September 15

Iran's possible reaction vis-à-vis Mina tragedy tough: Leader

30 September 2015 20:22

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Saudi Arabia has not made good on its obligations regarding the recent deadly Hajj incident, saying Iran's possible response will be"tough and harsh."

"Should we decide to show any reaction, our reaction will be tough and harsh," said the Leader at a joint commencement ceremony for the graduates of the Iranian Army’s military academies in the city of Noshahr in northern Mazandaran Province on Wednesday, Press TV reported.

Ayatollah Khamenei blasted Saudi officials for failing to live up to their commitments regarding the crush in Mina, near the Saudi city of Mecca, on September 24.

“Saudi Arabia failed to fulfill its duties concerning the desperate wounded [pilgrims],” said the Leader.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted, “Saudi authorities do not discharge their responsibilities and in some cases act contrarily (contrary to their duties) and slyly.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also lashed out at Riyadh for failing to ensure the safety of Hajj pilgrims.

“Our nation is grief-stricken; the Hajj should be a place of security; is it [called] security when the lives of people are jeopardized during the [Hajj] rituals?” the Leader asked rhetorically.

Ayatollah Khamenei further said representatives from Iran and other Muslim nations should probe the Mina tragedy.

Leader urges Muslim world to probe into Hajj tragedy

30 September 2015 10:14

Ayatollah Khamenei blasted Saudi officials for failing to live up to their commitments regarding the crush in Mina, near the Saudi city of Mecca, on September 24.

“Saudi Arabia failed to fulfill its duties concerning the desperate wounded [pilgrims],” said the Leader.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted, “Saudi authorities do not discharge their responsibilities and in some cases act contrarily (contrary to their duties) and slyly.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also lashed out at Riyadh for failing to ensure the safety of Hajj pilgrims.

“Our nation is grief-stricken; the Hajj should be a place of security; is it [called] security when the lives of people are jeopardized during the [Hajj] rituals?”the Leader asked rhetorically.

Ayatollah Khamenei further said representatives from Iran and other Muslim nations should probe the Mina tragedy.

The Saudi government has confirmed that the overall death toll from the Mina incident has reached 4,173 so far.

Meanwhile, head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi has also announced that 239 Iranian pilgrims have so far been confirmed dead. Twenty-seven Iranian pilgrims have been wounded and 241 others remain unaccounted for.

Leader: Saudi rulers should apologize for tragic incident in Mina

27 September 2015 05:39

The Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, addressing a group of clerics, this morning (Sunday), said that the Saudi rulers, should, instead of projection, apologize to the Islamic Ummah and the bereaved families of the pilgrims who lost their lives in the tragic incident in the plain of Mina, while accepting their responsibility toward this tragic disaster.

According to IRIB World Service, the Leader of Islamic Revolution added that the Islamic world maintains many unanswered questions about the tragic incident in the plain of Mina.

In further remarks, the Leader of Islamic Revolution reminded of the bitter incident in Mina, while adding that this bitter event has saddened all Muslims in the recent days.

Furthermore, the Leader of Islamic Revolution named the projection of Saudi rulers and their refusal to be held accountable for this catastrophe as a wrong act, and a futile and ineffective measure, while adding that the loss of more than a thousand pilgrims in this deplorable incident is not a minor issue; and the World of Islam should focus on this tragic event.

The Leader of Islamic Revolution pointed out that this deplorable incident in the plain of Mina will not be forgotten and the Saudi officials should admit to their accountability in regard to this tragic incident.

Iran declares 3-day national mourning over Mecca deaths

25 September 2015 05:27

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei declares three days of national mourning following the deaths of 1300 Hajj pilgrims, including at least 131 Iranian nationals, in the holy city of Mecca.

According to Press TV, offering condolences to the bereaved families of killed pilgrims, Ayatollah Khamenei said in a message on Thursday “I declare three days of national mourning in the country.”

