TEHRAN (Iran News) According to the Public Relations Office of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, Mohammad Sadegh Ghanadzadeh made the remarks during a meeting with Iran’s commercial attachés to Iraq, Oman, and Qatar, held at the Khorramshahr Chamber of Commerce. He noted that the cities of Abadan and Khorramshahr have maritime connections with Kuwait, while the Shalamcheh border crossing represents a strategic regional asset.

“Kuwait is Khuzestan’s second most important neighbor. Given the province’s significant potential, we must see an increase in exports to this country,” Ghanadzadeh said.

He stressed the importance of maintaining Iran’s market presence in both Iraq and Kuwait, pointing out that the most stable border trade occurs with countries sharing land borders, where trade faces fewer threats.

Referring to a recent visit to the Shalamcheh commercial border, Ghanadzadeh noted complaints from Iraqi traders about long processing times at the crossing. “Some traders arrived at 9 a.m. and were still waiting to exit several hours later. Such delays can lead to economic losses and loss of market opportunities,” he warned.

The TPO official also mentioned a memorandum of understanding signed in 2013 with free trade zones and said plans are underway to organize an exhibition showcasing Khuzestan’s industrial and commercial capabilities.

He highlighted the activation of local border markets and the use of pīleh-var (small-scale trader) cards for business owners in Abadan and Khorramshahr as key demands from regional economic actors.

Ghanadzadeh stated that agreements have been made with all trade attachés to ensure ongoing cooperation with chambers of commerce and joint business councils between Iran and partner countries, aimed at facilitating export growth.

On the same day, Ghanadzadeh, along with the Director General of the West Asia and Free Zone Markets Office and the Director of Free Zone Export Market Development, joined Mehram Ravanbakhsh, acting head of Khuzestan’s Industry, Mine, and Trade Department, in visiting the Chazzabeh border terminal and the Arvand Free Zone to evaluate the province’s export capacities.

During the visit, officials emphasized the region’s pivotal role in boosting exports and the need to address export-related barriers.

A subsequent meeting with local authorities underscored the importance of revitalizing border terminals, streamlining export procedures, and recognizing Khuzestan as a key province in the development of Iran’s non-oil exports.

The post Need to Increase Exports from Khuzestan to Kuwait appeared first on Iran News Daily.

TEHRAN (Iran News) TEHRAN – The Chinese Ambassador to Iran stated that Khuzestan Province has unique conditions in many areas, particularly in solar power production, and can effectively contribute to electricity generation through renewable energy.

Zhong Peiwu, during a meeting with the governor of Khuzestan in Ahvaz, expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity to observe the province’s capacities and hoped it would pave the way for greater connections between Khuzestan and China.

He highlighted the cultural, historical, and friendly ties between Iran and China, noting that strong bilateral exchanges have been established between the two countries.

The ambassador emphasized that Khuzestan holds significant potential in both traditional industries and emerging sectors, especially in the green economy and renewable energy, which could foster further cooperation between Iran and China.

He also pointed out that Khuzestan has excellent conditions for agricultural development and expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation in this field has a bright and promising future.

Peiwu identified efficient waste management and the export of high-quality aquatic products as key areas for collaboration between the two nations. He also suggested holding various training courses and establishing scientific exchanges between the two countries.

He expressed hope that with continuous and coordinated efforts from both sides, Iran’s cooperation—particularly Khuzestan’s—with China would progress to higher levels.

During the meeting, Khuzestan Governor Seyed Mohammadreza Mowlaei Zadeh stressed the importance of attracting investment and new technologies to the province. He stated that enhancing cooperation with China in agriculture, industry, and services is a priority.

Mowlaei Zadeh highlighted Khuzestan’s significant capacities across various sectors and expressed the province’s readiness for investment.

Referring to a study by a Chinese technical and expert delegation on Khuzestan’s investment potential, the governor added, “We are working to create suitable conditions for cooperation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

He praised China’s technological advancements and growth in recent years, noting its achievements in transportation, construction, solar panel production, recycling, and other sectors.

He emphasized that investment in Khuzestan would be mutually beneficial, pursued under a win-win strategy.

