Israel to Be Annihilated in Case of Aggression against Iran: IRGC

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April 20, 2018

Speaking at a gathering of worshipers here in Tehran on Friday, Brigadier General Hossein Salami addressed the Israeli officials’ recent threats and war rhetoric against Iran and said, “Listen, if any war happens, it will definitely be followed by your annihilation.”

“The smallest goal would be (ending) your existence,” he said, adding, “You cannot bear it. When your civilians and military forces escape, you’ll have no way but to the sea.”

“Don’t trust in your airbases, they are within reach and will soon be out of service…,” the commander stated.

“Hands are on the trigger and missiles are ready and will be launched at any moment that the enemy tries to carry out its sinister plot against (our) lands,” Salami noted.

The remarks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made several threats against Iran in recent days.

On Friday, Netanyahu told a festive post-Independence Day cabinet meeting, “We hear the threats from Iran. The IDF and the security forces are ready for any development. We will fight whoever tries to harm us. We will not shy away from the price and we will exact a price from those who want to hurt us. The IDF is ready for the job and the people will stand strong.”

The remarks came after Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi denounced the Israeli regime’s attack against Syria’s T-4 airbase on April 8 that killed seven Iranian military advisers, and said Israel will be punished “sooner or later”.

“This (move) has its roots in the hostile policies of Israel toward the Muslim people of the region,” the spokesman stated.

“Israel will receive the required responses sooner or later,” he said, adding, “They cannot take (such) an action and be exempt from punishment.”

Since Syria was gripped by civil war in March 2011, Iran has remained a close ally of the country and supported its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy at the request of Damascus.

Tehran to Host Biggest Int’l Military Symposium Next Week

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 20, 2018

The Navy of Islamic Republic of Iran Army will hold the IONS 2018 which is expected to be attended by 35 high-ranking military delegations from across the world.

As the largest military symposium in Iran’s history, it is composed of 23 permanent members including Iran, and several other countries with observer status.

Its members states include Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and United Kingdom (British Indian Ocean Territory) in the South Asian littorals, and Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in the West Asian littorals.

France (Reunion), Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania in the East African littorals, and Australia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste in the South East Asian and Australian littorals are the other member states of the IONS.

Five rounds of the symposium have earlier been held in a number of countries over the past years, and now the sixth round is slated to be held for two days in Tehran.

The Navy of Islamic Republic of Iran Army is expected to take the leadership of the IONS for at least two years.

IONS are a series of biennial meetings among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean region. It provides a forum to increase maritime security cooperation, providing a forum for discussion of regional maritime issues and promote friendly relationships among the member nations.

In the process, it endeavours to generate a flow of information between naval professionals that would lead to common understanding and possibly cooperative solutions on the way ahead.

The symposium is a voluntary initiative among the navies and maritime security agencies of the member nations. In addition to the symposiums, numerous other activities like workshops, essay competitions and lectures are also held under the umbrella of the organization.

US to Regret Pulling Out of Iran Nuclear Deal: Zarif

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IFP Media Wire

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April 20, 2018

“Iran has a wide range of options both inside and outside of the JCPOA and surely, the reaction from Iran and the international community will be unpleasant for the Americans,” Zarif told reporters upon arrival in New York City to attend a United Nations General Assembly meeting over sustaining peace.

Under the deal, which entered into force in January 2016 when former US President Barack Obama was still in office, Iran agreed to limit parts of its peaceful nuclear program in exchange for removal of all nuclear-related sanctions.

The Iranian FM said the US government, specially the administration of President Donald Trump, has failed to stay true to its commitments and said it was up to the European signatories of the deal to preserve it and force Washington into keeping up its obligations.

US to Regret Pulling Out of Iran Nuclear Deal: Zarif

Trump has been a vocal critic of the Iran nuclear deal which was signed between Tehran and six world powers — the US, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany.

“If the European countries want to preserve the deal they have to make it sustainable for Iran;… they need to impose pressure on the United States in order to compel the US, encourage the US to implement what it undertook under the deal,” Zarif said. “Unfortunately, it hasn’t been doing that.”

