Anti-terror Heroes in WestAsia andthedangersthat Resistance inLebanonsucceededde tumor thatmust beuprooted. “hand” in the region as it is a cancerous America’sis considered frontlineand Zionistregime the as their priorities of countering America’s “terrorism” at top put Revolution Islamic the of leadership this reason, theIslamicRepublic andthe their civilizations, andtheir sanctities. For targets thepeopleofregion,their states, regime Zionist andthe U.S.weapons the of Israel. security the region’s resourcesandensure to fragment,divide,weaken,plunderthe lowing theirpoliciesdo, astheyallintend and thosestates,entities, andgroupsfol Zionisting,what America,theregime, is top ofthelist. Zionist regime, andtheiralliesareonthe world inwhichtheUnitedStates, the on the “terror” system in the region and light shed must observer and researcher role in combating terrorism? years, howdoyouevaluateIran’s have threatenedtheregion inrecent in Israel. regime’s armyandcausedanearthquake the mythofinvincibilityZionist 33-day warinwhichHezbollahshattered official notes in an open reference to the in 2006,” the top Islamic Jihad Movement Lebanon in2000andfoilingitsaggression feating theZionistforcesfromsouthern Times. the tells Qassem al-Hasayna olution from the first day of its victory,” and behavioradoptedbytheIslamicRev- commander. Hewasinspiredbyculture by the1979IslamicRevolution. itary commander,sayinghewasinspired Gen.Soleimani wasnotanordinarymil ing byitstopgeneralQassemSoleimani. Lebanon thankstosupportbyIraninclud Israel fromtheGazaStripandsouthern Palestine andLebanon succeededtoexpel that theIslamicresistancemovementin reau oftheIslamicJihadMovementsays TEHRAN -AmemberofthePoliticalBu politician groups: Palestinian inspired resistance General Soleimani Designed by/ Graphic khat Studio By ABBAS DEHGHANIFARD By ABBAS The systematic use of “terror” through “Terrorism”, in its deep political mean When we talk about “terrorism”, any Given the geopolitical situation The followingisthetextofinterview: “Thanks tothissupport,theIslamic “Soleimani isnotanordinarypersonor Dr. Yusufal-HasaynaQassemsaysLt. Continued onpage5 WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM ------terrori assassinated bya terrorism butwere The menwhofought of the travelexperiencebeforethecoronavirus of new customer-serviceprotocolswerenotpart and swabs, nasal labels, floor cial-distancing masks, so hand-sanitizers, face Ubiquitous pect pect travel to look different from what it was in and bordersgraduallystarttoopen, manyex sive slumpspromptedbytheinfectiousdisease routine. Butforhowlong? the pandemic. Nowadays, theyarearegularpartof year (March19, 2020), ILNAreported. billion) attheendofpreviousIraniancalendar amounted to 3.47 quadrillion rials (about $82.75 (SCI) quarterlyreport,thebank’s foreignassets the previousyear(March19, endof2020). for the $86.4 billion), 4.5 percent more than the figure 21, 2020) stoodat3.63quadrillionrials(about Iranian calendaryear’ssecondquarter(September tral Bank ofIran(CBI)attheendcurrent 8 Pages For obtainingtender’s documentsandmoreinformation, pleasecheck: Tel: +988632162014 +988632162181 Attention: PO Box31, opposite Bahonar Park, NaturalResources Boulevard,Arak-IranPostalcode:3818998116 onourrequiredinstructiontofollowingaddress: Based Interested companies are allowed to send their competitive offer on tenderbasis. ALUMINIUMCOMPANY(IRALCO) IRAN According totheStatisticalCenterofIran Cen the by held assets foreign Net - TEHRAN As theworldslowlyrecoversfrommas in fewhours:militaryadvisor Iran canturnU.S.aircraftcarrierintosubmarine erations onthemartyrdomanniversaryof are concernedthatwewouldcarryoutop getting passiveduetotheirweakness. They of Iran’s eliteQudsForce. Qassem Soleimani,thecommander of General first anniversary of the last year’s assassination sions betweenIranandtheU.S. aheadofthe situation inthePersianGulfregionandten General Safaviaddressedthecurrentmilitary how vulnerabletheyare, ISNAreported. are currentlyonthedefensiveandtheyknow Safavi, saidtheU.S. militaryforcesintheregion U.S. aircraftcarrierinafewhours. region,the sayingIranisabletoeasilysinka the vulnerabilityofU.S. militaryassetsin of theIslamicRevolutionIranhasunderlined TEHRAN –AseniormilitaryadvisortotheLeader Speaking in an interview withIran’sstateTV, inaninterview Speaking “My assessmentisthatthey(U.S.) are The advisor, MajorGeneralYahyaRahim s Emerging niches, changingEmerging niches, tendencies: travel in 2021 and beyond prospects Price50,000Rials BY AFSHINMAJLESI t Mr. Omidi -Mr.Nabiuni

s tate Public Relations DepartmentofIranAluminum Company 1.00EURO TENDER INVITATION NO. 99-1017 TENDER 4.00AED would like to invite eligible suppliers for the supply of supply for the suppliers to inviteeligible would like - - - - CBI foreign net 4.5% rise assets - - 42ndyear pre-pandemic. season. visits duringspring, whichistraditionallyahigh as the country registered only 74 international debut since thevirusmadeits drastically plunged international destinationstodomesticones. Leisure travelershavevividly beenshiftedfrom have dramaticallyloweredtheirnumberoftrips. which belongedtothecentralbank. of percent 47.8 billion), $246.19 (about rials in December 2019, stood at 10.034 quadrillion previous year. the of end the for figure the to compared increase year’s second quarter, registering a 5.4-percent (about $88.58 billion)attheendofcurrent monetary basestoodat3.72 quadrillionrials In Iran, thenumbersofforeigntravelershave The totalvalueofIranianbanks’ foreignassets Based onthementionedreport, thecountry’s Over the pastmonths,manytouroperators The coronavirusepidemichasruinedmore The CentralBankofIran’sforeignassets martyrs SoleimaniandAbuMahdi[al-Mu agenda,” he continued. the revengeforHajjQassemisstillon know,commanders Leaderand our As gone. until theviciousadministrationofTrumpis cians. Anyway, Ihopenothingwouldhappen quainted withtheirweakspotsthanpoliti while Donald Trump is still in office. hours,” General Safavi asserted. U.S. aircraftcarriersintosubmarinesinafew region arevery vulnerable. Iranisabletoturn The Americansknowthattheirforcesinthe our interests.fully preparedtodefend and derestimate theenemy. Ourforcesarestrong on thedefensive.Ofcourse, wemustnotun Fakhrizadeh. Myassessmentisthattheyare handis] aswellthemartyrdomofMohsen He expressedhopethatnothingwouldhappen “American militaryofficialsaremoreac till20-Jan-2021 No.13850 www.iralco.ir

Sunday Continued onpage3

JANUARY 1.000 MTSilicon Metal 4.4.1 3,2021 - - - - the end ofShahrivarthe (Sep.21). outbreak ofthecoronaviruspandemictill the billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials) since $3.3 (some rials trillion 140 of loss a suffered are staying at home.” tourism-insiders arenowunemployedorthey in thepreviousyear. percent morethanthecorrespondingperiod quadrillion rials(about$220.11 billion), 13 9.245 at 2019, 21, June by assets foreign system’sbanking the put 2019,had tember minister Ali-AsgharMounesan.“Manyofthe minister of theIslamicRepublic, accordingtotourism than 1.5 millionjobswithinthetravel sector rials (about$110.23 billion). quadrillion 14.63 at stood figure the which in 20,on March2019) (ended year preceding the witnessed a6.7-percentincreasecomparedto

Dey14,1399 The previous CBIreport, releasedinSep Based onavailabledata, Iran’stourismhas New Yearraveparty Alarm inFranceasthousandsattendillegal sic couldstillbeheardfromthepartyvenue, and evenabroad, itsaid. and stones, thestatementsaid. who set one of their cars on fire and threw bottles but faced fierce hostility from many partygoers” on Saturday. was thrownuparoundit, alJazeerareported local prefectureonFriday. the skirmishes withpolice, saidastatementfrom Lieuron, southofRennesinBrittany, after spread thecoronavirus, authoritiessaid. sparking concerntheundergroundeventcould and to stopit who failed police with clashing Year rave innorthwesternFrance, violently Some 2,500 partygoersattendedanillegalNew By Fridayevening, thesoundoftechnomu Those presenthadcomefromacrossFrance Local triedto“preventthisevent gendarmes cordon sanitary a as site the on still were Many The revelershadsetuptheillegalravein I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

Jumada AlAwwal Continued onpage6 Continued onpage4 19, 1442 - - gotten persons. I criedinrecalling theoppressionofthesefor thousands ofthese amazingpersons, andtoday, have anopportunitytoportray oneoutofthe Muslims. Iranians andthemostperfect Islamic personofthe lessness ofthemostperfectIranian personofthe a longtime. “It wasarareopportunitytowatch‘Che’ aftersuch mander Soleimani called him “art chief” and wrote, Chamran. tions of some of the characters in the film, including organizers.the felt as if his film had been ignored by the jury and his direction of or writing the script for the film. He However, Hatamikia failedtoreceiveanyprizefor includingbesteditorandactor. categories, national FilmFestival. region, premieredduringthe32ndFajrInter operations inthecivilwarKordestan militaryseveral command to was sent he when stafa Chamran’slifeonAugust16and17, 1979 “”. rectly made comments about his dramas “Che” and di he as filmmaker favorite Soleimani’s Qassem Commander was Hatamikia Ebrahim – TEHRAN filmmaker Soleimani’s favorite Commander Qassem , “You areamongthedevotedpeople whocould Meanwhile, inanopenlettertoHatamikia,Com “Che” depicting 48 hours of war veteran Mo “Watching the film, I recalled yesterday’s help Moreover, hewascriticizedforhisinterpreta several in Simorghs Cyrstal six won film The the country. the was notliftedfortheNewYear–appliesacross which – curfew 8pm nationwide ID-19,a and across FrancetopreventthespreadofCOV police wouldbeabletoentertheravesite. the order, withoutindicatingwhen forces oflawand been “great hostility, great violence” against the spokeswoman CamilleChaizesaidtherehad in authority. ering andpremeditatedviolenceagainstpeople into theillegalorganizationofamusicalgath one leaving,” the police said on social media. every to given being are Verbalwarnings site. photographer. agency’s from joiningtherave, accordingtoanAFPnews though policewerepreventinganynewcomers Speaking lateronBFMTV,Speaking interiorministry “Police controlsaretakingplacearoundthe Such massgatheringsarestrictlybanned Prosecutors haveopenedaninvestigation

