Iran Indicts 4 Dual Citizens

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July 11, 2016

In a meeting with high-ranking judiciary officials in Tehran on Monday, Jafari Dowlatabadi said the cases of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (dual Iranian-British citizen), Homa Hoodfar (Iranian-Canadian), Nazar Zaka (US-Lebanese) and Siamak Namazi (Iranian-American) have been sent to the court under indictments.

Tehran’s prosecutor general added that the same has happened for 7 other defendants charged with involvement in the 2009 riots.

In June, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps base in Iran’s southern province of Kerman confirmed that its intelligence department had arrested Zaghari back on April 3.

According to the statement, a series of extensive intelligence operations, including monitoring of the virtual space, led to the arrest of Zaghari, a main ringleader of institutes affiliated with foreign intelligence agencies who had carried out various operations to serve the hostile purposes of the enemies of the Establishment.

Employed by foreign media and intelligence services, she had been involved in planning and performing media and cyber projects with the purpose of “soft overthrow” of the Islamic Republic’s Establishment, the statement added.

Zaghari “is a main ringleader of hostile institutions who had been involved in criminal activities over the past years under the auspices of the foreign governments’ media and espionage services,” it added.

Iran President Vows Full Support for Iraq’s Anti-Terror Fight

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IFP Media Wire

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July 11, 2016

In a meeting with visiting Chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) Ammar Hakim in Tehran on Monday, Rouhani praised as a very important achievement the recent victories of the Iraqi government and people against terrorists.

The Iranian president urged all people from all Iraqi political groups, faiths and ethnicities to maintain their unity and strengthen their national solidarity.

The Iraqi army, along with popular forces, has been engaged in operations to liberate militant-held regions.

Iraqi government forces on Saturday managed to fully retake a strategic airbase in the town of Qayyarah, located some 60 kilometers (40 miles) south of Mosul, from Daesh Takfiri terrorists.

Mosul, located about 360 kilometers (225 miles) northwest of Baghdad, fell to Daesh militants in June 2014, when the Takfiri terrorist group mounted an offensive in the Arab country and overran parts of Iraq in north and west.

In another recent victory, Iraqi forces managed to push Daesh militants out of Fallujah city, located roughly 69 kilometers (43 miles) west of Baghdad, last month. Fallujah was held by Daesh for more than two years.

The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by gruesome violence ever since Daesh terrorists mounted an offensive in the country in June 2014. The militants have been committing vicious crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and others.

Elsewhere, President Rouhani stressed the importance of expanding mutual relations between the two neighbors, saying, “The expansion, promotion and strengthening of Tehran-Baghdad ties will serve the interests of the people of the two countries as well as regional nations.”

The ISCI chairman, for his part, hailed Iran’s great role in the fight against terrorism in Iraq and said the recapture of Fallujah from Daesh Takfiri terrorists was the outcome of unity among Iraqi political and military groups and people.

Hakim emphasized that Iraqis would maintain their unity until the full eradication of terrorism across the country.

Saudis’ Attendance in MKO Meeting Reveals Their Support for Terrorism

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 11, 2016

“The attendance of Turki al-Faisal, the former chief of Saudi intelligence organization, in the MKO gathering … revealed the Saudi regime’s terrorist nature more than ever,” Moqaddamfar said, according to a report by Mizan, as translated by IFP.

“The Al Saud regime has a terrorist nature and pursues proxy wars as an instrument in the hands of Zionists and the US.”

“Today we can see that the MKO, which is known to everyone as a terrorist group, is fully supported by the Al Saud family,” he went on to say.

“The entire world is familiar with the crimes the MKO has committed in Iran. The terrorist group killed Iran’s Judiciary Chief [Ayatollah Beheshti] and 72 members of the Islamic Republic Party on June 28, 1981. Later on August 30 in the same year, they killed the President and Prime Minister. They also launched blind terrorist attacks against thousands of ordinary people in Iran.”

“Perhaps nowhere in the entire world can one find a terrorist group like the MKO with so many crimes and terrorist attacks against the country’s ordinary people and authorities.”

Moqaddamfar said the attendance and the speech delivered by Faisal in the MKO Conference sent three messages.

“The first message of his attendance was to reveal the terrorist nature of Riyadh’s regime and the support of Al Saud for the global terrorism network more than ever.”

“The second message of the security official’s participation in the MKO meeting was to show the creation of a link between the MKO and the ISIS. Today we should declare that the MKO has been linked with the ISIS thanks to the Al Saud and its security system,” he added.

