Iran

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angelburst29

The Living Force
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Why U.S.-Iran Feud Keeps Focus on Strait of Hormuz
January 10, 2020, 6:00 AM GMT+1 / 8-10 minutes Snip:
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's busiest oil-shipping channel and there are no plans by Iran to block it. And if Iran isn't going through enough hardship and problems, due to the assassination of Soleimani and the Ukrainian Plane crash, France, Britain and Germany have decided to trigger "the dispute mechanism" in the Iran Nuclear Deal? No compassion or remorse for what that Government has gone through in less then two weeks!

Iran won't target Strait of Hormuz over Soleimani killing: analysts
FILE PHOTO: Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Iran is unlikely to block the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil-shipping channel, in reprisal for the killing of Qassem Soleimani for fear of aggravating its Gulf allies and China, regional analysts said on Monday.

France, Britain, Germany to trigger Iran deal dispute mechanism: diplomats
France, Britain and Germany plan to trigger on Tuesday the dispute mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal following renewed violations by Tehran of the 2015 accord, two European diplomats said on Tuesday.

How the Iran nuclear deal dispute mechanism works
France, Britain and Germany formally triggered the dispute mechanism in Iran's nuclear deal with world powers on Tuesday, the strongest step they have taken so farto enforce the agreement that requires Iran to curb its nuclear program.

UK open to broader Iran deal that tackles destabilizing behavior: Raab

Britain is willing to work with the United States and European partnersto build a broader initiative which would address not just Iran's nuclear ambitions but its destabilizing activity in the region,Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said on Tuesday.
foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Tuesday.

Iran dismisses European move to trigger nuclear deal dispute mechanism
Iran dismissed a decision by European states to trigger a dispute mechanism in its nuclear deal with world powers as a "passive" action but saidit was ready to consider any constructive effort to save the accord.

Russia sees no grounds to trigger Iran nuclear deal dispute mechanism: TASS

Russia sees no grounds to trigger the dispute mechanism in Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, TASS news agency reported on Tuesday, citing Russia's Foreign Ministry.

European powers in nuclear deal using dispute mechanism is a 'strategic mistake' - Zarif
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif speaks to reporters upon his arrival at the airport in New Delhi, India, January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
The triggering of a dispute mechanism on Tuesday by France, Britain and Germany in the multilateral nuclear deal with Iran is a "strategic mistake", Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

U.S. supports Europe's Iran move on dispute mechanism but calls on it to fully abandon the deal: envoy
FILE PHOTO: Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran, attends a news conference in London, Britain June 28, 2019. REUTERS/Simon Dawson/File Photo
美国支持欧洲initiate the dispute mechanism in Iran's nuclear deal, the U.S. top envoy for Iran told Reuters on Tuesday,but would like to see Europeans join Washington in its efforts to diplomatically isolate Tehran.

Netanyahu: Israel will not allow Iran to achieve nuclear weapons

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, January 12, 2020. Tsafrir Abayov/Pool via REUTERS
以色列总理内塔尼亚胡说Tuesday that Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and called on Western countries to impose "snapback sanctions" on Tehran.

Schumer says believes majority of U.S. Senate backs Iran war powers resolution
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks to Capitol Hill reporters following the weekly Senate Democratic policy lunch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday he believed a majority of 51 U.S. senators will approve a war powers resolutionto block President Donald Trump from further military action,which would be a rebuke of the president's policy in the Republican-controlled chamber.

Democrats say measure to rein in Trump on Iran will pass Senate
U.S. Senate Democrats said on Tuesday they had enough votes in the Republican-controlled Senate to pass a resolution curbing President Donald Trump's ability to wage war on Iran without congressional approval, which would be a rebuke of the President after he ordered a strike that killed an Iranian commander in Iraq.
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angelburst29

The Living Force
FOTCM Member
Tensions in the Gulf have risen following the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory missile attack by Iran on U.S. forces in Iraq.

