Iran News Round Up - February 16, 2017

Artesh Navy Commander RADM Habibollah Sayyari stated that “the Artesh’s strategy is enhancement of defense power based on deterrence. We do not and will not contemplate aggression against others,” during a meeting with Artesh Navy commanders on February 16. Sayyari warned that any country contemplating “invasion and aggression” against Iran will receive a crushing response, however. (Tasnim News Agency) (E) (Fars News Agency) (E) (Hamshahri)  

Fars News Agency cited a Fox News article which stated that IRGC Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani traveled to Moscow. Soleimani’s visit violates multiple UN resolutions forbidding him to leave Iran. Fars News Agency reported that “no Iranian officials” have confirmed the trip. (Fars News Agency)

The Basij Organization kicked off exercises in Sistan and Baluchistan Province on February 15. IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohammad Marani stated that 76 brigades will participate in the drills, which run until February 24. (Press TV)

President Hassan Rouhani met with Omani Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said in Muscat on February 15. Rouhani praised Iran and Oman as “the historic guardians of the Strait of Hormuz” and stated that “the political will of the two countries is for further strengthening friendly relations.” Rouhani also reiterated that Iran’s military is for defensive purposes. Rouhani traveled to Kuwait later in the day. (Tasnim News Agency) (E) (ISNA)

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani met with Saleheddin Bahaeddin, the head of the Kurdistan Islamic Union, which maintains close ties with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Larijani stated, “The Kurds’ role in the new Iraq is very bright; in this space, differences must be reduced and consensus reached. Through unity, the territorial integrity of Iraq can be defended.” Larijani stated that “reduction of the differences within the Kurdistan region and cooperation with the central [Iraqi] government” can help achieve stability and security in Iraq. He continued, “People must not be allowed to create distance between the Kurds and the Iraqi government.” Larijani also censured the “Islamic movements which have stood under the banner of Islam, but have signed a treaty of friendship with the Americans and Zionists… We see that Jabhat al Nusra is supported by Israel.” (IRNA)

• Ali Akbar Velayati, the Supreme Leader’s senior foreign policy adviser, similarly the partition of Iraq as contrary to “Baghdad’s policies” during a meeting with Bahaeddin on February 15. (Tasnim News Agency) (E)
  
  

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei discussed the reformist-led initiative for “national reconciliation,” President Donald Trump’s administration’s comments on Iran, and other issues during a speech in East Azerbaijan Province on February 15.

• On “national reconciliation”: Khamenei stated that there is no need for reconciliation because “There is no estrangement [among the Iranian people]... Of course, any two persons may have different opinions with regard to a given political issue, but this is not something important.” Khamenei censured those who “estranged” themselves from the rest of the Iranian people by participating in the 2009 Green Movement. He also criticized Iranian newspapers for “clamoring” over the initiative.
• On the Trump administration: “By repeating the ploy of threats and a military war, America wants to divert the attention of [Iranian] officials from the theater of the real war, that is, the economic war…. So that, the country’s officials would not focus on the issue of economic progress and not pay attention to the cultural war of Western countries against the Iranian nation.”
• Khamenei also praised the turnout of rallies on February 10 marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution at length. He also touched upon the Resistance Economy doctrine, stating “the real meaning of growth is the growth of production and the internal strength of the economy… not merely selling more oil.” (Leader.ir) (E) (Mehr News Agency)