Continued onpage8 special issue Along with ------I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS JANUARY 3, 2021 Aerospace Force chief: Limiting range of Iran’s Leader offers condolences over demise of Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi missiles to 2,000 kilometers not permanent POLITICAL TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolu- desktion Ayatollah has expressed Hajizadeh says no difference between U.S. bases, regional host states in a war his condolences over the demise of prominent cleric, Ayatollah POLITICAL TEHRAN – Chief of the made round the clock since years ago Mohammad Taqi Mesbah Yazdi, saying he himself is mourning desk the demise of a “dear brother”. IRGC Aerospace Force after Leader of the Islamic Revolution In a message on Saturday, the Leader said Ayatollah Mesbah has warned regional Arab countries that Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei warned Yazdi’s demise is a loss for the seminary and the Islamic studies, Iran will not make a distinction between the Zionist regime that Haifa and Tel IRNA reported. U.S. military bases and the countries Aviv will be razed to the ground if Israel hosting them if Washington starts a war makes a mistake. against Iran. Hajizadeh also pointed to Iran’s “The U.S. and the Zionist regime retaliatory missile strike on the U.S. base of have not created security anywhere, Ain al-Assad in Iraq after the assassination and if something happens here and a war of Lt. General Qassem Soleimani, saying breaks out, we will make no distinction such an attack destroyed the dignity of between the U.S. base and its host country. the U.S. Naturally, the very same Arab countries of Commenting on Iran’s plans to hit back the region will bear the brunt,” Brigadier at the U.S. possible response to Iran’s General told Al-Manar January 2020 retaliatory missile strike, TV in an interview aired on Saturday. the general said, “We were prepared for Advising regional countries working the American response. Our missile power with the U.S. and Israel to rectify their was fully on alert. If they had given a policies, General Hajizadeh also said response, we would have hit all of their the IRGC missile power would never be bases from Jordan to Iraq and the Persian subject to negotiations. Gulf, even all of their warships in the He termed Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi as a prominent thinker, “No (Iranian) official is allowed to Indian Ocean.” a qualified manager, with an eloquent language in expressing negotiate about the missile power. This The January 2020 missile attack truth and perseverance in the right path. is our red line,” he asserted, according on Ain al-Assad military base came in In the meantime, the Leader condoled with the bereaved to Tasnim. the battle and their missile capabilities The Israeli regime is currently at a retaliation for Washington’s assassination family of the late ayatollah, his students and the seminary. The general also noted that Iran has have been supported by the Islamic “crossroad of fire” coming from Palestine, of Lieutenant General Soleimani upon his Mesbah Yazdi died on Friday evening at the age of 85 due to independently decided to restrict the range Republic. Lebanon, Syria, and other Muslim arrival in the Iraqi capital at the invitation gastrointestinal disease. of its missiles to 2,000 kilometers, but “Instead of giving a fish or teaching countries, General Hajizadeh said, adding of the Baghdad government. He had been hospitalized since December 26 after his con- such limitation is not eternal. to catch a fish, we taught our allies and that the friends of Iran are now equipped U.S. forces initially reported no dition deteriorated. Reaffirming Iran’s support for whoever friends how to make a hook,” he said, with precision-guided missiles instead casualties, but it later turned out that Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi played a major part in the uprising fights against the Zionist regime, he said adding that they are now in possession of simple rockets. at least 110 soldiers sustained traumatic — led by late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini Gaza and Lebanon are at the forefront of of advanced missile technologies. He said these efforts have been brain injuries (TBIs). — that overthrew the U.S.-backed Pahlavi regime in 1979. Following the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi first founded the Baqir-ul-Uloom Institute and then the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute in the city of Qom, Tehran dismisses Rouhani death threat against Trump as ‘fake news’ which he headed for the rest of his life. Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, a philosopher and political theorist, POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry “One of the effects of the stupid and disgraceful act of desk was a member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom. spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh says the assassinating Martyr Soleimani was that Trumpism ended, He also served as a member of the Assembly of Experts — the American daily Washington Times should know better and in a few days, this murder’s mandate is drawing to body responsible for electing and monitoring the performance of than to publish fake news, making a reference to the an end and he will go down into the dustbin of history,” the Leader — and the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution. daily’s distortion of President Hassan Rouhani’s remarks Rouhani added. The cleric was first hospitalized at home on December 4 in about his outgoing American counterpart. Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the chief of the the city of Qom, but following the progression of his clinical “Cowardice in assassinating foreign leaders is a US-Is- of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps symptoms, he was transferred to Tehran for further treatment. raeli trademark; NOT Iranian,” Khatibzadeh wrote in a (IRGC), and his Iraqi trenchmate Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, He died in hospital six days later. tweet on Friday evening. the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Units, were In separate messages, President Hassan Rouhani and Parlia- “@WashTimes should know better than to publish assassinated along with their companions in a U.S. drone ment Speaker Mohmamad Bagher Ghalibaf offered condolences #FakeNews & spread anti-Iran bigotry -even though it strike authorized by Trump near Baghdad International on the passing of Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi. has featured PAID content by the outlaw MeK terrorist Airport on January 3, 2020. cult,” he said. “Your readers deserve better!” On Thursday, the Iranian Presidential Office’s Deputy On Wednesday, the Washington Times falsely quoted Chief for Communications and Information Alireza Moezi Instagram afraid of Rouhani as issuing a death threat against U.S. President also rejected the Washington Times report in a tweet, Donald Trump saying, “It is beneath the dignity of Iranian president to Soleimani’s pictures: “Trump will soon be dead,” the Washington Times threaten the life of a foreign counterpart.” Rouhani said at a cabinet session. quoted the Iranian president as saying, while vowing “Unlike US regime, Iran does not threaten, nor does “We saw how the Iranian people broke them with civil defense chief blood vengeance for the assassination of top Iranian it assassinate foreign leaders. President Rouhani clearly their resistance against those who wanted to break us,” POLITICAL TEHRAN – Head of Iran’s Civil Defense general, Qassem Soleimani. said ‘very soon Mr. Trump’s POLITICAL life will be over’. the president added. deskOrganization Brigadier General Gholamreza Addressing a cabinet session on Wednesday, Rou- Stop #fakenews,” Moezi wrote on his Twitter account. Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran after he pulled out Jalali says the American social media apps are afraid of even the hani said: “I said it once, and I repeat it, Trump was like In similar remarks on December 23, Rouhani said of the JCPOA, commonly known as the Ian nuclear deal, pictures of Iran’s assassinated commander Qassem Soleimani. Saddam. Saddam imposed eight years of war against Trump’s fate will be no better than that of former Iraqi which was signed under his predecessor Barack Obama. “We hold the first anniversary of the great martyr in circum- us and he was overthrown, and Trump imposed three dictator Saddam Hussein. With Joe Biden’s victory, however, hopes have been stances such that the new colonial [powers] and virtual tools years of economic war against us and he will be over- “We’ve had two lunatics in [our] history, one was raised over the survival of the nuclear deal. Biden has of America such as Instagram are afraid of even publishing thrown in the next few weeks, not just from office but Saddam who imposed a military war on us and the other promised to return the United States into the JCPOA if the pictures of Soleimani,” Jalali said in a message released from [political] life.” lunatic is Trump who imposed the economic war on us,” Iran returns to full compliance with the deal. on Saturday, ahead of the anniversary of Lieutenant General Soleimani’s martyrdom. This shows that Qassem Soleimani is popular within the hearts of nations, he said. Soleimani shattered all U.S. calculations in the region, says defense chief January 3 marks the first anniversary of the U.S. assassina- POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian terrorists to remain for years to come and ani to justice, so that they suffer legal tion of General Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds deskDefense Minister Amir occupy and influence other countries as punishment for their action,” Foreign Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). He Hatami in a note on the first martyrdom well,” he explained. Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh was admired as the region’s most potent counter-terrorism anniversary of Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani But Martyr Soleimani and other cou- said last in November. commander. wrote that the anti-terror commander was rageous resistance leaders realized the Last month, Hossein Amir-Abdolla- He was Iran’s lead military a hero who disrupted all U.S. calculations global arrogance’s plots and thwarted hian, the special aide to the speaker of advisor helping Iraq and Syria in the region. them. the Iranian Parliament on international defeat foreign-backed Takfiri “A year has passed since the martyr- On January 3, 2020, Trump ordered affairs, said the list of individuals involved terrorist groups such as Daesh dom of Hajj Qassem Soleimani, the field drone strikes that martyred General in the assassination has been updated (ISIS). commander of the fight against terror- Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, from 45 to 48. General Soleimani was ism,” Brigadier General Hatami said on the deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Iran’s Judiciary has added new names martyred in a U.S. drone strike Saturday. Mobilization Units (PMU). to the list of individuals involved in the in Baghdad during an official He said Soleimani was the commander Five days later, Iran’s IRGC attacked January assassination, Amir-Abdollahian visit. His Iraqi trenchmate Mu- who aborted all U.S. calculations in the Ain al-Assad airbase in western Iraq, where Soleimani, especially Trump, to justice. said, adding that the Judiciary has stepped handis, deputy commander region and that was why U.S. President U.S. forces were stationed, as part of its “Iran, while fully adhering to the ap- up efforts to prosecute the individuals who of Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha’abi Donald Trump ordered his assassination. promised “tough revenge” for the U.S. plicable provisions of international law, ordered and perpetrated the criminal act. anti-terror force, was also “The fact is that Daesh (ISIS) was not terror attack. will spare no legal and legitimate effort He also said that six countries have killed along with their other supposed to be eliminated in the region Iran has also vowed to spare no ef- in order to bring the perpetrators and been given warrants from Iran’s Judiciary companions when their convoy because the Americans had brought these forts in bringing the assassins of General accomplices of Martyr General Soleim- so far for the arrest of the culprits. was hit. In what followed after the terrorist act by the U.S. mili- tary, Instagram and its parent company Facebook have been removing posts that voice support for Soleimani to comply Diplomat says Iran’s letter to IAEA is ‘self-explanatory’ with U.S. sanctions. A few days after the assassination and as the “first slap”, POLITICAL TEHRAN – The International Atomic cil approved it by asking the Parliament to make some the IRGC unleashed a barrage of missiles on January 8 at deskEnergy Agency (IAEA) has acknowl- amendments to it. It will oblige the AEOI to increase the the United States’ Ain al-Assad air base in the western Iraqi edged that Iran plans to enrich uranium up to 20% at its monthly output of enriched uranium for various peaceful province of Anbar, causing massive damage to the base. Fordow facility, a month after the Iranian Parliament purposes with different purity levels by at least 500 kg. According to top Iranian officials, the ultimate revenge for passed a bill that tasked the government with scaling The bill entails uranium enrichment activities with Soleimani’s assassination would be to throw the American up the country’s nuclear program. at least 1,000 IR-2M centrifuge machines at Natanz forces out of the region. The IAEA said Iran did not say when it planned to within three months after the ratification of the law, “Martyr Soleimani, even after his innocent martyrdom, boost enrichment, though the agency “has inspectors and compels the AEOI to launch uranium enrichment disrupted the enemies’ calculations,” General Jalali said. present in Iran on a 24/7 basis and they have regular as well as research and development activities with at “Contrary to the initial calculation of the Black House of access to Fordo.” least 164 IR-6 centrifuges and increase the number of Terrorism (the White House), the region and especially Iraq, A spokesman for Tehran’s mission to the United Nations centrifuge machines to 1,000 within a year after the instead of becoming a hotbed of few mercenary elements and has said Iran’s letter to the IAEA that his country plans to ratification of the bill. happy with the martyrdom of the ‘general of hearts’, became enrich uranium to the purity of 20 percent is “self-explan- Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., Russia, a platform for expressing the holy and widespread fury of atory”. However, Alireza Miryousefi declined to answer China, France, Britain and Germany, and also the Eu- nations against the American crime,” he added. questions about when the 20% enrichment would begin. Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative ropean Union, reached a nuclear deal, officially known Last month, several Katyusha rockets landed near the U.S. The IAEA acknowledged that Iran had informed its to the Vienna-based IAEA, wrote on Twitter on Friday as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), embassy in Baghdad’s highly fortified Green Zone. inspectors of the decision, amid heightened tensions that Tehran planned to resume enrichment up to 20%. in Vienna on 14 July 2015. However, U.S. President Washington blamed Iran for the attack, but the Islamic between Iran and the U.S. in the waning days of the According to a 9-article bill passed by the Parliament Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA Republic has strongly denied any involvement in the incident. administration of President Donald Trump. early in December, the Atomic Energy Organization of on May 8, 2018. The move was deplored by all other Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned “Iran has informed the agency that in order to com- Iran (AEOI) will be required to produce and store at parties to the deal. on Thursday that the Islamic Republic avoids military conflict, ply with a legal act recently passed by the country’s least 120 kilograms of enriched uranium with 20 percent In response, Iran waited a year for the remaining but is prepared to put up effective defense. parliament, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran purity at the Fordow nuclear facility every year, and to sides to protect its interests under the deal, and since “Iran doesn’t seek war but will OPENLY & DIRECTLY intends to produce low-enriched uranium ... up to 20 fulfill the country’s peaceful industrial demands with they failed to do so, it started to reduce its commitments defend its people, security & vital interests,” Zarif tweeted percent at the Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant,” the IAEA uranium enriched above 20%. under the JCPOA beginning on May 8, 2019, a year after on Thursday. said in a statement. The bill became a law as the oversight Guardian Coun- Trump’s unilateral withdrawal. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 3, 2021 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Iran to increase uranium enrichment SPORTS Barcelona match was my toughest experience: Nazemi level to 20%: nuclear chief SPORTSTEHRAN — Iranian woman futsal referee desk POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iran plans to within the JCPOA. It called on the European Gelareh Nazemi says that the match between deskincrease uranium enrich- signatories to the JCPOA –France, Germany Barcelona and Shenzhen had been her toughest career experience. ment level to 20% as soon as possible, the and the UK (E3)- to secure Iran’s interests Nazemi has been shortlisted by Futsal Planet as one of the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran by implementing their obligations under the 10 best referees in 2020. (AEOI) said late on Friday amid simmering deal. But the Europeans raised other non-nu- In an interview with IRNA, tensions with the United States. clear issues such as Iran’s missile program the female official believes that In an interview with Iran’s Channel 5, Ali and its regional influence, instead of living the Iranian women have begun Akbar Salehi said Iran will soon start 20% up to their commitments. making their way to the top uranium enrichment in line with a recent law Faced with the Europeans’ non-compliance tournaments. passed by the Iranian Parliament requiring with the deal, the Iranian Parliament moved “Paria Shariari has been the AEOI to make preparations to substan- to turn up the heat on the E3 by adopting the recently invited to Tokyo as tially increase the country’s nuclear activities nuclear law, which ultimately forced them Match Commissioner for within few months if the Western countries to back down on their non-nuclear demands Olympic Football Tournament. that are party to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal such as extending the JCPOA sunset clauses Mahsa Ghorbani and Ensieh fail to honor their obligations under the deal. and holding a new round of negotiations over Khabbaz Mafinejad have been “We have sent a letter to the representative Iran’s defense capabilities and its regional also shortlisted to officiate at of the Islamic Republic to the International influence. the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna to submit Abolfazl Amouei, the spokesman for the Cup. It shows that the FIFA it to the Agency. This letter was submitted to Iranian Parliament’s National Security and officials have trusted the Irani- the Agency on Friday, informing it that we Foreign Policy Committee, has said that the an women referees,” she said. want to start 20% enrichment in accordance nuclear law forced the West to change course Nazemi, 39, says that she has officiated for 19 years without with the parliament law. Because we must the Parliament’s law.” to overcome the U.S. sanctions. on Iran. any problem but a Barcelona match has been her toughest inform the Agency and then its inspectors He was referring to a recent parliamen- “This plan will strengthen the industry “We are currently witnessing signs of a career experience. should come to unseal certain things that tary law that requires the cabinet of Hassan and the practical achievements of nucle- change in the behavior of the Europeans but “A match between Barcelona and Shenzhen men futsal teams have been sealed,” the head of the AEOI said, Rouhani to substantially resume nuclear ac- ar scientists and pave the way for Iran to they are still far from our demands. There- in the intercontinental competition is my toughest match I’ve according to a Fars News report. tivities in case the Western, in particular the overcome sanctions. This law, along with fore, the Parliament will seriously pursue the ever officiated but it was my best ever performance as well,” According to Salehi, in order for Iran to European, parties to the 2015 nuclear deal – the reactions of other relevant agencies, in implementation of the strategic law on lifting Nazemi added. start enriching uranium to 20% purity, it officially known as the Joint Comprehensive addition to reviving Iran’s nuclear industry, sanctions,” Amouei said in late December, “In my opinion, football officiating is not a job and everyone needs to make some preparations such as Plan of Action (JCPOA) – failed to keep up creates deterrence against the enemy and shortly after a JCPOA ministerial meeting who wants to start refereeing should love that. I think, the changing the uranium gas cylinders. “And their end of the bargain. security for the people,” the speaker said during which the E3 agreed to put aside their federation has paved the way for women to work as an official this must be done under the supervision of The nuclear law, officially called “Strategic in November. non-nuclear preconditions. in the recent years,” Nazemi stated. the Agency. We have announced that we will Action to Lift Sanctions and Protect Nation’s With Iran expressing readiness to produce Amouei said that there have been indica- do it in near future and that you need to do Rights,” introduces a step-by-step strategy 20% enriched uranium, nuclear law seems tions that the Western parties to the JCPOA the necessary measures,” Salehi noted. for the government to increase nuclear ac- to have entered the implementation phase. have put aside their preconditions and claims “God willing, we will start enriching tivities in few months if the other side failed The UN nuclear watchdog confirmed in after the Iranian Parliament passed the nuclear Football matches in Tehran [uranium] up to 20% soon. The president to implement certain commitments. The law a statement that it was informed by Iran law, which was designed, in itself, to push on brink of postponement should issue an order. Of course, the presi- is part of a broader strategy that aims to lift of the country’s plan to produce 20% en- the Europeans into changing tack on Iran. dent has already issued a preliminary order the United States sanctions on Iran and was riched uranium. “From the foreign reactions we received SPORTSTEHRAN — Three football matches in Iran according to which we sent a letter to the put forward by the lawmakers in early No- “Iran has informed the Agency that in order after the adoption of the strategic law on the deskProfessional League are on the verge of being Agency and made the announcement. We vember. It aims to force the United States to comply with a legal act recently passed by elimination of sanctions in the Parliament, postponed due to high levels of air pollution. are just like a soldier having his hand on into lifting sanctions on Iran by doubling the country’s parliament, the Atomic Ener- we understand that this law has had its effect Esteghlal are scheduled to host Aluminum in Tehran’s the trigger, waiting for the commander to down on nuclear activities. gy Organization of Iran intends to produce in the international arena and has forced the Azadi Stadium. issue an order to open fire. We are ready The law obliges the government to con- low-enriched uranium (LEU) up to 20 percent Western parties to reconsider their policies,” Persepolis will also play Sepahan in the stadium a day to do this and God willing, we will do it as siderably speed up nuclear activities such as at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant,” the Amouei remarked. later, while Paykan meet Nassaji in Shar-e Qods Stadium, soon as possible,” he continued. increasing uranium enrichment level to 20% IAEA statement said. The Guardian also reported that the Euro- southwest of Tehran. The nuclear chief implied that Iran may and employing more advanced centrifuges. It The JCPOA has set a limit of 3.67% on pean parties to the JCPOA have come to the Air pollution was the cause of nearly 30,000 deaths per increase the enrichment level at the For- also requires the government to suspend the Iran’s uranium enrichment. But following U.S. conclusion that they should abandon their year in Iranian cities. dow nuclear plant, noting that increasing voluntary implementation of the Additional President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from preconditions. Each winter, Iran’s sprawling capital suffers some of the enrichment level at Fordow would be done Protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation the nuclear deal in May 2018, after a year Iran Following the JCPOA ministerial meeting, worst pollution in the world through thermal inversion -- a “very quickly”. Treaty (NPT) a few months after the ratifi- started to reduce its nuclear commitments, the British newspaper said that the E3 foreign phenomenon that traps hazardous air over the city. A lack of Salehi said the AEOI move to increase the cation of it if the parties to the nuclear deal increasing its uranium enrichment level to ministers have agreed not to set fresh precon- wind and the cold air trap the pollution in the Iranian capital’s enrichment level is going to be taken accord- between Iran and world powers failed to 4.5%. Iran also accumulated more nuclear ditions on a revival of the Iran nuclear deal, atmosphere. ing to the Parliament’s nuclear ratification. uphold their obligations under the JCPOA. materials, including low enriched uranium, believing Tehran and Washington should be In previous years, authorities closed schools and allowed “We must implement what the Parliament Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher than what was permitted under the JCPOA. able to come back into full compliance with private cars onto the streets only on alternate days to reduce passed because it is a law. The government has Ghalibaf has said this law will enhance Iran’s Iran has said that all its nuclear measures the agreement without at this stage needing the air pollution in this city of over 10 million people. However, prepared procedures on how to implement nuclear program while enabling the country were adopted with its rights that are stipulated to accept to extend or strengthen it. this year, despite coronavirus-related restrictions, Tehran has again faced high levels of air pollution. U.S., ISIS ‘brothers in arms,’ Iran says POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry against the armed forces of another state and it was a use of deskhas accused the U.S. government of force against Iraq and a violation of its sovereignty. Callamard Nasirzadeh elected head of supporting the ISIS terrorist group, describing the U.S. noted that the strike also was in violation of the UN charter. bodybuilding federation and ISIS as “brothers in arms.” The Iranian foreign ministry also said that the strike was “It’s a well-documented fact, which’s been admitted against international law. SPORTSTEHRAN — Abdolmahdi Nasirzadeh was by Trump, that U.S. has had a crucial role in the rise of “By committing a craven act of terror against Gen Soleim- deskelected as new president of Iran Bodybuilding terrorism in our region, from AQ to ISIS. Not surprising ani, the US violated int’l law & the UN Charter in a blatant Federation on Saturday. that the US assassination of General Soleimani was cheered violation of Iraqi sovereignty. The US’ lawlessness in full In the presidential elections held at the Iran’s Academy by ISIS: brothers in arms,” the Iranian foreign ministry show. Iran won’t rest until bringing those responsible to Olympic, Nasirzadeh was elected for a four-year term till 2024. said in a tweet on Saturday. justice,” tweeted the foreign ministry. He was elected as head of the federation with 28 votes out of The foreign ministry also posted a video showing Trump Iran has long warned that it will take revenge against the 43 votes. addresses a campaign rally in which he says that former U.S. for assassinating the commander of the Quds Force. Hossein Yarmohammadian came second with 15 votes. U.S. Secretary of State “Hillary Clinton created ISIS with Iran has recently said that some people inside the U.S. may Nasirzadeh replaced Nasser Pouralifard who was forced to Obama.” The video also shows that the commander of that brought Iran and the United States close to an all-out move to avenge the assassination. withdraw from his post due to a law barring the employment of Iran’s elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani was war as General Soleimani was an influential figure in Iran “By committing this crime, you [the U.S.] created a job retirees in government, state or public institutions which use an “anti-terrorism champion” whose assassination only and beyond. In response, Iran showered a U.S. airbase in for all freedom-seeking people across the globe. Be sure state funds or facilities. benefited the ISIS terrorist group. western Iran with missiles, causing brain injury among that it is possible that some people will be found inside Nasirzadeh was serving as head of Iran Wrestling League This week marks the first anniversary of the assassination dozens of American servicemen. your home to respond to your crime,” General Soleima- Organization. of the top Iranian general last year. General Soleimani was Earlier on Friday, the Iranian foreign ministry republished ni’s successor Brigadier General Esmaeil said on assassinated in an American drone strike on January 3, an assessment by Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rap- Friday. “Those who committed this crime should know 2020, along with his comrade Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the porteur on Extra-Judicial Executions, on the assassination that throughout the world there would be a man who will deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), of General Soleimani saying that the U.S. strike against the punish the cowards behind this crime.” Iran’s defeat to Syria among near Baghdad’s international airport. The strike was or- general was a blatant violation of international law. Iran also said that it will work to expel the U.S. from dered by U.S. President Donald Trump, a reckless move According to Callamard, the strike was clearly a strike the region. 10 moments of 2020

SPORTSTEHRAN — Iran national basketball team’s deskdefeat to Syria is among the 10 moments of Iran can turn U.S. aircraft carrier into in few hours: military advisor 2020, fiba.basketball reported. The 2020 basketball year endured long stoppages of 1 ‘Israeli agent-provocateurs’ Israeli-orchestrated attack on U.S. forces in against American troops in Iraq to escalate play because of the coronavirus pandemic yet there were In recent days, tensions have mounted between Iraq with the purpose of dragging the outgo- tensions between Tehran and Washington. still plenty of incredible moments that reinforced the fans Iran and the U.S. ahead of the assassination ing Trump administration into a quagmire. “New intelligence from Iraq indicate that love for the game. anniversary of General Soleimani, with the “Intelligence from Iraq indicate plot to Israeli agent-provocateurs are plotting at- The FIBA Asia Cup 2021 is going to be big. But the games U.S. claiming that Iran could be planning FABRICATE pretext for war. Iran doesn’t seek tacks against Americans—putting an outgoing teams have to play to make it that far are proving to be even an attack on U.S. targets in Iraq. war but will OPENLY & DIRECTLY defend Trump in a bind with a fake casus belli,” bigger, at least for Syria, who sprung arguably the biggest upset On Friday, an unknown U.S. official told its people, security & vital interests,” Iranian Zarif tweeted on Saturday. He also warned in their basketball history with a 77-70 triumph over then world NBC News that the U.S. has seen increasing Foreign Minister Mohamad Javad Zarif said Trump against any “fireworks” against Iran. No. 22 Iran on November 30. indications that Iran could be planning an in a tweet on Thursday. “Be careful of a trap, @realDonaldTrump. Looking for a signature win to bolster their self-belief attack against American forces or interests The chief Iranian diplomat repeated his Any fireworks will backfire badly, particularly and inspire the young players in the country that dream of in the West Asia region. warning on Saturday, saying that “Israeli against your same BFFs,” the Iranian foreign putting on the national team shirt one day, Syria trailed by On the other hand, Iran has warned of an agent-provocateurs” are planning attacks minister cautioned. as many as 10 points but never stopped battling. Two days earlier they lost a heart-breaker to Qatar but this time, the IRGC chief visits Abu Musa island, vows decisive response to enemies world No. 95 prevailed. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Commander of the Islamic IRGC bases and assets on the island, saying that the deskRevolution Guards Corps Major General forces stationed on the Abu Musa island are at the fore- Azmoun on Fiorentina’s radar paid a visit on Saturday to Abu Musa is- front of defending Iran. land where he issued a stern warning to enemies against Addressing these forces, General Salami said, “To- SPORTSTEHRAN — Iran international forward desk making any move against Iran. day, You are at the forefront of defending the country Sardar Azmoun has been reportedly linked “We have shown both in words and action that we will in the Abu Musa island. And when the enemy sees with a move to Italian club Fiorentina in the January respond to any action by the enemy against us with a re- you, it comes to the conclusion that it must act and transfer window. ciprocal, decisive and strong blow, and it has been proven treat this nation in a polite, respectful and cautious “Sardar Azmoun, the 25-year-old Zenit St. Petersburg striker, many times that we do not ignore or leave any threat or way because your presence is indicative of the will of has been on the radar of Fiorentina, and the Florence team aggression by enemies unanswered,” the IRGC chief said, a whole nation.” intends to strengthen its attacking line by adding Sardar to according to Fars news agency. The top Iranian general also reiterated that the three its team,” said the report. He added, “The IRGC Navy, especially in recent years, Islands of the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Azmoun has played 20 games for Zenit in the current sea- has achieved extraordinary capabilities and achievements, Abu Musa are indispensable parts of the Iranian soil and son, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists, Russia’s Sport and what we are witnessing today is part of the IRGC’s national sovereignty, describing them as the frontline of Weekend reported. power and might at sea.” defense against extra-regional enemies, according to a Other Serie A clubs Napoli and Lazio had already shown their During his visit, the IRGC commander inspected the Tasnim report. interest in signing Azmoun. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY JANUARY 3, 2021

Govt. awards efficient electricity consumers with Iran’s 1st state-owned F-class $43m of discounts on bills

ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s Power Generation and desk power plant comes on stream Distribution Company (TAVANIR) has re- warded domestic subscribers for low electricity consumption with 1.84 trillion rials (about $43.8 million) of discount on their ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran’s first are currently generating nearly 67 percent electricity bills since the beginning of the current Iranian calen- deskgovernment-owned of Iran’s thermal power, according to the dar year (March 20, 2020), an official with the company said. F-class power plant has been put into op- country’s Power Generation, Transmission eration in southern Hormozgan Province, and Distribution Management Company, an official with Iran’s Thermal Power Plant known as Tavanir. Holding (TPPH) announced. Currently, a total of 478 thermal power “The first gas unit of Hengam power plant plants are operating throughout Iran which with a capacity of 307 megawatts (MW) has includes both gas power plants and combined gone operational in Hormozgan province cycle plants. as Iran’s first F-class power plant,” Alireza Iran’s total power generation capacity Nasrollahi said. currently stands at about 85,000 MW, more Nasrollahi put the investment made in this than 90 percent of which is supplied by ther- power plant project at about €500 million, mal power plants. saying:” this power plant has two 307 MW Back in September 2020, Hamidreza F-class gas turbines and a 292 MW steam Azimi, the deputy managing director for unit, with a total capacity of 906 MW and planning affairs in TPPH, had announced an efficiency of 58 percent.” that 1,239 MW was added to the generation According to the official, the TPPH has capacity of the country’s thermal power plants put the plan for the construction of F-class since the beginning of the current Iranian power plants on the agenda to improve the calendar year (March 20, 2020). Also, last year the company awarded efficient household efficiency of the country’s electricity network According to the data released by the electricity subscribers with about 1.06 trillion rials (about and reduce energy consumption in the pro- Energy Ministry, from August 2013 up to $25.23 million) worth of discount on their bills, Qolamali Ra- duction sector. August 2019, a total of 69 thermal power khshani-Mehr said. Based on the mentioned plan, over 5,000 Using F-class gas turbines will lead to Over two-thirds of Iran’s thermal pow- plants were constructed across the country to According to the official, low-consuming electricity subscrib- MW of such power plants will be constructed lower fuel consumption in thermal power er plants are owned and operated by the add 8,991 MW to the capacity of the country’s ers in the industry and agriculture sectors were also rewarded in eight different regions, he said. plants and is more environment-friendly. country’s private sector and private owners thermal electricity output. with 4.81 trillion rials ($114.52 million) of discounts on their bills since the beginning of the current year. The figure was 3.5 trillion rials (about $83.33 million) last year, he noted. Mentioning the shortage of the fuel supply to power plants Value of commodity trades at IME rise 39% in a week during the cold seasons due to the rise in the natural gas con- sumption, Rakhshani-Mehr said: “To encourage people to ECONOMY TEHRAN — Commodities worth over bitumen, 57,564 tons of polymeric products, 17,144 tons reduce their consumption, which will lead to the reduction of desk113 trillion rials (about $2.69 billion) of chemicals, 41,500 tons of lube cut, 170 tons of insu- fuel consumption by power plants, the Energy Ministry offers were traded at Iran Mercantile Exchange (IME) during lation, 97 tons of base oil, 3,000 tons of slop wax, and summer peak period incentives also during the winter.” the past Iranian calendar week (ended on Friday), up 39 8,900 tons of sulfur. He further mentioned the ministry’s “Power of Hope” program, percent from the preceding week. Based on this report, the IME was also a platform saying: “This plan aims to change the attitudes of household Over 996,450 tons of commodities were traded at for trades of 1,170 tons of various commodities on its consumers towards the proper use of energy resources and IME in the mentioned week, registering a 55 percent rise side market. consequently protect the environment.” compared to the previous week, IME’s Public Relations As previously reported, over 2.77 million tons of prod- The Energy Ministry has recently implemented a program Department reported. ucts worth $1.32 billion were traded at the IME dur- for rewarding efficient electricity subscribers with a 100 percent The exchange sold 445,660 tons of commodities on its ing the ninth Iranian calendar month Azar (November discount on their bills. mineral and industrial trading floor worth $1.54 billion, 21-December 20), indicating 57 percent growth in terms This program was implemented to both reward low-con- including 436,370 tons of steel, 7,535 tons of aluminum, of value compared to its preceding month. suming subscribers and to encourage others to consume less. 1,420 tons of copper, 120 tons of molybdenum sulfur, IME is one of the four major stock markets of Iran, the According to the Energy Ministry, this program is expected 15 tons of precious metals concentrate, 200 tons of cast other three markets are Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), to reduce domestic power consumption by 10 percent. iron, and 10 kg of gold bars. Iran’s over-the-counter (OTC) market known also as Iran Based on this plan, household subscribers were divided into Furthermore, the IME traded a total of 549,620 tons Fara Bourse (IFB), and Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX). year of 1404 (March 20205-March 2026). Materializing three categories, which include low-consumers, normal-con- of commodities on its export pit with a trading value of In late April, IME Managing Director Hamed Soltani-Ne- the slogan of this Iranian year, which is “Surge in Produc- sumers, and high-consumers. nearly $1.16 billion. Traded commodities on this floor jad unveiled the market’s new outlook plan, which depicts tion” is seriously considered in the mentioned plan and Two programs were also offered for high-consuming sub- were 224,500 tons of vacuum bottom, 193,995 tons of IME’s development roadmap until the Iranian calendar it is, in fact, the strategic approach of the outlook plan. scribers so that by implementing these plans, these subscribers would also join the low-consumer group. The first program was a training course to teach consump- tion management methods with the help of knowledge-based companies and start-ups, while the second plan was to install ICCIMA to hold online conference on China trade opportunities solar panels on the roofs of high-consuming subscribers’ houses ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran Cham- between the two countries, the prospects Approximately 80 percent of China’s so that such subscribers would meet their electricity needs by deskber of Commerce, Indus- for the development of bilateral trade rela- total imports from Iran is oil and the rest is installing these PV stations. tries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) tions, as well as the solutions for facilitating related to minerals and chemical products. is going to hold an online conference on the entry of Iranian companies into the Earlier in December, the International Iran-China trade opportunities and ca- Chinese market will also be explored in Institute of Iran Industries Research held an Exports of eggs reach 65,000 pacities on Tuesday, January 5, ICCIMA this online event. international conference on trade, invest- tons in 9 months portal announced. As Iran’s top trade partner, China ment, and economic cooperation between The online event will be attended by accounts for a big chunk of the Islamic Iran and China. ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran exported 65,000 tons of officials from the ICCIMA, the chairman Republic’s annual foreign trade. Aimed at exploring the challenges in deskeggs to the target countries during the first of the Iran-China Joint Chamber of Com- The two countries have had a long his- the way of trade cooperation between the nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-De- merce and representatives of some pro- related to the economic cooperation be- tory of cultural, political, and economic two countries and presenting the latest cember 20, 2020), Hedayat Asghari, the chairman of Producers vincial chambers, as well as the heads of tween the two countries’ private sectors exchanges along the Silk Road since at least solutions for them, the event hosted over of Egg-Laying Hens Union, announced. relevant organizations and committees. will be discussed in this meeting. 200 BC, and possibly earlier. To this day, 100 businessmen and officials from the Based on the ICCIMA statement, the The latest developments in the region, China and Iran have developed a friendly country’s public- and private-sector or- opportunities, challenges, and problems the conditions for economic cooperation economic and strategic partnership. ganizations.

