Rouhani said Trump’s decision was a conspiracy against Palestine and the Muslim world and called on all Muslims to stand united against this plot.
In a phone conversation with Hamas’ Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh Monday afternoon, Rouhani highlighted that the oppressed nation of Palestine and the Muslim Ummah will undoubtedly defeat the Zionist-American plot with unity and resistance.
Slamming Trump’s decision, the Iranian president said the wrong decision once again revealed the real nature of the United States and the Zionist regime and showed they never want to recognize the rights of Palestinian people.
“In this situation and as the first step, all Palestinian movements must preserve unity to stand up firmly against the Zionist regime and the US, and as the next step, the Muslim world must stand up against this conspiracy unanimously.”
He further mentioned that the Muslim governments will unanimously voice their protest during the extraordinary meeting of the leaders of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Turkey on Wednesday.
The Iranian president also referred to the martyrdom of four Palestinians and injury of over 1,500 others during the new intifada and noted, “We are proud of the great Palestinian nation for their resistance and sacrifice against the Zionist enemy, and we are sure the new intifada will continue to tread the right path to safeguard the Palestinian people’s rights.”
Haniyeh also appreciated the firm stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran in support of the Palestinian people and the holy al-Quds, saying, “From the viewpoint of the Palestinian people, Iran is a strong pillar that supports the Palestinian cause.”
Haniyeh also described the decision of the President of the United States as a blatant violation of the rights of the entire Muslim community underlining that the Palestinian people would never allow the Israeli regime and the United States to achieve these goals as Jerusalem al-Quds belongs to Palestine and the Muslim World.
Iran Urges Muslims to Unite against US Plot on Palestine
“Burning of Saudi King’s Photo in Palestine Reveals Failure of Riyadh Policies”
In an address to a seminar in Tehran, Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami referred to the failure of Saudi Arabia’s policies in the region, and said, “The recent burning of the Saudi kings’ photos and the slogans chanted against them are new phenomena that show their strategies have failed in Palestine, Iraqi Kurdistan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.”
He underlined that some regional states think they can turn into regional powers by following up ambitions plans. “But the main issue is that there is a huge gap between the realities on the ground and their ideals.”
“This no secret that foreign powers have been seeking to make regional changes in the Middle East, and huge wars have been waged to make the changes possible,” he was quoted as saying in a Farsi report by the Mehr News Agency on Monday.
He added the Muslim nations can determine their own fate through suppressing Takfiri ideologies.
“Wiping off Israel from the map of the world will lead to security and stability of the region and God willing we will achieve the goal,” he said.
The Iranian commander said the region of Western Asia is a strategic point where the Zionist regime’s security is provided.
“That is why the region has turned into a point of convergence for the world and regional powers’ strategies.”
He went on to say the Zionist regime is part of the colonial identity of the US, adding the arrogant powers have sought to divide the regional countries into smaller states and establish weak governments within them.
He called the Zionist regime a source of tension in the region and said in line with its strategy, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not view the Zionist regime as a serious threat.
“Meanwhile, as part of the resistance front, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has the upper hand in fight against the regime.”
Elsewhere in his address, the top commander said the existence of the Zionist regime is threatened by any new war. He added this reveals the failure of the US in protecting its long-time ally in the region.
“Fight against the terrorist groups in the region took six years during which the US never got involved in any direct confrontation with them. So, it resorted to proxy wars by throwing its weight behind the Takfiri groups,” he noted.
General Salami underlined that the US’ huge defence budget does not guarantee the country’s triumph in new wars and added the US strategies in the region have failed.
He referred to the popular forces in Iraq saying the forces guarantee the stability of the central government. “The enemies cannot defeat the popular forces in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan fighting in one front. As we saw in Syria, they failed to stand up against the resistance forces. Today we see similar wars in Yemen and Bahrain. At the end of the day, the people will have the upper hand.”
He accused Saudi Arabia and the Zionist regime of seeking to create tensions in the region by jointly hatching new plots and added the Islamic Republic of Iran is after honouring the dignity of the Muslims and foiling the plots of the Muslims’ enemies.
Iran’s Kermanshah Once Again Hit by Strong Quake
According to the Seismological Centre of the University of Tehran’s Institute of Geophysics, the epicentre of the quake was about 10 km deep.