Russia says urging Gulf nations to consider a joint security mechanism
FILE PHOTO - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reacts during a joint news conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday Moscow has been urging Gulf countries to consider a common security mechanism for the region.

“We have been suggesting to the Gulf countries to think about collective security mechanisms ... starting with confidence building measures and inviting each other to military exercises,”Lavrov told a security conference in Delhi.

“Since I mentioned about Persian Gulf, we are very much concerned about what is going in there,” Lavrov said.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is also attending the conference in Delhi that comes just a day after Britain, France and Germany formally accused Iran of violating the terms of its 2015 agreement to curb its nuclear program, which eventually could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions.

Iran’s Fars news agency quoted Zarif as saying overnight that the use of the dispute mechanism was legally baseless and a strategic mistake.

Lavrov said unilateral sanctions were a problem in today’s world.

“So the 21st century is the time when we must get rid of any methods of dealing in international relations which smack of colonial and neo-colonial times. And sanctions, unilaterally imposed sanctions, they are not going to work.”

After pulling out of the Iran deal, the United States slapped sanctions back on Iran and has gradually increased its “maximum pressure” campaign targeting the Islamic Republic’s revenues from oil, mining and other industries.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on Tuesday for U.S. President Donald Trump to replace the Iranian nuclear deal with his own new pact to ensure the Islamic Republic does not get an atomic weapon.

Trump said in a tweet he agreed with Johnson for a “Trump deal”.

U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger will also be addressing the Delhi meeting on Thursday.
Trump agrees with British PM Johnson on a 'Trump deal' for Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump said he agreed with a comment by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that a "Trump deal" should replace the Iran nuclear deal.
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thorbiorn

The Living Force
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If this is true and they're not using this for Public Relations purposes and sympathy, maybe they now can realize, with just a small taste, how those who are being bombed in other countries (Palestine, Syria, Yemen etc.) feel on a continual basis.
This is actually a possible outcome, some of the conscientious voters and politicians might think about it. What the PM and the Government did was to move100 of the 130 Danish soldierstemporarily to a military base in Kuwait. Perhaps it is even a way of saying to the US, yes we know we have to participate in this nonsense, but you create a lot of problems to make it worse than it needed to be.

Over the years Europe has taken abuse from the US, but in general insights gained are in some quarters minuscule. In a similar way there are also people from Iran, that in spite of all that the US is doing around the world, still think it would be nice if Washington toppled the present Government, as if the people of Iran would benefit.
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angelburst29

The Living Force
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Disgraceful admission, Mnuchin! Don't know, if you're into the annuls of Financial History or not, but "your kind" got thrown OUT of the Temple, once upon a time, for some of the same practices. As for History, it has a habit of repeating itself! The hour - draws near.

Stephen Mnuchin noted that through sanctions Washington has now managed to "cut off probably over 95% of the oil revenues" of Iran.

US wants China to stop buying Iranian oil - US Treasury
US wants China to stop buying Iranian oil - US Treasury

NEW YORK, January 13, 2020 - US officials are consulting with Chinese colleagues to cut off oil supplies from Iran to China, US Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin told Fox News.

他指出,华盛顿已经通过的制裁managed to "cut off probably over 95% of the oil revenues" of Iran. According to Mnuchin, at present, China accounts for a significant part of the remaining oil exports of Iran.

"I sat down with the Chinese officials. They flew in a delegation to meet with us and the State Department to talk about this. They've cut off all of the state companies from buying oil,and we're working closely with them to make sure that they cease all additional oil activities," Mnuchin said.

Mnuchin noted that the United States had previously imposed sanctions on a number of Chinese firms transporting Iranian oil.

U.S. expects U.N. sanctions on Iran to 'snap back into place': Treasury Secretary
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin speaks about sanctions against Turkey at a news briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., October 11, 2019. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo
The United States believes international sanctions on Iran will be swiftly reimposed now that France, Britain and Germany have formally triggered a mechanism to help enforce Iran's nuclear agreement, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday.

