Trump says US ‘moving forward’ with additional sanctions on Iran

[6ly410]

Iran FM arrives in Baghdad amid rising tensions with US

 Kosar Nawzad |

47 minutes ago

 

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/8a773148-11e0-42b9-a102-2b05e19e88a3

 

---

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif speaks to reporters at Baghdad airport on Jan. 13, 2019. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)

 

Iraq Iran Baghdad Tehran US Washington 

A+AA-

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday arrived in Baghdad and is set to meet with senior Iraqi officials and leaders as tensions grow between his country and the United States.

Zarif’s tour will begin with a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Ali al-Hakim. He is later due to meet President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, and then Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi, Iraqi diplomatic sources have said, as quoted by local media.

The trip comes amid growing concerns among the Iranian public of a possible conflict between Iran and the US as Washington bolstered its presence in the Middle East with an additional 1,000 troops. US officials say the deployment is meant to deter Iran from attacking the US and its allies in the region.

[6ly410]

 

Iran could block Strait of Hormuz if US deploys troops: Iraq oil minister 

By Rudaw 26 minutes ago

161Viewshttp://www.rudaw.net/mobile/english/middleeast/iran/250520191

         

Fishermen off Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, near the Strait of Hormuz, May 30, 2012. File photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – US troop deployments to the Middle East could provoke Iran to blockade the strategic Strait of Hormuz, causing chaos for global oil markets, Iraq’s oil minister warned Saturday.  

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday he had approved the deployment of another 1,500 troops and a dozen more fighter jets as a “protective” measure. 

Speaking to Iraq’s Al-Sumaria news agency, Iraqi oil minister Thamer Ghadhban said the closure of the Strait would have a “big impact on Iraq and other countries that export oil using Hormuz to the world market”.

He reassured viewers there are “precautionary measures” in place to make sure Iraq does not suffer fuel shortages in the event of the Strait being blocked. 

Iraq has “strategic reserves of very large amounts of gas and oil,” Ghadhban said.

“We have an emergency plan to compensate for any possible shortage in [crude] quantities.”

“The first step we have taken is that we have increased the production of gas compared to last year in order to increase the storage of gas and oil being used in gas stations.”

“But we are optimistic that wisdom will prevail and that this [closure] will not happen because it is a great harm to the region and the world as a whole,” he added.

An estimated 18 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz to the Asian markets every day.

To stabilize global supply and support prices, Iraq produces less than five million bpd as part of its adherence to an agreement between OPEC and other large exporters including Russia. 

Iran has long used threats to close the strategic waterway to pressure its western opponents.

Tensions have come to a head in the Persian Gulf after months of growing US pressure on Iran over its nuclear program and involvement in regional conflicts. 

A US defense official on Friday blamed Iran for the recent attack on four oil vessels off the coast of the UAE port of Fujairah near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has denied any involvement in the attack.

The US ended sanction waivers last month which had allowed eight major customers to continue importing Iranian oil.

Responding to unsubstantiated threats posed by Iran and its proxies in Iraq, the US announced the withdrawal of all non-essential staff from its Iraqi missions and deployed an aircraft carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf. 

“The increase of American presence in our region is very dangerous and it is a threat to international peace and security,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Saturday, according to state media. 

“This should be countered.”

On Saturday, General Morteza Qurbani, a top advisor to the head of Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said Iran could sink US ships if further provoked. 

Iran is capable of “sending them to the bottom of the sea with all the crew and the planes” using “two missiles or two new weapons that are fully secret,” Qurbani told an official news outlet.

In April, Major General Mohammad Baqari, head of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, threatened Tehran could block oil exports via the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian oil is obstructed. 

[6ly410]

This is what Abdul-Mahdi discussed with Zarif

Editorial date: 2019/5/25 22:33 • 94 times read

http://alforatnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=198943

 

(AFP) - Iranian Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi received Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at a breakfast banquet Saturday evening.

"During the meeting, they discussed the relations between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran and follow-up the files agreed by the two parties during President Rohani's visit to Iraq and the Prime Minister to Iran," a statement from his office said.
"We also discussed the regional and international situations and how to spare the two countries and the region the damage of sanctions and the dangers of war, stressing the importance of security and stability of the region and how to maintain the nuclear agreement and all the interests of the two countries and peoples and peoples of the region."
Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif arrived in Baghdad on an official visit.
The Foreign Ministry announced that Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif will hold a press conference tomorrow, which will reveal important issues about the crisis in the region.

[6ly410]

What is Zarif's message from Tehran to Baghdad?

