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Iranian official calls for negotiations with Washington in Iraq


yota691
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2 hours ago

A powerful blow to Iran before the "big punishment"

2018-08-30T09: 38: 03Z Iran's oil sector is threatened with collapse

Iran's oil sector is threatened with collapse 
ABU DHABI (Reuters) -Iran's oil exports fell faster than expected before the US "grand" sentence came into force in November, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Iran expects its oil exports to fall by a third in September, which could pose unforeseen risks to markets.

Officials at the state-run National Oil Company of Iran expect crude oil shipments to drop to about 1.5 million bpd next month, after the shipment was around 2.3 million bpd in June.

Sarah Fakhshouri, a former oil market analyst for Iran, said she expected Iranian oil exports to fall by half in November compared to August, to 800,000 bpd.

The drop comes ahead of a second round of US economic sanctions on November 4, and experts expect the crisis to worsen further amid discontent on the Iranian street as the country's living conditions deteriorate.

The United States, which buys Iranian oil, has demanded that imports be reduced to zero from November to force Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear deal and curb its influence in the Middle East.

National Oil Company of Iran (NIOC) cut the selling price of its crude, to keep buyers' attention and not to aggravate its crisis.

The first package of US sanctions targeted Iran's purchases of US dollars and its trade in metals, coal, industrial software and the automotive sector.

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Oh what is that old saying?  Don't mess with the best because the best don't mess.  :)

Thank ya Yota.  :D

 

7 minutes ago, yota691 said:

2 hours ago

A powerful blow to Iran before the "big punishment"

2018-08-30T09: 38: 03Z Iran's oil sector is threatened with collapse

Iran's oil sector is threatened with collapse 
ABU DHABI (Reuters) -Iran's oil exports fell faster than expected before the US "grand" sentence came into force in November, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Iran expects its oil exports to fall by a third in September, which could pose unforeseen risks to markets.

Officials at the state-run National Oil Company of Iran expect crude oil shipments to drop to about 1.5 million bpd next month, after the shipment was around 2.3 million bpd in June.

Sarah Fakhshouri, a former oil market analyst for Iran, said she expected Iranian oil exports to fall by half in November compared to August, to 800,000 bpd.

The drop comes ahead of a second round of US economic sanctions on November 4, and experts expect the crisis to worsen further amid discontent on the Iranian street as the country's living conditions deteriorate.

The United States, which buys Iranian oil, has demanded that imports be reduced to zero from November to force Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear deal and curb its influence in the Middle East.

National Oil Company of Iran (NIOC) cut the selling price of its crude, to keep buyers' attention and not to aggravate its crisis.

The first package of US sanctions targeted Iran's purchases of US dollars and its trade in metals, coal, industrial software and the automotive sector.

 

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Iran threatens to prevent oil exports from the Middle East

Iran threatens to prevent oil exports from the Middle East

 30 August 2018 02:49 PM
Mubasher : Iran has threatened to prevent the export of oil from the Middle East if banned from the export of crude as scheduled from November.

The chief of staff of the armed forces, "Mohammed Baqri," on Thursday, that if the country can not use the Strait of Hormuz in the export of oil, "there will be no security for others .. There will be another oil will be exported from that region," according to the agency "Mehr "Iran.

"The US military and other military forces in the Middle East know very well that the smallest mistake in the region will be very costly for them."

"The enemy will suffer heavy losses if Iranian oil exports stop in the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

This is not the first time Iran has threatened to stop working in the Strait of Hormuz, where it has been repeated several times as US sanctions approach.

The United States began sanctions this month against Tehran over Washington's withdrawal from Iran's nuclear deal.

The United States is also due to begin sanctions in November on any company importing oil from Tehran.

 
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Sources: Iran moves missiles to Iraq in a warning to its enemies

3182018133629151055036415572700.jpg

 

29 minutes ago

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NRT

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran has supplied ballistic missiles to Shi'ite factions it is fighting in Iraq, the official IRNA news agency reported on Friday, quoting sources it said were Iranian, Iraqi and Western.

