A mother takes food to her daughter who is a medical worker at an Iranian hospital treating COVID-19 patients.
Photo by Behzad Alipour, Fars News Agency
Iran Condemns Expansion of Israeli Settlements
In a statement on Sunday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi categorically condemned the Zionist regime’s recent moves to expand the settlements and annex parts of the West Bank to the territories occupied in 1948.
Mousavi described the annexation as a violation of the international law and a part of the shameful plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, known as deal of the century.
The Iranian spokesperson said such illegal measures violate the international law and threaten regional peace and security, and called on the United Nations and the other international circles to act against such moves within the framework of their duties and responsibilities.
Mousavi also deplored the Zionist regime’s abuse of the current circumstances in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, adding, “Alongside the battle with coronavirus, the oppressed people of Palestine are struggling against other viruses such as occupation, blockade and sanctions.”
The Iranian diplomat further asked the international organizations and assemblies and the world countries to help the Palestinian people and not allow the oppressed people of Palestine to be displaced from their homes once again.
The Palestinian territories belong to the Palestinian people, Mousavi underlined, noting, “The Zionist regime is a usurper and occupier regime, and the only solution to the Palestinian crisis is holding a referendum among the main inhabitants of that territory and formation of an independent Palestinian government with Bait al-Muqaddas as its capital.”
Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz signed a coalition agreement that includes a clause to advance plans to annex parts of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements, starting on July 1.
The decision has drawn condemnation from the United Nations and the European.
The UN’s special Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov said on Thursday that such a move would be a “devastating blow” to the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as the EU said annexing Palestinian territory “would constitute a serious violation of international law”.
Iran Not Interested in Escalation of Tensions in Persian Gulf: Spokesman
Iranian government Spokesman Ali Rabiei says the Islamic Republic does not welcome increased tensions in the Persian Gulf, and it will do its best to ensure security in the region.
In a video press conference on Saturday, Rabiei referred to the recent threats by US officials saying that the Islamic Republic has always expected to hear such useless words from the United States, but Tehran constantly has announced its stance.
“We and all the countries in the region are the great victims of insecurity in the Persian Gulf. Amid the conditions in the domestic economy and oil prices, the one who benefits from insecurity in the Persian Gulf is the United States of America,” added Rabiei.
“Our strategy is to reduce tensions in the Persian Gulf, but we warn that if the United States is looking for adventure, the responsibility of every incident will falls on Washington.”
As long as the United States continues its destructive military presence in West Asia, and refers to defeated groups and lobbies in recognising its interests, even the interests of the American people will not be protected, underlined Rabiei.
Noting that Iran is not seeking tension in the region and is taking action in its territorial waters, the government spokesman stated security in the region is Iran’s main demand. Tehran has sent several messages to the leaders of the regional countries calling for security in the region, he added.
Rabiei also announced that during Ramadan, security accords with the countries of the region and agreements to deal with corona can be reviewed to have a violence-free region to cope with the coronavirus and save lives. However, the Islamic Republic will definitely give the necessary response to the aggressors.
In another part of his remarks, he said, unfortunately, amid the fight against Corona, where all the people of the world must unite, we are witnessing such comments [by US officials].
“We believe we must move towards peace in the region so that we can confront corona. The world needs a physical and a mental security to overcome this crisis. Unfortunately, the Americans are still launching psychological projection, and we know in the difficult conditions since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the United States, the US government, especially the president, has been trying to divert public opinion from his failures against COVID-19. In order to escape from his international responsibilities, he has no choice but to launch psychological projection.”
Iranian spokesperson further said the United States accuses the Islamic Republic of Iran of violating the UN resolution for a conventional act that does not contradict the legal and international regulations, but the Islamic Republic has no doubt that Washington will fail to prove this.
He emphasised that the Islamic Republic of Iran believes its military and civilian technological advances are in accordance with international law and saying such advances are Iran’s absolute and irreconcilable right.
“This kind of warning from a country that has become the number one threat to global security, and has proven its mastery in discriminating against the rules of law will not have the slightest effect on our will to continue on our legal path.”
He also advised European countries to learn from the past experiences and put an end to giving concessions to this bully as soon as possible. In this way, the world will be safer amid the coronavirus outbreak and even after corona, reiterated Rabiei.
We have not taken any action contrary to the laws and resolutions, stressed Rabiei, underlining that the United States must return to resolve its internal problems.