The Leader said "The Saudi government is obligated to shoulder its heavy responsibility in this bitter incident and meet its obligations in compliance with the rule of righteousness and fairness. Mismanagement and improper measures that were behind this tragedy should not be overlooked.”

Condoling with the survivors and mourners throughout the Muslim community and extending all possible assistance to the pilgrims of other countries, the Leader said the disaster created a “great grief” in the Islamic world.

The administration of President Hassan Rouhani also issued a statement, noting that the Saudi government is responsible for the consequences of disregard of its obligation of guaranteeing security for the pilgrims.

It called on the Saudi government to “identify the factors that caused this incident”, help repatriate the bodies of the dead to Iran quickly and provide treatment to the injured.

Saudi authorities claim 717 people have been killed while Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization puts the death toll at more than 1,300.

Leader’s message on the occasion of Sacred Defense Week

24 September 2015 16:23

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has emphasized that martyrdom and martyrs in Islamic culture symbolizes life and radiance / effulgence.

In a message on Thursday on the occasion of Sacred Defense Week and the day of commemorating martyrs and those who made sacrifices for the Islamic revolution and Islamic Iran, the Leader emphasized that the passage of time has not been able to, and will never be able to fade the shining and radiant names and memories of the martyrs of the revolution.

In his message, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said martyrs and martyrdom symbolize and represent life, longevity, presence and radiance in Islamic culture, and it is up to us to understand and connect to this eternal and deep message, and thereby elevate ourselves, our society, and our nation.

The Leader further referred to designation of a day in the Sacred Defense Week as “martyrs day”, saying the naming of this day as “martyrs day” is the least we could do, and we have a duty to commemorate the blessed martyrs.

22 of September ( 31st of Shahrivar on the Iranian calendar ) marks the beginning of Sacred Defense Week in Islamic Iran every year. It was on this day in 1980 when the Ba’athist minority regime in Iraq imposed an eight-year-war on Iran.

Supreme Leader’s Hajj Message 2015

(2015/09/23 - 11:45)

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has singled out the wicked policies adopted by hegemonic powers as the major source of trouble for Muslims.

“The wicked policies [adopted] by arrogant powers which bring about big predicaments for the Islamic community in the region” and “the crimes [committed] by the usurper Zionist regime and repeated desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque” are the most pressing issue facing Muslims, read part of the Leader’s message on the occasion of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged all scholars and elites in the Muslim world to accomplish their mission to counter these practices.

“The glorious congregation of Hajj is the loftiest manifestation of this historic duty and a chance for disavowal and one of the most noticeable political rituals [and an opportunity] which should be seized,” said the Leader.

Referring to the demise of a number of pilgrims in a recent crane collapse incident in Mecca, Ayatollah Khamenei demanded the security and safety of Hajj pilgrims be ensured.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remark in a message to the Hajj pilgrims.

The full text of the message is as follows: Supreme Leader’s Hajj Message 2015

Ayatollah Khamenei meeting with war veterans and their families

(2015/09/21 - 15:30)

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution, on Sunday and in the run-up to the Sacred Defense Week (which marks the beginning of Iraqi invasion of Iran and the outbreak of eight years of the Imposed War in 1980) met for two and a half hours with a group of war veterans with spinal cord injuries, and war veterans with more than 70% of physical disability that have lost both their eyes or one or two of their limbs, along with their families, and heaped praise on them in a friendly atmosphere.

After meeting with the war veterans and their families, Ayatollah Khamenei briefly spoke about the sufferings and physical problems of water veterans, saying they will be doubly and increasingly rewarded for having passed this difficult test.