Some 10.2m villagers to enjoy drinking water by August ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian Energy Minister percent of the value-added in the country, the devel- deskReza Ardakanian has announced that opment of rural areas has been always a top agenda the population in the rural regions which enjoy stable of the governments’ activities. drinking water supply will reach 10.2 million by the The sustainable economic, social, and cultural devel- end of the current government’s incumbency (August). opment of the villages is one of the major priorities of the The minister said that over eight million people current government, and many projects implemented in 11,962 villages have been supplied with drinking and underway in this regard have led to outstanding water during this government’s incumbency, and the development in the rural regions. figure will reach 9.3 million by the end of the current It is while the sanctions have created many limitations Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2021). and difficulties for the Iranian economy in recent years. Drinking water is supplied to 30 villages every week The supply of drinking water to the villages has been He stated that the best condition for managing the egg market on average in the framework of the Energy Ministry’s expedited by the current government, especially since is to determine and regulate the domestic and export markets, A-B-Iran program. the last Iranian calendar year (March 2019-March 2020). adding, “Egg exports should be managed intelligently so that Since the beginning of the first phase of the A-B-Iran Under the framework of the A-B-Iran program, we do not export nationally but provincially.” scheme [the acronyms A and B stand for water, elec- the Energy Ministry has inaugurated many projects As previously announced, the country’s aviculture farms tricity in Persian] in the previous Iranian calendar year to supply drinking water to the rural areas. are expected to export up to 80,000 tons of eggs in the current (ended on March 19, 2020), every week several energy All such programs and projects are hoped to bring year (ends on March 20, 2021). projects have been inaugurated across the country. amount of budget to rural development always brings sustainable development to the country’s villages and Iranian eggs are currently exported to Iraq, Afghanistan, Villages are often mentioned as some keys to the fruitful economic results. lead to boosting production, which is now seriously Kuwait, and Qatar. development of countries, and the allocation of a proper In Iran, where villages account for generating 20-23 pursued in the country. Based on the statistics, the country is capable of exporting 90,000-95,000 tons of eggs per annum. Last year, nearly 1.1 million tons of eggs were produced in the country, of which more than 41,000 tons were exported to Iran-Tajikistan trade committee holds follow-up meeting target countries. A total of 900,000 tons of eggs were produced in the preced- ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran and trade working group, holding a virtual organization (TPO),” he added. desk ing year of 1397 (ended on March 20, 2019), 90 percent of Tajikistan have held an meeting between the standard officials The 13th meeting of the Iran-Tajikistan which were by industrial units and the rest by local farmers. online trade committee meeting to follow of the two countries, holding webinars Joint Economic Committee was held in According to the Deputy Agriculture Minister Morteza up on the agreements reached during the by the two countries’ Joint Chamber of Tehran on December 2, 2019. Rezaei, Iran is the 10th biggest egg producer in the world 13th Joint Economic Committee meeting, Commerce, exchanging information of Attended by senior officials from both and fifth in Asia. an official with Iran’s Trade Promotion the two sides’ private companies and sides, the event was chaired by Iranian Each Iranian person consumes an average of 200 eggs annually. Organization (TPO) said. developing cooperation in geology. Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian and According to Behrouz Olfat, TPO di- The two sides also decided on ex- Minister of Energy and Water Resourc- rector of the Europe and America Depart- changing trade delegations and hold- es of Tajikistan Usmonali Uzmonzoda. CBI net foreign assets rise 4.5% ment, the meeting was held on December ing special exhibitions in near future Speaking in the meeting’s opening 30, 2020 by TPO in collaboration with in accordance with health and safety ceremony, Ardakanian mentioned the 1 According to the data released by the CBI Department the Foreign Affairs Department of the protocols, according to Olfat. were also among the issues discussed in positive relations between the two coun- of Economic Research and Policy in June 2020, the country’s Ministry of Economic Development and Accelerating the signing of agreement this meeting. tries, saying “Relations between the two monetary base stood at 3.834 quadrillion rials (about $91.28 Trade of Tajikistan. documents for the electronic exchange “It was also decided to hold an indus- countries have entered a new phase, billion) at the end of the first quarter of the current calendar During this meeting, the two sides of customs data and the memorandum try, mining and trade committee meeting the two sides should use the existing year (June 20), 8.8 percent more than the figure for the end of reached various agreements including of understanding (MOU) on economic between the two countries in the near capacities for further development of the previous year. the formation of an industry, mining and cooperation between the two countries future under the responsibility of this all-out ties.” I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 3, 2021 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5 General Soleimani inspired resistance groups: Palestinian politician Islamic Jihad official says General Soleimani “led heroic battles against brutal terrorism in Syria and Iraq”

1 Therefore, we have a special understand- Qassem Soleimani was not an ordinary person Israel comes in this context and unfortunately ing and awareness among Iranian leaders who or commander. He was inspired by culture and many Arab and Islamic countries undermine confronted “terrorism” in West Asia since the behavior adopted by the Islamic Revolution from resistance in international conferences. This inception of the Islamic Republic, and based on the first day of its victory, namely the principle means being in harmony with the Western Zi- this understanding and awareness and after the of defending the oppressed people everywhere onist narrative. victory of the Islamic revolution the leadership and resisting arrogance and colonialism. In view of resistance, the definition of “ter- of the revolution declared its support for Pales- Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Iran rorism” is based on the premise that resistance tine, the Palestinian and Arab resistance, and has sided with Palestine and the Palestinian cause is a right guaranteed to all states and peoples, even demonstrated its sympathy towards all the and still supports the Palestinian and Lebanese and it is a basic right that derives its strength and suppressed people in the world. resistance in their movement in confronting the legitimacy from the principle of self-defense and The Islamic Republic is still fighting enemies usurping Zionist regime. from religious, humanitarian and moral values. and “terrorism” supported by the United States Thanks to this support, the Islamic Resistance Even international laws and treaties stipulate and the Zionist regime in various ways, and the in Lebanon succeeded in defeating the Zionist the right of people to resist colonialism, occu- forces of resistance in the region have left no forces from southern Lebanon in 2000 and foiling pation, and racism. stone unturned to support the Palestinians. its aggression in 2006. In fact, some United Nations resolutions re- Rather, it has used all its capabilities as a state The Palestinian resistance also succeeded in quired the assistance of peoples seeking to liber- and revolution to help, support, and back the forcing the occupying Zionist forces to withdraw ate themselves from the yoke of colonialism and Palestinian, Arab and Islamic resistance and from the Gaza Strip under the blows of the Pal- occupation, and this is exactly what the axis of confront usurper regimes. estinian resistance, which despite being under resistance does where they exercise their legitimate And when the enemies felt that the axis of siege, managed to deter the Zionist enemy in right to defend themselves and their homelands. resistance was scoring victories in the region three successive wars (2008, 2012, 2014), and the Rather, the resistance forces monitor the Zi- at the expense of the Westerners and Zionists, Zionist enemy could not achieve any of its goals onists’ moves to be prepared and confront the they started to release the brutal hand of terror in those wars, on top of which was liquidating terrorist forces supported by the West and the in our Arab and Islamic regions, particularly in “The martyrdom of this great leader in terms the resistance and destroy its power. Zionist regime when they allow these forces to Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and other places. Thanks to the unlimited Iranian support, the strike civilians and expand their occupation, as The Islamic Republic has taken upon itself to of his weight, his attitudes, and his role is Palestinian resistance has accumulated the ele- happened in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. confront this massive wave of terrorism, which undoubtedly a great loss.” ments of strength, and by this it has impeded the So we are facing two different understandings is armed and equipped with the latest weapons enemy and its increasing power over the past years. from “terrorism”. The first is blameworthy and and modern technologies in communications, break up the unity of the Iranian people. There is no difference between the “terrorism” Now the Zionist enemy is a vulnerable entity rejected “terrorism” supported by the United monitoring, and surveillance, which has ena- This is in terms of combating terrorism at the of these groups supported by the U.S., and (Per- despite its advanced modern weapons, brutal States, the Zionist regime, and the West because it bled it to occupy vast areas of lands in Syria, domestic level. As for the regional level, there is sian) Gulf intelligence services, and the Zionist power, and its relationship with its agents in targets civilians and the infrastructure of countries. Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. no doubt that the Islamic Republic has a leading regime, as they are two sides of the same coin. the region. The other concept is what the people of the This great role, taken over by the Islamic and main role in confronting terrorism in West We affirm that the region will not be stabilized Why do we find a sharp difference be- region call “resistance”, which is branded as Republic, pushed the sponsors of terrorism in Asia, and this is what I explained in part of the or secure as long as the Zionist regime and these tween the scourge of “terrorism” between “terrorism” by Israel. America and the Zionist regime and their allies answers in the first question. groups exist. the Western world powers and the axis Meanwhile, the resistance axis exercises its to tighten sanctions on the Islamic Republic and However, the most prominent feature of the That is why Martyr Soleimani’s efforts to of resistance? legitimate right to defend itself and its homelands assassinate General Qassem Soleimani, the martyr Islamic Republic’s role in recent times represented unify the groups fighting terrorism in all its The Western narrative, and also Zionism, is and fight the occupying forces and colonialism. of Islam and Palestine, and his companion Haji by efforts of martyr General Qassem Soleimani forms and types is necessary and important in based on the link between resistance and “terror- In recent years, under the pretext of Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis because of their great was his contribution to awareness, unity, and this tough battle between the resistance forces ism” and extremism, which is a malicious attempt fighting terrorism, alliances have been role in foiling terrorist scheme in the region. boosting peoples’ abilities and will. and the terrorist forces led by the Zionist regime that seeks to criminalize legitimate resistance formed with the inclusion of extra-region- How do you evaluate Iran’s policies Soleimani could establish a kind of organized and terrorist groups associated with the West. and portray it as “terrorism” targeting civilians al powers to exploit the current crises in represented by General Soleimani to find resistance to terrorist plans directed by the U.S. Do you think that the martyrdom of and public facilities in countries. West Asia. What is your comment? a common ground between the regional and Zionists, so he acted as a coordinator of re- great commanders such as General Qas- This linkage achieves a set of objectives for The title of suppressing terrorism in these countries and peoples to fight all types sistance groups. He made resisting the U.S and sem Soleimani will impede combat against the Western powers and the Zionist regime and alliances, which came at the request of the United of terrorism? Israel a top priority and strategy for Muslims, terrorism and occupation? tries to isolate the legitimate national resistance States and the Zionist regime, does not aim to Since the Islamic Revolution’s victory hos- considering the Zionist regime and its allies in the The assassination of martyr Qassem Soleim- whether locally, regionally, or internationally. confront terrorism and extremism that afflict tile forces to Iran have adopted “terrorism” as a region as a base for advanced terrorism against ani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis by the United It also makes attempts to link resistance with the countries of the region. Rather, it is intended means to undercut the Islamic Revolution, while the Muslim world and the nations in West Asia. States of America shed light on the systematic terrorism in order to criminalize and punish re- to discredit legitimate resistance to occupation dependent states, despotic regimes, sponsored General Soleimani also supported the resist- terrorist nature of the American administra- sistance and include it on the lists of “terrorism”. and colonialism. terrorist groups in order to undermine stability ance of the Palestinian, Lebanese and Yemeni tions that demonstrates the terrorist behavior This makes it easier to strike and target re- These alliances seek to achieve the goals of in the Islamic Republic. people, and deservedly led heroic battles against in the world without any hesitation in order to sistance; and on the third side, this malicious Israel and the United States in linking terrorism Nevertheless, the awareness of the revolu- brutal terrorism in Syria and Iraq. achieve malign goals. attempt gives the Zionist regime an excuse to target with legitimate resistance, while the tyrannical tionary men and armed forces and the Muslim Today, what is made by martyr Qassem Soleim- The U.S. supports the terrorism symbolized the resistance and wage wars against Arab and regimes in the region have accepted to be agents Iranian people who rallied around the revolution ani is like a bone in the throat of the malicious by the Zionist regime and terrorist groups that Muslim peoples, as happened in the aggression for the Zionist and American plans. protecting it and provided it with the elements Americans and the Zionists which spread terrorism spread chaos and devastate countries and nations against Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. These Arab regimes and entities are eager to of power, foiled the plots of these regimes and in the Arab and Islamic countries. just in favor of Israel’s security. Therefore, the concept of terrorism in the normalize relations with Israel in order to gain groups to do sabotage inside Iran. Frankly, the resistance demonstrated by The assassination of such a great leader Western context is targeting the vital features legitimacy for themselves at the expense of Arab, The Islamic Republic, its apparatus, and its , the Iraqi Hash al-Shaabi and the was a painful blow to the resistance forces in and forces in the region in order to liquidate them Palestinian, and Islamic causes. Revolutionary Guard succeeded in isolating the Palestinian and Yemeni forces, is the one that the region. The martyrdom of a great leader in and then facilitate Israel’s control over Palestine They seek to form a military intelligence se- phenomenon of terrorism inside Iranian society stands in the face of terrorism, liquidates and terms of his weight, his attitudes, and his role and the region. curity alliance to confront the Islamic Republic as a treacherous behavior that was intended to defeats occupation. is undoubtedly a great loss. The race towards normalization of ties with and resistance forces in the region. General Qassem Soleimani: Revered Iranian freedom fighter and U.S. big lies about him General Soleimani is larger than life in death than when alive By Stephen Lendman standards. He further turned truth on its head, calling Soleimani to be awarded the “Order of Zolfaghar,” named after Imam Ali, state-sponsored murder — a CIA/Pentagon specialty. He rose “the number-one terrorist anywhere in the world (sic).” one of Shia Islam’s most revered figures. to prominence, becoming one of Iran’s most revered figures. On January 3, 2020, revered Iranian Quds Force freedom-fight- As U.S. commander-in-chief, the dubious distinction applies Millions of Iranians, countless others in regional countries January 3 marks the first anniversary of his martyrdom. His ing commander General Qassem Soleimani was martyred by to him. His regime and congressional accomplices share blame and elsewhere mourn Soleimani’s loss, enraged over U.S. redoubtable soul and spirit remain eternal. Pentagon assassins on orders by the Trump regime’s hardliners for endless preemptive wars on nonthreatening nations — a — an act of cold-blooded murder of a beloved figure throughout flagrant UN Charter violation. much of the region. Deputy Head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Separately he falsely added that “Soleimani was actively Units (PMU) Hashed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and others were planning new attacks, and he was looking very seriously at our Case No. :36/D/98/93 martyred along with him. embassies, and not just the embassy in Baghdad (sic),” adding A PMU statement at the time said the following: “The American he was planning “to blow up our (Baghdad) embassy (sic)...But Subject: Hearing and Israeli enemy (were) responsible for their (deaths by) a cowardly we stopped him, and we stopped him quickly, and we stopped U.S. bombing.” A U.S. war department disinformation statement him cold” — despite no threat he posed to the U.S., just ISIS and said: “At (Trump’s) direction…the U.S. military has taken decisive likeminded terrorists the U.S. created and supports. Dear Sir; defensive action (sic) to protect U.S. personnel abroad (sic) by Trump provided no evidence of a Soleimani threat because killing , the head of the Islamic Revolutionary none exists. Claiming he acted in self-defense was a bald-faced Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Big Lie. No “imminent” threat from Iran existed earlier or now. Pursuant to several notifications including the official notification Organization (sic),” adding: “This strike was aimed at deterring In response to Trump’s remarks about Soleimani, Dem future Iranian attack plans (sic)…The United States will continue Senator Chris Murphy tweeted: “Let’s be clear. If there was dated 9 November 2020 published in Tehran Times newspaper , to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests evidence of imminent attacks on four embassies, the (Trump wherever they are around the world (sic).” regime) would have said so. “They didn’t (because) there was no All of the above reflects typical U.S. mass deception — manufac- such imminent threat.” Other Dems made similar comments. this is to inform you that the sole arbitrator scheduled a hearing, for turing nonexistent threats to unjustifiably justify its high crimes. Fact: Soleimani was in Baghdad on a diplomatic peace mis- Denouncing what happened, Iran’s Supreme Leader Aya- sion. Not a shred of evidence suggests he was planning attacks 2 Feb 2021 (14 Bahman 1399 ) at 10 a.m. in the following address: tollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called Soleimani “an international on the U.S. or any other countries. figure of the resistance, and all the devotees of resistance are Fact: As IRGC Quds Force commander, he was in the forefront 1th floor, 15 khordad Alley, Taleghani Ave., Tehran now his avengers,” adding, “All the friends and foes must know of combatting and defeating the scourge of U.S.-supported ISIS that the path of jihad of the resistance will continue with double and likeminded terrorists. motivation, and a definite victory awaits those who fight in this Fact: He was and remains widely respected and revered in You are requested to introduce your representative and / or counsel auspicious path…The demise of our selfless and dear general Iran, other regional countries and elsewhere. is bitter, but the continued fight and achievement of the final Fact: He was a renowned freedom fighter for regional peace to take part in the hearing session as said above. victory will make life bitterer for the murderers and criminals.” and stability — his mission polar opposite endless U.S. wars of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his assassination “dou- aggression against nonthreatening states. Article 9(e) of ACIC Rules is quoted below for your information: bled the determination of the great nation of Iran and other free Fact: Elevated to martyrdom by the Trump regime’s murder, nations to stand against and resist the excessive demands of the he’s larger than life in death than when alive. “If any of the parties do not participate in the arbitration hearing U.S. and to defend the Islamic values.” Rouhani added, “There is Throughout the Islamic Republic history, it never attacked no doubt that this cowardly and evil move is another sign of U.S. another country — what the U.S., NATO and Israel do repeated- desperation, inability and failure in the region, and the hatred felt ly. The Islamic Republic seeks regional peace and cooperative or any stage of the proceedings, this will not be an obstacle for by the regional nations toward this criminal regime…The great relations with other nations, threatening none. nation of Iran and other free nations of the region will take revenge Former CIA officer John Maguire called him “the single communication of the arbitration proceedings and the Arbitrator for this heinous crime against the criminal U.S.” most powerful operative in the Middle East” — on the side of Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif denounced U.S. “rogue adven- the angels against the scourge of imperial wars, he omitted. may continue the proceedings and issue the award in accordance turism.” The Trump regime “bears responsibility for all conse- Following Iran’s 1979 revolution, ending a generation of quences of its” actions, he stressed. Separately he tweeted: “The U.S.-installed tyranny, he joined the newly founded Islamic with the existing documents and evidences.” U.S. act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC). As a battlefield commander General Soleimani—THE most effective force fighting Daesh during U.S.-sponsored Iraqi aggression on Iran in the 1980s, (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous & a he led the 41st Sarallah Division. In 1997, he was appointed to Sincerely yours foolish escalation.” lead Iran’s elite Quds Force; an Iranian intelligence analyst, Trump defied reality with the following Big Lies, deceptive- explaining that it was largely unknown until Bush/Cheney’s ly claiming the following: “General Soleimani killed or badly 2003 aggression against Iraq. Dr. Mohsen Mohebi wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of Dangers to Iran posed by what happened “compelled (Tehran) Secretary General time, and was plotting to kill many more (sic),” adding, “He was to intervene for strategic reasons,” he said, giving Soleimani a directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of chance “to exhibit his asymmetric war leadership capabilities.” In Arbitration Center of Iran Chamber of Commerce (ACIC) people (sic)” — an astonishing Big Lie even by his dissembling 2019, he became the first Islamic Republic military commander I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM JANUARY 3, 2021