The government spokesman went on to say that misleading statements about disease control and statements rejected instantly by scientific and medical associations are only meant to pose a mental challenge to the American people. So instead of resolving his country’s problems, Donald Trump is blaming other countries.
“We believe that we are committed to the highest level of transparency in the fight against the coronavirus, and we have not endangered the lives of our citizens,” highlighted the spokesman.
“I assure the people we have kept our promise regarding people’s lives. Certainly, the life of an elderly, a patient and any Iranian is important to us in any way, and like many countries, we did not abandon these people and did not say which social class and which age group our hospitals belong to.”
In the end, Rabiei called on people to help the government in maintaining relative control of the disease. He asked people to observe personal hygiene and use masks to go ahead with smart social distancing protocols, especially in crowded places.
Iran’s First VP, FM Congratulate Muslim Nations on Arrival of Ramadan
First VP Esha’q Jahangiri wrote in separate messages, “Now that the fresh breeze of servitude and self-purification is blowing, I hope we will be subject to the blessings of God Almighty through our worships and veneration in this cherished month.”
He also expressed hope that the ties between the Muslim countries will get stronger than before.
“I hope Muslim nations will be able to work together to accelerate the process of fighting the deadly coronavirus to see its eradication by the end of this blessed month,” reads his message.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also congratulated Muslim nations on the holy month, expressing hope that God may help people to pass through the ongoing crises.
In an Arabic tweet on Saturday, Zarif said, “I ask God Almighty to accept our worships in this blessed month and to help us overcome the crises and establish unity among the believers and ensure security, peace, justice and equality throughout the world.”
رمضان كريم
و كل عام و الأمّة الإسلاميّة و شعوب العالم بألف خير.
أسأل الله أن يتقبل أعمالنا في هذا الشهر الفضيل، و أن يمنّ علينا بالخير و النصر و تجاوز الأزمات، و أن يوحد صفوف أهل الإيمان، و أن يحقق الأمن و السلام و العدالة و المساواة على وجه المعمورة.
آمين، بمنّه و كرمه.— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 25, 2020
The holy month of Ramadan began on Saturday in Iran and many other Muslim countries. During this month Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.
Iran Starts Exporting Medical Supplies for Coronavirus Battle
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has highlighted the country’s success in dealing with the novel coronavirus outbreak, saying the Islamic Republic has begun to export the health supplies necessary for the fight against COVID-19 after meeting the domestic demand.
Addressing a meeting with economic activists from the Iranian private sector on Saturday evening, President Rouhani said the Islamic Republic has successfully coped with the coronavirus pandemic.
Commending all Iranians for joining hands in the fight against the contagious disease, President Rouhani said the administration, the private sector, the non-governmental public sector, the Armed Forces, the knowledge-based companies, and the medical society have all played a role in the national efforts to contain the coronavirus.
Paying special tribute to the Iranian medical personnel for their devotion to duty, the president said, “They (health staff) are doing a great job today. This is not an easy job. This is an outstanding and great job when you see that the bulk of people admitted to the hospital are being discharged in good health, thank God.”
Highlighting Iran’s major progress in the production of health supplies over the past two months, President Rouhani said the administration has not only fulfilled the domestic needs for medical items and disinfectants, but can even export those products.
“The administration has permitted the Minister of Industry to allow the plants with overproduction to export (their output),” President Rouhani noted.
Iran has achieved such great success in coping with the local demand for medical supplies that it is going to export the coronavirus diagnostic test kits in future, he noted.
The president also lauded the production of medical ventilators, computerized tomography (CT) scan devices, N95 masks and disinfectants by the domestic knowledge-based companies as a remarkable job, saying such breakthrough has been achieved through the efforts of local companies, private sectors, administrative organizations and banks.
Stressing the need for closer interaction between the state-run and private sectors, President Rouhani said the social distancing scheme is targeted only at the battle with the coronavirus.
“In light of closer contacts among the banks, the private sector and the stock market, we will be able to make a great move in the economic arena,” the president underscored.
Iran’s Leader Attends Quran Recitation Ceremony via Video-Conference
Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has attended a ceremony to recite holy Qur’an via video-conferencing amid the spread of the coronavirus.
In previous years, the ceremony used to be held in the presence of the Leader during the holy month of Ramadan, but this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic Ayatollah Khamenei and Qur’an reciters attended the event via video-conference.
This ceremony was broadcasted live on the national TV and radio channels as well as on the website of the leader, Khamenei.ir.
At the end of this event, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Qur’an is the book of life.
He added that if human beings follow the rules of life based on the Qur’an teachings, happiness will befall them in this world and the next.
