Iran News Round Up - March 28, 2017

The Artesh Navy’s 45th Fleet berthed at India’s Port of Cochin. It is scheduled to leave the port on March 28. (Tasnim News)

Judiciary Head Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani called on the Judiciary to “safeguard security investments and eliminate barriers of output and employment.” He added that “We [the Judiciary] are absolutely on the side of raising production and employment and helping the government in this field within the limits of its own legal obligations, [and] everything we can do, we will do.” (Tasnim News Agency)

Interim Tehran Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat ol Eslam Kazem Sedighi stressed that Iran’s economic problems are continuing due to poor management. Sedighi called for government officials who are “revolutionary, religious, efficient, brave, and hardworking” to be placed “at the head of affairs,” in a statement likely aimed at President Hassan Rouhani. (Fars News Agency)

Hardline Parliamentarian Hojjat ol Eslam Mojtaba Zolnur stated, “The Resistance Economy doctrine cannot be realized with corrupt officials and managers who make astronomical salaries.” Zolnur’s comments refer to a scandal last year in which leaks revealed that Rouhani administration officials had been receiving extensive salaries. (Tasnim News Agency)

• Khaje Salehani was killed on March 25 in his “fourth deployment” to Syria. He commanded the Seyyed ol Shohada Base of Pakdasht, Tehran province. (Defa Press) (Basij Press)
• Hossein Moez-Qolami was an “active member” of the Basij Organization’s Bani Hashem Base based in Tehran. He was killed in Hama governorate, Syria, on March 24. (Mehr News Agency)

President Hassan Rouhani began his trip to Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prior to his departure, Rouhani stated, “The promotion of the level of relations between Iran and Russia will be of benefit to both countries, regional security and [combating] terrorism.” (President.ir) (Mehr News Agency)

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghassemi reacted to the Bahraini Interior Ministry’s statement that it had arrested a 14-member group which had planned to carry out assassinations in Bahrain. The ministry claimed that the IRGC and Hezbollah provided training to 11 members of the group. Ghassemi called the allegation a "futile and baseless lie." (Press TV)

• Ghassemi also dismissed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments that Iran is adopting “racist and discriminatory” policies in Iraq. Ghassemi stated that Turkish officials continually use “baseless, meddlesome and troublesome” claims to justify Turkey’s “expansionist policies.” Ghassemi also responded to Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak’s allegation that Iran has condoned the passage of three million Afghan refugees into Turkey, citing Iran’s admission of millions of refugees “for more than 30 years.” He insisted that “constructive dialogue with neighbors, instead of accusing others,” is the best way to deepen ties between Iran and Turkey. (Press TV) (E) (ISNA)
  

The IRGC responded to U.S. Navy commanders’ statements that Iran had threatened international navigation by “harassing” warships in the Strait of Hormuz. American officials stated that two sets of IRGC Navy fast-attack craft approached the U.S. George HW Bush and four other vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on March 21. IRGC Public Relations Deputy Brig. Gen. Massoud Jazayeri called the reports “devoid of truth,” and stated, “The U.S. must monitor and control the conduct of its warships in the Persian Gulf more than ever.” Western media outlets reported that IRGC fast attack craft approached the USNS Invincible and three Royal Navy vessels in the strait in a similarly aggressive fashion on March 4. The IRGC also denied those allegations of aggression. (Rasa News) (E) (Radio Farda)

Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Shamkhani condemned an airstrike in western Mosul, Iraq, on March 17 that reportedly killed between 100 and 200 civilians. The U.S. acknowledged on March 25 that it launched an airstrike “at the location corresponding to allegations of civilian casualties.” Shamkhani stated, “Killing innocent people under the pretext of combatting terrorism has been the American military’s policy in the region and should be dealt with” in court “immediately.” He continued, “these war crimes are similar to the behavior of ISIS and other takfiri groups in the targeting of civilians and innocent people.” (Ghatreh)

The Foreign Ministry announced that Iran has imposed sanctions on 15 U.S. companies for supporting Israel, including cooperating in the expansion of Jewish settlements, and for committing human rights violations. The sanctioned companies include Raytheon, ITT Corporation, United Technologies, specialty vehicle maker Oshkosh Corporation, M7 Aerospace, and firearms manufacturers O.F. Mossberg & Sons and H-S Precision. (Mehr News Agency)

• Head of Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi also stated on March 25 that Parliament is scheduled to consider designating U.S. military and intelligence organizations as terrorist organizations. (Kayhan)