IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi said on Monday that Iran and China have always had common historical ties as well as good relations in various political and economic dimensions in East Asia.

Responding to Iran Press’ question at his weekly press conference, Mousavi highlighted, “During a trip by the Chinese President to Iran in 2015, the two sides agreed to take a strategic view as well as a road map into consideration. Afterward, Iran and China drafted an agreement several times. Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif delivered the suggestions by the Iranian side to the Chinese during a trip he had to the country. Consequently, the draft agreement was finalized by Iran, and should be delivered to the Chinese side to be finalized.”

The spokesman stressed, “The strategic agreement between Iran and China is unbelievable and at the same time unacceptable for different parties. They believe that the Islamic Republic of Iran, through this act, is making the cruel sanctions imposed against the Asian country ineffective which they are right in this case.”

Mousavi went on to say, “Iran is ready to define its long-term relations with other countries that have long-standing ties with it. The same procedures have been taken for some countries. Foreign roots have been the causes of the attacks. The Iranian nation is vigilant, and will not be the victim of a smear campaign that has been conducted by the rivals.”

Iran is considered as an important country in West Asia and China is considered as an important one in East Asia and relations between two countries has always been peaceful, the spokesman said.

He further said that Tehran does not accept the Europeans’ middle-course stance between the US and Iran.

“The Europeans’ stance is “not constructive”, Abbas Mousavi said, adding that Iran clearly announces that Europeans have some commitments they should be loyal to, but they are defeated by the US pressures that is by no means good for their international reputation.

Answering a question about why the details of the draft agreement between China and Iran are not revealed, Mousavi said the accord is still being negotiated. It is a roadmap that should be carefully-wrought. And those trying to sabotage it know “our sensitivity”.

He said that when finalized, the document will be published and that the hype is for distancing Beijing and Tehran from each other.

Regarding the fire in a U.S. warship in San Diego, he said the issue does not concern to Iran, but it is interesting how soon the US warships catch fire. “May be the American cheetah are responsible for.”

Calling on Azerbaijan and Armenia to exercise self-restraint and resolve their dispute over Karabakh through political ways, Mousavi expressed sorrow over the incident in which Azeri forces were killed.

Iran has repeatedly expressed readiness for helping the two neighboring countries to solve the issue peacefully, he said.

He said that the current Iranian year was named surge in production, which means when the Iranian markets are glutted, the country will need new markets for exports.

Iran has been talking with the neighboring countries about customs tariffs and use of national currencies for trade, he said.

Regarding the issue of fire that happened in Natanz nuclear facility, Mousavi said that the incident has no effects on Iran’s nuclear activities and that the job in Natanz in being done and the place is being reconstructed.

With regards to the 7-billion-dollar debt of South Korea to Iran, he said that the talks are in progress at the level of foreign ministries and central banks of the countries, adding that Iran has already told the Koreans that their pretext not to pay the debt of the Iranian people is by no means acceptable.

Mousavi said that Iran is not under UN sanctions; a rebel and bully country has sanctioned Iran, and South Korea as independent country has no duty to follow the sanctions.

Hoping that South Korea will pay its debts, he said the pretext of Seoul is accepted in no court.

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IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman denied speculations about a 25-year plan for cooperation between Iran and China, saying the document has different dimensions on political and especially economic cooperation, and it is in the interests of both countries.

In response to a question about the draft plan for 25-year cooperation between Iran and China, which was recently approved by the cabinet and Foreign Minister Zarif was tasked with following it up, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi said, “This is a new issue. During the Chinese president’s visit to Iran, it was agreed that cooperation between the two countries is comprehensive and strategic, and a document was signed.”

“One of the clauses of the document stated that the two countries should have a comprehensive strategic document for their cooperation in all fields. During Zarif’s visit to China last year, the draft of the document was notified to the Chinese authorities, and the review was carried out several times, and recently the draft was approved inside the country,” Mousavi said.

Mousavi noted, “I reject all speculations in this regard. None of the facts mentioned in the media and by individuals are true. Based on the strategic view, we are trying to define the long-term relationship with friendly and close countries, and we are ready to sign such documents with other countries that have friendly and good relations with us based on respect and mutual interests, and we are negotiating with some.”

The spokesman said, “I feel it is a document that can be published in full in the future. The various dimensions of political and especially economic cooperation are in this document, and if it is finalized in the governments of the two countries, it can be published and nothing is ambiguous. Strategic cooperation between Iran and China have enemies who make machination and are trying to destroy these relations.”

In response to a question about the extension of Iran’s arms embargo, Mousavi said, “The type of interaction between Europe and the United States has nothing to do with us and we are not willing to give up our rights.”

