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Qatar; The Elder Brother’s Victim

Arabian leader and Trump
Mahmood Askarieh
Mahmoud Askarieh –
IFP Managing Editor

Although Saudi Arabia’s petrodollars could help those behind 9/11 attacks escape the prosecution, or even could stop the publishing of British government’s investigation into the Arab country’s funding of extremists, elimination of the clues and distracting public opinion from Riyadh’s role in growing terrorism needs something more than money.

It was less than a month ago that the news media revealed Saudis’ deal with the largest public relations firm in the world to distract public opinion from their crimes in Yemen. The deal was an unsuccessful attempt by Riyadh to fix its image in the international community. On a broader scale, Saudi Arabia is trying to cleanse itself of the disgraceful stigma of being the centre of “Wahhabism and Salafism “, which are known as the main ideologies among terrorists, and put the blame on another regional player. In the meantime, the cousins ruling in Qatar, who are the descendants of [Saudi Arabia’s ideological father] Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, are considered as one of the best options.

The Emir of Qatar has all the conditions to be introduced as the supporter of ISIS, Al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood, because despite their differences, they are all considered as extremist and terrorist groups among Americans and also the public opinion in the west.

Shortly before Saudi Arabia and its allies severed their diplomatic ties with Qatar on Monday, some media including an Israeli outlet, in a so-called revealing move, said that Qatar’s foreign minister has held a meeting with the Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani – a propaganda effort to increase pressure on the Doha government.

Despite all the interpretations that can be made of the recent move by Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia [to cut their ties with Qatar], it is conceivable that the aim of such psychological war and propaganda is to show Doha as the centre of support for Wahhabi extremism. It reminds us of the story of a thief who was running away shouting “Catch the thief!”

Qatar can never be compared to Saudi Arabia in terms of building mosques for radicals and training Imams. Therefore, it cannot be turned into a centre to promote Salafism and Wahhabism.

Qatar, as a peninsula surrounded by the seas, has always been trying to be famous and mysterious like the Bermuda Triangle. For years, it has been the centre of political charlatanism. Governed by an extortionist mafia, the Arab country has in the past offered a haven to people like Ayman al-Zawahiri to become a podium for the Al-Qaeda.

By such moves as broadcasting the audio message of infamous terrorists and even airing Bin Laden’s message on its TV channel Al Jazeera, it has been trying to tell its Arab neighbours, Iran, Europe, and the United States that “Don’t worry! We are in complete command of the situation, as their [extremists’] leaders are under [our] control. Whoever sees Qatar as a power and pays its share, will be safe!”

The West was concerned about the spread of terrorism and insecurity to its territories, and now the game is over. It was supposed to see Muslims killing each other and destroy their own cities, and now the goal is achieved. ‘Jobs, jobs, jobs’ had to be created in the US and it’s done!

The expiration date of terrorists’ safe haven (the Qatari throne) is reached and now it must be overthrown. At the same time, the centre of Takfiri Islam and the hometown to Wahhabi Muftis, who train terrorists, should not be damaged. Saudis have paid enough to the US not to be called the homeland of the ISIS and Al-Qaeda’s Islam.

Now, 9/11 events must be archived, and at the same time in coordination with the White House a culprit has to be introduced to public opinion. Qatar is exactly the piece that should be removed from the chessboard of deceptive and ignorant politicians and it will be removed!

Saudi Kingdom is not in need of a backyard for the terrorists anymore. In the new situation, the elder brother needs a victim and that’s Qatar. The mantle of Takfiri [radical] Islam suits Qatar well and the country with an infamous background could help Saudi Arabia get rid of the charges of being the source of Takfiri terrorism. Qatar can give the wrong address to uneducated, grasping Trump.

Moreover, it is an onerous task for the spendthrift Saudi Kingdom to pay Trump’s bill of $400 billion, without encroaching on Qatar’s gold and dollar reserves!

This is just like what Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s state minister for foreign affairs, recently wrote on his Twitter account addressing Qatari officials. He said Qatar must provide a ‘guaranteed roadmap’ before other Persian Gulf states would consider mending ties. Qatar must respect its pledges and be a partner of prosperity and adversity.

Saudi Arabia Gives Qatar 24-Hour Ultimatum to Fulfil 10 Conditions

In a meeting with Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who was in Jeddah to mediate in an ongoing rift between Doha and a number of Persian Gulf Arab states, Qatar was given a one-day ultimatum to fulfil ten conditions set by the Al Saud regime.