“This investment will undoubtedly be profitable for both Chinese and Iranian sides, and we are committed to fostering constructive cooperation with China,” he said.

The governor underscored the serious determination of both the Iranian President and Chinese leadership to strengthen bilateral relations. He noted that Khuzestan has significant potential for collaboration in agriculture and fisheries.

Addressing environmental concerns, Mowlaei Zadeh pointed to air pollution as a major issue in Khuzestan and suggested that China could assist in this area. “If we can collect gas flares from oil fields and modernize agricultural harvesting methods, Khuzestan’s climate will greatly improve,” he explained.

He concluded by stressing the importance of leveraging global technology and advancements while continuing to support domestic producers.

The post Khuzestan’s Solar Power Production Conditions Are Unique appeared first on Iran News Daily.

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mohammad Reza Mavalizadeh praised Khuzestan’s good capacities in various economic fields.

He expressed hope for expanding commercial relations between the two sides and stated that the province is one of the important hubs of agricultural investment due to its production of tropical fruits and other agricultural items.

Mavalizadeh also mentioned that necessary measures have been taken to establish a direct flight between Khuzestan and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region to strengthen commercial and political relationships.

A business delegation from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region arrived in Ahvaz on Sunday to learn about the investment opportunities of Khuzestan.

The post ‘Israel’s attack on Iran did not affect KRG trade delegation’s activities’ appeared first on Iran News Daily.

President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday opened a 307 megawatt (MW) power plant in Do Kuheh area near the city of Andimeshk in Khuzestan.

The gas-fired electricity station is a first phase of a combined cycle power plant in Do Kuheh which includes an unfinished steam unit with a generation capacity of 144 MW.

The government has spent some 142 million euros on construction of the gas unit of the Do Kuheh power plant, according to a report by Raisi’s website, which added that the power plant will create 100 permanent jobs in the region.

The report said the F-class power plant will have an efficiency rate of 58%, one of the highest in Iran.

Using a video conference link, Raisi also inaugurated dozens of other water and electricity projects across Khuzestan, a province of more than five million people which is home to some of Iran’s largest oilfields.

Among the projects was a 196 MW steam unit in the West Karun power plant, a project which will boost electricity supply to oilfields near Iran’s border with Iraq. The power plant unit, which had been opened in July last year, was synchronized with the national power grid in Iran on Thursday.

The official IRNA news agency said a total of 33 new energy projects with an investment of 87 trillion rials ($174 million) were opened during Raisi’s visit to Khuzestan.

Later in the day President Raisi said that the country is making progress despite foreign threats and pressures, stressing that the existing problems will certainly be resolved by the Iranian people without any help from foreigners.

Raisi made the remarks while addressing crowds of people in the city of Andimeshk on the second leg of his tour of the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

The president said that the government, in cooperation with the people, is making efforts to advance the country’s progress in economic, social and cultural fields, despite foreign threats and pressures.

He said that measures are underway to both nullify and lift sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The president said that Iran has a bright future ahead and that the enemy would not be successful in its attempts to create hopelessness and pessimism in the country.

Raisi’s trip to Khuzestan is part of the second round of his provincial tours since he took office in August 2021. The trips are aimed at dealing with issues and problems affecting different provinces.

Earlier on Thursday, the Iranian president had visited Dezful, a city known as the symbol of resistance in Iran during the imposed war of Iraq’s toppled dictator Saddam Hussein in the 1980s.

Meanwhile Raisi underlined that unity of Iranian tribes and ethnic groups in Khuzestan has always foiled the enemies’ plots, and said that this unity and solidarity should be preserved.

President Raisi in his Thursday meeting with the heads of Khuzestani tribes at Ershad Mosque of Ahvaz said that Khuzestan has paid its fair share to country, adding that today, the entire Iranians, and especially the government officials must frankly be fully at the service of this province and its warm-blooded citizens.

President Raisi said that employment is the 1st priority in Khuzestan, and using the local workforce in all sectors has priority compared to using non-local forces, and the companies stationed in this province must take advantage of the Khuzestani youth as their 1st priority.

He said that the last summer water crisis of Khuzestan no longer exists, thanks to good water management, adding, “The resulted tensions due to that water crisis could have led to serious tension in the region, but we fortunately was overcome thanks to competent water management in the province.

