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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.”

World Diplomats Call FM Zarif to Discuss Latest Developments

Iran FM Holds Talks with Afghan, Pakistani, Turkmen Counterparts

In a phone conversation with High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell on Saturday night, the two sides discussed the recent regional tensions, the US’ state-sponsored terrorism, and the latest developments regarding the implementation of JCPOA.

Borrell underlined the need for de-escalation of tensions, to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation, he said in a later tweet.

We “also discussed importance of preserving JCPOA, which remains crucial for global security. I am committed to role as coordinator,” he added.

Zarif also held phone conversations with his Armenian and Turkmen counterparts as well as the secretary-general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Political Bureau Chief of the Islamic Resistance Movement on Sunday.

The developments ensuing from the martyrdom of General Soleimani was the key focus of the talks which were held as part of FM Zarif’s political and diplomatic consultations with international figures and officials.

He had earlier on Saturday held talks with his Azeri counterpart on the latest developments in bilateral ties as well as the most important regional and international issues.

Zarif also had talks with his Omani counterpart. During the phone call, the Omani top diplomat offered condolences over the martyrdom of General Soleimani.

The two sides also conferred on the current developments in the region.

Iran Summons Swiss Ambassador over Trump’s Threats

Iran Appoints Female Ambassador to Denmark

The top diplomat was summoned by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi and received a strong note of protest over Washington’s threatening remarks which run counter to international norms and regulations.

“The US president’s hostile, threatening and unorthodox comments are not acceptable at all and are in complete violation of international law,” said Iran’s deputy foreign minister.

He touched upon Trump’s threat to strike Iran’s cultural centres, saying such a threat is reminiscent of the Mongols’ invasion or terrorist and criminal groups’ destruction of cultural and historical sites.

He said such moves are regarded as textbook examples of war crimes under international law.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not bow to any threats or intimidation, and stands fully ready to respond to any threat or act against its national security and territorial integrity,” said Araqchi.

“History has shown that the Iranian nation will make any aggressor regretful,” he said.
“As demanded by the Iranian government and nation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to all the political and legal actions it will take, reserves the right to react to the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani at a time and place that it deems appropriate,” he said.

The Swiss ambassador, in turn, said he will convey Araqchi’s remarks to the US government.

Targeting Iran’s Cultural Sites ‘War Crime’, Zarif Warns Trump

Iran Blasts Europe’s ‘Disastrous’ Subservience to US

“Having committed grave breaches of international law in Friday’s cowardly assassinations, Trump threatens to commit again new breaches of JUS COGENS,” Zarif said in a Sunday tweet.

“Targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME,” he warned.

He also described the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani and his comrades in Iraq as the beginning of an end to the US presence in the region.

“Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun.”

“Those masquerading as diplomats and those who shamelessly sat to identify Iranian cultural and civilian targets should not even bother to open a law dictionary,” Zarif noted.

“Jus cogens refers to peremptory norms of international law, i.e. international red lines. That is, a big(ly) “no no”.

Later in the day, Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi also described Trump as “a terrorist in a suit.”

“Like ISIS, like Hitler, Like Genghis! They all hate cultures,” he noted.

“Trump is a ‘terrorist in a suit’. He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat ‘the Great Iranian Nation & Culture’,” he added.

The comments came after Trump claimed in a series of tweets that “Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for” the US attack against the Iranian commander.

Trump claimed the Iranian general was already attacking the US Embassy.

“Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have,” he added.

Hundreds of Thousands Attend Gen. Soleimani’s Funeral in Ahvaz

Hundreds of Thousands Attend Gen. Soleimani's Funeral in Ahvaz

Ahvaz is the first Iranian city where the body of the senior commander is being taken to. Another funeral is to be held in the holy city of Mashhad later in the day.

The next funeral is slated for Monday morning in Tehran, and finally the body will be taken to Kerman in southern Iran to be buried in General Soleimani‘s hometown.

What follows are photos of the massive funeral processions in Ahvaz, where General Soleimani had fought for years during the Iran-Iraq war:

Iran Develops Neural Prosthesis for Spinal Cord Injury Sufferers

Iran Develops Neural Prosthesis for Spinal Cord Injury Sufferers (15)

The system was unveiled in a ceremony in Tehran attended by Iranian Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari.

The system helps those suffering from spinal cord injuries to use their muscles alone through neural stimulation.

The system is equipped with a computer-programmable micro-stimulating device which controls the neural network by establishing a direct link with nerve cells.

One of the key features of the system is that it has a software and a graphic mediator that make it possible to be used in software environments.

The product falls within the domain of neuroscience. It was developed by students at Iran University of Science and Technology and researchers at the Electronic Neural Systems Technology Company at the university.

Revenge for Gen. Soleimani’s Killing to End US Presence in Mideast: IRGC

Major General Hossein Salami (1)

General Salami said the revenge will definitely be painful and make aggressors regret their actions.

“The response will have definitive and effective outcomes and end the Americans’ presence, so that they will have no place in the Muslim world any longer,” he said.

“However, the quality, time and scale of a response to them remains confidential until enemies receive our responses and all Muslims across the world witness the effects of this confrontation and harsh and crushing response,” he noted.

He said revenge for the assassination of General Soleimani will take place in due time in a wide geographical sphere with determining effects.

“Anyone who hosts the US is an enemy of Muslim nations; we are warning them to rethink their behaviour and covert plots; we are monitoring them; they should take care not to fall victim to US policies … and not to pay the price for the Americans’ policy and strategy,” the top general said.

“With the Americans’ presence [in the region] coming to an end, the region will get to enjoy stability, prosperity, balance and security,” he said.

US Asks 16 Countries to Convince Iran Not to Retaliate

General Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan

“Following the assassination of General Soleimani, Americans asked 16 countries to convince Iranians not to do anything, or if they do, they just assassinate a US leader,” said Brigadier General Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan.

“There is no doubt that General Soleimani’s demise will not remain unanswered, and we will severely respond to the US move,” he added.

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