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Iranian newspaper questions FM Araghchi’s visit to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Abbas Araghchi

The Monday’s article questioned the rationale behind visiting a country that lacks domestic legitimacy and has not been officially recognized by Iran.

The article argued the visit to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is against Iran’s national interests and public opinion, calling for a more cautious approach to dealing with the Taliban.

The newspaper warned that such a visit could alienate ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan, such as Tajiks, Uzbeks, and the Shia Hazaras, who have longstanding ties with Iran.

It highlighted the Taliban’s hostile actions and statements, including their aggressive water policies that threaten Iran’s water rights.

The Taliban’s construction of dams on the Harirud River, in violation of the 1973 treaty with Iran, was cited as an example of their disregard for international agreements.

The newspaper also expressed concern over the recent agreement to transfer 1,500 Afghan prisoners from Iranian jails to Afghanistan, questioning whether the move legitimizes the Taliban.

Araghchi traveled to Kabul on Sunday and held talks with several acting Afghan officials, including the prime minister, foreign minister and minister of defense, on bilateral issues.

France says to suspend some Syria’s sanctions

By
IFP Media Wire
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Syria War

“We have decided today to lift or suspend certain sanctions affecting the energy, transportation, or financial sectors that currently hinder the country’s economic stabilization and the initiation of the reconstruction process,” said French foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot at the doorstep of EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.

“This suspension of sanctions must be accompanied by a political transition involving all Syrians,” Barrot stated, highlighting the necessity for inclusive governance.

He also emphasized the importance of ensuring security in the region.

“Decisive measures must be taken, particularly an unrelenting fight against any resurgence of Daesh terrorism, along with the detection, control, and destruction of chemical weapon stockpiles held by the Bashar Assad regime,” he added.

To bolster these attempts, France will host the third edition of the Aqaba Conference on February 13.

According to Barrot, the event will “bring together Syria’s international partners to provide this support and ensure the implementation of political transition measures and security guarantees.”

This is not only about Syria, but “this also concerns the security of Europeans and French citizens,” he continued.

Israeli PM appears in court for corruption trial after month-long pause

By
IFP Media Wire
-

His trial was suspended in December after the premier underwent surgery.

Israeli media published images of Netanyahu entering the courthouse, escorted by his doctor Tzvi Berkovich.

On Friday, Netanyahu urged the court to postpone his trial due to his health condition, but his request was rejected.

Netanyahu pleaded to the court that he wanted to rest for recovery due to his prostate surgery infection.

“Give me a break,” Netanyahu told the court as cited by the daily The Jerusalem Post.

This is the seventh time Netanyahu has appeared in court during his corruption trial.

He faces three separate cases of corruption filed in 2019 against him: Case 1,000, Case 2,000, and Case 4,000, which include accusations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

The Israeli premier denies any wrongdoing, calling the accusations “fake.”

Netanyahu, whose trial began on May 24, 2020, is the first sitting Israeli leader to take the stand as a criminal defendant in the country’s history.

Under Israeli law, he is not required to resign unless convicted by the Supreme Court, a process that could take several months.

Netanyahu also faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over atrocities in Gaza, where over 47,300 people, mostly women and children, have been killed.

On Jan. 19, a ceasefire agreement took effect, halting Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

Homa-ye Saadat, symbol of prosperity, spotted in Iran’s Alamut

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Nature photographer Majid Bahrami captured an image of the magnificent bird on Monday, adding to his collection of sightings in the region.

Mehdi Taheri, the commander of Qazvin’s environmental protection unit, stated on Monday that the Homa bird, which represents the biodiversity of Qazvin province, has a wingspan reaching up to three meters in some species.

Despite its size, it is not a predator and primarily feeds on bone marrow.

Taheri emphasized the ecological benefits of the bird and noted its status as a protected species under the Environmental Protection Organization due to its risk of extinction.

He also mentioned that there have been successful breeding records of the bird in Qazvin.