“The third message is that, by attending the MKO meeting in Paris, the Saudi security official explicitly and officially voiced Riyadh’s stance towards the Islamic Republic [of Iran] and declared that the Al Saud is standing by the MKO.”

“Causing rift between Shiites and Sunnis, provoking sectarian wars, Shiitophobia and Iranophobia are the goals pursued by Saudi Arabia today, and the official stance held by Turki al-Faisal proves that,” Moqaddamfar said.

A number of Saudi officials and supporters of MKO, including Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, attended the gathering of the terrorists in Paris on Saturday, July 9, and made anti-Tehran remarks.

The MKO – listed as a terrorist organization by much of the international community – fled Iran in 1986 for Iraq and was given a camp by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

They fought on the side of Saddam during the Iraqi imposed war on Iran (1980-88). They were also involved in the bloody repression of Shiite Muslims in southern Iraq in 1991 and the massacre of Iraqi Kurds.

The notorious group is also responsible for killing thousands of Iranian civilians and officials after the victory of the Islamic revolution in 1979.

More than 17,000 Iranians, many of them civilians, have been killed at the hands of the MKO in different acts of terrorism including bombings in public places, and targeted killings.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on July 11

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 11, 2016

Newspapers on Monday covered the glorious funeral ceremony held for the renowned filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami in Tehran.

Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal’s attendance and the speech he delivered in a meeting of MKO group in Paris also received great coverage. The reactions to his attendance and the criticisms against Saudi Arabia’s support for such a terrorist group were highlighted in Iranian media.

The issue of astronomical salaries also remained a top story thanks to the recent apology of Economy Minister Ali Tayyebnia, and the promises for further transparency.

President Hassan Rouhani’s communication of a law for reforming the country’s banking system was also covered by newspapers.

The above issues as well as many more are highlighted in the following headlines:

Abrar:

1- Egyptian Army Kills ISIS Commander in Sinai

2- Gaza Siege Will End Soon Thanks to Efforts by Qatar and Turkey: Hamas

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Leader Appreciates Selfless Fire-Fighters and Executives in Bou Ali Petchem Complex Case

2- Zarif Should Mediate between Salehi [nuclear chief] and President Rouhani: Zibakalam

3- Fourth Apology: Ministers of Economy and Judiciary Apologize for Issue of Astronomical Salaries

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Kiarostami Escorted to His ‘Eternal Home’: Glorious Funeral Ceremony for Acclaimed Filmmaker

2- Details of Terrorist Attack on Iranian MP: Falahatpisheh and Local Governor Were Wounded, 2 Others Were Killed

3- Saudi Prince Reveals Death of MKO Leader Rajavi

Emtiaz:

1- Heart Attack Is the First Cause of Death among Iranians: Deputy Health Minister

2- A Few Steps Left to Int’l Registration of Iranian Aqueducts and Lut Desert

Etemad:

1- 1 Trouble Every 4 Days! A Report on 80 Accidents and Troubles in Rouhani’s Administration in Past 1 Year

2- People Were Disturbed [by issue of huge salaries], I Apologize: Economy Minister

3- There Is a Project to Make Iran Insecure, and We Should Take It Seriously [Editorial]

4- Huge Fire in a Commercial Tower in Mashhad

5- Fifth Ranger Shot by Hunters: Troubles of a Ranger

Ettela’at:

1- Plan for Evolution of Banking System Is Beginning of Economic Mobility: President

2- ISIS Shoots Down Russian Chopper Using American Missiles

3- We’ll Stand by Iraqi Nation and Gov’t until Full Eradication of Terrorists: Zarif

4- President Rouhani Calls for Efforts to Protect Privacy of Cell Phone Users

5- 150 Killed in Armed Clashes in South Sudan

Farhikhtegan:

1- Glory of Grief: A Report on Abbas Kiarostami’s Funeral Ceremony in Tehran

2- Traditional Conservatives Support President Rouhani [in next year’s elections]

3- Rouhani’s Manifest for Evolution of Banking System Unveiled in High Council of Economy

Iran:

1- Economic Boom Begins: Most Important Financial and Monetary Package Communicated by Rouhani

2- Parliament’s Research Centre Studying New Models for Military Service

3- Why Iranian Social Media Are Not Popular

4- Less Than 3% of Unconventional Salaries Belong to Rouhani’s Administration: Justice Minister

5- Multi-Billion-Dollar Offense of Previous Gov’t in Foreign Deposits: First VP

Jame Jam:

1- Al Terror: Turki Faisal Starts New Phase of Support for Terrorism by Attending MKO Meeting

2- 33% Decrease in Crime Rate during Ramadan

Javan:

1- Saudi Arabia Walking on Saddam Hussein’s Path: Saudis Seek to Create Iranian ISIS Using MKO’s Leftover; A Secular ISIS after an Ideologue One

2- Cutting the Defence Budget or Offering JCPOA 2 to Westerners?

