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Who is Iran’s Qalibaf and why does he matter?

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June 23, 2020

Who is Iran’s Qalibaf and why does he matter?

The Speaker of Iran’s parliament Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf (Ghalibaf) has been in the news more often lately, trying to involve himself in local politics and foreign policy. He recently torpedoed the idea of negotiations with the US. He is hostile to America and Europe, and encourages distrust of both.

He wants “smart and active resistance” to the West and also wants to undermine any potential nuclear inspections or IAEA reports.

This means he potentially sits astride important policy decisions and is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei in his overall views.

These views are called “hardline” in Western media, part of the largely mythical narrative that there are “moderates” and “hardliners” in Tehran. Qalibaf is not so much a hardliner as an extreme right-wing nationalist, and his views represent the more extreme right of what is already a far-right theocratic regime.

Who is this Qalibaf and why might we see more of him? He is from northeast Iran’s Razavi Khorasan province and is apparently of Kurdish ancestry. He was born in 1961.

He has a PhD and was a former pilot in the IRGC. He rose through the ranks during the Iran-Iraq war, eventually commanding a division. After he left the fighting units and studied he got involved in running companies linked to the IRGC.

He remained close to Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani, who he had known during the war years.

He believes in the same worldview as Soleimani, using Iran to support Hezbollah, Yemen, Iraqi Shi’ite militias and Palestinians.

In 1999 he bragged about his role in suppressing protests, according to one account.

He and Soleimani even signed a letter that was sent to then President Mohammed Khatami urging a crackdown.

Qalibaf liked to beat the protesters with a stick, Arab News claims. After his stint in the IRGC he became mayor of Tehran.

IRGC Navy to establish permanent base in Indian Ocean: navy cmdr.

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June 23, 2020

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IRGC Navy to establish permanent base in Indian Ocean: navy cmdr.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy Commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said that IRGC is looking to establish a permanent base in the Indian Ocean by the end of the current Iranian year.

“IRGC Navy has been notified to be present in the Indian Ocean permanently,” said Tangsiri on Monday in Bandar Abbas.

“IRGC’s Navy has dispatched naval flotilla to oceans in the past, and the second navy flotilla has been sent to the Indian Ocean,” he added.

Stating that this decision is according to the guideline of the Commander-in-chief, he said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy has implemented this program many times, and the IRGC also has it on the agenda in line with its responsibilities.”

“IRGC is looking to establish a permanent base in the Indian Ocean by the end of the current Iranian year,” Tangsiri noted.

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Also Read: IRGC Navy Commander Calls for Withdrawal of Foreign Forces from Persian Gulf

Referring to repeated harassment by pirates and some foreign vessels for Iranian fishermen in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean, he added, “The IRGC will no longer allow such encroachments in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman.””IRGC’s presence in the waters of Indian Ocean is in line with the fulfillment of strategic naval capabilities by the orders of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution,” he said, adding, “We will provide a better platform for more special presence of fishermen and industrial fishing units in the oceans by providing security and establishing a permanent base in the Indian Ocean.””All the needs for the establishment of IRGC’s permanent base in the Indian Ocean have been estimated,” he noted, stressing, “IRGC’s presence will be a powerful and strong presence.””IRGC’s presence in the waters of Indian Ocean is in line with the fulfillment of strategic naval capabilities by the orders of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution,” he said, adding,

IRGC Navy Commander Calls for Withdrawal of Foreign Forces from Persian Gulf

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June 21, 2020

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IRGC Navy Commander Calls for Withdrawal of Foreign Forces from Persian Gulf

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri underlined that the Persian Gulf belongs to the regional states, and the foreign forces should leave the region.

“The Iranian Armed Forces enjoy unrivaled power and superiority over enemies in the Persian Gulf, yet we believe that we have the message of peace and friendship to the Muslim Persian Gulf states and we can together establish brotherhood, peace and security in the Persian Gulf,” Rear Admiral Tangsiri said, addressing a ceremony in the Northern city of Chalous on Sunday.

He noted that Iran has not made an aggression against any country in the past 41 years after the Islamic Revolution and is ready to help any oppressed nations, and stressed, “The presence of foreigners in the region is meaningless and they should leave the region.”

“The Persian Gulf is our and the neighboring states’ home and the foreigners who are after stirring tension and clashes should leave the Persian Gulf,” Rear Admiral Tangsiri said.

In relevant remarks late in April, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined that the littoral states and not the foreigners are responsible for the establishment of security in the Gulf of Persia.

In a series of tweets published on the Twitter page of Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader also said that the Gulf of Persia belongs to the nations living there, and those are the ones responsible for ensuring its security.