Iran rejects idea of a new 'Trump deal' in nuclear row
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during the cabinet meeting in Tehran, Iran, January 15, 2020. Official President website/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed on Wednesday a proposal for a new "Trump deal" aimed at resolving a nuclear row, saying it was a "strange" offer and criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump for always breaking promises.

Iranians bury dead from downed plane after days of rage on the street
Iranians buried their dead from an airliner shot down by the military as authorities on Wednesday identified more of the 176 victims of last week's crash, which led to days of rage against Iran's rulers followed by a police crackdown.

Canada investigators to examine Iran crash wreckage later on Wednesday - Ottawa
Crash investigators from Canada have visited the site of an Iranian plane disaster in which 57 Canadians died and will examine the wreckage later on Wednesday, said Transport Minister Marc Garneau.

Ukraine asks Iran to return black boxes from crashed plane
Ukraine's prosecutor's office and security service have asked Iranian authorities to give Kiev black boxes from the crashed Ukrainian plane, the prosecutors office said on Wednesday.
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angelburst29

The Living Force
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伊斯兰革命领袖阿亚图拉赛义德li Khamenei warned of extensive Western attempts at persuading the Iranian nation to cave in to the US’ pressures.

Leader Warns of Western Plot to Force Iran to Give In to US Pressures
Leader Warns of Western Plot to Force Iran to Give In to US Pressures - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency

February, 15, 2020 -Speaking in a gathering of eulogists on the birth anniversary of Lady Fatimah (PBUH), held in Tehran on Saturday,Ayatollah Khamenei cautioned about the plots hatched by Western think tanks and the extensive Western media campaign for persuading the Iranian nation to give in to the US pressures.

“The Iranian nation has stood firm (against the enemies) so far, by God’s grace, and will continue to stand as well,but such resistance requires a constant injection of spiritual force into the society,”the Leader underlined.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with members of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in Germany’s Munich about issues of mutual interest.
Iran’s Zarif, ECFR Members Meet in Germany
Iran’s Zarif, ECFR Members Meet in Germany - Politics news - Tasnim News Agency

February, 15, 2020 - During the Saturday meeting on the sidelines of the 2020 Munich Security Conference,Zarif and the ECFR exchanged views about a range of issues, including ways to boost cooperation between the two sides.

In separate meetings on Friday, Zarif held talks with his counterparts from Canada, Finland, China, Croatia, and Oman.

Zarif also met with the representatives of The Elders, an international non-governmental organization that was founded by anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

The 56th Munich Security Conference (MSC) kicked off in the southern German city of Munich on Friday and will run through Sunday.

The annual conference, known as the “Davos” of global security and political events, has been an important forum for top officials to discuss major issues facing the world since its inception in 1963.

The theme this year is “Westlessness,” the loss of the common standing of what it means to be part of the West,according to a security report published on Monday.

Saudi minister: Iran must change behavior before any talks
沙特阿拉伯外交大臣费萨尔王子本足总rhan Al Saud is welcomed by his Bulgarian counterpart Ekaterina Zaharieva in Sofia, Bulgaria, January 29, 2020.REUTERS/Dimitar Kyosemarliev
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said on Saturdayno private messages or direct contact had taken place to ease tensions with Iran
and that Tehran first needed to change its behavior before talks can happen.

White House memo says strike on Iranian commander responded to past attacks
FILE PHOTO: An Iranian holds a picture of late General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, who was killed in an air strike at Baghdad airport, as people gather to mourn him in Tehran, Iran January 4, 2020. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
President Donald Trump ordered a drone strike that killed a top Iranian military commander last month in response to past attacks, the White House said in a memo released on Friday, despite previous administration assertions that it was due to an imminent threat.
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angelburst29

The Living Force
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Former U.N. Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar dies aged 100
FILE PHOTO: Former United Nations Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar during an interview with Reuters in his Lima home, Peru February 18, 1998. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo/File Photo
Former U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar,a Peruvian diplomat who played a crucial role in ending the Iran-Iraq war of 1980 to 1988,died on Wednesday at his home in Lima aged 100.