18:42 - 25/05/2019

https://www.almaalomah.com/2019/05/25/408313/

Information / Baghdad

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif carried a three-point message from Tehran to Baghdad, Iranian expert in the international affairs Mohammad Saleh Sedqian said on Saturday.

"Foreign Minister Mohammed Jawad Zarif carried a letter from Baghdad to Baghdad from three points:" said Sadeqian in a tweet via Twitter.

1. Tehran does not want to use Iraq to replace the conflict with America.
2. Tehran believes there are dubious bodies behind the missiles that targeted the US embassy in Baghdad and may be repeated.
3. Emphasize bilateral cooperation at all levels.

Zarif arrived in Baghdad this evening to discuss the status of the region and the bilateral relations between the two countries. End 25 n

[10 YEARS LATER]

If these folks were heavy drinkers or addicted to some chemical substance or such, I could more readily understand where their Psychotic behavior originates. Perhaps they're in the " closet " with their addictions - ( which would indeed explain much ). . . but there's something else at play here. People have postulated " sun baked brains ", hate is in their DNA; on & on it goes trying to explain the " why " of these folks.

 

At least 5 thousand years of events have shaped these people into the present state of mind we find them in today.

 

They have NO (proper) [ yes Soccer ] - MLB, NFL, NBA or NHL to channel their boredom. Killing each other or anyone else for that matter just doesn't seem like proper goal setting, huh. Perhaps these 3 letter organizations should be introduced to the M.E. Couldn't hurt . . . well not much anyway, but then thats where Sports Medicine comes into play. How many potential jobs have I just created - oodles. 

 

Thanx gang - A safe Memorial weekend to you all 

[6ly410]

 

[6ly410]

peace to the middle east...lets go Iraq

[Pitcher]

https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/New-Iraq-Syria-Crossing-Could-Breathe-New-Life-Into-Irans-Oil-Exports.html
 

New Iraq-Syria Crossing Could Breathe New Life Into Iran’s Oil Exports

By Irina Slav - May 24, 2019, 11:00 AM CDT

A new border crossing between Iraq and Syria is under construction in an area controlled by Iran-affiliated militias, Fox News reports, citing satellite images revealing construction works at the Albukamal Al-Qaim border crossing.

The news outlet also cited unnamed sources as saying Iran was behind the new crossing—the old one was destroyed during one of the many military clashes in both Syria and Iraq—and it aimed to use it as a smuggling channel to Jordan and the Mediterranean coast.

“Without Syrian or Iraqi supervision, Iran and its allies would have an unprecedented advantage in transferring whatever they wish,” Fox News reported, quoting unnamed experts.

The tightening grip of Washington on Tehran through economic sanctions was bound to cause Iran to look for ways to get its oil across borders, so in this sense, the news about a new border crossing is a hardly a surprise. Yet it has not been established who exactly is building the crossing despite the mention of Shiite militia controlling the region.

These militias are active in more than one part of Iraq and were allies of the government in its war on the Islamic State. This has put Iraq in the difficult position of juggling Iranian and U.S. interests, which was what most likely prompted Baghdad’s initiative to try and mediate a de-escalations, although the chances of it succeeding are pretty slim.

Iran also has ties in Syria: along with Russia it has fought against rebel groups including Al-Quaeda offshoots. Earlier this month, Tehran even resumed crude oil shipments to Syria: TankerTrackers.com reported a cargo of 1 million barrels of Iranian crude was spotted reaching Syria on May 5^th. It was the first Iranian oil cargo sent there since the start of 2019.

Iran has also sealed a series of trade deals with Syria, Newsweek recently reported, including one for the management of the Latakia port on the Mediterranean coast. 

[yota691]

Halabousi: Ready to mediate between Washington and Tehran

Sunday 26 May 2019 58

 

Baghdad / Al-Sabah

 

 

The President of the House of Representatives Mohammed Halbusi, Iraq's readiness to mediate between Washington and Tehran to end the crisis between them, "in the event that the parties formally requested," and discussed the President of the House of Representatives and the head of a coalition of state law Nuri al-Maliki on Saturday; The importance of seeking Iraq, to end these tensions and reduce the escalation, in order to maintain the security of the region 

And Iraq.

"We are not officially asked to be mediators to resolve the crisis between Tehran and Washington," Halboussi told Al-Iraqiya news channel. "We are ready to mediate a solution between Washington and Tehran if we are asked to do so."

