Key takeaway: A senior adviser to the Supreme Leader dismissed the possible U.S. designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization. 

Ali Akbar Velayati, the Supreme Leader’s senior foreign policy adviser, stated that “America’s action against the IRGC will not affect the IRGC’s support for Hezbollah, Iraq, and Syria” during an interview with Al Jazeera. Western media outlets reported that President Donald Trump is considering an executive order directing the State Department to consider the designation. The United States has maintained a program of primary and secondary sanctions against the IRGC following the 2015 nuclear deal.

Defense Minister IRGC Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan denied the report circulated by Western media outlets that Iran had launched the Mersad, a short range surface-to-air missile, from the same launch site in Semnan province utilized in the January 29 test of the Khorramshahr medium-range ballistic missile. The United States imposed new sanctions on 25 individuals and entities related to Iran’s ballistic missile program and the IRGC Quds Force on February 3 in response to the January 29 test.

Domestic Politics
February 10, 2017

Conservative organization holds first meeting

The Popular Front of Islamic Revolutionary Forces is a principlist organization formed in December 2016 which aims to unify Iran’s conservative factions by introducing one conservative candidate to compete against President Hassan Rouhani in the May 2017 presidential election. The organization’s chairman, Hojjat ol Eslam Mohammad Hossein Rahimian, stated at the meeting that the group’s focus is “service combined with integrity.” (Fars News Agency) 

Citations & Links

Fars News Agency: http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13951121001253
Military and Security
February 10, 2017

At least four killed in explosion near Bandar Abbas

Iranian media outlets reported that a gas explosion occurred in a tunnel 20 meters underground at a “research site” in Kulaghan-e Bandar Abbas. The site was reportedly connected to Iran’s agricultural ministry. Kulagan-e Bandar Abbas is near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, which is home to a large IRGC Navy base. (YJC) (Asr Iran)

Citations & Links

Asr Iran: http://www.asriran.com/fa/news/522818/%DB%B4-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3 YJC: http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5972951/%DA%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%AB%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87-%D8%A2%D8%A8%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%85-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B1
Regional Developments and Diplomacy
February 10, 2017

Deputy FM praises Russia for its “strong support” for the nuclear deal

Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araghchi stated that Russia will “inform all parties of the P5+1, especially the American side and the new American government” of Russia’s “unrelenting policy” of “strong support” for the nuclear deal. Araghchi praised Russia for stressing the “necessity of the continuation” of the nuclear deal. Araghchi met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Ryabkov to discuss the nuclear deal in Moscow on February 8. Iranian officials have claimed that the U.S. has violated the nuclear deal through such actions as the renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA). (Alef)

Citations & Links

Alef: http://alef.ir/vdcaoynyu49nyw1.k5k4.html?444092
February 10, 2017

Senior parliamentarian: Iran-U.S. “military confrontation” is unlikely

Chairman of Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi stated that “there is a very weak probability of military confrontation between Iran and the U.S.; Washington is well aware of Iran’s capabilities” during an interview with Lebanese news outlet al Mayadeen on February 9. Boroujerdi also stated that Iran “denies any charges of supporting terrorism.” (Farda News)

Citations & Links

Farda News: http://www.fardanews.com/fa/news/627805/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%DA%AF%D9%81%D8%AA%E2%80%8C%D9%88%DA%AF%D9%88-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%D9%85
February 10, 2017

Defense minister denies Mersad missile launch

Defense Minister IRGC Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan denied the report circulated by Western media outlets that Iran had launched the Mersad, a short range surface-to-air missile, from the same launch site in Semnan province utilized in the January 29 test of the Khorramshahr medium-range ballistic missile. Dehghan called the report “fabricated” and part of a larger U.S. fear-mongering campaign against the Islamic Republic. (Tasnim News Agency) (E)

Citations & Links

Tasnim News Agency: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/02/09/1323505/iran-rejects-us-claim-of-new-missile-test-as-fabricated
February 10, 2017

Velayati dismisses possible designation of IRGC as terrorist organization

Ali Akbar Velayati, the Supreme Leader’s senior foreign policy adviser, reacted to reports that President Donald Trump’s administration is considering designating the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) during an interview with Al Jazeera. Velayati stated, “America’s action against the IRGC will not affect the IRGC’s support for Hezbollah, Iraq, and Syria.” He reportedly said in the interview that Trump is an “inexperienced person whose policies are hasty and whose sanctions will be ineffective.” Velayati also said that statements from Trump administration officials that military action remains a possible U.S. response to recent Iranian activity are empty threats. (Fars News Agency)

Citations & Links

Fars News Agency: http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13951121001275