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Iranian official calls for negotiations with Washington in Iraq


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President Saleh Trump: If your slogan is America first, my feelings Iraq first and last

11:55 - 06/02/2019

 
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BAGHDAD - Mawazine News The 
President of the Republic, Barham Salih, on Wednesday, his American counterpart Donald Trump, "If your logo America first, my feelings Iraq first and last." 
According to international media, "a person close to Trump is in contact with Saleh on the latter's claim to clarify Trump's position." 
The source quoted the Iraqi president as saying that "America's first slogan was to respect Iraq's symbols first and last." 
"Trump is disturbed by his demand to clarify the position of US forces remaining in control of Iran," the US source told Saleh. 
"The US forces in Iraq are under an agreement between the two countries, and its mission is to combat terrorism," Saleh said in a speech during the 2019 International Conference on Iraq, which began in Baghdad earlier this week. In Iraq and its mission "
President Saleh said that "US President Donald Trump did not ask for authorization from Iraq to the US forces on its territory to monitor Iran." 
He pointed out that "this matter will be discussed with Parliament." 
President Saleh's comments came in response to a statement by his US counterpart that he intends to keep his country's troops in Iraq to "monitor Iran." 
"As much as I want to be able to watch, we have a great and expensive military base in Iraq, and it is very appropriate to monitor the situation in all parts of the troubled Middle East region," Trump said during his appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation" program. , Which is better than withdrawal. " 
Trump confirmed that "some of the American military who will be withdrawn from Syria, will join the US forces present in Iraq."

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Iran fail to launch satellite

Iran fails to launch satellite

 Twilight News    

 one hour ago

Despite US warnings to Iran not to violate UN Security Council resolutions on missile tests, Western media reported that Tehran had for the second time tested a failed test to launch a satellite into space.

Satellite images showed a failed Iranian attempt to send a satellite into space two days ago, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.

A rocket fired from the Imam Khomeini Center in northern Iran's Samnan province on Tuesday showed pictures of the missile that disappeared, the agency said, citing the US-based Digital Globe, which monitors the launch of rockets and satellites around the world. There were signs of fire on his platform.

According to the company, the pictures did not show the missile's arrival into orbit. The company also noted the existence of phrases written in Farsi in large letters on the launch pad says "40 years" and "Iranian-made", in reference to the passage of 40 years of the Iranian revolution.

Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Qasim Taizadeh said the success of Tehran's test of the launch of the satellite, "Dosti," is "friendship". "The satellite that reached the orbit was launched on the occasion of the anniversary of the victory of the revolution through a missile," Taqizadeh said in remarks carried by the Russian news agency Sputnik.

The Iranian government media have quoted statements by Revolutionary Guard officials that they intend to launch the satellite "Dosti" or "friendship" soon after it failed to launch another satellite, "Pyam" or "message" from the same space center, in January the past.

Analysts from the Digital Globe said the pictures published on Tuesday indicated Iran had used an "ambassador" missile in its failed attempt to launch the satellite, while a "simmerge", or "phoenix," was used last month.

The United States says such tests violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231 of 2015, which calls on Iran to refrain from any activity related to nuclear-capable missiles.

Washington accuses Tehran of trying to produce nuclear weapons under the cover of a space program amid international fears that Tehran is developing intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tehran was using technology "quite similar" to those used in intercontinental ballistic missiles, stressing that Washington "will not stand idly by and watch destructive policies endanger international stability and security."

This comes as the positions of Britain, France and Germany united with America about the danger of Iran's missile program, which it considered part of Iran's destructive work in the region.


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After Trump's remarks about US forces .. What did Pompeo say to his wise counterpart?

 

 

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed on Thursday his counterpart Mohammed Ali al-Hakim; the need to support Iraq and respect for its sovereignty and constitution, after the crisis left by US President Donald Trump's remarks about keeping US troops in Iraq to monitor Iran.

Al-Hakim met with Pompeo on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the International Coalition against Daqash, held in Washington DC.

According to a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, "Hakim expressed Baghdad's aspiration to support and strengthen bilateral relations between Baghdad and Washington, reflecting the strategy," stressing "the need to cooperate to achieve the common interests of the two friendly peoples."

For his part, Pompeo stressed the need to support Iraq and respect its sovereignty and constitution by all.

US President Donald Trump said last Sunday that his country's troops would remain in Iraq to monitor Iranian moves.

Trump's remarks sparked a wave of anger in various circles; Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said Iraq was refusing to be used by any country against another country.

