Abu Tahseen is a member of the ‘Popular Mobilization Units’ (PMU) and has participated in five wars; namely, the Yom Kippur war, Iran-Iraq war, Kuwait invasion, the Gulf War and the current war in Iraq.
The seasoned sniper is now rumoured to be stationed near Mount Sinjar in northwestern Iraq, Al Masdar News reported.
Tahseen is said to be a legend amongst fellow soldiers and appeared in a video clip that was posted by the PMU to their YouTube channel.
Speaking directly to the camera, the PMU sniper describes how he killed two enemy fighters that day and two the previous day, including a man named Abu Hudaifa, an ISIS commander.
Abu Tahseen loves fighting ISIS so much that when he was once handed a month break from the battlefield, returned after just 12 days.
Iraqi Sniper Has Killed over 300 ISIS Elements
A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 28
Almost all newspapers today covered the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film given to Asghar Farhadi’s film The Salesman. Many of them referred to the political atmosphere of this year’s Oscars and some even described Farhadi’s success as a result of political issues.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s remarks about his government’s economic achievements and the stability of Iran’s market as a result of his administration’s measures also received great coverage.
Another top story was the remarks made by Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli about the UN experts on fight against money laundry who are due to visit Iran.
The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:
19 Dey:
1- Returning Calm to Iran’s Market, Biggest Achievement of Rouhani’s Gov’t
2- Judiciary Chief: It’s a Crime to Use Anti-Iran Media for Election
Abrar:
1- Farhadi’s Second Gift to Iranian Cinema
2- Seoul Accuses North Korean Officials of Murdering Their Supreme Leader’s Brother
3- Israeli Paper: Assad’s Fate in Hands of a Russian General
4- GOP Congressmen Continue Efforts to Impose Anti-Iran Sanctions
Abrar-e Eqtesadi:
1- Iran’s President Declares 5.2% Increase in Dollar Rate This Year
Aftab-e Yazd:
1- Cultural Diplomacy: Farhadi once again won Oscar and conveyed message of Iranian people to the world
2- What’s Farhadi’s Message [Editorial]
Arman-e Emrooz:
1- World Accompanies Iran in Condemning Trump: Farhadi’s Oscar in Ansari’s Hands
2- Interior Minister: Int’l Money Laundry Experts to Be Deployed in Iran
Ebtekar:
1- Art against Politics: Farhadi wins Academy Award for second time with ‘The Salesman’
2- Rouhani Still Engaged in Executive Affairs: Government spokesman’s reaction to Rouhani’s decision to run for presidential votes
Etemad:
1- Rise of Peace in Dawn of Oscars
2- Rouhani: Under Sanctions, Iran Returned to Qajar Era
3- UN Experts in Tehran: Iran’s growing concern over increased laundry of drug trafficking money
Ettela’at:
1- First VP: Government Supports Production that Observes Consumers’ Rights
2- Deputy FM: US to Be in Loss If Trump Scraps Nuclear Deal
3- Rouhani: We Need Powerful Banks for Interaction with World
Ghanoon:
1- Oscar, Second Take: Farhadi, Ansari, Naderi shine in Oscars 2017
2- Iran Behaving Magnanimously towards Azerbaijan Republic: Official
Iran:
1- Oscar without Visa
2- Blue Night of Asia: Iran’s Esteghlal Tehran FC and Esteghlal Khuzestan FC defeat Saudi and Emirati rivals in AFC Champions League
Jame Jam:
1- Trump Is Same as Obama, but More Outspoken: Iranian Adviser
2- Trump’s Disgrace at Brilliant Night of Iranian Cinema
Javan:
1- Rouhani Blames US and Iranian Banks for Continued Banking Sanctions
2- Iran’s Nemati Selected as World’s Best Female Para Archer in 2016
3- Trump’s Political Oscar: Farhadi’s The Salesman wins Oscar in anti-Trump atmosphere in US
Jomhouri Eslami:
1- Kordestan Turns to Western Iran’s Medical Hub after Inauguration of 10 Projects
2- Europe’s Message Is Supporting JCPOA: Deputy FM
Ka’enat:
1- Return to Freedom: Farhadi’s Oscar Is Artists’ Final Blow to Trump
Kayhan:
1- When We Have Cocoa Milk, Why Water? [Kayhan’s report of President Rouhani’s remarks, alluding to the low quality of water in Khuzestan province]
2- Sheikh Isa Qassim’s Trial Session Postponed for Ninth Time
3- Yemeni Sources: Al Saud Has Poured 2m Bombs and Rockets on Yemeni People in Past 2 Years
4- What Did ‘The Salesman’ Sell to Win Oscar?