“My greatest pride is being the servant of the people, and I will spare no effort in resolving the problems with which Khuzestan province and our citizens in this province are entangled,” President Raisi added.

The post President Opens Major Power Projects in Khuzestan appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Mohammad Eslami inaugurated the construction operation of “Karun” nuclear power plant in Darkhovein District in the Shadegan County of southwestern province of Khuzestan on Saturday, saying, “The government is moving towards the production of low-cost energy and fuel; therefore the development of nuclear power plants is on the agenda of this organization.”

According to reports, the power plant is of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) type and with the capacity of producing 300 megawatts of electricity is to be built on a land of approximately 50 hectares in the vicinity of the Karun River.

During the inauguration ceremony, Eslami said the high-speed movement towards the development of nuclear power plants has begun across the country, adding that, “The start of the construction operation of the Karun nuclear power plant has taken place in this regard to scale up the share of nuclear energy in the country’s electricity basket to about 20 percent,” which is considered a “big step in the 20-year horizon” of the AEOI.

Stressing that the 300-megawatt power plant is important for the southwest of the country, especially the Khuzestan Province, Iran’s nuclear chief said, “We hope to build the power plant as a first step of building small power plants in order to create a new chapter in the country’s industrial and technological capacity, and also to expand this technology at a general level as well.”

Eslami said the construction of Karun power plant is in line with the AEOI’s mission to produce nuclear electricity through building indigenous nuclear power plants, adding that the approximate time for the completion of the project is eight years, which is carried out by using the maximum domestic capabilities in the fields of design, equipment supply and construction of nuclear power plants.

The financial estimate of the implementation of the project, as Eslami said, is about two billion dollars, and one of the benefits of the project is the supply of electricity to the region and the southwestern province.

In recent years, Iranian scientists have made remarkable progress in the field of peaceful nuclear technology despite the tough sanctions imposed by the West.

The post Iran Launches Construction of Nuclear Power Plant in Khuzestan appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Speaking in a meeting of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace on Tuesday afternoon, Raisi referred to the approach of the World Communication and Public Relations Day, and said, “The world today needs free circulation of information, honest information and active protection of public opinion more than ever”.

The President added, “In the age of increasing media messages, it is more difficult than ever to establish a healthy and effective relationship with the people and the elite, and this can only be achieved through the use of wise methods and strategies in the field of public relations”.

Congratulating the World Public Relations and Communication Day to all activists in this field, Raisi said, “Public relations and communications are the beacons of awareness development and jihad of enlightenment in society, and for this reason, they have an important role in informing the public”.

The President said that continuous communication with the people, especially in a government that claims to be justice-oriented and popular, is of fundamental importance.

Raisi stated, “In the days when the most important need of the country is to revive hope and restore social capital, a very heavy responsibility is on the shoulders of all public relations”.

Meanwhile on Wednesday and in the cabinet meeting, he President described self-sufficiency in basic goods as a strategic issue and emphasized, “The Ministry of Agricultural Jihad should cooperated with other institutions, including science and knowledge-based centers, to come up with a plan so that the country becomes self-sufficient in the production of basic goods as soon as possible”.

Raisi referred to the increase in pollution and dust in some provinces across the country, especially Khuzestan province, and said, “An effective solution to this issue requires cooperation with the region and neighboring countries”.

Accordingly, the President instructed the Department of Environment to cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies to solve the problem of air pollution through consultation with neighboring countries.

In another part of his speech, referring to the need to ensure the country’s food security, the President called self-sufficiency in basic goods strategic and said, “Apart from daily routine work, basic and infrastructural measures should not be neglected”.

Raisi added, “Production is a fundamental and infrastructural issue, and by strengthening domestic production, we must achieve self-sufficiency in the next few years and in the shortest possible time, so that we do not need other countries”.

He continued by emphasizing the need for the inclusion of all agencies in making decisions, saying, “All elements of the government should evaluate all aspects in decision-making so that accurate and workable decisions can be made”.

In another part of his speech, the President referred to the need for a precise and comprehensive explanation of the government’s plan for the fair distribution of subsidies to the people to counter some skepticisms, and said, “The government’s economic and information teams and related agencies should clear things up for people and calm the public opinion and the market by explaining things thoroughly”.