Halabousi discussed with the head of a coalition of state law Nuri al-Maliki, the latest developments in the region, and the Information Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in a statement received by "morning" on Saturday, "The two sides discussed the latest political and security situation in the country, in light of security developments in the region."

The statement stressed that the meeting stressed the importance of activating the role of the House of Representatives and uniting the efforts of the parliamentary blocs to legislate laws that are paralyzed and important, which affect the citizens' lives, contribute to the provision of services and meet their needs and work to strengthen state institutions by activating the supervisory role in fighting corruption and following up the implementation of the program. Government ".

On the security developments in the region, the meeting pointed out that "the need to stay away from the threats that would create tension and the threat of stability, and to emphasize the importance of seeking Iraq, to end these tensions and reduce escalation, in order to maintain the security of the region 

Iraq ".

A statement by the Office of the President of a coalition of state law, Nuri al-Maliki, that the latter received "the House of Representatives Mohammed Halbusi, and during the meeting discussed the latest political and security situation in the country, and addressed the challenges facing the region in light of the crisis between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran "He said.

"The region faces great challenges and must work to calm and remove the language of escalation and waving of force," he said, expressing hope that "Iraq's efforts to end the tension between Washington and Tehran will succeed."

He added that "Iran's declaration by its leaders that it does not want war requires everyone to stand up to escalation and that the language of neutrality is no longer acceptable but the position rejects the party that wants it," calling on the international community to "a serious stand towards the region

 Tensions ".

Maliki also pointed to "the need to activate the performance of the House of Representatives and work on the legislation of the important laws, and the removal of the House of Representatives from political rivalries, and create a positive atmosphere between the parliamentary blocs and high coordination to issue laws that concern the citizen and meet his ambitions."

On the other hand, the President of the House of Representatives received on Saturday, the head of the United Arab Front Sheikh Wasfi al-Asi.

During the meeting, according to a statement by the Office of Halbusi, the situation in the province of Kirkuk, and the emphasis on the importance of returning the displaced to their areas, and achieve stability and coexistence among the people of the components of the province.

The president of the House of Representatives pointed to the need to unite ranks, to confront the danger of preachers and sleeper cells, and not to allow terrorism to return after victory, and defeat unity and solidarity, and make more efforts, and work to resolve all outstanding problems, and accelerate the stage of construction and reconstruction,

He also praised the decision of the Council of Ministers to withdraw the hand of the employee assigned to the courts for crimes of corruption.

A statement issued by his media office said that "Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohamed Halabousi praises the decision of the Council of Ministers No. 185 of 2019 to urge the minister and the head of the non-affiliated entity to withdraw the hand of the employee who is referred to the competent court for crimes Financial and administrative corruption, and the importance of acquitting employees who have not proved their right to default, "describing the decision as" a good step; to reduce corruption and begin to fight corrupt and expose them, and protect society and citizens and public money to the extent 

whether".

[yota691]

Washington: We have acted to deter a serious Iranian threat

Parts of the American Navy Fleet in the Region Reuters

 

Source:

• Washington, Baghdad - statement, agencies

History: 26 May 2019

The United States is considering declassifying deep and dangerous information about the Iranian regime's threats to peace and security in the region.

Senior US intelligence officials have speculated that intelligence is considering declassifying the information that prompted America to take military action, but it requires securing sources and methods of gathering information.

The Republican senator, Tom Koton, said all those troops and weapons destined for the region are not intended to conduct a military operation, but rather deter the Tehran regime from any military action against the United States.

US national security adviser John Bolton said recent attacks on commercial vessels near the UAE's territorial waters, Saudi oil pumping stations and the attack on the Green Zone in Iraq were worrying about Iran and its customers. Bolton added that intelligence about the Iranian regime's threat was "deep and dangerous."

[yota691]

US suspicions hover over two Iraqi factions targeting the embassy in Baghdad

Iraqi oil minister warns of closing the Strait of Hormuz

Sunday - 21 Ramadan 1440 AH - 26 May 2019 AD Issue Number [14789]

 

 

Supporters of the Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr hold banners against the war in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on Sunday (APA)