The official further highlighted that the Homa has been frequently spotted and photographed in various mountainous areas of Alamut and Tarom.

Displaced Gazans return home to north, first time since war began

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

According to the Gaza health ministry, around 650,000 displaced people in the central and southern Gaza Strip will return to their homes in the north of the enclave.

“The passage of displaced Palestinians has begun along the Al Rashid road via the western part of the Netzarim checkpoint towards Gaza City and the northern part of the Gaza Strip,” a Hamas official told AFP.

Footage from Israel’s Channel 12 showed Israeli forces withdrawing from the so-called Netzarim Corridor, enabling civilian movement.

Videos showed trucks, cars, and carts loaded with belongings queuing along the Al Rashid road near the checkpoint, which runs along Gaza’s coastline. Hamas called the return of displaced Palestinians “a victory” for Palestinians and “a setback for Israel”.

The group stressed the images prove “the occupation has failed to achieve its goal of displacing people and breaking their will.”

On Sunday, Israel blocked displaced Palestinians from crossing into northern Gaza, following a dispute over the release of a female Israeli captive.

Qatar, mediating alongside Egypt and the US, announced late Sunday that Hamas would hand over Arbel Yehud and two other captives by Friday. Doha gave assurances Hamas will release additional captives by Friday and Israel will provide a list of 400 Palestinians arrested since 7 October. Following the agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a post on X that displaced Palestinians would begin returning north on Monday morning.

An Israeli military statement announced that Palestinians will be allowed to cross al-Rashid Street by foot starting at 7am (05:00 GMT) and the eastern Salah al-Din Street by vehicle from 9am (07:00 GMT).

The overwhelming majority of Gaza’s population has been displaced by Israel’s 15-month war, which has devastated much of Gaza and killed over 47,000 people.

Arab League dismisses attempts to relocate Palestinian people in Gaza

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

“Circumventing these established principles and longstanding commitments, which have garnered Arab and international consensus, will only prolong the conflict and make peace even more unattainable,” it said.

It reiterated that “the just Palestinian cause is one of land and people, and attempts to uproot the Palestinian people from their land through relocation, annexation, or settlement expansion have consistently failed in the past.”

The organization affirmed that such attempts are “rejected and in violation of international law.”

It highlighted that “forcibly displacing people from their land can only be described as ethnic cleansing.”

The statement added “the current phase requires continuous efforts from all parties to solidify and sustain the ceasefire as a precursor to immediately commencing the reconstruction of Gaza and addressing the wounds of its people, who have endured 15 consecutive months of brutal warfare. The infrastructure of the (Gaza) Strip has suffered unprecedented destruction in the history of modern warfare.”

The Arab League called on “all nations that believe in the two-state solution as a pathway to peace to work diligently and immediately to initiate a credible process to achieve this solution and implement it on the ground as soon as possible. This is the only way to ensure security and peace for Palestinians, Israelis, and all peoples of the region and the world.”

Describing Gaza as a “demolition site,” US President Donald Trump called on Saturday to “just clean out” the Palestinian enclave and resettle Palestinians in Jordan and Egypt.

“I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing at a different location where they can maybe live in peace for a change,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.

“You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over,’” he stated.

His proposal came a week after a ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured more than 111,000 since Oct. 7, 2023.

The Israeli onslaught has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Controversy surrounding Iranian VP Zarif’s role in US Sanctions, recent criticisms

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Javad Zarif

Hossein Shariatmadari labeled him as the true architect of US sanctions against Iran, more so than Richard Nephew, the author of The Art of Sanctions.

Shariatmadari argued that Zarif’s actions during his tenure, including his involvement in nuclear talks as former foreign minister and his recent participation in the WEF, “have significantly contributed to the imposition and intensification of sanctions.”

He accused Zarif of adopting a “submissive stance” in negotiations, which he believes led to piling up US-led Western sanctions instead of removing them.