The post World Today Is in Dire Need of Honest Information appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Ayatollah Raisi landed at the Dezful airport and traveled from there to Andika using a helicopter.

First-Vice President Mohammad Mokhber and Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi accompanied the president during his Khuzestan trip.

During the trip, Ayatollah Raisi visited the earthquake-stricken areas of Andika city and oversaw the process of reconstruction and assistance in these areas.

Ayatollah Raisi paid his first visit to the quake-hit areas in the Chelou district of Andika, where he talked to the people about their problems and promised to take immediate action to compensate them for the damage caused by the Andika earthquake.

The people of the region, while appreciating and thanking the president for his presence in the earthquake-stricken region, made their demands and asked Ayatollah Raisi to take immediate care of their situation and provide more facilities for the region, considering that winter is approaching.

Vahidi also assessed the conditions of crisis management in the city and held face-to-face meetings with the people of the city. He was informed about the positive points and challenges to overcome the situation.

The post Raisi visits quake-hit areas in Khuzestan appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The visit came weeks after the oil-rich Khuzestan was rocked by a wave of protests over water shortages.

Upon his arrival at Ahwaz’s General Ghasem Soleimani Airport, Ayatollah Raisi said, “I intended to make a visit to the province sooner, but because of the amount of work I had for establishing the government, I wasn’t able to,” according to a statement by the Iranian presidency.

“Khuzestan province has very good people, and they have done their best to defend the country at different times, and we owe them a great deal,” he said.

Emphasizing that the government has a duty towards all the people of the country, the president added, “We have additional responsibilities to the people of Khuzestan, and God willing, we will be able to solve some of the problems of this province during this visit, which is a short one.”

Ayatollah Raisi added, “I was very interested in meeting with the good people of the province, but due to the problem of corona and the need to follow health protocols, public meetings are not possible, but in brief meetings with various administrative departments of the province, I will learn more about the problems of Khuzestan.”

The president emphasized, “In this trip, we will consult with the ministers and provincial officials to find appropriate solutions to solve the problems of the province quickly, and appropriate decisions will be designed and adopted.”

Ayatollah Raisi pointed out, “All my concern and that of the people’s government is to solve the problems of all the people of the country, especially this province, with the participation of the people themselves, and I have no doubt that many of these problems will be solved thanks to God.”

The ministers of energy, interior, agriculture jihad, health, and the head of the Plan and Budget Organization accompanied the president on the one-day trip.

During his unexpected visit, Ayatollah Raisi instructed the immediate elimination of medical and health deficiencies, including increasing hospital beds, providing oxygen to medical centers and also meeting the needs of the intensive care unit.

The instruction was issued during a visit to the COVID-19 section of the Razi Hospital in Ahwaz on Friday morning.

The president also instructed the interior minister at the Razi Hospital in Ahwaz to make the necessary follow-up in order to make more use of the capacity of the armed forces’ medical centers to hospitalize COVID-19 patients.

During the visit, Ayatollah Raisi praised and thanked the health care staff as well as the seminary students at Razi Hospital in Ahwaz who had come to fight the disease in a jihadist move.

The president also attended the gathering of the patients’ families and also met with the patients at different sections, followed up on their problems and issued special orders.

On Friday morning, immediately after arriving in Ahwaz, Ayatollah Raisi visited one of sewage projects of Ahwaz and visited different parts of the complex and was briefed on the ongoing measures to solve the city’s sewage problem.

During the visit, a complete report on the various stages of the project, including the construction of tunnels, pumping stations, etc., was presented to the president.

Ayatollah Raisi also convened a meeting of the province’s Administrative Council. During the meeting, he was briefed on the challenges currently facing the oil-rich province.

Referring to the reports provided by the managers about the problems of Khuzestan province and the measures taken to solve these problems, the President said, “Solving the problems of Khuzestan requires a jihadist spirit, and additional work must be done in the province.”

Speaking on Friday night in the meeting of the Administrative Council of Khuzestan province, Ayatollah Raisi described defining a short-term plan to solve problems necessary and urgent and said, “Provincial managers should predict what actions we should take to solve problems as soon as possible.”

