Iran, Russia, Turkey Start Bid to Solve Syria Crisis Diplomatically: Zarif

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December 21, 2016

There is no military solution to the Syria conflict and the country’s crisis can only be solved through political approaches, Zarif said in Moscow on Tuesday.

The Iranian foreign minister was speaking at a meeting with his Russian and Turkish counterparts Sergei Lavrov and Mevlut Cavusoglu, respectively, and members of the three countries’ delegations, which had gathered in the Russian capital to discuss the latest developments in Syria, particularly those concerning the newly liberated strategic city of Aleppo.

He expressed hope that a ceasefire agreement could be reached in Syria, saying that now is a good time for the resumption of negotiations to find a political solution to the crisis in the country.

Joint statement by Iran, Russia, Turkey FMs

At the end of their trilateral meeting, the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey issued a joint statement on agreed steps to revitalize the political process to end the Syria crisis.

Zarif, Lavrov and Cavusoglu agreed on the following topics:

1. Iran, Russia and Turkey reiterate their full respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, non-sectarian, democratic and secular state.

2. Iran, Russia and Turkey are convinced that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict. They recognize the essential role of the United Nations in the efforts to resolve this crisis in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2254.

The ministers also take note of the decisions made by the International Syria Support Croup (ISSG) and urge all members of the international community to cooperate in good faith in order to remove the obstacles on the way to implement the agreements contained in these documents.

3. Iran, Russia and Turkey welcome joint efforts in eastern Aleppo allowing for voluntary evacuation of civilians and organized departure of the armed opposition.

The ministers also welcome the partial evacuation of civilians from Foua, Kefraya, Zabadani and Madaya and commit to ensure the completion of the process without any interruption and in a safe and secure manner.

They express their gratitude to the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for their assistance in the conduction of the evacuation.

4. The Iranian, Russian and Turkish ministers agree on the importance of expanding ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian assistance and free movement of civilians throughout the country.

5. Iran, Russia and Turkey express their readiness to facilitate and become the guarantors of the prospective agreement being negotiated between the Syrian government and the opposition. They invite all other countries with the influence on the situation on the ground to do the same.

6. They strongly believe that this agreement will be instrumental to create the necessary momentum for the resumption of the political process in Syria in accordance with the Security Council resolution 2254.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) and his Russian and Turkish counterparts Sergei Lavrov (C) and Mevlut Cavusoglu attend a news conference in Moscow on December 20, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

7. Zarif, Lavrov and Cavusoglu take note of the kind offer of the president of Kazakhstan to host relevant meetings in Astana.

8. Iran, Russia and Turkey reiterate their determination to fight jointly against Daesh and al-Nusra terrorists and to separate them from armed opposition groups.

Russia FM urges uncompromising, merciless war on terror

In a meeting with his Iranian counterpart in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov stressed the importance of fighting terrorism in an “uncompromising and merciless” way.

He pointed to the assassination of Russia’s Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov in a gun attack in Ankara and said, “We feel that this barbaric crime is a fresh reminder the war on terrorism must be uncompromising and merciless.”

Karlov was shot dead while delivering a speech on the opening of a photo exhibition on Monday.

The Russian minister rejected as “absolutely unacceptable” the attempts to connect terrorist attacks to his country’s support for Syria in its fight against terrorism and said such moves are aimed at shielding the militants.

“This is a provocative, perverse and unacceptable logic, these people are trying to protect terrorists and stop the fight against them,” Lavrov said and added that the efforts to make the world believe that supporting the legitimate Syrian government would increase the threat of terrorism “are absolutely unacceptable.”

Iran FM: Terrorism knows no borders

During the meeting, Zarif expressed his condolences to the Russian government and nation as well as the family of the assassinated diplomat.

“Terrorists recognize no location and no geography and it is necessary that all [countries in] the world fight against terrorist groups,” the Iranian minister said.

Zarif said the Iranian government and nation are standing by Russia in the battle against terrorists and see no justification for acts of terror, adding that all countries must come to the conclusion that terrorists are not useful “even for short-term purposes.”

Those countries, which are sponsoring terrorism, must realize the “catastrophic dimensions” of their support for terrorist groups, Zarif noted.

Ahead of their talks in Moscow, the Iranian and Russian foreign ministers paid tribute to the murdered Russian ambassador to Ankara.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, lay flowers in memory of the murdered Russian ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, in Moscow, Russia, on December 20, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

The assassination, condemned by the Turkish and Russian leaders as an attempt to sour the bilateral ties, came as the countries are cooperating over the Syrian crisis.