Having called the JCPOA “the worst deal ever,” Trump insists that it favors Tehran. That is why he has urged Congress and the Europeans to “fix” the agreement or he will kill it by May 12, when he has to re-certify Iran’s compliance.

Zarif made it clear that although Europeans had yet to suggest any plan that would include renegotiating the deal, such offers “will not get a positive answer” from the Islamic Republic and Tehran would make no “concessions” whatsoever.

UN meeting

Slated to attend the High-Level Meeting on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace on 24 and 25 April, Zarif said he was going to offer Iran’s solutions for sustaining peace in the Middle East region.

“We have a number of ideas, particularly about how to achieve dialogue and understanding in our own neighborhood and it is an opportunity for us to share those views,” he said.

The senior Iranian diplomat said he will also bring attention to President Hassan Rouhani’s idea of establishing a “strong region” based on durable security and stability.

During his six-day trip, Zarif will also meet UN Secretary General António Guterres and his counterparts from other nations. He will also give a speech at the US Council on Foreign Relations.

“Big Mistake to Think Iran Will Stay in Nuclear Deal under Any Conditions”

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 20, 2018

“The JCPOA should be viewed, first of all, as a security deal in the field of nuclear non-proliferation,” he said.

Therefore, Araqchi added, any attempt to hamper its implementation will undermine the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and leave us caught in the dilemma of choosing between security and non-security.

The Iranian diplomat went on to say that the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed Iran’s full commitments to the nuclear deal in at least 10 reports.

“This comes as the US has not remained committed to the deal and pushed it further towards collapse by hampering and delaying its implementation.”

“It is a totally wrong interpretation and a big mistake to think that Iran will remain committed to the deal under any circumstances,” Araqchi noted.

He also dismissed as a wrong approach any attempt to link the JCPOA to other issues and added such an approach will only further complicate the regional situation.

“The JCPOA is a great historical experience whose success needs collective efforts and support,” he noted, highlighting the significant role of the Iran nuclear deal in the development and expansion of bilateral cooperation and exchanges.

For her part, the Norwegian Foreign Minister said her country fully supports the Iran nuclear deal and calls for its full implementation.

“There is no better option than the JCPOA and all attempts should be made to preserve the nuclear deal,” she noted.

She underlined the urgency to support the JCPOA, warning any failure to implement the nuclear deal amounts to a defeat for the international community.

She also emphasised the importance of establishing mutual cooperation and ties between Iran and Norway in various areas.

The Norwegian top diplomat expressed her country’s preparedness to develop and expand bilateral cooperation in economic fields like making investment and transferring latest technologies in oil and gas, renewable energy, fisheries and marine industries to Iran.

During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on bilateral ties, multilateralism and a number of regional and international crises.

Araqchi arrived in Norway’s capital Oslo on Thursday at the official invitation of his Norwegian counterpart Audun Halvorsen to take part in the eighth round of political talks between the two countries.

During his stay in Oslo, the Iranian diplomat will also hold talks with a number of Norwegian officials including Deputy FM Halvorsen and Roy Angelvik, the deputy minister of trade, industry, and fisheries.

He is also expected to meet a group of Norwegian researchers and scientists.

36th Fajr Festival Opens on 120th Anniversary Iranian Cinema

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2018

Renowned actor Reza Kianian cut into a cake on Wednesday to celebrate the birthday anniversary of cinema in Iran.

The ceremony was followed by the national premiere of Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s latest drama Beyond the Clouds.

This year’s edition of Fajr International Film Festival is being held in Tehran on April 19-27, according to a Farsi report by ISNA.

The prestigious cinematic event is set to convene over 300 special guests ranging from filmmakers to screenwriters, actors to activists.

Founded in 1982, FIFF is considered as Iran’s largest annual film festival which celebrates cultural exchange, displays creative achievements of highly acclaimed cineastes and pays tribute to quality international films.

“Certain Countries Claiming to Be against Terrorists Actually Backed Them”

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2018

No Obstacle to Development of Strategic Arms in Iran: DM

Brigadier General Amir Hatami says the period of fighting against ISIS was a historic one and taught us lessons because Iran and Iraq could tell friend from foe during their struggles and got to identify those who falsely claimed they were fighting ISIS.