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Iran reveals a new missile .. And America is mobilizing to confront it

Iran reveals a new missile .. And America is mobilizing to confront it



 Twilight News    
 one hour ago

(Reuters) - The United States pledged to continue "unabated" pressure on Iran to deter its missile program after Tehran unveiled a new ballistic missile, days after testing a missile. 
"Iran's blatant disregard of international norms should be addressed," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Paladino said in a statement on Thursday.

"We have to re-establish tougher international restrictions to deter Iran's missile program," he said.

"The United States will continue unabatedly to mobilize support around the world to counter the activities of the Iranian ballistic missile system and we will continue to exert sufficient pressure on the regime to change its harmful behavior - including the full implementation of our sanctions."

"The recent launch of Iran's missile proves once again that the Iranian agreement does nothing to stop Iran's missile program," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late on Thursday.

On Thursday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards uncovered a new ballistic missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers, according to the news agency of the elite force in Iran. This coincided with the revival of Iran's 40th anniversary of the "revolution" and amid escalating tensions with the United States.

Tehran says it has cut most of its nuclear program under the 2015 agreement, but has continued to develop ballistic missile technology.

Iran's ballistic programs have alarmed Westerners who accuse Iran of wanting to increase the range of its missiles and destabilize the Middle East and Israel.

Security Council resolution 2231 - issued after the nuclear agreement - calls on Iran to "refrain from any activities related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of carrying nuclear weapons."

Iran reiterates that its missile programs are related to the issue of national security, that its objectives are "defensive" and that it is committed to the international resolution.

US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in May and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

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Number of readings: 1547 07-02-2019 05:17 PM


07-02-2019 05:17 PM

The Russian ambassador to Iran, Levan Dzhagarian, on Thursday, to eliminate Moscow and Tehran 'practically' from the US currency in bilateral trade, noting that 'the replacement of the dollar in national currencies in trade with Iran is vital for Russia and was dispensed with the dollar in trade with the Iranians' . 
"We will use the ruble and the Iranian riyal and in cases of urgency we will use the euro if we do not have other options," he said, stressing that banks in both countries could handle this difficult task. 
On the financial mechanism launched by France, Britain and Germany recently to facilitate trade with Iran to overcome the US sanctions on it, he said, 'The mechanism raises more questions than answers, which is a political step aimed at maintaining the nuclear agreement with Tehran.'

 
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America making a new promise to Iran

America is making a new promise to Iran
 


 Twilight News    
 47 minutes ago

The United States vowed on Thursday to continue "unabated" pressure on Iran to deter its missile program in the wake of Tehran's unveiling of a new ballistic missile a few days after testing a transcontinental missile.

"Iran's blatant disregard of international norms should be addressed," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Paladino said in  a statement .

"We have to re-establish tougher international restrictions to deter Iran's missile program," he said, adding that the United States "will relentlessly rally worldwide support for Iran's reckless ballistic missile activities and will continue to exert sufficient pressure on the regime to change its harmful behavior, Full of our sanctions. "

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards revealed on Thursday a new ballistic missile with a range of 1000 km, according to the news agency of the elite force in Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late on Thursday that "the recent launch of Iran's missile proves once again that the nuclear deal does nothing to stop Iran's missile program."

Iran is defying the UN Security Council by developing its ballistic missile capabilities, he said.

Tehran has curtailed most of its nuclear program under a landmark agreement in 2015 but has continued to develop ballistic missile technology.

The United States withdrew from the deal in May and re-imposed sanctions on Iran, including the program.

Iran's ballistic programs have raised concerns among Western nations, which accuse Iran of wanting to increase the range of its missiles and destabilize the Middle East and Israel.

Security Council resolution 2231, following the nuclear agreement, calls on Iran to "refrain from any activities related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of carrying nuclear weapons."

Iran reiterates that its missile programs are related to the issue of national security, that its objectives are "defensive" and that they abide by the international resolution.

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2019/02/08 13:57
  • Number of readings 39
  • Section: Iraq
  •  

Sources: Baghdad leads mediation between Tehran and Washington .. Fayyad "arrange" meeting Assad and Ben Salman .. Follow

 

 

BAGHDAD /  

Source: Baghdad leads mediation between Tehran and Washington .. Fayyad "arrange" meeting Assad and Ben Salman .. Follow

- Expert on Iranian affairs: Iraq and Oman lead mediation between Tehran and Saudi Arabia ..

- Trump's latest message through Oman and Iraq: Ready to visit Tehran and meet the guide ..

- The conditions of Mike Piombio, put on the shelf ..

- Fayyad leads preparation for meeting with Assad and Ben Salman ..