According to Sky News Arabia, Saudis’ ultimatum to Qatar has started on Tuesday night.

Saudi Arabia Gives Qatar 24-Hour Ultimatum to Fulfil 10 ConditionsHeading a delegation, the Kuwaiti emir traveled to Jeddah on Tuesday to help resolve the escalated tension in relations between Qatar and other Arab states. Sheikh Sabah left Saudi Arabia after holding talks with King Salman for several hours.

Update: Sky News Arabia later denied its own report, saying no condition has been set and no ultimatum has been given by Saudi Arabia!

On Monday, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, the Maldives and a number of other Muslim states cut off diplomatic ties with the Doha government, saying they will suspend air, sea and land transport with Qatar. They have accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and destabilising the region.

Qatar has rejected the accusations, calling them “unjustified” and “baseless.”
Qatari citizens have been told they have 14 days to leave Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, and those countries also banned their own citizens from entering Qatar.

Foreign Clothing Brands Given Ultimatum for Operation in Iran

Adidas in Iran

Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Yadollah Sadeqi says foreign firms should produce clothes worth 20 percent of the value of their imports to Iran in the first two years of their presence in the country.

During the same period of time, he added, these companies should export goods amounting to 50% of their imports.

This is based on the Islamic Republic’s regulations for registering the sales representatives of foreign clothing brands in the country, he added.

“The foreign brands whose sales representatives have failed to comply with the regulations have been prohibited from registering their orders and importing their products to Iran since the beginning of the current Iranian year (started mid-March 2017).”

Since March, these companies and brands have not been allowed to legally import their products to Iran, he added.

Explosion in Afghanistan’s Herat Kills 10

Herat in Afghanistan - map

Abdul Ahid Wali Zada, the Afghan police spokesperson, said the bomb was planted near the Jama Masjid, the grand mosque dating back to the 12th century in Herat city on Tuesday.

Explosion in Afghanistan’s Herat Kills 1010 people have been killed so far, but “the death toll could rise,” he said.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but these attacks have been mostly claimed by the ISIS terrorist group.

Images posted to social media showed plumes of black smoke rising above a mosque complex, Al Jazeera reported.

The reports came after a string of recent attacks in Afghanistan‘s capital, Kabul, and as President Ashraf Ghani hosted a summit on security.

On May 31, at least 150 people were killed when a truck loaded with explosives detonated in a fortified area of the city near several foreign embassies.

Qatari Airlines Using Iran’s Airspace amid Row with Neighbours

Qatari Airlines Using Iran’s Airspace amid Row with Neighbours

Iran can be the most suitable alternative route for Qatari aircraft heading for Europe and Africa, following the recent strife between Qatar and a number of Arab League member states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain, which has prompted these countries to sever diplomatic ties with Doha and close their airspace to Qatari airlines.

The Arab countries cut their ties with Qatar on Monday morning, after they officially accused the gas-rich country of “sponsoring terrorism”. The administration of Saudi-backed resigned Yemeni president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Libya, and the Maldives later joined the camp in ending diplomatic ties.

On Monday, EgyptAir, Flydubai and Bahrain’s Gulf Air joined Etihad and Emirates in saying they would suspend all flights to and from Doha, a decision which will be put into effect as of Tuesday (June 6).

This comes as Qatar Airways has also cancelled flights to Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE as of Tuesday until further notice, the airline said on its website, a day after it had suspended flights to Saudi Arabia.

Currently, major Qatari airlines, particularly the country’s flag carrier Qatar Airways, find Iran the quickest and most accessible route for their flights to Europe and Africa.

Reports confirm that, as of today, Iran’s airspace will be open to Qatari airplanes.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization grants permission to foreign aircraft seeking to cross the country’s airspace after an official request is submitted by the interested state.

It is reported that the Iranian aviation authority has held a number of meetings on Tuesday to facilitate the issuance of permits for Qatari airlines.

Previously, en route to North Africa and Southern Europe, Qatari airplanes first entered Saudi Arabia’s airspace and then that of Egypt. However, following the imposition of the air sanctions on Qatar, the country’s planes currently need to use the Iranian, Iraqi and Jordanian airspaces to arrive at their destinations in these continents.

