Iranian official calls for negotiations with Washington in Iraq

[boosterbglee]

One mis-guided missile and their war games will be over and the Navy will also be underwater.  JMO

[Butifldrm]

The FATF resumed Iran

 

 

 

Political /

Event ID: 450908

The Special Financial Action Task Force extended the suspension of counter-measures to Iran.

 

 The financial action task force (FATF) today (Friday) announced that as of June 2019 (July 98) that the deadline for Iran to expectations in the fight against terrorist financing and money laundering are met .

According to Reuters, the group has given Iran another four months to approve laws to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism .

This means suspending countermeasures of the Special Financial Action Task Force (FATF) against Iran.

International agency Group for Financial Action (FATF)  earlier in 2016. It was suspended countermeasures against Tehran .

The Special Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has announced that there are still inconclusive cases regarding the demands of this group of Iran and expects Iran to correct its policy as soon as possible .

The group further stated that if Iran does not comply with FATF standards by June 2019, this group will enforce   its regulatory oversight of branches and institutions affiliated with Iran's financial institutions. / ISNA 

http://www.ion.ir/News/450908/مهلت-دوباره-ایران

[yota691]

Iran begins major maneuvers and test submarines launched for the first time

Editorial date: 2019/2/22 14:38 • 72 times read

Iran has launched a large-scale naval exercise at the entrance to the Gulf, which will include the first cruise missile launch from submarines, at a time of increasing tension with the United States.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said that more than 100 ships will participate in the three-day military exercises in a wide area stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to the Indian Ocean. 
"These exercises will include addressing a number of threats, testing weapons and evaluating the readiness of equipment and personnel," Admiral Hussein Khanzadi, commander of the navy, said in remarks broadcast on state television. 
"Missiles will be launched from submarines, in addition to the launch of helicopters and aircraft from the surface of the destroyer (Sahand)." 
According to official media, Iran will test its new submarine (Fath) homemade and armed with cruise missiles. 
The submarine was launched last week. 
Iranian officials have already threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil route, in response to any US hostile move, including efforts to stop Iranian oil exports through sanctions.
US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal with Iran in May and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran. 
Tehran has expanded its missile program, especially its ballistic missiles. 
Iran launched the destroyer Sahand in December, which officials say has characteristics that allow it to avoid radar monitoring. 
The US ship John Stennis entered the Gulf in December, ending a long absence for US aircraft carriers in the strategic waterway. 
Iran has reviewed new surface-to-surface cruise missiles with a range of 1,300 km earlier this month during celebrations marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

[yota691]

Iran announces successful test of two cruise missiles

Editorial date: 2019/2/23 14:31 • 46 times read

Iran has tested two cruise missiles, capable of 250 kilometers and capable of measuring 300 kilometers, on the second day of its maneuvers near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Fars news agency reported.

On the first day of the "97th" maneuvers, Iranian naval forces carried out amphibious operations, during which various weapons and devices, including speedboats, attack ships and missile-launched missiles, were used towards targets on the southern coast of the country. 
The Fars News Agency said that at this stage of the maneuvers, the destroyer "Martyr Admiral Naqadi" and the frigate "justified" the firing of the "Kader" and "Kadeer" cruise missiles which destroyed the naval targets. 
The missile system "Coast - Bahr" fired a missile "capable" hit the target at sea. 
The exercises will last three days with the participation of more than 100 naval pieces of the Iranian navy's navy, including attack vehicles, missile and logistic destroyers, heavy and light submarines, amphibians, aircraft and helicopters led by a helicopter carrier.
The "97th" Navy exercises are being conducted by the Army in an area of 2 million square kilometers of the Strait of Hormuz, the Mekran coasts, the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.

[yota691]

IRAN FIGHTS TO GET AROUND US SANCTIONS IN IRAQ, TURKEY, RUSSIA AND SYRIA

“Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday that Moscow will continue all-out cooperation with Iran, including in the area of nuclear energy," Iranian media reported.

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN

 

 FEBRUARY 23, 2019 05:52

 

3 minute read.

 

 

 

Presidents Hassan Rouhani of Iran, Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Vladimir Putin of Russia pose before their meeting in Ankara, Turkey April 4, 2018. (photo credit: TOLGA BOZOGLU/POOL VIA REUTERS)

 

A new customs gate in the Saray district of Van province in Turkey is expected to boost trade with Iran, according to Turkish media.