3000-year-old urn donated Emerging niches, changing tendencies: to cultural heritage department travel prospects in 2021 and beyond HERITAGE TEHRAN – An Iranian man has recently donat- desked a massive clay urn, which is estimated to date 3000 years, to a cultural heritage department in northwest Iran. 1 In a post-coronavirus world, trav- in large groups and buy predefined trav- A citizen donated a 3,000-year-old urn to the cultural herit- elers are expected to be much more aware el packages. Another choice may involve age department of Oshnavieh,” CHTN quoted Ronak Tasa who of the new requirements. Travel marketers continuing to offer group travel but only to presides over the department, as saying on Saturday. will need to get more innovative by scheming those people who already know and trust itineraries that avoid public forms of trans- each other and regularly interact. portation and jam-packed tourist areas, as With a considerable amount of uncertain- their clients will suppose this more consid- ty regarding travel safety, travel designers, ered approach to travel design. This way, who seek a way out of the recession, should more remote destinations or niche travel offer novel niche destinations to potential sites are more likely to come on stream. travelers who continue to look towards the From another point of view, it is evident experts when it comes to planning their trips. that travel and hospitality sectors need to be Mohammad Ali Vaqefi, the vice president sustainable and bearable for both Mother of the Iranian Tour Operators Association, Earth and the communities, as well as the believes that tours and travels would be tourism-related businesses in general. turned into a luxury realm as observing The newly-mandated health measures health protocols rises the costs of travel. are, of course, going to be beneficial for the Though nobody knows what will exactly travelers and the host communities, letting happen in the global travel scene, one thing tourism to start operating again safely and is clear; we won’t be able to travel as freely consequently, generating economic benefits as we used to before. “The donor had found the urn accidentally some 50 years ago, for those involved as well. Governmental regulations, not-yet- while digging under his house to lay a foundation… and he has In a post-COVID-19 world, tour operators fulfilled refunds, changing policies, and kept the object ever since,” the official explained. travel agents who specialize in creating group and successfully in this new world. travelers for those who plan their trips and health awareness tell us that such ‘unusu- “Our investigations show that urn dates back to the first mil- tours may want to start thinking about how One option could be to change complete- prefer to travel alone or in small groups. It al’ trends will be continuing in 2021 and lennium BC,” she added. to balance their business to operate safely ly from group travel to free independent is the opposite of mass tourists, who travel even beyond. The urn, along with 30 other donated objects are currently being kept at the cultural heritage department…. And they will be transferred and showcased in a museum to be built in Oshna- vieh, the official said. Resting on a layer cake of civilizations that have come and Royal bas-relief being restored, preserved for future generations gone for millennia, Oshnavieh is teeming with ancient hills, tomb TOURISM TEHRAN –A preservation and resto- ly sophisticated, yet scholarship was encouraged by the chambers, archaeological sites, and bas-relief carvings. According deskration project has been commenced on state. In those years, works from both the East and West to many, it’s a paradise for archaeologists. a Sassanid-era (224-651 CE) royal bas-relief in Naqsh-e were translated into Pahlavi, the language of the Sassa- It is also home to five bas-relief carvings, originally belonging Rostam, a massive royal rock-hewn necropolis, situated nians. Rock-carved sculptures and bas-reliefs on abrupt to the Kingdom of Urartu (860 BC – 590 BC). The Urartu kingdom near Persepolis in Fars province, southern Iran. limestone cliffs are widely deemed as characteristics and rose to power in the mid-9th century BC, but it went into gradual The bas-relief, which depicts Iranian king Bahram II striking relics of the Sassanian art, top examples of which decline and was eventually conquered by the Iranian Medes in (r.276-293) and a number of his courtiers, has been damaged can be traced at Bishapur, Naqsh-e Rostam, and Naqsh-e the early 6th century BC. The Urartians were succeeded in the due to environmental factors such as rain, wind, changing Rajab in southern Iran. area in the 6th century BC by the Armenians. temperatures, CHTN quoted Hamid Fadai, director of the The Achaemenid necropolis of Naqsh-e Rostam, mean- world heritage site of Persepolis as saying on Saturday. ing “Picture of Rostam” is named after a mythical Iranian A team of archeologists and cultural experts are estimating hero which is most celebrated in and Persian Iran appoints ambassador the extent of the damage to fully plan the restoration and mythology. rehabilitation works needed for the historical relic, he added. One of the wonders of the ancient world, Naqsh-e Rostam to UNESCO Bahram II, the fifth Sasanian King of Iran, was the son embraces four tombs are where Persian Achaemenid kings and successor of Bahram I (r. 271–274). The Sassanid era are laid to rest, believed to be those of Darius II, Artaxerxes HERITAGE TEHRAN – Iran has appointed a new am- is of very high importance in the history of Iran. Under Sas- I, Darius I and Xerxes I, although some historians are still deskbassador to the United Nations Educational, sanids, Persian art and architecture experienced a general debating this. Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). situated on the premises of Persepolis that probably belong renaissance. Architecture often took grandiose proportions There are gorgeous bas-relief carvings above the tomb Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday appointed to Artaxerxes II and Artaxerxes III. such as palaces at Ctesiphon, Firuzabad, and Sarvestan that chambers that are similar to those at Persepolis, with the Ahmad Pakatchi as the new ambassador and permanent rep- Beneath the funerary chambers are dotted with seven are amongst highlights of the ensemble. kings standing on thrones supported by figures representing resentative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN cultural Sassanian-era (224–651) bas-reliefs cut into the cliff depict Crafts such as metalwork and gem-engraving grew high- the subject nations below. There are also two similar graves body, Mehr reported. vivid scenes of imperial conquests and royal ceremonies. Waqf properties to undergo restoration in southern Iran HERITAGE TEHRAN – Several his- tions of the province such as Nasir al-Molk The ancient region of Fars, also spelled desktorical mortmain proper- and Moshir mosques as well as Vakil Bazaar Pars, or Persis, was the heart of the Achae- ties in the southern province of Fars will be are also among the historical mortmain prop- menian Empire (550–330 BC), which was restored in near future, an official with the erties, he explained. founded by Cyrus the Great and had its capital province’s Endowments and Charity Affairs He also noted that restoring and reviving at Pasargadae. Darius I the Great moved the Organization has announced. such aging structures and historical sites capital to nearby Persepolis in the late 6th Most of the cisterns, mansions, caravan- could boost tourism in the region, which or early 5th century BC. serais, mosques, and even shops scattered leads to economic prosperity. The capital city of Shiraz is home to some across the province are part of its religious A waqf or mortmain property is an in- of the country’s most magnificent buildings endowments (waqf), Saeid Sharifi said on alienable charitable endowment under Is- and sights. Increasingly, it draws more and Saturday. lamic law, which typically involves donating more foreign and domestic sightseers flocking As most of the mentioned properties some rehabilitation works with the help of a building, plot of land, or other assets for into this provincial capital which was the Rouhani also appreciated the efforts made by the former Ira- date back to different historical eras and private investors, the official added. Muslim religious or charitable purposes with literary capital of Persia during the Zand nian ambassador to UNESCO Ahmad Jalali in a separate letter, are situated in old urban areas, they need Parts of the most popular tourist attrac- no intention of reclaiming the assets. dynasty from 1751 to 1794. the news agency said. Pakatchi is a graduate of Tehran University with a degree in history. He is also an associate professor at the Institute of Hu- manities and Cultural Studies and majored in studies of religions and historical linguistics from Al-Farabi University in Almaty. Landscape project to alter Bam Citadel, surroundings Iran hosts some of the world’s oldest cultural monuments TOURISM TEHRAN – A landscape project will pleted in about seven years,” he explained. including bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, ma- desksoon commence on the UNESCO-regis- Bam and its Cultural Landscape is located on the drasas, gardens, as well as rich natural and rural landscapes, tens of tered Bam Citadel and its surroundings in southeast Iran. southern edge of the Iranian high plateau in Kerman which registered on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list. The project is planned to be carried out in collabo- Province. It’s highly regarded as an outstanding ex- ration with the municipality, city council and the pri- ample of an ancient fortified settlement. vate sector, the director of the World Heritage Affairs According to UNESCO, the origins of the citadel Qajar-era remote residence to Office at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism can be traced back to the Achaemenid period (6th to and Handicrafts, Farhad Azizi said on Saturday. 4th centuries BC) and even beyond. The ensemble was be turned into boutique hotel A budget of 24 billion rials (about $571,000 at the on crossroads of important trade routes as well in its official rate of 42,000 rials) has also been allocated to heyday sometime between the 7th to 11th centuries. TEHRAN – A remote structure, which was TOURISM the exterior lighting of the massive mud-brick strong- The big and sprawling Kerman province has been deskonce a summer royal residence in the Alborz hold, the official added. a cultural melting pot since antiquity, blending Per- mountain range northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran, is set Bam Citadel was flattened by an earthquake in 2003. sians with subcontinental tribe dwellers. It is home to be fully restored to be turned into a boutique hotel. Back in October, Mohsen Qasemi, a senior cultural to myriad historical sites and scenic landscapes such The structure, which can hardly be called a palace now, was heritage expert announced that the overall restoration as Bazaar-e Sartasari, Jabalieh Dome, Ganjali Khan once a shelter of Qajar monarchs and companions who went of Bam Citadel is eighty percent complete. itation work has been completed on Arg-e Bam (“Bam Bathhouse, Malek Jameh Mosque, and Shahdad Desert hunting in surrounding foothills. “Some 80 percent of the reconstruction and rehabil- Citadel”) and the whole project is expected to be com- to name a few. Maranjab caravanserai one step closer to UNESCO status TOURISM TEHRAN – Iran has Hoz-e sultan and Moreh Lakes from the west For many travelers to Iran, staying in or even deskalmost completed prepa- and eventually Aran-Bidgol from the south. visiting a centuries-old caravanserai, can be rations for Maranjab caravanserai, which is Last year, the tourism ministry announced a wide experience; they have an opportunity located adjacent to a barren desert of the same that Iran is developing a dossier for a selection to feel the past, a time travel back into a for- name in central Isfahan province for possibly of its historical caravansaries for a possible gotten age! becoming a UNESCO World Heritage. inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list. A caravanserai was usually constructed out- The Safavid-era (1501–1736) caravanserai In this regard, cultural heritage experts side the walls of a town or village. The structure was used by the travelers of the time to rest on are assessing such monuments that are scat- is quadrangular in form and is enclosed by a their way to the Khorasan, Rey, and Isfahan. tered across the country to make a shortlist massive wall that has small windows near the The monument is located in Shahrestanak, a picturesque It is situated in Aran-Bidgol, which was once in terms of their architecture, historical and top and only a few narrow air holes near the village in Asara district of Alborz province, situated some 90 on the ancient Silk Road. cultural values. bottom. Inside, the ground floor consists of km of Tehran. The documentation of the caravanserai has Caravanserai is a compound word combining a central court surrounded by a cloister-like Like many other deserted historical sites and monuments in been completed and its dossier is ready to be “caravan” with “serai”. The first stand for a arcade, which is in turn surrounded by cellular walls and impressive proportions. Their gates the country, the palace will soon be up for grabs in an auction to submitted to the UNESCO, Aran-Bidgol’s tour- group of travelers and serai means the build- storerooms. are often decorated with intricate carving, as be temporarily ceded to the private sector reportedly to enjoy ism chief Seyyed Hossein Chakeri announced ing. They often had massive portals supported The ground floor is connected by broad, is the prayer niche within. higher productivity and better maintenance. on Friday. by elevated load-bearing walls. Guest rooms open, stone stairways to a second story that At night while you are standing on the roof This trend is being practiced during the past couple of years The historical monument covers an area of were constructed around the courtyard and is ringed by a somewhat lighter arcade, which of the isolated building imagining what it must under the close supervision of the Revitalization and Utilization 3,500 square meters and has 29 rooms, which stables behind them with doors in the corners gives access to many small rooms. The court is have been like to see camel caravans coming Fund for Historical Places, however, there have been many op- is being used as a tourist complex nowadays. of the yard. open to the sky and has a well with a fountain across the barren desert while the sun is dis- ponents saying the scheme does not result in better maintenance The caravanserai was inscribed on the National Iran’s earliest caravanserais were built during basin in its center. appearing behind the mountains to the west. in some cases. Heritage list in 2005. the Achaemenid era (550 -330 BC). Centuries Caravanserais were always kept open for Don’t worry about the amenities, there are There have been reports that some of the historical monuments Maranjab desert is surrounded by a salt later, when Shah Abbas I assumed power from all arrivals from early dawn until late in the many ancient caravansaries, which have been have been mistreated by private investors, such as damages caused lake from the north, Band-e Rig Desert and 1588 – to 1629, he ordered the construction evening. Some caravansaries are of modest fully restored and equipped to be boutique to the walls, arches, or the lack of proper restoration. National Park from the east, Masileh Desert, of network caravanserais across the country. architectural merit, with well-hewn, massive hotels or so. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 3, 2021 SOCIETY 7

Shadegan wetland monitored for No COVID-19 vaccines imported from South Korea, Iran says

SOCIETY TEHRAN — Iran has denied reports claiming highly pathogenic avian influenza deskthat the country has imported a consignment of coronavirus vaccines from South Korea. SOCIETY TEHRAN — A compre- veterinary department, as saying on Saturday. desk A foreign news outlet had reported that a cargo aircraft hensive plan for monitor- Iran is a climatically rich country, so it of Fars Air Qeshm has transported the first consignment ing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is said that the number of bird species in of coronavirus vaccine purchased by the Iranian Red Cres- has been implemented across Shadegan wet- Iran is higher than the whole of Europe. A cent Society from South Korea into the country, Moham- land in southwestern Khuzestan province. wide range of wetlands is the reason behind mad-Hassan Qosian-Moqaddam, secretary-general of the Shadegan wetland covers 530,000 hec- migratory birds choosing Iran for an annual Iranian Red Crescent Society, said on Friday. tares, 400,000 hectares of which has been wintering habitat, as a large number of birds “To date, no consignment of coronavirus vaccine has designated as a Ramsar site (defined by the fly a thousand miles each year to benefit from been imported,” he stressed. Ramsar Convention for the conservation and this rich climate. Last month, President Hassan Rouhani lashed out at sustainable use of wetlands, recognizing the Many species of birds are migratory, birds his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, for hampering Iran’s fundamental ecological functions of wetlands migration is usually seasonal and round trip, purchase of medical equipment and vaccines required to and their economic, cultural, scientific, and which is due to climate change, access to fight the coronavirus pandemic, saying the “evil” team at recreational value). food, and finding a suitable habitat, so the the White House did not even spare the elderly and the The wetland feeds on Marun and Karun presence of birds in an area are the signs of disabled from the “cruel” measures. rivers both crossing Kohgiluyeh and Boy- being in balance and that the natural cycle Addressing a cabinet meeting, Rouhani said the U.S. er-Ahamd province, but after dam construc- is operating properly. administration has placed an obstacle in the path of every tion over the Karun river, the wetland went It is estimated that there are about 50 single Iranian effort to import vaccines and medical equip- dry not receiving its water right. billion birds in the world out of 9,000 species, ment, Press TV reported. Fourteen types of indigenous and mi- many of which are migratory. Accordingly, “That is because they have created so many problems gratory birds are living in the wetland and about 5 to 7 million birds migrate to Iran in and are bothering us to the extent that the entire country they are monitored constantly in terms of different seasons. There are about 530 species has to work for weeks and sometimes months to move health, IRNA quoted Mostafa Kenarkoohi, of birds in Iran, 320 of which are migratory money from one place to another to buy medicine, a simple the director-general of Khuzestan province’s species, some of which are native species. task that could have been taken care of via a phone call, a message, and SWIFT,” he said. Meanwhile, Christoph Hamelmann, WHO Representa- tive in Iran, has said that sanctions imposed by the United R&D still unappreciated States will have no effect on importing coronavirus vaccines By Mehdi Garshasbi ucation, says that unfortunately, the research and devel- by Iran from the COVAX, a global initiative to ensure rapid opment’s share of the national budget has decreased from and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The national budget bill for the next year (March 0.65 percent in the [Iranian calendar] year 1397 (March “We support and assist Iran in obtaining essential items 2021-March 2022) was submitted to the parliament on 2018-March 2019) to 0.58 percent in 1398 and to 0.43 from the global market, and we did so since the beginning of December 2, but the research and development sector has percent in the current year 1399. the pandemic, as we anticipated the provision of medicine remained unappreciated like the previous years so that Mahmoud Nili-Ahmadabadi, the chancellor of the to be affected by sanctions,” he added, ILNA reported. its share of the national budget is less than one percent University of Tehran, believes that the research and de- COVAX member states, including Iran, will jointly decide of the gross domestic product. velopment sector’s share of the country’s GDP, in the on which brand of vaccine each country to purchase, and the The current year is coming to an end as the country is most optimistic case, is 0.4-0.5 percent, way below the final decision will be announced by the officials, he noted. grappling with arrays of difficulties arising from sanctions, global average of two percent. “So, not all the potentials Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said and the next year is forecast to be tougher as the coronavirus of the universities are utilized.” on Friday that the first batch of coronavirus vaccine which pandemic has added to economic hardships. However, Gholamhossein Rahimi, the deputy science will reach Iran will be probably purchased directly from Under these circumstances, paying special attention to minister, says that the share of research and development a foreign country. scientific and research projects can certainly pave the way is hoped to increase to 075-0.77 percent in the next year’s ers to the world increased from 17 percent in 2011 to 31 “Following that, Iran will receive its share of the CO- for removing the extant obstacles. budget bill, although necessary infrastructure should be percent in 2020, becoming the world’s leading country in VAX vaccines and then the Pasteur Institute of Iran will Although the sixth national development plan has already provided to make the most use of the budget. science diplomacy with 14 percent growth, according to co-produce a vaccine with a Cuban company, and finally, envisaged that four percent of GDP will be allocated to Scientific achievements scientific studies and analyses extracted from the Scopus the domestically-made vaccine will be produced,” he ex- the research and development sector by 2025, the sum is Sourena Sattari, vice president for science and technology, International Citation Database. plained, IRNA reported. just less than half a percent, indicating that the goals of has said Iran is playing the leading role in the region in the Moreover, the country ranked third for the highly cited development are still far away to be achieved. fields of fintech, ICT, stem cell, aerospace, and is unrivaled researchers in the world among Islamic countries in 2020, According to Statista, one of the world’s leading statis- in artificial intelligence. according to the recently published report of Highly Cited tics portals, South Korea was the leading country in the Iran ranked 43rd among the 100 most vibrant clusters Researchers by Web of Science. Acid rain: what causes it and world by allocating 4.35 percent of its GDP to research of science and technology (S&T) worldwide for the third Currently, there are 43 science and technology parks how it affects human health and development in 2020. consecutive year, according to the Global Innovation Index in the country, in addition to 195 accelerator centers, in Declining budget (GII) 2020 report. which over 7,000 companies are active, including 1,700 Acid rain is not a term that most laypersons are used to hearing. In Vahid Ahmadi, a former official at the Ministry of Ed- The rate of scientific contributions of Iranian research- are knowledge-based companies. the 1990s, the word was bandied about quite frequently, however, and its meaning made many people fear the skies over polluted areas. While not as common these days, acidic precipitation is still a dangerous, persistent problem in some parts of the world. Modern forestry in Iran: history and development But what causes acid rain in the first place? For that matter, what dangers does it present to the environment and humanity? (PART 2/3) throughout the country. of Agriculture and Commerce. What is acid rain? Establishment of Forest Service (1949) Establishment of the Forestry Establishment of Forest Division (1940) According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), In 1949.the Cabinet ratified a motion Bureau (1920) Following the reports of illegal cuttings in acid rain, otherwise known as acid deposition, is a broad term submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture In 1920, the Ministry of Agriculture Gilan forests, the authorities in the Ministry that includes many different forms of precipitation. It isn’t for the establishment of Forest Service as and Commerce formed a forestry bureau in of Agriculture and Commerce were prompted just rain, as in water, falling from the sky; it can also be snow, an independent legal body under the Ministry Mazandaran province specifically mandated to establish a division in the capital to han- fog, dust, or hail that has acidic components. The acidic com- of Agriculture for the protection and con- for mapping, cadastral survey, and identifi- dle the affairs. In 1938, the Forest Division ponents of this particularly nasty brand of precipitation are servation of forests in Iran that transferred cation of virgin and industrial forests as well was initially established in the Agriculture either sulfuric or nitric acid. all state-owned forests and rangelands to it. as degraded forests and other wooded lands. Department of the Ministry; however, due to What causes acid rain? Forest Service in addition to its responsibilities In 1925, the council of ministers ratified the importance of forestry issues, the Forest As explained by the EPA, acid rain is the result of sulfur with regard to the conservation, reclamation, the “Charter of Foresters of Iran” in 8 articles, Division was officially promoted to Forestry dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) being emitted into development, and utilization of state-owned the main 3 items of which are as follows: Directorate in 1940. the atmosphere and subsequently transported by wind and air forests and establishment of wood industries 1-All types of forests are state-owned and Establishment of Forest Department currents. These acidic compounds react with water, oxygen, and mapping, was also responsible for su- of the bureau for the management of natural are considered as government property oth- (1942) and other atmospheric chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric pervising and protection of private forests resources was postponed to the pre- consti- erwise its private ownership is established In 1942, the Forestry Directorate was acids, which then mix even further with water in clouds to fall and partnership with the private sector in tution revolution era in Mozaffaraddin Shah by official legal documents; transformed into the Forest Department back to earth. But where do these SO2 and NOX compounds utilization and wood industries. Period (Qajar dynasty) in 1898, when a bureau 2-The government exerts technical super- with four branch offices in the north part come from in the first place? Establishment of Forest Management was set up in the Ministry of Public Benefits vision for the development and conservation of the country, directly supervised by the How does acid rain affect the environment? Bureau (1823) under the title of the Bureau of “Roads, Rail- of all types of forests (private/public) through Agriculture Department in the region. According to the EPA, aquatic environments are the most In 1823, the Ministry of Public Benefits ways and Forests”. the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce; The first forest law of Iran comprising severely affected by acid rain. Streams, lakes, rivers, and was established in Fath Ali Shah Period (Qajar In 1905, during the new cabinet of Mozaf- 3-Permits for forest lease, harvesting op- of 18 articles and 7 notes was ratified by marshes are all places where water collects. Even if the in- dynasty), which marks the government’s initial faraddin Shah, the Ministry of Roads, Mines eration, and utilization of forest by-products the Parliament in the same year and di- nate acidity of acid rain does not directly impact the animals attention to natural resources management and Forests was established and mandated are solely issued by the Ministry of Finance rectives thereof was finalized in 1943 by or plants living in a particular body of water, the subsequent, in Iran. However, the official establishment for the management of natural resources under the technical guidance of the Ministry the Cabinet. gradual acidification of that water body can be devastating to that aquatic or marine ecosystem. ENGLISH IN USE LET’S LEARN PERSIAN LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION (Part 98) (Source: saadifoundation.ir)

