Key takeaway: The Armed Forces General Staff’s recent agreements underscore Iran’s investment in improving training and integration of the branches of Iran’s military.
The Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS)’s recent memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the Labor and Social Welfare Ministry and a Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-controlled business conglomerate (Setad) are aimed at boosting the training of the Artesh, Iran’s conventional military, and the IRGC. Khamenei and senior regime leadership have invested in the training and integration of the two militaries through such efforts as revamping the armed forces command structure’s coordination of cross-branch military operations. AFGS chief IRGC Major General Mohammad Bagheri recently highlighted the new and increased expeditionary role of the Artesh.
This Iran News Round Up predominantly covers events from September 2-7.
Amano: IAEA is the international community’s eyes in Iran.
Amano: IAEA is the international community’s eyes in Iran. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano said that Iran’s nuclear sites are under the IAEA’s surveillance 24/7. (Mehr News Agency) (IAEA) (E)
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IAEA Mehr News AgencyBRICS member-states announce support for the JCPOA.
BRICS member-states announce support for the JCPOA. The statement noted the importance of the JCPOA in promoting sustained peace and stability in the region. BRICS urged all “relevant parties” to continue their commitment to the nuclear agreement. Iranian officials have claimed that the U.S. may be seeking an excuse to withdraw from the agreement. (Mehr News Agency) (E)
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Mehr News AgencyTehran Mayor participates in cabinet meeting.
Tehran Mayor participates in cabinet meeting. Tehran’s newly-elected reformist Mayor Mohammad Ali Najafi participated in a meeting of President Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet. This is the first time that Tehran’s mayor has participated in a cabinet meeting in 14 years. (Hamshahri Online)
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Hamshahri OnlineBagheri and Mousavi discuss military coordination.
Bagheri and Mousavi discuss military coordination. AFGS Chief IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri commended recent, ongoing coordination efforts within the branches of Iran’s military during a meeting with newly appointed Artesh Commander Maj. Gen. Abdol Rahim Mousavi. Hatami also met separately with IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari. (Tasnim News Agency) (Defa News Agency)
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Defa News Agency Tasnim News AgencyAFGS signs agreement with Setad.
AFGS signs agreement with Setad. The Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Setad, also known as the Execution of the Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO), on September 3. Setad is a business conglomerate under the control of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and is estimated to be worth more than $95 billion. The MoU states that EIKO will “design and supply the hardware and software” for a central system managing the implementation of a soldier training program. (ISNA)
- AFGS signs MoU with Labor and Social Welfare Ministry. The AFGS also signed an MoU with the Labor and Social Welfare Ministry on September 4. The MoU highlights the need to support training programs for “public security and border defense.” AFGS Chief IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Artesh Commander Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi, AFGS Deputy Chief Artesh Brig. Gen. Hossein Salami, Khatam ol Anbia Air Defense Base Commander Brig. Gen. Farzad Esmaili, Labor and Social Welfare Minister Ali Rabaei, and Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) Commander Brig. Gen. Hossein Ashtari attended the signing ceremony. (Sepah News)
- Bagheri appoints AFGS Training Deputy. IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri appointed IRGC Brig. Gen. Mehdi Farahi as AFGS Training Deputy. Farahi previously served as Deputy Defense Minister and as head of the Defense Ministry’s Aerospace Department. (Sepah News)
- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised ongoing coordination efforts between the Artesh and the IRGC in a speech at Khatam ol Anbia Air Defense Base on September 3. (Leader) (E) (Fars News) (E) (Basij News Agency)