Followed

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/163373/مصادر-بغداد-تقود-وساطة-بين-طهران-وواشنطن-والفياض-يرتب-لقاء-الأسد-وبن-سلمان-يتبع

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2019/02/08 13:48
  • Number of readings 26
  • Section: Arab and World
  •  

Pompeo calls for tougher international restrictions on Iran's missile program

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday (February 8th, 2019) called for strict international restrictions to curb Iran's missile program.

"Iran's latest missile launch proves once again that a nuclear deal with Tehran does not limit its missile program," Pompeo wrote in a small blog on Twitter.

"Iran is challenging the UN Security Council to increase its ballistic missile capabilities, so we must take more stringent restrictive measures to contain Iran's missile program," Pompeo said.

Earlier, Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier Qassem Taqizadeh confirmed that Tehran had successfully launched the "Dosti" artificial satellite on Tuesday after the first test failed in mid-January.

The defense official said that the missile "ambassador" carrying the moon "Dusty" transferred to the orbit of the specified, adding that the satellite "Talo" communications will be placed in orbit intended "in the near future," explaining that this will occur within the next three or four months.

The United States, Israel and France have strongly condemned Iran's attempts in this regard, saying it is contrary to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, while Tehran stressed that its tests are exclusively peaceful and do not violate this resolution.

Follow the obelisk-agencies

 

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Imam Khamenei: "Death to America," death to Tramp and Pumpo / We do not do anything with the American people.

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in the meeting with a group of members of the Army Air Force said: The life of the US regime was to lose their interests, and the United States is the manifestation of evil.

  • Feb 19, 1397 - 10:33 
  •  
 
Imam Khamenei: "Death to America," death to Tramp and Pumpo / We do not do anything with the American people.

The political group Tasnim the information database of the Office of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution today (Friday) during a meeting leaders and a group of staff of the Air Force and Air Defense Army, allegiance surprise Airmen Imam Khomeini (ra ) On February 19, 1977, embodying courage, hope for the Lord, avoiding the enemy and acting on duty, and emphasized: February 22 this year, with the help of the Lord and in the light of these historians, in real terms, the enemy will be defeated and with the vigilance of the nation and presence All the tastes and views will be more magnificent than in previous years.

The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called the 22nd Bahman march as a surprise and added: "The annual celebration of the revolution in the countries where the revolution has become a parade of armed forces against a few people, but in Iran, proudly, for 40 years, people come to the streets all over the country. And they emphasize the continuation of the path of the revolution that this issue is one of the miraculous wonders of the revolution and should continue with all power.

He noted the numerous masses of the nation in the 22 Bahman march as "enemy and intimidating it", "indicating the general presence of the nation on the scene" and "the manifestation of national determination and unity" and noted: There is a difference of taste in society, but when the revolution and The system and the 22nd avalanch come in, all the differences are dying and all come together.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution called the regime of the United States "evil, violence, crisis and warfare" and added: US officials say insulting the Iranian people why you say "Death to America", to emphasize the minds of US officials That we have nothing to do with the American people, and death to America, namely, the death of the American rulers, who in this period are "Death to the Trump and Bolton and Pumpo".

He added: "Until the US regime moves on the basis of evil, interference, mistreatment and violence, the slogan of death to America will not fall from the mouth of the powerful nation of Iran.

Ayatollah Khamenei added in another part of their remarks about the European proposals: I would advise officials not to trust them. Of course, we do not say that they should not be in contact with them, but look at the pessimists of the Europeans.

The leader of the revolution noted: "I spoke to the authorities about the United States a few years ago and in the nuclear talks, both in private meetings and in public meetings, that I do not trust Americans, and you do not trust their promises, words, smiles and signatures. . The result is that the officials who negotiated those days themselves say the United States is unreliable. They should recognize this from the beginning and move on this basis.

He added: "The same Europeans who insult themselves to Iran's human rights demands make people in the arsenal of people in Paris and blind people, but at the same time arrogantly invite Iran, while they should say that you Do you know human rights at all?

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized: As a powerful and powerful country with all the world, except for a few exceptions, we are in touch with and we will have, but we must know who we are talking about and the French, British and other actions in different sections Do not forget

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in another part of their speech, said that the army's involvement with the nation during the Islamic Revolution was a great blessing and the role of the air force in this outstanding issue, saying that the air force played a role in the victory of the Islamic Revolution and afterwards, On February 19, 1977, the collective return of the Army Air Force with Imam Khomeini (RA), the first actress and the revolution itself, was a surprise and "Rizq La Yahtasb".

