Thursday, December 25, 2025
Home Blog Page 5054

Iran refutes claims of supporting terrorism

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham

In his address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday night, Cameron claimed that “Iran’s support for terrorist organizations” needs to change.

“The speech by the British prime minister at the UN General Assembly shows the perpetuation of the egocentric attitude of a government which has a history of [causing] trouble in our region and many of the problems facing the region are due to the wrong policies [adopted] by that government,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Marzieh Afkham, said Thursday.

The Iranian official expressed regret that the British government which has been supporting terrorist groups has passed an “inappropriate judgment” on Iran which has always been at the forefront of the campaign against the scourge of terrorism.

Afkham said that the British government has endangered regional and international peace and security by supporting the ISIL Takfiri terrorist group.

The ISIL terrorists control large areas of Syria’s east and north. The ISIL sent its Takfiri militants into Iraq in June, seizing large parts of land straddling the border between Syria and Iraq.

The terrorists have committed heinous crimes and threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and Izadi Kurds, during their advances.

According to a CIA source, more than 15,000 foreign fighters from more than 80 countries have gone to Syria to join militant groups. Two thousand of the fighters are believed to be Westerners, including at least 500 British nationals.

 

Iran Not to Cooperate with Fake US-Led Anti-ISIL Coalition

Iranian parliament speaker
Iranian parliament speaker

“The US president has said that they along with their regional allies will uproot terrorism in the world which is a ridiculous political jokes,” Larijani said, addressing an open session of the parliament in Tehran on Wednesday.

He underscored that terrorism cannot be uprooted with airstrikes, adding that the air attacks will have two consequences; firstly, killing and displacing the people who live in the bombed regions; secondly, displaying the ineffectiveness of the US resort to power.

“These US attacks will spread terrorism, as the bombings in Afghanistan didn’t uproot terrorism and, rather, helped the terrorists’ coming in control and spread in other countries,” Larijani said.

He condemned the US and other western states’ moves in the region, and said, “We have opposed terrorism in the region since the beginning and will really fight against it but we don’t cooperate with the fake coalitions as we don’t see them legitimate.”

After the so-called US-led coalition against the ISIL declared its creation, Iran lashed out at the western states for pursuing a double-standard policy towards campaign against terrorism in various countries.

Last Monday, the Iranian Supreme Leader said the US had played no role in the ISIL’s recent defeat in Iraq, and stressed that Washington officials have repeatedly demanded Iran to join them in the fight against the ISIL, but Iran had rejected all their demands.

“During the days I was at the hospital, I had fun listening to the remarks of the US officials on fighting Daesh (ISIL),” Ayatollah Khamenei said in an interview with Iran’s state-run TV as he left the hospital after a successful prostate surgery.

Ayatollah Khamenei described the US officials’ allegations about fighting the ISIL as hollow and biased, and said the US disappointment at Iran’s partnership in its incorrect and illegal coalition was an “unrivaled honor” for Tehran.

Ayatollah Khamenei elaborated on some details of the US demands for Iran’s cooperation in forming the anti-ISIL coalition, and said, “During the hard days of Daesh’s attacks on Iraq, the US ambassador to Iraq demanded our envoy in the country (Iraq) that Iran and the US meet for negotiations and coordination on Daesh. Our ambassador reflected the issue to Iran and although some officials didn’t voice opposition, I opposed it and said we will not cooperate with the Americans in this regard since they have a corrupt intention and stained hands and how could we have cooperation with the Americans under such conditions.”

He referred to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s remarks that his country wouldn’t invite Iran to the anti-ISIL coalition, and said, “The same US secretary of state had personally demanded (Iranian Foreign Minister) Dr. (Mohammad Javad) Zarif, and called for cooperation with us on Daesh but Dr. Zarif had rejected his demand.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also revealed that “the US deputy secretary of state (Wendy Sherman) repeated the same demand for cooperation with Iran against the ISIL during the talks with her Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araqchi, and the Iranian deputy foreign minister refused it”.

