Scorn for US peace plan brings Hamas, Hezbollah closer

Ahmad Melhem

RAMALLAH, West Bank — As confidence in the Donald Trump administration's Middle East peace plan appears to be faltering, even in the United States, cooperation for challenging the deal seems to be growing among Palestinian factions, Lebanese Hezbollah and other critics.

The United States has scheduled an “economic workshop” for June 25-26 in Manama, Bahrain, where aspects of the so-called deal of the century are to be presented. The Palestinians, who were not consulted on the meeting or on the peace plan generally, plan to boycott it. The list of attendees remains tentative.

In a May 31 speech marking International Quds (Jerusalem) Day, the annual event initiated by Iran to show support for the Palestinians, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah remarked, “It is possible to push the deal of the century to failure, and we are pushing for this outcome. The axis of resistance will stand against the deal of the century.”

Days earlier, in a May 25 speech on Lebanon's Liberation Day, Nasrallah had called for a Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue to oppose the peace plan. He stated, “There is a common interest at the Lebanese national level as the Lebanese people reject naturalization [of Palestinians in Lebanon]. This is a shared sentiment, as the Palestinians are also opposed to naturalization and want to preserve their right to return.”

Hamas has welcomed Nasrallah’s statements. In a May 26 statement, Hamas spokesman Rafat Mubarak said, “A Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue is the best and the strongest tool to fight the deal of the century and the plan to resettle [Palestinian refugees in Lebanon] and deny them the right of return.”

It appears that the yet-to-be-unveiled US proposal has become an opportunity for the strengthening of ties between Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah. Osama Hamdan, Hamas representative in Lebanon, told Al-Monitor, “The relationship between Hamas and Hezbollah was and will remain excellent. The most important achievement we could accomplish as Trump pursues his peace plan is to reestablish the importance of the Palestinian cause in the Arab and Muslim world.”

Hamdan further asserted, “Nasrallah’s call goes hand in hand with [his] movement’s decision to reunite Arab and Islamic efforts, irrespective of their disagreements.” According to Hamdan, “[Answering the call will require] some research into the measures, tools and coordination efforts needed through work with Palestinian factions and Hezbollah.”

Husam Badran, a Hamas political bureau member and the movement's lead on international relations, told Al-Monitor, “It's important to face the deal of the century with an Arab-Palestinian consensus based on a strategy of unifying all efforts. Nasrallah’s call falls within this context, and we welcome it. This is the decision expressed by the different Palestinian factions.”

Badran emphasized, “Responding quickly and preparing for a Lebanese-Palestinian meeting [is important], especially since the deal of the century aims to annul the right to return.”

Palestinians have already begun working toward such a meeting. Ihsan Ataya, Islamic Jihad's representative in Lebanon, told Al-Monitor that various Palestinian political forces in Lebanon have been discussing a common vision for taking on the US plan.

The Lebanon-based Alliance of Palestinian Forces — comprised of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian Communist Party and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine — recently requested a meeting with Hezbollah. According to Ataya, the process is at a preliminary stage, but is being pursued. The goal will be to agree on practical measures to resist Trump's plan and protect Lebanese and Palestinian interests. He remarked that converting Palestinian and Lebanese rejection of naturalization into practical steps will require brainstorming on the political and legal dimensions of the issue.

In a speech marking International Quds Day, Yahya al-Sinwar, Hamas' leader in Gaza, noted that Iran has supplied the Palestinian resistance with missiles and asserted, “The deal of the century aims to integrate Israel into the Arab and Islamic region. Whoever supports the [Palestinian] liberation of Jerusalem and the resistance is a friend, but anyone who [sells out] Jerusalem is an enemy.”

Among the chorus of critics opposing the peace plan, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, recently called the deal an “evil plot” that will fail. During marches on International Quds Day, protesters in Gaza praised Iran while condemning the plan.

Ahmad Melhem is a Palestinian journalist and photographer based in Ramallah for Al-Watan News. He writes for a number of Arabic outlets.

