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Ayatollah Sistani Condoles with Iran Leader on Loss of General Soleimani

Ayatollah Sistani

In a message on Sunday, the senior Iraqi Shiite cleric offered his condolences to Ayatollah Khamenei on the loss of General Soleimani.

Ayatollah Sistani said he was deeply saddened by the news of martyrdom of the highly-revered commander of the IRGC Quds Force.

“The deceased’s exceptional role throughout years of battle against the elements of Daesh (ISIS) in Iraq and the extensive troubles he endured in this path are unforgettable,” Ayatollah Sistani said in the message.

The top Iraqi cleric also expressed his condolences to Ayatollah Khamenei, the family of General Soleimani, the Iranian nation, and to the people of Kerman –the late Iranian general’s hometown.

General Soleimani, the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and a number of their entourage were killed in a strike by American drones near Baghdad International Airport in the early hours of Friday.

The White House and the Pentagon confirmed that the attack was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump.

Iran Hails Iraqi Parliamentary Resolution on Expulsion of US Troops

Issue of Idlib Must be Resolved Diplomatically: Rouhani to Erdogan

In a telephone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart on Sunday evening, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the parliamentary resolution on putting an end to the presence of American military forces in Iraq is of great significance and marks a new beginning for the promotion of regional stability and security.

In an extraordinary session on Sunday, Iraq’s parliament passed a resolution calling on the government to expel foreign troops from the country after the US assassinated top Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani and the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a drone strike on January 3.

In the telephone conversation, President Rouhani emphasized that martyrdom of the great commanders of the axis of resistance would cause a new upheaval in the region and cement the relationship between Iran and Iraq.

Highlighting the age-old relations between the two neighbours, Rouhani said, “It is necessary for us to stand firm to protect the great Iraqi people’s right to security, sovereignty and supremacy, and the Iranian nation and government will definitely defend Iraq’s sovereignty like before.”

“We must act in such a way that the enemies realize that they could not harm the relations between the two nations,” Rouhani told the Iraqi president.

“The Iraqi government and nation have had difficult days, and I hope that the Iraqi government’s efforts and prudence would result in stronger security, stability and unity in that country,” President Rouhani added.

He finally paid tribute to General Soleimani for standing with the Iraqi Kurdish and Arab people when the ISIS terrorist group invaded Erbil a few years ago, saying the late commander made unwavering efforts to ensure security in Iran, Iraq and the region.

In turn, President of Iraq Barham Salih took a swipe at the US for the criminal assassination of General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, saying the two neighbors are faced with a big sedition.

“I hope that we could overcome such big sedition successfully under the wise handling of the Islamic Republic’s officials and would be able to establish peace and stability in the region,” the Iraqi president added.

Pointing to the close and historical bonds between Iran and Iraq, Salih underlined that “unity and friendship” between the two neighbors will greatly contribute to the establishment of regional security.

Iran Summons German Envoy over Support for US Strike

Iran Condemns Bahrain’s Plan to Normalize Relations with Israel

Following the untrue, thoughtless and destructive remarks that a number of German officials have made in support of the US’ terrorist assault on Iraq which led to the martyrdom of General Soleimani and his entourage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Germany’s charge d’affaires on Sunday in the German ambassador’s absence, and expressed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s strong protest against such one-sided stances.

In the meeting, director of the Second Department for Western Europe at the Foreign Ministry highlighted General Soleimani’s influential and decisive role in establishing stability and security in West Asia, adding, “Martyr General Soleimani is revered as a hero of the fight against terrorism and Daesh (ISIS) not only in Iran, but also at the regional and international levels. Thus, such one-sided and unacceptable stances (from German officials) run counter to the traditional cooperation between the two countries (Iran and Germany) and also to the regional stability and security.”

For his part, the German charge d’affaires affirmed General Soleimani’s popularity in Iran, saying he will convey Iran’s protest to Germany immediately.

Iran Announces Final Step in Reducing JCPOA Commitments

IAEA’s Access to Iran Sites, Materials Subject to Legal Considerations: Tehran

According to a statement released on Sunday, the Islamic Republic of Iran would no more observe any limitations in the operational spheres under the JCPOA, namely in the uranium enrichment capacity, percentage of enrichment, the volume of enriched materials, and research and development. 

Following is the text of the statement:

For the fifth step in reducing its commitments, the Islamic Republic of Iran abandons the last key point of the operational restrictions under the JCPOA, namely the “limitation on the number of the centrifuge machines”. Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program will be no more subject to any restrictions in the operational sphere (including the enrichment capacity, percentage of enrichment, the volume of enriched materials, and research and development), and from now on, Iran’s nuclear program will go on only according to its technical needs. Iran will continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency like the past. In case the sanctions are lifted and Iran enjoys the benefits of the JCPOA, the Islamic Republic of Iran will be ready to return to its JCPOA commitments. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is obliged to take the necessary measures and make the necessary arrangements in this regard in coordination with the President.

January 5, 2020

Iran Parliament to Declare as ‘Terrorist’ US Military Worldwide

Iran Parliament to Declare as ‘Terrorist’ US Military Worldwide

The parliament has already passed a motion proclaiming as terrorist the US military forces in Middle East.

Now a number of MPs are preparing a double-urgency motion based on which the US Army throughout the world will be declared as terrorist, so that the Islamic Republic will enjoy more freedom to fight them, Abolfazl Hassanbeigi said.

The move comes after the US assassination of IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani in an area near the Baghdad International Airport early Friday.

Iran: US Forces in Region Like Piece of Meat under IRGC’s Teeth

 

Iran Says Soleimani’s Assassination Tantamount to US-Britain 1953 Coup

Ali Larijani

Hailing General Soleimani as “surpassed by no one in terms of defending the region’s security” and “a great man in the history of Iran and the region,” Larijani said “everybody witnessed Soleimani’s acts of valor in cracking down on ISIS terrorists.”