غربالگری »سالمت روان دانشآموزان« Mental health screening scheme کلیه مقاطع تحصیلی از مهرماه to be launched at schools مدیــرکل امــور تربیتــی و مشــاوره وزارت آمــوزش و پــرورش، اعــام کــرد کــه از مهرمــاه A scheme to determine the prevalence and incidence of psychiatric آینــده غربالگــری پایــه ســامت روان بــرای همــه دانــش آمــوزان در کلیــه مقاطــع disorders in students will be implemented at schools across the تحصیلــی انجــام می شــود. country by the next school year (starting on September 23), director مســعود شــکوهی در گفتوگــو بــا ایســنا، افــزود: تــا ســال گذشــته همــه دانــش آمــوزان .for education department at the Ministry of Education has said پایــه هفتــم، هشــتم و بخشــی از دانــش آمــوزان پایــه نهــم مــورد ســنجش قــرار گرفتنــد. Since last year, all students on seventh to ninth grades have undergone the mental health screening, so, we decided to conduct the tests on students وی اظهــار کــرد: غربالگــری پایــه ســامت روان بــرای همــه دانــش آمــوزان از ســال on all grades, ISNA quoted Masoud Shokouhi as saying on Saturday. تحصیلــی جدیــد آغــاز مــی شــود. The scheme will be launched by the beginning of the next school“ مدیــرکل امــور تربیتــی و مشــاوره وزارت آمــوزش و پــرورش ادامــه داد: بــرای ســال .year,” he added تحصیلــی جــاری، غربالگــری اولیــه ســامت روان بهمــن مــاه ســال ۹۷ انجــام شــد و For the current school year, screening of mental health was carried نتایــج آن جهــت اســتفاده مشــاورین در برنامــه ریزیهــای درون مدرســهای و فــردی out in February and the results were presented to consultants for در اختیارشــان قــرار گرفــت. .in-school or individual counseling, he said شــکوهی افــزود: چنــد نــوع غربالگــری داریــم کــه غربالگــری پایــه توســط معلمــان انجــام There are several types of screening that baseline testing is done by میشــود و معلمــان مشــاهدات خــود را در ســامانه همــگان ثبــت میکننــد. در مراحــل بعــدی ,teachers, who record their observations on the system, he explained در صــورت نیــاز مداخــات تخصصــی از ســطح مشــاور مدرســه تــا هســتههای مشــاوره در adding, in the next step, specialist interventions will take place whether ســطوح اســتانی و واحدهــای مــددکاری در بیــرون آمــوزش و پــرورش صــورت می گیــرد. .by the school counselor or counseling services outside the schools Prayer Times Noon:12:09 Evening: 17:24 Dawn: 5:45 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:15 (tomorrow) JANUARY 3, 2021 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh Photo exhibition explores Commander Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Soleimani’s military operations, funeral Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 ARTTEHRAN — An in memory of Commander Soleimani also desk Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 exhibition opened on on Kish Island. Saturday on Kish Island is displaying photos The exhibit named “Farewell to of Commander Qassem Soleimani in some Commander” highlighted national solidarity Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 military operations and his funeral. and put a spotlight on the lofty status of the The photos have been taken by a number of Commander. No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran Iranian photographers, and the Contemporary Only professional photographers P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Art Gallery of the Persian Gulf island will host participated in the exhibition where no Zip Code: 1599814713 the showcase entitled “School of Soleimani” photos taken with cellphones were displayed. until the end of January. The exhibit was organized in three Commander Soleimani was assassinated categories, one of which was dedicated to in a U.S. air raid in Baghdad on January photos representing the bravery of Martyr 3, 2020. Soleimani. Photos by Hossein Mersadi and Another section focused on photos Hassan Qaedi have been selected to be depicting people’s presence at Soleimani’s showcased at the exhibition. They had funeral. The other category was dedicated to been in company with Soleimani in several photographs representing photographers’ operations during the war against the ISIS efforts to cover the funeral. GUIDE TO terrorists in Syria and Iraq. The exhibit next moved to Tehran and SPIRITUAL AWAKENING The exhibition is also hanging photos by several other cities. Morteza Jaberian, Mohammad Mohsenifar, Later in September, the Revayat Cultural Beware! Whoever is cruel and harsh to a non-Muslim Mohsen Karamali, Hamed Malekpur, Erfan Foundation organized a photo contest on the Kuchair and Vahid Bayat, who covered A poster for the photo exhibition “School of Soleimani” on Kish Island designed by Saber funeral of the martyr in a virtual exhibition minority, curtailing their rights, overburdening them, Sheikhrezai. or stealing from them, I will complain [to God] about Soleimani’s funeral procession across the country. named “My Commander”. that person on the Day of Judgment. Abbas Mirhashemi is the curator of the Institute of Contemporary Visual Arts. In February 2019, just one month after the The photo contest was held in several Prophet Muhammad (S) exhibit, which has been organized by the The photos are scheduled to be showcased martyrdom of the Commander, Iran’s Young categories including single photo, series, Visual Arts Office in collaboration with the in an online exhibit in the near future. Photographers Club held a photo exhibition cellphones and young adults.

Ammar Popular Film Festival opens Ebrahim Hatamikia, Commander Qassem Soleimani’s favorite filmmaker ARTTEHRAN — The 11th edition of the Ammar 1 “Dear brother, don’t be bothered by sarcastic and also alluded to his deep affection for Soleimani by the makeup deskPopular Film Festival (APFF) was inaugurated remonstrant comments and do not think of the mundane he used to make his leading – played by on Thursday as the IRIB Ofoq Channel broadcasted its opening simorghs; just continue your work.” – resemble the senior commander. ceremony. Later on, Commander Soleimani also praised Hatamikia In a message published after Soleimani’s assassination, Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all screenings will stream for his drama “Damascus Time” on the atrocities of the Hatamikia wrote, “I warmly embraced him many times, online through the Ammaryar platform. ISIS war in Syria. and yet, I found myself thirstier at the time of separation. Speaking at the ceremony director of the festival Nader “I should express my thanks to Mr. Hatamikia for the “Indeed, what decoration suited him perfectly except Talebzadeh said that a selection of 17 films will go on screen in groundbreaking work and this really amazing movie,” the honor of martyrdom? But, I ask permission from all the official competition, and that the festival is a venue for young Soleimani had said after watching the film. “By his skills, martyrs to say that Hajji Qassem Soleiamni needs no filmmakers to show critical art productions and films. he has been able to show a small portion of the bitter title before or after his name. Hajji Qassem Soleimani reality,” he said. means all the honorable titles. May his memory be “By watching this film, people can better realize the grave eternal,” added Hatamikia who called himself Soleimani’s threat against Islam, Shias and all of humanity. This is one small soldier. of the most highly watchable movies, and it is extremely Earlier in last September, the Persian news websites had close to reality,” he noted. published a report about a deal between Hatamikia and the Soleimani had earlier honored Hatamikia in a meeting Owj Arts and Media Organization, which had produced by presenting him with one of the rings left behind by one of “Damascus Time” and Hatamikia’s latest film “Exodus”, for the Iranian soldiers who had been killed in the fight against making a movie on Soleiamni. However, the organization Commander Qassem Soleimani presents filmmaker Ebra- the ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq. denied any allegations of a deal between director Ebrahim him Hatamikia with a ring during an undated meeting. In his 2016 political drama “The Bodyguard”, Hatamikia Hatamikia and the family of the commander. Art competition Palestine Is Not Alone announces intl. jury A poster for the 11th Ammar Popular Film Festival. ARTTEHRAN — The Iran’s Art Bureau of the Islamic Ideology movement against the Zionist regime so He added that the festival has been established for those who deskPalestine Is Not Alone Dissemination Organization has organized the that Palestinian artists can better form an want to help the Islamic Revolution. International Cartoon, Caricature and Poster contest to show solidarity with the oppressed artistic battle. A number of features, documentaries, shorts and animations Contest has announced the members of its people of Palestine. Shojaei-Tabatabai also for his part pointed will be competing during the festival. international jury. Mohammad Khazai, Masud Ziai, Masud to the recent republication of cartoons Established by a number of Iranian revolutionary figures, Luiz Carlos Fernandes from Brazil, Cristina Shojaei-Tabatabai, Saedi Sadeqi and Abbas insulting Prophet Muhammad (S) by the the Ammar Popular Film Festival has been named after Ammar Bernazzani from Italy, Izabela Kowalska Nasseri are the Iranian jury members who French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Yasir, a close companion of Prophet Muhammad (S). from Poland and Balai Kartun Rossem from will judge the artworks at the contest. and said that they are intended to create Iranian director Amir Dasargar’s movie “No Fly Zone” was Malaysia will judge the submissions to the Khazai is a Ph.D. graduate of graphic design and promote hatred, and hurt the hearts of crowned best at the 10th Ammar Popular Film Festival (APFF). international competition. of Islamic art from Birmingham University. millions of Muslims across the world. The film is about three teenagers who are trying to make a Fernandes is an illustrator, cartoonist Ziai, Sadeqi and Nasseri are cartoonists, “The issue of Palestine and its identity drone to take part in an important competition. While they are and sculptor. He has been working for This combination photo shows images of and Shojaei-Tabatabai is the director of the is one of the major topics during these days preparing for the competition a cheetah appears in the area they several newspapers for 34 years. He has won the international and Iranian members bureau’s Visual Arts Office. when deals between some Arab states and are working in. They decide to find and save the cheetah. awards at several international exhibitions of the jury at the Palestine Is Not Alone In a press conference held at the Israel are being framed to look normal, while across the world. International Cartoon, Caricature and bureau in September, Art Bureau director people and artists from the countries whose He illustrated several children’s books and Poster Contest. Mohammad-Mehdi Dadman said that the governments are trying to normalize their won the HQMix trophy for “Best Children’s of Painting, Graphic Arts and Sculpture at contest is slated as a forerunner for the new relations, disagree with these relations,” Steven Heine’s “Cultural Illustration” with the Castelo Ra Tim Bum the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw. activities of the bureau to help develop its he explained. Psychology” appears in Persian collection in 1997. He was also honored as She has illustrated children’s books for international activities. “We will be making the most use of the the best caricaturist of Brazil in 2009. many years, and since 2013, she has been He added that the bureau is ready potentials, and are also planning to establish CULTURE TEHRAN — A Persian translation of Steven Cristina Bernazzani studied graphic working in the area of satirical drawing. to provide artists who are active on the public movements,” he added. deskJ. Heine’s “Cultural Psychology” has recently design in Monza. She has been an editorial Balai Kartun Rossem’s contribution to resistance frontline with all the knowledge Shojaei-Tabatabai next added that due to been published by SAMT, an Iranian publisher that provides illustrator for 28 years, and her works have the world of cartoons is indeed great. He and experience the bureau has accumulated the high risk of spreading the coronavirus, textbooks for university students. been published by many important Italian established the Rossem Cartoon Center over the past 40 years. the contest will be held online, and each The book has been translated into Persian by a team of translators magazines. (BKR), a cartoon station in Malaysia He also said that the bureau will make submitted work will be uploaded on the under the supervision of editor Ali Fat’hi Ashtiani. Izabela Kowalska studied at the Faculty launched in 2014. its best efforts to help establish an artistic Irancartoon website. The most contemporary and relevant introduction to the field, “Cultural Psychology” is unmatched in both its presentation of current, global experimental Book City to arrange “A Visit to Dürrenmatt” research and its focus on helping students to think like cultural ARTTEHRAN — The Book City Institute plans all the hidden characteristics within oneself and this may desk psychologists. to review the oeuvre of Swiss author and happen only when forced by life. Dürrenmatt relentlessly Writing in a clear and dramatist Friedrich Dürrenmatt during a session named depicted man perfectly in all possible situations and that is engaging voice, Heine builds “A Visit to Dürrenmatt”. why some of his colleagues opposed his opinions and works,” his text around many of Iranian scholars Mahmud Haddadi, Mahmud Hosseinzad, noted Samandarian who first directed “The Visit” in 1972. psychology’s most enduring Saeid Firuzabadi, Ahmad Saatchian and Asghar Nuri will He also said, “During my studies, I figured out that questions about identities, be speaking during the online session, which will stream Dürrenmatt portrayed the most expressive form of evolution motivations, emotions live on the institute’s Instagram at 11 am. of mankind in his plays ‘Play Strindberg’, ‘The Visit’, ‘The and relationships. The text Dürrenmatt’s works have been highly regarded in Iran Marriage of Mr. Mississippi’ and ‘The Flat Tire’. In the eyes of incorporates examples from by translators, directors and theatergoers. Dürrenmatt, there was no absolute tragedy. Society commits around the world and from His “The Visit” was translated into Persian by the crimes and no one feels guilty – therefore, there is no tragedy everyday life to make the celebrated director Hamid Samandarian, who also staged in its absolute meaning – what is left over is only tragic material relevant to a wide the play several times, the last of which was in March 2008 laughter aroused by feelings of anger and unhappiness.” range of students. at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall. Samandarian had also translated several other of Samandarian had called “The Visit” a thought-provoking Dürrenmatt’s plays, including “An Autumn Evening” and Research methods are A poster Book City Institute’s session “A Visit to Dürrenmatt”. Cover of the Persian translation emphasized throughout in comedy and said, “Dürrenmatt was labeled a melancholic “The Marriage of Mr. Mississippi”. of Steven J. Heine’s book order to demonstrate how writer in Germany, and some renowned analysts believe him found out that Dürrenmatt was very strict and daring, and Dürrenmatt’s “The Judge and His Hangman”, “Suspicion” “Cultural Psychology”. cultural psychologists study the to have been an author who was able to portray anti-human he was candid when narrating the truth.” and “The Pledge” have also been translated into Persian by close-knit relationship between culture and the ways one thinks events without fear. When I was studying his works, I also “One can hardly find the opportunities in life to apply Mahmud Hosseinzad. and behaves. Three unique chapters bring an interdisciplinary dimension to the text, examining cultural evolution, mental health and morality from the perspective of cultural psychology. Heine is a distinguished university scholar and professor of Iran to organize Fajr Music Festival amid pandemic social and cultural psychology at the University of British Columbia. ARTTEHRAN — Iran we thought we would do our best to organize to the best album of the year. ensembles have been reviewed. However, the Heine’s pioneering research has challenged key psychological deskannounced on Saturday the festival this year taking full advantage “The ensembles and the musicians will number of performances will be decreased assumptions in self-esteem, meaning and the ways that people that the 36th edition of the Fajr Music Festival of the experiences of other organizers of also be invited to the festival by the board of due to the pandemic,” he said. understand genetic constructs. will be organized during February despite festivals, and what they have been through selection and they will hold performances Director of the festival, Hassan Riahi said He is the author of many acclaimed journal articles and books experts’ warnings about the dangers of so far during this pandemic.” during the festival,” he added. that the organizers believe that the interested in the fields of social and cultural psychology. In 2016, he was gatherings during the pandemic. Iran’s Music Office director Mohammad Member of the festival’s committee Amir participating youth need to be encouraged. elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Speaking during a press conference, Allahyari, also attending the press conference, Abbas Setayeshgar also attending the conference “That is, when we encourage the youth and Previously SAMT has published Persian translations of Deputy Culture Minister for Artistic Affairs said that the top selected music albums said that due to the two-year halt in granting honor them at festivals we should not leave “Organizational Behavior in Sport” by James Skinner and Bob Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini said, “During the produced in 2018 and 2019 will be honored the Barbad Award, the section has been warmly them on their own. An association of young Stewart by Nahid Atqia and Zahra Amiri, and Jennifer M. Scarce’s pandemic, several festivals were canceled. with the Barbad Award during the festival. received, and 148 albums have been submitted musicians needs to be established to provide book “Women’s Costumes of the Near and Middle East” by Maryam However, the closure of some influential The Barbad Award established in 2016 to the jury for the final Barbad Awards. the facilities for young talented musicians Sarbandi Farahani. festivals would lead to more damages, so at the 31st edition of the festival is dedicated “In the non-competition section, over 60 and to help support them,” Riahi said. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y I JANUARY 3, 2021 ANTI-TERROR HEROES A commander with ubiquitous influence on the ground TEHRAN – Five years ago in the midst of On his proposal, Hamadani had said: sent to Syria to protect the holy shrines in Takfiris, and Arab reactionism. He was the Syria war, when militants were only “In March 2013, terrorists have completely Syria. Soleimani was in very close contact undaunted by death, martyrdom, and world 400 meters away from the presidential gotten closer to the point of victory. With with these forces and regularly paid a visit superpowers. I think though he was strong, palace of Bashar Assad in Damascus, the full support of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the to them at the frontlines. courageous, and powerful, he was modest, a top Iranian general held a long, un- Emirates and Western countries, they were Those who fought alongside Major religious, and pious. He was submissive usual meeting with Russian President able to tighten the siege and get closer to General Soleimani had been impressed in front of the divine will,” Amir Mousavi, Vladimir Putin that lasted for 2 hours the Syrian Presidential Palace in Damascus, by his continued presence on the ground a former Iranian diplomat and expert on and 20 minutes. so that they almost occupied the palace. alongside the forces. West Asia, told the Tehran Times. The General, Qassem Soleimani, suc- The situation was very complicated that Sheikh Abbas Ahwazi is one of the According to Mousavi, General Solei- ceeded in convincing the Russian presi- night; of course, we had sent the families Defenders of the Shrine, who had been mani had very close contact with the or- dent that Syria was “the last trench of the to safe places; Bashar al-Assad also knew sent to Syria to fight against enemies. dinary people in the region, including the East’s front” that if lost, the Westerners that the work was over and he was looking In a detailed interview with the Iranian Syrians and Lebanese. will attach no importance to the Russians. to go to another country.” Mashregh news website in July 2018, “He felt unusual love for martyrs and As a result of this meeting, Russia began Hamadani added, “The last offer was Ahwazi recounted how Soleimani had fighters. He did everything in his power to its air raids in defense of the Syrian troops made to Bashar al-Assad that night. I been omnipresent at the front lines of meet the needs of a fighter, from personal who were on the defensive after militants said, ‘Now that everything is over and the battle in Syria. services such as washing clothes to cook- had marched toward the Syrian capital the presidential palace is on the verge of “Sometimes, General Soleimani at- ing foods and to cleaning the deployment after capturing large swathes of the Syrian collapse, you must implement our last tended at the lookout. He inspected all places of troops. And this was clear for territory that were under the control of offer.’ He said, ‘What should we do?’ I the areas under his command from the all that how he was modest, devoted, and government forces. said, ‘Open the weapons depot and arm front lines to back lines. Even where we altruistic in all fields. He was a great man,” But while the militants were making the people with the weapons so that the are in a battle with the enemy, he has Mousavi pointed out. strides toward the presidential palace, people themselves can stop these terrorists.’ a field presence; for example, he would “The strongest and most successful the top Iranian commander was taking deep knowledge of what was happening martyred in Syria, but before his mar- Thank God, he agreed to this proposal, ride on a motorcycle trail, inspect and general on the battlefield against Takfiri the Syria crisis in his stride. He flew to on the ground. He played a crucial role in tyrdom, he, along with Major General and that night, with this action, Syria was warn the commanders of weaknesses,” terrorism who was taking care of all nations Moscow in 2015 to convince the Russians organizing and strengthening the Syrian Soleimani, asked the Syrian leaders saved from a certain fall, and the people Ahwazi explained. was General Soleimani. He fought the most into playing a more active role in the Syria ground forces and when Russian air forces to replicate Iran’s experience in using repelled the Takfiri terrorists around the General Soleimani’s field presence brutal terrorist group (Daesh) and worked crisis. And Russians exactly did so. entered the battlefield the tide turned in popular forces in difficult times. The presidential palace, and then the Syrian earned him the trust and respect of many to save humanity regardless of religion The 2015 meeting was highlighted in favor of the Syrian forces and their allies. Syrian leaders welcomed the offer and cities. These same forces formed the core pundits and politicians in the region and and sect,” Seyed Reza Sadr al-Hosseini, terms of its diplomatic peculiarity. Because In 2012, while many observers were established the National Defense Forces of an organization called National Defense, beyond. an expert on West Asia, told the Tehran it was unusual for foreign officials to meet repeatedly predicting the fall of the Syrian (NDF), which played a crucial role in which is now fighting Daesh, al-Nusra, “Martyr Qassem Soleimani was real- Times. with the Russian president for so long. government, General Soleimani helped restoring stability in Syria and fighting etc. in Syria.” ly a man of God. He was trusted by the These characteristics have made Gen- The meeting also highlighted the military send one of the most influential IRGC terrorist forces there. Major General Soleimani also super- establishment and the Leader. He loved eral Soleimani very popular in Iran. He qualifications of the commander of the commanders – Brigadier General Hos- This proposal proved effective and vised another force called “Defenders of the Revolution and the oppressed. He was was so popular among ordinary people IRGC Quds Force as a ground commander. sein Hamadani – to Syria as a military prevented the militants from toppling the Holy Shrine,” which is comprised of really devoted. He was at the forefront of that millions of Iranians attended his General Soleimani went to Moscow with advisor. General Hamadani was later the Syrian government. Iranian and non-Iranian people who were the battle against global arrogance, the funeral procession. Soleimani and Fakhrizadeh are martyrs for all Muslims and entire humanity: Turkish Vatan Party chief BY MOHAMMAD MAZHARI Soleimani and Mohsen Fakhrizadeh are martyrs bating terrorism at both national and re- U.S. accusation of Qassem Soleimani as “terrorist” the poem cited by President Erdogan in Baku has TEHRAN – Dogu Perincek, Turkey’s Vatan Party for all Muslims and the whole humanity.” gional levels. How do you evaluate Iran’s is a psychological warfare tactic. This tactic was been used to this purpose. But the interpretations chairman, believes that the martyrs in the fight The following is the text of interview: policies and efforts by General Soleimani in response to the fact that Soleimani pursued a made out of this poem are not based on reality, against imperialism such as Major General Qassem After the martyrdom of Gen. Soleimani to develop an effective coordination be- very effective struggle for the elimination terror because Erdogan in his speech has declared the Soleimani and nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh you said that Soleimani is “also our mar- tween the states and peoples of the region organizations like DAESH and PKK/PJAK/YPG/ intent to establish a 6-member-plattform consisting belong to “all Muslims and the entire humanity.” tyr” and that he “sacrificed his life for us”. to combat all types of terrorism? PYD, which are all strategic pawns of the U.S. of Russia, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Soleimani, the head of the IRGC Quds Force, Please explain how can an Iranian be a During his fight against terror organizations What are the similarities between ter- if they accept, Armenia. It is unthinkable that a was martyred in an airstrike near Baghdad’s martyr of other nations? in the north of Iraq, Qassem Soleimani dedicated rorism and the occupation? How could Turkey looking to establish such a platform pursues international airport on 3 January 2020 by the The states and people of West Asia have a great effort to cooperation and coordination with Qassem Soleimani serve as a link between any bad intent towards Iran. United States. The airstrike also martyred Abu joint and shared future. We West Asians are the people of the region. He developed realistic confronting the occupation and the fight The propaganda about Turkey’s rapproche- Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of fighting for the independence and territorial policies for the solidarity and joint struggle of against terrorism? ment with the U.S. and Israel is completely wrong the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) and integrity of our countries as well as for the de- Arab, Turkmen and Kurdish people as well as The U.S. in West Asia first fought with its own and only intended to cause discord and conflict some other resistance forces. velopment of our economies, and we pursue neighboring states in the fight against attempts armed forces, but they suffered heavy losses and between Turkey and Iran. The director of Mos- General Soleimani was an unmatched com- this fight against U.S. imperialism and Israeli to establish a “Second Israel” labeled as ‘Kurd- a defeat. Following their defeat, they changed sad declared just months ago that Turkey was mander in the fight against terrorist groups, Zionism. This struggle is a fight against the cru- istan’. This is the reason why he was targeted. the strategy and have been using terror organi- Israel’s main enemy in West Asia. The Israeli including ISIS, in Iraq and Syria. sader’s imperialism. The martyrs in this fight Why is there a wide difference between zations for a time now. U.S. President Obama for governmental documents and texts about se- Regrettably, Fakhrizadeh was also martyred belong to all of us. The victories in this fight Western media and Muslim countries re- instance has described the PKK as “our ground curity display the same evaluation. Moreover, on November 27 outside Tehran. Iran directly belong to all of us. Therefore, Qassem Soleimani garding terrorism? forces”. The U.S. tries to maintain the territo- U.S., Israeli, Greek and French military vessels pointed the finger at Israel for the terror act. and Mohsen Fakhrizadeh are martyrs for all The imperialists from the Atlantic and the coun- ries it occupied in our region by using terror have positioned their cannons towards Turkey Some analysts believe that the assassination Muslims and the whole humanity. tries of West Asia have exactly opposing definition organizations like the PKK or DAESH. But the and pursue naval exercises. They name these took place through a collusion between Israel Given the geopolitical situation in West of terror and terror organizations. The U.S. and defeat of U.S. bases east of the Euphrates is also exercises with expressions and figures from and the Trump administration. Fakhrizadeh, a Asia and the dangers that may threaten Israel blame all countries that fight for indepen- nearing, because Turkey, Iran, Russia, Syria and the Torah, as in “Noble Dina”, or from Greek physicist, was instrumental in developing test the region, how do you evaluate Iran’s dence and territorial integrity as “terrorists”. The Iraq at the end will unite in a joint operation to mythology as in the example of “Nemesis”, all kits for diagnosing patients contracting the coro- role in the war on terrorism? eliminate these U.S. bases. connected to acts of revenge. navirus, especially at a time that Iran was under The U.S. and Israel are behind all terror or- “Iran provides Given the need to form a coalition among U.S. President-elect Biden declared in Janu- illegal sanctions by the U.S. which has made ganizations of ethnic separatist and reactionary West Asian countries to fight terrorism, ary 2020 before the world his will to topple the even import of medical devices very difficult. features in West Asia. The struggle against ter- confidence to our what role can Iran and Turkey play in Erdogan government. Given these circumstances, Perincek calls the struggles of General Solei- rorism therefore cannot be separated from the region’s fight against forming such an alliance? there is no possibility of rapprochement between mani against terrorism and Fakhrizadeh’s sci- struggle against imperialism and Zionism. Iran terrorism with the Turkey and Iran are the two countries that build Turkey on the one side and the U.S. and Israel entific efforts “a fight against the crusader’s provides confidence to our region’s fight against an axis in the effective fight against terrorism in on the other. Bu it is true that Atlantic pawns imperialism.” terrorism with the country’s firm resistance and country’s decided West Asia. The U.S. and Israel have not dared to both in Turkey as well as in Iran are spreading In an interview with the Tehran Times, the struggle against U.S. and Israeli threats. resistance and struggle attack these countries directly, because the castles colorful lies to create an atmosphere of distrust Vatan party secretary general says, “The martyrs Iran has been a victim of terrorism since against U.S. and Israeli of Iran and Turkey are very strong. Therefore, the between Turkey and Iran. To foil these attempts in this fight belong to all of us. The victories in the victory of the Islamic Revolution, but U.S. apparatus of psychological warfare intends will strengthen the unity and brotherhood be- this fight belong to all of us. Therefore, Qassem it has gained valuable experience in com- threats.” to cause discord between Turkey and Iran. Lastly, tween the two countries. General Soleimani represented Iran’s global commitment to war on terror: Afghan MP BY REZA MOSHFEGH coordination between countries and nations in the region In 1998, Iran nearly went to war with Afghanistan, then mostly made substantial sacrifices such as Martyr Soleimani.” TEHRAN – A member of the Afghan parliament says figures to expel extremist groups. under Taliban rule, when terrorist groups affiliated with the Taliban Pointing to a wide difference between the concept of ter- like Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani represented Iran’s According to Fakouri Beheshti, the Islamic Republic of killed 11 Iranians, including nine diplomats, in Mazar-i Sharif. rorism in the eyes of Western powers and that one among efforts and commitment to fight against terrorism. Iran has made every effort and take effective measures in “Since the Islamic Republic of Iran is known as a prominent the peoples of the region, Fakouri Beheshti emphasizes that “Actually Iran is among the countries that are at the fore- the fight against terrorism. and key player in the Middle East (West Asia), so its efforts “most countries are always looking for their own interests.” front of the fight against drugs and terrorism which have “In this regard, Iran has lost important figures such as and contribution is important and vital to containing ten- “Once the United States came to Afghanistan 20 years made substantial sacrifice such as Martyr Soleimani,” Mo- Martyr Soleimani that were active in the combat against ter- sions and differences in the region,” Fakouri Beheshti notes. ago, their slogan was to fight all terrorist groups, but now hammad Jamal Fakouri Beheshti tells the Tehran Times. rorist groups,” the Afghan politician points out. “Therefore, In this context, the assassination of Iranian figures including they are negotiations with some of these groups and have “These martyrs represent the global commitment of the people and countries affected by terrorism, comprehend and General Soleimani shows that the path is mined by the U.S. in reached an agreement with them which means that America Islamic Republic of Iran.” appreciate Iran’s vital role.” the line with the interests of its extremist pawns in the region. has recognized them as a political player,” according to the Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Iran has been In the complicated geopolitical circumstances of West Asia “The Islamic Republic of Iran is not only active in the fight Afghan politician. a victim of terrorism. So it has gained valuable experience and the dangers that threaten the region in recent years, Iran against terrorism but also is the victim of the fight against He concludes, “Although, change in the country’s posi- in countering terrorism at the national and regional levels. has played a pivotal role in containing the wave of radicalism. (opium) cultivation and trafficking of drugs,” the legislator tions and policies are normal when it comes to America’s Actually, Iran’s policies in the fight against terrorism were However, Iran has paid the price for its efforts to eradicate adds. “Actually Iran is among the countries that are at the interests, the United States has shown that it never hesitate led by Martyr Qassem Soleimani who sought to establish terrorism and extremism, especially in Afghanistan. forefront of the fight against drugs and terrorism which have to violate international treaties.” General Soleimani’s military acumen in fighting terrorists was ‘unmatched’, says American professor South Alabama professor says General Soleimani’s focus was primarily on fighting anti-Iran terrorism BY REZA JAVID that carry terrorist acts against Iran’s of terrorism, countries approach it In general, Iran has been at the counterintelligence structures. Given the conflict of interests of TEHRAN - Nader Entessar, a professor security, sovereignty, and territorial differently. What is the reason? forefront of fighting regional terrorist How do you assess the role and different countries, can we see the emeritus of political science from the integrity,” the American professor notes. The definition of the term “terrorism” pro- groups such as Daesh (ISIS) and others position of General Soleimani in same action by countries against University of South Alabama, praises Following is the full text of the in- vided by the UN is a minimalist one designed to that carry terrorist acts against Iran’s the fight against terrorism, partic- terrorism? What mechanism can General Qassem Soleimani’s shrewd- terview: satisfy conflicting views on this topic. Terrorism security, sovereignty, and territorial ularly ISIS, in the region? equalize the performance of coun- ness in devising asymmetrical “warfare In 1972, a specialized Committee is first and foremost a political term that does integrity. However, as attacks against General Soleimani’s focus was pri- tries against terrorism? strategies” against terrorists, calling his on Terrorism was set up at the United to easily lend itself to a universally accepted le- major institutions/infrastructures and marily on fighting anti-Iran terrorism in As I alluded in my answer to the first abilities “unmatched”. Nations, and member states made gal definition. One country’s “terrorist” can be the assassination of some prominent the region. This was clearly evident in question, getting countries to see eye-to-eye “His military acumen, ability to devise great efforts to provide appropriate viewed as a “freedom fighter” by another country. Iranian officials in recent years have General Soleimani’s indispensable role when it comes to combating terrorism is asymmetrical anti-terrorism warfare strat- definitions of international terrorism, Furthermore, the United States has now “wea- shown, a lot of work needs to be done in creating the necessary environment akin to forcing a square peg in a round hole. egies, and bringing together unruly groups but due to intense political differences, ponized” the term in pursuit of its foreign policy to thwart similar foreign-assisted and and conditions in containing and fighting Perhaps in a very broad definitional term, to work together were unmatched,” Entes- the actual definition of international goals. That is, practically any person, institution, foreign-funded terrorist acts. It has Daesh (ISIS). General Soleimani’s role countries can agree on fighting terrorism, sar tells the Tehran Times. The professor terrorism and comprehensive con- or country that actively opposes Washington’s now become clear that Iran’s enemies as perhaps the single most important but in practical terms, it is a herculean task also says Iran has been at the “forefront” of ventions in practice was impossible. global hegemony is labeled as a “terrorist” thus have taken advantage of existing vul- person in fighting anti-Iran terrorist to expect countries to work together on the war against Daesh and other terrorist Security Council Resolution 1373 was making it difficult to tackle the problem of ter- nerabilities and holes to carry out their groups should be emphasized. His mili- this issue. Terrorism has already become groups to protect its security. the most serious attempt to define rorism in a meaningful way. terrorist acts against the country. I am tary acumen, ability to devise asymmet- weaponized, and countries will continue “In general, Iran has been at the terrorism after 9/11, which evolved How do you assess the role and not sure exactly where the problem lies, rical anti-terrorism warfare strategies, to rely on this weapon to confront and forefront of fighting regional terrorist into UN Security Council Resolution position of Iran in the fight against but Iran needs to seriously re-evaluate and bringing together unruly groups to contain each other in today’s polarized groups such as Daesh (ISIS) and others 1535. Despite providing a definition terrorism in the region? its counterterrorism, intelligence, and work together were unmatched. world of international relations. II I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y ANTI-TERROR HEROES JANUARY 3, 2021