International Qud’s Day, Zaria massacre, Nigerian Army and Wahabism in Nigeria

By Ammar Muhammad Rajab

NIGERIA/ ABUJA - This year’s annual International Qud’s day comes with special processions around the world due to the continued aggressive responses of the illegal state of Israel against Palestinians. People who choose humanity above all labels, came out en masse around the world to show their solidarity to the oppressed Palestinians and woes to Israel. In Nigeria, over 20 cities including the federal capital territory, Abuja members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky held this year Qud’s procession. This year's procession ended peacefully except in Kaduna, where the Nigerian Police use live ammunition on the protesters were they injured 3 and arrested 12 protesters.

While giving an open invitation to Muslims and the world on August 7th, 1979 to observe the day, Imam Khomeini of blessed memory said "I invite Muslims all over the glove to consecrate the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, which is a day of fate and which could also become the day on which the fate of Palestinian people might be determined as Quds day and to proclaim the legitimate right of the Muslim people of Palestine." The day is meant to express solidarity and global support to Palestinians, and indeed all other oppressed. Observed through processions, conferences and rallies by nations, human rights activists and civil liberties organizations, this inspiring declaration of the late Imam evidently received borderless acceptance.
Not only Muslims, even among the Jews who aren’t Zionist on a day like this, shows their support to Palestinians through rallies and conferences among others. Many people on the last Friday of Ramadan around the world embarked on this event that show solidarity to Palestinians.  

On the other hand, Zaria massacre is a crime against humanity, the Nigerian army murdered innocent civilians in a cold blood. It is of important the Nigerian army and adherents of Wahabism to know that; whoever killed a person innocently, in the hereafter will come before almighty Allah in his hands with blood of the person they shed.

More than 1000 days after, the Zaria pogrom is still remembered daily. It is precisely that it cannot be washed-out, history has written it. Since the pre-planned attacked (under the pretext of ‘blockade of road) by the Nigerian government through its army on the members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria led by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky which he is still incommunicado, till date, he has not been given his provisional constitutional rights, which shows how anarchical the Buhari led government is.

His rights to movement and association have been trampled on. It's befuddling that the Nigerian army that is supposed to be secular as the state claims democracy as its system of government carrying-out 48 hours operation on its citizens killing thousand unarmed civilians without the president of the nation-state caution, bring the culprits to book and commiserate with the family members of the martyrs and declared national mourning, instead, he went on to accuse the members of the Islamic movement in Nigeria with running a ‘State within a State'. The president's allegation also proved the attack is premeditated.

The old man is confused and knuckle-headed and don’t have the knowledge of political administration. It’s cleared that in democracy system of government, the Nigerian army in a converged operation are under the command of the Police when it comes to civilian’s affairs, but in Nigeria, it’s vice versa.

The democracy is on paper but not in practice. Rather, the Nigerian army to do their duties preventing the sovereignty from invasion in various territories, but they made themselves busy in killing their citizens, and continue plotting against them. This is shame to the military and the government entirely! Some of the proved that linked the Nigerian army and the Wahabism, it is that of meeting with the so-called Wahabi 'clerics' in the aftermath of the massacre. The Nigerian army and the Wahabism have the same thoughts of attacking and killing does they think they are against them. The wahabism ideology played an important role in killing the innocent Shiites members during the pogrom. Why the government through its army using religion to plots against Islamic movement in Nigeria? Are they not fed up with the blood they shed in December, 2015? Are they not fed up with the blood they shed in October, 2018 during the annual symbolic Arba’een trek of Imam Husaini (A.S) in the federal capital territory, Abuja? What is the connection of Nigerian army and Wahabism? Why the link now? This proved that; it is a contract from world funders of terrorism; Saudi-America-Israel (S.A.I) in a mission to wipe-out Islamic Movement in Nigeria, this is because of the ideology of Islamic movement in Nigeria which stand firmly with justice and oppressed people, and against injustice, corruption and oppressors. The double party (Nigerian army and Wahabism) their aimed is to kill who they think is against them and thinking that the best option to bring the end of dichotomy is by killings.

Recently, the Nigerian president, Buhari attended the OIC meeting held in Mecca where the Saudi Arabia’s King Salman called for international action to stop Iranian influence around the world. There was no report of objection from the Nigerian president against this action; this is because the president is a direct beneficiary of the world funders of terrorism. The only exception of this action is Iraq. It’s obvious to even blind man that Saudi Arabia is a staunch US ally, and those accepted the Saudi’s called serve the interest of the Saudi, US and the illegitimate state of Israel. At a time, where the Israel continues their invasion against Palestinians without the solidarity and support of the Arab leaders, but they choose to gathered with the aim of supporting the rascality of the US which they bluntly illuminated that they are enemies of peace in the world. But despite their meaningless, worthless and purportless gathering in Mecca, this year Quds procession around the world shows that people of consciences are with the Palestinians and they will continue to rally around Palestinians in spite of all odds.