It struck the area of Azgaleh in Kermanshah province at around 17:39 local time on Monday.
The closest cities in the area are Azgaleh, 26km and Nowsood, 38km away from the epicentre and the provincial capital city of Kermanshah is 143 km away.
No damages or casualties have been reported yet.
Back on November 12, another massive earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale had rattled the same spot in Kermanshah province and killed at least 620 people.
Iran Raps Arab League for “Weak” Statement on Jerusalem
“The Arab League’s statement was not as incisive as it was expected,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Monday at a press conference, adding, “The statement was not proportionate to the [issue of the] Palestinian cause.”
The US president on Wednesday defied global warnings and said Washington formally recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel and would begin the process of moving its embassy to the occupied city, breaking with decades of American policy.
The announcement prompted harsh international warnings that it would bring more chaos to the Middle East region.
The Arab League met to address the issue late on Saturday, releasing a final statement which called on Washington to retract its decision, adding that such a move would only amplify violence throughout the region. It added that Trump’s announcement was a “dangerous violation of international law” which has no legal impact and was “void.
Qassemi said, “An instance of ignorance and maybe a certain policy caused the statement to be lacking in the required and adequate proportions.”
He hoped that the regional situation would prompt the League’s member states to adopt a more realistic approach as the body’s current attitude could prove “dangerous” even for the member states.
The spokesman, meanwhile, praised “more serious” stances adopted concerning the US’s move by many individual Muslim and Arab countries.
He said the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was to meet on Wednesday and expressed hope that the event produces “a more positive” outcome vis-à-vis the matter.
Yemen ‘report’
Qassemi also addressed a report ascribed to a United Nations investigative mission, which had allegedly claimed that a missile fired from Yemen towards Saudi Arabia had been made by Iran.
He dismissed the matter as “news fabrication seeking certain [ulterior] motives, which lacked credibility and authenticity.”
“Whatever happens inside Yemen concerns Yemen’s people and resistance and does not concern the Islamic Republic.”
British-Iranian national
The official said British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had discussed during his recent travel to the country the issue of Iranian-British national Nazanin Zaghari.
Iran’s intelligence authorities arrested Zaghari at Imam Khomeini International Airport in April 2016 on spying charges as she was on her way home to London after visiting her parents in Tehran.
Zaghari was subsequently tried at an Iranian court and sentenced to five years in prison for spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic.
Qassemi said given the fact that the person in question is a dual national, she is considered an Iranian and a convict by the Islamic Republic and is serving her prison term.
Johnson said London would be following up on the issue in the light of “humanitarian issues” and pursue the matter with Iranian judiciary officials, he added.
“However, this is a judicial issue and taking into consideration that the government comprises [different] branches in Iran, it should ultimately be pursued in the judicial system and we have to wait and see what comes next,” Qassemi said.
Macron’s Iran trip
The spokesman also addressed the issue of an expected visit to Iran by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The visit can be an important one, Qassemi said, adding that it can “help rectify some of the positions that have been adopted or could be adopted [by Paris concerning Iran].”
“Our perception is that there has been a sort of faulty understanding or recklessness in remarks made by European officials, and even French officials, which have to be redeemed.”
In a November 11 visit to Saudi Arabia, Macron had said he was “very concerned” about Iran’s ballistic missile program, adding, “There are negotiations we need to start on Iran’s ballistic missiles.”
Tehran has warned Paris against interference in its domestic and defensive affairs, warning that its missile activities are non-negotiable.
Beauties of Iran in Autumn
Autumn is the season when the nature wears its most fascinating gown consisting of red, gold, orange, purple, brown, and green colours. These beautiful colours can attract every tourist in October, November and December.
What follows are IRNA’s photos of autumn in Oroumiyeh in West Azarbaijan province, Boroujerd in Lorestan province, and Sanandaj in Kurdistan province:
A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 11
Almost all Iranian newspapers today covered the remarks made by the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a Sunday meeting with Alireza Karimi, the wrestler who intentionally lost his match against the Russian rival in order to avoid facing an Israeli wrestler. The Leader praised Karimi for what he did, and said he felt proud that the wrestler gave up on his right to defend the high cause of Palestine.