Baghdad: Fadel Al Nashmi

Despite the US direct accusation that Iran's agents were behind the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad last week, most of the armed factions linked to Iran in Iraq remain silent and have not claimed responsibility for the incident. 
A senior security official told Asharq Al-Awsat that "the suspicions of the American side about the targeting of the Washington embassy in Baghdad are hovering around two sides, the Brigades of the Martyrs and the Al-Imam Ali Brigades. They informed the Iraqi side of this." "The Americans also told Baghdad that they may resort to arrests of members of these factions in Iraq, if they are proven to be involved in bombarding the embassy, as is the case with al-Qaeda in Yemen and more than one place."
According to the source, "the armed factions in Iraq are divided into three main sections, including the anti-Iran, and refuses to be Iraq arena of the American-Iranian conflict, such as (Saraya) of the Sadrist movement, including close ties with Iran, such as (Badr) Asaib Ahl al-Haq), but so far away from interfering in the conflict, and there is a third section is unknown, and has no representation in Parliament, and can engage in the conflict for Tehran at any moment ».
Commenting on the state of silence that prevails in Iran's allied forces these days on the issue of US-Iranian escalation, the expert on armed groups, Hisham al-Hashemi, said that these groups "apparently responded to the famous Iranian guide Ali Khamenei, which he launched a few days ago With America "). Al-Hashemi noted in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that "the speech of the friendly forces of Iran, such as Badr and Al-Udayib, tends to calm, rationalize and not escalate these days, and this is my assessment of something good for Iraq. . 
Despite frequent talk about Iraq's role in the growing crisis between Washington and Tehran and shuttle visits by senior officials to countries in the region for this purpose, Al-Hurra channel quoted US Charge d'affaires in Baghdad Joy Hood as saying: We do not need Iraqi mediation, and we can contact Iran directly. "
In a context of the deepening crisis between Washington and Tehran, Iraqi Oil Minister Thamir al-Ghadhban warned yesterday of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which will have an impact on Iraq and the countries that export its oil exports. "The crisis between Washington and Tehran, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, will have an impact on us and on all the countries that are in a state of emergency," al-Ghadhban said. Exports of oil through it ». But he ruled out the occurrence of «because the damage is large on the region and the world as a whole, the Strait passes through daily 18 million barrels of crude oil, especially for the Asian market». 
In the event that Iraq does not obtain the agreed quantities with Iran of gas and electricity, Ghadhban said that his ministry has a "contingency plan to compensate for the shortage in these quantities."
On April 28, Iran's chief of staff, General Mohammad Baqri, threatened to block the passage of oil from the region through the Strait of Hormuz if his country could not sell oil across the strait after the US ban on selling oil, Iran's oil exports. 
In a related matter, thousands of supporters of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr urged political leaders and tribal leaders in Iraq on Friday evening to stay away from any conflict between Iran and the United States. 
Critics of Sadr's supporters, who had previously led insurgents against US forces and publicly criticized Iranian interference in Iraq, chanted anti-war slogans in central Baghdad and in the southern city of Basra, Reuters reported.
Iraqis fear their country will be involved in any escalation of tension between Tehran and Washington. The Iraqi government has tried to position itself as the intermediary between the two sides. Iraq has said it will send delegations to Washington and Tehran to help ease tensions. 
There was speculation about Sadr's appearance to deliver a speech in the crowd that gathered in Baghdad but did not appear.

[pokerplayer]

4 minutes ago, yota691 said:

US suspicions hover over two Iraqi factions targeting the embassy in Baghdad

Iraqi oil minister warns of closing the Strait of Hormuz

Sunday - 21 Ramadan 1440 AH - 26 May 2019 AD Issue Number [14789]

 

 

Supporters of the Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr hold banners against the war in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad on Sunday (APA)