Arman Bayat, an Iranian air transport expert, maintains that despite the media reports about the great opportunity provided for Iran and Qatar to expand their air cooperation, the truth is that the ongoing regional crisis will not lead to a considerable rise in the Qatari planes’ use of Iran’s airspace.

“The air sanction will directly impact only 15 percent of the Qatar Airways’ flights destined for Africa and South America. It will also slightly influence some of the Qatari airlines’ flights heading for Asian countries, Far East and Southeast Asia.”

Iran’s airspace will be the Qatari aircraft’s main route to Europe, Central Asia and North America, he noted, reiterating that the recent crisis will hardly lead to any significant increase in the Qatari airplanes’ traffic in the Iranian air territory.

At present, almost 950 foreign airplanes cross Iran’s airspace every 24 hours. In case the Qatari airlines decide to use Iran’s airspace, the figure would reach 1,150 flights per day.

Iran One of Safest Countries in Mideast: Chinese Envoy

“Iran is one of the safest countries in the region and that is an honor for me as the Chinese ambassador (to the country),” Pang Sen told reporters at a press conference in Tehran on Tuesday.

He further stressed the need to boost security ties between Tehran and Beijing, saying the two countries should develop cooperation in various areas, including in the fight against terrorism and illicit drugs.

The Chinese diplomat also described current close cooperation between the two countries as a “win-win” situation and said military relations between Iran and China are expanding day by day.

Elsewhere in his comments, the ambassador pointed to a decision by several Arab states to sever diplomatic relations with Qatar and said, “Our recommendation is that the neighboring countries resolve the issue through dialogue and peaceful means.”

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, the Maldives and a number of others on Monday cut off diplomatic ties with the Doha government, saying they will suspend air, sea and land transport with Qatar.

The Saudi kingdom made the announcement early on Monday, saying it was taking action for what it called the protection of national security.

Riyadh has accused Qatar of “harboring a multitude of terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability in the region”.

Qatar said there is “no legitimate justification” for cutting diplomatic ties.

“For us, the strategic choice of the state of Qatar is to solve any dispute through dialogue,” Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6

Almost all newspapers today covered the remarks made by the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a ceremony to mark the 28th anniversary of the demise of Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.

The top story, however, was the diplomatic row between Qatar and a number of Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, and Egypt.

Iran’s reaction to the rift between regional countries, and the aftershocks of the important development were also widely covered.

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

 

19 Dey:

1- Electoral Offences Had No Effect on Election Results: Leader

2- Rouhani: No One in Iran Is Above the Law

3- Grandson: Imam Khomeini beyond Political Parties

4- Qatar Victim of Sword Dance

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - 19dey


 

Abrar:

1- Iran Leader: Young Iranians Were Attracted to Imam Khomeini

2- Qatar’s Reaction to Severance of Ties by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, UAE

3- China to Support Iran’s Full Membership in SCO

4- Controversial Information Disclosed after UAE Diplomat’s Email Hacked

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - abrar


 

Afkar:

1- Diplomatic Earthquake in Peninsula: Qatar Flying towards Iran

2- Iran Elections Showed Maximum Democracy: Persepolis Coach Ivankovic

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - afkar


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Revolutionary Attitude Means Officials Shouldn’t Submit to Arrogance: Leader

2- Important Test for Tehran

  • Five Arab States Cut Ties with Qatar; Is It Opportunity for Iran?

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - aftab


 

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Earthquake in Arab World: 4 Arab States Sever Ties with Qatar

2- Iran’s Reaction: Increased Tension to Threaten Entire Region

3- Rulers’ Legitimacy Achieved by People’s Votes: Imam Khomeini’s Grandson

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - arman


 

Ebtekar:

1- Sword Dance in Persian Gulf

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - ebtekr


 

Etemad:

1- Earthquake in Arab Coalition: Saudi Arabia to Be Isolated in Anti-Iran Coalition

2- Israel’s Role in Recent Developments against Qatar

3- Iran’s Reaction: Region Threatened by Escalation of Tension

4- Will Iran Fill the Gap Created by Qatar’s Neighbours?

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 -etemd


 

Ettela’at:

1- Iranian Nation’s Tomorrow Much Better than Today: Leader

2- Imam Khomeini’s Grandson: Democracy, Rationality Path to People’s Prosperity

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - etelaat


 

Haft-e Sobh:

1- Situation Is Dangerous in Mideast!

  • What Should Iran Do in Qatar Crisis?