It is one of several links Iran is hoping to use to maintain its economy amid US sanctions and in the wake of the US-backed summit in Poland that Washington hoped would focus on Iran. Tehran is now pushing for more trade with Iraq and Russia, and boasting that it will not be affected by the sanctions.

 

On Friday the Islamic Republic News Agency included an article about Russia’s efforts to confront the US regarding trade and Iran.

“Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday that Moscow will continue all-out cooperation with Iran, including in the area of nuclear energy, despite all the pressures from the United States,” the article notes. Russia said that US efforts to “scare” Russia regarding trade were unacceptable.

 

Russia has been outspoken before on standing by Iran during the dispute with the US. In late January Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov met Iraq’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Alhakim in Moscow. According to statements from Moscow they discussed “the situation around Iran in the context of increasing sanctions pressure and harsh rhetoric from the US.” They hinted that this affects Iraq’s interests.

 

Iraq is increasingly a kind of “near abroad” for Iran’s economy, a key ally amid the increasing pressure from Washington. Iran has cultivated leaders in Iraq, including various Shi’ite-based political parties and also militias. Oil from Iraq is trucked to Iran and products from Iran go into Iraq.

 

For instance on February 14 the Kurdistan Regional Government, an autonomous region in northern Iraq, had issued a ban on oil exports to Iran. The ban appeared to be the result of pressure from the US which doesn’t want the trade to continue. But a week after it was announced Iran sent its ambassador Iraj Masjedi to Iraq and the Kurdistan region. Soon after two exemptions to the oil ban were released. On the one hand Baghdad has discussed the trade with Washington, but on the other hand Baghdad wants the exemptions.

 

Iran’s work with Iraq, Turkey and Russia is key to helping it get around the US sanctions and also keep its struggling economy afloat. Turkey had vowed it would not abide by new US sanctions in November. Turkey has also been in close talks with the Trump administration about Syria recently.  Turkey, Iran and Russia are also key players in the Astana process regarding ending the conflict in Syria. As part of that cooperation Iran seeks to portray itself as advancing regional stability. Keeping Iran’s economy afloat is part of that stability, from Tehran’s perspective, and it seeks to convince its partners in Moscow and Ankara of this.

 

According to an article at The Atlantic Council on February 22, Iran is increasing its economic activities in Syria as the war winds down. It is shifting from sending aid to Syria, which was key to helping the Assad regime survive the civil war, to seeking economic benefit. Hamidreza Azizi argues that Tehran has signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding with Damascus as part of this effort. This includes banking channels, agriculture, and other methods of “circumventing US sanctions.” Iran also wants to be involved in post-war reconstruction, “with economic benefit outweighing political considerations.” For the first time Iran is also encouraging private sector investment, the article notes. A rail link, via Iraq, may even be in the works.

 

The Syrian nexus for the Iranian economy thus ties Iran, Iraq and Syria increasingly together. This is part of a political corridor of influence stretching to Lebanon, as well as a way for Iran’s economy to access neighboring states. Along with the closer relations Iran seeks with Russia and Turkey as part of the discussions about post-war Syria, the economic issue is of vital importance for Tehran. These recent reports clearly indicate that this is the case.

[yota691]

22-02-2019 06:44 PM

An international watchdog group slams Iran until June to tighten anti-money laundering laws

 

 

Baghdad

FATF said on Friday that Iran had until June to tighten its anti-money laundering laws, otherwise its financial institutions would face increased scrutiny and scrutiny.

Paris-based VTV already gave Tehran a deadline until February to complete reforms that would make it committed to international norms or face consequences, in October.

"There are still some items that are not yet complete," she said in a statement. "She expects Iran to move quickly on the path of reform," she said.

"If Iran does not do the remaining legislation by June 2019 in line with the FATF standards, the FATF will need to increase the supervisory scrutiny of the branches of the financial institutions and its affiliated units based in Iran," she said.

Foreign companies say compliance with Iran's removal from the blacklist of the firm is important to inject investment into the country, especially after the United States reinstated sanctions on Iran.

France, Britain and Germany have linked this line of commitment by using a new non-dollar channel with Iran to avoid falling under American sanctions.

Those countries said they expected Iran to quickly achieve all elements of the FATF plan of action.

[Butifldrm]

OMG!

 

IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER USES INSTAGRAM TO RESIGN

5:27 PM 02/25/2019 | WORLD

Nick Sherman | Contributor

 1

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif used Instagram to resign from his position Monday.