Baghdad: Fadel Al Nashmi

Despite the US direct accusation that Iran's agents were behind the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad last week, most of the armed factions linked to Iran in Iraq remain silent and have not claimed responsibility for the incident. 
A senior security official told Asharq Al-Awsat that "the suspicions of the American side about the targeting of the Washington embassy in Baghdad are hovering around two sides, the Brigades of the Martyrs and the Al-Imam Ali Brigades. They informed the Iraqi side of this." "The Americans also told Baghdad that they may resort to arrests of members of these factions in Iraq, if they are proven to be involved in bombarding the embassy, as is the case with al-Qaeda in Yemen and more than one place."
According to the source, "the armed factions in Iraq are divided into three main sections, including the anti-Iran, and refuses to be Iraq arena of the American-Iranian conflict, such as (Saraya) of the Sadrist movement, including close ties with Iran, such as (Badr) Asaib Ahl al-Haq), but so far away from interfering in the conflict, and there is a third section is unknown, and has no representation in Parliament, and can engage in the conflict for Tehran at any moment ».
Commenting on the state of silence that prevails in Iran's allied forces these days on the issue of US-Iranian escalation, the expert on armed groups, Hisham al-Hashemi, said that these groups "apparently responded to the famous Iranian guide Ali Khamenei, which he launched a few days ago With America "). Al-Hashemi noted in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that "the speech of the friendly forces of Iran, such as Badr and Al-Udayib, tends to calm, rationalize and not escalate these days, and this is my assessment of something good for Iraq. . 
Despite frequent talk about Iraq's role in the growing crisis between Washington and Tehran and shuttle visits by senior officials to countries in the region for this purpose, Al-Hurra channel quoted US Charge d'affaires in Baghdad Joy Hood as saying: We do not need Iraqi mediation, and we can contact Iran directly. "
In a context of the deepening crisis between Washington and Tehran, Iraqi Oil Minister Thamir al-Ghadhban warned yesterday of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which will have an impact on Iraq and the countries that export its oil exports. "The crisis between Washington and Tehran, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, will have an impact on us and on all the countries that are in a state of emergency," al-Ghadhban said. Exports of oil through it ». But he ruled out the occurrence of «because the damage is large on the region and the world as a whole, the Strait passes through daily 18 million barrels of crude oil, especially for the Asian market». 
In the event that Iraq does not obtain the agreed quantities with Iran of gas and electricity, Ghadhban said that his ministry has a "contingency plan to compensate for the shortage in these quantities."
On April 28, Iran's chief of staff, General Mohammad Baqri, threatened to block the passage of oil from the region through the Strait of Hormuz if his country could not sell oil across the strait after the US ban on selling oil, Iran's oil exports. 
In a related matter, thousands of supporters of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr urged political leaders and tribal leaders in Iraq on Friday evening to stay away from any conflict between Iran and the United States. 
Critics of Sadr's supporters, who had previously led insurgents against US forces and publicly criticized Iranian interference in Iraq, chanted anti-war slogans in central Baghdad and in the southern city of Basra, Reuters reported.
Iraqis fear their country will be involved in any escalation of tension between Tehran and Washington. The Iraqi government has tried to position itself as the intermediary between the two sides. Iraq has said it will send delegations to Washington and Tehran to help ease tensions. 
There was speculation about Sadr's appearance to deliver a speech in the crowd that gathered in Baghdad but did not appear.

 

Playing out like a cat and mouse game. Iran sures looks guilty to me but without absolute proof..........

 

  Thxs yota

 

  pp

Edited May 26, 2019 by pokerplayer
spelling, what else ? lol

[yota691]

Iraqi President discusses with Zarif political developments in the region

2019-05-25

 

Baghdad - SANA

President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih discussed with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif political developments at the regional and international levels and the necessity of adopting a constructive dialogue in order to consolidate the foundations of peace and the importance of joint efforts to spare the region sanctions and find political solutions to the current crises.

"Saleh stressed Iraq's keenness to strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran and its efforts to strengthen relations with the Islamic neighborhood and its Arab depth," a statement from the Iraqi president's office said. "Iraq seeks to be a point of convergence between brotherly and friendly countries and a stabilizing factor in the region to build relations Balanced with all countries, especially neighboring countries according to common interests. "

In turn, Zarif expressed his country's desire to "expand the horizons of cooperation and coordination between the two countries" again, "Iran's support for Iraq at various levels."

The statement pointed out that Zarif invited Iranian President Hassan Rowhani to President Saleh to visit Tehran to follow up the joint files.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi also discussed with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif the regional and international situations.

"The Prime Minister discussed during his meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister in Baghdad the relations between Iraq and Iran and follow up the files agreed by the two parties in the visit of President Rohani to Iraq and the Prime Minister to Iran.

Zarif arrived in Baghdad on a one-day visit to discuss developments in the region and bilateral relations with Iraqi officials.

[yota691]

Iranian foreign minister starts tour of Gulf region: official

Assistant Foreign Minister of Iran for Political and International Affairs Abbas Araghji

 25 May 2019 10:42 PM

KUWAIT: Assistant Foreign Minister for Political and International Affairs Abbas Araji will begin a Gulf tour on Sunday to discuss international developments in the region, especially in the region .

The visit comes as part of intensive political and diplomatic consultations conducted by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will discuss the rapid international developments, especially in the Gulf region, according to Fars news agency.

 

The round included Oman, Kuwait and Qatar but did not give details of the meetings, the agency said .

 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad arrived in Baghdad on Saturday for talks with Iraqi officials in the presence of media reports on Iraqi mediation between Tehran and Washington, the official KUNA news agency reported.

