Monday, December 22, 2025
Home Blog Page 3222

Iran Congratulates Barzani on Election as KRG President

Iran Congratulates Barzani on Election as KRG President

In a phone conversation on Wednesday, the Iranian top diplomat also wished success for Barzani and the people of the Kurdistan region.

The Iraqi Kurdish parliament elected Barzani, the nephew and son-in-law of veteran leader Masoud Barzani, as president of the autonomous region on Tuesday.

The deputy leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) won 68 votes from the 81 members present in the 111-seat chamber.

Last year, the KDP emerged as the largest bloc in the parliament following the September 30 election with 45 seats.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) of late Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, a bitter rival of the powerful Barzani clan, had called for a boycott of the vote, along with the New Generation Movement.

Nechirvan is the second person to hold the office of president. It was occupied by his uncle from its creation in 2005 until late 2017, when he quit following an independence referendum opposed by Baghdad.

The younger Barzani, who was born in northern Iraq in 1966 but spent part of his life in Iran, speaks fluent Kurdish, Persian and English.

In 1996, five years after the region won autonomy in the face of a brutal campaign of repression by Saddam Hussein, he became vice prime minister, then head of the government in 1999.

The Kurdish region of northern Iraq was deeply split, with its Sulaimaniyah province remaining under a rival authority run by Talabani’s PUK.

When the two camps decided to reunite the region under a unity government in 2006, Masoud was chosen to head it.

Barham Salih, a senior PUK leader who is today president of Iraq, later took up the post, but the younger Barzani was reinstated in 2012.

US to Fail in Institutionalizing ‘Deal of Century’: Iran Leader

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei made the remarks in an address to a group of university professors, elites and researchers on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump has set forth his so-called “deal of the century” to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The plan is to be revealed at an undetermined date sometime after the Israeli parliamentary elections.

Since Trump took office a trio composed of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Jason Greenblatt, long-time confidant and chief legal officer to Trump’s business empire, and US Ambassador to Israel David Fried­man have been working on such a plan.

In his Wednesday comments, Leader also referred to the International Quds Day which is to be held across the world on Friday and said this year’s Quds Day bears more significance compared to that of previous years.

“Defending the Palestinians has both humanitarian and religious aspects,” he said.

The International Quds Day is an annual event held on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.

It was initiated by the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini to express support for the Palestinians and oppose the Zionist regime.

Iran Not to Negotiate over Core Issues of Revolution

Leader of the Islamic Revolution also underlined that the Islamic Republic will never negotiate on “core issues” of the 1979 Revolution.

“We won’t negotiate on the core issues of the Revolution. Negotiation on this issue implies trading; that is, they mean we give up our defensive capabilities. We won’t negotiate our military capability,” he said.

The Leader noted that by negotiation, the Western media outlets mean negotiation with the US. “But as we said, we won’t negotiate because negotiation with the US is not only fruitless but also harmful.”

However, he added, the Islamic Republic has no problem with negotiatng with the Europeans and others.

The Leader also said pressure serves as a strategy at the hands of the American officials. “They also have a tactic called negotiation. They achieve whatever they want in a foreign country through exerting pressure till the country gives up. Then they say now let’s sit for talks.”

According to the Leader, the only way to counter the pressure is to use a mutual mechanism to exert pressure.

“Sitting for talks under pressure means a complete loss…. The Americans are not seeking pure negotiation.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said unlike what it may appear, the mechanism is not military and if needed, Iran will use military mechanism as well.

He said the decision by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council to stop implementing some of Iran’s commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal was a good measure.

The Leader said the decision seems sufficient for the time being and if needed, Iran will resort to other types of leverage.

“We are not seeking to produce nuclear weapons. This is deeply rooted in our religious beliefs and has nothing to do with the US and its sanctions.”

Iran’s Zarif: Quds Belongs to Palestine

“Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is neither America’s to give away nor Israel’s to take. And NOT for brutal accomplices to try to buy,” the top Iranian diplomat said in a message on his Twitter account on Wednesday.