Zarif shared a post on the photo-sharing platform saying, “I am apologizing you for all the shortcomings … in the past years during my time as foreign minister … I thank the Iranian nation and officials,” according to Reuters.

Joyce Karam

 

✔@Joyce_Karam

 

 

BREAKING: #Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif RESIGNED. (Reuters)

سكاي نيوز عربية-الآن

 

✔@SkyNewsArabia_B

 

رويترز: وزير الخارجية الإيراني يعلن استقالته

 

196

2:05 PM - Feb 25, 2019

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311 people are talking about this

 

 

 

 

Zarif has his own verified Instagram account, which has close to 200 posts and close to 700,000 followers.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) confirmed Zarif’s Instagram post and clarified that he has indeed officially resigned. No official explanation was provided by the foreign minister either on Twitter or any other social media platform. No other official commented on the foreign minister’s resignation thus far according to Newsweek.

Zarif had been a major proponent of the Iran Nuclear Deal back in 2015, arguing for the removal of sanctions and a nuclear enrichment plan with the then Secretary of State, John Kerry.

Since the United States decided to pull out of the deal, Zarif has been a large critic of the Trump presidency.

He criticized The United States attempt to transfer nuclear technologies to Saudi Arabia, saying, “Day by day, it becomes clearer to the world what was always clear to us: neither human rights nor a nuclear program have been the real concern of the [United States].” (RELATED: Pompeo Terminates Iran Treaty After UN Court Hands Tehran A Victory In Sanctions Lawsuit Against Washington)

Javad Zarif

 

✔@JZarif

 

 

Day by day it becomes clearer to the world what was always clear to us: neither human rights nor a nuclear program have been the real concern of the U.S. First a dismembered journalist; now illicit sale of nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia fully expose #USHypocrisy.

 

2,855

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While it’s not clear why he resigned, experts believe that it could be because of anti-American hardliners in the Iranian government who had been putting more pressure on Zarif.

In 2018, hardliners launched an effort to impeach Zarif, but their efforts did not succeed. By the end of his tenure, Zarif was increasingly left out of government affairs: having his work delegated to his juniors and being absent from important meetings, such as the meeting with Bashar Al Assad.

View image on Twitter

Hala Gorani

 

✔@HalaGorani

 

 

Quite the embrace between Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who popped up in Tehran on a surprise visit today.

 

71

11:42 AM - Feb 25, 2019

 

63 people are talking about this

 

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This could mark a shift in Iranian foreign policy towards a more hostile, anti-American foreign policy.

It is not clear at this time if Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will accept Zarif’s resignation.

https://dailycaller.com/2019/02/25/iranian-foreign-minister-uses-instagram-to-resign/

[Butifldrm]

Mohammad Javad Zarif: Iran's foreign minister announces resignation

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• Iran nuclear deal

Image copyrightAFP Image captionMr Zarif played an important role negotiating the 2015 Iranian nuclear accord

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said he is stepping down, in a surprise announcement posted to his Instagram account.

He apologised for "shortcomings" during his time in government.

Mr Zarif played a prominent role in negotiating the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and major international powers.

But the future of the deal has been put into doubt after US President Donald Trump ended US involvement.

Mr Zarif's resignation was confirmed by Iran's state-run news agency, IRNA, which cited a spokesman for the foreign ministry.

The 59-year-old was educated in the US and holds a PhD in international law from the University of Denver.

He has served as Iran's ambassador to the UN and became foreign minister in 2013 after President Hassan Rouhani was elected promising a more moderate, outward-looking Iran.

Why has he quit?

It is far from clear. His post on Instagram thanked the Iranian people and authorities but gave no reason for the resignation.

"I apologise for not being able to continue in the post and for all the shortcomings and flaws in the period," he wrote.

Skip Instagram post by jzarif_

Report

End of Instagram post by jzarif_ir

Unlike other major social media networks, Instagram is not blocked in Iran.

It is not clear if his resignation will be accepted by President Hassan Rouhani, although the president's chief-of-staff tweeted to deny reports it had been accepted.

Mr Zarif has been under pressure at home from hardliners since the US withdrew from the Iranian nuclear pact, which binds Iran to limit its nuclear activities.

On Monday Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the capital, Tehran, but analysts noticed that Mr Zarif did not attend discussions.

Iran has been one of the Syrian government's main backers during its civil war. Apart from Russia, this trip to Tehran is thought to be Mr Assad's first foreign visit since the start of the war in 2011.

Where does this leave the nuclear deal?

