Killing of al Baghdadi cannot acquit Daesh creators: Velayati

TEHRAN – Secretary General of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening Ali Akbar Velayati said on Saturday the propaganda campaign surrounding the killing of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, head of the Daesh terrorist group, cannot acquit those who created this group in the first place.

Velayati said that arrogant powers, headed by the U.S., wage proxy wars in the region to reach its goals, provide security for Israel and prevent the growth of Islam as a divine culture for regional nations.

Velayati, also a senior foreign policy advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, added the United States is explicitly seeking to occupy parts of Syria in order to loot its oil, IRNA reported.

Velayati made the remarks during the 12th meeting of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening, which was held at the Parsian Azadi Hotel in Tehran.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, religious leaders, and academics.

At the end of the meeting a statement was issued in which it was emphasized that the most important issue of the Muslim world is the issue of Palestine.

The region is at a new stage and all Muslims, regional people and authorities should unify to thwart plots hatched by the enemy, the statement read.

It also called on regional nations to strive to establish security and peace for themselves and future generations.

Concerning JCPOA, France, European countries are playing with Iran : Velayati

TEHRAN, (MNA) – A top Advisor to Iranian Leader Ali Akbar Velyati has criticized the European signatories to the JCPOA for bringing up the issue of Iranian missile defense capabilities instead of abiding by their JCPOA obligations.

Ali Akbar Velayati made the comments in an interview with the France 24-Arabic Language TV, during which he said that Iran does not trust France as it has not abided by its commitments to the Iran nuclear deal or the JCPOA like other European countries.

It is noteworthy that the French President Macron has been holding regular phone conversation with his Iranian Counterpart President Rouhani with an attempt to save the JCPOA as Iran gradually take steps to reduce its own commitments to the deal in reciprocation for US illegal withdrawal and Europe’s failure to abide by their own obligations under the accord to make up for Iran’s losses.

In response to a question on the promised $15 billion credit line proposed to Rouhani by Macrone in exchange for reversing Iran’s JCPOA commitment reductions, the top advisor to the Leader said that “the main problem is that France and other European signatories to the JCPOA do not keep their promises. Nor did they live up to their promises in the nuclear deal. That is why we do not trust the French government to hold to its promises.”

He added that France like other EU countries are all talk and no action.

The official further lambasted the European countries for bringing up the issue of Iranian missile defense capabilities instead of abiding by their JCPOA obligations.

He called the French and other European states’ gestures with regard to the JCPOA as a show which is aimed at a political victory.

They want to tell the people of the world that they are trying to maintain and realize peace while the case is different, according to Velayati.

He further noted that when the US re-imposes the sanctions on Iran, Europe abides by them.

“France is seeking a political game with Iran,” he noted, adding as long as France does not take practical steps, Iran does not trust it.

Leader’s adviser: Iran intent on backing Syrian nation, government

TEHRAN – Iran’s principal policy is to support the Syrian nation and government and defend the rightful stances of that country, says Ali Akbar Velayati, a top foreign policy adviser to the Leader.

He said the Tehran-Damascus cooperation should continue until complete eradication of terrorism in Syria, Mehr reported.

Velayati made the remarks a meeting with Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Adnan Hassan Mahmoud on Saturday.

All Syrian people will defend their country as a unified nation and “we will witness more and more victories in this region,” he said.

“We believe that Syria will be able to counter the threats more than any time,” he added.

The Syrian ambassador, for his part, expressed gratitude for Iran’s support for Syria and briefed Velayati on recent developments in the region.

He also criticized Turkey’s operations in the northern parts of Syria, saying these military actions are in contrast with international regulations.

Turkey launched military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in northeast Syria on Wednesday.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday urging Turkey to immediately stop offensive against northeastern Syria and withdraw its forces from the region.

The statement said, “As it has been announced earlier, the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the current regional situation a consequence of extra-regional interferences, especially by the United States.” 