He underscored Iran’s firm and explicit opposition to cooperation with the US in fighting the ISIL, and said, “Now they are telling a lie that they won’t accept Iran in the coalition because Iran had announced its opposition to its presence in such a coalition since the very beginning.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said that the US and its allies had earlier formed “a coalition of several countries against Syria, but they couldn’t do a damn thing”, and ensured that the same failure will be repeated with regard to Iraq.

Reiterating that the Americans were not serious about fighting the ISIL, he said, “The Americans and even Daesh are well aware that the move which broke Daesh’s backbone in Iraq was not the US action but the acts of the popular forces and the Iraqi army who had well learned the ways to fight Daesh and inflicted heavy damages on the group.”

He underscored that the Iraqi popular forces and army’s blows to the ISIL would continue, and said, “The reality is that the Americans are seeking an excuse to do the same actions in Iraq and Syria that they are doing in Pakistan, where they trespass on the country’s territory without any permission, despite the existence of a sovereign government and a powerful army (in Pakistan), and bomb different parts.”

“The Americans should know that if they do this, the same problems that were created on their way in the past ten years in Iraq will be created for them again,” Ayatollah Khamenei stressed.

Iran researchers design stress calculator

Iran-researchers-calculate-stress
Iran-researchers-calculate-stress

Dr. Hossein Hassanpour, one of the project’s researchers, said the device is supposed to be equipped with a computer game, which can be used to reduce people’s stress.

He said one way the device can be used on professional athletes and said, “One of the problems of professional athletes in national teams’ camps is stress, which even themselves are not aware of. Even the least amount of stress sometimes changes the result of a game.”

Stress accelerates heartbeat and reduces skin resistance, Hassanpour said and noted, “Therefore by calculating the amount of skin resistance through sensors attached to fingers, one can produce signals…, which indicate 16 signs of stress.”

The researcher said the bracelet is connected to computer through Bluetooth, showing the amount of stress in the form of sound, image or a chart.

Iran artists works displayed at Art Expo Malaysia

Iran-Malasia-expo-art
Iran-Malasia-expo-art

This year’s edition of the event, which marks its eighth officially started in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. It has exhibited works by artists from more than 30 countries in the form of 70 galleries.

The Iranian artists’ works were displayed at Art Expo Malaysia 2014’s visual arts section. They include oil painting, watercolor, and tile art.

Iranian artists displayed at the event include Fathollah Marzban and Asghar Yaghoubi, who have had their works sported at the three booths assigned to the Islamic Republic.

The event was launched in 2007 by entrepreneur-impresario Datuk Vincent Sim Tiak Choo to fulfill his dream of having an art fair to bring together some of the finest artworks from all over the world to Kuala Lumpur under one roof, according to the AEM’s website.

What do those who favor a thaw in relations with the US have to say?

Iran-Arman newspaper_09-25
Iran-Arman newspaper_09-25

A number of hard-line principlists, who are widely known for their unbridled support for former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his policies, have lately expressed concern over Iran’s foreign policy.

In reaction, Arman-e Emrooz, a reformist daily on Tuesday published brief answers by six diplomats – past and present – and economists to the following questions: 1. Do you see a meeting between Presidents Obama and Rouhani as a threat or an opportunity? 2. Who will benefit from and whose interests will be harmed by the resumption of ties between Iran and the United States, and who needs the reestablishment of relations most? The following is an excerpt of the answers the six provided:

 

Hossein MousavianSeyyed Hossein Mousavian (Diplomat): The visit of President Rouhani to New York is an opportunity. Unfortunately, some individuals with political motivations seek to take away this opportunity from Iranian diplomats and President Rouhani.

Iran and the United States need to settle their differences in bilateral meetings. That President Obama has said he’s open to meeting President Rouhani is a good sign that a thaw in relations might be around the corner.

 

Farshad MomeniFarshad Momeni (Economist): In science, we try not to be haphazardly optimistic or pessimistic about things. Realism is viewed as the solution. […] Effective ties with other countries are a prerequisite for development.