Iran says IAEA case for inspecting sites based on fake Israeli intel
Iran on Thursday stood by its decision to deny U.N. nuclear inspectors access to sites where they have questions about past activities, arguing thatthe agency's case is based on "fabricated" Israeli intelligence.

Pompeo says Iran must be held accountable on nuclear commitments

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursdaycalled on all nations to hold Iran accountable for its nuclear commitmentsand said Tehran's failure to report nuclear material was a clear violation of safeguard agreements.
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angelburst29

The Living Force
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Even with additional U.S. sanction, Iran continues to move ahead within it's own Policies and National Security.

Iran's supreme leader to pardon 10,000 prisoners, including political ones
FILE PHOTO: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks live on television after casting his ballot in the Iranian presidential election in Tehran June 12, 2009. REUTERS/Caren Firouz
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will pardon 10,000 prisoners including political ones in honor of the Iranian new year on Friday, state TV reported.

Iran, France agree on release of prisoners, Iranian judiciary website
Iran and France have agreed to release a French citizen held in Iran, and an Iranian detained in France on charges linked to violating U.S. sanctions against Tehran, the Iranian judiciary said on its website on Friday.

U.S. issues new Iran-related sanctions: Treasury website
The United States imposed fresh Iran-related sanctions on Thursday,targeting five firms,the Treasury Department said on its website.
The firms include Petro Grand FZE, Alphabet International DMCC, Swissol Trade DMCC, Alam Althrwa General Trading LLC, and Alwaneo LLC Co., according to the website.

Khamenei lauds Iranians' 'dazzling' sacrifices to fight virus
伊朗最高领袖哈梅内伊delivers a televised speech on the occasion of the Iranian New Year Nowruz, in Tehran, Iran March 20, 2020.  Official Khamenei website/Handout via REUTERS
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a speech on state television for the Persian New Year, praised Iranians for their "dazzling" sacrifices in fighting the coronavirus outbreak in the worst-hit country in the Middle East.

Iran coronavirus death toll jumps 149 to 1,433: health ministry
Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak rose by 149 to 1,433 on Friday, a health ministry official tweeted, adding that that total number of confirmed infections had increased by 1,237 to 19,644.
sToRmR1dR

sToRmR1dR

The Living Force
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'This is the last warning': Iranian air defenses almost fired on U.S. F-18 fighter jet.

2020-03-22
'The US is flexing its muscles in Persian Gulf.'

2020-03-24
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angelburst29

The Living Force
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Most of U.S. House urges more diplomacy at U.N. to renew Iran arms embargo: sources
Nearly 90% of U.S. House of Representatives members have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to increase its diplomatic action at the United Nations to renew an arms embargo on Iran,
congressional sources said on Thursday.

U.S. 'hopeful' U.N. will extend Iran arms embargo, Russia 'negative'
FILE PHOTO: Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran, speaks at a news conference in London, Britain June 28, 2019. REUTERS/Simon Dawson
The United States is "hopeful" the U.N. Security Council will extend an arms embargo on Iran before it expires in October, a top U.S. State Department envoy said on Thursday, despite a key Russian official signaling that Moscow opposed such a move.

U.S. will not let Iran buy arms when U.N. embargo ends: Pompeo
The United States will not allow Iran to purchase conventional arms after a U.N. prohibition on this expires in October, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday.

Moscow: UN Weapons Embargo on Iran Can’t Be Prolonged Despite US Efforts
lavrov
April 30, 2020 -The UN embargo on conventional weapons sales to Iran, which expires in October 2020, can’t be extended despite US efforts to prevent its expiration,the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister has stated.

“For us, the case of the existing ban on arms deliveries to and from Iran was closed with the adoption of Resolution 2231. The embargo regime expires in October this year”, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated.