“In the consultations, we had with other members of the Security Council, are all against US claims and have condemned it. We anticipate another failure for the United States in this regard,” the spokesman said, noting that we recommend that once bitten, twice shy.”

Mousavi about the use of the trigger mechanism by the U.S. said, “Two or three special measures have been planned that will be decided according to the circumstances. I think there would be no need to restore these measures, and I hope that there is so much wisdom that the U.S. not take steps in this regard. The U.S. action will not succeed at this point.”

He further pointed about Iran’s relations with Venezuela, said, “These relations are formal, normal and have nothing to do with other countries and the interests of other countries. Our relations are ordinary relations among two independent countries that will continue according to our ties. In our view, this was not a strange thing, and it was a normal trade between Iran and one country in another part of the world.”

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According To Iran News, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi decried the US officials’ expression of satisfaction with the results of “economic terrorism” against Iran, saying the US government will soon have to kneel in front of the Iranian nation.

“A government whose policy is relying on ‘knee on neck’ of either its own people or others around the world should be indeed happy with economic terrorism and pressure on the public,” the Iranian spokesperson said in a post on his Twitter account on Friday.

“But you see that not the Iranians’ neck, but your knee was wrung. You will soon kneel in front of Iranian Nation,” Mousavi told the US officials.

The spokesman has also cited an interview that Al Arabiya has conducted with US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, who said the US is happy with the results of the sanctions imposed on Iran.

In remarks at a cabinet session on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took a swipe at the US for exerting pressures on others, saying that ‘kneeling on neck’ has been a policy of the US since long ago.

“They (Americans) have always been like this throughout history. They have pressed their knee on the neck of every oppressed person they have found in order to kill him. This is their policy, not the policy of a single cop in a single city. This is basically the US policy.”

“But the great Iranian nation broke that knee. They (Americans) wanted to do the same in 2018. They brought the knee close to the throat of the (Iranian) nation. But our dear nation smashed their knee with the giant sledgehammer of national unity and solidarity. Now they (Americans) have no knee anymore to put pressure on the Iranian nation,” the president said.

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According To Iran News, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman denounced any outside interference in the internal affairs of the People’s Republic of China, reiterating Tehran’s support for the One-China policy.

“Non-interference in the affairs of other countries, protection of the territorial integrity of the world countries and respect for their national sovereignty” are among the clear and immutable principles in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Seyed Abbas Mousavi said in a statement on Sunday.

He added, “Based upon such principles, the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes the importance of respecting the ‘One-China’ policy, condemns any foreign interference in the internal affairs of the People’s Republic of China and any harm to that country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stresses the need for enforcing law and keeping order for the stability, welfare and security of the people of Hong Kong”.

Hong Kong was witnessing a renewal of protests on Sunday over a newly-proposed security law as a lockdown imposed over the coronavirus outbreak gradually loosens.

The proposed law was recently submitted for deliberation to the National People’s Congress (NPC) and it aims to boost security measures and safeguard national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) after violent protests rocked the region for months last year.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday that Hong Kong was an internal affair and no foreign interference would be allowed.

Meanwhile, White House National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien warned on Sunday that China’s proposed national security legislation for Hong Kong could lead to US sanctions and threaten the city’s status as a financial hub.

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According To Iran News, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman warned that the recent American military moves in Iraq could escalate the regional tensions.

In a statement on Wednesday, Seyed Abbas Mousavi denounced the American military presence and moves in Iraq.

“While the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the international community are emphasizing the need for halting the tension-creating and warmongering measures amid the outbreak of coronavirus, these (US) moves are against the official and announced will of the Iraqi government, Parliament and people, would create tensions, and could steer the regional situation towards instability and catastrophic conditions,” he warned.

The Iranian spokesperson also called on the American forces to respect the Iraqi government and people’s demands for withdrawal from that country and to avoid creating tensions in the region.

His comments came against a backdrop of reports that American troops are preparing for a confrontation with Iraqi popular forces in the Arab country and that the Pentagon has been reviewing action plans for operations in the coming weeks.

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In remarks on Friday, Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman rejected some rumors spreading in social media claiming that Zarif has contracted the new coronavirus.

“Thank God, he is in complete health and has not tested because he has no symptoms,” Mousavi said in a statement.

The remarks came as the Iranian Health Ministry’s public relations director said since the outbreak of the new coronavirus known as COVID-19 in the country, 124 people have lost their lives and 913 others have completely recovered from the infectious disease.

Speaking to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting on Friday, Kianoush Jahanpour said since yesterday (Thursday), the total number of coronavirus cases has increased by 1224, reaching 4747.