“He rushed to the help of the people of Iraq and Syria at the request of their governments, and rid the people in the region of the terrorists with a meticulous plan,” the Parliament Speaker said Sunday.

Larijani noted that the Iraqi nation’s celebration of Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was assassinated alongside Soleimani during the US attack, indicates their role in the security of the region.

“That Mr Trump stated that the Iraqi and Iranian nations have celebrated the terror attack shows how out of touch they are with the realities of the region,” he added.

Describing the terrorist attack as “tantamount to the 1953 coup”, Larijani dismissed the US officials’ rush into stating that they took a preventive measure through the terror attack as “a cover-up for law of the jungle”, insisting that the US officials must present their documentation if they have any.

Larijani went on to say that the US action was against the international rules. “The brutal act of President of United States counts as a war crime within which lies disrespect for the nation of Iraq. They did it with no permit, overnight, and in a stealthy manner.”

He added that the Parliament will follow up on the punishment of the criminals.

Your rude foreign minister has flung you into this bottomless cesspit. You jeopardized the security of the region with what you did, Larijani warned President of the United States Donald Trump.

“Now in front of Iran you are trapped in a cesspit several times bigger than the size of Europe,” Larijani added.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5

Newspaper Headlines

Iran Newspapers

Abrar:

1- Guardian: Hopes for Revival of JCPOA Undermined with Assassination of Gen. Soleimani

2- Zarif: US Regime Responsible for Consequences of Gen. Soleimani’s Assassination

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Afkar:

1- Rouhani: US Will Pay Heavy Price

2- Dance of Death, Trump‘s Strategic Mistake

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Private Consultations in Tehran

* Qatari FM Came to Tehran to Learn about Iran’s Reaction to US Move

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Arman-e Melli:

1- Glorious Funeral Held for Gen. Soleimani in Iraq

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Ebtekar:

1- World Shocked by Martyrdom of Top General

2- Rouhani: Gen. Soleimani Was a Politician and Strategist

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Etemad:

1- Rouhani: Iranian Nation Has Right to Avenge Soleimani’s Assassination

2- Iraqis Bid Farewell to Commander of War on ISIS, Urge Fight against Occupiers

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Hemayat:

1- Washington Afraid of Iran’s Harsh Revenge

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Javan:

1- Trigger of Revenge from Kashmir to Mediterranean

* Our Response Will Definitely Be Military

2- Cries of Vengeance, Calls for Expulsion of US Usurpers in Iraq

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Iraq Unified for Expulsion of US Forces

2- Zarif: We’ll Respond to US Whenever and in Whatever Way We Deem Possible

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Kayhan:

1- Revenge from US to Be Decisive, Make Them Regret

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Sazandegi:

1- Why Foreign, Persian Social Media, TV Channels Justify Terrorism?

* When Positions of Martyr, Murderer Are Exchanged

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Setareh Sobh:

1- People of Ahvaz, Mashhad to Bid Farewell with Martyr Soleimani Today

2- Markets Shocked by Assassination

3- Trump Opted for Military Option in a Meeting, Influenced by His Advisors

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5


 

Shargh:

1- Trump Worried about Iran’s Reaction

2- Waiting for Iran‘s Decision

* Regional Officials Call Zarif

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on January 5

Iran: US Forces in Region Like Piece of Meat under IRGC’s Teeth

Speaking at a televised program on Saturday, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said all American military bases across the Middle East are within reach of Iran.

He said the US military bases around Iran that once presented a threat to the Islamic Republic have now become an “opportunity”, noting that all of those bases, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, are within reach of the Iranian missiles with pinpoint accuracy.

The general also made it clear that Iran could annihilate the American aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf with its powerful missiles that have a range of 300 kilometers.

US Not Brave Enough to Hit 52 Iranian Sites: Cmdr.

General Abdul-Rahim Mousavi

“In a possible battle, which I think they wouldn’t dare to start, they will find out who the figures 5 and 2 actually belong to,” said Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the Commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army.

The remarks came on Sunday morning against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s threatening tweet that he will target 52 critical spots in Iran, including cultural sites.

Trump said he has chosen the figure 52 in memory of the hostages taken by a group of Iranian students back in 1979.

All the hostages were released after 444 days with the permission of the then Iranian Parliament.

“They make such remarks to save their face in the wake of that heinous and internationally unjustifiable deed,” Mousavi said, referring to Trump’s tweet.

Iran to Make Final Decision on Fifth JCPOA Step Tonight: Spokesman

Iran Vows to Take Action against US Move to End Nuclear Sanctions Waiver

“Decisions had been taken for the fifth step [to cut Iran’s nuclear commitments], but given the current circumstances, an important meeting will be held tonight on the fifth step which can influence the previous decisions,” Mousavi said on Sunday, referring to the US assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani.

Speaking in a press conference, Mousavi hailed General Soleimani as “a hero of combatting terrorism, violence and extremism”, and thanked the government and nation of Iraq for their “splendid presence” in the funeral procession.

In response to a question about the US message to Iran through the Embassy of Switzerland, Mousavi said “it was a rude letter from the US Secretary of State which was outside the diplomatic procedures and protocols. We reviewed the letter and sent them a reply with a language that deserved the US officials.”

He also rejected the news about an Omani delegation’s visit to Tehran with the aim of mediation between the US and Iran. “No delegation has come from Oman to Tehran.”

Mousavi further congratulated General Esmaeil Qa’ani on his appointment as the new Commander of the IRGC Quds Force, stressing that “the Foreign Ministry will keep up its good and close relationship with the new commander.”