Ayatollah Khamenei added: “The war veterans are depiction and an image of the time of big affliction [which was endured] by the Iranian nation during the Sacred Defense period, and their presence in the society is, in fact, [aimed at] giving voice to historical, cognitive political and international facts.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “On the one hand, the war veterans are [telltale] signs of the crimes [committed] by the [world] powers who supported [former Iraqi dictator] Saddam [Hussein], while on the other hand, they are proof to the grandeur and greatness of the late Imam [Khomeini] and the [Islamic] Revolution, which managed to nurture such prominent humans and send [them] to the warfronts.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the patience of the wives of war veterans and their tolerance for the suffering and hardship of serving the war veterans as genuine sacrifice and a [form of] jihad and epic, while recommending the wives and children and relatives of war veterans to safeguard this great spiritual wealth and to take care of it.

Prior to remarks made by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Hojjatoleslam Shahidi Mahallati, the Leader’s representative and head of the Foundation for Martyrs and War Veterans’ Affairs, presented a report on the services provided by this foundation to the war veterans and the families of martyrs, saying: “Extolling the war veterans is, in fact, extolling the valiant epic makers, who became a role model and taught combatants [across the world] how to fight international bullying powers.”

Meanwhile, Major General Mohammad Ali Ja’afari, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, referred to holding of the second national congress for the commemoration of the war veterans, saying: “The war veterans wearing the medal of honor for being war veteran will never consider the crucial responsibility of safeguarding the Islamic Revolution and its achievements terminated, and by presence in different arenas, they will carry out their mission with firm determination.”

Ayatollah Khamenei meets with thousands of people touching upon important points about national and international issues

(2015/09/10 - 14:25)

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a lively meeting on Wednesday with thousands of people from different walks of life, warned against the US’s deceitful efforts to infiltrate through certain loopholes. He noted that a “strong and resistive economy”, “further development of science” and “safeguarding and bolstering the revolutionary spirit, particularly in youths” are the three factors needed for a powerful confrontation with the Great Satan’s never-ending animosities. Highlighting several points about the March 2016 election, Ayatollah Khamanei said: “The outcome of every election, like the votes cast by each and every one of people, is the right of the people and this right of the nation will be defended in its entirety.”

Referring to the blessed month of Dhu al-Qa’dah on the Islamic calendar and the necessity of benefiting from the invaluable opportunities in this month, Ayatollah Khamenei described the month of Shahrivar on the Persian calendar year as a reminder of meaningful memories and said: “In all events of this month, including the massacre of innocent people by the Pahlavi regime on Shahrivar 17, 1357 (September 9, 1978), the martyrdom of the president and the prime minister of the country on Shahrivar 8, 1360 (August 30, 1981), martyrdom assassination of [chief prosecutor] Ayatollah [Ali] Qoddousi and [Friday Prayers leader] Ayatollah [Assadollah] Madani in the same month and [then Iraqi dictator] Saddam’s invasion of Iran on Shahrivar 29, 1359 (September 20, 1980), the US’s footprints are seen directly or indirectly.”

Expressing concern that these thought-provoking memories may be gradually forgotten and particularly erased off the memories of youth in the country, Ayatollah Khamenei criticized relevant institutions for not doing enough to keep those memories alive and said: “Such instructive events should not be eclipsed in the historical memory of the nation because if the young generation fails to get familiar with and find the roots of these historical and national memories, it will run astray in finding the [right] path for the present and future of the country.”

Ayatollah Khamenei recalled some signs of the Americans’ absolute rule over Iran during the Pahlavi regime, saying: “All pillars of the diabolic regime, including the government and the Shah in person were obedient to the US, and the American officials, ruled the oppressed nation of Iran through their stooges, similar to the Pharaoh, but the great Imam [Khomeini], backed by the nation, purged this ancient territory from that system, just like Moses of the time.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said an end to the Americans’ illegitimate interests in Iran was the main reason behind their never-ending vendetta and enmity toward the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation.

Ayatollah Khamenei described Imam Khomeini’s historic action in labeling the US “the Great Satan” as a substantive move and said: “The master of all devils in the world is Satan, but Satan is only engaged in seduction and deception while the US [not only] seduces [others], [but] kills, imposes sanctions, deceives and practices hypocrisy.”