The Iran-Iraq dispute deepened after the United States withdrew last year from the nuclear deal and toughened its economic sanctions on the energy and banking sectors of Iran .

Omani Foreign Minister Yousuf bin Alawi said the Sultanate was working with other parties to ease tension between Washington and Tehran , adding that "the danger of a war could harm the whole world."

[yota691]

Iraq warns of closing the Strait of Hormuz as a result of US-Iranian tensions

Iraqi Oil Minister

 25 May 2019 04:25 PM

The Iraqi oil minister warned of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the crisis between Washington and Tehran, pointing out that the closure will have an impact on Iraq and countries that export oil exports.

Thamer al-Ghadhban, according to Alsumaria channel, said on Saturday that the Ministry of Oil puts all the contingencies and is ready to face these events, according to the Middle East News Agency.

   

Al-Ghadhban stressed that our position regarding gas production and processing to power plants and liquid fuel stations, namely gas oil, is much better than last year.

He added that the crisis between Washington and Tehran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf will have an impact on us and on all countries that export their oil through, but we are optimistic that this will not happen because the damage is large on the region and the world as a whole and the strait passes through daily 18 million barrels Crude oil especially for the Asian market.

Al-Ghadhban noted that precautionary measures were taken in the event of any emergency regarding the events in the region and the crisis between Washington and Tehran.

"We have developed strategic alternatives in the event of closing the Strait of Hormuz," Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday. "The multiplicity of ports of export of oil is a strategic project and we have work in this regard."

[yota691]

Halabousi: We are ready to mediate to resolve the crisis between Washington and Tehran if we are asked to do so

Saturday 25 May

 

Baghdad - conscious

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohammad Halboussi said on Saturday that there was no formal request for mediation to resolve the crisis between Tehran and Washington.

"We have not been officially asked to be mediators to resolve the crisis between Tehran and Washington," Halaboussi said in comments carried by Al-Iraqiya news channel.

But he said: "We are ready to mediate to resolve the crisis between Washington and Tehran if we are asked to do so."

Iraq

[6ly410]

 

[6ly410]

Zarif Halabousi: Iran is ready to receive any initiative to help reduce the escalation and welcome the role of Iraq

Political | 09:32 - 26/05/2019

 

 

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - 
Iran welcomes the role of Iraq to curb escalation in the region, Foreign Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif said Sunday, pointing out his country's readiness to receive any initiative to help reduce the escalation. 
"The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohammed Al Halbusi received Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif and his accompanying delegation," the Information Office of the Parliament Speaker Mohammad Al Halbusi said in a statement received by Mawazine News. 
"Iraq is keen to maintain its relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran and all the countries of the region," Al Halbusi said, referring to the danger of escalation in the region and the need for dialogue and peaceful initiatives to build confidence between all sides. 
He stressed that "Iraq will play a pivotal role to reduce the escalation between Tehran and Washington, and will not be in any axis," expressing his concern for the safety of its neighbors and work at all levels to avoid the risks of escalation in the region.
For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister expressed his "welcome the role of Iraq in bringing the views closer, and that there is no limitation on Tehran to solve all the problems with the countries of the region," pointing out that his country "does not want any military escalation and is ready to receive any initiative to help reduce Escalation and the establishment of constructive relations with all neighboring countries. " 
The statement said that "the meeting was attended by a number of members of the parliamentary foreign relations committee, the Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Nizar al-Khairallah, the ambassador of Iraq to Tehran, and the ambassador of the Islamic Republic in Baghdad."

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=48317

[6ly410]

Zarif Halabousi: I do not want military escalation and are ready to receive any initiative

Editorial date: 2019/5/26 9:37 • 84 times scheduled

http://alforatnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=198962

 

(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohamed Halabousi discussed with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif and his accompanying delegation the developments of the region and the bilateral relations between the two countries.

A statement by the Office of the President of the House of Representatives received the agency {Euphrates News} copy of him that Halbusi stressed during the meeting, "Iraq's keenness to maintain its relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran and all the countries of the region," referring to "the seriousness of escalation in the region and the need for dialogue and peaceful initiatives; All parties ".
"Iraq will play a pivotal role, to reduce the escalation between Tehran and Washington, and will not be in any axis, expressing his concern for the safety of his neighbors and work at all levels; to avoid the risks of escalation in the region."
For his part, the Iranian foreign minister welcomed the role of Iraq in bringing the views closer and that Tehran is not limited to solving all the problems with the countries of the region, pointing out that his country does not want any military escalation and is ready to receive any initiative that helps to reduce escalation and build constructive relations. With all neighboring countries.
The meeting was attended by a number of members of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Nizar Al-Khairallah, Ambassador of Iraq to Tehran and Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Baghdad.