“Quds belongs to Palestine & Palestinians: history shows that whomever ignores this is condemned to ignominious failure,” Zarif added.

“Iran stands with Palestine,” he underlined.

‘Al-Quds Not for Sale’

Also in an Iftar banquet attended by the ambassadors of Muslim countries in Tehran, Zarif blasted as “shameful” the US president’s so-called “Deal of the Century” plan, saying that Al-Quds is not for sale.

“The current situation in the Muslim world is a painful one. There’s no pain and danger bigger than the fact that certain regional states support the shameful deal of the century,” Zarif said.

“Al-Quds is not up for sale; it is the first qibla of Muslims and the centre of wishes and dreams of all Muslim people,” he added.

Zarif’s comments came ahead of the Quds Day, the last Friday of the Muslim month of Ramadan.

Demonstrations on this year’s Quds Day are expected to defy the so-called deal of the century, a plan initiated by the US for ensuring the interests of Israel.

Three Points about Donald Trump’s Visit to Japan

Reports say Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will probably travel to Iran and he is scheduled to announce his final decision after consulting with Trump.

However, after speaking to Trump in Japan and welcoming the efforts of the Prime Minister of Japan to mediate and establish a dialogue between Iran and the United States, he seems to have given the green light for Shinzo Abe’s visit to Tehran in the near future to mediate.

According to Donya-ye Eqtesad newspaper, Trump’s visit to Japan and his meeting with Shinzo Abe as well as the statements he made in Tokyo on Iran contain new points. The first point is that the president encouraged the prime minister of Japan to travel to Iran.

“I know that both Japan and its prime minister have good relations with Iran,” Trump noted by saying that he welcomes Japan’s efforts.

“We will see what will happen.”

The second point is that the visit of Japan’s prime minister to Iran while presenting important messages amidst the current crisis will be the first visit of a top Japanese official to Iran during the past 40 years. Naturally, his decision to travel to Tehran after visiting Trump in Japan could strengthen the possibility of activating mediators.

The third point is that Trump told Abe at a news conference that he is not seeking “regime” change in Iran, and even claimed that Tehran could be an effective player with the current government.

This is while he has repeatedly called the Iranian nation “terrorist” and his administration had set 12 conditions for negotiating with Iran. Therefore, these remarks can be seen as another back off in Trump’s policies regarding Iran.

Some analysts believe these remarks are kind of a green light for talks with Iran, especially as he did not speak about missile program and merely stated that Tehran should say no to nuclear weapons.

Iran Congratulates Lebanon on Liberation Day

Iran Congratulates Lebanon on Liberation Day

Zarif offered his congratulations on the “feast of resistance and liberation” in separate messages to his Lebanese counterpart and the Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Movement.

He also wished dignity and glory for the Lebanese government, nation, the families of the martyrs and war veterans of the Resistance.

Earlier, Lebanon celebrated the 19th anniversary of the end of Israel’s two-decade occupation of south Lebanon, known as the Liberation Day.

Israeli forces were forced to withdraw on May 24, 2000 after persistent attacks by Lebanese resistance factions that included Hezbollah Movement. Lebanon has since marked May 25 as a national holiday.

Despite its withdrawal, Israel continues to occupy strategic hills and plains of Lebanon. The two sides also have disputes over their maritime borders.

Iran Rejects Bolton’s Claim on Fujairah Vessel Attacks

Mousavi made the remarks on Wednesday in reaction to Bolton’s accusation that Iran played a role in the recent attacks on a number of vessels in Fujairah, the UAE.

The Iranian spokesman said the claim stems from the delusions and destructive policies of the “anti-Iran B-team”.

“It is not strange to see such a ridiculous claim is raised in a meeting of two members of the B-Team, who have long been notorious for their anti-Iran approach,” he said.

However, Mousavi said, Bolton and other warmongers and riot-seekers should know that the Islamic Republic’s strategic patience, high vigilance, and complete defensive preparedness – which comes from the will of the great and resilient nation of Iran – will thwart their nasty plots to create chaos in the region.