The 2015 pact was was agreed by Iran, the US, the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany, and saw Iran limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

But President Trump called the deal "horrible" and argued it did not to enough to rein in Iranian nuclear activity or curb its actions abroad, such as in Syria.

Last year he announced the US was pulling out of the deal and reimposed sanctions.

The other signatories in the agreement have vowed to continue and Mr Zarif had been spearheading efforts to keep it alive.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful. Its compliance with the deal has been verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has said Iran is honouring its commitments.

Iran is one of the world's largest oil producers, with exports worth billions of dollars each year. Its economy has been under strain and the country has seen large-scale protests over rising prices and a decline in the value of its currency, the rial.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47362962

Edited February 26, 2019 by Butifldrm

[Butifldrm]

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Resigns

124 views

 

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Newsweek

Published on Feb 25, 2019

 

 

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Iran's top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif has announced his resignation on Instagram in a shock move that came as his country's feud with the United States deepened.

Edited February 26, 2019 by Butifldrm

[nannab]

  Now if a few others follow suite.

Thank you Butifldrm and good evening DV

[pokerplayer]

Hey nannab, hope you have a great week   

 

  pp

[Butifldrm]

Rouhani's impeachment was canceled in parliament

 

 

15:07 ::

1397/12/6

 

Political /

News ID: 451884

News from the parliament indicates that the signatories of the impeachment of the president seek to withdraw their signatures.

 

News from the parliament indicates that the signatories of the impeachment of the president seek to withdraw their signatures.

Online trust has reported that Hasan Rouhani's impeachment has been suspended, and all signatories are seeking to withdraw their signatures.

http://www.ion.ir/News/451884/استیضاح-روحانی

[Butifldrm]

Subtle resignation became the headline of an Arab media

 

 

07:19 ::

1397/12/7

 

Political /

Identity: 451990

Qazir Al-Jazeera TV Channel, with extensive coverage of Iran's Foreign Minister's resignation, quoted Abdul Qadir Fayz, head of its office in Tehran, as saying that the news is a grave and heavy news alert for Iran, so that the news for his deputies in the State Department It was also unexpected.

 

Following the announcement of the resignation of Mohammad Javad Zarif, the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran at domestic news agencies, this news has been widely reflected in Arab-language media.

Qazir Al-Jazeera TV Channel, with extensive coverage of Iran's Foreign Minister's resignation, quoted Abdul Qadir Fayz, head of its office in Tehran, as saying that the news is a grave and heavy news alert for Iran, so that the news for his deputies in the State Department It was also unexpected. 
Fais reported: If Hassan Rouhani agrees to resign, Zarif will step down from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
He stated that what is confirmed is that Zarif has officially resigned, but it is still unclear whether Rouhani will agree on this resignation or not? 
Fayz said: "This is due to the fact that this social network is broader than other networks in Iran," Fayz said. "Why is Zarif from using the ionization program to resign?" Said Fayz.
Al-Jazeera reported that Zarif is a politician and academic figure in the vanguard of the revolution and is a supporter of an open dialogue that has had more than 25 years of experience in the United Nations and Iran's representation. 
The Qatari network added: Zarif was elected Iran's foreign minister since 2013, following the victory of Rouhani in the presidential election, despite the fact that Iran's parliament was under the control of the principals, but was elected for the sake of speaking and mastering English. 
Zarif led the negotiating team of Iran and tried to prevent any confrontation (with the West). He and his negotiating team were able to achieve a nuclear agreement with the 5 + 1 group, an agreement that the US removed from last year.

** Lebanese media Lebanon's 
Al Manar Network, which was broadcasting its news, announced immediate and subtitling news reports that Zarif has resigned, according to news reports from Iran. 
The network also posted this news on its website instantly. 
Lebanon's 24th news site also reported that Zarif resigned from his post on an Instagram post. 
The Iranian news media reported that the Iranian media, in connection with the reasons behind the resignation of Lebanon, said that the pressures against him and the clerical regime by the conservatives and the rejection of Iran's accession to the AFFF by the Assembly The expediency of the system is one of the major causes of this resignation. 
According to the site, Zarif agreed last month with Iran's accession to the Special Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The news goes on to delicate activities for a 2015 deal. 
Lebanon 24 also translated the text of his resignation at Instagram, adding the photo he used on his page. 
Continuing this text, while publishing the exquisite photo, I would like to apologize for her continued speech on Instagram, including 'Failure to continue serving and all shortcomings during my term of service.' Happy and proud 'has been deleted. 
Lebanon's Al Jazeera newspaper website, titled "Announcement of a subtle resignation at Instagram .. and its apology," wrote that he resigned from the post of Foreign Ministry by posting his Instagram. 
Al-Mumouriyah has written: Zarif has apologized for the inability to continue serving and all the shortcomings during his term of service.
Lebanon's Al-Nahar daily, like other media outlets, announced a resignation announcement that he announced his resignation through the Instagram page and wrote in an article that I apologize to the Iranians and the authorities in the short term of responsibility in the past years. .