Zaria massacre is a crime against humanity, the Nigerian army murdered innocent civilians in a cold blood. It is of important the Nigerian army and Wahabism to know that; whoever killed a person innocently, in the hereafter he will come before almighty Allah in his hands with blood of the person he shed. It is obvious that; the Wahabism ideology is a cancer to the nation-state. The nation-state give it is citizens a guarantee to the freedom of religion, conscience, speech and life, but the Wahabism ideology said; whoever is not a Wahabist he is a ‘infidel’ and he has to be killed.

It is of paramount important to the non-Muslims to understand that; this ideology of Wahabism is far-away from the teachings of our beloved prophet. Our beloved prophet taught us how to live in every type of human life in a peaceful manner.

To the tyrants, if they are learning from human history, they will not use murder, detention or genocide as a tool to eliminate an ideology. There is an adage in archaeology which says; “a past is a clue to the present.” This is to say; the main essence in learning history is to curve away the short comings of the past and avoid it in the presents.

The history of Adolf Hitler that claims killed millions of Jews does not eliminate the Jews in the world. The history of Karbala that led the massacre of the holy prophet successor and his companions does not bring the call of Imam Husain to an end. Rather boost the call worldwide. For your information; the truth of the matter, Islamic Movement can’t be wipe-out, Zaria pogrom can’t be washed away. Your devilish thinking and action cannot be succeed, the truth always prevail.

The leader of Islamic Movement once said in one of his speech; “The truth cannot be suppressed with the barrel of gun.” All these inhumane actions from the Nigerian army and Wahabism ideology shows how cancerous they are in the nation state.

The International Quds Day

By Yusuf Abdullah

NIGERIA - In the name of Allah who states "Glory be to Him Who made His servant go on a night from the Sacred Mosque to the remote mosque of which We have blessed the precincts, so that We may show to him some of our signs; surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing" Q17:1

Peace and blessings of Allah be upon His chosen servant, our master Muhammad, and his purified progeny.

While giving an open invitation to Muslims and the world on August 7th, 1979 to observe the day, Imam Khomeini of blessed memory said "I invite Muslims all over the glove to consecrate the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, which is a day of fate and which could also become the day on which the fate of Palestinian people might be determined as Quds day and to proclaim the legitimate right of the Muslim people of Palestine" The day expresses solidarity and global support to Palestinians, and indeed all other oppressed.

 Observed through processions, conferences, and rallies by nations, human rights activists and civil liberties organizations, this insightful declaration of the Imam evidently received borderless acceptance. 

Established after World War II, Israel was promulgated and recognized by Western powers in 1948. Zionism as a movement developed in the late 1800's which united Jews and saw the forceful creation of the illegal state in place of Palestine, then occupied by only 5% Jewish inhabitants. To quote from Zariani Abdul Rahman's book - HITLER AND THE WANDERING JEW, 1994. Just a few days ago, the diplomacy of the dignified and handsome Semitic Prince Faisal Abdul-Aziz al-Saud was lost on the hysterical crowd of New York Jews who were bent on literally spitting HRH.

 Nine centuries ago, while Christian Crusaders were burning Jerusalem's Jews alive in their synagogue, it was the Muslim Saladin who kindly brought back Jews to Jerusalem, along with his Muslim followers. And 800 years later, within the UN headquarters in Flushing Meadow, New York, this was how the Muslims were paid back for their past kindness to the Jews.    

America was the apparent negotiator and chief architect of all road maps regarding the domination of Palestinians by Israel or what others ignorantly refer as incessant Mid-east conflict. Among other questions arising; was any tangible achievements made in the over seven decades of peace talks? Any optimism in the future? To what extent is the negotiator accused of a double standard?  Then, in whose interest does America work in the process? The other side of the conflict reveals the gainful arms trade to American and other European manufacturers. 

On the ambitious liberation of Palestine, many thought the Arab league formed in 1945, with the aim of strengthening ties among member states, could coordinate their policies and protect their common interests. But what were the achievements of the league? To what extent did the league and its sister Palestinian liberation organization (PLO) achieve their stated objectives?