The visit of UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to Tehran and his meetings with top Iranian officials also received great coverage.
Meanwhile, the top story today was President Hassan Rouhani’s submission of his proposed budget for the next fiscal year. The details of the budget have been widely discussed, praised, and criticized by both reformists and conservatives.
The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:
19 Dey:
1- IRGC in Pursuit of Tehran’s Bullies, Thieves
2- Iran Leader Praises Wrestler Who Avoided Facing Israeli Rival
Abrar:
1- US Congress to Discuss New Anti-Iran Sanctions
Aftab-e Yazd:
1- Rouhani against Those Who Are Not Transparent
2- Chief of Women’s Basij: Women’s Presence in Stadiums Cancelled Forever
Arman-e Emrooz:
1- Earthquake-Hit People’s Tents Destroyed by Storm
Ebtekar:
1- 265 Schools of Tehran in Red Situation
2- Departure Taxes to Be Tripled
3- VP: “Eliminating Violence against Women” Bill in Final Stages
Etemad:
1- “Special” Institutions Can Now Be Monitored with Government’s New Budget
2- Iran Leader: What Alireza Karimi Did Was like Pourya Vali’s Deeds (mythical Iranian champion)
Ettela’at:
1- Rouhani: We Have Plans for All Challenges
2- Russia: US Preventing Full Eradication of ISIS in Syria
3- Rouhani: Tehran-London Dialogue Will Lead to Further Regional Stability
Iran:
1- Rouhani: Iran Should Be Able to Reap Benefits of Nuclear Deal
Jame’eh Farda:
1- Rouhani Urges Parliament to Help Gov’t Overcome Crisis
Javan:
1- Larijani: JCPOA Even Failed to Resolve Banking Problems of Iran Embassy in London
2- Environment Chief: We’re in Critical Conditions Both on Water and Soil
Jomhouri Eslami:
1- Trump’s Wrong Decision on Jerusalem Fans Fuel of Mideast: Rouhani
Kayhan:
1- Rouhani’s New Promise: Budget for New Fiscal Year Includes All Previous Promises!
Seda-ye Eslahat:
1- Rouhani’s Behaviours Show He’s Not Going to Fulfil His Promises
2- Rouhani: New Budget Based on Inclusive Employment, Eliminating Poverty, Promoting Justice
Shargh:
1- Parliament to Oversee “Special” Budget Receivers
2- France Enters Middle East Equations
Vatan-e Emrooz:
1- End of Boris Johnson’s Visit to Tehran: Britain Says It Was Constructive!
2- France Hosting Anti-Iran Negotiations: Bibi in Paris after Visiting UK
US Responsible for Potential Escalation of Tension in Mideast: Iran
Iran’s Defence Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says the US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli regime’s capital constitutes a seditious move aimed at trampling the rights of Palestinians underfoot.
“The move (recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital) will expedite the annihilation of the Zionist regime [of Israel] and further consolidate unity among Muslims,” said the top general while addressing a host of military top brass.
After they suffered defeat in Syria and Iraq, he said, hegemonic powers are now seeking to hatch plots and launch a new wave of adventurism against regional nations.
“The [Israeli] regime which has occupied al-Quds knows that such illegitimate moves by the US government will not lead to any changes in the situation of al-Quds, and the Palestinian nation and freedom-seeking people around the world will become more determined than ever to close ranks and remain united for the liberation of al-Quds and the Palestinian land,” said the defence chief, according to a Farsi report by ILNA.
The top general condemned Washington’s provocative and unwise move, saying occupiers will never savour the taste of calm and will have no way, but to leave the occupied territories.
“Muslims will never allow part of the body of the Muslim world to be separated from it.”
He said the US and Israeli regime will be responsible for any rise in tension and bloodshed in the region.
“The US government must accept responsibility for the anti-security decision it has made,” said the defence minister.
He underlined that Iran has always pursued the policy of supporting the Palestinian nation, contributing to regional stability and security, and condemning the divisive and unilateral moves adopted by the US and the Israeli regime.
“We are warning against Washington’s move,’ he said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the top general referred to the elimination of the ISIS terror group from the region.
“If ISIS had not been uprooted in the region, the Israeli regime would have been able to survive for a long time while enjoying security and tranquility, and the regional nations would be fighting one another rather than fighting Israel and terror groups,” he said.