“Iran with its long coastlines has a key role in keeping the security of this region. By God’s grace we will do our part. This is our historical, geographical and regional duty,” said one the tweets, which were posted on the occasion of the National Gulf Day.“The Gulf belongs to the nations living there. Its security is the duty of these nations, and Iran with its long coastlines has a key role in keeping the security of this region. By God’s grace we will do our part. This is our historical, geographical and regional duty,” the tweet said.

IRGC Releases Video Showing Iranian Missile Downing US Spy Drone

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June 21, 2020

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IRGC Releases Video Showing Iranian Missile Downing US Spy Drone

On the night of June 19, 2019, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) air defence forces shot down a US RQ-4A Global Hawk spy drone in the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident nearly led US President Donald Trump to approve military strikes against Tehran, only to back down at the last moment.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Forces have released a new, highly stylized promotional video aimed at showing how the Khordad-3 air defence system shot down a cutting-edge US surveillance drone over Iranian airspace last year.

The clip offers new details on Iran’s account of the incident, starting with military engineers’ research, development, production and testing of the advanced, indigenous air defence system which managed to destroy the stealthy $220 million drone.

The video includes never-before-seen test footage of missiles homing in on simulated drone targets.

The second part of the video focuses on the US’s drone operations, featuring stock footage and animation of the moments before the incident, recalling, importantly, the flight of a US P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft with dozens of servicemen onboard not far from the drone, which Iran deliberately refrained from shooting down to avoid escalating the situation.In the final seconds of the video, air defence units are pictured on purported surveillance footage celebrating hitting the drone target, with a tiny blip in the sky several kilometers from the air defence installation presumably showing the unmanned aircraft’s destruction.Incident That Nearly Led to WarThe shootdown of the RQ-4A Global Hawk followed months of escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, including the US deployment of a carrier strike group to the region, the mysterious sabotage of multiple tankers in the Persian Gulf, and tit-for-tat ship seizures between Iran and the US’s British allies. Several days after the drone incident, President Trump confirmed that he had ordered a military strike against multiple targets inside Iran, but added that he canceled the attack after findin out that dozens of Iranian servicemen would be killed, and concluding that the proposed attack would be “disproportionate.”

Iran: Coronavirus death toll in 334 cities exceeds 53,900

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June 21, 2020

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Iran: Coronavirus death toll in 334 cities exceeds 53,900

· Dezful doctors say the number of Coronavirus patients is increasing every day. The medical staff are tired. We need doctors and nurses. The IRGC and their Naval officials paid a visit and saw our needs, but they did not help.

· According to doctors in Ahvaz, regime governor and local officials are giving priority to security issues. They do not accept the recommendations of the University of Medical Sciences and other competent authorities, doubling the prevalence of the disease.

· Alborz University of Medical Sciences: We have entered the second peak of the outbreak. The toll for hospitalization and mortality is increasing. The second wave is much harder to control.

· In Bushehr, 227 people are added to the Coronavirus patients every day, Bushehr is going from red to the state of black.

The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) announced on Saturday, June 20, 2020, that the Coronavirus victims in 334 cities in Iran have increased to 53,900.

The death toll in Khuzestan is 4,430, Khorasan Razavi 3,340, Mazandaran 2,870, Lorestan 1,995, Alborz 1,810, Central 645, Hormozgan. 435, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari 370.

Contradicting his remarks in the early days of the Coronavirus outbreak, today at the meeting of the National Coronavirus Combat Taskforce (NCCT), Rouhani said, “The virus is neither going away nor can it be eradicated in a short time, nor can we do anything to ensure that our people have complete immunity.”

Despite all this, he added, “The restrictions in all Economic, educational, cultural, and spiritual activities can be lifted. Therefore, we are not saying that anything should be locked down, nor is that possible. Neither the people will accept a lockdown … nor is it necessary,” reported the state TV today.

Earlier, “In one of the meetings at the NCCT, the Health Minister, challenging Rouhani’s insistence on lifting the restrictions as soon as possible, had said that the Coronavirus is like a wrestling match that, even though you may be ahead, it will suddenly knock you down … Apparently, the president intends to make the situation look normal, while it seems we’re on the verge of a second wave of the virus now! ” reported the Khabar-Fori news site today.

Messgae of Ayatollah Ramazani to Secretary-General of United Nations

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June 20, 2020

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Messgae of Ayatollah Ramazani to Secretary-General of United Nations

Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, the Secretary General of the Ahlulbayt (a.s.) World Assembly, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General, thanking him for issuing a responsible statement and “warning of a tsunami of hatred in the world following the outbreak of the coronavirus.”