 The question is how could the Arab league and PLO, established on the basis of Arabism or Nationalism lead to emancipation of Palestine while the same Nationalism was used to destabilize the grand Ottoman Empire and establish Israel in its place? No doubt, Quds Day is the only measure relevant for Quds liberation; the third holiest mosque and the first direction of Muslims.

 Unity is the force behind the call of this great Islamic personality, and ultimate hope for liberation of Palestine and other world oppressed. George Curzon, the British Secretary of state for foreign affairs, 1911-1921 said "we must put an end to anything which brings about Islamic unity between the sons of the Muslims.

 As we have already succeeded in finishing off the caliphate, so we must ensure that there will never arise again unity for the Muslims, whether it be intellectual or cultural unity" “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves” Q3:103. That is why the spiritual leader of the Islamic revolution in Iran, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei maintains that the ISIS clearly serves the American interest in the Middle-east accusing any cooperation with the U.S. to resolve the Iraqi or Syrian situation of sowing discord and divisions in the region.  

In a borderless sympathy, the day basically sympathizes with Palestinians and other oppressed regardless of all odds, and to fight oppression and injustice as common enemies. The Imam bitterly debunked apartheid and helped Nelson Mandela in the fight against it. On the other hand, Mandela said: "the independence of South Africa was incomplete without the freedom of Palestine". And on his first visit to Tehran after release from long incarceration, he appreciated the fatherly role of the Imam and Iran's historic support. Late Hugo Chavez observed the day where he would be seen at the forefront of the events among other protesters in his country. 

The world is aware of the unfortunate Saudi military campaign against Yemen since 2015. Ironically, it's deliberate aggression by the richest and most influential Muslim Arab nation against the poorest and closest neighbor. The consequence of the aggression in Yemen is what the united nation described as the worst humanitarian crises in contemporary history.  We use this occasion to champion the cause of other world oppressed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Nigeria, and Central Africa among others.

 Since the unfortunate 2015 Zaria massacre, and non-response of the government, endless questions are raised; what was the actual rationale behind the attack on the Islamic movement? On what ground was the Sheikh arrested? In whose interest are the elderly and ailing Sheikh, his wife and other disciples being detained? What is the government's stand on the Federal High Court verdict? 

Why does the government disregard calls of millions of Nigerians on the need to take him abroad for medication? And to what extent will the detention continue? What is the stand of the government on the over one thousand Nigerians killed in Zaria, Kano, and Abuja evidently recorded, and related incidences? This also exposes the lies of the so-called developed nations who claim leading positions in protection and promotion of fundamental human rights across the world.

 What a double stand! If peace, unity, and progress of this country were the uncompromising yardsticks to assess significant relevance of the citizenry, who can dare to compare his eminence, the indefatigable leader of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Ibraheem el-Zakzaky with any scholar, politician or else in our contemporary history? 

With the access of the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission; an august umbrella of about 30 Islamic and other nongovernmental organizations of a global network for justice, to the ailing Sheikh and his wife last month, an assessment of their health was made by a team of experts mainly from India. The development was consequent to the Sheikh's lawyer’s incessant notice on their client's health in court sessions as known to all for which the judge mandated the exercise for the duo.

 It is imperative to acknowledge the effort by the people wishing peace to reign and justice to prevail all over the world.  As emphasized by the Imam “the Quds Day is a universal day. It is not an exclusive day for Quds itself. It is a day for the oppressed to rise and stand up against the arrogant.” 

Presently, the world is aware of the US and its allies heightening pressures on Iran fuelling fears for a possible war. The Iranophobia is meant to limit its growing might and influence in the region which is apparently non-achievable. America's withdrawal from JCPOA, continuous moral and military support to Israel and incessant interference in the region is not unconnected with Iran's impressive role in its security and wellbeing. There is no doubt that there is always a limit to oppression. At this juncture, the famous words of Sheikh el-Zakzaky, as he gave hope to oppressed especially Palestinians are relevant "Israel was created by terrorism. No matter the years of oppression, it will crumble"

While sympathizing with the Palestinians on this day, we denounce the enemies' unending brutality and bloodshed especially in Yemen, Somalia, and Nigeria among others. We use the same medium to emphasize the urgent need for the unconditional release of Sheikh Ibraheem el-Zakzaky (H) and his disciples. As we mark the day of the oppressed, we also appreciate the role of all justice-seeking and concerned individuals and organizations on the plight of Palestinians and other oppressed.