In the absence of efforts to boost local capabilities, normalization of ties with the US won’t serve our interests, however at this stage making efforts and holding talks to clear the hurdles standing in the way won’t do us any harm.

 

Sabah ZangenehSabah Zanganeh (Diplomat): As far as diplomacy is concerned, talks with the US are ok and shouldn’t be viewed as unorthodox. Some regional countries and individuals in Iran might be worried about the prospect of logical relations with the US because they regard such ties as harmful to their interests. I believe a meeting between the two presidents is acceptable; President Obama is open to such a meeting.

 

Davood hermidas BavandDavoud Hermidas-Bavand (University Professor and Political Activist): Holding talks and establishing relations with the United States is a taboo. Breaking that taboo is what the Iranian people and even Americans want. Not holding talks would mean that the two sides have no differences to patch up.

I believe such a meeting is necessary and the Iranian people have given President Rouhani a mandate for that. Most Iranians favor a foreign policy approach that can help society find its way out of stalemates, ease the existing economic strains on people, and avoid social harms.

 

Ahmad NaghibzadehDr. Ahmad Naghibzadeh (University Professor): The taboo of Iran-US [contacts] has broken. That means direct talks are not unusual. I believe face-to-face contacts are the best way. The ones whose interests are served by continued rocky relations between Tehran and Washington oppose direct talks for normalization of relations.

Russia and our Arab neighbors don’t want that to happen. Middlemen are trying to prevent a deal from being concluded.

 

Ahmad ShirzadAhmad Shirzad (Political Activist): America’s Democrat Administration needs a useful deal with Iran. On the other hand, Iran wants unilateral and multilateral sanctions against it lifted. A key decision has to be made by the leaders now. New York is the final stop for working out a deal. And a good deal is within reach.

The West has reached a deadlock in the Middle East and getting rid of the problems in the region would be possible only if Iran’s case is settled first. Everyone is waiting for the talks between Iran and P5+1 to result in a deal that serves the interests of both sides.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on September 25

Iranian Newspapers headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

The comments of the Supreme Leader at a meeting with senior military and law enforcement officials dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Thursday. “The experience of the Sacred Defense showed that we can defy the unrealistic expectations of global powers,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. The meetings of President Rouhani with world leaders, particularly British Prime Minister David Cameron, in New York also grabbed a lot of front-page attention.

Abrar: “The reopening of the British embassy [in Tehran] does not need parliamentary approval,” a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly said.

Abrar: “Iran can serve as a reliable energy hub for Europe,” President Rouhani tells his Austrian counterpart.

 

Abrar newspaper-09-25


Afarinesh: “If we believe in the logic of our revolution, why should we be afraid of holding talks with others in advance?” Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani asked.

Afarinesh: “As long as our economy remains in the shadows of government policy, our problems won’t be solved,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

 

Afarinesh newspaper-09-25


Aftab-e Yazd: “A historic turnaround in diplomacy; [President] Rouhani met with British Prime Minister David Cameron [in New York].”

Aftab-e Yazd: “Some are distorting the comments of [the late] Imam Khomeini,” said former Parliament Speaker Nateq Nouri. He further stated that if there were one person faithful to Imam and to the Supreme Leader to the end, that would be Hashemi Rafsanjani.

 

Aftabe Yazd newspaper-09-25


Arman-e Emrooz: “I had the government-issue car for only one and a half months,” said Mohammad Reza Mirtajeddini, the vice-president for parliamentary affairs under Ahmadinejad. His comment came in response to allegations by officials with President Rouhani’s government that their predecessor are not handing back the government items which are at their disposal.

 

arman newspaper-09-25


Asrar: “Confronting terrorism is a priority of Iran,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said.

Asrar: “Our most important strategy is to win the [upcoming] legislative election,” said Mohammad Reza Aref [a prominent reformist figure who served as the deputy of President Mohammad Khatami].

 

Asrar newspaper-09-25


Ettela’at: “Iran’s presence in the fight against IS is necessary,” said the Iraqi president.

Ettela’at: “It is impossible to deprive the public of communications technology,” said the Iranian police chief.