Edited May 26, 2019 by 6ly410

[yota691]

FM: We stand with Tehran against sanctions .. Zarif: America is practicing bullying [expanded]

Editorial date: 2019/5/26 12:00 • 248 times scheduled

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim on Sunday rejected Iraq's rejection of US measures against Iran, stressing that Baghdad stands by Tehran.

In a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Jawad Zarif, the minister said that Iraq seeks to stand with Iran in any way, stressing its rejection of US measures towards it. 
He pointed out that the joint meetings between the two sides have discussed several aspects, including the subject of the entry of traders between the two countries and the railway project and industrial cities. 
He added that contacts continue with the countries of the region to find a satisfactory solution for all parties, indicating that Iraq will attend the Arab and Islamic summits. 
For his part, Zarif said that the agreements concluded previously with the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic, entered into force today. 
He pointed out that Tehran has not violated any agreement on the nuclear program, stressing that his country will face any aggressor aggressively.
He said Tehran had already made several proposals to sign the non-aggression treaty with all Persian Gulf states, which are still on the table. 
Zarif added that Iran wants the best relations with Persian Gulf countries, welcomes all proposals for dialogue and reduces tension. 
At the same time, he stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran is simultaneously addressing any military or economic war against the Iranian people. 
Zarif said that "America and its violation of the rules and the violation of international resolutions are trying, through bullying, to drag other countries to work on their unilateral actions." 
He added that Iran's recent actions on the nuclear issue is not a withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, but is to defend its rights under this international agreement. 
Zarif criticized European countries for failing to comply with their obligations, saying: "We want European countries and other members to meet their obligations under the nuclear agreement."
He added that European countries have violated the practical normalization and economic relations with Iran over the past three years, and that the violation has increased more during the past year. 
Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi met Saturday with Iran's Foreign Minister and discussed the relations between Iraq and Iran and the follow-up to the agreements agreed between the two sides during President Rohani's visit to Iraq and Abdul-Mahdi to Iran. 
The two sides also discussed the issue of "preventing war" in the region, Iraq's efforts to be a point of convergence between countries and a stabilizing factor in the region in order to build balanced relations with all countries.
Al-Halbusi said that Iraq does not stand side by side with the other in the Iranian-American crisis. He also met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohammad Al Halbusi today, during which he discussed Iraq's role in reducing the escalations between Tehran and Washington. 
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Baghdad on Saturday for a three-day official visit

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Threat of Speaker of Parliament to Kill

Political | 08:23 - 26/05/2019

 

 

 

BAGHDAD - Mawazin News 
MP Mohammad Karbouli revealed that an armed faction operating on the Iraqi scene sent a death threat letter to Parliament Speaker Mohamed Halboussi. 
Karbouli said in a television interview, "The threats that reached Halbusi came because of his position on the crisis between Iran and America." 
Karbouli stressed that "leaders have been informed of the popular mobilization and the alliance of construction with this threat." 
"There must be red lines for the Iraqi state, not for Halbusi," he said. 
The Iraqi MP said that sending such a letter to the speaker of Parliament is "dared". 
The Speaker of the House of Representatives has expressed Iraq's readiness to mediate in order to resolve the crisis between Washington and Tehran, explaining that "neither party has requested it formally."

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The Iranian president is proposing that his people organize a referendum on the nuclear program

Arab and international

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Follow - up / Tomorrow 's Press: 

proposed Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, on Sunday, to organize a referendum on Iran's nuclear program, and the reduction of uranium enrichment. 

"Article 59 of the Iranian constitution concerning the referendum, which opens the closed roads and is open to citizens at any time if necessary," according to the agency "Fars" Iran.

"In 2004, when Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, initiated a referendum on the nuclear issue, the leader supported this proposal, but things have evolved in a different way with the change of government," he said. 

"But in any case, Article 59 can pave the way at any stage." 

Rowhani announced this month that Iran was suspending some of its commitments to the nuclear deal, in response to the withdrawal of the United States and the tightening of US sanctions on Tehran.

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Iraqi armed factions sign a pledge to US forces

 

Raad Sulaiman 's policy isan armed faction ofthe US forces

 2019/05/26 06:08:35

 

The head of the unified council of the tribes of Baghdad and the six Sunni provinces, Raad Suleiman, on Sunday, the signing of a number of leaders of armed factions in Iraq, a pledge to the American side.