Speaking in a Wednesday meeting with Iraq’s communications minister in Baghdad, Hatami said during that period, many governments claimed that they wanted to fight ISIS.

“But in practice, many of those governments managed terrorists to achieve their objectives,” he said.

The Iranian defence chief said his trip to Iraq comes at a time when the country’s security, social and economic situation is ameliorating following the annihilation of the ISIS terror group.

He touched upon the violent attacks by ISIS in Iraq, saying, “In recent years, Iraqi people have endured massive sufferings and hardship while fighting Takfiri and terrorist groups.’

“Thank God, Iraq is in a more stable situation today,” added the top general.

“The ISIS terror group has practically been defeated in Iraq and has lost the territory it had occupied,” Iran’s defence minister noted.

He said Iraq owes its victory over ISIS to the unity between its nation, government and army as well as the support of the country’s top religious figures.

He said Iran is honestly determined to support all regional nations, especially the people of Iraq and Syria.

“Unfortunately, some are launching psychological warfare to promote Iranophobia and fear of Shiites in the region, but the developments in the region showed all those claims were sheer lies, and that the Islamic Republic of Iran has the best interests of oppressed and regional nations at heart,” the top general noted.

The defence chief said Tehran’s fundamental policy is to bring nations closer together and boost regional interaction and solidarity.

“We think of Iraq’s reconstruction as the continuation of the path to reinforce and upgrade Iraq’s power and the war on terror, and we will stand by Iraqi people during rebuilding efforts as we do believe in what we’re doing,” he said.

The Iraqi communications minister, in turn, appreciated Iran’s efforts in helping the Iraqi government and people fight and crack down on terrorist groups, namely ISIS. He said Iran has adopted fundamental and strategic policies vis-à-vis his country, and that the Iraqi people and government will never forget Tehran’ support in combating terrorism.

He asked Iran to stay with the Iraqi nation during the country’s reconstruction as it stood by Iraq in fighting the ISIS terrorist group.

He said the security of Iran and Iraq are important for the region, saying a lack of stability and insecurity could trigger instability in the region and across the world.

The Iraqi official called for the enhancement of technical cooperation between Iran’s Defence Ministry and the Iraqi Communications Ministry, expressing hope mutual relations will further expand soon.

At the end, the two signed a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation between Iran’s Defence Ministry and the Iraqi Communications Ministry.

Yemen’s Missile Attack on Saudi Airport Kills 6

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2018

A source in Yemen’s army affiliated with the Houthi Ansarullah group said a ballistic missile was used in the attack.

The attack came several hours after Yemeni forces targeted a power plant in the kingdom’s Najran region, according to Yemen’s Arabic-language al-Masirah television network.

In a separate event, Yemen’s air defence also downed an American-built MQ-8 drone in Hodeida province, a Farsi report by ISNA said.

Earlier in the day, Yemeni forces targeted a Saudi mercenary camp in Najran with rocket and artillery fire, killing and wounding a large number of its occupants.

The Yemeni attacks come in retaliation for the three-year invasion of Yemen by Saudi Arabia.

The expensive Saudi war machine launched the invasion in March 2015, in support of Yemen’s former Riyadh-friendly government and against the country’s Houthi Ansarullah movement, which has been running state affairs in the absence of an effective administration.

The offensive has, however, achieved neither of its goals despite the spending of billions of petrodollars and the enlisting of Saudi Arabia’s regional and Western allies.

The United Nations says a record 22.2 million people are in need of food aid, including 8.4 million threatened by severe hunger.

A high-ranking UN aid official recently warned against the “catastrophic” living conditions in Yemen, stating that there was a growing risk of famine and cholera there.

Iran Develops Apparatus to Rehabilitate Autistic Children

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2018

Arezoo Faqihi, a graduate in Electrical Engineering who is currently a post-graduate student majoring in Educational Research, has developed the device.

She, together with a team of students, attended the International RoboCup Open 2018 held in Iran and finished second in the contests, reports the Persian-language Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).