He added that on February 19, 1977, it was a manifestation of self-control, a sense of duty, and a sense of power because in that event the youth did not fear the tyrant, and by overcoming their fears and hopes of God, they courageously visited the Imam, who today have the same qualities we need.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the role of the air force in the cases of the night of February 21, 1977, the disclosure of the coup at the base of the martyr Nogheh Hamedan by a young air force officer, the formation of a self-sufficiency air force by the Air Force, the first harsh reaction on the days of the beginning of the war imposed by the fighters The air force and the bombing of many Iraqi bases and roles during the holy defense, the construction of a war plane and the support of Shrine defenders are among the most prominent elements of the Air Force and are part of the history and identity of this force.

The leader of the Islamic Revolution emphasized the need to preserve and strengthen this identity and to educate and educate young people such as martyrs Babaee, Sattari and other martyrs: the only force that could raise such prominent figures and activate their inner talent, the revolution Islamic and the great movement of the Iranian nation.

Ayatollah Khamenei, referring to the commitment of the nation to "Independence, dignity and pride of the Islamic Revolution," added: "I am aware of the difficulties, difficulties and other problems, but I am optimistic about the country because I see the nation as a The hero and a strong person stand in front of the enemy front and knows what paths and goals they should pursue.

They emphasized: "There are plagues, discomfort and expectations, but no issues have ever been raised and the nation can not be reluctant to support the ideals and goals of the Imam, the revolution and the regime."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution likened the Iranian nation to a mountaineering, which in the last 40 years has rejected a significant part of the rifle and dangerous rifle, but to achieve the goals and to eliminate threats and conspiracies, the rest of the way Slowly and reaches the summit.

The leader of the Islamic Revolution called on all officials and individuals to call for endless work and effort and added: "Everyone, wherever he is, performs his duties so that all houses in the general table of duties of the people and authorities will be filled and the acceleration of the dear movement of Iran towards More goals.

He described the fear and disappointment as the main work of the enemy and the infiltration elements, and added, based on numerous Quranic verses and early Islamic teachings, adding: "The logic of Islam is to not be afraid of the enemy, but fear deviations from the straight line, and if you do right, God help you will surely win.

The Ayatollah Khamenei called for a deviation from the path of God and surrender to enemies to the detriment of the people and pointed out that in such a case, the fate of our Iran will be like the Pahlavi regime or countries like Saudi Arabia, when the United States addresses its destiny and its resources and interests. Has dominated.

He also added in recommendations on the March 22 demonstration: "Maybe those who are not responsible for the reason or the logic of anyone, maybe they do not like the lord or the leader, but they should not turn the march into a manifestation of disagreement with a slogan against him, because this The passionate national movement must continue to be great and unity.

The leader of the Islamic Revolution, tomorrow, and the youth and the nation, said more than today: "In the shadow of confidence, the sense of responsibility and action of the people and authorities in their duties, the Lord will open the way for the Iranian nation with his grace and determination." Made

Speaking to the commander-in-chief, Amir Brigadier General Nasirzadeh, commander of the Army Air Force, briefing on the achievements and capabilities of the force in various areas, said: "Permanent force personnel and the air defense base, targeting the martyrs and shrine defenders to defend dignity and borders Islamic Iran are fully prepared.

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"Death To America" Really Means "Death To Trump", Ayatollah Says

Profile picture for user Tyler Durden
Fri, 02/08/2019 - 09:50

Iranian Supreme Ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is putting a new spin on an old slogan.

Americans who have been around since at least the days of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who famously antagonized George W Bush and Barack Obama, will remember Iranian chants of "Death to America" filling the airwaves. But in the age of Trump, with tensions between Iran and the US back at a breaking point after the president pulled out of the Iran deal, Khamenei has clarified that when Iranians chant "Death to America" they really mean "Death to Trump" (and his top national security and foreign policy officials like National Security Advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo).

Aya

At least that's what Khamenei told a group of Iranian air force officers during a speech to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Iranian revolution.

"As long as America continues its wickedness, the Iranian nation will not abandon ‘Death to America’,"Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a gathering of Iranian Air Force officers marking the 40th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, according to his official website.

Trump pulled out of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers last year and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran, dealing a blow to the country’s economy.

"'Death to America' means death to Trump, (National Security Adviser) John Bolton, and (Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo. It means death to American rulers," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

And though the European signatories to the Iran deal have been doing everything they can to keep the deal afloat, Khamenei warned against trusting them, too, particularly since they have been stepping up criticism of Iran's missile tests.

"I recommend that one should not trust the Europeans just as the Americans," Khamenei said. "We don’t say, don’t have contacts with them, but it’s an issue of trust."