Iran is developing the capability to build more missiles there to deter possible attacks on its interests in the Middle East and to have the means to hit its adversaries in the region, the agency said in a statement on Aug. 31, 2018 .

Three Iranian officials, two Iraqi intelligence sources and two Western intelligence sources told the agency that Iran had been transporting short-range ballistic missiles to allies in Iraq over the past few months and five officials said it was helping those groups start making rockets .

"The logic is that Iran has an alternative plan if it is attacked," one official told Reuters. "The number of rockets is not large, just a few dozen, but it can be increased if necessary."

 

http://www.nrttv.com/AR/News.aspx?id=3904&MapID=2

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Release date: 2018/8/31 13:45 • 19 times read
Iran has moved ballistic missiles into Iraq

Iran has supplied Iraqi factions with ballistic missiles and is developing its ability to build more missiles there to deter possible attacks on its interests in the Middle East and to strike its adversaries in the region, a Reuters report said on Friday.
The agency quoted three Iranian officials and Iraqi intelligence exporters and two others with Western intelligence as saying that Iran had moved these missiles, which are short-range in the past few months. 
A senior Iranian official said the number of rockets was not large, estimated to be more than 20 rockets, indicating the possibility of increasing the number if necessary. 
"The logic is that Iran has an alternative plan if it is attacked," he said. 
Western sources said the number of rockets was estimated at dozens, and Iran's goal of transporting these missiles was to send a warning to the United States and Israel after attacking its forces in Syria. 
The report pointed out that the rockets referred to are "Zulfiqar" and "Fateh -110" and "earthquake", which range from 200 to 700 kilometers, which places the cities of Riyadh and Tel Aviv in their own right if deployed in the south or west of Iraq.
According to sources told Reuters that Qasim Soleimani, commander of the forces of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, oversees this program, and pointed out that these forces have bases in the western and southern regions of Iraq. 
Iranian sources and an Iraqi intelligence source said Iran made a decision about 18 months ago to use Iraqi entities to produce missiles in Iraq. 
Two Iraqi and Western sources reported that the missile production plants are located in Zaafaraniya, east of Baghdad, and Jafar al-Sakhr north of Karbala. An Iranian source said there was a factory in the Kurdistan region. 
The report pointed out that these areas are controlled by armed factions, including "Hezbollah Brigades," and said that the training of Iraqis in Iran to operate rockets. 
Reuters said Iran's planning for a "more aggressive missile policy" in Iraq would increase tensions between Washington and Washington.
The United States earlier this month imposed sanctions on Tehran aimed at deterring its nuclear and missile programs. 
An Iraqi intelligence official said Baghdad was aware of the transfer of Iranian missiles to the armed factions to help combat the Daash, but the transfer continued after the terrorists were defeated. 
He said Baghdad knew the aim of sending the missiles was not a staunch fight, but Tehran's use of it as a pressure card was whether it engaged in a regional conflict. 
The Iraqi source stressed that it is difficult for the Iraqi government to prevent or persuade the armed factions to work against Iran.
 
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Iran has moved ballistic missiles into Iraq in preparation for an American attack

Baghdad refuses to comment

 

 31/08/2018 - 14:12

 
 
Iran has moved ballistic missiles into Iraq in preparation for an American attack
 

Iranian and Iraqi sources said that Iran has provided ballistic missiles to Shiite factions that are fighting proxy in Iraq (referring to the popular militia), and is developing the ability to build more missiles there to deter potential attacks on its interests in the Middle East and to have the means to hit its opponents In the region.

Iran is also seeking to develop the capability to manufacture more missiles for its Iraqi allies in order to deter potential attacks on its interests in the Middle East and to have the means to hit its adversaries in the region, Reuters reported.

 Iran has many allies in Iraq, notably prominent leaders in the popular rally, who achieved success in the May 12 parliamentary elections.

Three Iranian officials, two Iraqi intelligence sources and two Western intelligence sources said Iran had moved short-range ballistic missiles to allies in Iraq over the past few months. Five officials said they were helping those groups start making rockets.

"The logic was to get a backup plan if Iran was attacked," Reuters quoted an official as saying. "The number of rockets is not large, just a few dozen, but it can be increased if necessary."

