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Prominent figures cast votes in Iran presidential elections

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran Presidential Election

Many reformist candidates, who endorsed Massoud Pezeshkian from the early days the campaigns kicked off, were among the early voters right after the polls opened at 08:00 am local time (04:30 GMT).

Former reformist president Mohammad Khatami, ex-foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his wife, former first vice president Is’haq Jahangiri, Imam Khomeini’s grandson Hassan Khomeini, and former president Hashemi Rafsanjani’s son, Mohsen Hashemi, were among the long list of voters who cast their votes in Tehran’s Jamaran mosque.

Pezeshkian himself, who is a heart surgeon, however, voted in Tehran’s Firouzabadi hospital and was greeted by a large crowd of supporters.

The other presidential hopeful Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as well as the Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje’i voted in Shahr-e Rey’s Abdul Azim Hassani shrine just outside Tehran.

Former parliament speaker and political heavyweight, Ali Larijani, whose candidacy for the polls was turned down by the vetting Guardian Council, cast his ballot in the northern province of Mazandaran.

Over 64 million people are eligible to vote in the election, including about 10 million Iranians overseas. As a rule of thumb in Iranian elections, voter participation is expected to rise in the final hours of the vote.

The closing time for the polls has initially been set at 06:00 pm (14:30 GMT) but the interior ministry can extend it for multiple two-hour periods until 12:00 pm, depending on the turnout.

Iran’s envoy to UN warns Canada ‘will bear full responsibility’ for designating IRGC as ‘terror entity’

By
IFP Media Wire
-
IRGC

In a letter addressed to the head of the UN Security Council and the secretary-general, Iravani described the Canadian move as “a blatant violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns in the strongest possible terms this illegal and provocative action by the Government of Canada and considers it a hostile act against the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as a grave threat to regional and international peace and security given the significant role of the IRGC in fighting against terrorism and extremism as well as in preserving peace and stability in our region,” the ambassador wrote.

Last month, the Canadian House of Commons adopted a non-binding resolution calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to blacklist the IRGC and expel an estimated 700 Iranians.

In a hostile move against Iran, Canada’s Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc Ottawa on Wednesday listed the IRGC as a “terrorist entity” under the Criminal Code and called on Canadians in Iran to leave.

The move makes Canada the second country in North America after the United States to blacklist the IRGC.

It is self-evident that Canada—along with the US and those who have publicly supported this internationally wrongful act—will bear full responsibility for all consequences of such reckless behavior, Iravani emphasized.

The ambassador added that a provocative act by Canada would heighten tensions in the Persian Gulf region.

“Given the IRGC’s role, tasks, and mandate, which include ensuring maritime safety and security in the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman, and beyond, the Government of Canada is well aware that its irresponsible and provocative act will heighten tensions and increase the risk of accidents and incidents between IRGC forces and the Canadian armed forces.”

The official pointed out that this was not the first time Canada had systematically violated norms, rules, and principles of international law against Iran.

“Canada has repeatedly breached fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations which my Country has already been prompted to institute legal proceedings against that Country before the International Court of Justice for grave violations,” he continued.

The ambassador also hailed slain Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani’s major role in countering Daesh and other terrorist groups.

“The role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, especially Major General Qasem Soleimani, the hero Commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, who was assassinated by US forces at Baghdad International Airport on 3 January 2020 during an official visit to Iraq at the Iraqi government’s invitation, in battles against the UN Security Council designated terrorist groups like al-Qaeda, Daesh, the al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups in the region, has been widely recognized and commended by affected people and governments in the region,” he stated.

“The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are resolute in their commitment to fulfill its regional responsibilities and counter-terrorism efforts, as well as support regional nations and governments, upon request, in their efforts to eliminate foreign-backed terrorist groups.”

Elsewhere in the letter, Iravani warned that the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its inherent right to take appropriate countermeasures under international law in response to this illegal action and serious violation by the Government of Canada.

Voting begins for Iran presidential election, Leader calls for strong participation

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran Presidential Election

Veteran lawmaker Massoud Pezeshkian who is also a heart surgeon by profession, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, and former interior and justice minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi are vying for the top executive office.