Maybe if European nations like Italy had stepped up their purchases of Iranian oil, or if the EU had succeeded in creating the alternative banking vehicle to facilitate such purchases, the Ayatollah would feel differently

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-08/death-america-really-means-death-trump-ayatollah-says

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US embassy launches offensive on Tehran via Facebook (cameraman)

USAIRAN.jpg

The US embassy in Iraq on Friday attacked the Iranian regime on its Facebook page, calling it "corrupt".

"In 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini promised the Iranian people a prosperous future," the embassy said on its front page. Forty years later, the corrupt regime of Iran has achieved nothing but false promises. "

The embassy dropped its publication in Bhagatag "40 years of failure," referring to the history of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1997.

 

 

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In a previous publication, published by the page on February 6, 2019, the embassy announced that "US e-security companies and social networks in the United States have removed hundreds of accounts of social media originating from Iran."

"The calculations were linked to an Iranian-backed propaganda platform called the International Virtual Information Union," she said.

He said the accounts "were created to spread false news to more than half a million people a month in more than a dozen languages." [1]

 

 

 

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We are able to enrich more than 20% / unveil new products

Qazvin, a spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization, said: "With the recipe and increasing the old centrifuges and the use of new centrifuges, we are capable of enriching beyond 20% with full power."

Behrooz Kamalwandi said on Sunday that the headquarters of the Qazvin Science and Technology Park, named after Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi, was inaugurated in an interview with Mehr correspondent on the conditions in Iran to return to pre-nuclear situation in the field of nuclear energy. From the beginning, We worked syntax to return to the previous situation, if necessary, and the IAEA chairman has repeatedly said that we have no problems if we want to go back to the past and continue enrichment.

He said: "If we want to add centrifuges in the current situation or use advanced centrifuges if necessary, and increase the level of enrichment, we have this capacity and, if necessary, we can enrich 3.5 percent And 20%.

Kemalundi reminded: The status of the Khandab and Arak research reactors is such that, if promised by the parties to the deal, we would be reengineering the same reactor and if we wanted to use the same reactor.

Deputy Director General for International Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (IAEA) said: "Today we have the possibility to build new sections at a rapid pace and move forward.

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We can quickly meet our own needs

He said: "We had predicted enrichment in the program to use new cars, and now we have 6,000 older machines, and if we are to bring other machines, we will definitely add new machines to speed up Enrichment goes up.

Kamalwandi said: The Supreme Leader has emphasized the need to provide a ground for a "190,000 Suez" maneuver, so that we are ready for the enrichment of all the facilities and are ready to execute the order, but the emphasis of the leadership is to move forward in the framework, namely, the fields. We are potentially ready, but we are not actually entering the workplace until the orders of the top officials of the country are issued.

April 20 Launch of new products

The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said: "We have made many progress in this area and will be launching some developments on April 20 next year."

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Kamelwandi said: "One of the important achievements in producing oxygen is 18, which is a leap in atomic chemistry, and it is extremely valuable that we can produce stable 18-oxygen isotopes, which has drug use, diagnostic and therapeutic use, and only a few countries Technology has it and today the Islamic Iran has achieved it.

The production of oxygen 18 is worthwhile

"We need not only this knowledge, but also we can provide part of the world's need for oxygen 18, which is economically very expensive, for example, if a liter of heavy water is worth $ 300, one kilo of oxygen 18 more than 100 times It costs $ 30,000.

The spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy said he was cooperating with the National Accelerator Initiative, "We have a permanent engagement in the implementation of the National Accelerator in Qazvin, and we are helping to prepare the light source quickly, and the main task of the Atomic Energy Organization is to monitor nuclear activities in the country, Financial and technical assistance will also help to complete this plan.

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He added: "In the past few years, after this, we were able to access other countries' information and help to get better conditions, and the national accelerator is one of the major projects that will make a fundamental change in the country's science and knowledge." .

Kamalwandi also said that the Atomic Energy School was being set up in Tehran and Mashhad, and in Qazvin, a third high school was under construction, and two other provinces had begun applications that were under consideration and this was done. Students interested in nuclear knowledge in the country are provided with education ...

 
The code is 4538603
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11-02-2019 11:29 AM

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Baghdad / News

Iranian President Hassan Rowhani said on Monday that Tehran would continue to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile program.

 

"His country is determined to strengthen its military strength and its ballistic missile program, despite growing pressure from several countries that stress the danger of Tehran's destabilizing activities in the region," Hassan Rowhani said .

"We have not asked and will not ask permission to develop different types of missiles ... We will continue our march and our military strength, Rowhani said in remarks broadcast on Iranian state television .