Ettela’at: “Making threats against the Iranian nation is useless; tensions between Iran and the United States should ease,” President Rouhani said in New York on Wednesday.

 

Ettelaat newspaper-09-25


Hamshahri: “Iran is in 10th spot in a new world ranking released by FIVB [International Volleyball Federation].”

Hamshahri: The Islamic Consultative Assembly has rejected a bill that would have sent those convicted of tax fraud to jail.

 

Hamshahri newspaper-09-25


Hemayat: “Iranian athletes bag one gold, four silver medals and a bronze on day five [of the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea].” In the overall standings Iran is now 8th.

 

hemayat newspaper-09-25


Kaenat: “Adherence to values is a red line in the talks,” said Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani.

 

Kaenat newspaper-09-25


Kar va Kargar: “Iran is on its way to becoming an economic heavyweight,” President Rouhani says.

 

kar va kargar newspaper-09-25kar va kargar newspaper-09-25


Kayhan: “Had it not been for Iranian assistance, Iraq would have been under the control of terrorists today,” President Rouhani told the UN chief.

 

Kayhan newspaper-09-25


Mardomsalari: “Inflation is expected to slip below 18 percent by yearend,” the Iranian government has forecast.

 

Mardom Salari newspaper-09-25


Rah-e Mardom: “Sending a letter by [Former President Mohammad] Khatami to the Leader was a positive move. He should have paid a visit to the leader, but some didn’t allow that to happen,” Ali Motahari, who represents Tehran in parliament, said.

I disagree with blocking social networks

Iran Police chief: Ahmadi Moghadam
Iran Police chief: Ahmadi Moghadam

Iran’s Police Chief Brigadier General Esmail Ahmadi Moghadam says the infrastructure Iran has set for social networking sites to operate in the country is not adequate.

Mehr News Agency quoted Brigadier General Ahmadi Moghadam as telling reporters in the northwestern city of Ardabil on Tuesday that providing and maintaining the security of such online services is imperative and that the whole world has underlined the necessity of such security.

He said the Supreme Cyberspace Council has made preparations for the operation of social networks, adding that security concerns should be addressed if we are to develop the cyberspace.

He further said that the police deal with the issue of internet content filtering as they take into account issues related to prevention of criminal acts.

“I do not agree with blocking such social websites, but we need to observe security rules,” said the general.

UK: Iran part of solution to fight ISIL in Syria

Cameron-Rouhani
Cameron-Rouhani

Addressing the 69th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Cameron said Iran “could be part of the solution” in defeating the terrorist group.

“Iran’s leaders could help in defeating the threat from ISIL,” Cameron said.

The British premier added that Iranian authorities “could help secure a more stable, inclusive Iraq, and a more stable, inclusive Syria,” and urged the international community to welcome actions on the part of Iran to combat the Takfiri militants.

Cameron noted that the international coalition against the threat imposed by ISIL must be inclusive. He also said he will hold a parliamentary debate Friday to discuss a possible British involvement in airstrikes against the ISIL positions in Iraq.

Cameron and Rouhani discussed ties and regional issues in a landmark meeting on Wednesday. It was the first bilateral talks between a UK prime minister and an Iranian president since Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979.

The ISIL terrorists are in control of some areas in Syria and have captured large swathes of land in neighboring Iraq. Tehran has on several occasions voiced support for the Iraqi government since it began fighting against the ISIL in June.

ISIL has committed heinous crimes and threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and Izadi Kurds, during their advances.

According to a CIA source, more than 15,000 foreign fighters from more than 80 countries have gone to Syria to join militant groups. 2,000 of those fighters are believed to be Westerners, including at least 500 British nationals.

Observers have said the rise of ISIL can be directly attributed to the policies of Western countries, including the UK, in the Middle East region as they have been supporting insurgent groups in their fight against the Syrian government.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Sept. 24

Iranian Newspapers headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

What dominated the front pages of dailies Wednesday centered on the comments of President Rouhani at a UN Climate Summit as well as at a meeting with senior editors of some American news outlets. Speculations by political experts about the outcome of ongoing nuclear talks in New York were among the big stories of the day.