Iranians lined up from the early hours to vote in the 14th presidential election since the 1979 victory of the Islamic Revolution in the country.

Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was among the early voters who cast his ballot just as the voting got underway.

He urged strong turnout in the polls, saying, “In order to prove the health and sincerity of the Islamic Republic’s system, the presence of the people is necessary and obligatory.”

The Leader added the participation of the people will lead to the “durability, consistency, dignity and prestige” of the Islamic Republic in the world.

Over 64 million people are eligible to vote in the election, including about 10 million Iranians overseas.

Pezeshkian, Qalibaf, and Jalili are in a tight race, according to opinion polls.

The polling stations will close at 06:00 pm local time (14:30 GMT) but the interior ministry can extend it for multiple two-hour periods until 12:00 pm.

The head of the Election Headquarters Mohammad Taqi Shahcheraghi said the results of the election are expected to be announced by Saturday afternoon.

Hezbollah chief terms Iran as ‘strong fortress of resistance’ against oppressors, colonialists

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Seyed Hassan Nasrallah

Nasrallah addressed via video link from Beirut a ceremony in Tehran Thursday to mark the 40th day since the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, hailing the country for taking the upheaval in its stride with fortitude and composure.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran emerged proudly and admirably from this tragic incident and presented an advanced and lofty model that is strong in facing all challenges,” he said.

Nasrallah added the incident, in which President Raisi lost his life along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others in mountainous terrain in northwest Iran, was “very painful and historic” which left Iran faced with threats.

“However, the rule is that we must turn threats into opportunities, as always emphasized by Eminent Leader of the Revolution” Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, he said.

“We have faced similar big and dangerous incidents in recent years. As an example, we can point to the assassination of two dear commanders, Hajj Qassem Soleimani and Hajj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, that was a huge damage and at the same time a threat,” he added.

Lieutenant General Soleimani, head of Iran’s Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi, an Iraqi commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces, were assassinated in a US airstrike ordered by then-president Donald Trump at Baghdad airport in January 2020.

“But this threat turned into an opportunity. These bloodsheds marked the breakout of the uprising and a new life for the resistance and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran and all the resistance movements in the region,” Nasrallah continued.

Iran responded to the assassination by launching a barrage of missiles at US bases in Iraq, causing brain concussion injuries among at least 110 American soldiers stationed there. Iranian officials have repeatedly vowed to take further steps and imposed sanctions on individuals taking part in the crime.

In April, Iran responded with its first-ever direct operation against Israel, launching over 300 missiles and attack drones from its territory at targets in the occupied territories, after an Israeli airstrike destroyed the consular section of Iran’s embassy in Damascus, killing 12 people.

The operation left Israel, still reeling from coordinated armed incursions from the Gaza Strip into the Gaza envelope of southern territories under Israeli occupation, further shell-shocked.

“All this was thanks to wise leadership [of Ayatollah Khamenei] and management and responsibility [of Iranian officials] in Iran and the region,” Nasrallah said.

He added the tragic loss of President Raisi and his companions is “also an example, the outcome of which depends on our behavior”.

“Thank God, the people of Iran became a model for the whole world through their direct presence and the way they dealt with the incident with general peace and stability.”

Nasrallah said, “Enemies who were lying in wait and talking about riots happening here and there saw with their own eyes that despite all the difficult conditions it faced due to this incident, Iran was calm, stable, unified and united.”

He touched on millions of mourners who took to the streets in Iranian cities to pay their respects to the president and his companions and take part in their funeral processions, saying their huge presence carried a strong message for both friends and foes.

“The friends who were worried when they saw the presence of millions gained confidence and trust, and the enemies who were happy realized that they were facing a nation that was aware and present, that had great insight and loyalty. The funeral was an expression of this great and enormous loyalty,” he added.

Nasrallah said in any similar incident, there is always the possibility of unrest and dangerous political, economic and psychological threats, but “thank God, with the blessing of the Leadership and officials and the people of Iran, the Islamic Republic came out of this trepidation proud and honorable”.