Palestine: Iranian Ambassador calls for referendum among Muslims, Christians, Jews

Zaeri Amirani

The  Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Zaeri Amirani called for a referendum with  the  participation of the original inhabitants of Palestine including Muslims, Christians and Jews to determine their political system.

Speaking  a day after the last Friday of Ramadan, which also marks International  Al-Quds Day, Ambassador Amirani said "After more than 70 years of occupation of Palestine, international communities should to take a decisive step to end the occupation and the Zionist Israeli regime’s aggressions and pave the way for a return of the displaced Palestinians to their motherland and also hold a referendum with participation of the original inhabitants including Muslims, Christians and Jews to determine their political system."

He said that the so-called peace plan proposed by American President Donald Trump recently to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict known as the "Deal of the Century", was a new plot hatched to deprive the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights.

"Although details of Trump’s deal have not yet been officially released, it seems it has not addressed the Quds, independent Palestinian state and its sovereignty, West Bank settlements and the refugees issue", Amirani noted.

The Ambassador said that following Trump’s decision to recognize Al-Quds as the Israeli capital and move the US embassy in Tel Aviv to Al-Quds, President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas pointed out that: "Al - Quds is not for sale and I will never accept the US peace plan. Donald Trump’s Deal of the Century is the Blow of the Century and we will never agree with it. The deal is a US plot. We don’t accept the US as a peace mediator."

Therefore, any peace plan which does not meet Palestinians legitimate expectations for an independent country in their motherland would only result in the critical situation in the Middle East deteriorating   and  undermining the stability of the region further, he added.

Amirani said that the Islamic Republic of Iran, while expressing its solidarity with the Palestinian cause, reiterated the important responsibility of the international community, the UN in particular to end the organized occupation of Palestine and the holy Al-Quds and to help the Palestinian people achieve their right to self-determination and establish an independent Palestinian state.

The International Quds Day is the manifestation of Palestinian refugees and prisoners cries of innocence and call for justice over the oppression and persecution of the anti-human Zionist regime.

Unfortunately, the policies and measures taken by some countries in the region serve the interest of Israel and other terrorist groups. Such policies not only shatter the Muslim world unity, but also pave the way for Israel’s further aggression and accomplish its settlement projects, transform the historical and cultural identity of Quds, destroy the al-Aqsa Mosque and displace the non-Jewish residents of al-Quds, he said.

The Israeli regime is trying to deceive the world’s public opinion by pretending to be an advocate of peace and even normalizing relations with some regional countries", the Ambassador added.

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.

Who Is Torching the Middle East?

TEHRAN (FNA)- Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the United States is the root cause of all tensions in the Persian Gulf, rejecting accusations raised by the War Party and its Arab allies that Iran was behind the attacks on four vessels off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking on the sidelines of the International Quds Day rallies in Tehran on Friday, Major General Hossein Salami categorically denied Iran's involvement in the vessel attacks in Fujairah port, saying, "Iran is a powerful country. We do not need to hide anything. If we do something, we'll announce it publicly."

His comments came in reaction to allegations by US National Security Advisor John Bolton and some Saudi and Emirati officials that the IRGC launched the attacks through its "proxies". He added, "Some primitive Arab regimes in the Persian Gulf are sidekicks of the US and under total control of Washington, and their comments and messages are not even worthy of any response."

It is now an established fact that the US and its allies have a broken record in the region, that’s why their baseless allegations come to focus always on Iran. The enmity between the countries have only continued to grow since the War Party and its allies torched the Middle East by invading Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya. 

Though it’s long been forgotten in the West, they have also helped Israel to occupy and terrorize the long-suffering people of Palestine, in great violation of international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations.

The US military even helped the Iraqi Ba’ath regime’s forces target Iranian troop concentrations at a time when dictator Saddam was using chemical weapons on them during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. And then, of course, the US turned on Saddam, declared him part of an “axis of evil” (including, of course, Iran), invaded Iraq based on WMD lies, and left its ruler to be hung. But even when destroying its former ally and disastrously occupying Iraq, President George Bush's top officials, including John Bolton, never took their eyes off Iran.

