ANNOUNCEMENT Archives - APADANA MEDIA

Iran, Iraq Call for OIC Emergency Meeting after Desecration of Quran

Apadana Central — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 06:19:17 +0000

The foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq denounced the repeated desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden as an insult to rationality and freedom of speech, calling for a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the matter.

In a telephone conversation on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein strongly condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

The two diplomats described the defiling of the Quran as an insult to rationality and freedom of speech and condemned the irresponsible behavior of the Swedish government.

They also underlined the need for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to hold a meeting in this regard.

The phone call came hours after Salwan Momika, a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee, stomped on a copy of the Quran and kicked the Muslim holy book during a demonstration outside Stockholm’s main mosque amid strict protection provided for the rally by the Swedish police.

The act of sacrilege has opened the floodgates of protest across the world’s Muslim community, including in Iran, which has summoned the Swedish ambassador to Tehran, conveying the Islamic Republic’s vehement condemnation of the heinous act.

This was the second time Momika was disrespecting the Quran amid the approval of Sweden’s authorities. He had set a copy of the holy book on fire last month too, prompting similar raging protests across the Muslim world and causing the Iranian Foreign Ministry to summon Sweden’s chargé d’affaires.

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Iran’s Parliament Approves Bill to Set Up Commerce Ministry

Apadana Central — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 11:54:41 +0000

The Iranian Parliament on Sunday has approved a government bill to establish a separate ministry for commerce more than a decade after the country decided to integrate its commerce and industry activities in one state-owned department.

In an open session on Sunday, members of the Iranian parliament (also called Majlis) approved a bill that had been submitted with two degrees of urgency to form the Ministry of Commerce.

Out of 238 votes cast in the session, some 129 lawmakers voted in the favor of the bill and another 101 voted against it while four lawmakers abstained.

Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade has been responsible for Iran’s trade ties with the rest of the world since 2011 when the country dissolved its former commerce ministry.

However, critics of the merger have argued over the years that the decision has led to many problems in Iran’s trade activities, especially with regards to imports of basic goods, Press TV reported.

A lawmaker supporting the bill to set up the Ministry of Commerce said that Iran has been spending irregularly on certain imports due to lack of coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture which is responsible for imports of grains and animal feed.

“The fact that we pay $6.9 billion for imports from Turkey is the result of the absence of the commerce ministry,” said Fathollah Tavassoli, as he made a reference to Iran’s imports from Turkey in the calendar year to late March.

However, critics of the bill said in the Saturday debate in Majlis that the formation of a separate ministry for trade would only lead to a major increase in Iran’s imports and would hardly help plans to boost exports from the country.

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Top General Stresses Importance of Iran-Pakistan Ties in Ensuring Regional Security

Apadana Central — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 07:43:19 +0000

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri highlighted the importance of regional security and the transformation of shared borders into economic borders during a meeting with the Pakistani Army Chief in Tehran.

During the meeting with the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Major General Asim Munir on Saturday morning, Major General Baqeri expressed hope that the visit will yield fruitful results for both countries and pave the way for effective decisions.

He also emphasized the significance of bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan in the region.

Congratulating General Munir on his appointment, Major General Baqeri expressed his hope for further enhancement of the Iran-Pakistan relationship, building upon the positive progress achieved in the past.

Highlighting the positive background of General Munir in the Armed Forces of Pakistan, the Iranian top general expressed confidence in the significant improvement of interactions between the two nations during his tenure, driven by the spirit of brotherhood shared between Iran and Pakistan.

Major General Baqeri emphasized the importance of Iran and Pakistan in the Islamic world and the West Asia region, characterized by longstanding friendly relations and numerous religious, cultural, and social commonalities that can contribute to strengthening their bilateral ties.

Referring to common threats faced by both countries, he emphasized that closer proximity and convergence between Iran and Pakistan will have significant effects on the security of the region and the Islamic world.