3- Lawsuit Should Be Filed against US Shoot-Down of Iran Air Flight 655

4- Iran’s Advisory Aid to Iraq and Syria Will Continue: Shamkhani

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- President Starts Reforming Iran’s Banking System

2- Iraqi MPs Praise Iran’s Strategic Role in Maintaining Regional Stability

3- Iranian Expatriates in US, with $800bn of Capital, Are Keen to Return Home

4- MKO, a New Bait for Saudi Arabia [Editorial]

Kayhan:

1- Bitter Fruit of Aristocrat Management: From [fugitive banker] Khavari and Zanjani to Astronomical Salaries

2- Assad Removed Erdogan from Regional Equations through His 5-Year Resistance

3- Deputy Oil Minister: We’ve Shared Information of Joint Oilfields with Foreigners!

4- US Police Arrests 100 Black Protesters: We Are Unique in Violence, Obama Says

5- We’re Still Faced with Sanctions: First VP

Resalat:

1- President Rouhani Should Renounce His Brother: Cleric

2- End of American Black Community’s Patience

3- US Violation of Its Commitments Is Consequence of 2009 Sedition

Roozan:

1- The Astringent Taste of Farewell: Kiarostami Escorted on People’s Shoulders to “Friend’s House”

Shahrvand:

1- Wedding Ceremonies for 7 to 11-Year-Old Girls in a Village: Forced Marriage Forces Girls to Leave the School

2- Repercussions of 8 Years of Administrative Chaos [under Ahmadinejad]

3- [Iranian footballer] Sardar Azmoun’s Dream Comes True: President Rouhani Invites Him for a Meeting

4- We Were Trapped by Terrorists: MP Who Escaped Assassination

Shargh:

1- Who Caused $80bn Damage to Iran

Shorou:

1- Beyond Crisis: Fresh Wave of Dust Pollution Coming to Iran

2- Don’t Eat in Front of TV or Computer

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- Benefits of WTO Accession: ‘Almost Nothing’!

2- Terror Make-Up in Paris: Saudi Arabia Shows Its Support for Terrorist Group MKO

Saudi bids to revitalize MKO doomed to failure: IRGC

By

IFP Media Wire

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July 11, 2016

The IRGC spokesman, Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif, said on Sunday that the unanimity and convergence of Al Saud and MKO in a rally in the French capital of Paris showed the Saudi regime’s complicity in the group’s terrorist crimes against the Iranian nation.

He added that the presence of former Saudi intelligence chief, Prince Turki al-Faisal, in the Paris meeting showed the long-lasting bond between the MKO and the Saudi regime in their crimes against the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian nation.

The former Saudi spy chief attended an annual meeting of the MKO in Paris on Saturday and gave a 30-minute address to the gathering.

Faisal’s overt pronouncement of support for the terrorist group marked a fresh high in Saudi Arabia’s hostility toward Iran and the kingdom’s lack of concern about the sentiments of the Iranians.

“It is clear to world opinion that the Al Saud regime is the axis of support for the terrorist movement in the region and beyond it,” the IRGC commander said.

He added that the MKO, Daesh, Taliban and tens of other terrorist groups, which are scattered across the Muslim world and the globe, are committing the most heinous crimes against humanity under the leadership and support of the US, the Israeli regime and reactionary regimes in the region, including through extensive financial aid by the Al Saud.

Sharif emphasized that the dark criminal record of the MKO and the support accorded by the US and the Western and Arab allies of the White House and the Israeli regime to the MKO terrorists in their killing of nearly 17,000 Iranian people and officials will never be forgotten and they always deserve the harshest punishment.

The MKO is the most hated terrorist group among the Iranians because of its dark history of assassinations and bombings and for siding with the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, in his eight-year war against Iran in the 1980s.

Saudi Arabia is widely believed to have been providing funds and weapons to militants fighting to topple the Syrian and Iraqi governments.

Under the pretext of fighting Iran’s influence, the kingdom has also been waging a destructive war on Yemen which has claimed thousands of innocent lives so far.

Faisal’s participation in the MKO gathering and his unequivocal proclamation of support for a group which is internationally listed as a terrorist organization takes the kingdom’s aggressive anti-Iran stances to new heights.