It seems that they’re once again angling to take a shot at it, as the Trump administration further beefs up US forces in the region. Under this environment, the blowback will only continue, and such a policy approach could go wrong in many ways.

By accusing the IRGC attacking oil tankers and pipelines in the Persian Gulf region, Washington and cohorts are playing that same silly game again. Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are the ones driving this hostility reboot, halfway across the planet pushing for war with Iran they know they cannot win. Meanwhile, it’s increasingly clear that Donald Trump gets his own kick out of being a “tariff man” and a “sanctions president”, and the unique form of threat production that goes with it: “We don’t want war with Iran.”

Since it’s a recipe for disaster, Washington has no choice but to reverse policy. Iran won’t capitulate. Its defense capabilities cannot be negotiated away. Add this irony to the grim farce to come: Even many European allies see a genuine Saudi-Israeli-American troika of tyranny and destabilization here. They refuse to provide ample backing to the warmongers and turn a blind eye to their extensive human rights abuses in Yemen. Some have even stopped supplying weapons to the Saudis.

Ultimately, this is what counts, not their anti-Iran statements and certainly not their hostile rhetoric. The ongoing war and bloodshed in Yemen certainly proved the Saudis anything but friends to democracy, human rights and security. They even invaded protesting people in a tiny neighbor to the East, Bahrain, to suppress civil-rights protests by that country’s embattled nation.

In Yemen, the Saudis continue to terror bomb civilians. Tens of thousands have died - the exact number isn't known - under a brutal bombing campaign and at least 85,000 Yemeni children have already starved to death, thanks to the war and a US-backed Saudi blockade of what was already the Arab world’s poorest country.

Through it all, Washington stood by its Saudi allies, and continues to threaten everything and everyone in the region lest they attack the “cow” it milks. Trump let it be known that the “milk” would keep flowing from the “cow” into military-industrial coffers with a record $110 billion set of arms deals. In other words, it is Saudi Arabia, and not Iran, that with fulsome support from Washington, sophisticated weapons, and a boatload of American cash, continues to unleash terror and instability at home and across the region. This much is certain.

Quds Day Rallies More Important Than Ever

:Ayatollah Khamenei

Kayhan Int’l 

TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday Qud Day rallies this year are more important than ever in order to defend the Palestinians against U.S. President Donald Trump’s much-touted "deal of the century”.
"Some sycophants of America are trying to popularize the deal of the century, but both America and its sycophants will fail in this case,” the Leader told a group of university professors and researchers.
Ayatollah Khamenei said defending the Palestinian people is a must both from a humanitarian perspective and a religious and Islamic perspective.
The International Quds Day is an annual event during which demonstrators take to the streets to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people and opposition to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The day is seen as the legacy of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, who officially declared the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan as International Quds Day back in 1979.
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner is leading a U.S. delegation to the Middle East this week seeking support for a late June workshop aimed at selling the American plan.
Kushner, Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, and Kushner aide Avi Berkowitz began their trip in Rabat and were to travel to Amman and Jerusalem Al-Quds, arriving in Israel on Thursday.
The trip is similar to one that Kushner and Greenblatt took in February to Persian Gulf states to drum up support for the Middle East plan they have been developing on behalf of Trump.
A White House official said one reason for this week’s trip is to bolster support for a June 25-26 conference in Manama, Bahrain, in which Kushner is to unveil the first part of Trump’s long-awaited plan.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have said they will participate, and a senior U.S. official said officials from Qatar have said privately their country was expected to attend as well.
The Russian foreign ministry took a dim view of the conference in a statement on Tuesday, saying the United States was attempting to "impose an ‘alternative vision’ of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement.”
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Wednesday, "We urge all Arabs who have accepted to go to Bahrain to reconsider out of respect for the Palestinians.”
 "We didn’t mandate anyone to negotiate on our behalf, and if anyone wants to trade the interests of the Palestinians for their own benefit, let them do it out of their own pockets,” he told Reuters.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei rejected Western calls for negotiations with Iran.
"We do not negotiate on honor issues of the revolution; we do not negotiate on the military capability. Negotiation here means bargain which wants us to concede our defensive capability,” the Leader said.
"We have already said we do not want negotiation because it is not only useless but also harmful,” he added.