Iran News Round Up - June 23, 2017

Ali Hosseini and Mohammadreza Alavi were both killed in Syria on June 1 and buried in Mashhad on June 16. Their unit affiliations and ranks are unknown. (Fars News Agency)

IRGC Navy Commander Brig. Gen. Ali Fadavi emphasized that Iran has “achieved such deterrent power that the enemy does not have the courage to attack our country." He added that “the U.S. is confident [that]... hurting Iran will be more in its interests and if it had the power to face Iran, not even one day would pass until it attacked.” (Defa Press)

Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs Amir Hossein Zamaninia announced that Iran will begin exporting natural gas to Iraq. Zamaninia stated that the exports would start at 7 million cubic meters (mcm) per day and finally reach a peak of 35 mcm. (Tasnim News Agency) (E) (ISNA)

Airbus announced that Iran's Zagros Airlines and Iran Airtour are expected to buy 73 planes. Zagros Airlines signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) to buy 20 Airbus A320neo jets and eight A330neo aircraft while Iran Airtour signed an MoU for 45 A320neos. (Fars News Agency)

Prominent Reformist figures issued a joint statement criticizing U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s comments that the Trump administration supports a “peaceful transition” of the Iranian government. The statement called Tillerson’s comments "contrary to legal and international rules” and noted, "contrary to its [the U.S.] claim of defending human rights, Washington advocates for only the most reactionary countries in the region. Therefore it can be said that the roots of extremism in the region and the world are somehow influenced by their behavior." (Ensaf News)

The IRGC criticized “the strategic compromise and normalization of relations of some reactionary countries of the region with the Zionist regime” in its statement marking Quds Day. The statement also noted, “the realization of the cause to liberate the holy Quds… passes only through the path of resistance and the Islamic ummah [community]’s all-out support for the Intifada.” (Tasnim News Agency) (E) (Tasnim News Agency)

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed that “the commemoration of Quds Day does not merely mean defending an oppressed nation that has been driven out of its motherland and homes, but defending Palestine today is defending a reality much greater than the issue of Palestine… fighting the Zionist regime is fighting the Arrogance [the U.S.] and the hegemonic order… which is why U.S. politicians feel battered by… this move.” Khamenei also criticized that the UN’s “Education 2030” agenda as an attempt by “some” countries to make “all of the world think and act the way they want.” (Leader.ir) (E) (Tasnim News Agency)

• The Foreign Ministry called for “unity, solidarity, and integrity” among the “Muslim and Arab nations.” The Foreign Ministry’s statement claimed that “the occupying regime of Israel is the main cause behind the current crises and tensions in the West Asian region.” The Foreign Ministry’s statement condemned “the policies and measures by some so-called Muslim nations in the region to serve the interests of terrorist-takfiri groups, leading to the deterioration of Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain.” (Mehr News Agency) (E) (Tasnim News Agency) (E)
• Senior Foreign Policy Adviser to the Parliament Speaker Hossein Amir Abdollahian  stated, “supporters of Palestine must raise their voice against the hasty normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and some Western countries with the Zionist regime.” (Mehr News Agency) (E)
• Ali Akbar Velayati, Senior Foreign Policy Adviser to the Supreme Leader, called Quds Day “a magnificent symbol of authority and the unity of the Islamic ummah [community],” against the oppressors and criminals, especially the childish and criminal Zionist regime.” (Tasnim News Agency)