Hamas at Forefront of Anti-Israeli Resistance: IRGC

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IFP Media Wire

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July 11, 2016

In a statement on Monday, the IRGC Public Relations department rejected a recent report by a domestic news agency that had incorrectly quoted an IRGC adviser on negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

“There is no doubt that the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, which has dealt a heavy blow to the Zionist regime and inflicted humiliating defeats on it in the 22-day, 51-day and 8-day wars, is at the forefront of the Palestinian nation’s anti-Zionist resistance and struggle,” the statement said.

The Palestinian nation’s experience in the battle against the Israeli regime demonstrates that “negotiation and compromise” would only encourage the Zionist enemy in its policy of continued occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people, it added.

The statement also referred to resistance as the only strategy that will help Palestine achieve its goals, hailing Hamas and other genuine Palestinian fighters for pursuing that strategy in recent years.

It finally made it clear that the IRGC’s stances are announced in formal statements or by the IRGC commander, describing any other comments as personal and unofficial.

Leader Thanks Managers and Firemen Who Helped Contain Blaze at Iran’s Petchem Complex

By

IFP Media Wire

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July 11, 2016

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei

In a message conveyed by Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh to Governor General of Khuzestan Province Gholam Reza Shariati and Deputy Oil Minister Marzieh Shahdaie, the Leader expressed his gratitude to all those who were involved in containing the blaze in the complex.

“I have been assigned the task of thanking all managers and self-sacrificing firefighters who had a role in putting the fire out at Bu Ali Sina petrochemical complex,” Zangeneh said in two separate letters to Shariati and Shahdaei on behalf of the Leader.

“…please inform all colleagues on the issue in the best possible manner,” he added.

The message came after firefighters managed to stop the inferno at a petrochemical refinery complex in Iran’s southwestern port city of Mahshahr on Saturday after 57 hours.

The fire broke out on Wednesday, when a huge reservoir tank full of Naphta was ablaze.

After several rounds of futile attempt to put at the fire at the blazing tank, officials decided to discharge its content and let the remaining material burn itself out.

Zanganeh, who was in Mahshahr to handle the operation directly, had ruled out the possibility of any acts of sabotage or arson attack, saying the fire was a result of a technical failure.

Foreign Ministry Rejects NATO’s Anti-Iran Claims

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 11, 2016

Rejecting the statement, Qassemi said Iran’s missile capabilities only fall within the framework of legitimate national defence programmes, as reported by IRNA.

“As it has been repeatedly said, Iranian missiles are not designed with the purpose of carrying nuclear warhead,” Qassemi said.

A few days ago, NATO heads of states jointly issued a statement expressing concern over ‘development of Iran’s ballistic missile programme and continuing missile tests that are inconsistent with UNSCR 2231.’

Iran’s missile program has no relations with nuclear talks and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, Qassemi noted, stressing that it also does not violate UNSCR 2231.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231 (2015) calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.

Although Iran’s missile program has been planned based on the country’s defence doctrine, certain Western officials have recently taken contradictory stances on the issue.

On the one hand, Western officials stress that Iran’s missile program is not against JCPOA and Resolution 2231, and on the other hand, they express concern over the issue in different meetings and through different statements.

Recent Blasts in Istanbul Were Saudi Arabia’s Message to Turkey: Analyst

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 11, 2016

In an article published by Tasnim, Massoud Sadr-Mohammadi, a political analyst focused on Turkey, underlined that the recent changes in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s foreign policy and that of his party on the one hand, and the soured relations between Riyadh and Ankara on the other hand, are inextricably intertwined.

Here is IFP‘s translation of excerpts from the article:

Since the establishment of Justice and Development Party (AKP), Saudi Arabia has had a major role in Erdoğan’s success. A lion’s share of Erdoğan’s economic achievements has been gained thanks to the generous investments of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Although Turkey’s cooperation with these two countries had entered a new level, it did not last long because of three reasons: First, the appointment of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as the eighth Emir of Qatar; second, the turmoil created in the Arab world; and third, the worsening situation of the ongoing war in Syria.

It has been several months that Turkey and Saudi Arabia have serious disagreement over the strategy to end Syria’s quagmire.

Erdoğan blames Saudis for being unfair since he believes his country has suffered more losses in the game than the other side, and now it is high time to put an end to this so-called unjust game.

One of the major discords between Riyadh and Ankara is on how to deal with the ISIS terrorist group. Turkey wants ISIS eliminated as soon as possible, and thus has gotten involved in direct talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since last year.

Unlike Erdoğan, Saudis are after a pseudo-Taliban model for ISIS. They believe that the Takfiri [extremist] group [ISIS] should stay alive in a particular geographical area, and to this end, have put Ankara under pressure to give ISIS some parts of its territory near the Syrian borders.