Ryabkov went on to blame the US for its selective approach to Resolution 2231. He recalled that Washington itself had stopped adhering to its provisions two years ago and has since spared no effort to prevent other nations from remaining in compliance with the resolution by introducing unilateral sanctions.

“Instead of discussing which provisions of Resolution 2231 could be used to achieve certain political goals, the US would be better off ensuring the full and comprehensive implementation of the provisions of this resolution, and return to full compliance with the JCPOA”, the Deputy Foreign Minister added.

UN Resolution 2231 adopted back in 2015 alongside the Iran nuclear deal, prohibited the sale of conventional weapons to the Islamic Republic until 18 October 2020 and separately the sale of missiles until 2023. However, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated yesterday that Washington is planning to do anything in its power to extend the ban beyond October 2020 and will apply to the UN to do that.

Pompeo mulled resorting to a mechanism that renews international sanctions against the Islamic Republic by declaring that it violated the nuclear deal inked in 2015, but was later abandoned by the US in 2018. The secretary of state claims the US is still formally a party to the deal and that Washington will seek help from its European allies, signatories to the deal, in this matter. UN inspections, however, revealed that Iran complied with the deal as it promised in 2015.
US Claim of Still Being Participant of JCPOA ‘Unprecedented Historical Joke’: Iran Envoy
April 30, 2020 - Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht-Ravanchi said any US attempt to extend an arms embargo against Iran would run counter to the UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

In an interview with IRNA on Wednesday, Takht Ravanchi slammed the US’ claim about being still a participant of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as an unprecedented historical joke.

He said thatwith its unilateral exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) two years ago, the United States violated its commitments under the 2015 multilateral accord and a subsequent UNSC Resolution 2231 as well.

After U.S., Israeli pressure, Germany bans Hezbollah activity, raids mosques

German special police leaves the El-Irschad (Al-Iraschad e.V.) centre in Berlin, Germany, April 30, 2020, after Germany has banned Iran-backed Hezbollah on its soil and designated it a terrorist organisation.    REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke
Germany banned all Hezbollah activity on its soil on Thursday and designated the Iran-backed group a terrorist organisation, a much-anticipated step long urged by Israel and the United States.

Syria Denounces Germany Designation of Hezbollah as a Terrorist Organization: Ministry
April 30, 2020 - Syria Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the Syrian Arab Republic condemns, in the strongest terms, the German government’s decision that considers Hezbollah as terrorist organization.

“The German government decision frankly embodies its yielding to the dictates of the world Zionism and its heinous subjection to the US policies which support the occupation entity,”a source at the Foreign Ministry said.

It added that Syria sees the unjust decision as a legion of honor for Hezbollah and a clear recognition of its role in resisting the Zionist aggression and foiling the western projects which target the higher interests of the Arab nation.

Hezbollah Precision-guided Missiles Will Cause Mass Destruction in ’Israel’, Al-Manar Psychological Warfare Exacerbates Losses: Zionist Report
April 30, 2020 -The Zionist website, Netsif Net, published a report in which it cited warnings issued by an Israeli veteran officer of the danger posed by Hezbollah missiles, blaming the failure to address this peril on the enemy’s officials.

The report mentioned that it had one day earlier quoted a US veteran officer as warning of the harm expected to be inflicted on ‘Israel’ by Hezbollah missiles and describing them as a weapon of mass destruction.

The report added that the veteran Israeli officer, Zvika Haimovich, who served as an air defense commander, expressed his worries about the same threat but with a soft rhetoric, noting that he warned of a large number of Hezbollah precision-guided missiles.

Haimovich called on the Israelis to prepare themselves to encounter an unprecedented threat, according to the report which added that the number of Hezbollah missiles as confirmed by ‘Israel’ has reached 150 thousand.

The Israeli report blamed the army officers who hide all the dangers which threaten the entity during their service year and disclose them after they retire, wondering how they observe the professional integrity.

