In a Wednesday statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi rejected the final statement issued at a summit of the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Kuwait, calling it a clear example of a lack of proper understanding of realities and priorities in the Middle East.
“The recent statement shows the [P]GCC is ignoring the realities in the region and is turning a blind eye to the realities and priorities at this sensitive juncture, and clearly proves the inefficiency and sterility of the Council gripped by internecine divisions and unrealistic policies,” said the spokesman.
“Rather than addressing the key problems facing the Muslim world and supporting oppressed Palestinian people and discussing the provocative plan of relocating the US embassy [from Tel Aviv] to holy al-Quds, the [P]GCC has simply made worthless comments in this regard and clearly dodged its Islamic and human responsibility vis-à-vis Palestine,” the spokesman noted.
“The GCC meeting has not mentioned the crimes committed on a daily basis by Saudi Arabia and its few accomplices against innocent Yemeni people, and by iasuing this statement, the council has turned a blind eye to the killing of innocent children and women and the imposition of hunger and diseases against millions of Yemenis, and is standing by terrorists.”
“The meeting was held at a time when the disunited members of the council were at the height of their differences, and when the council, without turning to the root causes and key supporters of terrorism and the Takfiri ideology, levelled some unfounded and false accusation against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which plays a pivotal role in fighting terrorism in the region. The council is strongly advised to walk towards a profound and precise understanding of the realities in the region, and to urge its members not to opt for aggression and bullying against other members and to recognize the rights of its citizens.”
Qassemi once again stressed Iran’s entitlement, as history shows, to govern the three islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb, and dismissed the baseless allegations in the statement regarding the three islands as blatant interference in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s sovereignty and a violation of international regulations.
“Making such baseless and false claims cannot change historical and legal realities. Rather than pursuing policies of adventurism and acquisitiveness, the [P]GCC had better adopt wise and honest approaches to settle the problems in the region,” the spokesman said.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always expressed its readiness for negotiations and consultations with [P]GCC members in a bid to ease tensions and working out a final solution to the problems in the region and believes that the use of force and the killing of people and turning to aliens will not help solve problems; history is littered with such bitter and unsuccessful experiences,” Qassemi concluded.
Persian Gulf Arab States Shirking Responsibility Regarding Palestine: Iran
FM Zarif: Al-Quds to Remain Arab, Muslim City
In a recent tweet, Zarif noted that if half of the money spent by some regional rulers to support terrorism, extremism, sectarianism and incitement against their neighbours was spent on liberation of Palestine, today we would not witness the US’ nonsense remarks and its efforts to sanctify and consolidate “a fateful promise from those who do not own to those who do not deserve” [the Balfour Declaration].
“Like it or not, al-Quds will remain an Arab and Muslim city,” reads the tweet.
Iran Strongly Condemns US for Recognizing Al-Quds as Israel’s Capital
In a Wednesday statement issued immediately in reaction to US President Donald Trump’s statement on Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital, the foreign ministry said the decision stands in stark violation of all international resolutions.
The full text of the statements is as follows:
Jerusalem al-Quds which hosts the first Qibla of Muslims is an inseparable part of Palestine. As one of the three most sacred sites in Islam, it enjoys a highly significant status among the Muslims. It is no secret any more that the Zionist regime has put on its agenda a number of measures to impose its hegemony over Jerusalem al-Quds including forcing the main inhabitants of the city to leave the city, occupying their houses and lands, replacing Muslim population with Jewish people with the aim of changing the demography of the city, destroying sacred Islamic sites and symbols, desecrating Al-Aqsa Mosque by paving the way for extremist settlers to enter the Islamic place, imposing restrictions on Muslims for visiting the mosque and saying their Friday prayer, and violating the citizenship rights of the Palestinians living in the city.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized that the main causes behind destabilization and insecurity in the Middle East are continued occupation of the Palestinian lands by the Israeli regime, the US’ full and all-out support for the Zionist regime, and depriving the oppressed nation of Palestine of their basic rights to establish an independent state for their own with al-Quds as its capital. With the US and its allies’ desperate efforts to impose a compromised solution, the Palestinians have failed to even fulfill their preliminary wishes stipulated in the resolutions by the United Nations Security Council as well as the UN General Assembly. Meanwhile, the continued expansion of settlements, occupation of more Palestinian lands and desecration of religious sites by Israeli regime which are carried out with the direct support of the US amid the indifference of international organization, all in all have hampered the Palestinians’ drive to achieve their rightful and legal demands.