KRG rep. in Tehran says Soleimani is martyr of ‘Islamic Gen. Soleimani helped Kurdistan to fight Daesh “We must mention that he was a unity’: Iraqi analyst BY MOHAMMAD MAZHARI women are lining up waiting to be sold in faithful person, honest, and brave” TEHRAN – An Iraqi analyst says that the markets. martyr General Soleimani succeeded to These two pictures were erased by mar- BY ALI A. JENABZADEH defeat Daesh through establishing unity tyr Soleimani. TEHRAN – Describing Iran’s role in the fight against terrorism between resistance groups and people in We must also point out in this regard as “vital” and effective”, the Kurdistan Regional Government West Asia. that all Islamic parties and organizations (KRG) representative in Tehran says that Major General Qas- “All Islamic parties and organizations in the Arab and Islamic world that reject sem Soleimani helped the Iraqi Kurdistan by sending weapons in the Arab and Islamic world that reject normalization with the Zionist regime and military advisers to defeat Daesh, also called Daesh in its normalization with the Zionist regime and support the resistance axis against Arabic acronym. agreed to describe the great commander the Zionist project have unanimously agreed “Martyr Qassem Soleimani not only helped in the framework Qassem Soleimani as a martyr of ‘Islam- to describe the great commander Qassem of consultation but also in the battlefield,” Nazim Dabbagh tells ic unity’,” Najah Mohammad Ali tells the Soleimani as a martyr of “Islamic unity”. Tehran Times. “He succeeded to bring In this context, statements were issued resistance groups and factions together saying that martyr Qassem Soleimani con- properly and eliminate Daesh.” sidered unity a divine, immediate and stra- According to Mohammad Ali, Gener- tegic duty among the resistance factions. al Soleimani “considered unity a divine, He succeeded to bring resistance groups immediate and strategic duty among the and factions together properly and elim- resistance factions.” inate Daesh. The following is the text of the interview: Do you think that assassination How do you describe General Qas- of senior commanders such as Gen- sem Soleimani’s efforts in confronting eral Soleimani will impede the path terrorism in West Asia? to fight terrorism and occupation? We must divide the region’s develop- civilians, especially children in Iraq, but networks and criminals in the borders The main goal of the assassination of ments into before and after the emergence the Islamic Republic of Iran stood by the with Afghanistan and Pakistan, martyr the two martyrs, Qassem Soleimani and of Daesh (ISIS), which brought about fun- honorable and forced the American Soleimani played a vital role in this regard. Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, is to undermine damental changes in the region. Before troops to withdraw at the end of 2011. After his martyrdom, Soleimani’s in- the resistance movement that is fighting Daesh, there were many terrorist organi- The unfair blockade imposed by Wash- fluence also became clearer. At least now global terrorism backed by the United zations operating in Iraq and various other ington on Iran was followed by the UN- in Iraq, there are great calls by Parliament States of America. countries in the world, and some of them led sanctions on Iraq that resulted in the and the Iraqi people to expel the American The absence of leaders like martyr were inside the Islamic Republic of Iran, death of about two million Iraqis, most of Soleimani in Iraq paves the way for the the Tehran Times. “We are thankful and appreciative for Iran’s forces from Iraq. including the MEK organization and oth- them children, while the Islamic Republic return of Daesh again from the Americans’ advisory presence and its arms aid to eliminate the Daesh threat This heroic spirit has been nurtured by ers that worked against Iran and against played a constructive role in saving Iraq point of view. from Erbil.” Qassem Soleimani among the Iraqis. The regional and global peace and security, from the blockade. Indeed, in the first quarter of last year The following is the text of the interview: great clergies, especially the four Shia fig- especially al-Qaeda. Iran stood beside Iraq by violating the (the first three months after Soleimani’s How do you assess the role of Iran and General Qas- ures, participated in his funeral ceremony, Moreover, the Zionist regime and its decisions of the United Nations in various martyrdom), the number of Daesh op- sem Soleimani in supporting the Iraqi Kurdish Region and we noted that Ayatollah Sistani sent intelligence apparatus, Mossad, have ways when broke the embargo and helped erations increased to 560, targeting the to confront Daesh? Kurdish leaders say that Qassem his son to represent him in receiving the practiced terrorist acts in the region. Is- its neighbor to export oil and petroleum headquarters and bases of Hashd al-Shaabi Soleimani provided weapons for Arbil when Daesh in- bodies of the two martyrs (Soleimani and rael invaded Lebanon and occupied south products. The Iraqi officials themselves and Iraqi security forces. vaded Iraq. al-Mohandes) in Najaf. Ayatollah Sistani Lebanon in 1982. acknowledged it. During the past few months and com- As you mentioned, in fact, the officials of the Iraqi Kurdistan, also issued a statement describing the two The massacres it has committed and is It should refer to an interview with the parison between July and August alone, we including Mr. Massoud Barzani, have emphasized that Iran’s role martyrs as the great commanders of victory. still committing inside occupied Palestine governor of the Iraqi Central Bank under see that the number of terror operations in in the fight against terrorism in Iraq has been vital and important. Martyr Qassem Soleimani in particular are all a form of terrorism. The American Saddam’s presidency, who explained the July was 75, which rose to 100 operations Martyr Qassem Soleimani did not only help in the frame- had a direct role in promoting harmony occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan and Islamic Republic’s aid to Iraq in breaking by Daesh in August. work of consultation, but also in the battlefield. He helped the between the nations of the region in general the American intervention in Somalia all the blockade and economic terror practiced So the absence of the two martyrs (from Iraqi Kurdistan in its combat against terrorism. We are thankful and the resistance factions in particular. came to support terrorism. Meanwhile, against the Iraqi people. America’s point of view) contributed to the and appreciative for Iran’s advisory presence and its arms aid to For example, in Iraq, there was a differ- Iran made every effort to confront the in- Regarding the war in Syria, Soleimani resurgence of Daesh activity again. eliminate the Daesh threat from Erbil. ence in the views of some of the resistance vasions and occupations, which indicates was the one who convinced the Russian However, the official U.S. military web- Given the geopolitical situation in West Asia and the factions that contributed to the expulsion that terrorism is not a new phenomenon president through two visits to Moscow to site says that the Iraqi security forces were looming threats in the region, how do you assess Iran’s of the American forces at the end of 2011. in our region. help Syria through air force in countering able to stop the escalating Daesh opera- role in stabilizing and combating terrorism? Martyr Qassem Soleimani, along with We can also call the war that Saddam terrorism, while Iran played its role on tions alone and without the support of the Iran has a special position due to its geopolitical situation martyr Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, managed imposed on Iran a type of terrorism be- the ground. American forces. This website is affiliated in the region, especially in the war against terrorism including to resolve the differences and unite factions cause it was not a just war as he committed Had it not been for the Iranian advisory with the U.S. Department of Defense and Daesh. Tehran played an important role. even before the statement of Ayatollah Sis- brutal massacres, violated sanctities, and presence and the mobilization of the re- is considered to be close to the so-called Indeed, the Islamic Republic of Iran has historically played tani. They attempted to unify the resistance killed civilians. sistance factions in the region, the Syrian “deep state” in the U.S. this role, both during the 8-year war imposed by Saddam Hussein factions. In fact, three resistance groups Saddam’s regime demonstrated terrorist state would have fallen to the takfiri groups. This confirms that the absence of the and in the midst of the war against Daesh. Iran has played a con- met three months before the Daesh attacks action by using chemical and internationally After the emergence of Daesh (ISIS) two martyrs, although it creates a vacuum structive role that has brought security and stability to the region. start in Iraq. prohibited weapons. It used long-range in 2014 and what they call the “caliphate that nothing can fill, due to the personality I have said many times that if it were not for Iran, after the After the emergence of Daesh, Soleimani missiles to destroy Iranian cities. This is state” in Iraq, Iran played the greatest role of Qassem Soleimani, it does not mean fall of Mosul, Daesh could have captured Baghdad as well as played a prominent role, and we must not terrorism because it targets civilians, and in combating terrorism, overthrowing the that confrontation against terrorism by the the Kurdistan region, but fortunately, the Islamic Republic and forget the role of the rest of other military terrorism that is inconsistent with interna- caliphate state and aborting the Ameri- resistance movement in the region includ- other allies made every effort to be helpful and effective which advisers, especially great martyr Hamid tional laws and rules and is against human can-Zionist-Saudi project. ing in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and even in are commendable. Taqavi, who had a role in establishing values. Organized crimes are terrorism and The U.S. was seeking to create a new Venezuela, (the backyard of America that Iran has been a victim of terrorism since the victory new factions in the Iraqi resistance axis mass murder is a kind of terrorism. geopolitical reality in the region by imposing General Qassem Soleimani penetrated) of the Islamic Revolution and in has gained valuable to fight Daesh. The killing operations that were practiced the caliphate state, but the statement of will stop. experience in this regard. What are the significance Taqavi was interested in training, coun- against the Kurds and Shias in Iraq are Ayatollah Sistani and the efforts of Qassem America today suffers from severe and effect of efforts made by commanders such as seling, ideological education, and boost- terrorism, as is the case with executions Soleimani, as well as the weapons that he weakness in its national security in that Martyr Soleimani to contain the chaotic situation in ing the morale of volunteers who came in without trial in Iraq. brought to Iraq, saved Baghdad and Erbil region (Venezuela and the Caribbean Sea) the region? response to the statement and the call of That was why Iran faced these terrorist from falling. because of what Qassem Soleimani did, Iran, especially after the victory of the Islamic Revolution the religious authorities. practices in the region. Soleimani, after his success in estab- so we can now talk about a new situation. and years of experience in fighting terrorism and confronting We must admit that martyr Qassem Iran’s fight against international drug lishing the Hashd al-Shaabi with the par- Qassem Soleimani’s influence reached various enemies, could create a kind of solidarity and unity Soleimani risked his life in order to con- trafficking networks is a war on terror, ticipation of Iraqis and the help of martyr Yemen and Venezuela. In Yemen, for exam- among people. front the Daesh that was sponsored by and Iran played a large role in this regard. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, could manage ple, now Ansarullah is able to accomplish In one of Soleimani’s speeches, I heard him spoke about the the Israeli-Saudi axis while all the Arab After the U.S. invasion of Iraq, various the liberation of cities from the Daesh rule precise operations using ballistic and cruise role of martyrs and leadership in deterring enemies. In his view, countries and even the U.S. were talking takfiri organizations also entered to the and overthrew this terrorist organization. missiles and advanced drones, as happened the leadership plays a pivotal role in mobilizing the people to about thirty years for ISIS to be expelled scene under the pretext of resistance to Daesh was a reality on the ground, openly in the attack on the Saudi Aramco. support the revolution and help it to continue and defeats its from the region, Iraq, and Syria. American occupation, but they were prac- killing civilians while American forces were This is a message indicating a major foes, because the people need leaders on the battlefield who However, martyr Soleimani, by elim- ticing terrorist operations on a large scale. looking. It is interesting and paradoxical change in the power equation, not only are brave and wise, as Soleimani was. This experience made inating Daesh, showed that the U.S. and They targeted churches, mosques, and that America formed an alliance to combat with Saudi Arabia but even with the Zi- peoples of the region always ready to fight terrorism under the its allies are liars. Hussainias. The Islamic Republic helped Daesh, and Iran and Russia were not invited onist regime. command of leaders such as Martyr Qassem Soleimani, and we The United States considered martyr the Iraqis confront these terrorist attempts to join, despite their clear positions and All these are the results of the victories have witnessed this fact. Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Mu- when the U.S brought chaos to Iraq and efforts in fighting terrorism. achieved by martyr Soleimani, as the arms What characteristics did make General Soleimani handis, because of their efforts, the first occupied it. In a word, Iran played a constructive embargo imposed by the United Nations popular in the region and make him attract people with enemy, even before the occupation of Iraq Iran has supported factions in the re- role in the war on terrorism. Only those on Iran has ended, and now China and different religions and views? by the United States of America. sistance axis such as the Iraqi Hezbollah who sponsor terrorism can deny this role. Russia can sell weapons to Iran. If we want to talk about the characteristics and personality The question is what if Soleimani was Brigades and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq in facing the How do you assess Iran’s policy There is talk of a large trade agreement of people like Qassem Soleimani, we must mention that he was not fighting terrorism? Our memory and American occupation, and, of course, martyr in combating all kinds of terrorism? between Iran and China, as a result of the a faithful person, honest, brave. the memory of recent history must answer Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi commander The martyr commander, Qassem Soleim- victories achieved by Qassem Soleimani. Until the day he was martyred, he believed in his cause and the question by two pictures: in the first Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis played a great and ani, has done a lot on the issue of confronting He is the one who provided support for was proud of it. I remember one day some of his friends warned scene U.S. President Barack Obama and prominent role in the resistance against terrorism, both for Iran and for the region all resistance movements in the region, him about the U.S. attempts to assassinate him and called on him the commander of the American armies terrorism and the American occupation. before and after his martyrdom. even in the world, and played a central to be more careful. He laughed and said that we are made for with him, said that facing ISIS would re- Indeed, the United States of America Even when he assumed great respon- and pivotal role in confronting the global martyrdom and we are waiting to see when we will be martyred. quire thirty years, and in the second scene has practiced all kinds of terrorism against sibilities in confronting drug trafficking terrorrism against Syria. These characteristics were the reason for his popularity. He did we must evoke the cages in which Yazidi not pursue personal interests or power, but rather fought for his goals and aspirations. Why did some Western states like the U.S put some- one like Qassem Soleimani, who was fighting Daesh, on General Soleimani led the Iranian nation in its struggle against U.S. Imperialism and Zionism the list of terrorists? BY DENNIS ETLER Qassem Soleimani. This insidious act has only compounded to Washington’s dictates. It has sacrificed its finest sons in Defining terrorism or attributing terrorism to a country The imperious U.S. has the crimes for which the U.S. must be held accountable. defense of its independence and sovereignty, and come to or person, or accusing a country or person of supporting never forgiven the Ira- The U.S. and its allies think they are above reproach the aid of those fighting for their liberation from hegem- terrorism, is made based on the interests of countries. West- nian nation and people and beyond the norms of civilized behavior. They feel that onists who think nothing of slaughtering the people for ern and European countries have one policy and Iran has for standing up to it. they can bomb, maim, and kill whoever they please without their own selfish gain. another, but in general, I think the people are entitled to The 1953 CIA initiat- restraint. Those who resist are considered enemies that Lt. General Soleimani led the Iranian nation in its strug- give a real definition. ed coup that installed must be eliminated at whatever cost and by any means gle against U.S. Imperialism and Zionism. His spirit will When the people of Iran or Iraq are satisfied with their own the hated Pahlavi necessary. This is the mentality of the genocidal nation forever dwell in the hearts of its people. governments, it makes the Western definition unreliable. It is regime was a dagger that declared the “only good Indian is a dead Indian” as its “The U.S. has used wars, sanctions, terrorism, and sup- the stance and approval of the people of a country that rejects that pierced the heart settlers exterminated the original inhabitants of the land port for the Zionist Israelis and Salafist Saudis to try and or approves these definitions. of the Iranian people. they stole and plundered. The same dictum has been applied reimpose its rule in the region, but all to no avail. In a fit of How do you describe Qassem Soleimani’s relations with Ever since the great to the rest of the world as the tentacles of U.S. imperialism pique for its failures, the U.S. under Trump lashed out by Kurdish leaders and Kurdish groups or organizations? of spread across the globe. assassinating a great hero of the Iranian nation, Lt. General My acquaintance with martyr General Qassem Soleimani 1979, the U.S. has tried The U.S. together with its underlings and surrogates are Qassem Soleimani. This insidious act has only compounded dates back to 1991 after the uprising of the people of Kurdistan. by hook or by crook to restore the monarchy and return Iran untrustworthy. Their word cannot be taken at face value. the crimes for which the U.S. must be held accountable.” Certainly, his politico-military position led to good relations to U.S.-Zionist subjugation. The resistance of Iran to U.S. They will stab you in the back at the first opportunity, hence “Time has shown that the colonialists and imperialists with the officials, leaders, and political groups of the Kurd- hegemony in West Asia has been a thorn in its side ever since. eternal vigilance must be taken when dealing with them. are paper tigers.” istan region. The U.S. has used wars, sanctions, terrorism, and sup- But time has shown that the colonialists and imperialists Dennis Etler is an American political analyst who has These relations were to such an extent that when martyr port for the Zionist Israelis and Salafist Saudis to try and are paper tigers. They appear fierce and can inflict injury, a decades-long interest in international affairs. He’s a Soleimani was seen with one of the Kurdish leaders, especially reimpose its rule in the region, but all to no avail. In a fit of but they are cowards who cannot stand up against the ire former professor of Anthropology at Cabrillo College in Mr. Talabani and Mr. Barzani, we did not feel distant, but we pique for its failures, the U.S. under Trump lashed out by of a united people. The Iranian nation has withstood 40 Aptos, California. He has a PhD in anthropology from the felt a sense of friendship and honesty. assassinating a great hero of the Iranian nation, Lt. General years of American hostility and refused to bend its knee University of California in Berkeley. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y III JANUARY 3, 2021 ANTI-TERROR HEROES