The ministry said Iran, by capitalizing on its regional influence, has solutions to problems haunting the region. “Based on its view on solving problems within its regional capacities, Iran is ready to play a role.” 

The crisis can just be settled through peaceful solutions and respect for Syria’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, the statement added.

Adviser: No difference between GOP, Democrats on Iran

TEHRAN – Ali Akbar Velayati, a top foreign policy adviser to the Leader, has dismissed both the U.S. Republicans and Democrats as two sides of the same coin, saying tying the fate of Iran on the Democrats’ victory in the 2020 presidential election will greatly harm the country.

“These kinds of views are usually put forward by the West enthusiasts,” Velayati said in an interview with the Farhikhtegan daily published on Wednesday. 

He argued that there’s no difference between Republicans and Democrats with regard to Iran and many other subjects.

Velayati also underscored the need to follow the strategic views of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in dealing with the U.S.

“The strategic decisions regarding foreign policy are made by the Leader,” he said, Mehr reported. “And he has made his position about negotiations with the U.S. clear and we should act accordingly.”

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last week that there will be no negotiations between Iran and the United States at any level or any place.

“All officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran unanimously agree that there will be no negotiations with America at any level either in New York or any other place,” the Leader asserted.

He noted that the U.S. seeks to impose its demands through negotiations and prove that its “policy of maximum pressure” against Iran has worked.

Velayati asks: Is it possible to build trust in a liar (Trump)?”

Velayati, a former foreign minister, said, “We have negotiated with them in two or three occasions but none have yielded results.”

“We believe that there can be no trust in Americans while their president changes his words every day. All are counting the lies of the U.S. president… is it possible to build trust in a liar?”

The remarks come while President Hassan Rouhani is in New York to give a speech at the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have ratcheted up since May 2018, when U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed harsh economic sanctions on Iran. 

Washington has recently called on other countries to join a coalition against Iran in the Persian Gulf.

In response to Washington’s calls to form the anti-Iran coalition, Rouhani has said he will unveil the details of his plan for security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, dubbed HOPE (Hormuz Peace Endeavour), at his speech at the United Nations.

Rouhani said on Monday that any solution to calm tensions must come from the region.

Iran’s Velayati Condemns US Sanctions on Zarif as ‘Shameful’

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, deplored a recent move by the US to impose sanctions on Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as “shameful”.

In remarks released on Friday, Velayati condemned the US move to put sanctions on the Iranian top diplomat, and said, “The moneygrubbing president of the US has treated the international arena and foreign policy as playthings.”

“If there was previously any doubt even among US allies about the country’s disrepute and non-commitment, after the coming into power of this person (Donald Trump), it was proven that the US is not even capable of confronting the Islamic Republic of Iran’s exact expression and proven logic,” he noted.

“It (the Washington government) has increased its isolation in the world day by day and this shameful act is yet another sign of (its) desperation and frustration in the face of Iran’s clear logic,” Velayati went on to say.

On Wednesday, the US Department of State said Washington has designated Zarif for acting on behalf of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. The US president had issued an executive order on June 24, imposing sanctions on the Leader and his office and authorizing sanctions on others associated with Ayatollah Khamenei.

The senior Iranian diplomat has dismissed the US move, saying that being designated by the US would not affect him since he has ho properties outside Iran.

“We know that calling for dialog & peace is an existential threat to B-Team. And since reason for designating me is my words, would ‘US persons’ need OFAC license to ‘engage’ with me by reading my writings or listening to interviews?” Zarif said in a Twitter post.

Iran to react in kind in face of Europeans’ violations of JCPOA

Top advisor to Iran’s Leader

TEHRAN, Jul. 05 (MNA) – Senior adviser to Iran’s Leader Ali Akbar Velayati has said that Iran will increase the level of uranium enrichment from July 7, adding that the country will abide by the JCPOA in the way other parties do.

According to the institute for preserving and publishing the books of Iranian Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Ali Akbar Velayati said that Iran will resume high-level uranium enrichment as the second phase of Iran’s diminishing JCPOA commitments at the end of 60-day ultimatum from July 7.