Turkey is partaking in talks on behalf of anti-Damascus militants, who had been in control of the eastern part of the city until recently. Russia has been supporting the Syrian government and has been negotiating on its behalf.

Iran, the US, NATO, and other countries and world institutions have also condemned the assassination of the Russian ambassador.

Meanwhile, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan held talks with his Russian and Turkish counterparts, Sergei Shoigu and Fikri Isik, respectively, in Moscow on Tuesday about the latest developments in the region and the situation on the ground in Syria, especially in Aleppo.

During the meeting, the Iranian defense minister praised military cooperation between Ankara and Moscow in Syria.

Goodbye Tehran, Hello Yerevan: President Rouhani Starts Eurasian Tour

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 21, 2016

According to a report by IFP, Rouhani arrived in Armenia and warmly welcomed by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who was waiting for him at the airport.

After visiting Armenia, Rouhani will also pay official visits to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan waiting to welcome Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in Yerevan Airport.

Iran Censures Terrorist Attack in Berlin

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IFP Media Wire

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December 21, 2016

Berlin Terrorist Attack — The scene of a terrorist attack is seen on December 20, 2016 after a lorry smashed into a busy Christmas market in central Berlin. (Photo by AFP)

At least 12 people were killed and nearly 50 more injured when a truck plowed into a popular Christmas market packed with tourists as well as local shoppers outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church near Berlin’s Zoo station late Monday.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Tuesday reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s resolve to fight extremism and violence with the aim of uprooting terrorism.

He said all nations and states in the world must reinforce their unity and engage in a “relentless, purposeful and sincere” campaign against terrorism until its complete eradication.

The Iranian spokesperson expressed his sympathy with the bereaved families of the victims and hoped no such heartrending events would occur again.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday summoned the country’s top security authorities for talks on how the government should respond to the truck attack in Berlin.

She said, “There is still a lot that we don’t know about this act with sufficient certainty. But we must, as things stand, assume it was a terrorist attack.”

Police officers have reportedly detained a man, identified as a Pakistani citizen, about two kilometers from the crash scene on suspicion of having been at the wheel of the truck.

According to German media, the Pakistani man was a refugee who had entered the country either in December 2015 or February 2016, but police authorities have declined to confirm such reports.

This is while Germany’s Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere announced earlier on Tuesday that the suspect in custody had denied involvement in the attack.

At Least 29 Dead, Dozens Injured in Mexican Fireworks Blast

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 21, 2016

According to a report by IFP, the explosion in the popular fireworks market, which is located about 32km north of Mexico City, has killed at least 29 people and injured around 70 more according to police.

Sirens wailed and a heavy scent of gunpowder lingered in the air after the afternoon blast at the market, where most of the fireworks stalls were completely levelled.

Over 80 percent of the 300 stalls which make up the market were destroyed by the explosion and subsequent fire

It’s not yet known what caused the fireworks to ignite, Euronews reported.

It is the second time a blast has struck the popular market. In September 2005 there was another explosion just before independence day celebrations which caused many injuries.

World Shows Mixed Reactions to Assassination of Russian Envoy to Turkey

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 20, 2016

According to a report by IFP, Russian Ambassador Karlov was shot in the back and killed by an off-duty police officer when giving a speech at an Ankara art gallery.

Turkish authorities said the shooter was a riot policeman, Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22. A video showed the attacker shouting “Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria” as screams rang out.

In reaction to the assassination, some media outlets raised the possibility that the relations between Ankara and Moscow might be severed. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that his country is resolved to resume its ties with Turkey and described the ‘tragic’ attack as a move to impede the ongoing talks on the issue of Syria.

Abdel Bari Atwan, the renowned editor-in-chief of Rai al-Youm, even believes that, contrary to the speculations, the assassination of Karlov would result in warmer relations between Turkey and Russia.

“Radical forces have infiltrated into the Turkish ruling system, and this is the result of decades of work on extremist thoughts. As a result of such infiltration, every now and then, something happens in Turkey which is against the country’s current policies,” Atwan noted.

Nasser Kandil, a prominent Lebanese journalist, also raised the possibility that Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi prince, is behind the assassination.

According to Kandil, Saudi Arabia is not pleased with its absence from the ongoing talks between Iran, Turkey, and Russia on the fate of Syria. Riyadh used to play a key role in previous sessions, and often prevented Iran from being part of the negotiations.

Now, the talks are held between Tehran, Moscow, and Ankara, and the Syrian dissidents have to accept what they say. Feeling left behind, Saudi Arabia is trying to warn Turkey against getting too close to Russia, Kandil said.

Turkish police forces are secret officers of Bandar bin Sultan, he claimed.