Iran has previously stated that ballistic missile activities are defensive in nature. Iranian officials declined to comment when asked about the latest moves.

The Iraqi government also declined to comment.

Rocket and rocket ranges range from 200 to 700 kilometers, putting Riyadh and Tel Aviv closer if they are deployed in southern or western Iraq within two areas where the Jerusalem Force has military bases.

Three sources said Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani was overseeing the plan.

Western countries have accused Iran of transferring missiles and technology to Syria and other Tehran allies, such as the Houthis in Yemen and Lebanese Hezbollah.

Iran's Sunni neighbors in the Gulf and its arch-rival, Israel, expressed concern about Iran's regional activities and viewed them as a threat to their security.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests to comment on rocket transfers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday anyone threatening to wipe out Israel would "put himself in a similar danger."

A Western source said the number of rockets was up to 10, and that the transfers were intended to send a warning to the United States and Israel, especially after air raids on Iranian forces in Syria.

The United States has a large military presence in Iraq.

"Iran appears to have turned Iraq into its forward missile base," the Western source said.

Iranian sources and an Iraqi intelligence source said a decision had been made about 18 months ago to use "militias" to produce rockets in Iraq, but activity has increased in the past few months, including the arrival of rocket launchers.

"If we are attacked by America, our friends will attack their interests and their allies in the region," said a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards who served during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

The Western source and the Iraqi source said the factories used to develop missiles in Iraq were in Zaafaraniya and Jafar al-Sakhr, two areas under the influence of the Shiite factions.

The Iraqi intelligence source said the Zaafaraniya factory produced warheads under Saddam Hussein. The source said Shiite factions had reactivated it in 2016 with Iranian help.

The source said a team of Shiite engineers working at the facility under Saddam had been brought in to run it after they were searched. He also said the missiles were tested near the cliff.

The CIA and the Pentagon declined to comment.

A US official speaking on condition of anonymity said Tehran had in the past few months transferred missiles to groups in Iraq but could not confirm that the missiles had any launch capabilities from their current positions.

A regional intelligence source also said Iran was stockpiling a number of ballistic missiles in areas of Iraq under effective Shi'ite control and the ability to launch them.

The source could not confirm that Iran has a missile production capability in Iraq.

Another Iraqi intelligence official said Baghdad was aware of the flow of Iranian missiles into Shi'ite factions to help fight a duel but that shipments continued after the organization was defeated.

"It was clear to the Iraqi intelligence that such a missile arsenal sent by Iran was not intended to fight a preacher but as a means of pressure that Iran can use once in the regional conflict," the official said.

The Iraqi source said it was difficult for the Iraqi government to stop or persuade those factions to sever their relationship with Iran.

"We can not restrain the militias from firing Iranian missiles because simply we do not have the launch button, which controls the pressure button, they are the Iranians," he said.

"Iran will certainly use the missiles it delivered to the Iraqi militias to send a strong message to its adversaries in the region and the United States that it has the capability to use Iraqi territory as a platform to launch its rockets anywhere and anytime it wants," an Iraqi official said.

The Iraqi parliament passed a law in 2016 to put most of the Shiite factions in the framework of the popular crowd and be under the supervision of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi.

However, Iran still retains its word for the popular mobilization forces, which met and often meet with Qassem Soleimani.

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After the disclosure of Confessions of Khazali .. America warns of Iran's activity in Iraq

After the disclosure of Confessions of Khazali .. America warns of Iran's activity in Iraq
 



 Twilight News    
 3 hours ago

The United States will continue to work with its partners and allies to counter destabilizing Iranian activities in the region, a White House official said. 
"President Trump warned of these harmful Iranian activities throughout the Middle East, including Iraq," the official said, quoting the official, who did not reveal his identity. 
This comes on the sidelines of press reports that the leader of the group "Asaib Ahl al-Haq" in Iraq, Qais al-Khazali, received training in Iranian camps during the Iraq war. 
The minutes of US investigations with Khazali, kept secret for 10 years, revealed how Iran moved events in Iraq from behind a curtain after 2003 by providing financial and military support to militia leaders. 
Khazali revealed training provided by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to Iraqi "Shiite" militias in three bases near Tehran, including the base of "Imam Khomeini."