Criticizing those who try to portray the worse-than-satanic nature of the US as the angel of salvation, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Religion and revolutionarism aside, what about loyalty to the country’s best interests and wisdom? Which wisdom and conscience let us touch up a criminal like the US and portray it as a friend and trustable?”

Warning against the policies and modes of infiltration by the US, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “A Satan driven out by the nation is determined to make a comeback and we should not let it happen.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the Americans’ animosity with the Iranian nation is never-ending and cited an example as follows: “In the very days following [the agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] JCPOA, which is an agreement whose fate remains still unclear in Iran and the US, the Americans in Congress have been engaged in conspiracy and drawing up a bill to cause problems for Iran.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the only way for putting an end to the conspiracies of the Americans is the national strength of the Iranians, adding: “We have to become so strong that the Great Satan will be disappointed and see its animosities will be a nonstarter.”

Elucidating ways of attaining national strength, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed three points: “Strong and resistive economy”, “further development of science” and “safeguarding and bolstering the revolutionary spirit, particularly in youths”.

Regarding the first point, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Strong and resistive economy becomes possible through concrete and undelayed implementation of the instructed policies of the Economy of Resistance. Of course, the government has certain plans under way [to that effect].”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described scientific development and maintaining the pace of scientific progress as important, saying: “Boosting the spirit of revolutionarism and perseverance in people is one of the best options for internal strength, and officials should glorify revolutionary youths.”

Referring to the enemy’s efforts for pushing Iranian youths towards promiscuity and indifference, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “They intend to kill the epic and revolutionary spirit of the youths and certain individuals inside the country are constantly undermining pious youths with descriptions like extremist. That is very wrong behavior.”

After elucidating ways of attaining daily-growing strength and disappointing enemies, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Having divided tasks, the Americans are meting out double treatment to Iran with some of them smiling and some others in the process of drafting a bill against Iran.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the Americans’ efforts to hold negotiations with Iran are a pretext for infiltration into the country and imposing the White House’s demands, noting: “We authorized negotiations only in the nuclear issue for specified and announced reasons. Praise be to God, [our] negotiators did well in this domain, but we do not negotiate with the US in other arenas.”

“Of course, we are for negotiations and entente with all countries, except for the Great Satan, at different state, ethnic and religious levels,” added Ayatollah Khamenei.

Referring to the fakeness of the Zionist regime of Israel, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Some Zionists have said that given the results of the nuclear talks, we will have no concerns about Iran for 25 years, but we tell them ‘You will not [survive to] see the next 25 years’ and with God’s grace, no such thing as ‘the Zionist regime’ will exist in the region.”

“Over this time (25 years), the Islamic, combative, epic and jihadi spirit will not leave the Zionists at ease,” the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said.

In the concluding part of his address, Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted important points about the March 2015 elections.

Criticizing those who started promoting an electoral atmosphere across the country since one year and a half ago, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “This issue is not in the interests of the country because when the main issue becomes the atmosphere of electoral competition and conflicts, the main issues are sidelined and that is not in the interest of people and the country, but now it is time that some points were highlighted with regard to elections.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the issue of elections as very important and a manifestation of people’s presence and trust and the symbol of religious and genuine democracy in Iran.

“Due to this distinctive significance, the holding of elections in Iran over the past 37 years has not been postponed even for a single day for whatever reason and [even] under difficult and tough conditions. Of course, some political activists made efforts in certain periods of time to that end (to have the elections postponed), but they were blocked,” added the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Referring to the incessant propaganda campaign by the US and its agents against elections in Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “During the [rule] of the diabolic regime [before the Islamic Revolution], they did not protest the show elections even once and now they do not object to dictatorial and heredity regimes in the [Middle East] region, but they aim their negative propaganda against Iran which [has held] dozens of fully democratic and genuine elections.”