** Syrian media The Syrian 
official news agency ( SANA) has reported the delicate resignation and reported that Iran's foreign minister resigned from his instagram page.

** The Arabic Section of AFP and the French
Department of the 24th Arabic section of the television channel Frans 24, immediately cut off all their plans, immediately covered the delicate resignation message. 
Television France 24 reported on its Web site with the publication of a delicate resignation on its Instagram page: "The news of the resignation is delicate when it is still under intense pressure because of the unilateral withdrawal of a nuclear deal by the United States."

** The Arabic news section of Anatolia Turkey
The news agency also announced the Zarif's resignation as its main homepage news. 
Anatoly, referring to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Abbas Musawi's private conversation, announced that the subtle resignation has been approved. 
Zarif announced Monday his resignation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a post on the Instagram page. 
He wrote: Congratulations on the occasion of the Blessed Father's Day, Fatima Zahra Salam Allah Aliyah, Mother's Day and Women's Day, I thank the greatness of the dear and brave people of Iran and the authorities at the last 67 months. 

http://www.ion.ir/News/450855/تجارت-طلا
Zarif continued: I sincerely apologize for the incapacity to continue serving and all the shortcomings during the service. Be happy and upbeat.
Deputy Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Sayyed Abbas Mousavi in his talks with IRNA has confirmed the authenticity of the Instagram and his resignation. / IRNA

[justchecking123]

11 hours ago, Butifldrm said:

Rouhani's impeachment was canceled in parliament

 

 

15:07 ::

1397/12/6

 

Political /

News ID: 451884

News from the parliament indicates that the signatories of the impeachment of the president seek to withdraw their signatures.

 

News from the parliament indicates that the signatories of the impeachment of the president seek to withdraw their signatures.

Online trust has reported that Hasan Rouhani's impeachment has been suspended, and all signatories are seeking to withdraw their signatures.

http://www.ion.ir/News/451884/استیضاح-روحانی

Solemaini would have to sign off on this...

 

Although the world would love to see it happen.

[Butifldrm]

Baghdad Post Tuesday, 26 February 2019 11:50 AM

 

Iranian diplomats threaten mass resignations

 

A number of diplomats and directors of the Iranian Foreign Ministry have threatened to resign in apparent solidarity with Foreign Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif, who has resigned. 
A report by the local news agency Fars reported on Tuesday that senior officials of the Iranian foreign ministry were planning to resign after hours of Zarif's resignation as foreign minister. 
Zarif commented on the threat posed by Iranian foreign officials to resign. "All the dear brothers and sisters in the Foreign Ministry and their representatives must continue their work to the fullest, and back down," Zarif said. The Fars News Agency reported. 
In the context, revealed the Chairman of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy of the Iranian Parliament, Hishmatallah Fahat Bishah, that the Committee will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the resignation of Zarif from his post, stressing the existence of differences between ZarifAnd a number of state officials. As quoted by the agency «Tasnim» Iran.

Count

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/154247/على-خطى-ظريف-دبلوماسيون-إيرانيون-يهددون-باستقالات-جماعية

[10 YEARS LATER]

Too bad this photo op didn’t have this guy holding the phone upside down. 

[Butifldrm]

Zarif resigns because Bashar al-Assad and Rohani refuses to resign and the Iranian stock market collapses and America attaches

 

TEHRAN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif abruptly announced his resignation in a publication on the implementation of the Entstagram, saying: "I apologize to you for all the shortcomings ... in the past years during the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs. "I thank the Iranian nation and the officials."

 

In turn, Iranian President Hassan Rowhani rejected the resignation of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, which was announced through a blog entry in Entangram. The refusal to resign came on the heels of pressure from deputies in the Iranian parliament demanding Rohani to reject Zarif's resignation.

 

Zarif explained his resignation, saying that "after the publication of pictures of the interview between the Supreme Leader of the Iranian revolution Ali Khamenei and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Tehran without his presence there is no longer respect for his presence in the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs," as he described.