Iran’s administration on Thursday extended the closure of all schools and universities nationwide until the end of the current Iranian year (March 19) as the country is struggling with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Medical staffs in 21 provinces of Iran have been working tirelessly over the past weeks to contain the novel coronavirus that has originated from China.

Several high-ranking officials, including the deputy health minister and five lawmakers, have tested positive for the coronavirus as the spread of the outbreak forced the government to call on people to stay at home.

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According To Iran News, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi offered his congratulations to the people and government of neighboring Azerbaijan on the successful holding of the country’s parliamentary elections.

In a statement on Monday, Mousavi hailed the successful parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and expressed hope for closer ties between Tehran and Baku.

Parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan on February 9. They had originally been scheduled to take place in November 2020 but were brought forward after parliament was dissolved in December 2019.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is scheduled to make a trip to the Iranian capital in the near future.

Iran’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Javad Jahangirzade made the announcement last Wednesday, explaining that the visit would come at the invitation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Iran and Azerbaijan have ramped up efforts in recent years to forge a closer partnership in various areas.

In 2016, Aliyev paid an official visit to Tehran, during which the two sides signed 11 memorandums of understanding and agreements to promote mutual cooperation in a range of areas.

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According To Iran News, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi hit back at US officials over their remarks against the country’s upcoming elections and said they had better clarify ambiguities about elections in the US.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mousavi rejected “irrelevant” remarks made by some US officials about the upcoming elections in Iran, saying that the significance the Islamic Republic attaches to the issue of elections is at a high level compared with other countries, especially those of the region.

The Iranian people have become accustomed to the contradictory remarks by a notorious group of US authorities, he added.

“Instead of questioning the voting in Iran, the US officials had better answer questions of a wide range of people and elites in the United States and the world over the ambiguous and complex mechanisms of presidential elections in their own country in which the majority’s vote is ignored,” the spokesman said.

“The US regime should also explain its extensive ties with countries that are alien to even the simplest forms of elections,” Mousavi went on to say.

The remarks came after US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook on Friday cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Iranian parliamentary elections set to be held later this week.

The election campaigns officially began in Iran at 00:00 Thursday, and will last until the end of Wednesday, February 19.

The nationwide votes for the parliament and the midterm election of the Assembly of Experts will be held simultaneously on Friday, February 21.

The campaigns for the Assembly of Experts midterm election had already begun on February 6.

A total of 7,148 candidates, including dozens of Iranians from the religious minorities, are running for the parliament. There are 290 seats in the parliament up for grabs.

In capital Tehran, 1,453 candidates are contesting one of the 30 allocated seats on the legislature.

The lawmakers are elected for a 4-year term, with no limitation for the incumbent or former parliamentarians to run again.

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According To Iran News, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi said a Swiss humanitarian channel recently launched for exporting food and medicine to Iran proves that the products have been sanctioned by the US.

“In spite of the US’ false claims that medicines and foodstuffs are not sanctioned, they (US officials) have practically blocked all ways to make bank transactions in this area,” Mousavi said on his Twitter account on Wednesday.

“With the launch of the so-called humanitarian channel for the supply of pharmaceuticals, they have officially confirmed that the claim is empty and in violation of the International Criminal Court ruling and that medicine and food are sanctioned while it should not be,” the spokesman added.

The humanitarian channel to bring food and medicine to Iran has started trial operations, the Swiss and US governments said on Thursday.

The Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement (SHTA) seeks to ensure that Swiss-based exporters and trading companies in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors have a secure payment channel with a Swiss bank through which payments for their exports to Iran are guaranteed, a government statement said.

The remarks come against the backdrop of increased tensions between Iran and the US with Washington imposing new sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The US has ratcheted up pressure on Iran since May 2018 after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

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In a statement on Sunday, Mousavi expressed delight at the consultations among Lebanese political groups and their consensus on a new government, adding, “The formation of a government under such regional and international circumstances and considering the will of the Lebanese people is a stride forward and a positive step in resolving that country’s problems.”

“We hope that the new government could fulfill the demands of the Lebanese people who have won great glories in resistance and perseverance in the face of occupation, bullying and the hegemony,” he added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran hopes that the new Lebanese government, which has been formed on the basis of the will of the people, could overcome all challenges in light of solidarity and strengthened national unity, and would carry out its plans for the inclusive progress and development of Lebanon and for creating security and welfare,” Mousavi said.

The Iranian spokesman voiced full support for the new Lebanese government and reaffirmed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s readiness to further broaden relations between Tehran and Beirut.

After weeks of nationwide protests brought down former prime minister Saad Hariri, Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun tapped Hassan Diab, a university professor backed by Hezbollah, to lead the new government.

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