Earlier, Bolton blamed Iran for a number of attacks on vessels near the Persian Gulf but said the Trump administration was trying to be “prudent and responsible” in response.

The attackers used naval mines almost certainly from Iran, Bolton told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. “Who else you think is doing this? Somebody from Nepal?” he added.

An investigation is underway on the May 12 attacks that damaged four vessels in the Sea of Oman off Fujairah.

Iran has denied any involvement in the incident and called for an investigation.

Talks with US Possible If It Delivers on Commitments: Iran

Talks with US Possible If It Delivers on Commitments: Iran

Speaking in a Wednesday cabinet session, Rouhani said the Americans have made many claims, but, “it is their actions, not words, that count.”

“Whenever they lift unfair sanctions and live up to their commitments and get back to the negotiating table that they themselves upset and left, then the door will not be closed to them,” President Rouhani underlined.

He urged the enemies of the Iranian nation to walk the walk rather than talk the talk, and show, in practice, that they want to change tack.

“It is up to them to show, in practice, that they don’t want to continue their oppression and crimes like in the past,” he said.

Rouhani also touched upon the problems caused by US sanctions on Iran.

“The enemies who claim they are [only] enemies of the [Islamic] Establishment have, in fact, launched a war against Iranian people from all walks of life, and the sanctions they have imposed are targeting Iranian people’s daily lives, and they revealed their true colours by imposing these sanctions,” he said.

Rouhani’s comments came after Trump told reporters on Monday, “I’m not looking to hurt Iran at all. I’m looking to have Iran say no nuclear weapons.”

“No nuclear weapons for Iran and I think we will make a deal,” Trump added in a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Trump also touched upon Iran’s great economic potential, saying the Islamic Republic has the chance to turn into a great country.

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Iranian papers on Wednesday widely covered the shocking case of Mohammad Ali Najafi, the ex-mayor of Tehran and former vice-president who confessed on Tuesday to the murder of his wife Mitra Ostad at her apartment.

Also a top story was the Iranian foreign ministry’s reaction to US President Donald Trump’s softened rhetoric. The foreign ministry’s spokesman said Tehran sees no prospect for talks with the US for now, and that it expects Trump to act rather than talk.

The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:

 

19 Dey:

1- We Haven’t Exchanged Any Message with US: Iran

2- Najafi Confesses to Murdering His Second Wife

3- Iran First VP: Damaging Unity to Serve US Interests

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Abrar:

1- Kuwaiti Emir: Regional Situation Needs Caution, Preparedness

2- Ryabkov to Visit Iran for Talks on JCPOA

3- Iran Says Not after Negotiation with Any US Official

4- US’ Goal Not Negotiation with Iran: MP

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Abrar-e Eqtesadi:

1- Limits on Iran’s Exports to Qatar Removed

2- India to Resume Oil Imports from Iran

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Afkar:

1- Trump Suffering from Confusion in Foreign Policy: Iran General

2- Imam Khomeini’s Grandson: We Can’t Deny the Truths

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Locusts Arrive in Tehran: Farms in Danger

2- Shocking Tuesday: Najafi Kills His Wife

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Asrar:

1- Japan Making Arrangements for Abe’s Visit to Iran

2- Culture Minister: No One Should Speak to Iranians with Coercion

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Tehran in Shock: A Review of Murder of Ex-Mayor’s Wife

2- White House Hawks Being Expelled

* Decreased Tension between Iran, Saudi to Serve Regional Security

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Ebtekar:

1- US’ Rhetoric Doesn’t Matter: Iran Foreign Ministry

2- Another Chance for Diplomacy? [Editorial]

3- Bloody End of Mitra Ostad: Ex-Mayor of Tehran Confesses to Murder

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Etemad:

1- No Prospect for Europe’s Collapse: Analyst

2- Tragic Report of a Murder: Najafi Confesses to Murdering His Wife

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Ettela’at:

1- Paris: Saudi, UAE Must End Filthy Yemen War

2- Nechirvan Barzani Elected Head of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Gov’t