Khorasan:
1- Rouhani: It’s Unprecedented to Have One-Digit Inflation Rate, High Economic Growth at Same Time
Shahrvand:
1- A Reward against the Wall: Farhadi Wins Iran Second Oscar
Shargh:
1- An Oscar against Far-Rightists: Farhadi’s Second Oscar for Iranian Nation, Cinema
2- President: Major Corruptions Take Place in Polished Way
3- Trump, Are You Awake? [Editorial about Farhadi’s Oscar]
Vaghaye Ettefaghieh:
1- Trump’s Humiliation: Farhadi Wins Iran Second Oscar
2- Trump’s War with Europe without Bullets: Economy Is Subject This Time
Vatan-e Emrooz:
1- Hollywood against Trump, Trump against Hollywood: Best foreign language film Academy Award given to Farhadi for second time
2- Zionist Rabbi: Al Khalifa Is Symbol of Moderation!
Saudi FM’s Snap Visit to Iraq Raises Eyebrows
Iranian media have published several analyses in reaction to an unannounced (or perhaps planned, but hidden from the rival) visit to Iraq by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. Among those articles, an opinion piece by Tabnak news website is worth reading.
Here are excerpts from the Farsi article:
Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy démarches have gained momentum, especially since tension heightened between Iran and the US. A busy Saudi foreign minister has made arrangements at the regional level and beyond to make up for Riyadh’s decade-long lethargy in the foreign policy arena. Jubeir’s recent stop was Iraq, but one cannot expect it to be the last stop.
Incontrovertibly, Jubeir’s surprise trip to Baghdad after around 13 years should not be underestimated. Since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, no ranking Saudi official had paid an official visit to Iraq. That makes Jubeir’s recent trip all the more significant and noteworthy.
Saudi Arabia, one of Iran’s major rivals in the region, will not miss any chance to make harsh criticism of and press charges against Iran over its regional policies. Now, one of its top officials has travelled to a country which is Tehran’s closest regional ally and is known for its alignment with the Islamic Republic.
There are two viewpoints on the table when it comes to Jubeir’s Iraq visit: an optimistic point of view and a pessimistic one. Some believe Saudi Arabia seeks to get close to Iraq as Iran’s number-one ally in the region in order to take the same step that Tehran has taken via Kuwait and Oman to help ease tension with Persian Gulf countries. Optimists say Riyadh is looking to Iran as a role model and wants to follow in its footsteps step by step. If that is the real intention of Saudi Arabia, it could help boost stability in the Middle East region and usher in a new era in serious mutual cooperation. However, Jubeir does not seem to have travelled to Iraq with such a mission.
Saudi Arabia is not in a position to get engaged in a process of détente with Iran without getting major concessions from Tehran. On the other hand, when we look at Jubeir’s trip against the backdrop of his recent moves and critical speeches about Iran, especially his remarks in the Munich Securityu Conference, this optimistic view vanishes into thin air.
This leads us to the sceptical view about Jubeir’s Iraq visit. It seems after getting regional Arab states and, above all, Turkey on board against Iran, the top Saudi diplomat has kicked off a second phase of diplomatic demarches to counter and ostracize Iran. This is one of the tough stages of Riyadh’s plot against Iran: To either get Iran’s allies on board or neutralise them. To that end, Iraq is the most probable choice for Saudi Arabia because Riyadh’s policy on Syria is crystal clear and Saudi Arabia is waiting to see what the outcome of the Geneva talks will be and how things will unfold as a transitional government might take power in Syria, paving the way for a new administration. Riyadh hopes any new administration will be better than that of Bashar al-Assad who is an Iran ally.
A statement released by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Jubeir’s visit mentions a key point in this regard. The statement quotes Jubeir as saying that Iraq’s neutrality can set the stage for reconciliation between Tehran and Riyadh.