Keywords: 

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Trump to "confiscate" the funds of the Gulf States deposited in the "US banks" !!

The political scene  Friday, August 31, 2018 at 15: 09 pm (29 views)20180831_030956-477.jpg 

Trump to "confiscate" the funds of the Gulf States deposited in the "US banks" !!

Follow-up / Sky Press

According to information leaked, US President Trump will confiscate the Saudi, UAE, Kuwaiti and Bahraini funds of $ 4 trillion deposited in US banks and is now creating arguments for that. It is known that the US financial laws are not reluctant to bring money into the United States but they oppose it. Equipment or materials, which created this economic confusion experienced by the Gulf states surrendered to US orders at all levels.

Trump said earlier that his country had to take oil "in Iraq since 2003, arguing that if the United States took such a step, the organization of the" Islamic state "would not have come out.

This came in a televised speech to 400 CIA staff, where he and his deputy, Michael Pence, were present on the second day of their posts.

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Trump: The Iranian regime may collapse

Trump: Iranian regime may collapse
 


 Twilight News    
 2 hours ago

US President Donald Trump said the Iranian regime could collapse because of his administration's policies, including leaving the international nuclear deal with Tehran negotiated by his predecessor. 
"When I came here, it was a matter of when they would control the Middle East," Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg. 
He added , "Now it is a matter will survive. It 's a big difference in the year and a half». 
The withdrawal of Trump - who encouraged the enemies of Iran Regional - United States from the International Nuclear Convention for the year 2015 in May, accusing the Islamic Republic of threatening the Middle East security while expanding its regional influence. 
And re - imposed Sanctions against Iran this month as Iran's vital oil industry faces sanctions due to begin in November, 
inflation in Iran has increased and its currency has weakened, putting pressure on President Hassan Rowhani as he tries to get through the crisis.
Trump said he would be ready to meet Iran's leaders to negotiate a tougher nuclear deal that would avoid the pain of sanctions. But this offer was rejected in Tehran by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 
This leaves little room to avoid tougher sanctions in early November, as the United States seeks to cut Iranian oil sales abroad as close as possible to zero.

Keywords: 

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Exclusive: Iran moves missiles to Iraq in warning to enemies

 
 
 

PARIS/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iran has given ballistic missiles to Shi’ite proxies in Iraq and is developing the capacity to build more there to deter attacks on its interests in the Middle East and to give it the means to hit regional foes, Iranian, Iraqi and Western sources said.

Any sign that Iran is preparing a more aggressive missile policy in Iraq will exacerbate tensions between Tehran and Washington, already heightened by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

It would also embarrass France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, as they have been trying to salvage the agreement despite new U.S. sanctions against Tehran.

According to three Iranian officials, two Iraqi intelligence sources and two Western intelligence sources, Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to allies in Iraq over the last few months. Five of the officials said it was helping those groups to start making their own.

“The logic was to have a backup plan if Iran was attacked,” one senior Iranian official told Reuters. “The number of missiles is not high, just a couple of dozen, but it can be increased if necessary.”

Iran has previously said its ballistic missile activities are purely defensive in nature. Iranian officials declined to comment when asked about the latest moves.

The Iraqi government and military both declined to comment.

The Zelzal, Fateh-110 and Zolfaqar missiles in question have ranges of about 200 km to 700 km, putting Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh or the Israeli city of Tel Aviv within striking distance if the weapons were deployed in southern or western Iraq.

The Quds Force, the overseas arm of Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has bases in both those areas. Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani is overseeing the program, three of the sources said.

 

Western countries have already accused Iran of transferring missiles and technology to Syria and other allies of Tehran, such as Houthi rebels in Yemen and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Iran’s Sunni Muslim Gulf neighbors and its arch-enemy Israel have expressed concerns about Tehran’s regional activities, seeing it as a threat to their security.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the missile transfers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that anybody that threatened to wipe Israel out “would put themselves in a similar danger”.