Velyati said that Iran gave a lot of time to the European side to compensate for its losses after the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in accordance with their commitments, but they have not abided by their obligations so far despite their promises to do so.

He said that from July 7, the rate of uranium enrichment will exceed %3.67 permitted under the deal to the level it is required by the peaceful nuclear activities.

The top advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei added that Iran could increase the uranium enrichment level to %5 to provide fuel to Bushehr nuclear reactor as a completely peaceful goal of producing electricity and meeting the needs of other industries.   

Velayati added that Iran will abide by its JCPOA obligations in the way other parties do, stressing that the country will reconsider its decision to reduce JCPOA commitments if the other parties decide to live up to their commitments.

Iran has already implemented the first phase of its actions in reducing its JCPOA commitments by increasing the stockpile of enriched uranium above the 300kg outlined by the JCPOA, and has warned that the second phase of its actions will come into force from July 7 as previously announced.

Tehran says its countermeasures fit within its rights under paragraphs 26 and 36 of the nuclear deal, and that it will reverse the measures once its demands are met.

European signatories to the deal have established a special trade mechanism called INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges) which they claim on Friday that it has become operational. The mechanism will initially cover trades of food, medicine and medical devices and to gradually include other areas.

Tehran says the channel is not sufficient and doesn’t meet the needs of the country which is faced with US sanctions. Iranian officials insist that EU should honor its JPCOA commitments in trading and banking sectors, and should provide the ground for Iran’s oil export.

Iran marks International Quds Day

TEHRAN - Iranians poured into the streets in large numbers in different cities across the country to mark International Quds Day, which falls on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.

People and officials showed their solidarity with Palestinians who have been under the Israeli occupation for seven decades and subjected to different kinds of violence.

This year’s demonstrations revolved around the slogan of “The International Quds Day, failure of deal of the century and stabilization of the Palestine cause”.

Under the deal of the century, U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed to limit Palestine’s land to around half of the West Bank. 

The demonstrators chanted slogans of “Death to Israel” and “death to the U.S.”

International Quds Day was initiated by the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 to express solidarity with Palestinians and oppose the Zionist regime.

Rallies are held each year in various cities around the world by both Muslims and non-Muslim communities. Many Jewish people also attend the rallies in order to draw a line between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism.

Palestine will be a place for Muslims, Christians and Jews 

Participating in the rallies in Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani said that the plots against Palestine and the noble Quds will not bear results.

“I have no doubt that the final victory belongs to Palestine which will be a place for Muslims, Christians and Jews,” Rouhani remarked.

He added, “There is no doubt that deal of the century will turn into ‘failure of the century’, and will not yield results.”

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also said that al-Quds cannot be sold. 

“The U.S. cannot sell Quds to Israel,” he said.

Ahead of Quds Day marches, Zarif issued a message on his Twitter page saying “Iran stands with Palestine”.

Pointing to the U.S. recognition of al-Quds as the capital of Israel, Zarif said, “Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is neither America's to give away nor Israel's to take.”

The chief diplomat also said Quds is “NOT for brutal accomplices to try to buy.”

He added, “Quds belongs to Palestine and Palestinians: history shows that whomever ignores this is condemned to ignominious failure.”

Muslims will practice “resistance of the century”

Ebrahim Raeisi, the Judiciary chief, said that the Muslims will practice “resistance of the century” in their opposition to the deal of the century.

Arab leaders who are accompanying Israel will be ‘ashamed’

First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri said that the deal of the century will be defeated and certain Arab leaders who accompany the Zionist regime of Israel will be ashamed.

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner is currently leading a U.S. delegation in the Middle East seeking to boost support for the Bahrain "workshop", in which Kushner is expected to unveil the first stage of U.S. President Donald Trump's deal of the century.

A number of Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will attend.
 
Failure of deal of century noticeable 

Ali Akbar Velayati, a top foreign policy adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said that the deal of the century will reach nowhere and signs of its failure can be seen.