Underscoring the cleanness of all elections held over the past 37 years, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Based on conventional international norms, the elections in Iran are among the cleanest and the best, but unfortunately certain individuals inside [the country] wrongfully harm the cleanness of the elections and they speak about vote-rigging and concerns about unclean elections even before the elections [are held].”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the lively presence of the nation in all elections over the past three decades as a sign of trust in the Islamic establishment, saying: “Why are some [individuals] harming this trust by raising fictitious preoccupations and groundless warnings

Ayatollah Khamenei added: “It goes without saying that in the issue of the cleanness of elections, tough measures will be applied and nobody will be allowed to do so (rig the vote). So what is the objective behind the repetition of these words?”

Regarding the issue of cleanness of the vote, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the legal and influential role of the Guardian Council and said: “One of the biggest blessings of the Guardian Council is that it watches out for any error and wrongdoing. Of course, other institutions are also active in this regard.”

Expounding on the cleanness of elections after the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Of course in some elections, there were reports of flaws in the elections. Orders were given for the re-examination [of the results] and the contrary was proven. Meantime, there have been sporadic irregularities and problems, but none has swayed the election tally.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said people’s vote equals “people’s right” in the proper sense of the world, noting: “Protecting the vote [cast] by every Iranian is a religious and Islamic obligation and nobody is entitled to breach of trust. Moreover, the result of people’s vote is a full manifestation of people’s rights and everyone should make efforts to safeguard and defend it.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said resistance against insistence by certain individuals for the nullification of the result of the 2009 presidential election was an example of safeguarding the results of the nation’s votes and defending what is people’s right, adding: “Forty million turned out massively. We would have fully supported the election result, whatever it had been. I will continue to stand by the result of the nation’s vote in every other election, whatever the result might be, and I will not allow any manipulation.”

Referring to irrational rhetoric uttered about the elections against the Ministry of the Interior and the Guardian Council, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The Guardian Council is the watching eye of the [Islamic Republic] establishment in the elections and everywhere in the world, there is such an institution with different names and titles.”

“The Guardian Council’s supervision in the elections is based on vetting and is effective and this supervision is part of people’s rights and it has to be respected and protected,” added Ayatollah Khamenei

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution underscored the necessity of screening hopefuls in elections, saying: “The Guardian Council watches out for blocking unqualified individuals who may be running for the elections due to certain shortcomings, and this is the legal, rational and reasonable right of the Council.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said massive turnout in the elections would guarantee the survival of the country, adding: “The Islamic Republic will undoubtedly be granted divine assistance and win over enemies on the condition that [there is] unity and cohesion in the nation and division is headed off.”

Ayatollah Khamenei meets with members of Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace

(2015/09/09 - 10:06)

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a meeting on Monday with President Hassan Rouhani and members of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, described the Council as the main center of informed, responsible and powerful policymaking regarding cyberspace. Referring to the daily growing and rapid expansion of the colossal and unique phenomenon of cyberspace, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “By benefiting from the capabilities and talents of the country’s youth and through correct policymaking and well-calculated and coordinated measures, and without losing any time, we must move towards ending [the country’s] inaction in the arena of the cyberspace, and [also toward] active and influential presence and development of solid and attractive Islamic content [in this arena].

Referring to the extensive influence of cyberspace as an extraordinary source of soft power in different fields including culture, politics, economy, lifestyle, faith, religious beliefs and ethics, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution underscored the necessity for having an appropriate and precise design to safeguard intellectual and moral security of the society in this field, saying: “The [main] requirements for active and influential presence in cyberspace include ‘centralization in decision-making’, ‘seriousness in implementation [of decisions] without losing any time’, ‘coordination among all organs’, and preventing parallel and conflicting activities’ [in this field].”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also described government’s planning and support, particularly by the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology, as very essential for the expansion of industries related to technology and communications, noting: “Expansion of these industries through knowledge-based companies will have a great effect on job creation and development of the country’s economy.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also thanked the former president and members of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace as well as the current and previous secretaries of the Council.