MISSILE PRODUCTION LINE

The Western source said the number of missiles was in the 10s and that the transfers were designed to send a warning to the United States and Israel, especially after air raids on Iranian troops in Syria. The United States has a significant military presence in Iraq.

“It seems Iran has been turning Iraq into its forward missile base,” the Western source said.

The Iranian sources and one Iraqi intelligence source said a decision was made some 18 months ago to use militias to produce missiles in Iraq, but activity had ramped up in the last few months, including with the arrival of missile launchers.

“We have bases like that in many places and Iraq is one of them. If America attacks us, our friends will attack America’s interests and its allies in the region,” said a senior IRGC commander who served during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

The Western source and the Iraqi source said the factories being used to develop missiles in Iraq were in al-Zafaraniya, east of Baghdad, and Jurf al-Sakhar, north of Kerbala. One Iranian source said there was also a factory in Iraqi Kurdistan.

 

The areas are controlled by Shi’ite militias, including Kata’ib Hezbollah, one of the closest to Iran. Three sources said Iraqis had been trained in Iran as missile operators.

The Iraqi intelligence source said the al-Zafaraniya factory produced warheads and the ceramic of missile moulds under former President Saddam Hussein. It was reactivated by local Shi’ite groups in 2016 with Iranian assistance, the source said.

A team of Shi’ite engineers who used to work at the facility under Saddam were brought in, after being screened, to make it operational, the source said. He also said missiles had been tested near Jurf al-Sakhar.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and the Pentagon declined to comment.

One U.S official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Tehran over the last few months has transferred missiles to groups in Iraq but could not confirm that those missiles had any launch capability from their current positions.

Washington has been pushing its allies to adopt a tough anti-Iran policy since it reimposed sanctions this month.

While the European signatories to the nuclear deal have so far balked at U.S. pressure, they have grown increasingly impatient over Iran’s ballistic missile program.

France in particular has bemoaned Iranian “frenzy” in developing and propagating missiles and wants Tehran to open negotiations over its ballistic weapons.

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Thursday that Iran was arming regional allies with rockets and allowing ballistic proliferation. “Iran needs to avoid the temptation to be the (regional) hegemon,” he said.

In March, the three nations proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its missile activity, although they failed to push them through after opposition from some member states.

 

“Such a proliferation of Iranian missile capabilities throughout the region is an additional and serious source of concern,” a document from the three European countries said at the time.

MESSAGE TO FOES

A regional intelligence source also said Iran was storing a number of ballistic missiles in areas of Iraq that were under effective Shi’ite control and had the capacity to launch them.

The source could not confirm that Iran has a missile production capacity in Iraq.

A second Iraqi intelligence official said Baghdad had been aware of the flow of Iranian missiles to Shi’ite militias to help fight Islamic State militants, but that shipments had continued after the hardline Sunni militant group was defeated.

“It was clear to Iraqi intelligence that such a missile arsenal sent by Iran was not meant to fight Daesh (Islamic State) militants but as a pressure card Iran can use once involved in regional conflict,” the official said.

The Iraqi source said it was difficult for the Iraqi government to stop or persuade the groups to go against Tehran.

“We can’t restrain militias from firing Iranian rockets because simply the firing button is not in our hands, it’s with Iranians who control the push button,” he said.

“Iran will definitely use the missiles it handed over to Iraqi militia it supports to send a strong message to its foes in the region and the United States that it has the ability to use Iraqi territories as a launch pad for its missiles to strike anywhere and anytime it decides,” the Iraqi official said.

Iraq’s parliament passed a law in 2016 to bring an assortment of Shi’ite militia groups known collectively as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) into the state apparatus. The militias report to Iraq’s prime minister, who is a Shi’ite under the country’s unofficial governance system.

 

However, Iran still has a clear hand in coordinating the PMF leadership, which frequently meets and consults with Soleimani.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-iraq-missiles-exclusive/exclusive-iran-moves-missiles-to-iraq-in-warning-to-enemies-idUSKCN1LG0WB

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Brinkmanship, the game most preferred by Despots everywhere. This is a most dangerous game Iran is playing. The population is angered mightily as they see their country on the verge of collapse. 