Several Palestinian American community organizations have denounced the "workshop" in Manama as "treason".

The conference is slated to be held on June 25 and 26. The meeting is supposed to bring together business, government and civic leaders from the region in order to facilitate discussions about bringing economic investments to the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Palestinian American business and community leaders have expressed concern that the gathering is an attempt to give "Arab cover" to the maintenance of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, Al-Jazeera reported.

Awareness is anti-dote to deal of the century 

Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami, who joined marches in the city of Zanjan, said, “Muslims’ awareness will defeat the deal of the century”.

He noted that the U.S. puts pressure against Iran, because it is aware that Iran is “core of awareness and resistance” and is able to bring the deal of the century to a failure.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has called the deal of the century as “the deal of shame" which will "go to Hell.

He also said that the Palestinian Authority will not accept the economic workshop in Bahrain or its results. Abbas said the workshop is nothing more than "illusions" and that the money promised to the Palestinians will never arrive.

Palestine belongs to Palestinians

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, the deputy army chief for coordination affairs, said, “Today’s rallies bear the message that Palestine belongs to the Palestinians and nobody can sell it.”

Rallies have confused Israel

Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said that the Zionist regime of Israel is close to annihilation.

“Israel and its allies have been confused. Thanks to the resistance movement, the Palestinians’ empty hands have turned into missiles. Missiles are launched whenever Israelis dare to take any action,” he stated.

Vice President for Women’s and Family Affairs Masoumeh Ebtekar said that the Iranians have stood and will continue to stand beside the Palestinians forever.

Zionist regime doomed to annihilation 

Hossein Ta’eb, the head of the IRGC intelligence body, said that Iran’s support for the Palestinians will continue powerfully.

He said that the Muslims’ participation in Quds Day rallies indicates that Israeli is nearing its end.

Yahya Rahim Safavi, a top military adviser to the Leader, said that the Zionist regime of Israel is doomed to defeat and annihilation.

Ayatollah Kazem Seddiqi, the interim Friday prayer preacher of Tehran, said, “The Quds Day is not just a day. It is a movement. It is what prevents marginalization of the Palestine issue.”

“Quds Day is the day of Islam for us,” he added.

Iran’s Velayati: Axis of Resistance Growing Steadily

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The axis of anti-Israeli resistance 

is firmly developing, Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, describing it as a sign of power of Islam.

“The only way of survival in the face of the excessive demands and plots of 
Zionists and enemies is resistance and fortitude, and what is clear is that the 
axis of resistance is developing and getting stronger every day,” Velayati 
said in a meeting with Mahmoud al-Zahar, the co-founder of Hamas and a 
member of the Hamas leadership in Gaza, held in Tehran on Saturday.

The Iranian official noted that the Zionists and their allies should learn a lesson 
from the victories gained by the Palestinian resistance and do not think of 
aggression.

Velayati also noted that the axis of resistance’s victories with its limited 
equipment reveals the power of Islam.

He finally reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to supporting Palestine, which he 
described as the Islamic world’s major issue.

For his part, Zahar expressed gratitude to Iran for supporting the Palestinian 
nation, saying the Islamic awakening movement is growing and will 
lead to resistance’s ultimate victory.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has 
already announced that Palestine will win victory on the basis of divine 
promises, saying the Zionist regime of Israel has increasingly lost its power, 
which has been obvious in the length of the wars that Israelis have launched 
against Hezbollah and Palestine in recent years.

Trump showing true face of U.S. conspiratorial policies, Velayati says

TEHRAN – Ali Akbar Velayati, a top foreign policy adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said on Monday that the United States has failed to impose its will on others over the past 40 years and the trend will continue.

Addressing religious scholars at a conference in Tehran, Velayati said U.S. President Donald Trump has shown the true face of Washington’s conspiratorial policies since he became president, Mehr reported.