Referring to the recent act of desecration of the Quran in Sweden, he highlighted the challenges faced by the Islamic world due to global arrogance, stressing the need for sustainable security through mutual assistance between Iran and Pakistan.

He also pointed to the declining power of the United States and the Western world, noting the shifting global power axis towards Asia and the East, and suggesting that the future of the world will be different from the past.

Major General Baqeri criticized the actions of global arrogance as signs of weakness and desperation, contrary to achieving a better future for the world.

Reiterating the importance of regional security, he addressed bilateral defense, military, and security issues, emphasizing the transformation of shared borders into economic borders as a priority for both nations.

Major General Baqeri considered the occupation of Afghanistan by the United States and their irresponsible withdrawal as a significant issue impacting the security of both Iran and Pakistan.

He stressed the need for sustainable security in the border regions of both countries and the establishment of mechanisms for cooperation in this regard.

In conclusion, General Baqeri extended his condolences to General Munir for the tragic floods in Pakistan, which resulted in the loss of lives and injuries to several people in the country.

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IRGC Ready to Work with Pakistan on Border Security

Apadana Central — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 07:38:55 +0000

Pakistan’s Army chief discussed plans for military cooperation between the two neighbors to ensure border security and crack down on terrorism.

In a meeting with Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Major General Asim Munir, held in Tehran on Saturday, IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami slammed the clashes that destabilize security at the local communities of the border areas and the security challenges along the common border of Iran and Pakistan as a “dangerous policy of the hegemonic system with the purpose of creating bloody divisions among Muslims.”

Stressing the need for a joint strategy to stymie the hostile plots for insecurity at the common border, the Iranian commander said, “The IRGC is prepared to work in cooperation with the Pakistani Army to change the security conditions at the border between the two countries and turn them into economic borders.”

He also highlighted the importance of boosting the capacities and readiness for mutual cooperation in the fight against terrorism and security threats at the common border.

“We consider the security of Pakistan as our own security. We will terminate the terrorist groups by promoting interaction, cooperation and joint action and synergy. We will establish sustainable security at the border regions of the two nations,” Major General Salami stated.

For his part, the senior Pakistani commander called for the enhancement of defense and security cooperation with Iran.

Major General Munir also expressed Pakistan’s readiness to work with Iran in dealing with the security challenges and taking action against the terrorist elements at the border areas.

Islamabad is prepared to cooperate with Iran and employ the best solutions to overcome the problems and make progress in the other issues of mutual interest, he noted.

The visiting Pakistani Army chief has held meetings with top Iranian military commanders during his stay in Tehran.

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Iran Stresses Good Neighborliness in Exploiting Joint Oil, Gas Reservoirs

Apadana Central — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 12:13:50 +0000

Following the recent renewal of controversy surrounding the Arash joint oil and gas field, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Tehran observes the principles of good neighborliness and mutual interests in exploiting joint hydrocarbon reservoirs.

In a statement on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani reacted to the reports of conflict over the Arash joint oil and gas field.

He said delegations from Iran and Kuwait, in their latest round of legal and technical negotiations held at the level of ranking directors of the foreign ministries in Tehran on March 13, discussed the Arash field and the determination of the sea boundaries.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always taken account of the issues relating to the determination of sea boundaries and exploitation of joint hydrocarbon resources by considering the mutual interests and the principle of good neighborliness with all neighbors, including Kuwait,” the spokesman added.

Kanaani stressed that the Iranian administration’s policy is based on dialogue, cooperation and engagement, noting that all bilateral issues are pursued within that framework.

Arash, aka al-Durra, is a strategically important Persian Gulf oil and gas field shared between Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia that is again in the news after Kuwaiti officials repeated their fallacious claims while denying Iran its legitimate rights.

The development of this gas field hinges on the resolution of a long-running ownership dispute between the three stakeholders, like some other oil or gas fields in the Persian Gulf region, Press TV reported.

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FM Highlights Iran’s Dynamic Diplomacy

Apadana Central — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 11:44:36 +0000

Pointing to his participation in a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian highlighted Tehran’s dynamic diplomacy and efforts to protect the national interests.