 

It is noteworthy that the resignation came after the announcement of the visit of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Tehran and meeting with the leader Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rowhani, and ironically, that the Syrian flag was not raised during the meeting in the act to draw the attention of all Arab activists and Iranians.

"There is no change in our policy," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a tweet on Twitter. "The regime must act as a normal country and respect its people."

 

On the other hand, Iranian shares fell about 2,000 points in trading Tuesday after news of the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and prompted the resignation of the Iranian bourse down to lose about 2082 points in morning trading where the Tehran Stock Exchange fell by more than 1.26% to settle the index at 164.711 thousand points. Finished

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[Butifldrm]

Speculation Rampant As Iran's Rouhani Publicly Rejects FM Zarif's Resignation

by Tyler Durden

Tue, 02/26/2019 - 16:10

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Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has rejected the resignation of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, according to the country's semi-official Fars news agency, after Zarif announced he's stepped down via his official Instagram account late Monday. "The presidential office said the resignation had not been accepted," a foreign ministry spokesman said. According to Iranian law the president must formally accept the resignation before it takes effect. 

Zarif wrote on Instagram as part of the shock announcement, "I sincerely apologize for the incapacity to continue serving and all the shortcomings during the service," and added the words, "Be happy and upbeat." Zarif was notably absent during official meetings related to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rare visit to Iran on Monday. It was the first time since the war began in Syria that Assad traveled to Iran. 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, left, and FM Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. File photo via IRNA

Though Ayatollah Khamenie, IRGC Quds force General Suleimani, and President Rouhani all met with and were photographed with Assad as part of the "working visit," Zarif  — considered the father of the nuclear deal (a deal the hardliners have always said is a trap) — was nowhere to be seen, fueling speculation as to why such an important figure would be missing to receive the close foreign ally. It was soon after news of Assad's visit broke in international media that Zarif announced his resignation.

The foreign ministry's Tuesday statement further said that speculation about the reasons for Zarif's resignation beyond what was written on his Instagram page is incorrect, according to state media. 

Much of that speculation centers around the possibility that Zarif took the drastic action in response to hardliners, represented in the military and especially the IRGC, who may be wielding undo influence over decision-making at the expense of the foreign ministry's authorized role.

The IRGC's Qasem Soleimani, for example, appeared alongside Assad during Monday's events as Zarif was absent. Soleimani is considered the key mover behind Iran's militarily propping up the Syrian government throughout the war. 

Soleimani had made recent appearances on the Syrian battlefield, even at times appearing at frontline positions, where his presence has infuriated Sunni-led insurgents who oppose what they view as Shi’ite Iranian expansion in the region, as well as Israel, which fears Iranian expansion. Ayatollah Khamenei said during formal remarks greeting Assad on Monday that the Syrian-Iranian military alliance had dealt “a harsh blow” to US plans in the region, which involved empowering Gulf-aligned Sunni forces seeking to topple the Syrian state, and thus remove a key ally of both Tehran and Hezbollah. 

View image on Twitter

Fars News Agency@EnglishFars

 

 

Spokesman: President Hassan Rouhani Has Not Accepted Foreign Minister Javad Zarif’s Resignation

 

10

9:18 AM - Feb 26, 2019

 

See Fars News Agency's other Tweets

 

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The empowering of IRGC commanders in the context of the Syrian war, and the simultaneous failure of the 2015 nuclear (JCPOA), overseen on the Iranian side by FM Zarif, may have brought internal tensions to a head Monday, represented in Zarif's sudden resignation. Tensions between the moderate camp (represented in Zarif) and the hardliners, which have the support of Khamenei, have long been boiling beneath the surface.

Writing of these tensions, Al Monitor's Iran Pulse Editor Mohammad Ali Shabani wrote in the wake of Zarif's resignation, via CNN: "Clearly there is dissatisfaction on Zarif's part with the way things are going in terms of the authority he and his ministry are experiencing." He added, "It's not something that happened overnight. It's been going on since day one."

Currently, it appears Rouhani is reaching out to Zarif. The president said in a speech on Tuesday that Syria's Assad had conveyed a personal thank you message to Zarif for his role as foreign minister, saying Iran's "great success" in standing up to US sanctions was in part due to the foreign ministry's efforts. 

"He's been at the frontline of the battle against America," Rouhani said of his top diplomat in the speech. 

 

"In the region we pulled off a great success and this great thing — this came on the back of efforts by all our forces. Part of that was on the shoulder of the foreign ministry, part of that was on the shoulder of the economy," said Rouhani.