Iran thinks Sabre rattling will keep the their folks eye off the issues at home, and supplanting that with the possiblity of war. This should only aggravate the folks even more. Perhaps toppling from within may bear fruit from present day Sanctions ?

 

 

 

 

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Insanians.

 

   :shakehead:               :shakehead:               :shakehead:

 

:facepalm2:       :facepalm2:       :facepalm2:

 

GO MAD DOG MATTIS!!!!

 

OOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

 

Go Moola Nova (YEAH AND YEE HAW, BABY, READY WHEN YOU ARE BROTHER (OR SISTER) - LET ‘ER BUCK!!!)!!!

:rodeo:   :pirateship:

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7 hours ago, 10 YEARS LATER said:

Brinkmanship, the game most preferred by Despots everywhere. This is a most dangerous game Iran is playing. The population is angered mightily as they see their country on the verge of collapse. 

Iran thinks Sabre rattling will keep the their folks eye off the issues at home, and supplanting that with the possiblity of war. This should only aggravate the folks even more. Perhaps toppling from within may bear fruit from present day Sanctions ?

 

 

 

 

I hope that we have Special Ops in county right now causing unrest.  

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Please forgive me and my ignorant drunken butt.....by November 15th, the remaining whiskey that fell on the floor and I have say these fools gonna buckle down and throw in the towel and everybody's gonna get along because the dinar's gonna RV anyway.......tha,t or this is all political media hype of some kind to stir up the world.....because crap behind the scenes are already getting done I feel we don't know about as how hell in the world BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS were being invested, and then pulled back because of sections replaced?!  There are other hand shaking deals being done behind our backs!!!

 

JMHDAODSTNW...WLPPFA!!!

 

Just My Humble Drunk Ass Opinion, Don't support Terrorism Nor War....Want Love Peace Prosperity For All!! 

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IRAN / IRAN Date:
 
 
 

The governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Nasser Hamati, said that the US administration is working hard to deprive Iran of oil revenues while limiting the transfer of its assets.

Speaking at the opening of the 29th session of the Islamic Banking Forum on Saturday, Hmati said that the reason for this was no longer the possibility of supporting the plan to consolidate the exchange rate.

He stressed that Iran has implemented a new package of foreign exchange rate policy, and the exchange market appeared stable and it is hoped that the results of this policy will appear in the market.

Hamati stressed that the exchange rate is the most important economic variable in the circumstances of the embargo, while the main objective is to reduce the waste of cash reserves, pointing out that the people and economic activists to ensure that Iran is going through a period of economic war and that a country has used all its financial tools to damage the Iranian economy .

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Iran to deploy ballistic missiles in Iraq, Sulaymani to provide allies with "alternative plan"

August 31-2018     The time now is 12:31 PM

 

 

Sulaimani sets up a "reserve plan" by deploying ballistic missiles in Iraq

Qassem Soleimani (center), the external commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (Photo: Office of the Iranian Leader / AP)
 

 

IRAN (Reuters) - Iran has sent a number of ballistic missiles to Shi'ite factions fighting on behalf of Tehran in Iraq, Iranian, Iraqi and Western sources said.

Iran is also seeking to develop the capability to manufacture more missiles for its Iraqi allies in order to deter potential attacks on its interests in the Middle East and to have the means to hit its adversaries in the region, Reuters reported.

Iran has many allies in Iraq, particularly prominent leaders in the popular rally, who achieved success in the May 12 parliamentary elections.

Three Iranian officials, two Iraqi intelligence sources and two Western intelligence sources said Iran had moved short-range ballistic missiles to allies in Iraq over the past few months. Five officials said they were helping those groups start making rockets.

"The logic was to get a backup plan if Iran was attacked," Reuters quoted an official as saying. "The number of rockets is not large, just a few dozen, but it can be increased if necessary."

Iran has previously stated that ballistic missile activities are defensive in nature. Iranian officials declined to comment when asked about the latest moves.

The Iraqi government also declined to comment.