The Iranian president said that his country 'will defeat the US sanctions despite the difficulties faced by people', stressing that the 'conspiracy' against Iran will never succeed, referring to US sanctions on Iran because of its nuclear and missile programs .

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Iran Films "Underground City" Of Ballistic Missiles In Provocative Snub Of US And EU

Profile picture for user Tyler Durden
Mon, 02/11/2019 - 04:15

Late last week Iran's Revolutionary Guard unveiled a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile that Iran's military touts as possessing a range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), according to the elite force's Sepah News.

Iran%20new%20missile.jpg Image source: Iran's Revolutionary Guard via Sepah News/AFP

The IRGC released footage of the new missile stored deep inside what state media called an "underground" ballistic missile production facility in what appears the latest provocative snub to US and European leaders, who've recently demanded Iran halt all missile development and tests, but which Tehran has said is for defensive reasons and therefore legal within the framework of the 2015 JCPOA. 

Fars News published video of IRGC commander-in-chief Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari and aerospace commander Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh showcasing the new missile, called Dezful, described as having "twice the destructive power" of the older Zolfaghar model, which had a range of 700 kilometers, according to statements by Hajizadeh. 

And in comments aimed directly at the West, IRGC chief Jafari said, "Displaying this missile production facility deep underground is an answer to Westerners... who think they can stop us from reaching our goals through sanctions and threats," according to the AFP. The location of the facility, which appeared to show multiple rockets, was undisclosed. 

 

 

 
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🎥اولین تصاویر از کارخانه زیر زمینی تولید موشک بالستیک نیروی هوافضای #سپاه

 
 
 
 

"Europeans talk of limiting our defensive capability while they have the audacity [to allow] their offensive power be used to attack innocent people all over the world," he added.

This came within the same week the European Union issued a formal statement urging Iran to abandon all ballistic missile activity, and to further cease "intervention" in regional conflicts. The EU was reacting to a recent successful test of a new cruise missile named Hoveizeh, which has a purported range of 1,350 kilometers.

Meanwhile, Gen. Hajizadeh said at a separate event in Tehran that Iran's "missile power is not negotiable." He said, "This deterrence power has been created for the country and we do not hold talks about it with anyone at all." 

As the AFP reports, Iran is still within the guidelines of the JCPOA despite the recent cruise missile tests and touting its new Dezful missile: "Iran has voluntarily limited the range of its missiles to 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles), but that is still enough to hit its arch-enemy Israel and US bases in the Middle East," according to the report

The White House has continued to point to Tehran's expanding ballistic missile program as it builds a case for international pressures to increase and as it seeks to enforce sanctions, so the Iranian military's publicizing footage of what's been described as an entire "underground city" for missile development is certainly not going to help the Iranians. 

Some reports described "vast corridors, full of various missile parts, including warheads, all at different stages of assembly" as well as an army of engineers at the plant "fulfilling tasks, from merely spinning nuts to fine-tuning some tiny electronic devices, thought to be parts of the missiles’ guidance system."

Thus Iran's leadership shouldn't be surprised in the future with the US administration uses its own footage against it in building the case for potential future military intervention. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-10/iran-films-underground-city-ballistic-missiles-provocative-snub-us-and-eu

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Iraq Rebuffs U.S. Demands to Stop Buying Energy From Iran

 
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An Iranian oil facility on Kharg Island. Iraq relies on electricity and natural gas from its neighbor.CreditCreditAtta Kenare/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
  • Feb. 11, 2019

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is pressuring Iraq to stop buying energy from its neighbor and sole foreign supplier, Iran, in what has become a major point of conflict between Washington and Baghdad.

Iraqi leaders, fearing that a further shortfall in power would lead to mass protests and political instability in their electricity-starved country, are pushing back on the demand, which is rooted in President Trump’s sanctions against Iran.

The dispute has frayed American diplomacy with Baghdad as Iraq tries to steady itself after the United States military withdrawal in 2011 and the campaign against the Islamic State.

Iraq’s defiance further jeopardizes Mr. Trump’s goal of getting all nations to comply with sanctions after withdrawing from the deal to limit Tehran’s nuclear program last year. Already, European nations have set up a legal financial mechanism to do business with Iran, and China and India are resisting American efforts at prodding them to cut off oil purchases.

 

Tensions rose after Mr. Trump said on Feb. 3 that he planned to have American troops who have returned to Iraq “watch Iran,” despite Baghdad’s need to maintain cordial ties with its fellow Shiite neighbor. Mr. Trump’s comments added momentum to proposed legislation in Iraq that would limit the movement and activities of American troops.