Interestingly the text announcing the Iranian presidency's denial of Zarif's resignation was also published on Instagram, via Rouhani's official account accompanied by an image showing Rouhani and Zarif together and smiling. Additionally it included the hashtags "#Zarif_is_not_alone" and "#Zarif_is_staying" in Farsi. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-26/speculation-abounds-irans-rouhani-publicly-rejects-foreign-minister-zarifs

Edited February 26, 2019 by Butifldrm

[10 YEARS LATER]

Kinda thought for a moment Zarif was going to make a play for Political Asylum . . .  then again, an Iranian Hit Squad would probably have paid him a visit " in the near future "  - SUCKS to be him.

[yota691]

UAE's largest reservoir frees oil exports from Iran's threats

- Two Hours Passed

ABU DHABI - The announcement by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the establishment of the world's largest oil storage facility in the emirate of Fujairah on the Arabian Sea, has freed the region from the blackmail that Iran has pursued in the Strait of Hormuz to achieve political goals.

Oil experts say building a world oil storage project with a capacity of 42 million barrels of crude oil would offer a serious alternative that could maintain and stabilize the world markets if Iran, in the context of its policy of smuggling, threatened international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This threat in the future makes political futility, especially since the new facility is underground, that is, it is safe from the threats Iran is making towards the region.

The alternative would be primarily Iran, which would make it easier for the United States to exert more pressure to implement sanctions on its oil exports, although the existence of this reservoir is linked to strategic options for the UAE to become an international pole in the oil export movement.

The announcement of this giant project further demonstrates the choice of the Gulf States, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to diversify their economic and trade alternatives by targeting emerging economic powers in Southeast Asia and building partnerships in strategic areas, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The oil facility will strengthen the UAE's position as a reliable supplier of crude oil in the world, as the world's largest companies will take over the new facility, such as Saudi Aramco.

"The strategic project will enhance the UAE's position on the global map and the port enjoys a unique geographic location at the heart of international transport and trade lines and is one of the most important strategic ports outside the Strait of Hormuz, which made it strategically important Navigation.

Located on the east coast of the UAE, Fujairah is one of the two major ports in the region, along with the Omani port of Sohar, and is a busy point for refueling tankers on long flights to transport crude from the Gulf.

"The new UAE-Korean project to build the world's largest underground crude storage facility will give" opportunities for new alliances "and will be a" big leap "in global markets, said Sherif Habib Al Awadhi, Director General of Fujairah Free Zone. .

The project involves many strategic dimensions of strategic 
dimensions. 
The project has many strategic dimensions. It is the world's largest underground oil storage facility with a capacity of 42 million barrels.

Its location in the port of Fujairah on the Sea of Oman extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran is threatening to close at times under international isolation because of US sanctions.

The agreement with a Korean company envisages expansion of the $ 1.2 billion project and design, which began last year and completed its first phase, which included construction of the tunnel.

The facility is connected to a 360 km pipeline that was inaugurated in 2012, linking Abu Dhabi's Fujairah oilfields with a capacity of 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd), part of the UAE's 750 km pipeline network with a total capacity of about 13 million barrels per day .

The importance of the storage facility and the UAE pipeline network is evident in the success of Abu Dhabi Oil Company (ADNOC) last week in attracting the first strategic foreign investment in an oil infrastructure in the Middle East.

Black Rock and KKR's $ 4 billion investment in the UAE pipeline network reflects global confidence in Abu Dhabi's role in securing global energy supplies and protecting the global economy from shocks.

ADNOC's strategic storage projects do not stand in the UAE, with huge storage projects in many Asian countries. Last November, it signed an agreement with the Indian Oil Reserves Company at a new underground facility in the Indian state of Karnataka.

The Arabs

[yota691]

Hezbollah condemns the British decision to include it in the list of terrorist organizations

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BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah issued a statement on Friday strongly rejecting Britain's decision to include it in the so-called "terrorist organization list".

"Hezbollah is a resistance movement against the Israeli occupation and no country in the world has the right to embrace, finance and support terrorism and to accuse Hezbollah or any free movement," the party said in a statement.

"The British decision is a submissive submission to the American administration that reveals that the British government is nothing more than a subordinate to the US," he said.

In its statement, Hezbollah pointed out that the terrorism charges fabricated by the British government can not deceive the "free" people in the world, including the liberals in Britain itself, who are well aware of the manufacture of terrorism in our region and support it and still cover its crimes in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, And its international and regional instruments.