Abrar: “Minster of Road and Urbanization is headed for impeachment.”

Abrar: “Ghalibaf’s opinion about the election of mayors [by popular vote]” is the headline of a report about a bill which suggests that towns with populations of over 200,000 people could directly elect their mayors. Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, “Appointment or election of mayors is determined by law, but I think what needs to be done is the transformation of rules and the way cities are run.” Uniform Urban Management Services, a bill which, among other things, focuses on the election of mayors, is now under examination by the government and will be later handed to parliament for approval.

Abrar: “I won’t act arbitrarily at the [Media] Supervisory Board,” said Hassan Kamran after he was voted by MPs to take the seat vacated by Ali Motahari. He stressed that he would comply with the law.

Abrar: “Iran’s Naval Forces are capable of building vessels heavier than Jamaran [an Iranian-built frigate].”

 

Abrar newspaper-09-24


Abrar-e Eghtesadi: “France expressed readiness to invest in Iran’s Rajaei Port.”

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: “The first wide-body Airbus A380 is to touch down at Imam Khomeini Airport [on September 30].” The report in the daily says since the airport enjoys high technical capability, Emirates has applied for some of its A380 planes to land at and take off from the airport.

 

Abrar Eghtesadi newspaper-09-24


Afarinesh: “Iran has handed eight al-Qaeda members to Saudi Arabia.”

Afarinesh: “Iranian and British top diplomats held talks about the reopening of their embassies.”

 

Afarinesh newspaper-09-24


Afkar: “Saudi Arabia’s harsh stance” focuses on Riyadh’s reaction to developments in Yemen, accusing Tehran of meddling in the Yemeni affairs.

 

Afkar newspaper-09-24


Aftab-e Yazd: “A historic meeting in the Political Olympics” is the title of a piece in which the daily looks at the imminent meeting between President Rouhani and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Aftab-e Yazd: “Terrific news is around the corner for [Iranian] women,” said Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi. In an interview with the daily, she said negotiations about the presence of women in sporting venues are at a final stage and efforts are being made to hammer out a proper and viable way for their presence.

 

Aftabe Yazd newspaper-09-24


Arman-e Emrooz: “President Rouhani is likely to attend [nuclear] talks.”

Arman-e Emrooz: “An Accord seems to be highly likely,” said Chairman of the State Expediency Council Hashemi Rafsanjani. Wishing Iran’s negotiating team every success, he said, “Talks have come to a sensitive stage, and an accord seems to be highly likely.”

Arman-e Emrooz: “Culture cannot be fostered by morality police,” said Deputy Director of the Presidential Office Morteza Bank.

 

Arman newspaper-09-24


Asrar: “The International Monetary Fund hailed as a miracle Iran’s economic success,” said Economy Minister Ali Tayebnia.

Asrar: “Ahmadinejad’s violation of law has made his comeback to the political landscape impossible,” said Masoud Pezeshkian, a former MP and minister.

Asrar: “We will take Iranian musicians to European concert halls,” said Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati.

 

Asrar newspaper-09-24


Ebtekar: “I do not approve of filtering the social networks,” said Iran’s Police Chief Brigadier General Esmail Ahmadi Moghadam.

Ebtekar: “Parliament turned its back on the Islamic Revolution Stability Front,” is a report which indicated that contrary to the belief of the front’s advocates, it does not wield as much clout as it was thought. In an in-house parliamentary vote held on September 23 to appoint members of a Media Supervisory Board and an IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) Supervisory Board, the front turned out to be unsuccessful. Following the major role that it played in the impeachment of the former science minister, many believed it would prove to be a major player in the vote.

Ebtekar: “A rise in the number of holy sites under the magnifying glass of parliament” is a report about the critical comments of an MP representing Rasht – a northern city – about the growing number of registered holy sites across the country. He accused the Endowments and Charitable Affairs Organization of land-grab. Under law, any place which is registered as a holy site along with an expanse of land in its vicinity will be run under the supervision of the organization.