Netsif Net pointed out that Hezbollah TV Channel Al-Manar launches a psychological warfare against the Israelis based on the reports about Hezbollah augmenting military power, adding the Zionists themselves have started to recognize this threat.
Pompeo urges end to overflight rights for Iran airline flying to Venezuela
FILE PHOTO: An Airbus A340-600 airplane of Mahan Air is seen at Simon Bolivar International Airport outside Caracas, Venezuela April 8, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday called on countries to deny overflight rights to Mahan Air, an Iranian airline under U.S. sanctions, which he said recently delivered cargoes of "unknown support" to the Venezuelan government.
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angelburst29

The Living Force
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Iran's OPEC Governor Hossein Kazempour Ardebili is in a coma after a "severe brain haemorrhage", SHANA, the news site of the Iranian oil ministry, reported on Sunday.

Iran's OPEC governor in coma after brain haemorrhage
FILE PHOTO: Iran's OPEC governor Hossein Kazempour Ardebili talks to the media at the OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee in Algiers, Algeria September 23, 2018. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina/File Photo

May 3, 2020 - He was hospitalized on Friday, SHANA said, without providing any additional details.

Kazempour Ardebili is a key figure in Iran’s oil industry and served as the country’s deputy foreign minister and deputy oil minister in the 1980s. He was ambassador to Japan in the early 1990s, while at the same time serving as OPEC governor.

Hezbollah: Germany bowing to U.S. will with ban
FILE PHOTO: Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addresses his supporters through a screen during a rally commemorating the annual Hezbollah's slain leaders in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon February 16, 2020. REUTERS/Aziz Taher
The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah said on Monday that Germany was "succumbing to American will" by banning his Iran-backed movement and designating it a terrorist organization.

Iran says U.S. push to extend Tehran's arms embargo is 'illegitimate'
Iran dismissed as "illegitimate" efforts by the United States to extend the U.N. Security Council arms embargo on Tehran, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Iran's coronavirus death toll rises by 74 as mosques due to reopen
The coronavirus death toll in Iran, one of the hardest hit countries in the Middle East, rose by 74 in the past 24 hours to 6,277, the Health Ministry said on Monday, as mosques were due to reopen in many cities.

Iran coronavirus death toll rises by 47 to 6,203: health ministry
The death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak in Iran rose by 47 over the past 24 hours to 6,203, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on state TV on Sunday.

Mosques and schools to reopen in Iran's low-risk areas
FILE PHOTO: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at a news conference on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S., September 26, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid/File Photo
Iran plans to reopen mosques and schools in areas that have been consistently free of the coronavirus as President Hassan Rouhani's government starts to ease restrictions that were aimed at containing the outbreak.

US sanctions Iranian-Iraqi businessman over support of Iran's Quds Force
The Commander of Iran's Quds Force Esmail Ghaani, 30 March 2020 [Twitter]

The Commander of Iran's Quds Force Esmail Ghaani, 30 March 2020 [Twitter]

May 1, 2020 -The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on an Iranian-Iraqi businessman and his mining company, accusing him of involvement in efforts by Iran’s elite Quds Force to generate revenue illegally and smuggle weapons abroad, the US Treasury Department said, Reutersreported.
Amir Dianat has supported Quds Force smuggling operations for years, including efforts aimed at shipping weapons such as missiles and smuggling shipments from Iran to Yemen, the department said in a statement.

The sanctions freeze any US-held assets of Dianat or his company Taif Mining Services, which the US Treasury Department alleged was a front company for the Quds Force, and generally bar Americans from dealing with them.

“The Iranian regime and its supporters continue to prioritize the funding of international terrorist organizations over the health and well-being of the Iranian people,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.

In addition to the blacklisting, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia filed criminal charges against Dianat and his business associate, Iranian Kamran Lajmiri, alleging they violated sanctions and money laundering laws.