The party noted that the British government's adoption of this resolution was an insult to the feelings, emotions and will of the Lebanese people, which considers Hezbollah a political and popular power and plays an important and key role in various aspects of Lebanese social, political and economic life.

The statement stressed that Hezbollah, which resisted "the Israeli occupation long" will not prevent him from continuing to defend Lebanon and freedom and independence.

[yota691]

 

Canada Is Moving Forward On The Issue Of Handing Over Huawei's Financial Manager

Reuters one hour ago

 

The Canadian government said on Friday it would allow the extradition case against Huawei Technologies' financial director, who was arrested in Canada late last year, to proceed.

"Canadian Justice Department officials have issued a mandate to proceed, which officially begins a rendition in the case of Meng and Enzo," the government said in a statement on Friday.

In late January, the US Justice Department charged Huawei and Meng with conspiring to violate US sanctions on Iran.

[yota691]

The Iranian parliament approves the general budget after 27 meetings

10:10 - 03/03/2019

 

 

 

Mawazine News 
The Islamic Consultative Council of Iran (parliament) approved the new fiscal year budget bill, which comes into force on March 21, 2019, including expected total revenues of $ 415 billion. 
According to the Iranian Shura Council news agency, the Council voted on Saturday evening on the draft budget law, by 177 votes, and 14 votes with one abstention, after 27 hearings. 
In accordance with the legal procedures followed in Iran, the new budget bill will be referred to the Guardian Council for discussion and consideration of its compliance with the legal and constitutional criteria and then deciding on it.
According to official figures, the total expected revenue in the next Iranian budget is about 28% higher than the projected revenues of the current Iranian budget of $ 324 billion on March 20, , And with little deficit. 
This budget, the first approved by the Iranian parliament, following the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the nuclear agreement, and the re-imposition of economic sanctions on Tehran.

[yota691]

Zarif Warned: Iran's Patience Is Running Out Due To Procrastination In The Implementation Of The Nuclear Agreement

At 13:25 | 5-03-2019

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that Iran's patience is running out due to stalled implementation of the nuclear deal signed with Iran, despite the latter's commitment to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Zarif stressed in a tweet on Twitter that, contrary to the lies of the Zionist occupation government President Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump and his aides on Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed again yesterday and several times so far, Iran's fulfillment of its commitments and commitment to the agreement, Our patience is running out.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano reiterated yesterday at the opening of the IAEA board meeting that Iran is continuing to fulfill its obligations under the nuclear deal with the five plus one group and has confirmed 14 successive quarterly reports before it accepts Iran's commitments under the nuclear deal. Ending / 62 c

 

 Post Views: 20

[Butifldrm]

Baghdad Post Tuesday, 05 March 2019 02:27 PM

 

Despite the deterioration of the economic situation .. Iran monitors 17 billion dollars to develop missiles «Hezbollah»

 

A report of the magazine «Modern diplomat» America for a new Iranian project is working to develop missiles militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. 
Hundreds of PKK fighters in Iran have been trained to develop the rockets, including members of the Houthi militia in Yemen, the report said. 
And after US reports that Iran was moving GPS parts to Lebanon in hand-held bags. 
The report published by the "Modern Diplomacy" American, revealed that Iran is currently working to convert more than 14 thousand rockets of the type "earthquake 2" and "earthquake 3" to high-precision missiles . 
The important parts of these rockets, according to the report, are being transferred to the secret factories of Hezbollah guerrillasThrough the corridor that links it to Lebanon via Iraq and Syria, where the party hiding it underground. 
The Modern Diplomacy report showed that hundreds of Hizballah fighters were trained to develop missiles in Tehran, and many trainees had already returned to Lebanon. 
In terms of cost, the report quoted Israeli intelligence sources as saying that the cost of the new Iranian missile project for Hezbollah guerrillasamounted to 17 billion US dollars. 
"Modern Diplomacy" predicted that the Hezbollah guerrillas would have between 90 and 250 missiles, which were already prepared to be high-precision, but that number would increase with time, with the development of the rockets "earthquake" in Lebanon. 
The Yemeni government and the Arab alliance accuse Hezbollah of being behind itThe terrorist and Iran financed the Houthi militia in Yemen to prolong the war.

Count

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/155554/رغم-تردي-الوضع-الإقتصادي-إيران-ترصد-17-مليار-دولار-لتطوير-صواريخ-حزب-الله