He stressed that “we must work around the clock to compensate for the backwardness,” emphasizing, “This can be done with a spirit of jihad and mobilization, and we must act like the era of Holy Defense to remove obstacles and problems.”

The president went on to say that solving the problems of the province requires that the managers be located in the province and that work is not done with flight managers.

Ayatollah Raisi said, “Supervision, especially internal supervision with the eyes of the managers of the province should always be on the agenda.”

He also said solving the unemployment problem in Khuzestan is among other important issues on the agenda of his government. “We support any plan aimed at creating employment in the province.”

Referring to the great potential of Khuzestan province in the field of agriculture, the president said, “This province plays a leading role in agriculture in many sectors, and special attention should be paid to the province’s agriculture, and this sector is one of the important areas for creating employment.”

Ayatollah Raisi said, “The empty capacities that exist in the industries of the province are very important for creating employment and these capacities should be activated.”

Referring to the need to pay attention to downstream petrochemical industries in order to increase employment, he said, “Downstream petrochemical industries have both high added value and capacity to increase employment and we should try not to sell raw materials in the petrochemical field and this is one of the necessities that should be strengthened in Khuzestan province.”

Regarding the revitalization of 550,000 hectares of land in the province, which was emphasized by the Leader, the president said, “No action has been taken yet regarding a significant part of this land, and I ask the first vice president to work with the relevant officials in this regard.”

Referring to the water problem in the province, Ayatollah Raisi stated, “I consider the main problem of water to be its optimal management and it must be followed carefully. In this regard, the Supreme Council of Water can solve the problem of many areas.”

The president added, “The agricultural union is one of the arms of the government. They must be consulted in decision-making, and they themselves can pursue many things.”

Referring to the water supply and sewerage project in Khuzestan province in general and in Ahwaz in particular, he said, “This is one of our priority issues that must be pursued quickly.”

The president also pointed to the need to speed up the vaccination process, saying, “This is a very serious issue. The import and production of vaccines must be done quickly and accurately, and the channels that want to import vaccines must be fully trusted.”

He said, “I emphasize to the ministers and managers of the province that the issues of Khuzestan are not issues that can be delayed. No delay is allowed in this case and it is necessary for managers to work seriously with double motivation.”

The president pointed out, “The resolutions that we had in the meeting will be followed up by the presidential office, everyone should follow carefully so that the effects of this trip and this meeting appear quickly in the lives of the people of the province and people feel that something has happened.”

Ayatollah Raisi emphasized, “The operation and implementation of promises and approvals in our government is an important issue that we are determined to report to the people on the actions taken.”

Raisi’s visit to Khuzestan was hailed as a brave move given the dire outbreak of Convid-19 among the people of the province. But this was not the first time Ayatollah Raisi has visited Ahwaz. During his election campaign, he was one of the few candidates to visit the provincial capital.

The post Raisi :immediate plan to tackle Khuzestan challenges appeared first on Iran News Daily.

“Civil protest is one of the fundamental rights of all members of the nation, and managers have a duty to listen to the protests and be humble and tolerant, but there is no doubt that behind these incidents are the dirty hands of the enemy and the provocations of some internal groups,” the president remarked.

Rouhani made the remarks during a cabinet meeting on Sunday afternoon, during which First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri presented a report on his visit to Khuzestan province.

According to Jahangiri, the patient people of Khuzestan, including sheikhs and tribal leaders, while expressing loyalty to the country and the system, demanded a solution to the problems that were in some cases due to drought and illegal water use.

Jahangiri stated in his report that appropriate decisions were made and implemented in the region.

The president thanked the dear people of Khuzestan for their patience, and members of the government for their work, especially the first vice president in solving the problems of the “heroic” people of Khuzestan.

Rouhani underlined the need for authorities to heed the people’s grievances. “The government cannot ignore recognizing people’s right to protest because of the fact that enemies may use it,” Rouhani continued.

Rouhani added, “This government has provided the most water and sewage services, building canals, tree planting, dust control and agricultural development to this province to honor the sacrifices of the dear people of Khuzestan in the eight years of the Holy Defense”.

Iran refers to resistance against the invading Saddam army in the 1980s as Sacred Defense or Holy Defense.