Prior to Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech, President Rouhani and Mohammad Hassan Entezari, the secretary of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, presented a report on the significance of cyberspace as well as the plans and measures taken by the Supreme Council and the National Center of Cyberspace during its first tenure. Also in this meeting, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, the head of the Judiciary, mentioned several points on the requirements and exigencies of cyberspace.

Ayatollah Khamenei meeting with Austrian President Heinz Fischer

(2015/09/09 - 14:01)

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting on Tuesday with Austrian President Heinz Fischer, referred to the US government’s enmity with the Islamic Revolution due to losing its interests in Iran, saying some European countries’ following the US’ hostile policies vis-à-vis Iran is irrational. Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Of course, Austria is not one of these countries and it is necessary that officials in both countries make and follow up on plans on further enhancement of relations.”

In the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei said the main objective of the Islamic Revolution was to bring happiness and prosperity for Iranian people and all humans under the aegis of “following the divine path, the rule of wisdom and faith coupled with action”, saying: “Of course, this benevolent approach of ours has enemies at the international level who are after warmongering and pitting nations against one another, but Iran has plenty of good and kind friends among governments and nations.”

Referring to the irrational enmity of some European countries towards Iran following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The Islamic Revolution took Iran from the Americans, who had the country under their full control, and this issue is the reason behind the US animosity against the Islamic Republic. However, certain European countries’ following the US is unwise and groundless. Of course, Austria is not one of these countries.”

Underscoring the necessity of planning to upgrade relations between the two countries, in response to a question by Mr Fischer about the future of relations between Iran and European states, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Some remarks have been made by the European governments, but we should wait for the practical outcome of these remarks.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution went on to highlight moves and acts of corruption committed in the name of Islam by deviant elements operating in the Middle East region, saying: “Islam is not what these [deviant] currents are introducing, but Islam is founded on a strong, faithful and wise basis.”

In the meeting which was also attended by President Hassan Rouhani, the Austrian president appreciated the hospitality of Iran and assessed his negotiations with Iranian officials as good. “We have to work on [different] subjects and dialogs in order to reach further agreements,” he said.

Expressing pleasure with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution’s positive view of Austria, Fischer said: “My talks with Mr Rouhani were good and we are optimistic about the future.”

“Now, a new opportunity has emerged for joint cooperation,” the Austrian president said.

Supreme Leader Meets with President of Kyrgyzstan

05/09/2015

Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Saturday afternoon with Almazbek Atambayev, the President of Kyrgyzstan. President Rouhani was also present in the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence stressed the necessity of strengthening the relations between Muslim countries, reiterating: "The foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on strengthening relations and creating strong bonds between Islamic and brotherly countries."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that standing up against the impositions of bullying powers is a divine and Islamic principle. Referring to the statements of Atambayev about closing down the American airbase in Kyrgyzstan and the necessity of confronting some powers bullying, he said: "Imperialist and transgressing powers constantly hatch plots against all nations in the world, but Islam wants dignity for Muslim nations. The only way to confront powers and get rid of their malevolence is to show resistance and to strengthen relations between Islamic countries."

Ayatollah Khamenei stated that developing cooperation between Iran and Kyrgyzstan is possible in different areas such as transit and he added that this depends on developing strong bonds.

Almazbek Atambayev also expressed joy at traveling to Iran, adding: "Iran and Kyrgyzstan are two brotherly nations with a common religion, history and culture and there is a spirit of pursuing freedom and independence among both nations."

He reiterated that relations between the two countries should be strengthened by developing road, rail and air transportation, saying: "The volume of relations between the two countries should dramatically increase."

Referring to the closing down of the American military base in Manas and ending the treaty with America, the President of Kyrgyzstan said: "No country in the world has the right to consider itself superior to others and to impose oppressive sanctions on other countries."