In Davos, Zarif said, “If today, instead of Massoud Pezeshkian, we had (the far-right candidate) Saeed Jalili as president, there might have been a major war in the region.”
In reaction to his comments, a small number of radical protesters hit the streets of Tehran on Saturday, holding placards reading, “Zarif must be executed!”

In contrast, another conservative newspaper Khorasan criticized the recent vitriols and street rallies against Zarif, highlighting the rise of extreme political rhetoric and the use of harsh accusations such as “treason.”

The article emphasized the need for responsible political behavior and warned against the consequences of divisive language, especially given the current regional and domestic challenges.

Khorasan called for a more balanced and ethical approach to political discourse, urging officials to avoid inflammatory language and focus on constructive criticism.

The newspaper also stressed the importance of maintaining ethical standards in political debates to prevent further polarization of society.

Afghan acting PM urges increased security cooperation with Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Mawlawi Mohammad Hassan Akhund, in a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in Kabul emphasized Afghanistan’s readiness to exchange information and expand cooperation in this area.

Regarding water rights issues, he stressed Afghanistan’s commitment to Iran’s water rights, stating that ensuring Iran’s water rights from the Hirmand River is a religious, ethical, and humanitarian obligation for Afghanistan, even without a treaty.

He emphasized the need to use all capacities and resources to strengthen and expand relations in all areas, given the many common interests and affinities between the two nations.

Mawlawi Mohammad Hassan Akhund expressed gratitude to the Iranian people for hosting Afghan refugees and migrants for the past five decades.
He also praised the Islamic Republic of Iran’s attention to the importance of helping the respectful return of undocumented individuals.

For his part, Foreign Minister Araghchi referred to the Iranian administration’s determination to advance good neighborliness  policy.

He stated that his visit to Afghanistan aims to strengthen interactions with the country to ensure the interests of both nations and address concerns and challenges related to security, water, migration, and the expansion of economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Araghchi described security as a common concern for both countries and emphasized the importance of increased cooperation to prevent and combat terrorist elements and groups, saying Iran is ready for this purpose.

He also highlighted the importance of ensuring the security of all ethnicities and groups in Afghanistan, particularly the Shia and Persian-speaking communities.

Araghchi also noted Iran’s hosting of Afghan refugees and migrants over the past five decades and stressed the importance of Afghanistan’s cooperation in organizing the issue.

He emphasized that the international community should assist in this regard.

Israel-Lebanon truce extended until February 18: White House

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Lebanon War

“The arrangement between Lebanon and Israel, monitored by the United States, will continue to be in effect until February 18, 2025,” the White House announced in a brief statement.

A ceasefire agreement reached in November had originally stated that Israel’s forces were supposed to withdraw from Lebanon by 02:00 GMT on Sunday.

However, on that day, Israeli forces killed 22 people in southern Lebanon, according to health officials.

In a statement, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health noted that at least 124 people had also been wounded as the Israeli army opened fire as people tried to return to their homes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had slammed Lebanon for the delay, claiming Hezbollah had not pulled back sufficiently from the border region.

Lebanon denied that claim and urged Israel to respect the deadline.

Palestinian Authority rejects US plan to displace Gaza residents

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

“We will not allow the repetition of the catastrophes that befell our people in the years 1948 and 1967 … our people will not leave,” it said in a statement.

It added that such projects constitute “a violation of the red lines that we have repeatedly warned against”.

The Palestinian presidency called on Trump to continue his efforts to support the ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the transition of power to the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The PA has expressed hopes that it will return to play a governing role in Gaza when Israel’s war ends, but a comprehensive solution to the Strip’s governance has yet to be found.

Trump on Saturday told reporters that it was time to “clean out” the besieged Gaza Strip, urging the leaders of Jordan and Egypt to take in Palestinians from the besieged enclave, either temporarily or permanently.

In a statement released Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced it rejects the displacement of Palestinians or the encouragement of their transfer outside their land, whether temporarily or long-term.

Jordan’s rejection of any displacement of Palestinians is “firm and unwavering”, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stressed on Sunday.

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