In the end, the president ordered all the relevant managers to continue working in this dear province until the problems are completely resolved.

Officials have shown sympathy with the people of Khuzestan while underlining that the people should be careful not to provide grounds for the enemies to abuse the protests.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh has castigated the United States for its comments on the Khuzestan water protests, saying Iran will not let anyone meddle in its internal affairs.

Responding to a question from Fars News on the protests over water shortages in the oil-rich Khuzestan, the spokesman said Persian-speaking news organizations affiliated with foreign governments are seeking to undermine the unity and oneness of the Iranian nation.

“Of course, this is not their first effort in this regard and it will not be the last one. We are also aware of the comments by a U.S. State Department official [on Khuzestan protests],” Khatibzadeh told Fars News. “What is important is that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not let any country meddle in its internal affairs.”

“The government and officials are well aware of their duties towards the honorable people of Iran, and at the highest levels, they take care of the rightful demands of their citizens and try to eliminate the shortcomings,” he added.

The spokesman also called the stance of the United States and their claim of compassion for the human rights of the Iranian people “shameful” and stressed, “The U.S. regime itself is the direct cause of many of the sufferings that have been inflicted on the honorable people of Iran through conspiracies or oppressive sanctions.”

He noted, “The brave Khuzestan will never forget the crimes of Washington’s strategic partner, Saddam [Hussein] and the Ba’athist regime in Iraq.”

Khatibzadeh also condemned the U.S “hypocrisy” because of its insistence on continuing with the Trump administration’s so-called “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. Khatibzadeh said the Biden administration is following in Trump’s footsteps in terms of clinging to this campaign even though Trump has gone. “At the same time, they shed crocodile tears over the Iranian people’s human rights,” the spokesman said of the Biden administration.

Protests have erupted in several cities of the southwestern province of Khuzestan in recent days. Demonstrators called on local authorities to release waters stored behind the numerous dams on rivers flowing into Khuzestan plains and marshes, where hundreds of thousands of people make a living by tilling lands and raising water buffaloes and dairy cows among other livestock.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also reacted to water protests in Khuzestan on Friday, underlining the legitimacy of the protesters’ demands.

“In the past seven, eight days, one of our concerns has been the issue of Khuzestan and the people’s water shortage problem in that area. It is really painful for us to see that despite the loyal people living in that province and with all the abundant natural resources in that area and with all the factories working there, the people have reached a point where they are dissatisfied with the shortage of water and sewage system,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, according to the khamenei.ir.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out, “Well, the people cannot be blamed and their problem should be addressed, as should have been addressed until now. If the necessary measures had been adopted in due time, this situation would definitely not have arisen for the people. Thankfully, various organizations – executive and non-executive – have involved themselves and are pursuing the matter seriously and when the next administration takes office, they should seriously deal with the matter.”

The post Rouhani says enemy’s dirty hands and internal incitement are to blame for Khuzestan protests appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Responding to a question from Fars News on the protests over water shortages in the oil-rich, southwestern province of Khuzestan, the spokesman said Persian-speaking news organizations affiliated with foreign governments are seeking to undermine the unity and oneness of the Iranian nation.

“Of course, this is not their first effort in this regard and it will not be the last one. We are also aware of the comments by a U.S. State Department official [on Khuzestan protests],” Khatibzadeh told Fars News. “What is important is that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not let any country meddle in its internal affairs.”

“The government and officials are well aware of their duties towards the honorable people of Iran, and at the highest levels, they take care of the rightful demands of their citizens and try to eliminate the shortcomings,” he added.

The spokesman also called the stance of the United States and their claim of compassion for the human rights of the Iranian people “shameful” and stressed, “The U.S. regime itself is the direct cause of many of the sufferings that have been inflicted on the honorable people of Iran through conspiracies or oppressive sanctions.”

He noted, “The brave Khuzestan will never forget the crimes of Washington’s strategic partner, Saddam [Hussein] and the Ba’athist regime in Iraq.”

Khatibzadeh also condemned the U.S “hypocrisy” because of its insistence on continuing with the Trump administration’s so-called “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. Khatibzadeh said the Biden administration is following in Trump’s footsteps in terms of clinging to this campaign even though Trump has gone. “At the same time, they shed crocodile tears over the Iranian people’s human rights,” the spokesman said of the Biden administration.