The imprudent and provocative decision of the US to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of the Zionist regime not only does not at all contribute to peace and stability in the region but also reveals the nasty intentions of the US administration and further discredits the US before those who still have confidence in the neutrality of Washington in the mirage-like trend of peace talks. Meanwhile, the decision will also create outrage among Muslims and fan the flames of a new Intifada, extremist moves, violence and brutality. It goes without saying that the US and the Zionist regime are responsible for the upcoming results.
Given the fact that Jerusalem al-Quds is recognized as an occupied land by the UN resolutions, the US move is in stark violation of the international resolutions. So, the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the US decision and calls on the international community and leading states particularly the Islamic countries to step into the fray and stop the implementation of the US decision because it only serves the Zionist regime’s interests.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its full sympathy with the Palestinian people and once again underlines the main responsibility of the international community, particularly the UN, to put an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territories and the holy Quds and contribute to the Palestinians’ efforts to achieve their basic rights.
US Responsible for Consequences of Its Decision on Jerusalem: Iran
“Muslim countries unanimously condemn this conspiracy that violates the rights of the oppressed Palestinians and paves the way for the continuation of the occupation of Palestine by the Zionist regime,” said Shamkhani.
He also stressed that, given the security and political consequences of any decision on the holy city, the United States and the Zionist regime would be held accountable for the instability and insecurity caused by such unwise decisions.
Shamkhani further added that Jerusalem al-Quds is an integral part of Palestine, and any decision on the future of this land must be made by its indigenous, non-immigrant inhabitants.
“No country can decide for this Muslim state by ignoring the indisputable rights of the Palestinian people,” highlighted the Iranian senior official.
Shamkhani underlined that the provocative measures taken by Trump and his administration accelerate the collapse of the Zionist regime saying that “Jerusalem al-Quds is the capital of the Islamic State of Palestine, and the US government cannot distract the general public’s attention from its humiliating defeats in the region, particularly the defeat of the Takfiri terrorists in Syria and Iraq.
Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the US recognises Jerusalem as the occupying regime’s capital in a move which would risk potentially violent protests.
Despite warnings from Arab, Muslim and Western allies, the US President will instruct the State Department to begin the process of moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.
Tillerson’s Comments Rehash of Baseless Allegations: Iran
In a statement on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi rejected the remarks made by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after his meeting with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
Qassemi described the comments as unwarranted insistence on, and futile persistence in repeating groundless accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“The repetition of unfounded allegations and lies will not help make up for the United States’ strategic and major mistake vis-à-vis Iran and the region over the past decades, and pointing the finger at other countries will not be a remedy for the sufferings as well as deep and old wounds which are the result of the US’ policies of aggression and acquisitiveness in this region,” said Qassemi.
“As long as time remains, Mr. Tillerson, before passing any judgment, had better try to get more familiar with the realities an history of the region as well as America’s policies and its repercussions, which have led to severe crises and the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent women and children and humans,” said the spokesman.
“Iran, itself, is one of the victims of interventionist policies, coups and tyranny emanating from his (Tillerson’s) respective country, and [Iran] is seen today as a country which has been at the forefront of fighting terrorism in the region and across the world,” Qassemi said.
“Indubitably, turning a blind eye to Iran’s great efforts in helping ensure stability and security and fighting terrorism, and levelling false accusations, can only be the result of this country’s anger at the Islamic Republic of Iran’s relentless fight and playing a humanitarian and stabilizing role and combating terrorism and can be a sign and evidence showing the United States’ support for terrorism in the region.”