“The totality of Trump’s actions does not represent measures taken by a person who is foolish and unfamiliar with politics, but demonstrates a scenario written by the U.S. ruling system,” Velayati notes.“The totality of Trump’s actions does not represent measures taken by a person who is foolish and unfamiliar with politics, but demonstrates a scenario written by the U.S. ruling system,” the veteran politician stated.

Velayati also called for unity among Muslims in order to be able to resist the hegemons’ unilateral policies.

The senior advisor underlined that although the enemies have not been able to reach their goals in the region, they have inflicted damages on Muslim nations.

This is obvious from the heinous strategies, such as spreading terrorism and extremism via Takfiri groups, that they have adopted in the past years to weaken Muslim nations, he added.

Velayati further expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflicts in the Muslim world, noting that putting an end to the bloodshed among Muslims is an “Islamic, humanitarian duty”.

Iran’s Velayati: Fight against Israeli Regime Muslim World’s No 1 Issue

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, reiterated Iran’s unwavering policy to side with the Palestinian nation against Israel, saying the struggle against the Zionist regime is the top issue for the Muslim world.

Addressing a gathering of scholars and thinkers of the Islamic Awakening Supreme Council in Tehran on Monday, Velayati pointed to the Palestinian issue and said the liberation of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and fighting the “racist Zionist regime” is the main and number one issue of the Islamic world.   

“All sinister plots hatched by the global arrogance (the US), international Zionism and reactionary Arab states aim to marginalize the Palestinian cause to make up for their defeats and failures,” he said.

The Iranian official further highlighted the Muslim world’s responsibilities and said that in the current situation, the duty of the Muslims is to fight Takfirism (extremism) to clarify the bright and peaceful nature of Islam so that the religion becomes a safe haven for freedom and justice-seekers and all Muslims fighting against the tyranny and unilateralism of the US and Israel in the international community.

In recent years, the Middle East has been plagued with Takfiri terrorist groups like Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), which are believed to have been created and supported by the West and some regional Arab countries.

The terrorist groups, which claim to be Islamic but whose actions are anything but, have been committing heinous crimes not only against non-Muslims, but mostly against Muslims in the region.

Iranian Leader's Top Aide: Western-Israeli-Arab Coalition Collaborating to Weaken Islamic States

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TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Leader's Top Aide for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati said the Western states, some Arab countries and Israel have established a coalition to weaken and disintegrate the Muslim nations.

"The policy of the western, Hebrew (Israeli) and Arab coalition is annihilating the humanitarian, financial, logistic, infrastructural and ideological power and capacities of the resistance front and weakening and disintegrating the Islamic states to provide security for the Zionist regime and continue domination of the global usurpers over Muslim resources and wealth more than the past," Velayati said in Tehran on Wednesday.

He described establishment of security for Israel as the strategic priority of the US in West Asia and the main pivot of all policies against the resistance front.

Velayati, meantime, underscored that the resistance front has now grown more powerful, more efficient and more deterrent than ever to stand against enemies' plots.

His remarks came after the Palestinian resistance movement on Monday night carried out its most intensive shelling of Israel since the 2014 Gaza war in retaliation for a cross-border commando raid. Gaza's retaliatory anti-tank missile, Kornet ATGM, hit a bus carrying Israeli forces, destroying the vehicle and killing one of them and injuring several. 

Also, rocket sirens sounded throughout Southern Israeli settlements, including in Be'er Sheva, Ashkelon and Sderot. The sirens prompted thousands of settlers to rush for bomb shelters.

The Israel Defense Forces claimed that the Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted around 100 out of some 400 launches from Gaza.

Hamas claimed responsibility for the massive barrage of rockets and projectiles fired into Southern parts of the occupied territories, near the so-called border fence. The group's military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, warned Tel Aviv it would bomb more places in Israel if attacks on Gaza continued.

Al-Qassam Brigades held the leadership of the Israeli occupation state fully responsible for what happened in Ashkelon, warning that there will be unprecedented strikes against Israeli targets if its aggression does not stop.