In a post on his Twitter account on Friday, Amirabdollahian gave a brief report on his negotiations on the sidelines of a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement’s foreign ministers in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The two-day ministerial meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau was held in Baku on July 5 and 6.

“During the visit to Baku, in addition to delivering a speech at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Committee on Palestine, I held meetings and had talks with the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan and my counterparts from Nicaragua, Turkey, Belarus, Syria, Kuwait, Sudan, Iraq, Malaysia, and also Palestine’s Fatah Liberation Movement (Minister Riyad al-Maliki),” he said.

The foreign minister underlined that “dynamic diplomacy” is in progress to pursue the fulfillment of Iran’s national interests.

Last month, Amirabdollahian said the Iranian administration gives priority to the neighboring, Islamic and Asian countries in its foreign policy.

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Iran, UAE Ink Air Transport Services Agreement

Apadana Central — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 10:17:44 +0000

An agreement for the development and management of air transport services was signed in Dubai between head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the director general of the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement to organize and manage Iran and the UAE’s air transport services was signed by Head of ICAO Mohammad Mohammadi and Director General of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi.

The agreement is aimed at facilitating the integrated management of air transportation services between the two countries. It will also increase the trade tourism opportunities and strengthen air transportation ties between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

The Emirati official described the agreement with Iran as a giant step in organizing flights between the two countries.

The expansion of air transportation services network between Iran and the UAE will benefit the airlines of the two nations, he added, noting that the agreement will help create trade and tourism opportunities, bolster economic cooperation between traders and commercial companies, and encourage free competition.

The agreement emphasizes on adhering to the highest standard level of health, security and quality in the aviation industry.

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Leader Reiterates Iran’s Unflinching Support for Palestinian Cause

Apadana Central — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 11:43:47 +0000

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underscored the Islamic Republic’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, saying that the Palestinian land belongs to all Muslims and defending it is a religious duty.

Speaking in a meeting with Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, and his accompanying delegation in Tehran on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei said the late founder of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini supported Palestine from the very beginning.

The Leader added, “The Palestinian land belongs to all Muslims, so it is incumbent upon all Muslims to enter the scene (of fight) to liberate it, and this is a religious duty.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also praised the remarkable achievements of Palestinian resistance groups and the sacrifices made by the youth in the occupied territories, saying the West Bank is where the Israeli regime will be brought to its knees.

He commended the strong sense of responsibility among the young and faithful Palestinian generation, as well as their individual and collective struggle against the Israeli occupation.

The Leader emphasized that recent events in Jenin, where Palestinian youths have surrounded the Zionist military, serve as clear examples of a new era and signal “a bright future with complete victory.”

Underscoring the centrality of the Palestinian issue, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, “Progress in resolving the issue of Palestine will also translate into progress on other matters concerning the Islamic Ummah.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also pointed to the noticeable changes in the conditions of Palestine over the past couple of years, particularly the increased presence of youths on the field, who draw strength from their faith in Islam.

Highlighting the importance of enhanced unity and coordination among all resistance groups, the Leader said, “During the recent battle of Gaza, we witnessed the enemy’s attempts to sow discord and divisions among the resistance groups. However, by the grace of God, their efforts were in vain.”

“Therefore, we should concentrate more on the issue of unity and coordination and tread this right path with strength,” he noted.

Ayatollah Khamenei described the Gaza Strip as the “epicenter of resistance,” but added that “it is the West Bank region that will bring the enemy to its knees.”

“Who would have ever imagined that one day the Palestinian youths in Jenin could tighten the noose on Zionist troops to the extent that they would be forced to use fighter jets to break the siege of the young fighters, but this happened a few days ago in Jenin,” the Leader noted.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that despite all pressures, the international community stood by the Palestinian people.

“On this year’s Quds Day, in addition to Islamic states, rallies were even held in European countries, and the people of Europe voiced their opposition to the Zionist regime,” he pointed out.