Qassemi concluded by stressing that Iran will responsibly press ahead with its constructive efforts with full force and in line with all ethical principles and international norms to help establish peace and security and fight terrorism and warmongering while turning a deaf dear to the lies told by those who wish ill for the people in the region.
Recognition of Al-Quds as Capital of Occupied Palestine Shows US Desperation: Iran Leader
“That they [enemies] claim they want to declare al-Quds as the capital of the occupied Palestine [Israel] shows their desperation and failure,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a Wednesday meeting with top Iranian officials, ambassadors of Muslim countries, and visiting gusts of Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran.
“In [dealing with] the issue of Palestine, their hands are tied and they cannot advance their goals,” he added.
“The Islamic Ummah [society] is the ultimate winner, and the Palestine will be liberated. The Palestinian nation will emerge victorious,” the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say that the enemies, including the US, the global arrogance, the Zionist regime of Israel, and the reactionaries in the Muslim society, have all queued up to confront the Islamic Ummah and the path of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“The Pharaoh today is the US, the Zionist regime and all their followers in the region who want to wage war in the Middle East,” the Leader noted, adding that this is the United States’ plot.
“The US statesmen, themselves, have declared that we should wage a war in the region so as to ensure the security of the Zionist regime.”
The Leader further expressed regret that today there are rulers and elites in this region who do whatever the US wants them to, even if it is against Islam.
“We have no conflict with Muslim nations, we support unity,” the Leader noted, adding, however, that certain countries seek war instead of unity.
“The result of what certain regional countries are doing is their own annihilation, as the holy Quran says,” he added.
No Sectarian War to Break Out in Middle East
The Leader went on to say that the enemies of Islam fanned the fuel of tension in the Middle East so as to cause a sectarian war, but it did not and will not happen.
“We stood against those who were bought off by the enemy, and thank God we won. However, their focus was not on a religious war, but a tribal one. The number of Sunnis killed by Daesh [ISIS] was not comparable with those of Shiites.”
Iran President Congratulates Muslim Counterparts on Prophet’s Birth Anniversary
In these messages, President Rouhani expressed the hope that “on the occasion of this auspicious event, and by learning the great teachings of the Holy Quran and Islam, and the efforts of the leaders of the Muslim countries, (all) could witness the deepening of unity and brotherhood among Muslim nations so as to offer a better image of peaceful religion of Islam to the world.”
President Rouhani also stressed that undoubtedly one of the important missions of Muslim countries is to identify and combat extremist and Takfiri thoughts, and increase convergence in the fight against violence and extremism.
According to a Farsi report by the president’s official website, he further called on the Muslim Ummah, in his messages, to promote justice, peace, and stability in Islamic countries and the world by maintaining unity and showing solidarity.
At the end of his messages, Rouhani wished the best for all Muslims.
Iran’s First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri also congratulated his counterparts in the Muslim world on the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in separate messages.
He has offered congratulations on the auspicious anniversary to the governments and nations of the Muslim states.
He also expressed hope that on the birth anniversary the world could witness more unity among Muslim countries in a way that violence and extremism around the world would be eradicated, and peace and stability would be expanded.
Muslims hold week-long celebrations worldwide – designated as the Islamic Unity Week – to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Islamic Unity Week is marked between 12 and 17 of Rabi’ al-awwal, the third month in the Muslim calendar. The occasion in which Muslims ponder on the fundamental call of unity according to the Holy Quran was initiated by the late Imam Khomeini following the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979.
Each year Muslims in Iran and other countries around the world celebrate the Islamic Unity Week, which has played an important role in bringing the various Muslim schools of thought on a single platform.
Caspian Sea Littoral States Agree on Bulk of Its Legal Regime: Iran FM
Addressing the seventh ministerial meeting of Caspian states in Moscow on Tuesday, Zarif said he was honored to announce that the five countries share the view that the Caspian Sea’s issues should be addressed only by the littoral states.