Although Jubeir has openly used the term “reconciliation” between Iran and Saudi Arabia, no sober mind has forgotten the remarks he made in Munich recently or in London and Paris previously, that making efforts to bring about a détente between Iran and Saudi Arabia would be a nonstarter. So, one can guess Jubeir’s modus operandi: If Iraq cannot be made to join the ranks of Riyadh’s allies against Iran, it can be neutralised, at least. In fact Saudi Arabia is seriously asking Iraq to remain neutral.
What reinforces the pessimistic view on Jubeir’s trip to Iraq is an article by Abdulrahman Rashed, the former editor-in-chief of the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat daily. His article was carried by this very newspaper as well as by the Al-Arabia News Channel. In the article, he calls on Arab states, especially Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan to form a joint military alliance to contain Iran.
He rehashes remarks by Trump and Saudis that the JCPOA [Iran nuclear deal] has made Iran’s foreign policy in the region more aggressive. He says Iran’s behaviour changed only after the conclusion of the nuclear agreement, and that Iran is now much better off financially and militarily. He said Iran fills the power vacuum in Iraq and is expanding its hegemony in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
He says military cooperation of some sort is a very good mechanism to harness Iran, especially if the cooperation goes beyond the military domain. He says it is necessary to form a military counterbalance to stand up to the military alliance between Iran, Iraq and Syria.
Jubeir in Iraq and Rashed in London are weighing the scheme that Riyadh has orchestrated against Iran. Now, rumours are getting stronger that Washington and regional Arab states seek to form a NATO-style regional alliance against Iran.
Al-Qaeda’s Second-in-Command Killed in Syria Drone Strike
Al-Masri, also known as Ahmad Hasan served as the deputy of Ayman al-Zawahiri. Al-Masri was believed to have been operating in Syria since 2015.
Reports coming in from Syria confirms the death of the 59-year-old Egyptian. Images posted on social media hinted that al-Masri was the target of a US drone strike as he was travelling in his car on Sunday.
The images posted on Social media shows al-Masri’s car, a Kia, with a massive hole on the roof. Also on the post was the picture of several rescuers trying to get the body out of the vehicle, News Line reported.
Abu Khayr al-Masri was initially a member of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad at the start of his path towards terrorism. He fled Egypt in the 1980’s and found his way to the Balkans to fight in the Bosnian war.
Al-Masri was also an explosive expert and he was allegedly behind the waves of terror attacks, including the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania back in 1998.
He also fought in Afghanistan where he became a close associate of Zawahiri.
UAE Must Be Sued for Occupation of Iranian Islands: MP
Ariana and Zarkooh are two Iranian Persian Gulf islands under the United Arab Emirates’ occupation.
“The UAE has kept repeating its claim over these two islands which have always been inseparable parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iranian MP Hossein Naqavi Hosseini said.
“All historical and international documents prove that these two islands belong to Iran,” he added, according to a Farsi report by ICANA.
Referring to the statements made by the UAE authorities, he called for Iranian Foreign Minister’s action against the occupation of Iranian islands by this state.
“The Ministry should take urgent action on the invasion of Iran’s territory in these islands by bringing prosecution against the UAE.”
He went on to say that Iran can take the UAE to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, for its illegal claim on Iranian Islands.
“Ariana and Zarkooh must be restored to Iran. By occupying them, the UAE has acted against the international laws,” he added.
High-Ranking Iranian Officials Congratulate Farhadi on Academy Award
In one of the earliest reactions to the award, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in his Twitter account that he is “proud of cast and crew of ‘The Salesman’ for Oscar and stance against Muslim Ban. Iranians have represented culture and civilization for millennia.”
First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri also congratulated Farhadi and appreciated the cast and crew during his address to a national conference in Tehran.
The award is valuable for two reasons; first because of the valuable and artistic making of the film, and second because of Farhadi’s correct and valuable move to boycott the Oscars ceremony to defend the Iranian nation’s rights against US officials’ inhumane measure, Jahangiri said.
“The Iranian nation is a great and civilized nation to which the world is indebted. The false accusations raised against the Iranian nation should be responded to,” he added, according to a Farsi report by ISNA.
Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri also congratulated Farhadi and the Iranian nation, and hailed his move to boycott the Oscars ceremony.
“By the means of your art, you managed to help Iran’s message of peace resonate beyond geographical borders,” he noted, adding that Farhadi’s message was one of empathy and convergence.
“Today the world admits that Iranophobia was nothing more than a deceit, and you tied the Iranian view of human pains to that of the world,” Salehi Amiri went on to say, as reported by Iran in Farsi.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi also hailed the achievement of the cast and crew of ‘The Salesman’ for winning the second Oscar for Iran.
Qassemi congratulated the cast and crew of the movie as well as the Iranian cultural and art community over the achievement.
“Once again … the ambassadors of Iranian art in international arts circles managed to convey to the world the voice of the noble Iranian nation, which is the voice of culture, civilization, dignity and national honor,” he said, Tasnim reported.
It is a great pleasure that once again the proficient and diligent Iranian director, via his and his colleagues’ language of art, managed to deliver the Iranian people’s message of peace and friendship to the world, Qassemi added.
What Prompts Saudi FM to Make Landmark Visit to Iraq
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir’s visit to Iraq has raised eyebrows as it was the first visit of a high-ranking Saudi official to Baghdad in 14 years.
In a Farsi interview with Jame Jam newspaper, Sabah Zanganeh, a former Iranian envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and a senior analyst in West Asia affairs, has talked about the motivation behind the visit.
Here are excerpts from his remarks:
As regards the motive for such a long delay in efforts to establish mutual relations and the reason why the visit came at this juncture, two points should be taken into consideration. The first reason is that Iraq is gaining power on the political front, has liberated east Mosul, is beginning to retake western Mosul, and has been cracking down on ISIS terrorists and their allies in key Nineveh province.
The second reason is that the Iraqi army may have taken hostage some ISIS militants possibly with Saudi nationality. Therefore, the motive behind the trip could have been to establish relations with a powerful Iraq and to get information on possible ISIS hostages.
Of course, the two countries are divided on numerous issues, including on Popular Mobilization Forces. Riyadh has been seeking to undermine and restrict the popular troops, but their positive role has been proven in the liberation of Mosul as well as in the Ramadi operation in the past. And now, upon approval by the Iraqi Parliament, they are seen as a military unit and part of the country’s defence and security apparatus.
Some key developments associated with the trip are as follows: saving the political elements of ISIS in parts of Mosul, holding consultations on the fate of individuals who have fled Iraq to Turkey and seek to return to Mosul once the city is freed, and making a more precise assessment of the presence of Turkish troops in Mosul. These make up Saudi officials’ short-term and long-term objectives. It is hoped that Iraqi statesmen will take national interests into account while interacting with Saudis.
Iran’s Nemati Selected as World’s Best Para Archer in 2016
The awards were voted for by the public and an expert panel. Over 43,000 public votes were cast between 1-31 December 2016.
Nemati made her Olympic debut in Rio weeks before the Paralympics. She won her second individual Paralympic title in the women’s individual recurve open in the Brazilian city. She also took silver in the mixed team recurve open with Ebrahim Ranjbarkivaj.
The 31-year-old took up archery after suffering a spinal cord injury in 2003. She has focused on inspiring women in sports and life, Paralympic.org wrote.
“To know that I can touch other people, that is important,” Nemati said.
The World Archery Awards have been in existence since 2014 for athletes, officials and volunteers who displayed exceptional performance and have made a contribution to the sport.
In 2016, the volunteer of the year award was presented to the sport volunteers of Rio for their hard work and dedication throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 27
Many newspapers highlighted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s remarks about the need for interaction with the world and his criticism of those who are opposed to such relations.
Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s lengthy letter to US President Donald Trump was a top story in many Iranian papers today.
Saudi Foreign Minister’s surprise visit to Iraq and the speculations about Riyadh’s plots to influence Mosul liberation operation also received great coverage.