Haniyeh, for his part, expressed his gratitude for Iran’s unflinching support for the Palestinian cause and briefed the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on the latest developments in the occupied territories, not least the occupied West Bank.

“Gaza is at the heart of the resistance, yet the forefront of today’s pivotal and decisive battle lies within the West Bank,” he stated.

“The upper hand of the young fighters in the West Bank leaves the regime with no choice but to face either one of two scenarios, namely the bad scenario and the worse one,” he added.

Haniyeh assured the Leader that the resistance groups will steadfastly hold their ground in every inch of Palestinian territory.

He affirmed that the unwavering path of struggle and resistance will persist until the ultimate liberation of al-Quds.

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Iran Hypersonic Missile’s Range Could Be Extended to 2,000km, Senior Commander Says

Apadana Central — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 11:34:28 +0000

The range of the next version of an advanced hypersonic ballistic missile developed by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force could be extended to 2,000km, the force’s commander said.

In remarks at a ceremony in the northern province of Mazandaran, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh highlighted the country’s advancements in the defense industry, including development of missiles.

“Today, we have achieved all complex technologies in the field of the defense industry,” he stated.

The senior commander referred to the recent unveiling of the Fattah hypersonic missile, and said its future version may have a range of 2,000 kilometers.

He went on to say that the Iranian people will soon hear more good news in the field of the country’s missile power.

Fattah hypersonic missile was unveiled by the IRGC in a ceremony held in Tehran on June 6.

The projectile, whose name has been chosen by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, has a range of 1,400 kilometers.

The missile’s warhead has a spherical engine running on solid fuel with a movable nozzle that allows the missile to move in all directions.

Earlier, Brigadier General Hajizadeh had said the homegrown hypersonic ballistic missile had undergone all tests.

The new missile can penetrate all air defense missile systems and detonate the enemy’s anti-missile systems, he added.

Describing the production of the projectile as a “huge leap” in Iran’s missile industry, the commander said the missile can maneuver below and above the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of Mach 13.

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Israeli Occupation Forces Use Helicopter Gunships during Jenin Raid

Apadana Central — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 11:39:01 +0000

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Videos released by Palestinian media on Monday depict an Israeli Apache helicopter launching a missile and deploying flares above the city of Jenin, as heavy clashes erupted in the occupied northern West Bank city, leading to the killing of at least three Palestinians.

Footage captured the repeated striking of an area near a building by helicopter missiles, marking the first airstrike in the West Bank in years. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that at least 31 Palestinians were wounded, with some in serious and critical condition due to live ammunition, as reported by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

The victims were identified by the ministry as Khaled Asa’sah, 21, Ahmad Saqer, 15, and Qassam Abu Siryie, 29. Violent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian gunmen erupted in the Jenin refugee camp and the al-Jabriyat neighborhood. Palestinian resistance fighters detonated homemade explosives as Israeli military vehicles passed by, resulting in damaged and set-on-fire vehicles.

Videos shared by Palestinian media outlets showed Israeli army vehicles engulfed in smoke, indicating that they had been hit by homemade explosive devices. Other footage showed Israeli military vehicles under fire, with the sound of gunfire and explosions reverberating throughout the city.

TV7 Israel News reported that at least six Israeli troops were wounded when an explosion targeted their military jeep. The channel stated that an explosive device had struck and penetrated the jeep. The injured soldiers were then evacuated amid gunfire to the Gilboa (al-Jalama) crossing before being transferred to nearby hospitals by helicopters.

In a separate statement, the Jenin Brigades, a local branch of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance group, claimed responsibility for detonating explosive devices near Israeli military vehicles and subsequently targeting them with gunfire.

Tensions in the occupied West Bank have been escalating over the past year, with the Israeli military conducting violent raids under the pretext of apprehending individuals it deems “wanted.” As a result, approximately 160 Palestinians, including 28 children, have lost their lives, and numerous others have been arrested in 2023.

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