The countries have also agreed to ban foreign military forces, he added, saying there is a consensus on the bulk of the Caspian Sea legal regime.
Stressing the need for “fairness” and “mutual respect” in demarcation of maritime boundaries in the Caspian Sea, Zarif said disagreements on demarcation of the zones could be resolved through “closer interaction and mutual flexibility by all parties.”
Iran is ready to let other Caspian states have access to international waters when it comes to the transportation of goods or oil and gas transfer, he added.
Proposing plans for closer cooperation, Zarif said the five littoral states could establish a joint investment fund, coordinate customs affairs and unify the tariffs, found joint transportation companies, and move to remove visa requirements for trips among them.
Heading a delegation of political and legal experts, Zarif is in Moscow for the ministerial meeting, which he said follows 49 sessions at the level of political experts.
The two-day meeting precedes a summit of Caspian leaders, due to be held in Astana.
The ministerial meeting focused on the draft document of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.
The Caspian Sea Convention will determine the territorial rights of the littoral states as well as other matters related to the world’s largest landlocked body of water.
Iran Rejects Claims about Macron’s Conditions for Visiting Tehran
A member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament, Javad Karimi Ghoddousi, claimed that France’s conditions have been announced in a letter to Iran.
In a statement on Tuesday, Qassemi strongly rejected the claim and stressed that the foreign ministry, the foreign minister, or even any of Iranian embassies are not aware of such letter.
He said such claims are definitely against Iran’s national interests, and asked the MP to avoid raising baseless allegations.
Qassemi also noted that the era of setting conditions for other countries is over, and Iran’s principled policies in this regard are totally clear.
In an interview with the Persian-language website Alef, Ghoddousi claimed the letter had been sent by French foreign minister to his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zairf.
According to Ghoddousi, one of Macron’s conditions was holding talks with the Islamic Revolution’s Leader.
“Sitting for talks with Iranian officials over the future of the region as well as Iran’s missile programs is another condition set by France,” he claimed.
The Iranian lawmaker also said the French side is seeking to prepare the grounds for trilateral talks among the US and Saudi Arabia on the one hand and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the other hand over the regional and Yemen developments.
Elsewhere in the interview, the Iranian lawmaker stressed as the Leader of Islamic revolution has repeated announced the Europeans are not “in a position to interfere in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held phone talks with his French counterpart two months ago.
Following the talks, French presidential office issued a statement saying during the talks, the two sides discussed Rouhani’s invitation of Macron to visit Iran. If the visit is made, Macron will be the first French president visiting Iran since 1971.
Earlier, France announced Macron is set to visit Iran at the top of a high-ranking delegation in 2018.
France sought to normalize relations with Iran after the 2015 nuclear deal. It has, however, been taking a harder stance on matters beyond the deal, including Iran’s missile program and its regional role.
Iran has been counting on Europe’s support to counterbalance Trump’s attacks on the nuclear accord. After Macron’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Iran has said it wanted him to take a clearer stance and to “gauge Middle East developments with more awareness.”
“Yemen’s Houthis Must Have Representative at Int’l Level”
Ali Khorram, who is also a senior political analyst, says although Iran is introduced as the Houthis’ supporter at international levels, the fact is that the Islamic Republic’s role in Yemen is very limited.
“The only way for the Houthis is to have a representative who can simultaneously negotiate for them at the international level while they are involved in the war,” he added.
Speaking in a Farsi interview with Jamaran news website, Khorram took a brief look at the history of the contemporary Yemen, and said, “Almost 70 or 80 years ago the country was governed under the rule of Islam with the leadership of a person that people called him Imam. When King Abdulaziz came to power in Saudi Arabia, he attacked Yemen and overthrew its government to take it over.”