"A number of militia leaders in Iraq have signed a pledge to the American side that they did not target US forces or bases in Iraq in the event of a military war between America and Iran," Sulaiman told Twilight News.

He pointed out that "the signing of the leaders of these militias, comes out of fear of the US forces in a qualitative operation targeting the elements and leaders of these militias in case of war," stressing that "the military war between Iran and America will break out, and this is no secret to anyone."

The Iraqi politician Mithal Alusi, on Sunday, a proposal to the three presidencies, on Iraq play the role of mediator between the United States and Iran.

"Iraq plays the role of mediator. It is good. It is good that the Iraqi leadership take care of the security and safety of the neighboring country. Iraqis understand the meaning and seriousness of the wars," Alusi told Asharq Al-Awsat. "Iraqis support all calls for dialogue, coexistence and peace."

Addressing the leader of the Umma Party three presidencies, the leader of the Umma Party said: "You knew, and on behalf of the State of Iraq and the sovereignty you are talking, let our mediation and intervention to protect the Iranian regime be conditioned by the commitment and respect of the Iranian regime to the sovereignty of Iraq and the withdrawal of their militias and their weapons of war. Stealing budgets and destroying Iraqi national institutions. "  

https://www.shafaaq.com/ar/سیاسة/فصائل-عراقية-مسلحة-توقع-تعهدا-للقوات-الأمريكية/

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Iran will defend itself against any aggression: foreign minister

 

Zarif said they hope to have balanced relations with their gulf neighbors. (File/AFP)

Updated 21 sec ago

REUTERS

May 26, 201908:11

Iraq said they will act as an intermediary between US and Iran

Iran said they proposed to sign a non-aggression pact with Gulf countries

BAGHDAD: Iranian will defend itself against any military or economic aggression, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday, calling on European states to do more to preserve a nuclear agreement his country signed.

Speaking in a news conference in Baghdad with his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Al-Hakim, Zarif said his country wanted to build balanced relations with its Gulf Arab neighbors and that it had proposed signing a non-aggression pact with them.

“We will defend against any war efforts against Iran, whether it be an economic war or a military one, and we will face these efforts with strength,” he said.

Meanwhile,  Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived on Sunday in Oman and discussed "regional developments" with Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, the sultanate’s minister responsible for foreign affairs, the state-run Oman News Agency reported.
Bin Alawi said earlier this week that his country is trying "with other parties" to calm tensions between the United States and Iran.

Strains have increased between Iran and the United States, which is a firm backer of Tehran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia, after this month’s attack on oil tankers in the Gulf region that Washington has blamed on Iran.

Tehran has distanced itself from the bombings, but the United States has sent an aircraft carrier and an extra 1,500 troops to the Gulf, sparking concerns about the risks of conflict in a volatile region.

Iraq stands with Iran and is willing to act as an intermediary between its neighbor and the United States, Hakim said, adding that Baghdad does not believe an “economic blockade” is fruitful, a reference to US sanctions.

“We are saying very clearly and honestly that we oppose the unilateral actions taken by the United States. We stand with the Islamic Republic of Iran in its position,” said Hakim. The United States and Iran are Iraq’s two main allies.

Washington has been seeking to tighten sanctions against Iran, as relations worsen under President Donald Trump, who last year pulled out of a nuclear agreement his predecessor Barack Obama had signed with Iran alongside other world powers in 2015.

In Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani floated the idea of holding a referendum over Iran’s nuclear program, Iranian media reported.

A referendum over the controversial nuclear program could give Iran’s leaders space to maneuver and a chance to resolve the standoff with the United States.

Top Iranian leaders have said they are not seeking war with the United States and officials speaking to Reuters from Tehran said last week that despite the sharpened rhetoric with Washington, authorities are trying to avoid an open conflict.

“Article 59 of the Constitution (referendum) is a deadlock breaker ... and could be a problem-solver at any junction,” the semi-official news agency ILNA quoted Rouhani as saying late on Saturday.

Rouhani said that, when he was a top nuclear negotiator in 2004, he had proposed holding a referendum on the nuclear issue to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has only held three referendums since its 1979 Islamic revolution — to approve the setting up of an Islamic Republic and then to approve and amend the constitution.

Washington says it has built up the US military presence in the region, accusing Tehran of threats to US troops and interests. Tehran has described US moves as “psychological warfare” and a “political game”.

Separately, a deputy commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said the US military presence in the Middle East was at its “weakest in history” despite the talk of a build-up.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1502261/middle-east

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