Rocket and rocket ranges range from 200 to 700 kilometers, putting Riyadh and Tel Aviv closer if they are deployed in southern or western Iraq within two areas where the Jerusalem Force has military bases.

Three sources said Qods Force commander Qassim Soleimani was overseeing the plan.

Western countries have accused Iran of transferring missiles and technology to Syria and other Tehran allies, such as the Houthis in Yemen and Lebanese Hezbollah.

Iran's Sunni neighbors in the Gulf and its arch-rival, Israel, expressed concern about Iran's regional activities and viewed them as a threat to their security.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests to comment on rocket transfers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday anyone threatening to wipe out Israel would "put himself in a similar danger."

According to a Western source, the number of rockets was up to ten, and the transfers were intended to send a warning to the United States and Israel, especially after air raids on Iranian forces in Syria.

The United States has a large military presence in Iraq.

"It seems that Iran has turned Iraq into its forward missile base," the Western source said.

According to Iranian sources and an Iraqi intelligence source, a decision was made about 18 months ago to use "militias" to produce rockets in Iraq, but activity has increased in the past few months, including the arrival of rocket launchers.

"If we are attacked by America, our friends will attack their interests and their allies in the region," said a senior commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards who served during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

The Western source and the Iraqi source said the factories used to develop missiles in Iraq were in Zaafaraniya and Jafar al-Sakhr, two areas under the influence of the Shiite factions.

The source pointed to the existence of a factory in the province of Kurdistan.

The Iraqi intelligence source said the Zaafaraniya factory produced warheads under Saddam Hussein. The source said Shiite factions had reactivated it in 2016 with Iranian help.

According to the source, a team of Shiite engineers working at the Saddam-era facility were brought to work after being searched. He also said the missiles were tested near the cliff.

The CIA and the Pentagon declined to comment.

A US official speaking on condition of anonymity said Tehran had in the past few months transferred missiles to groups in Iraq but could not confirm that the missiles had any launch capabilities from their current positions.

A regional intelligence source also said Iran was stockpiling a number of ballistic missiles in areas of Iraq under effective Shi'ite control and the ability to launch them.

The source could not confirm that Iran has a missile production capability in Iraq.

Another Iraqi intelligence official said Baghdad was aware of the flow of Iranian missiles into Shi'ite factions to help fight a duel but that shipments continued after the organization was defeated.

"It was clear to the Iraqi intelligence that such a missile arsenal sent by Iran was not intended to fight a duel but as a means of pressure that Iran can use once in the regional conflict."

The Iraqi source stressed that it is difficult for the Iraqi government to stop or persuade those factions to sever their relationship with Iran.

"We can not restrain the militias from firing Iranian missiles because simply we do not have the launch button, which controls the pressure button, they are the Iranians," he said.

"Iran will certainly use the missiles it delivered to the Iraqi militias to send a strong message to its adversaries in the region and the United States that it has the capability to use Iraqi territory as a platform to launch its rockets anywhere and anytime it wants," an Iraqi official said.

The Iraqi parliament passed a law in 2016 to put most of the Shiite factions in the framework of the popular crowd and be under the supervision of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi.

However, Iran still retains its word for the popular mobilization forces, which met and often meet with Qassem Soleimani.

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https://m.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/119848/وزارة-الدفاع-الأمريكية-تدعو-إيران-إلى-احترام-سيادة-العراق . ...

 
Chairman of the BoardSufian Samarrai
Editor-in-ChiefIbrahim HamBook
1
September 1, 2018 11:26 p
 

The US Department of Defense calls on Iran to respect Iraq's sovereignty

The Pentagon called on Iran to respect the sovereignty of Iraq and other countries in the region.

" If confirmed, this would be a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which prohibits it from developing its ballistic missiles, " Pentagon spokesman Sean Robertson said, commenting on the news that Iran was supplying the Iraqi people with rockets.

He pointed out that these activities strengthen the conviction of the United States that the Iranian regime seeks to extend its influence throughout the Middle East, accusing Iran and Hezbollah of prolonging the conflict in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. 
 

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