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA)

Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, the Secretary General of the Ahlulbayt (a.s.) World Assembly, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General, thanking him for issuing a responsible statement and “warning of a tsunami of hatred in the world following the outbreak of the corona virus.”The full text of message is as follow:

In His Name, Who is the God of Compassion and Generosity

His Excellency, Hon. Mr. Antonio Guterres

Distinguished Secretary-General of the United Nations

With my best compliments and sincere greetings;

Your Excellency’s responsible statement and the warning about the ‘tsunami of hate’ in the wake of coronavirus pandemic is a worthy and commendable step. You have well pointed out some of the dangers and troubles, which I hope will be noticed by the world.

Today, the international community is under threat in many ways.

The security threats that threaten peace, the economic threats that cause the collapse of social systems and the development of poverty, and the health threats posed by the coronavirus that endanger the health of many people.

This is one of the most important concerns of countries in today world. Most threats are posed by arrogant states, but it is people who suffer from harms, especially those living in developing or less developed countries.

Now that humanity is plagued by the global outbreak of the ominous coronavirus, it must first be seen as a pervasive popular problem far from political considerations.

Secondly, a collective and global action is to be taken to create a culture of altruism, justice and peace in the world. Today, more than ever, humanity is tired of the oppressive and arrogant pressures, and thirsts for justice, peace and peaceful coexistence.

‘Adverse consequences’: UK, France & Germany warn against further US sanctions on Iran, but want weapons embargo to remain

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June 20, 2020

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‘Adverse consequences’: UK, France & Germany warn against further US sanctions on Iran, but want weapons embargo to remain

Britain, France and Germany have jointly warned against the US imposing further sanctions on Iran, saying it would have “adverse consequences” at UN level, though they agree an embargo on arms sales should remain in place.

“We firmly believe that any unilateral attempt to trigger UN sanctions snapback would have serious adverse consequences in the UN Security Council,” their joint statement read; it was released following a meeting between the nations in Berlin.

They also said sanctions against Iran would be “incompatible” with the Iran nuclear deal, which the nations are looking to “preserve.” They say the US’ strategy of “maximum pressure” is not the way to deal with Iran.

“We are convinced that we must address shared concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, its ballistic missile program and its destabilising regional activities in the long term.

To this end, we continue to believe that the strategy of maximum pressure will not effectively serve this goal, and instead remain committed to holding Iran to account, while pursuing meaningful diplomacy and dialogue.”

The US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal – or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – in 2018 and imposed sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports, one of the country’s primary sources of revenue.

The US president has slammed Iran and claimed it has violated the rules of the JCPOA, which puts a limit on the nation’s nuclear activities and allows for international inspectors to enter the country and monitor them, in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Russia and China have also separately condemned the Trump administration’s strategy with Iran, as well as its abandonment of the 2015 JCPOA accord.Trump’s administration has also voiced support for extending an existing UN weapons embargo on Iran, which is set to expire in October. If the embargo is not extended, the US has threatened a “snapback” of all sanctions against Iran, which would reimpose all UN sanctions on the country and likely dissolve the nuclear accord.

Another Iranian ship en route to Venezuela

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June 20, 2020

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Another Iranian ship en route to Venezuela

Iran appears to have dispatched another merchant ship to Venezuela despite Washington’s threats against both nations, according to reports.

Washington Post stated an Iranian ship ‘Golsan’ is expected to dock in Venezuela soon, an arrival that comes shortly after the five tankers loaded with gasoline delivered to Venezuela.

According to the American media, Golsan is moving towards the Venezuelan coast, and Russ Dallen, head of the Miami-based investment company, says the ship is carrying parts to continue repairing Venezuelan refineries.

The vessel is expected to anchor in Venezuelan ports on Sundays or Mondays.

Last month, a five-tanker Iranian-flagged flotilla carried up to 1.53 million barrels of gasoline and components to Venezuela to help the country ease an acute scarcity that has forced Venezuelans to wait for hours in lines at service stations.

According to the Maritime Traffic Center, Golsan left the port of Shahid Rajaei in Iran on May 17 this year and its current speed is about 13.1 knots. Each node is 1852 meters per hour. The Golsan tanker was built in 1998, is now carrying fuel under the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iranian tankers continue to enter Venezuelan ports and refineries as the US government has previously threatened to block new oil tankers between Tehran and Caracas to prevent them from reaching the Venezuelan coast. With the arrival of Iranian tankers in Venezuela, the Caracas government and nation thanked the Iranian people for their solidarity in sending fuel to the country and promised to continue fraternal relations between the two countries.

According to the Maritime Traffic Center, Golsan left the port of Shahid Rajaei in Iran on May 17 this year and its current speed is about 13.1 knots. Each node is 1852 meters per hour. The Golsan tanker was built in 1998, is now carrying fuel under the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iranian director to make “Don’t Shoot at Children” about fall of Saddam Hussein

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June 19, 2020

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Iranian director to make “Don’t Shoot at Children” about fall of Saddam Hussein

Ensieh Shah-Hosseini, director of the acclaimed Iranian movie “Good Night Commander”, has announced her plan to make “Don’t Shoot at Children” about the fall of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and its aftermath.