“The people of Iraq have suffered from the blockade and are aware of the harm done to the people by their actions,” Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi of Iraq said last week after a meeting with the governor of Iran’s central bank, Abdolnaser Hemmati. He was referring to 13 years of crippling sanctions imposed on Iraq by the United States when Saddam Hussein was in power.

 

“Iraq will not be part of the sanctions regime against Iran and any other people,” Mr. Abdul Mahdi said.

Mr. Hemmati said he hoped Iraq and Iran would cooperate more in banking, which could also weaken American sanctions.

American officials are seeking to cut off Iraqi purchases of natural gas and electricity, even though the country relies on those for a good portion of its energy needs.

 

Iraq’s energy production and grid capabilities have lagged since the American-led invasion of 2003, and blackouts in cities are common, even with the current purchases. The energy shortfall is especially acute in the sweltering summers, which has led to large protests that become national crises.

Iranian natural gas is the single most critical energy import in Iraq, but American officials say purchases must end now because gas falls under the American sanctions. And the Trump administration has told Iraq’s leaders that they have until late March to end electricity purchases. Officials in Baghdad say there is no easy substitute for either one because it would take three years or more to adequately build up Iraq’s energy infrastructure.

The Trump administration’s push on Iraq is part of its strategy of using sanctions to weaken Iran’s economy and prompt political or policy change. Administration officials aim to coerce Iranian leaders to fully dismantle their nuclear and ballistic missile programs and curb their support for Shiite Arab militias in the Middle East.

American officials say they want to get Iranian oil exports to zero, but they gave leeway to some countries when imposing sanctions in November. The State Department and Treasury granted waivers to eight countries, including China and India, Iran’s two biggest customers, to allow continued purchases for 180 days.

Iraq was given a 45-day waiver on electricity, which was extended by 90 days in December. On Jan. 9, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Iraq’s two top leaders in Baghdad about “energy independence,” a State Department spokesman said.

Iraqi officials said the American demand acknowledges neither Iraq’s energy needs nor the complex relations between Baghdad and Tehran.

Haider al-Abadi, the former prime minister, said in an interview that Iraq was in a precarious situation with the United States because “we cannot afford to make them angry.” But, he said, the Americans have failed to “look at the geopolitics of Iraq.”

 

“We happen to be neighbors of Iran; the U.S. is not,” Mr. al-Abadi said. “We happen to have the longest border with Iran; the U.S. does not. And we don’t have that powerful an economy.”

The defiance by Iraqi leaders underscores the lack of support among many nations for the sanctions and the American goal of crippling Iran’s government. Analysts say they do not expect China and India to stop their purchases of Iranian oil even after the 180-day waivers expire. On Jan. 31, Britain, France and Germany announced a mechanism to allow countries to do business with Iran in a way that does not violate sanctions.

 
 
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Iraq’s energy production and electric grid capabilities have lagged since the American-led invasion in 2003.CreditSabah Arar/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

This week, diplomats from dozens of countries will meet in Warsaw for what American officials originally billed as a discussion of the Iran sanctions and containment strategy. But Western European nations balked at the focus on Iran and threatened to send lower-level officials, forcing the State Department to broaden the theme to addressing instability in the Middle East.

Inside Iran, the sanctions have led to a scarcity of medicine, adding to global criticism of the American policy.

Last month, top American intelligence officials contradicted Mr. Trump by saying Iran was not currently taking steps to make a nuclear bomb. Those officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency say Iran still appears to be complying with the nuclear dealfrom which Mr. Trump withdrew the United States in May.

Iraq presents a special dilemma for the United States. The toppling of Hussein in 2003 allowed Iran to become the dominant foreign power in Iraq. That has continued throughout the Iraqi government’s campaign against the Islamic State, with Iran supporting Shiite Arab militias against the Sunni extremist group and sending top commanders into battle, including Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, a nemesis of the Americans.

Iraqi officials want to someday produce all their energy. But until the proper infrastructure is built, they see no alternative to buying from Iran, said Meghan O’Sullivan, an energy scholar and Harvard Kennedy School professor who was a top National Security Council official on Iraq under President George W. Bush.

 

“The administration’s policy is putting Iraq in a tough position,” said Ms. O’Sullivan, who has spoken with Iraqi and American officials about the American demands. “The big transition that the Trump administration wants Iraq to make in stepping away from Iran will take a long time.”

“It makes sense for Iraq to supply all of its own energy and to export products,” she added. “It’s not a crazy idea from the Trump administration. But the sanctions are adding urgency to the situation and political complications.”

Iraqi officials have also expressed concern over demands from the Trump administration to sign deals with American companies to build up energy infrastructure.