A related complaint was also filed alleging that $12 million is subject to forfeiture as funds involved in the crimes and as assets of a foreign terrorist organization, the US Department of Justice said in a statement.

The forfeiture action marks the largest ever seizure of Quds Force-related funds, it said.

The complaint alleges that Dianat and Lajmiri in 2019 conspired to purchase a petroleum tanker in a scheme involving the National Iranian Oil Company, the National Iranian Tanker Company and the Quds Force, all blacklisted by the United States.

If convicted of the criminal charges, Dianat and Lajmiri would face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.

“这些被告购买了原油油轮瓦尔ued at over $10 million by illegally using the US financial system, defiantly violating US sanctions,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said in the statement.
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youlik

Jedi Master
Иранские военные по ошибке уничтожили крылатой ракетой собственный корабль - около 37 человек погибли. Видео

The Iranian military mistakenly destroyed its own ship with a cruise missile - about 37 people were killed. Video
The Iranian military mistakenly destroyed their own ship.

The Iranian military, conducting maneuvers, fired an anti-ship cruise missile at its own naval vessel. As a result of a tactical missile hitting the ship, the ship, along with 37 sailors on Board, was destroyed – according to preliminary data, all those on the ship were killed.

At the moment, there is information that the reason for everything was an error – the Iranian military confused the target ship with a real ship, and after confirming that the target was detected, they received a command to destroy it. It is reported that the missile left no chance for anyone on Board, turning the ship into a pile of debris.

At the disposal of the resource Avia.pro there is information that we are talking about a logistics ship "Konarak", while Iran itself denies the death of so many people, noting that in fact, the victim of the Iranian military was only one crew member, although given the size of the ship, its real crew can actually reach 30-40 people.

The Iranian media has not yet explained the reasons why such a mistake was made, however, experts note that such actions on the part of the military are completely unacceptable.

"As a result of this mistake, people were killed, and no one can rule out the possibility that the next time the Iranian military mistakenly does not fire missiles at a foreign ship. This situation was already observed when Iran mistakenly destroyed a Ukrainian passenger airliner, " the expert notes.

According to preliminary data, this is an Iranian anti-ship cruise missile C-802 Noor.
Иранские военные по ошибке уничтожили крылатой ракетой собственный корабль - около 37 человек погибли. Видео
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angelburst29

The Living Force
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The Iranian military mistakenly destroyed its own ship with a cruise missile - about 37 people were killed. Video
The Iranian military mistakenly destroyed their own ship.

According to preliminary data, this is an Iranian anti-ship cruise missile C-802 Noor.
Иранские военные по ошибке уничтожили крылатой ракетой собственный корабль - около 37 человек погибли. Видео
A terrible accident and loss of Life? Imagine ... how different life would be - if Countries didn't have to prepare "for possible War"?

Another article by American media:
19 dead as Iran warship hit by 'friendly fire' in tense Gulf
‎May‎ ‎10‎, ‎2020‎ - Tehran (AFP) - An Iranian warship was hit by a "friendly fire" missile during naval exercises, killing 19 sailors, state media and the army said Monday, amid tensions with the US in Gulf waters.

The Konarak was struck on Sunday afternoon near Bandar-e Jask, off the southern coast of the Islamic republic, state television's website said. "The vessel was hit after moving a practice target to its destination and not creating enough distance between itself and the target," it said.

Nineteen crewmen were killed and 15 injured in an "accident" during the exercises, the armed forces said, without elaborating.

Tasnim news agency said in an English-language tweet that the missile was fired by another Iranian warship.

Konarak受到““友军炮火”之后Moudge-class frigate 'Jamaran' accidentally shot (it) with a missile during live firing exercise in Jask area of #PersianGulf waters".

The 15 injured were hospitalised in Sistan and Baluchistan, said Mohammad-Mehran Aminifard, head of the province's medical university.