The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:
Afkar:
1- Iraq’s Political Elites Urge Riyadh to Prove Its Goodwill
2- One-Fourth of Iranians Suffer from Anxiety
Arman-e Emrooz:
1- Ahmadinejad’s Letter to Trump
2- Parliament Supports Iranians Living in US in Reaction to Trump’s Ban
Ebtekar:
1- Law of Gravity: Ahmadinejad Pens Letter to Trump
2- Saudi Arabia’s Greed to Take Advantage of Iraq
Saudi FM pays surprise visit to Baghdad amid operation to liberate Mosul
Ettela’at:
1- President: To Resolve People’s Problems, We Need Interaction with World
2- Syrian Army’s Rapid Progress in Aleppo Cripples ISIS
3- UN Ready to Support Iran in Resolving Environmental Problems
4- Israel: We’ll Soon Use Robots to Assassinate Hezbollah, Hamas Leaders
Israel is going to use technology for terrorism!
Hemayat:
1- US Congress Unveils New Version of Anti-Iran Pressure: From accusing revolutionary bodies of corruption to spread of British version of Shiism
Iran:
1- Clash with World Was Profitable for Some: President Rouhani
2- Zarif: Farhadi’s Words Are Ours [Iranian FM’s piece about The Salesman and the Oscars]
3- Centre of Khuzestan’s Dust Pollution Is Areas Controlled by ISIS: UN Official
Jame Jam:
1- Parliament’s Reaction to Trump’s Travel Ban
2- Iran Shows Its Naval Power in Velayat 95 Drills
Javan:
1- Informed Political Sources: Rouhani’s Gov’t Trying to Polarise Atmosphere
2- White ISIS Diplomacy in Baghdad: Saudi Arabia finally consents to change controversial ambassador to Iraq
3- Geneva Shakes after Terror Attacks in Homs; Syria Peace Talks Influenced by Terrorist Attacks
4- Muslims Censored in United States
Jomhouri Eslami:
1- Don’t Disappoint People’s Hope in Iran’s Future: Rouhani
2- Gov’t Proud that 11 Million People Gained Insurance: Iran President
3- Final Stage of Iran’s Major Naval Drill Begins
4- Bahraini People Renew Allegiance with Sheikh Qassim
5- 224 Martyrs Killed in Iraqi Imposed War to Be Buried in 31 Provinces
Ka’enat:
1- Letter from One Human to Another
Kayhan:
1- Unilateral Tribunes and Government’s Response to Questions It Posed
2- Security Gap in Europe: Fascists’ Brutal Attacks on Britons; French Police’s Clash with Protesters
3- CIA’s 7 Ways to Counter Iran Presented in US Congress
Khorasan:
1- Jazmourian Wetland Revives after 20 Years
2- First VP’s Account of Leader’s Support for Reformists’ Activity
Resalat:
1- Spread of Trumpism and Racism in Europe
Rooyesh-e Mellat:
1- Iran Will Soon Launch Most Advanced Homegrown Destroyer
2- Deceitful Ads of Slimming Pills in Satellite Channels
Saheb Qalam:
1- 8 Standards Become Obligatory for Domestic Cars
2- China Is Both Biggest Importer of Iranian Goods and Exporter of Goods to Iran
3- Foreign Messaging Apps Obliged to Obtain Licence
Shargh:
1- Ahmadinejad’s Advice for Trump
Siasat-e Rooz:
1- Giving Discount to West in Order to Realise Promises
Rouhani: Some Dislike Having Interaction with the West
2- US Is an Atomic Bomb; Trump Seeks to Promote Nuclear Weapons
North Korean Leader Executes 5 Officials with Anti-Aircraft Guns
According to a Monday report by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, five North Korean officials in the department of recently purged state security chief Kim Won Hong were executed by anti-aircraft guns because of the false reports to Kim, South Korean lawmaker Lee Cheol Woo said.
North Korea fired Kim Won Hong in January, presumably over corruption, abuse of power and torture committed by his agency, Seoul said earlier this month. The fallen minister had been seen as close to Kim Jong Un.
The executions came as Malaysia is investigating the poisoning death of Kim’s estranged elder half-brother, Kim Jong Nam. That investigation is still going on, but South Korea says it believes Kim Jong Un ordered the assassination, which took place Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpur’s airport, AP reported.
Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has reportedly executed or purged a large number of high-level government officials in what rival Seoul has called a “reign of terror.”