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran


 

Iran:

1- New Commanders of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defence Base, Army Air Defence Force Appointed

2- Tehran Slams Seoul Officials

3- No Prospect for Talks with US: Iran

Politician’s Murder of His Wife Grabs Headlines in Iran

Iran President Calls for Mass Turnout in Quds Day Rallies

The latest design of the huge hoarding installed at the corner of Tehran's Valiasr Square ahead of the 2019 International Quds Day

Speaking on Wednesday, President Hassan Rouhani said the Iranian nation will never leave Palestinians alone.

“This year, too, the Iranian nation will turn out en masse in Quds Day demonstrations to chant their support for the oppressed through history, especially the Palestinian people, and will announce that they will stand up to oppressors until victory is achieved,” said Rouhani in a Cabinet meeting.

He said the Iranian nation has, over the past 40 years, always defended the oppressed and stood up to aggressors.

The president underlined Iran has always helped other nations such as Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen, not to mention Palestinians.

“The oppressed nations of Yemen and Palestine have been resistant people and are not afraid of aggressors, and force the enemy to retreat through sacrifice, devotion, resistance and power,” the president added.

He said Palestinians once only had stones to defend themselves, but now they have developed their local industries and can give Israelis a “crushing response.”

“Today, missile is the response to missile,” he said.

“After 48 hours, Zionists had to retreat and their iron dome could not withstand Palestinian combatants,” the president added.

“Although these nations are resistant, great and devoted people, on the other hand, superpowers’ crimes are on the rise as well and they are sending modern weapons to the region and exposing the oppressed people of Yemen and Palestine to bombardments,” President Rouhani added.

He said Palestinians have been homeless for 71 years now.

“Three or four generations of Palestinian people have not had security, freedom and calm. Their ancestral homes have been destroyed and captured by occupiers. They have lived in camps or have been force to go to other countries as refugees,” he said.

He further warned against plots hatched against occupied Palestine and the region.

Rouhani also pointed to US President Donald Trump’s plan for a so-called “Deal of the Century”, saying that it is, in fact, the “Bankruptcy of the Century” for those who have initiated the scheme.

The International Quds Day is an annual event during which demonstrators express their solidarity with the Palestinian people and opposition to the occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel.

The day is seen as the legacy of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, who officially declared the last Friday of Ramadan as International Quds Day back in 1979.

This year’s rallies will be held under the slogan “En Route for Quds” in the Arab countries.

Iranian, Russian Diplomats Discuss JCPOA in Tehran

Iranian, Russian Diplomats Discuss JCPOA in Tehran

During the Wednesday meeting, the two sides discussed the latest developments in mutual ties, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and regional and international issues.

Araqchi and Ryabkov particularly conferred on Iran’s recent move to reduce its commitments under the deal.

They also called for the continuation of consultations among the remaining parties to the JCPOA and their mutual and multilateral cooperation with Iran to meet the Islamic Republic’s demands and pave the way for removal of the US illegal sanctions.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister referred to the obstacles in the way of implementing the JCPOA and pointed out that it is now the turn of the remaining signatories to adopt some practical and tangible measures to preserve the nuclear accord.

For his part, the Russian diplomat appreciated Iran’s patience over the past year and underlined his country’s support for the JCPOA. He also said that Russia will continue its efforts to preserve the nuclear deal.

During the talks, the two sides also agreed to continue their close and intensive consultations at all levels and remain in touch until the next meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission.

Ryabkov entered Tehran earlier in the day on a one-day visit for talks on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

He told reporters ahead of the trip that he was headed to Tehran to discuss the agreement in the wake of Iran’s recent decision to stop fulfilling some of its commitments in reaction to the US’ violations.

Iran has warned the European signatories of the deal that they have only 60 days to deliver their end of the bargain in the wake of a fierce pressure campaign by the US, which left the deal in May 2018.

Moscow has in the past days called for an extraordinary meeting of the Joint Commission of the JCPOA.