2- London Shocked by 3 Simultaneous Attacks

3- Corbyn, British Officials Call on May to Resign over Security Failure

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - hafte sobh


 

Iran:

1- Arabic Shock: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Libya, Maldives Cut Ties with Qatar

2- Kuwait, Oman, Arab League Refuse to Accompany Riyadh

3- Zarif: Neighbours Are Permanent, Geography Can’t Be Changed, Dialogue Necessary

4- World Leaders Firm in Fight against Terrorism in Reaction to London Attack

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - iran


 

Jame Jam:

1- Revolutionary Attitude Is What Iran Needs Now: Leader

2- Aftershocks of Qatar’s ‘No’ to Tribal Chief

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - jamejam


 

Javan:

1- Iran Leader: Compromise with World Powers More Costly than Challenging Them

2- Terrorism Escalates from London to Kabul and Melbourne

3- Battle of ‘Al’s after Coalition

  • Sources Say Coup in Qatar Is Likely after Tension with Arabs

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - javan


 

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Iran Leader: Country Needs Imam Khomeini, Revolution’s Principles

2- World Bank Predicts 4-Percent Growth for Iran

3- Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt Wage Political War against Qatar

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - jomhori


 

Ka’enat:

1- Tribal Blockade of Qatar

2- Iran: Dialogue Only Way to Heal Rift between Regional States

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - kaenat


 

Kayhan:

1- Iran Leader: Being Revolutionary Means Pleasing People, Not Arrogant Powers

2- London Police to Citizens: Run!

3- Arab NATO Collapses before Being Formed

4- Al Saud Surrounds Qatar

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - kayhan


 

Khorasan:

1- Rational Challenge Less Costly than Compromise: Iran Leader

2- Aftershocks of Severing Ties with Qatar

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - khorasan


 

Shahrvand:

1- Qatar in Corner of the Ring: Big Gap Formed in GCC

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - shahrvand


 

Shargh:

1- Battle of Sheikhs: Consequences of Qatar Blockade by Arab States

2- All Ways End up in Iran

A Look at Iranian newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - shragh


 

Siasat-e Rooz:

1- Saudi Arabia Increasing Political, Military Moves against Doha

  • Apparently against Qatar, Actually against Palestine

2- Al Thani, another Victim for Al Saud

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 6 - siasat rooz

Philippines Stops Deployment of Workers to Qatar

Philippines Stops Deployment of Workers to Qatar

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a news briefing that the deployment suspension covers Qatar-bound workers whose papers are being processed and those who are ready for deployment.

The Philippine government made the decision after several Middle East nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, severed ties with Qatar over its alleged support for terrorists. Qatar had denied the allegations.

Bello said the government anticipated problems in Qatar that may affect Filipino workers there, Rappler reported.

“We are foreseeing a possible problem in Qatar like for example, as you know, Qatar is not producing its own food. If anything happens, they run out of food…our OFWs will be the first victims,” he said.

Bello said he had directed the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Qatar to stock food, though he was told that food supply was not a problem yet.

As of 2016, there are around 141,000 documented OFWs in Qatar. Filipinos are among the largest community of foreign workers in the country.

Farmers in Northern Iran Start Harvesting Borage

Farmers in Northern Iran Start Harvesting Borage10

People in Iran use borage as an herbal tea with healing benefits in hyperactive gastrointestinal, as well as respiratory, cardiovascular, and urinary disorders.

Here are Mehr’s photos of borage harvest in the mountainous villages near the northern Iranian city of Astara:

Iran’s Persepolis to Face Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in ACL Quarters

AFC Champions League- Perspolis - Al-Ahli

Following the Tuesday’s draw in Kuala Lampur, Persepolis of Iran and Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia will play the first leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-final match on August 22, and the second one in September.

In the other quarter-final match of West Asia, Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates will face Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.

In East Asia, two-time champions Guangzhou Evergrande will face fellow Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG, and the winner will face either Kawasaki Frontale or the former champions Urawa Red Diamonds, both from Japan, in the semi-finals.

AFC Champions LeagueFor the competition’s semi-finals, the winners of both QF1 and QF3 will host the first leg, with the winners of QF2 and QF4 due to host the return fixture.

While for the final, the winners of SF1 – West Asia – will host the first leg, and the winner of SF2 – East Asia – will host the second leg.

In this year’s draw, there was no seeding and no country protection, and therefore, an open draw was implemented for both West Asia and East Asia.