians will not help it achieve what it has failed to obtain by military pressures and resorting to terrorist groups.
The president then called on the international community to address the problem of internally displaced persons in Syria and help the Syrian refugees return home. “This is a humanitarian issue and will also help restore peace, stability and trust-building among the Syrian people. Any move to make humanitarian aid conditional on the achievement of political purposes will disrupt this process.”
“Today, after more than nine years since the onset of crisis in Syria, the Islamic Republic of Iran still believes that the only solution to the Syrian crisis is a political one and that it has no military solution. As the guarantor states of the Astana Process, we always support Syrian-Syrian dialogue within the framework of the agreements made under the Astana Process, and reaffirm our determination to fight against the terrorism of Daesh (ISIS), al-Qaeda, and all of their offshoots across the entire region, as in Syria,” President Rouhani stated.
Iran proudly talks about the war on terrorism, the president said, paying tribute to top Iranian commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani who was assassinated in a US airstrike in Iraq.
The US claims to be fighting against terrorism, but it has assassinated the “hero of war on terrorism” and his companions, President Rouhani noted, saying it reveals the US regime’s false claims about the battle with terrorism.
President Rouhani underscored that the war on terrorism must continue until it is totally eradicated in Syria and the region, but emphasized the need to protect civilian lives in this battle. “We must not allow the terrorists to use people as human shields.”
He then noted that the fight against terrorism in Syrian must be coupled with respect for the Arab country’s national sovereignty and independence.
“A united and independent Syria without the illegitimate presence of foreign forces will not only result in the restoration of calm to that country after long years of sufferings of its people, but also would contribute to the stability and security of its neighbors,” President Rouhani noted.
The Iranian president finally condemned an escalation of the Israeli aggression against Syrian soil, adding, “The Zionist regime’s measures, in addition to the occupation of the Golan region, are in violation of Syria’s sovereignty and are destabilizing factors that threaten regional peace and security, and such occupying regime (Israel) will be accountable for their consequences.”
“Iran has made great strides in producing the COVID-19 vaccine and the human trial phase of the vaccine will soon begin,” the Iranian Minister of Health and Medical Education said in remarks on Tuesday at the opening of the 2020 edition of Pharmex Middle East, a pharmaceutical exhibition held in Iran.
The minister said he has been closely monitoring the activities and research programs of the Iranian scientists to produce the coronavirus vaccine over the past four months, saying the results are “very promising”.
The vaccine has been tested on animals successfully, Namaki noted, adding that the clinical human trials will start very soon.
The minister also highlighted the country’s considerable progress in the pharmaceutical industry, saying Iran is now one of the most powerful countries in the region in producing pharmaceutical precursor chemicals and medicines.
“Thanks to the efforts by the scientists and knowledge-based companies, Iran is today one of the major exporters of pharmaceutical raw materials, both in the field of chemical medicine and high-tech medicine,” Namaki stated.
The minister finally noted that amid the coronavirus pandemic, Iran could change from an importer of medical and protective equipment to a major exporter of those items within only 60 days.
In March, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had called for all-out efforts to develop a vaccine and medication for the novel coronavirus.
Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari said in April that three domestic teams were working separately on research into a coronavirus vaccine.
Iran’s new Ambassador to Vienna Abbas Baqerpour Ardakani submitted his letter of credence to President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen in a meeting at Austria’s presidential palace on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
In the meeting, held with a special ceremony attended by Austria’s presidential ceremonial guard, the Iranian ambassador conveyed a message of friendship from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s president and expressed the country’s readiness to enhance relations with Austria in all political, economic, cultural, and social fields on the basis of the historical and age-old relations between the two countries.
For his part, the Austrian president conveyed his warm greetings to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, pointed to President Rouhani’s landmark visit to Austria in July 2018 and a telephone conversation between the two presidents in May 2020, welcomed the expansion of relations between the two countries, and expressed Austria’s readiness to help promote the ties.
Baqerpour Ardakani has already served in top jobs at the Foreign Ministry. He used to serve as Director-General for Legal and International Affairs at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Iranian Foreign Minister’s assistant, and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ambassador and deputy representative at the United Nations Office at Geneva.
