Iran News Round Up
The Iran News Round Up ran from February 2009-September 2018. Visit the Iran File for the latest analysis.
Key takeaway: Officials continued to dismiss recent American statements regarding Iran ahead of the February 10 anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari claimed that “U.S. officials know that threats against Iran are not only useless, but also harmful.” IRGC Deputy Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami stated that while “America’s power is declining… its economic war against Iran will not end.” Prominent IRGC official and conservative former parliamentarian Esmail Kowsari stated that the U.S. “does not have the ability” to launch a strike against Iran. Iranian officials often employ such rhetoric downplaying U.S. strength and ability to attack Iran, especially ahead of the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
Western media outlets circulated a report that Iran removed a Safir space launch vehicle from a launchpad within the last few days. It is unclear why the Safir was removed.
Mohammad Younis Ebrahimi, a member of the Afghan Shia militia Fatimiyoun Brigade, was killed in Syria. He will be buried in the city of Qom.
Jafari: U.S. knows that threatening Iran is “useless”
IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari stated, “U.S. officials know that threats against Iran are not only useless, but also harmful.” Jafari stated that analysts from the Pentagon and elsewhere have made statements such as “Iran sees America as a ‘paper tiger’” and “America should forget the idea of being a superpower.” Jafari noted, “The greatest achievement of the Islamic Revolution is their confession of the splendor and greatness of the [Islamic] Revolution.” (Fars News Agency)
- IRGC Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Hossein Salami stated, “America’s power is declining as a result of its wrong and interventionist policies. Its threats have continued, though, and its economic war against Iran will not end.” Salami continued, “As [America’s] political and geopolitical power has declined, its breathing space - especially at strategic points in the Muslim world - has tightened.” Salami praised the celebrations planned for the February 10 anniversary of the Islamic Revolution as an opportunity for Iran to demonstrate its strength and unity. (Mehr News Agency)
Khatam ol Anbia deputy: America cannot attack Iran
Esmail Kowsari, a prominent IRGC officer and former parliamentarian who is serving at the IRGC Khatam ol Anbia Central Headquarters, addressed the Trump administration’s recent statements regarding Iran. He stated, “Based on their consultations with their advisers, American presidents utter slogans but do not have the ability to attack Iran militarily… If Americans had the ability to attack Iran militarily, they would not delay a moment to do so.” (Ghatreh)
Rouhani: American consensus-building is weaker than ever
President Hassan Rouhani stated that “America’s consensus-building power in the world is weaker than ever before” during a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez and Oil Minister Nelson Martinez in Tehran on February 8. Rouhani stated that the Non-Aligned Movement should work “to play a more active role in regional and international issues.” Rouhani expressed Iran’s willingness to “deepen ties with Latin American countries, especially Venezuela.” (President.ir) (E) (President.ir)
Deputy FM calls on Europe to help enforce nuclear deal
Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi said that European countries need to assist in the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), especially its banking provisions, as the United States attempts to retreat from the deal. Iranian officials have argued that the deal’s banking provisions have not been implemented fully due to obstruction by the United States. (Tasnim News Agency) (E)
Deputy FM meets with Russian counterpart to discuss Syria and the nuclear deal
Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araghchi expressed Iran’s commitment to the JCPOA during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Ryabkov in Moscow on February 8. Ryabkov reportedly “stressed Russia’s coordination with Arab countries” regarding the “establishment of a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East.” (Fars News Agency)
Citations & Links
1.
Fars News Agency: http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13951120000410
2.
Mehr News Agency: http://www.mehrnews.com/news/3900856/%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D9%88-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%85
Citations & Links
1.
Ghatreh: http://www.ghatreh.com/news/nn35997280/%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%AB%D8%B1%DB%8C-%DA%AF%D9%81%D8%AA-%D9%88%DA%AF%D9%88-%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B3-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%BE-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86
Citations & Links
1.
President.ir: http://president.ir/en/97579
2.
President.ir: http://president.ir/fa/97577
Citations & Links
1.
Tasnim News Agency: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/02/08/1322514/iranian-diplomat-urges-europe-s-more-active-role-in-jcpoa-enforcement
Citations & Links
1.
Fars News Agency: http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13951120001399
New Khatam ol Anbia Air Defense Base coordination deputy appointed
IRGC Brig. Gen. 2C Ali Balili was appointed Khatam ol Anbia Air Defense Base’s coordination deputy. Balili had served previously as IRGC Air Force training deputy. The Khatam ol Anbia Air Defense Base is the branch of the Artesh responsible for Iran’s land-based air-defense systems. Balili’s appointment continues the trend of appointing an IRGC official to a senior post of the Artesh facility. Balili is replacing IRGC Brig. Gen. 2C Mousa Bakhtiari as the base’s coordination deputy. (Fars News Agency)
MOIS upgrades its Foreign Intelligence and Movements Directorate
The Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) elevated its Foreign Intelligence and Movements Directorate to the Foreign Intelligence and Movements Organization. The move will likely provide the organization with expanded responsibilities and control. (ISNA)
Citations & Links
1.
Fars News Agency: http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13951112000707
Citations & Links
1.
ISNA: http://www.isna.ir/news/95112014556/%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D9%86%D9%87%D8%B6%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86
Afghan fighter to be buried in the city of Qom
Mohammad Younis Ebrahimi was a member of the Afghan Shia militia Fatimiyoun Brigade. He was killed in Syria. (ABNA)
Citations & Links
1.
ABNA: http://fa.abna24.com/service/states/archive/2017/02/08/715557/story.html
Iran and Oman change pipeline route to avoid UAE-controlled waters
Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh met with his Omani counterpart Mohammad bin Hamad al Rumhi and agreed to change the route of a planned undersea gas pipeline to avoid waters controlled by the United Arab Emirates. The two sides signed an agreement to export Iranian gas to Oman in 2013, but its implementation has been delayed due to disagreements. (Mehr News Agency)
Citations & Links
1.
Mehr News Agency: http://www.mehrnews.com/news/3899956/%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%DA%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%82-%DA%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%82%D8%B7