This would explain the mortar shells fired at Turkey’s border areas a few weeks ago. They were aimed at spreading fear among the residents in a bid to force the inhabitants into immigration and evacuation of the area for ISIS’s settlement.

Erdoğan would never offer parts of his country to Takfiri terrorists, even for a limited amount of time. Therefore, in an attempt to adopt an entirely new foreign policy, he has begun restoring Turkey’s soured relations with such countries as Israel, Russia, Iran, and Egypt.

Negotiations between Erdoğan and Assad were started by Turkey’s left-wing party, which has strong lobbies in the country’s MLKP (Marxist–Leninist Communist Party) and intelligence organization. It is still unknown to us whether Erdoğan himself has given the green light to begin the negotiations with Syria; however, there is no doubt that the government has authorised the persistence of the talks.

Erdoğan should be thankful to MLKP because his government managed to avert a direct war with Syria through the channel of these talks. Apparently Algeria has been chosen as the location for the direct negotiations between the two countries.

Recent developments in Turkey’s foreign policy attest to the fruitfulness of the negotiations. Sources say that Erdoğan has plans to say prayers in Umayyad Mosque in Damascus as a sign of peace.

The recent tragic blasts in Istanbul can be interpreted as a message by Saudi Arabia to show who the boss is! Similar explosions can be expected for the coming days.

ISIS has felt the danger and there is a good chance that the terrorist group urges its affiliates to launch lone-wolf attacks, which means an irregular and asymmetric terrorist war.

ISIS’s safe-houses overrun the metropolitan areas and southern cities of Turkey, and this makes it difficult for the country to curb their terrorist activities. Turkey is badly prone to terrorism unless it could use Israel and the US as a conduit for lobbying with ISIS and other minor Takfiri groups.

MP Escapes Assassination Attempt in Western Iran

By

IFP Media Wire

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July 10, 2016

A file photo of Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, the representative of Eslamabad-e Gharb County at the Iranian parliament

The vehicle carrying Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, the representative of the county of Eslamabad-e Gharb, came under an attack by four terrorists as he was travelling to the village of Rijab on Sunday, Farhad Tajari, an MP from the western Iranian city of Qasr-e Shirin, told IRNA.

Blood and a bullet hole is seen on the door of the vehicle carrying Iranian MP that came under a terrorist attack in the western province of Kermanshah. (IRIB photo)

He added that the governor of Eslamabad-e Gharb and the director general of the fisheries of Kermanshah, also passengers of the vehicle, sustained injuries while the driver and head of the Veterinary Department of Dalahou county lost their lives in the shooting.

The lawmaker said Falahatpisheh escaped the attack unhurt, adding that local security and judicial officials are investigating the assault.

Tajari said the terrorists fled the scene after torching the vehicle with which they had conducted the attack.

Terrorist groups backed by Iran’s enemies have been carrying out acts of terror mostly in border areas during recent months to scuttle the country’s security.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said in June that Iranian troops had killed five terrorists in an ambush in the country’s northwest near the border with Turkey. In its statement, the IRGC added that those killed were all members of PJAK, an offshoot of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and added that their “five-member band” was decimated near the Iranian city of Sardasht..

Broken glass is seen on the seat of the vehicle carrying Iranian MP that came under a terrorist attack in the western province of Kermanshah. (IRIB photo)

The IRGC’s Ground Force Commander, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, also said in June that the Iranian forces engaged in clashes with two terrorist groups in the country’s northwest near the border with Iraq and killed a number of terrorists. He added that the two groups were trying to infiltrate into Iran through the Oshnavieh border area to carry out sabotage and terrorist attacks.

In February, Iranian border guards arrested 10 members of terrorist groups who were attempting to infiltrate into the country through eastern and western borders. Terrorist attacks are rare in Iran, but al-Qaeda-linked and other groups stage hit-and-run assaults from time to time.

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

Iran Indicts 4 Dual Citizens

Iran President Vows Full Support for Iraq’s Anti-Terror Fight

Saudis’ Attendance in MKO Meeting Reveals Their Support for Terrorism

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on July 11

Saudi bids to revitalize MKO doomed to failure: IRGC

Hamas at Forefront of Anti-Israeli Resistance: IRGC

Leader Thanks Managers and Firemen Who Helped Contain Blaze at Iran’s Petchem Complex

Foreign Ministry Rejects NATO’s Anti-Iran Claims

Recent Blasts in Istanbul Were Saudi Arabia’s Message to Turkey: Analyst

MP Escapes Assassination Attempt in Western Iran

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