“However, as a result of the anti-Saudi developments, whose one division was under the influence of socialists and Marxists, Yemen was divided into two parts, North and South. After this, Ali Nasir Muhammad, became the leader of South Yemen, and Ali Abdullah Saleh, as a person close to Saudi Arabia, became the president of the North.”
He went on to say that this was the situation until Ali Nasir Muhammad left the country and fled to Syria following Saudi interference in Yemen about 20 years ago. Subsequently, Ali Abdullah Saleh called the north and south Yemen one country, and the geographical boundaries of Yemen once again returned to the era before the division.
Khorram noted that since then, Yemen was almost entirely under the control of Saudi Arabia, and was paying the majority of Yemen’s expenses including the salary of the military and the civil servants.
“This situation continued until the Arab Spring. As Saudis were afraid of these movements, they decided to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh with a new figure before the revolution starts and a person from abroad takes power in Yemen. Therefore, Abdullah Saleh was removed from office and Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi succeeded him,” added Khorram.
“Yemen has a tribal structure and some formulas cannot be used in this country. For this reason, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who somehow considered himself the owner of a united Yemen, felt down by Saudi Arabia’s move.”
“The coincidence of this with the Houthi moves made Saleh unite with the Houthis along with the Yemeni army to take revenge on Saudi Arabia. The army was under the control of Saleh, and this gave the two Yemeni groups greater power.”
“After this, tensions mounted inside Yemen between the supporters of Mansour Hadi, who was backed by Saudi Arabia, and the two other groups. Therefore, Saudi Arabia waged a war against Yemen. This war has lasted for about 3 years, and Saudi Arabia has repeatedly bombarded Yemen during this period. However, while Riyadh considers Yemen as its backyard, it has never been able to find allies for itself inside Yemen and among the tribal groups,” pointed out Khorram.
He also noted that “as Saudi Arabia realized the bombardments do not work, it decided to break Ali Abdullah Saleh’s alliance with the Houthis. Finally, in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, Saudis separated Saleh from Houthis last weekend. This led to a clash between Yemeni forces under the command of Abdullah Saleh and the Houthis. At first, the army attacked the Houthi positions and almost defeated them, but suddenly, the Houthis returned to Sana’a and stopped the army. During these clashes, Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed when he was escaping from the city.”
As Khorram said, this is the story in Yemen, but at the moment Yemen is not just this.
“Along with economic crisis and famine, al-Qaeda and other groups are present in Yemen. In this regard, the more the tensions escalate between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, the more powerful al-Qaeda becomes. This makes Yemen’s events more sensitive.”
“In my opinion, the Houthis should seek a political solution at the same time as they continue the war. But the problem is that they have no representatives at international organizations. Although Iran is introduced as their supporter at international levels, the fact is that the Islamic Republic’s role in Yemen is very limited.”
“Anyhow, a country or some people should represent the Houthis at international assemblies to pursue their policies. The ground warfare is not enough, and some of the problems must be resolved with political solutions that the Houthis have little to do. There is a danger that the Houthi efforts will be to the interest of al-Qaeda,” Khorram went on to say.
He said, “I think we should look at this issue from this angle. If Iran cannot represent the Houthis directly, it should find a country to represent the Houthis internationally.”
In response to a question about the fate of the Yemeni army after the killing of Ali Abdullah Saleh, he said, “The Yemeni army was previously under the command of Ali Abdullah Saleh, but now that he has been killed, part of the army will be dispersed and most of it will be absorbed by Saudi Arabia. As the military cannot be under the control of the militia, there is a danger that the Houthis’ power will be less than the past.”
“It is possible that the Houthis would gain more independence after the death of Ali Abdullah Saleh, but they will definitely lose part of the army. Nevertheless, the army will not have the power to overcome the Houthis on its own; unless the Arab coalition army deploy ground troops to help the Yemeni army. In this way, the situation for the Houthis will be dangerous. The only way out for the Houthis is to have a representative who can negotiate for them at the same time that the war is going on,” he concluded.