Here's All That's Left Of Iranian Navy Ship Struck By Missile In Friendly Fire Tragedy (Updated)

The naval support ship was laying targets for a training exercise when an anti-ship missile fired from an Iranian frigate slammed into it.


Details still remain limited at this time, but what we know is that an Iranian live-fire naval training event went horribly wrong in the Gulf of Oman when one of the country's own naval vessels was struck by an anti-ship cruise missile on Sunday. The mistake has killed at least 19 Iranian sailors and wounded 15 more. A support ship namedKonarakwas placing targets for other ships to use for the exercise when the missile, aC-802 Noor, made a direct hit on the vessel.

Images show the vessel's entire upper structure obliterated by the inadvertent strike.

Below is what theKonaraklooked like in better days. Note the ship can be equipped with drones and its own anti-ship missiles. Iran often bolts on these types of modular capabilities to auxiliary craft for testing and to increase its number of missionized hulls as it sees fit.

The launching warship is said to have been theMoudgeclassfrigateJamaran.的船投入使用十年ago, is one of Iran's most advanced surface combatants and packs a quartet of C-802 Noors, which is a derivative of the very common YJ-83 Chinese radar-guided anti-ship missiles with a range of roughly 65 miles.


Mohammad Sadegh Heydari/Wikicommons
TheJamaran.Note the two twin box launchers amidships that house the C-802 anti-ship missiles.

The incident took place near the port city of Jask, in the upper Gulf of Oman, not far from thetumultuous Strait of Hormuz. The waters off Jask have been the site of a number of violent events over the last year,including the shooting downof a U.S. Global Hawk drone andlimpet mine attackson tankers vessels.

The 155-foot longKonarakwas built by the Netherlands and has been operating since the late 1980s. The ship was towed to port after the missile strike, but as you can see in the images, fire laid waste to everything but its hull.

This incident is somewhat unique because of the headlines it is making. Such embarrassing tragedies are not something the Iranian military is keen to highlight and it is the second known major Iranian friendly fire incident just this year. On Jan. 8, 2020, an Iranian airdefense battery shotdown Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800 with 176 souls on board, not long after a ballistic missile barrage on U.S. forces in Iran.

Accidents with anti-ship missiles, which often operate autonomously after being launched,are not unheard of, but a mistake like this occurring in such a tense and densely armed region could light-off a major conflict before it can be stopped.

Update: 2:51 AM PST—
Here is what the ship looked like when vessels were able to approach it. Absolutely catastrophic damage done to this ship by the C-802 and its after-effects. It must have been horrific for those aboard that survived:

Update: 7:00 AM PST—
The Iranian Navy has released a statement lauding the efforts of its personnel to rescue members of theKonarak's crew after the incident.

"Naval relief and rescue teams reached the location shortly after the incident, retrieving the injured and the martyrs from the vessel and transferring them to medical centers,"the statement said. "The forces stationed on the vessel displayed exemplary courage in their endeavor to rescue their fellow servicemen."

The exact circumstances of the accident remain murky. "The vessel [Konarak] was hit after moving a practice target to its destination and not creating enough distance between itself and the target," according to areport from Iranian state television.

Iran's state and quasi-state media have sought to downplay to the situation, with the Navy's own statement only saying the support ship had been towed into port for a "technical inspection" andPressTV cited an unnamed source who "dismissed reports that the vessel had been totally destroyed." PressTV's initial reporting included a picture of theKonarakthat only showed a relatively small portion of its stern with the full extent of the damage not visible.

However, the pictures and video make clear that the missile did massive damage to theKonarakand that the vessel is almost certainly a total loss.
Iranian warship hit by missile in training accident, killing 19 sailors
A satellite image shows an Iranian vessel Konarak, damaged in an aftermath of a friendly-fire anti-ship missile accident, in a port city of Konarak, Iran May 11, 2020. Satellite image 2020 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS
One Iranian warship accidentally struck another with a missile during an exercise, killing 19 sailors and wounding 15 others, Iran's navy said on Monday.
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