Zarif, Qatari Counterpart Discuss Regional Issues
During the phone call, Zarif offered congratulations to his Qatari counterpart as well as the country’s nation and government on the arrival of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan.
The two sides also conferred on the latest developments in Afghanistan, and Tehran’s efforts to help build political consensus and form a comprehensive government in Kabul.
The phone conversation came a few hours after Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held phone talks on the latest developments in the region.
Rouhani told the Qatari leader that Tehran is closely watching the US troops’ movements, but will never start a conflict or tension in the region.
The Qatari emir, in turn, urged all countries to make efforts to stave off tension in the region.
The comments came after the escalation of tension between Iran and the US in the Persian Gulf, especially following the IRGC Navy’s warning to US warships and the subsequent anti-Iran threats made by US President Donald Trump.
A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 25
IFP has taken a look at the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Saturday, April 25, 2020, and picked headlines from 8 of them. IFP has simply translated the headlines and does not vouch for their accuracy.
Iranian Newspapers
Abrar Newspaper:
1- IRGC Aerospace Chief: We’re A Superpower Today
2- Official: We’ll Definitely Face New Wave of COVID-19 Outbreak
3- US Defence Department: We’re Watching Iran’s Space Programs
4- IRGC Chief: Any Move Will Receive IRGC’s Decisive Response
Aftab-e Yazd Newspaper:
1- Europe Unable to Pay Loan to Iran
- Borrell Regrets US Opposition to Iran’s IMF Loan Request
Ebtekar Newspaper:
1- Trump’s Bizarre Corona Advice: US President’s Advice Can Result in Death
2- US, Europe Cannot Preach Iran: Tehran in Reaction to EU, US Officials
3- Iran Leader to Attend Quran Sessions through Video Conference
4- American War-Therapy May Create Post-Corona Crisis
* A Review of US’ Aggressive Behaviours amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Etemad Newspaper:
1- Iran’s Noor Satellite Complicates Trump’s Calculations: Washington’s Maximum Pressure Fails
2- Who’ll Assume Presidency of Iran’s Parliament in New Term?
Ettela’at Newspaper:
1- Rouhani: Gov’t Will Try to Boost Production, Employment While Countering COVID-19
2- Ayatollah Sistani’s Office in Qom Orders Construction of Noor Hospital
3- IRGC Chief Orders Naval Units to Counter US Troops’ Threats
Jomhouri Eslami Newspaper:
1- Iran’s Customs Chief: We Had Exports to 128 Countries Despite Cruel Sanctions
2- Biden: Earth Can No Longer Tolerate Trump
Kayhan Newspaper:
1- LA Times: Corona Indicates It’s Time for US Segregation
2- US, Israel Dazzled by Iranian ‘Light’ Rotating Around Earth
3- World Welcomes Iran’s Experiences in Fight against COVID-19
Sazandegi Newspaper:
1- Noor (Light) Placed into Orbit
* World Reacts to Iran’s Successful Launch of Noor Satellite
2- Iran’s Foreign Ministry: No Resolution Has Kept Iran from Sending Satellite to Space
US Opposition to Iran’s IMF Loan Bid Breaching Right to Health Peremptory Norm
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has denounced the US’ attempt to block Tehran’s request for an emergency International Monetary Fund loan to fight the coronavirus as a violation of a peremptory norm of international law (jus cogens) that entitles people to right to health.
In a post on his Twitter account on Saturday, Ali Shamkhani said Washington’s opposition to Iran’s request for the IMF loan is in breach of the peremptory norms of international law on right to health.
مخالفت #آمریکا با درخواست وام ایران از صندوق بینالمللی پول، نقض «قاعده آمره حق بر سلامتی» است. دولتهای ثالث دو تعهد دارند؛ قطع همکاری با دولت ناقض و اقدام برای رفع وضعیت غیرقانونی. #اروپا چون همیشه فقط ابراز تاسف کرد!#باید_قوی_شویم
— علی شمخانی (@alishamkhani_ir) April 25, 2020
“The third governments have two commitments; to halt cooperation with the violator state and to act for lifting the illegal situation,” he noted.
Shamkhani also deplored Europe for its usual “expression of regret” about such violation of law by the US.
He has ended his tweet with a hashtag saying “we must get strong.”
Iran has asked the International Monetary Fund for a $5 billion loan to deal with the outbreak of COVID-19.
Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Abdolnaser Hemmati says the IMF’s response will be a litmus test for claims about relief aid for containing the disease.