Protests have erupted in several cities of the oil-rich province of Khuzestan in recent days. Demonstrators called on local authorities to release waters stored behind the numerous dams on rivers flowing into Khuzestan plains and marshes, where hundreds of thousands of people make a living by tilling lands and raising water buffaloes and dairy cows among other livestock.

Earlier, Khatibzadeh also reacted to the “interventionist” and “politicized” statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the recent events in Khuzestan.
Khatibzadeh on Saturday described the commissioner’s statement on the recent events in Khuzestan province as regrettable, saying it was totally invalid and tainted with false accusations and incorrect information.
“The accusations have been made without considering the extensive efforts of the government, judiciary, security and media officials to alleviate the suffering of the people of this province and to resolve the existing problems, and that is the most important proof that the statement is politicized and invalid,” he added.

“In this respect, the high commissioner’s statement is more like a political declaration with a hostile tone than the words of an international human rights official,” Khatibzadeh noted.

The spokesman noted that making such unprofessional and biased comments on the management of Iran’s water resources is not within the scope of the commissioner’s responsibilities, and the institution under her responsibility does not have the authority and legitimacy to comment on this issue.

Khatibzadeh noted that the water crisis in Khuzestan is the result of a series of natural phenomena, especially this year’s drought, and a consequence of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Iran which have prevented the transfer of technology and investment in the water sector of Khuzestan.

“The question is why the commissioner has not yet, so blatantly, condemned the unlawful sanctions imposed by the United States against the Iranian nation which have led to the violation of many of the fundamental human rights of this honorable nation, and has just expressed a few short and weak sentences!”

It seems that the efforts by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to invent minorities and cause rift among the united nation of Iran are in line with the political program of a few specific governments whose enmity towards the Iranian nation is obvious, Khatibzadeh noted.

“These governments are the abusers of the lofty concept of human rights and the main proponents of anti-human rights political resolutions against the Islamic Republic of Iran at the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly,” added the Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Khatibzadeh stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran respects its citizens’ right to hold peaceful gatherings, and the country’s authorities at the highest level have acknowledged the existence of water problems in the region and the people’s right to peaceful protests.

He added that the presence of the police and law enforcement in such gatherings in order to prevent riots and damage to people and public property is legal and accepted in accordance with international norms and regulations.

“At the same time the martyrdom of one police officer and the injuries of others indicate the infiltration of foreign-affiliated elements into the ranks of the protesters that is aimed at inciting sedition and creating fake conflicts,” he added.

Several high-ranking officials also addressed the concerns of the protesters and vowed to soothe them. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called on government officials to seek solutions to the Khuzestan water problems in accordance with the latest instructions issued by Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in that regard.

“Some of the problems in this province have been reduced, and we hope that the rest of the problems will be alleviated with the presence of the first vice president and other officials. The settlement of the Khuzestan issues must continue according to yesterday’s directive of the Supreme Leader,” Rouhani said on Saturday.

Rouhani underlined the “special importance” of the protest-stricken province as a resource-rich border region. “These days, we witness problems weighing on the lives of the people of Khuzestan province in terms of water [shortages] and hot weather which has reduced the input of water dams. In general, the people have faced problems some of which have been reduced,” the president added.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution reacted to water protests in Khuzestan on Friday, underlining the legitimacy of the protesters’ demands.

“In the past seven, eight days, one of our concerns has been the issue of Khuzestan and the people’s water shortage problem in that area. It is really painful for us to see that despite the loyal people living in that province and with all the abundant natural resources in that area and with all the factories working there, the people have reached a point where they are dissatisfied with the shortage of water and sewage system,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, according to the khamenei.ir.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted, “Well, the people cannot be blamed and their problem should be addressed, as should have been addressed until now. If the necessary measures had been adopted in due time, this situation would definitely not have arisen for the people. Thankfully, various organizations – executive and non-executive – have involved themselves and are pursuing the matter seriously and when the next administration takes office, they should seriously deal with the matter.”

The post U.S. stance on Khuzestan protests as ‘shameful’ appeared first on Iran News Daily.