The project received the approval of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in 2015, however, it was not made at that time due to some financial issues facing producer Seyyed Amir Seyyedzadeh, Shah-Hosseini said on Thursday.

“Everything is OK now and shooting will start in the near future,” she added,

The film will be shot in the Arabic language with an all-Iraqi cast.

Shah-Hosseini directed “Good Night Commander” in 2006 about a correspondent on the front during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.

The film describes the terrors of war as seen through the eyes of a timid reporter who manages to overcome her thoughts of suicide on the battlefield.

This drama, conceived as harsh “psychotherapy”, tells of the beautiful Maryam who, after her unsuccessful marriage, thinks of committing suicide in a way that would at least be of some benefit to others. She thus enters the Iran-Iraq war as a reporter.

Her time spent in the devastated desert landscape, armies spilling over from one side to the other depending on which has the upper hand, totally changes her vision of the world. She is surrounded by suffering and pain, even in the village where she goes to find shelter after her unit is massacred. A wedding in the village ends in tragedy. The close of the film again finds Maryam at the front, where she comes across her friend, the commander Beshar.“I am following my beliefs in filmmaking and speaking, and I’m talking about them in the form of films,” Shah-Hosseini said.

Iran says to take proper action to IAEA resolution

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June 19, 2020

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Iran says to take proper action to IAEA resolution

Kazem Gharib Abadi, Iran’s ambassador to the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, said on Friday that Iran will take appropriate action in response to a move taken by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors in adopting an anti-Iran-resolution.

Russia and China, who voted against the resolution, also issued separate statements reprimanding the move. Russia called it “counterproductive” and China said it has “huge implications on the prospect of the JCPOA”.

The 35-member IAEA board passed the resolution on Friday, demanding access to two old places they claim nuclear work may have been done.

France, Britain, and Germany, the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, submitted the draft anti-Iran-resolution to the IAEA board on Thursday. The board failed to approve the anti-Iran-resolution on Thursday due to opposition by Iran and China. However, the resolution was ratified on Friday despite Russia and China’s opposition.

Ambassador Gharibabadi said, “Iran categorically deplores this resolution and will take appropriate action in response, the repercussions of which would be upon the sponsors of this resolution.”

Following is text of the statement by Gharibabadi:

I would like to put on record the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the resolution just adopted.

Considering the extensive level of constructive cooperation between Iran and the Agency and simply overlooking this level of cooperation, adoption of this aimed at requesting Iran to cooperate with the Agency is deeply disappointing.It is also a deep regret that this was presented by the three. At the outset, I would like to sincerely appreciate Russia, China, Azerbaijan, India, Mongolia, Niger, Pakistan, South Africa, and Thailand for not supporting, especially Russia and China for all their efforts in objecting this unconstructive path.

Considering the extensive level of constructive cooperation between Iran and the Agency and simply overlooking this level of cooperation, adoption of this aimed at requesting Iran to cooperate with the Agency is deeply disappointing.It is also a deep regret that this was presented by the three. At the outset, I would like to sincerely appreciate Russia, China, Azerbaijan, India, Mongolia, Niger, Pakistan, South Africa, and Thailand for not supporting, especially Russia and China for all their efforts in objecting this unconstructive path

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Who is Iran’s Qalibaf and why does he matter?

IRGC Navy to establish permanent base in Indian Ocean: navy cmdr.

Also Read: IRGC Navy Commander Calls for Withdrawal of Foreign Forces from Persian Gulf

IRGC Navy Commander Calls for Withdrawal of Foreign Forces from Persian Gulf

IRGC Releases Video Showing Iranian Missile Downing US Spy Drone

Messgae of Ayatollah Ramazani to Secretary-General of United Nations

‘Adverse consequences’: UK, France & Germany warn against further US sanctions on Iran, but want weapons embargo to remain

Another Iranian ship en route to Venezuela

According to the Maritime Traffic Center, Golsan left the port of Shahid Rajaei in Iran on May 17 this year and its current speed is about 13.1 knots. Each node is 1852 meters per hour. The Golsan tanker was built in 1998, is now carrying fuel under the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

According to the Maritime Traffic Center, Golsan left the port of Shahid Rajaei in Iran on May 17 this year and its current speed is about 13.1 knots. Each node is 1852 meters per hour. The Golsan tanker was built in 1998, is now carrying fuel under the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iranian director to make “Don’t Shoot at Children” about fall of Saddam Hussein

Iran says to take proper action to IAEA resolution