General Soleimani liberated Syrian towns General Soleimani restored Baghdad’s sovereignty and villages: Iran expert over much of Iraq: George Washington University “I am Syrian, a Sunni Muslim. I feel safe because Iran helped us” professor BY M.A. SAKI the Islamic governance do not only apply TEHRAN – An expert on Iran’s foreign policy to Shia or Muslims but to all humanity for “To me, General Soleimani was says as President Beshar al-Assad has said freedom, independence and respect and this General Qassem Soleimani “liberated towns is the universalism of the character of the an Iranian patriot who fought and villages” in Syria in the fight against ISIS. Islamic Republic of Iran. Polina Aniftou from Greece tells the Teh- How do you assess the role and po- terrorists endangering Iran” ran Times that “certainly” the assassination sition of General Qassem Soleimani in of General Soleimani “was a big relief for the fight against terrorism, especially BY JAVAD HEIRANNIA the terrorists of ISIS and their regional and ISIS, in the region? TEHRAN – A professor of international business at trans-Atlantic sponsors.” The night General Qassem Soleimani was theGeorge Washington University tells the Tehran She also praises Esmail Ghaani, the general assassinated I was at home that a friend, who Times that General Qassem Soleimani “was key in who replaced Genaral Soleimani immediately is a political analyst from Greece, called me uniting Shia militias and Kurdish forces against ISIL in after his assassination in January 2020, as and said “Media say that Soleimani is assas- Iraq and restoring the Iraqi government’s sovereignty a “capable” person. sinated”. I did not pay attention as I thought over much of Iraq.” “Sardar Ghaani is also very capable; he it’s something usually comes out of media for Hossein Askari also says, “Iran has been a victim of ter- is very promising and intelligent soldier of propaganda. At 5:00 a.m. another journalist rorism. Iran has been the target of an organization that peace,” the analyst notes. friend from Greece confirmed (the report). many countries classify as terrorist—the Mujahedin-e-Khalq The Greek analyst also says Iran has a Like all, I was devastated! Not only because or MEK.” long record in fighting terrorist groups and what had happened was a war crime. But also Following is the text of the interview: state terrorism. because Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Many countries have been victims of state and “Iran fought against terrorism from the al-Muhandis as personalities had enlight- non-state terrorism over the past century. Yet very beginning, against MEK terrorists, against ened the fight for peace and freedom in the it seems impossible to take the very first step Saddam’s terrorist bodies, and since then have region. Qassem Soleimani’s speeches and to battle this phenomenon which is providing a helped all the people in the region and the activities teach us the respect, patience, just proper coherent definition for terrorism. What world that have been trying to resist against antireflection and reaction because Greek and dislike. From the other part for the global and visionary. The fight of Qassem Soleim- purposes are behind this lack of global consensus? state and non-state terror .” Persian and Egyptian nations were nations powers terrorism needs to stay undefined ani against ISIS has been said by President Are there actually some countries which benefit Following is the full text of the interview: based on origin, culture, religion, territory, in order not to eliminate their benefit and Assad. (He said) General Soleimani helped from this ambiguity? In 1972, a specialized Committee same traditions but the Western nations are illegal actions. For example, the USA justified the Syrian people, he liberated towns and Let’s face it, it is hard, if not impossible, to define on Terrorism was set up at the Unit- “made” nations by human force or historical the invasion to Afghanistan and Iraq as a villages. Our Syrian friends sent us pictures terrorism. It is a concept that depends on the eye of ed Nations, and member states made needs that cannot enjoy internal peace, ex- counter fight against terrorism. If there was from churches that Soleimani and his soldiers the beholder. As many have recognized, a person that great efforts to provide appropriate porting their aggression with wars, racism a strict definition, the USA is now acting as had cleaned for the believers. On the day of some may label as a terrorist may be called a freedom definitions of international terrorism, and Westoxification. a state terrorist. So if we want to be legally, the funeral, Russian troops from Syria ar- fighter or liberator by others. It seems that most but due to intense political differences, Thus after the fall of USSR in 1991 that socially and practically correct, terrorism, rived in Tehran with flowers to his memory. definitions include some of the following terms: an the actual definition of international the anti-capitalist movements were not so anti-terrorism and state-terrorism need to be Pakistan’s people visited his grave singing. act of violence, initiated by non-state actors, against terrorism and comprehensive con- dangerous as they did not have the support also defined. The state terrorism in the cases Photos of Soleimani are still in Gaza, Beirut, non-military combatants and targets, intended to ventions in practice was impossible. of the USSR and the vision of socialism was of Israel, USA, Saudi Arabia, the previous Sanaa, Caracas, Paris, (and) London. General strike fear and extract political concessions and inter- Security Council Resolution 1373 was traumatized, the Western lobby needed new government in Bolivia, which came to power Soleimani was not just an Iranian general. national terrorism adding a cross border dimension. the most serious attempt to define enemies. The West saw as danger the religion, through a coup, are legitimated with illegal He was (also) respected across the region While these terms may capture many of what most terrorism after 9/11, which evolved the indigenous populations, giving legitima- and unhuman perspectives and violations of and the world for his achievements and for experts have in mind when describing terrorism, to into UN Security Council Resolution cy to states against armed and non-armed human rights and international laws. his personality. Certainly his assassination my mind they are still woefully incomplete. To begin 1535. Despite providing a definition groups. PLO until Madrid Conference in 1991 How do you assess the role and was a big relief for the terrorists of ISIS and with, why are states exempt from the definition? How of terrorism, countries approach it was considered as a terrorist organization, position of Iran in the fight against their regional and trans-Atlantic sponsors, or are covert operations by the major powers that result differently. What is the reason? either the entire organization of Hezbollah terrorism in the region? at least this is what they believed. I am more in kidnapping any different than when the same is Terrorism usually is defined in the broad- or just its military wing has been designat- Iran has a very specific identification in than sure that Sardar Ghaani is also very done by a non-state actor? Why is a bomb dropped est sense, as the use of intentional violence ed as terrorist organization, Zapatistas were fighting terrorism both in legal and common capable. He is very promising and intelli- by a plane on civilians more legitimate than a pipe for political or religious purposes by state defined as terrorists or narco-terrorists by practices, but also in social rules. I remember gent soldier of peace and we have a lot of bomb used by a single person? A state has the option or non- state actors, and we have seen this the Mexican state that in 1997 pro-govern- when I was conducting interviews for my PhD, expectations from Ghaani, at the same level of invading an adversary whereas a disenfranchised definition in academia, in literature, in media ment forces massacred 45 villagers for their an Iranian clergyman said that the values of as the expectations and the appreciation we group does not have the same option and takes up and resolutions and laws worldwide. What support of the Zapatistas (Acteal massacre). the Islamic Revolution are the dignity, freedom have for martyr Soleimani. I believe that arms in attacks where it can, so why is one terrorism is missing every time by the laws and the The rights for freedom, work, health equality and justice. Iran fought against terrorism the most beautiful thing I have ever heard and the other not? resolutions, you are asking, is to define the and education of the poor and indigenous from the very begging. It fought against MEK about Soleimani is by a Syrian journalist Please note that different entities even in the United cause, the consequences and the duration populations were defined as anti-democratic terrorists, against Saddam’s terrorist bodies, that while I was interviewing him, he said, States have dissimilar definitions of terrorism. For instance, of terrorism. Not of the terrorist action but “sins”. They were blocked, criminalized and and since then had helped all the people in “I am Syrian, a Sunni Muslim. I feel safe the FBI and the Department of State have conflicting defi- terrorism as a situation. Thus for example we used the term terrorist for national freedom the region and the world that were trying because Iran helped us, and even if my nitions of terrorism. had “terrorism” and “terrorist organizations” fighters. to resist against state and non-state terror country will be free we own that to Iran In the end, it is a fungible term that is misused to fit the in the past as in the case of RAF in Germany The Security Council Resolution 1373 at- actors. Thus Iran supported Hezbollah that and we want Iran to support us to learn needs of those in power. and Brigate Rosse in Italy from 70s to 90s. tempted to define terrorism after 9/11, which was founded to protect Lebanese people after how to be reconstructed as a country and Given the geopolitical predicament in West These organizations that had more social evolved into UN Security Council Resolution the massacre in Sabra and Shatila, where society with values and respect.” Asia and troubled circumstances in the region, demands for social equality, were fighting 1535. It failed to unify the member states. This forces of Israel violated the territory of Leb- Given the conflict of interests of how do you assess Iran’s attempt in the war on for the change of pro- fascist and post-war Security Council Resolution 1373 requests anon and executed 4,500 people in 2 days. different countries, can we see the terrorism? capitalist regimes in Germany and Italy that member states to implement a number of This is state terrorism. Iran supported PLO same action by countries against ter- Let’s face it. Iran has been a victim of terrorism. were sinking people into poverty and by laws measures intended to enhance their legal and Hamas and the rights of Palestinians for rorism? What mechanism can equalize Iran has been the target of an organization that they defined as terrorists. After the members and institutional ability to counter terrorist freedom. Iran did not interfere in the poli- the performance of countries against many countries classify as terrorist—the Mujahe- of these “terrorist organizations” were ar- activities at home, in their regions, and around tics of Palestinians, as Ayatollah Khamenei terrorism? din-e-Khalq or MEK. Yet, countries and leaders of rested, the treatment by the state and justice the world. The Security Council Resolution very correctly said, Palestinians decide and I strongly believe that as far as there Iran’s adversaries change their classification of the systems was totally unhuman and against any 1535 (2004) received a more technical and Iran supports; Iran is the only country in are political and economic interests the MEK depending on the state of their relations with democratic principles. Thus we had members operational shape on revitalization of the the region that declared its foreign policy so definition of terrorism will never be Iran. Israel has inflicted harm on Iranians inside and of these organizations committing suicides Security Council committee established pur- transparently. Iran supported Venezuela and achieved by the UN. The member states outside Iran that can be classified as terrorism. Yet, without any justifications. Germany has in- suant to Resolution 1373 (2001) concerning Bolivia against the U.S.-supported coups and are not interested in defining terrorism most so-called champions of democracy and world troduced to Western world the white cells at counter-terrorism. Today the most important violation of international law. Iran supported into a legal form and unify mechanisms order say nothing. The United States has carried out Stammheim Prison where political prisoners part is not the fact that countries decide to from the very beginning, before even Russia, to fight against (it). Terrorism is anoth- covert operations against Iranian officials, yet the were starving and just one day they were sent face terrorism in a different way; today states the legally elected president of Syria against er way to justify expenditures, wars and word terrorism does not pass many lips. to psychiatric clinics from the tortures. All and businesses are monitored globally. The ISIS. Iran supported after an invitation the acts against countries and organizations At the same time, when Iran supports Hezbollah, a po- the committees and the regulatory bodies AML and compliance guidelines given by the elected Kurdish government in Northern as in the case of Hezbollah. The only exit litical party in Lebanon, Iran is called a state sponsor of in the UN that tried to define terrorism be- European Union are not different from the Iraq against ISIS and Turkish troops. Iran I see is the regional organizations that are terror. When Iran supports the President of Syria, it is fore the fall of USSR, were actually trying USA. When the USA applies sanctions, usually and personally Imam Khomeini supported smaller than the global organizations and called state terror. to demonize communism, socialism, social all other countries advise their businesses not Nelson Mandela against the apartheid of the countries due to borders have common During Iran’s fight against terrorism in the re- and class movements, anti-imperialism and to have relations with sanctioned individuals, South Africa. In all above cases Iran faced experiences and have an understanding of gion, some names have always shined brighter, anti-capitalism. companies, universities and countries. The terrorism under any form of state-terrorism the situation to achieve a memorandum of one of which is Gen. Qassem Soleimani. What role The Western justice system was never fight against terrorism in our days occurs and terrorist organizations. Iran, though collaboration. Also bilateral agreements he played in this fight? prudent to adopt the diversification of polit- through laws, banking systems, economic facing sanctions, managed to show its may support common mechanisms, create General Soleimani had multiple roles in the region. ical opinions, the race equality and we have isolation and legal enforcement. If Interpol solidarity around the globe to any people a modus operandi and legal forms, and Foremost, he was a true Iranian patriot. He fought to keep seen what happened to European colonies requests a wanted person from a country in asked for that. So there is a systematic political collaboration in order to fight Iran safe. The General had a key role in Afghanistan after in Africa, the white exceptionalism in the Asia most probably the authorities will agree. and ethical ideology behind the fight of terrorism. My concern though is as far 9/11. He was key in uniting Shia militias and Kurdish USA against non-white and indigenous If the EU believes that there is a terrorist action Iran against terrorism. In terms of justice as lobbyism is above peace and the states forces against ISIL in Iraq and restoring the Iraqi gov- populations. In my opinion this anti-social within France as in the case of Hebdo, then and equality, Iran, as expressed by Imam cannot protect their sovereignty against ernment’s sovereignty over much of Iraq. I could go on character of the West has to do with the fact rest of the countries will support. Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution, the monopoly of capitalism, the aggression and list more of his positive that the West does not have historical value In the absence of a definition for terror- opposes the way that the indigenous popu- of the declining USA and the fraud of the exploits. General system and the beginning of the Western ism there is an open pool at the discretion lation are treated as subhuman according Western liberalism, then the democratic He was praised by U.S. civilization occurred when it met Greek, of each state, lobbies and organizations to to their race and ethnicity. values and the human dignity will be un- generals. But then they Soleimani had Persian and Egyptian cultures, creating an call terrorists those they disagree with or The Islamic Revolution and the ideas of der attack. turned against him when multiple roles their interests did not coin- cide. Sadly they even turned in the region. against him and called him Foremost, a terrorist. President Bush he was a true In memory of the man of anti-imperialist battles rewarded him and Iran by BY DENIS KORKODINOV then that hatred of the American and British intelligence, martyrdom in 2020, he led the Al-Quds special unit, which calling Iran a member of the Iranian patriot. On January 3, 2020, Wash- which played a direct role in the complete military coup, earned him international recognition as a courageous and Axis of Evil! And of course He fought to ington, on the personal or- determined the mood in Iranian society. In addition, in unwavering military strategist. who committed the ultimate keep Iran safe. ders of President Donald 1957 the secret police “SAVAK” was founded in Iran, whose Of course, General Soleimani was a recognizable figure terrorist act and assassinat- Trump, committed a per- activities provoked fair protests in Iran and was one of the not only in West Asia, but throughout the world. He was ed this Iranian General in fidious act of aggression reasons for the subsequent Islamic revolution. directly involved in the anti-imperialist battles taking place a foreign country? against Iran, assassinat- General Qassem Soleimani grew up and was brought up in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and Let’s face it, terrorist is a fungible word. It is sometimes ing the commander of the in this atmosphere. From childhood, accustomed to hard Latin America. For this reason, the persona of the Iranian used correctly and at other times it is used to brand an Al-Quds special unit of the work (from the age of 13 he worked as a laborer in the city general cannot be viewed exclusively in the context of Iranian adversary in order to legitimize the illegitimate. To me, Islamic Revolutionary Guard of Kerman), he understood by his own example that Iran politics. He was a symbol of the invincibility of the Iranian General Soleimani was an Iranian patriot who fought ter- Corps General Qassem needed liberation from American, British and Israeli dik- people on a global scale. rorists endangering Iran. Soleimani. In the vicinity tat, as well as strengthening its international influence as a In this regard, it is fair to say that the assassination of How can countries unite in fight against terrorism? of Baghdad, along with the country free of geopolitical prejudice and misconception. General Soleimani, like the murder of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Although countries may define terrorism differently, Iranian general, the leader For this reason, in 1979, he happily supported the Islamic is an act of terrorism against Iran. Iranian martyrs have they may come together if their interests coincide. Iran of the Iraqi Mobilization Abu Revolution, becoming its prominent defender. At the same proven that Iran is justifiably seeking to perpetuate their and the U.S. did so in Afghanistan and in Iraq. But it Mahdi al-Muhandis was assassinated. time, General Soleimani entered in the Guard Corps, where memory, guarding the ideas of global justice. lasted for a limited period of time when their interests To understand who General Qassem Soleimani was and he quickly earned great respect and gained invaluable ex- Denis Korkodinov is the president of the Interna- coincided but not in times when interests diverged. The what role he played in West Asia, it is important to describe perience, which would later become the main driving force tional Center for Political Analysis and Forecasting key is shared interests. some details of his biography. He was born on March 11, of his activities. based in Moscow. He is also a political technologist For my part, I wish we could come up with different 1957 into an ordinary peasant family. It has been 4 years In 1987, General Soleimani already led the 41st Taral- and the editor of the Investigative Service of the In- terms to describe events more precisely. Not using this since the military coup in Iran, as a result of which the gov- lah Infantry Division and headed Iran’s military operations terstate socio-political television and radio magazine capture all word—terrorism— that is so misleading ernment of Mohammed Mossadegh was overthrown. It was in Afghanistan, Syria, and Lebanon. From 2000 until his “World Community”. and misused. IIII I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y ANTI-TERROR HEROES JANUARY 3, 2021