He is currently serving as the Islamic Republic of Iran’s accredited ambassador to Slovakia too.
The statement was released on Wednesday at the conclusion of a video teleconference of the leaders of Astana Process guarantor states.
What follows is the full text of the joint statement released by President Hasan Rouhani of Iran, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey:
Joint Statement by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the President of the Russian Federation, and the President of the Republic of Turkey
Video Tele-Conference (VTC), 1 July 2020
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Vladimir Putin, and President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, held a tripartite virtual summit on 1 July 2020.
The Presidents:
Discussed the current situation on the ground in Syria, reviewed the developments following their last meeting in Ankara on 16 September 2019 and reiterated their determination to enhance the trilateral coordination in light of their agreements.
Emphasized their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic as well as to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Highlighted that these principles should be universally respected and that no actions, no matter by whom they were undertaken should undermine them.
Rejected in this regard all attempts to create new realities on the ground under the pretext of combating terrorism, including illegitimate self-rule initiatives, and expressed their determination to stand against separatist agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria as well as threatening the national security of neighboring countries.
Discussed the situation in the north-east of Syria, emphasized that security and stability in this region can only be achieved on the basis of preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and agreed to coordinate their efforts to this end. Expressed their opposition to the illegal seizure and transfer of oil revenues that should belong to the Syrian Arab Republic.
Reaffirmed the determination to continue cooperation in order to ultimately eliminate DAESH/ISIL, Al- Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaeda or DAESH/ISIL, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the UN Security Council, while ensuring the protection of the civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with the international humanitarian law.
Reviewed in detail the situation in the Idlib de-escalation area and underscored the necessity to maintain calm on the ground by fully implementing all agreements on Idlib.
Expressed grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Syria and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing that the pandemic presents a profound challenge to Syria`s health system, socio-economic and humanitarian situations. Rejected all unilateral sanctions which are in contravention of international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emphasized, in this regard, the critical need to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Syria in order to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, and, called upon the international community, particularly the UN and its humanitarian agencies, to increase their assistance to all Syrians without discrimination, politicization and preconditions.
Reaffirmed their conviction that there could be no military solution to the Syrian conflict and that it could only be resolved through the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, UN-facilitated political process in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Emphasized in this regard the important role of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva, created as a result of the decisive contribution of the Astana guarantors and the implementation of the decisions of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi. Welcomed the agreement to hold the third meeting of the Constitutional Committee in August 2020 and reaffirmed the readiness to support its work through continuous interaction with its members and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen, as facilitator, in order to ensure its sustainable and effective work.
Reaffirmed their determination to continue operations on mutual release of detainees/abductees within the framework of the respective Working Group of the Astana format. Underscored that the Working Group was a unique mechanism that had proved to be effective and necessary for building confidence between the Syrian parties, and agreed to take measures to continue its work.
Highlighted the need to facilitate safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original places of residence in Syria, ensuring their right to return and right to be supported. In this regard, they called upon the international community to provide appropriate contributions for their resettlement and normal life as well as to undertake greater responsibility in burden-sharing and to enhance their assistance to Syria, inter alia by developing early recovery projects, including basic infrastructure assets – water and power supply facilities, schools and hospitals as well as the humanitarian mine action.
Reaffirmed the necessity to respect universally recognized international legal decisions, including those provisions of the relevant UN resolutions rejecting the occupation of Syrian Golan, first and foremost UN Security Council Resolution 497 and thus condemned the decision of the US Administration on the occupied Syrian Golan, which constitutes a grave violation of international law and threatens regional peace and security. They consider Israeli military attacks in Syria as destabilizing and violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country and intensifying the tension in the region.
In addition to the Syrian issue, they confirmed their intention to strengthen trilateral coordination in different fields in order to promote joint economic cooperation.
Agreed to assign their representatives with the task of holding the next International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format as soon as possible.
Agreed to hold the next Tripartite Summit in the Islamic Republic of Iran upon the invitation of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Hassan Rouhani, as soon as possible.