 

Ebtekar newspaper-09-24


Eghtesad-e Pooya: “Sanctions will be lifted and a promising future awaits the country,” said Vice President for Planning and Strategic Supervision Mohammad Bagher Nobakht.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “Non-oil exports registered 4-percent growth [between March 21 and August 23, 2014].”

 

Eghtesad Pouya newspaper-09-24


Etemad: “The first US-led attack on ISIL in Syria.”

 

Etemad newspaper-09-24


Ettela’at: “Iran’s proposals for the improvement of the global environment” refers to the speech that President Rouhani delivered at the United Nations Climate Summit on September 23.

Ettela’at: “A solution to Iran’s nuclear dossier will transform Tehran-Washington ties,” said President Rouhani in a meeting with senior editors of American news outlets.

Ettela’at: Under a new law approved by parliament,those who owe the government as much as 10 million tomans in taxes will face a travel ban.

 

Ettelaat newspaper-09-24


Haft-e Sobh: “A watered down bill which bans bearing bladed weapons finds its way to parliament floor.” The daily posted different opinions about the bill from the perspective of jurists and MPs.

 

Shahrvand newspaper-09-24

 


Hemayat: “Take US green-lights with a pinch of salt,” said Deputy Judiciary Chief Gholamhossien Mohseni Ejeie. Criticizing those who believe that an agreement with America can address all our issues, he said “I do not suggest war with America, yet we should not fall for its green-lights.”

Hemayat: “Hollywood-style adventurism is not real fight against terrorism,” said Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. He dismissed US-led airstrikes in Syria on the pretext of fighting ISIL as violation of Syria’s sovereignty and international law which paved the way for further meddling in the region.

 

Hemayat newspaper-09-24


Iran: “Commemoration of the International Day of Peace in Tehran.”

 

Iran newspaper-09-24


Kayhan: “Yemen is immersed in joy and light; the Yemeni people celebrate their victory.”

 

Kayhan newspaper-09-24


Jamejam: “US military operation in Syria is illegal,” said President Rouhani.

 

JameJam newspaper-09-24


Resalat: “Iran won’t bow to plans imposed by the US,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to the Supreme Leader for international affairs.

 

Resalat newspaper-09-24


Roozan: “Heidar Moslehi and Seyyed Hassan Khomeini [grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic] are vying to become the Friday prayer leader of Shemiranat [a small town on the northern edge of metropolitan Tehran].”

 

Rouzan newspaper-09-24


Shahrvand: “Last year’s prominent musicians were awarded.”

Shahrvand: “The government granted its main opposition rival [the Islamic Revolution Stability Front] a party permit.”

 

Shahrvand newspaper-09-24


Sharq: “Holding a concert in Iran is my dream,” Sami Yusuf, an Iranian-born British singer-songwriter said in an interview with the daily.

 

Shargh newspaper-09-24


Tafahom: “Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance throws its weight behind media which pitch the values of Sacred Defense.”

 

Tafahom newspaper-09-24

 

Iran said “No” to powers’ bullying in 8-year war

Supreme Leader-khamenei
Supreme Leader-khamenei

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the eight years of defense against Iraq’s invasion was Iran’s “No” to bullying and excessive demands of global powers.

“The experience of the eight-year Sacred Defense [against Iraq’s invasion] proved that despite all limitations and pressures, lack of financial resources, and numerous problems, it is possible to stand up against bullying and excessive demands by global powers through firm determination and reliance on God,” the Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks during a meeting with a number of high-ranking military and police commanders on Wednesday.

The Leader said that certain countries from the West and East along with their lackeys in the region formed a large military axis against the Islamic Republic during Iraq’s imposed war in the 1980s.

“This broad coalition sought to weaken, undermine and disgrace the Islamic establishment, put it in numerous troubles and ultimately lay the groundwork for the collapse of the Islamic Republic, but the Islamic establishment and the Iranian nation withstood this front and emerged victorious despite a lack of facilities and equipment and the existence of problems at that time,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran made “enormous” achievements although it sustained heavy costs in the war.