She says the apparatus is used to coordinate and harmonize the five senses in children suffering from autism.

“By strengthening and moderating the five senses, this apparatus boosts children’s imagination and helps them recover,” she says.

According to Faqihi, the device is used for rehabilitation and in rehab clinics.

She says no similar apparatus has been developed in other countries so far, and it has been made for the first time in Iran.

For a brief review of Iran’s achievements in various fields of science and technology, check the book “Science and Technology in Iran: A Brief Review”

“As no device similar to the apparatus has been made in the world, it has found its way to Malaysia’s inventions contest Itex 2018,” said the researcher.

She noted that efforts have been made to produce the product on a large scale.

“The necessary evaluations have been made, and the apparatus will be mass-produced when the agreement with an investor is finalized,” she noted.

“During the contests, an Australian company placed an order for 100 apparatuses, and an agreement will be concluded on that in the near future,” she noted.

Iran Unveils Rugs Woven for Rivals at 2018 FIFA World Cup

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2018

These Persian rugs are to be given to the captains of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, the three rivals of Iran at the Group Stage.

Four other precious carpets are also being prepared by the weavers of Tabriz to be offered to the FIFA Museum, the Russian Football Federation, the Iranian Football Federation, and the Museum of Astan Quds Razavi (located in the holy city of Mashhad), among others.

Interestingly, one other carpet is also being woven to be gifted to Iran’s rival at the knock-out stage in case the country manages to advance to the next level for the first time ever.

Persian carpets, widely believed to have been around for more than 2,500 years, are deeply rooted in the Iranian national identity.

The 2018 World Cup will be the fifth time Iran is qualifying for a FIFA World Cup where it has failed to advance past the group stage in 1978, 1998, 2006, and 2014.

The 21st edition of FIFA world cup will kick off on June 14th, 2018 with the opening game taking place at Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 19

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2018

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

The top story in all newspapers today was the remarks made by the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with a group of Intelligence Ministry officials.

The Leader’s praise of Afghan fighters killed in the fight against terrorists in Iraq and Syria also received coverage. The Leader had made the comments in a recent meeting with families of Afghan martyrs in the north-eastern Iranian city of Mashhad.

Several papers also highlighted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s comments about the country’s resolve to boost its defence power while trying to de-escalate tension in the region.

Also a top story was the migration of Iranian officials, including Ayatollah Khamenei, from Telegram to domestic messaging apps, which may signal the imminent blocking of Telegram.

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

Abrar:

Iran Leader: We’re in the Middle of a Great Battlefield
Rouhani: We’ll Keep Reinforcing Our Power While De-Escalating Tensions
Euro Replaces US Dollar in Iran’s Int’l Transactions: Gov’t

Aftab-e Yazd:

Hossein Mousavian’s Advice for North Korea on Talks with US
Mike Pompeo’s Secret Meeting with N. Korean Leader
Rouhani: No Army General Involved in Corruption Cases

Arman-e Emrooz:

Iran Leader: Corruption, Aristocracy Must Be Strongly Dealt with

Donya-ye Eqtesad:

Rouhani: Iran’s Approach in Region Based on Good Neighbourliness
Our Weapons Not for Use against Neighbours

Eqtesad-e Pouya:

Iran Leader: Intelligence Ministry Must Remain Totally Revolutionary

Ettela’at:

Iran Leader: Major Sources of Corruption Must Be Confronted
Patriot Missile System in UAE Destroyed in Yemeni Drone Attack

Hemayat:

Iran Leader: Enemies Trying to Chance People’s Beliefs

Iran:

Rouhani: Deterrent Power, De-Escalation, Good Neighbourliness Pillars of Iran Diplomacy

Javan:

Iran Leader: Intelligence Ministry Must Remain Revolutionary
Great Migration of Gov’t Officials from Telegram
Gov’t Bans Public, State Bodies’ Use of Telegram
Rouhani: Gov’t along with IRGC, Army to Develop Any Weapon It Needs

Kayhan:

Iran Leader: Any Partisan Support at Intelligence Ministry Prohibited
Afghan Politician: Withdrawal from Afghanistan Biggest Service US Gave Afghanistan