Meanwhile, the journalists working for Qatar’s Al Jazeera TV seem to be excited by the assassination. Mohamed El-Moctar Shinqiti, a blogger for Al Jazeera website and an Associate Professor at Qatar’s at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, said in a post in his Twitter account that the Turkish assassin, Altintas, deserves the title ‘Martyr of Aleppo’.

Elham Bader, a chief journalist in Al Jazeera, also said in a post in her Twitter account that the assassination of Russian ambassador was ‘a humanitarian reaction’, and that ‘Russia deserves worse than that’!

Meanwhile, the way Western media, including Reuters, covered the assassination was also meaningful. In the majority of news reports, ‘the Russian ambassador was shot dead in Ankara’ was the focus. The shooter was not at all described as a ‘terrorist’. Some media outlets even highlighted the fact that a man wear a suit and a tie has shot down an ambassador.

This is while the same media outlets referred to the similar assassination of Christopher Stevens, the American ambassador to Libya, in 2012 as a terrorist attack.

Zarif: Iran, Russia Pioneers in Anti-Terror Fight

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IFP Media Wire

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December 20, 2016

Speaking at a Tuesday meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow, Zarif offered his condolences to Russia over the assassination of the country’s envoy to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, saying that Iranians are on the side of the Russian people and government in the campaign against “the sinister phenomenon of terrorism”.

“We believe that one can find no justification for acts of groups that carry out terrorist attacks in Syria or elsewhere,” he stressed.

“We and our Russian partners have always been pioneers in the fight against terrorism and we are glad today that our efforts (against terrorism) have been successful,” Iran’s top diplomat said.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Zarif participated in a ceremony to pay tribute to the late Russian envoy to Turkey.

Karlov was shot dead at an art exhibition in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Monday. He was shot by a gun while making a speech at a photography exhibition in the Turkish capital.

Iraqi People in Mosul Kill ISIS’ Mufti

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

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December 20, 2016

According to a Farsi report by Al Alam, Abu Ayyub, the ISIS’ mufti, had issued a fatwa to allow the extremists to shell the Western parts of Mosul.

However, sources in Iraq announced on Monday that the mufti has been killed by the residents of Mosul.

Iran Cautions Nationals about Travel to Turkey

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IFP Media Wire

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December 20, 2016

In a statement on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry strongly recommended that Iranians refrain from making unnecessary trips to Turkey given the “special circumstances in Turkey in recent days.”

On Tuesday, Iran also temporarily closed its consulates in the Turkish cities of Istanbul, Trabzon and Erzurum.

It came after assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov. He was shot in the back and killed on Monday as he gave a speech at an Ankara art gallery by an off-duty police officer.

Turkish authorities said the shooter was a riot policeman, Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22. A video showed the attacker shouting “Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria” as screams rang out.

Russian Diplomat Shot Dead in Moscow Hours after Assassination of Envoy in Ankara

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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December 20, 2016

According to a report by IFP, senior Russian diplomat Petr Polshikov, 56, was found at his home in the capital city with a bullet wound to his head.

The shooting disclosed by Ren TV came soon after news broke of the assassination of Russian ambassador to Ankara, Andrey Karlov.

The circumstances of the shooting remained unclear, and it is understood police are examining all possible theories as to his death, media reports said.

Iranian People Preparing to Celebrate Longest Night of the Year

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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December 20, 2016

According to a report by IFP, Yalda Night (also known in Iran as Shab-e Chelleh) is a Persian winter event which is commemorated on or around December 20 or 21 each year.

These days many Iranians are out making their purchases of such fruits as pomegranates, watermelons and various dried nuts.

Municipality of Tehran has thus announced that the public transportation system is available in the busiest areas of Tehran until 23:59 tonight [they will be working for extra hours].

Yalda celebrations have turned to a social occasion when friends and family gather to eat, drink and read poetry (especially the poems of Hafiz) until after midnight.

Each member of the family makes a wish and randomly opens Hafez’s book of poems and recites the poem, which is believed to be an interpretation to the wish.

Fruits, particularly pomegranates and watermelons, and nuts are served at this night. The fruits signify the hope for having a fruitful spring and summer.

The red-coloured fruits are believed to symbolize the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life, invoking the glory of Mithra. Pomegranates with angelica powder are also believed to protect individuals against the Devil.

Central Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and some Caucasian states like Azerbaijan and Armenia share the same tradition as well and celebrate Yalda Night annually at this time of the year, Tasnim reported.

However, Iran is the only country that has submitted a file on Yalda Celebrations to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), asking the body to inscribe it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

According to a Farsi report by ISNA, none of the abovementioned countries has asked to join Iran yet.