Today, Nasrallah stated, “the Islamic Republic and its holy system do not only determine the path of the Iranian nation, but they also decide the destiny of nations and governments and the future of the developments and other events with all honesty, openness and transparency”.

“The system of the Islamic Republic of Iran is not only the path and future of the Iranian nation; it is also the future and path of all the nations of the region and a strong fortress against the oppressors, robbers, colonialists and domination seekers who have filled our land and region with cruelty, oppression and corruption.”

“After God, we have great hope in this blessed Islamic country, its leadership, nation, authorities, religious sources to follow, scientists and seminaries, and we ask God Almighty to protect them all,” he added.

Commemoration of 40th day of martyrdom of late Iranian FM

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Commemoration of 40th day of martyrdom of late Iranian FM

US provided billions in security assistance to Israel since beginning of Gaza war: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

Citing an unnamed senior official of US President Joe Biden’s administration, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that almost half of the amount was provided last month alone.

“This is a massive, massive undertaking,” the official said, adding that the figure was announced during discussions between senior White House officials and Israel’s minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant in Washington this week.

The report said the US official had disclosed the amount “as an indication of the depth and complexity of US support for Israel.”

It further said that the remarks counter claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington had placed “bottlenecks” in its arms flow.

In a video posted to X on Tuesday, Netanyahu alleged that the Biden administration was “withholding” weapons and ammunition bound for Tel Aviv.

Israel waged its brutal Gaza onslaught on October 7 following a historic operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance group against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

However, almost nine months into the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its objectives in Gaza despite killing at least 37,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring over 86,400 others.

The US remains Israel’s most important ally and biggest supplier of arms. It has provided Israel with weapons and intelligence support during the Gaza war, and blocked UN resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Thousands of kids remain buried under rubble in Gaza: UNICEF

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban made the remarks on Wednesday during a UN Security Council meeting on children and armed conflict.

He said that Palestinian children continue to endure “incomprehensible suffering”, particularly those in the Gaza Strip amid a “staggering” scale of death and destruction there.

Chaiban noted that more than 23,000 cases of children killed or maimed in 2023 have yet to be verified due to insecurity, movement restrictions and significant risks to humanitarian personnel operating in Gaza.

“The bodies of thousands of missing children remain buried under rubble, and none of this includes the thousands of violations reported so far in 2024,” he added.

The UNICEF official also highlighted the obstacles that are impeding aid deliveries to Gaza and thus increasing the number of acutely malnourished children, stating, “After nearly nine months of horrible conflict, UNICEF and other humanitarian actors are still struggling to reach those in need.”

He further called for “a complete ceasefire” in Gaza, where many children are losing their lives due to Israel’s starvation imposed on the besieged territory.

Israel unleashed its brutal Gaza onslaught on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out its historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for the regime’s intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed more than 37,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 86,400 others in Gaza.

Also speaking at the Security Council meeting was Palestine’s UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour who recalled that Israel has killed more children in recent months than in all armed conflict globally over the past 4 years.

He estimated that nearly 16,000 Palestinian children were killed in Israel’s aggression against Gaza while another 21,000 are missing.

The Gaza Strip, once a vibrant place where children set world records in sports, has now been reduced to a graveyard, Mansour continued, calling for “collective resolve and responsibility to pressure Israel to stop the madness”.

Pakistan court rejects appeals by Imran Khan, wife in illegal marriage case

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Imran Khan

The decision by the court in Islamabad on Thursday means that Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, will remain behind bars.

The seven-year jail sentence, handed on February 3, was announced five days before the country’s general elections and followed two other convictions for Khan in separate cases. Both have since been overturned.

The marriage case against the couple was filed last year by Bibi’s former husband, Khawar Maneka, who alleged that his divorced wife did not observe the necessary three-month break required under Islamic law before marrying Khan.

Maneka claims he divorced his wife in November 2017. Khan announced his third marriage with Bibi in February 2018, months before he became the prime minister.