Atambayev added: "With its 200-year history, America wants to impose its will on a country like Iran that has a five-thousand-year history and civilization, but this is not possible."

He praised the resistance that the people and government of Iran have shown against America, stressing: "Not only did Iran not become weak in the face of sanctions, but it also became stronger and therefore, we consider the Islamic Republic a role model for ourselves."

Leader Calls on Iranian Officials to Respond to US Irresponsible Remarks

TEHRAN (FNA 03, 2015 5:43)- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei blasted the US statesmen for their contradictory remarks after the nuclear agreement with Tehran, and called on Iranian officials show more sensitivity and give proper response to their comments.

"In the nuclear talks with are negotiating with the 5+1, but the US administration is, in fact, the main party; but the US officials speak very badly and a decision needs to be taken about the manner they speak," Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with the head and members of Iran's Assembly of Experts in Tehran on Thursday.

"Don’t say that the Americans are uttering these words to convince their internal rivals; of course, I believe that the internal disputes in the US are real and they have differences and the reason for such a difference is clear to us, but what is officially said needs a response and if no response is given to them, the other side's remarks will be entrenched," he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the US officials' remarks on the suspension of sanctions, and said Tehran has always underlined the necessity for the termination and not suspension of embargoes.

"If the sanctions are not due to be removed, then there will be no deal either. Hence, there needs to be a decision to be taken in this regard," he added.

He said Iran has made some concessions during the negotiations with the world powers in order to see a removal of the sanctions in return, otherwise we wouldn't have attended the negotiations and Iran could have increased its 19,000 centrifuges to 60,000 centrifuges, continue 20% uranium enrichment and accelerate its research and development activities.

"If the sanctions are due to be suspended, our actions should also be arranged in the form of suspension and not essential measures on the ground," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

"Of course, the other side says that removal of certain sanctions is not within the US administration's authority; in response we say that those sanctions that fall under the US administration and the European governments' authority should be terminated," he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei also blasted the US officials' remarks that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has created some opportunities for the Americans both inside and outside Iran and in the region, and said, "The Iranian officials shouldn’t allow the US to make use of any opportunity inside the country and they should also try in order not to allow the Americans to find any such opportunity outside Iran because the closer they come to such opportunities, the worse the nations' sufferings, humiliation and backwardness will grow."

He reiterated the complete ban on any negotiation between the Iranian officials and the Americans on other issues, and said there won't be any other talks with the White House, except for the the nuclear issue, because "the US positions are fully against the stances of the Islamic Republic."

Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran is not like some other underdeveloped countries that the US officials speak to as they wish, and stressed that Iran is a powerful nation and has already proved its capabilities in action.

He referred to the US officials' remarks that they expect Iran to pick up a different course of action, and said they mean ignoring the Islamic values, non-commitment to the Islamic laws and Iran's compliance with the US policies in the region which include full annihilation of the resistance forces and full hegemony over Syria and Iraq, and they should know that "such a thing will never happen".

Elaborating on the process of the JCPOA's approval in Iran after the nuclear agreement was reached with the world powers in Vienna on July 14, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that the JCPOA should be precisely scrutinized by experts, and stressed that the parliament should certainly play a role in this regard.

Yet, he said he reserves judgment on the agreement and would not advise "the parliament on how to study the JCPOA or on approving or disapproving it. These are the people's representatives who should decide about it."

Iran and the world powers reached a final agreement in Vienna on July 14 to end a 13-year-old nuclear standoff.

A week later, the UNSC unanimously endorsed a draft resolution turning into international law the JCPOA reached between Iran and the 5+1 group of countries (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

Now the US Congress and the Iranian parliament have less than 50 days to review the deal to approve or reject its practice.

US seeking ‘ultimate wiping out of the Resistance front’

TEHRAN, Sep. 03 (MNA) – Leader of the Islamic Republic has told a meeting of Assembly of Experts US seeks to fully dominate the region including Iraq and Syria, wants to see Iran’s participation in this particular framework.