Professor says General Major General Soleimani’s assassination Soleimani’s legacy will be determined by his leadership was an unforgettably historic crime in fighting ISIS BY ANDREW KORYBKO ceptable for its regional allies like Reflecting on all of this, it’s un- The one year anniversary of Major “Israel” and the (P)GCC. clear whether Trump regrets assas- BY MOHAMMAD HOMAEIFAR General Soleimani’s assassination In a sense, one can say that the sinating Major General Soleimani in TEHRAN - Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, chair of the is the perfect moment to reflect on U.S. was somewhat held hostage to hindsight. It’s true that he succeeded Centre for Iranian Studies at the London Middle East Institute, the significance of this unforgettably the interests of those same regional in inflicting a powerful blow to Iran, commends Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani’s leadership historic crime. The world was aghast allies. While it arguably enters into but Iran nevertheless responded by in the war against terrorists, especially ISIS, in Iraq and Syria. when they learned that Trump or- various military adventures in the ruining America’s post-Old Cold dered U.S. drones to kill the Iranian region in their support, its flexibility War military reputation of invulner- military leader in Baghdad’s airport, in responding even further to Iran ability. In addition, Iran continues which immediately raised fears of was extremely limited since anything to support its regional Resistance a larger war throughout the region. more would have likely provoked allies, which proves that while its These worries were grounded in the the feared scenario of an uncon- martyr was immensely important in reality that the U.S. and Iran had trollable regional conflict, one in this respect, he wasn’t irreplaceable already been involved in a Cold War which America’s allies would likely like the U.S. claimed. The Resist- for decades that was increasingly suffer just as much as -- if not more ance has always been about much turning hot under the Trump Ad- than -- Iran. In other words, even more than a single person since it’s ministration. It’s for this reason that though the American homeland a movement for peace, justice, and many expected Iran to kinetically would have probably escaped largely national sovereignty, among other respond, which might in turn lead unscathed, “Israel” and the (P)GCC goals. to an American escalation. would have been destroyed, which Objectively speaking, it can Iran’s response came shortly other country struck several U.S. War military reputation of invul- was unacceptable for it. therefore be assessed that Trump after when it launched a series of military bases in such a way with nerability was shattered as a result. The reason for predicting such a made a mistake by assassinating missile strikes against U.S. bases in impunity. It’s unimportant whether Washington knew that escalating dire outcome is that Iran’s missile Major General Soleimani. The re- Iraq. The exact specifics of what took Iran’s response was choreographed everything with Tehran even further technology advances of the past dec- sultant shattering of his country’s place are still unclear but the fact with America ahead of time or not would probably have crossed the ade have succeeded in serving as a soft power was an unacceptable “I am on the record for saying that General Soleimani’s legacy of the matter is that these facilities since the soft power impact is un- tripwire into triggering a regional powerful deterrent to most forms cost for carrying out this unforget- will be primarily determined by his leadership in the fight against were devastated even though no loss mistakable. The optics are obvious, conflagration, the collateral damage of regional aggression, which is the tably historic crime which failed ISIS,” Adib-Moghaddam tells the Tehran Times. of life officially occurred. This led and it’s that the U.S. post-Old Cold of which would have been unac- main reason that Trump wanted to stop the Resistance’s regional Nader Entessar, a professor emeritus of political science from to many wondering whether Iran’s to impose drastic curbs on it as a activities. The American leader the University of South Alabama, says General Soleimani’s acu- promised response was indirectly Iran cause an “irreparable precondition for re-entering the proved his loyalty to the U.S. re- men in fighting terrorists was “unmatched”. communicated to the U.S. through damage” to U.S. “reputation” JCPOA among other demands. gional “Israeli” and (P)GCC allies, In a commentary on January 8, five days after his assassination third parties like some reported at Without these missiles, Iran would but his country also paid a harsh in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad’s international airport, the the time for the purpose of keeping and “shattered” its “post-Old never have been able to respond to cost in terms of the irreparable TIME magazine wrote a commentary headlined “Soleimani spun tensions between the two under con- Cold War military reputation the U.S. after it assassinated Major damage to its reputation. As the a web of Iranian influence that will long outlive him”. trol in order to avoid the worst-case of invulnerability” by firing General Soleimani in such a way world mourns the martyrdom “He possessed a unique set of skills and relationships that scenario of World War III. Even if that it shattered its adversary’s of Major General Soleimani on were critical to Iran’s many successes over the past two decades. that’s what ended up transpiring, missiles at its military base in precious soft power, nor would the one year anniversary of his He was highly intelligent, decisive, and pragmatic. Those who the significance of these strikes was response to assassination of America have been deterred from assassination, they should also worked with him all noted his soft-spoken demeanor, his cool- momentous. Major General Soleimani. escalating everything further out realize that he’s just as powerful ness under pressure, his quiet authority, and his ability to know Never before in history has an- of fear for its regional allies’ safety. dead as alive. how to make people offers they could not refuse or did not want to.” the TIME said. However, Professor Adib-Moghaddam criticizes the way Iran’s war against terrorism is being portrayed, saying, “Whenever Assassination of Gen. Soleimani ‘was a flagrant instance of state terrorism’: Richard Falk Iran does something it is portrayed as particularly obstructive, aggressive, even hegemonic.” He says successive governments International law professor says Iran is “active both in struggle against non-state and state terrorism” in Iran have failed “to battle this distorted image”. ‘Iran has been a victim of terrorism for decades’ BY EHSAN ETESAM to political violence, which possessed these elements, and international law is concerned, the Assad government in On the role and position of Iran in the fight against terror- TEHRAN – The assassination of Iranian Major General given formal expression in a series of Security Council Damascus is the legitimate representative of the Syrian ism, the professor says, “Undoubtedly, Iran has been a victim Qassem Soleimani by the United States in January 2020 Resolutions, including 1373, 1535: people, and is treated as such at the UN. Iran is legally of terrorism for decades, both before and after the revolution.” “was a flagrant instance of state terrorism,” says Richard --terrorists are individuals who engage in political entitled to provide assistance to such a government faced Just on November 27, Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Anderson Falk, a professor emeritus of international law violence on behalf of non-state actors; with insurgent challenges from within its boundaries. If Fakhrizadeh was assassinated outside Tehran. It was the latest at Princeton University. --states, their officials and citizens may be guilty of the allegations are true that Syria has bombed hospitals in a series of terror acts against Iranian experts. Falk makes the remarks in an exclusive interview with supporting such activities through money, weapons and and other civilian sites, then the Syrian government could On June 7, 2017, Iran’s Parliament and the mausoleum of the Tehran Times as Iran is marking the assassination safe haven, and therefore indictable under national law be charged with state terrorism. Imam Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Revolution, were tar- anniversary of the senior military officer in January 2020. as aiding and abetting terrorism; What role did Gen. Soleimani play in this fight geted by two simultaneous gun and suicide bomb assaults. ISIS, General Soleimani, a legendary commander in the war --political violence by states, no matter what its char- against terrorism? known in its Arabic acronym as Daesh, claimed responsibility against terrorists, was assassinated near Baghdad’s inter- acter, is to be treated by reference to international law, Although a military officer, General Soleimani, was for the coordinated attacks. national airport while he was on a peace mission to Iraq. including international humanitarian law, and not viewed not in any combat role when assassinated, and was en- In 1972, a special committee on terrorism was set up at The prominent international law professor also says, as terrorism; gaged in peacemaking diplomacy on a mission to Iraq. the United Nations and member states made great efforts to “Iran has opposed non-state political violence of groups --even if the non-state actor is exercising its right of His assassination was a flagrant instance of state terror- provide appropriate definitions of international terrorism, such as ISIS or Taliban that engage in terrorist activity resistance under international law against colonialism ism. With considerable irony, the truth is that General but due to intense political differences, the actual definition by committing atrocities against civilians that amount or apartheid, its political violence will be treated as Soleimani had been playing a leading counterterrorist of international terrorism and comprehensive conventions to Crimes Against Humanity.” ‘terrorism’ if such a designation furthers geopolitical role throughout the region. He is thought to have been in practice was impossible. Security Council Resolution 1373 “Iran has also consistently condemned state terrorism ambitions. primarily responsible for the ending, or at least greatly was the most serious attempt to define terrorism after the 9/11 of the sort practiced by Israel and the United States,” says The alternative view of terrorism that I endorse empha- weakening, the threat posed by ISIS to the security of attacks, which evolved into UN Security Council Resolution the American professor who acted as the UN Human sizes the nature of the political violence, rather than the many countries in the Middle East. 1535. Despite providing a definition of terrorism, countries Rights Rapporteur in the occupied Palestinian territories. identity of the perpetrator. As such, political violence can Given the conflict of interests of different coun- approach it differently. Following is the full text of the interview: be identified as ‘state terrorism,’ which amounts to uses tries, can we see the same action by countries Adib-Moghaddam, also an expert in global thought and com- How do some countries benefit the uncertainty of force that are outside the framework of war and peace, against terrorism? What mechanism can equalize parative philosophies, says, “In the way the current internation- embedded in current definition of terrorism? and violate the sovereign rights of a foreign country or the performance of countries against terrorism? al system is structured and policed even a vile, irrational and Could there be a solid definition for terrorism fundamental rights of citizens within the territory of the As suggested at the outset, without an agreed widely adopted counterproductive strategy such as terrorism is always relative inclusive enough to pave the way in fighting state. Such acts of terrorism may be clandestine or overt, and generally agreed upon definition of terrorism it is almost to the power of representation. By that I mean, that the truism terror globally? and may be attributed to state actors when counterrevo- impossible to create effective international mechanisms to that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter is real There exists a basic split between those political actors lutionary groups are authorized, funded, and encouraged contain terrorism. As matters now stand, the identification not because it is right but because contemporary politicians and that seek to define ‘terrorism’ as anti-state violence by non- directly or indirectly by the state. Non-state actors can of ‘terrorists’ and ‘terrorism’ is predominantly a matter of the mainstream media have habituated us into a tyrannical and state actors and those actors that seek to define terrorism also be guilty of terrorism if their tactics and practices geopolitical alignment rather than the implementation of barbarian political relativism that bullies us into betraying our as violence directed at innocent civilians, regardless of deliberately target civilians or recklessly disregard risks prohibitions directed at unacceptable forms of political vi- morale and human principles, our rationality which differentiates the identity of the perpetrator. The latter approach to the of death or harm to civilians. olence within boundaries and across borders. clearly between right and wrong, if only this system would let us.” definition reaches targeted or indiscriminate violence Despite all these uncertainties, Iran has long To imagine the emergence of effective international, The professor says an intentional killing of a civilian is terrorism directed at civilians even if the state is the perpetrator. been fighting the sort of terrorist actions taken or regional, mechanisms to combat terrorism at least whether it is done by a country or by an individual. States that act beyond their borders to fulfill counterrev- by state and non-state entities which really cast four developments would have to occur: “The deliberate and direct killing of a civilian is clearly an act olutionary goals seek to stigmatize their adversaries as terror on hearts of people in the region. How do --the reliance on legal criteria to categorize political of terrorism from my perspective. In that case, it doesn’t really terrorists while exempting themselves from moral and you assess Iran’s fight against terrorism? violence as terrorism; matter to my mind if the perpetrator is a state or a non-state legal accountability. As far as I know, Iran has opposed non-state political --the inclusion of ‘state terrorism’ in the official defi- actor,” Adib-Moghaddam says. There exists a second basic split due to state practice violence of groups such as ISIS or Taliban that engage in nition of terrorism; However, the leading academic says an act of terror by a following political rather than legal criteria when iden- terrorist activity by committing atrocities against civil- --the inclusion of political violence within sovereign Muslim or a non-white person is highly publicized in comparison. tifying terrorist actors. When the Taliban and Al Qaeda ians that amount to Crimes Against Humanity. Iran has territory as well as across boundaries; “Yet, terrorism committed by a self-declared Muslim, Sikh were opposing Soviet intervention in Afghanistan they also consistently condemned state terrorism of the sort --an internationally or regionally agreed defini- or African is always represented as worse, than that committed were identified as Mujahideen, but when seen as turning practiced by Israel and the United States, and possibly tion incorporating these three elements and formally by a white person. In the former case it’s said to be Islamist against the West, they were put on the top of the terror- other governments, within the region. In this regard, Iran accepted by all major sovereign states and by the terrorism, in the case of the latter it’s represented as something ist list. Osama Bin Laden, once hailed as a Western ally has been active both in the struggle against non-state United Nations. out of the ordinary or the act of a mentally disturbed individual. deserving lavish CIA support became the most wanted and state terrorism. In the present international atmosphere, such an inter- This is why for decades now, police forces in Europe and North terrorist after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center Iran has been accused of lending funding and material national consensus is impossible to achieve. The United America totally underestimated the terror from the global right- and Pentagon. Such subjectivity and fluidity makes it support to non-state actors that many governments in States and Israel, and a series of other important states wing until it killed people en masse,” says chair of the Centre for virtually impossible to develop a coherent and legal ap- the West officially classify as ‘terrorist’ organizations, would never agree. There are two sets of obstacles: some Iranian Studies at the London Middle East Institute. proach to ‘terrorist’ activity. such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Part of the justification states would not give up their discretion to attack civilian The professor goes on to say that terrorism is a vicious act In essence, geopolitical actors have always sought to for U.S. sanctions arises from this allegation that Iran targets outside their borders and would not accept account- and there is no need to clarify it. have international law regard the use of force by states supports terrorism in the Middle East. These allegations ability procedure that impose limits on their discretion “Terrorism is terrorism and it doesn’t need an adjective or any acting on their own as falling outside the framework are highly ‘political’ in character as both Hezbollah over the means used to deal with domestic transnational other clarification. When one deliberately kills non-combatants of terrorism while regarding transnational political and Hamas engaged in violent resistance directed at non-state adversaries. for political reasons one is a terrorist and the UN-system should violence by adversary or enemy non-state actors as unlawful occupation policies that denied basic national Under these conditions of geopolitical subjectivity have the mandate to persecute.” terrorism even if the targeted person or organization rights to the Lebanese and Palestinian people, including such that from some perspectives non-state actors are A universal approach in the form of global alliance is is a government official or member of the armed forc- the fundamental right of self-determination, although ‘freedom-fighters’ and from others they are ‘terrorists,’ needed to counter the scourge of terrorism, Adib-Moghadd- es, or if the non-state actor is resisting occupation by some of their tactics and acts may have crossed the no common grounds for meaningful and trustworthy am suggests. foreign armed forces. Before the 9/11 attacks Israel line of legality. intergovernmental arrangements exists. “The global fight against terrorism has to start from a princi- influentially adopted this approach in its effort to portray There are also contentions that Iran’s support for the It remains important for individuals and legal experts pled and absolute rejection of any deliberate killing of civilians Palestinian resistance as a criminal enterprise. After Syrian government in dealing with its domestic adver- to advocate a cooperative approach to the prevention and for political purposes. This is a universal approach that can only 9/11 the United States added its political weight to this saries involves complicity in behavior that violates the punishment of terrorists and terrorism by reference to be carried by a global alliance against terrorism that needs to be statist approach to the conception of terrorism, which laws of war and international humanitarian law. This an inclusive definition of terrorism that considers polit- freed from the shackles of destructive power politics.” meant in effect that any adversary target that could contention is a matter of regional geopolitics. As far as ical violence by states and by governments within their The expert in global thought and comparative philosophies be characterized as associated with a non-state actor national territory as covered. is of the opinion that “civil societies are probably the best locus that resorted to armed struggle was criminalized to “Although a military It is also in some sense to include non-state actors for such a global movement, as our governments have proved the extent of being treated as unprotected by interna- as stakeholders in any lawmaking process that has any to be woefully inept to ensure our security from these killers.” tional humanitarian law. In practice, this subjectivity officer, General Soleimani, prospect of achieving both widespread acceptance as The professor says “a bottom-up approach” is essential in was vividly displayed in recent years by support given was not in any combat a framework or implementation at behavioral levels. the campaign against terrorism. to anti-Castro Cuban exiles that engaged in political role when assassinated, It would seem, in this regard, important to prohibit “As terrorists try to target the sense of security and commu- violence against the legitimate Cuban government, and torture of terrorist suspects or denial of prisoner of nity upon which all functioning societies need to be built, they yet were given aid, support, and encouragement while and was engaged in war rights. One-sided legal regimes tend to be ration- need to be combatted through a bottom-up approach, which based in the United States. peacemaking diplomacy on alizations for unlawful conduct, and thus operate as The UN was mobilized after the 9/11 attacks by the political instruments of conflict rather than legal means obliges our governments to the standards that we deserve,” a mission to Iraq” Adib-Moghaddam notes. United State to support this statist/geopolitical approach of regulation.