The couple filed multiple appeals against the conviction, seeking a suspension of the judgement.

Another appeal by Khan and Bibi to annul the February conviction is expected to be heard from July 2.

Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari, a senior leader of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and close aide of the cricketer-turned-politician, described Thursday’s ruling as a “sad day for the judiciary”.

“The hatred of a few is adamant to destroy all institutions for it. Dismissing the appeal shows that there is nothing on Imran Khan and his wife except this outrageous case,” Bukhari told Al Jazeera.

“This case is disgusting at all levels. Is [this] what the current setup wants to be remembered for – keeping Imran Khan and his wife in jail in a fake marriage case,” he asked.

Omar Ayub Khan, another senior PTI leader and member of parliament, condemned the court’s decision and stated an appeal would be filed.

In a statement on Wednesday, the party had warned that a new political crisis would grip the country if Khan was not released.

“The former prime minister has been imprisoned for 11 months, while during this time he has been acquitted or granted bail in 18 different cases,” the PTI said in its statement.

Rana Sanaullah, a top leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party, had recently alleged that Khan’s narrative was to sow chaos in the country.

Khan and his wife were previously handed a separate 14-year sentence in a case related to the illegal sale of state gifts, but in April their conviction was overturned by the Islamabad High Court.

Khan had also been sentenced to 10 years on charges of leaking state secrets, along with former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court overturned that verdict, but Khan remained behind bars due to his conviction in the unlawful marriage case.

In May, the same court had granted Khan bail in a high-profile land deal case in which he was accused of colluding with Malik Riaz, a real estate tycoon. Khan has been accused of signing a deal with Riaz that caused the national exchequer a loss of more than $239m in a quid pro quo arrangement with the businessman to build an educational institute.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last month alleged that “some judges” were favouring Khan.

“While many judges are patriotic, a few black sheep facilitated Imran Khan’s million corruption,” he said at a PMLN event.

Khan was in power from August 2018 till April 2022 before being removed through a vote of no confidence in parliament, which he blamed on a United States-led conspiracy that also involved Pakistan’s powerful military establishment – a charge denied by both.

The Pakistani military, which has directly ruled the country for more than three decades and has an overreaching influence in the political sphere, was also accused of orchestrating Khan’s rise to power.

Following his removal from office, Khan and his PTI have been facing a state crackdown which intensified after May 2023 when the former prime minister was briefly arrested.

His followers went on a rampage, protesting against his arrest and demanding his immediate release. Khan was released in less than 48 hours, but thousands of party workers and leaders were arrested, with more than 100 tried in draconian military courts.

The PTI continued to face difficulties as it was barred from using its electoral symbol – the cricket bat – in the February elections while Khan was declared ineligible to participate due to his imprisonment.

Still, PTI-backed candidates emerged as the largest bloc in the polls, winning 93 seats. But they remained in opposition as they decided against working with their political rivals.

UN says ready to deploy police force to Gaza

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

“If we are called on by the relevant bodies to help, of course we would do our best,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, answering a reporter’s question at UN headquarters in New York.

Pointing to numerous issues related to aid distribution in Gaza, Lacroix noted that incidents of looting have increased significantly.

He emphasized the need to find a solution to these problems, saying that involving a third party could be one of the options.

Lacroix stated that it is uncertain whether this third party would be the UN, adding that certain processes would be required for the involvement of the UN peacekeeping force and that the UN Security Council is part of this process.

Israel, flouting a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

More than 37,700 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and nearly 86,500 others injured, according to local health authorities.

More than eight months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Human rights organizations have warned that thousands of people in the besieged enclave are facing the risk of famine amid ongoing Israeli devastating onslaught.

Iran’s receding Lake Urmia out of woods following downpours

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Lake Urmia

The lake is in a better condition due to the increase in downpours in the catchment area and the release of water from upstream dams.

Unsustainable water consumption by farmers in the region and climate change have taken a toll on Lake Urmia, which was once one of the world’s sixth saltwater lakes and the biggest of its kind in West Asia.

Below, you can enjoy watching pictures of the dazzling lake:

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