Last October, the Trump administration pushed Iraqi officials to sign agreements with General Electric for multibillion-dollar power generation deals, after Siemens A.G., a German company, had been on the verge of landing a $15 billion deal with Baghdad. Iraqi officials ended up signing nonbinding agreements with both companies.

Senior American officials had warned Mr. al-Abadi, then the prime minister, that signing the deal with Siemens would put Iraq’s relations with the United States at risk, Bloomberg News reported.

Iraq’s power sector suffers from many problems, including a poor grid and lack of fuel to be converted to electricity.

In 2017, Iraq signed a deal with Iran to import up to one billion cubic feet of natural gas daily, which would cost $2.8 billion annually at crude oil prices of $70 per barrel. The actual imports have been half that amount. The fuel accounts for 10 to 15 percent of Iraq’s electricity generation, according to the World Bank.

 

Even with that, Iraq has a shortfall of three gigawatts of power.

Last May, around the time Mr. Trump announced the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, Iraqi officials stopped paying Iran for natural gas and electricity. That was in part because they feared the United States was about to impose sanctions, and their lawyers wanted to look at Iraq’s exposure, said a State Department official, who discussed details of the sensitive diplomatic issue on condition of anonymity.

Last July and August, having not been paid, Iran stopped electricity exports to Iraq. That contributed to widespread blackouts in the southern city Basra, already common during the summer, and helped ignite protests. Iran restarted exports on Aug. 20, but the protests continued, and some residents burned the Iranian Consulate in September.

Iran has since continued its exports of natural gas and electricity to Iraq and expects to be paid. Officials from both countries are negotiating how to make payments, given the American sanctions. The Trade Bank of Iraq could have sanctions placed on it by the United States if it buys natural gas or, under the temporary electricity waiver, pays for electricity in United States dollars, the State Department official said.

Iraqi officials met with Treasury Department officials in Washington twice in late 2018 to discuss how to legally make payments. A critical period will come this summer, when electricity demand will surge again. If Iran cuts supplies because of nonpayment, more protests could occur, destabilizing the country.

For a long-term solution, the Trump administration is urging Iraqi officials to connect their grid to Saudi Arabia, Jordan or Kuwait.

They are also pushing Baghdad to sign contracts with foreign companies for natural-gas capture, processing and transport to use gas that is lost during crude oil production. Iraq has 1.7 billion cubic feet of gas flaring per day across 30 fields. The World Bank has worked with the Oil Ministry for two years to improve legal and regulatory foundations for gas contracts.

But that is not a short-term fix for energy shortfalls, and Iraq has been slow in signing contracts. Last year, Iraq signed a single natural-gas processing contract, with Baker Hughes and General Electric. The product would equal only a fraction of the imports from Iran, and it would take at least two years to come online.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/11/us/politics/trump-iraq-iran.html

Edited by Butifldrm
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4 hours ago, Butifldrm said:

They are also pushing Baghdad to sign contracts with foreign companies for natural-gas capture, processing and transport to use gas that is lost during crude oil production. Iraq has 1.7 billion cubic feet of gas flaring per day across 30 fields.

which should of been on going years ago....the flaring is on such a huge scale, it can been seen from space. its a disgrace such pollution was permitted and condoned by the big western company that drill for the oil in the first place....imo

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2019/02/10 13:12
  • Number of readings 88
  • Section: Arab and World
  •  

Iranian ambassador in Moscow: Tehran The European financial mechanism is a first step

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iran is considering the financial mechanism to boost trade between Iran and Europe as a first step because it expects more from Europe than it has done so far, Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mahdhi Senai said Sunday (February 10th, 2019).

Sinay said that this mechanism is a serious step because the EU can make the decision independently and in the interest of dialogue and negotiation.

The defense doctrine of Iran is defensive, adding that there are no international restrictions on the production and testing of missiles, and no such issue has been raised in the nuclear agreement, which does not prevent Iran from moving in this direction.

"We see this in Russia's position as well. Russian officials have repeatedly stated that Iranian missile activities do not violate any international agreement.

On US interventions in other countries, Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanai said that US interventions in other countries' affairs have only resulted in instability, for example Syria, Iraq and Libya.

Sanayi pointed out that the American interventions that were limited to the Middle East have now spread to Venezuela, where America has imposed measures against the legitimate government to weaken them and to recognize another person as president of the public. He hoped that the scenario in the Middle East would not be repeated in Venezuela one more time.

Follow the obelisk-agencies

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/163506/السفیر-الإیرانی-فی-موسكو-طهران-تعتبر-الآلیة-المالیة-الأوروبية-خطوة-أولى

 
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