The general underlined that ISIS was not the enemy’s last tool in the region, adding the enemy will continue to hatch plots.
He also stressed that Iran will continue to combat terrorism.
German Electronic Band Schiller in Tehran for Rare Performance
Schiller, named after the German poet and dramatist Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805), was formed by von Deylen and Mirko von Schlieffen in 1998. Their first single ‘Glockenspiel’ was a great success in Germany. Around 2001 or 2002, von Schlieffen left, leaving von Deylen the only permanent member.
Slated for December 11-15, the concerts will cover a selection of the memorable hits created by the band. “I also have a little surprise for my Iranian fans,” von Deylen said after arriving in Tehran on Dec. 9, Mehr News Agency reported.
“I’ve got a good feeling. We had come to Iran some 10 years ago, when we visited Tabriz (capital of East Azarbaijan Province), Isfahan (capital of Isfahan Province) and Tehran. All members have this good feeling. We’re eager to see how people will receive our concerts. I’ve always believed that when you compose a poem or a musical piece, you can take it around the world and share it with all people,” von Deylen, 47, said.
The concerts are organized by Ritmeno.ir, a local music website, in collaboration with the Tehran-based cultural institutes of Nay-o-Ney and Tanin-e Roya-e Pars directed by Mehdi Kashi and Mostafa Kabiri respectively.
“On the internet, I’ve always received positive feedback from Iranian fans. On many occasions, they requested me to come over and perform in Iran. Last year, following a correspondence with Mostafa Kabiri, we decided to hold a concert in Iran,” von Deylen said. “I really am happy for this invitation.”
On each of the five nights, Schiller is going to entertain audience for two hours with his selected hits.
Von Deylen does not provide any vocals for Schiller productions himself. Vocals are sung by guest artists. However, for the Tehran concert Von Deylen will only perform the instrumental pieces.
The concert venue is located at Shahid Gomnam St., Fatemi Square. Tickets are available at Tik8.com. The first two concerts on December 11-12 are already sold out.
Putin Orders Withdrawal of Russian Forces from Syria
According to Russian state news agencies, Putin made the announcement at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia.
Accompanied by defence minister Sergey Shoygu, Putin said Russian and Syrian armies had destroyed “one of the most capable groups of international terrorists” in just over two years.
He said the two countries’ forces would respond with power strikes if “terrorists raise their heads” in Syria, The Independent reported.
Putin is expected to meet Syrian President Bashar Assad during his stay in Latakia.
The visit marks Putin’s first trip to Syria and comes as Syrian forces have retaken control over most of their country under Russian air cover.
The air base has served as the main foothold for the air campaign Russia has waged since September 2015 in support of Assad.
Trump’s Decision on Jerusalem to Spark Huge Intifada: Iran
In an address to a national seminar on “Big Powers and Regional Security of West Asia”, General Baqeri elaborated on the Zionist regime’s occupation of the Palestinian territories and said during its short lifetime, the occupying regime of Israel has adopted the policy of oppression, abuse and child-killing.
“Now with the US move on Jerusalem al-Quds, a new and big uprising is imminent,” he warned, according to a Farsi report by ISNA on Monday.
US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds on December 6 has sparked protests in different cities across the region and the whole world. In the latest case, a protest rally in Beirut outside the US embassy turned violent with injures and arrests reported.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the Palestinian territories with sporadic protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip continuing. Earlier, the Fatah Movement called on the Palestinians to continue their protests against US decision.
West Asia, New Heartland of World: Iranian Commander
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian general said that the West Asia has turned into a new heartland of the world given its history and resources.
General Baqeri referred to the developments of the Middle East during the past decades, and said, “The emergence of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in the 1980s, the collapse of the Soviet Union in early 1990s, and the political fallouts of the 9/11 attack, all in all, have turned West Asia into the Heartland of the world.”
“The region hosts 70 percent of fossil reserves of the world, an energy which is the main industrial engine of today’s world. So, such geostrategic regions as Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Hormuz Strait, Dardanelles Strait and the trio Iranian islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa) are of great importance,” he added.
The major general also said given the rich resources of the region, the world powers have been hardly competing to impose their hegemony on the region and take advantages of them.