Ayatollah Khamenei received Assembly of Experts members on Thursday in Tehran according a tradition annually held after the Assembly’s annual session. Leader demanded that “positions should be made about US official’s bold remarks; if there is no sanctions removal, then there will be no deal either,” Leader said.

Leader pointed to ‘wider propaganda’ waged by the global imperialism to impose their own literature and terminology to authorities and leaders of other countries; “in this literature, terrorism and human rights takes special connotations; for example, six months of strikes against Yemeni civilians or against Gaza Strip are no longer terrorism; crackdown on popular rallies in Bahrain who seek their right to vote would not be proper violation of human rights,” the leader emphasized.

On nuclear negotiations, Ayatollah Khamenei told the meeting that the US had been the major player and one which “our negotiators talked to;” “however, their diction is far from being polite or appropriate; we should take positions and set clear lines against such remarks,” he demanded. “If sanctions are to remain in place, so for what had we been negotiating? This is against the reasons behind the Islamic Republic of Iran’s coming to negotiation table, since the sole objective has been having sanctions removed,” he asked rhetorically.

“If we made some concessions in the negotiations, we did so to have sanctions removed; otherwise, we would not consider sanctions as a viable option, and would rapidly expand our centrifuge system of 19,000 to 50,000-60,000 in a shortest possible time, and with it reach a 20 per cent uranium enrichment, and promote our R&D plans,” asserted the Leader, “I would not deem this statement acceptable that US made such remarks to sell the JCPOA to their domestic rivals in Congress; I believe the domestic strife in the US is real; they have struck a discord, since their rivals seek an answer or explanation for any line of the JCPOA,” he said.

“The current US officials conduct is not very much unlike that of their British cousins in the 19th century; they should come to understand the novel arrangements in the international community; no longer would any superpower act what it actually has in mind; furthermore, they now face an Islamic Republic of Iran which has known and unseen capabilities only possibly and accurately assessed in the time of action; Iran is not a poverty-stricken country of remote parts of Africa and would not be addressed as such,’ Ayatollah Khamenei indirectly addressed the US officials.

“For example, they work to wipe out resistance axis, full domination over Iraq and Syria, welcoming an Iranian presence and action in that framework; however, their wishes will not be fulfilled; government officials and other organizations should not give opportunity to the US to infiltrate inside the country, since their presence will translate into plight, disaster, and ingloriousness,” he told the meeting.

Regarding review of the JCPOA in Parliament Ayatollah Khamenei stated that "I have no advice to Parliament regarding the review of JCPOA and approval or disapproval of it; the representatives of nation are those who must decide about it."

“Government officials and nuclear negotiators have received directions on the official ban on talking to US on issues other than nuclear program,” said the Leader; on the realization of the objectives of Resistance Economic policies, he said that the realization would rule out the concerns over using the unfrozen assets; Resistance Economy should not be restricted by such distractions,” he concluded.

Leader tells Army to upgrade defense readiness

Press TV Tue Sep 1, 2015 11:5AM

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, addresses Iranian Air Force defense headquarters staff in Tehran, September 1, 2015.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has instructed the Iranian Air Force defense forces to constantly upgrade their preparedness for repelling a variety of threats.

“Upgrade your preparedness and options constantly for countering all types of threats,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with top commanders and officials of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base in Tehran on Tuesday.

The Leader hailed efforts by commanders and staff of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base, saying they have to identify the enemy’s "vulnerable points" and devise plans for dealing with them.

The Leader also urged air defense commanders to communicate and exchange views with scientific and military organs.

“You should increase and diversify your options in the face of various threats,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

He further called on the Armed Forces’ authorities to “appreciate” Iranian people’s trust in officials and “reciprocate it by fulfilling their duties.”

Speaking prior to Ayatollah Khamenei’s remark, the commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base, Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, expressed the base’s full readiness to implement the Leader’s guidelines.