TEHRAN (Iran News)On the eve of the fifth martyrdom anniversary of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the families of the late commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, as well as the families of his companions and other martyrs, met with Ayatollah Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah on Wednesday morning.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) “Some constantly say that the Islamic Republic has lost its proxy forces in the region. This is yet another incorrect statement. The Islamic Republic does not have proxy forces,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with a group of elegists and eulogists on Sunday on the birth anniversary of Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA), the daughter of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

The Supreme Leader spoke about the situation in Syria, expressing optimism about the emergence of a “strong and dignified” movement in the country despite the ongoing challenges.

“I predict that a powerful and honorable group will rise in Syria as well. A young Syrian has nothing to lose — his university is unsafe, his school is unsafe, his home is unsafe, his street is unsafe, his entire life is unsafe. What is he supposed to do?”

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Ayatollah Khamenei made these remarks while addressing a meeting with Basij members in Imam Khomeini Hussainia in downtown Tehran on Monday, which is the Basij Week.

What the Zionist regime did in Gaza and Lebanon is not a victory, it is a war crime, he said adding that the arrest warrant is not enough.

Today, the Resistance Front will be expanded more in the future, he noted.

Basij has courage, initiative, swift action in work, and a broad vision. It knows the enemy, and is sensitive to various developments, he stated.

We should not neglect the power of determination and decision-making, but rather appreciate and strengthen it, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

There is no dead-end for the Basiji school of thought, he reiterated.

Basiji has causes and goals and is not afraid of death, the Supreme Leader said.

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They have also invited the great nation of Iran to participate in the presidential elections.

The text of the letter is as follows:

“In the Name of God

To the Leader of the holy establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran,

As you are aware, the great nation of Iran is once again on the threshold of a fateful test in the eyes of its friends and enemies.

Elections are a manifestation of power and a clear sign of Islamism and the republic of the system, and the intelligent people of Islamic Iran will add another golden page to their list of honors on 18 June. God willing, and with maximum presence in the upcoming election scene, the people will renew allegiance with Imam Khomeini and martyrs.

Undoubtedly, attention to the precious testaments of the late founder of the Islamic system and the enlightening wills of you as a shining torch to lead the society, can pave the way for maximum presence and defeat of the enemy and the right choice for this noble nation and a brighter future for the appreciative people of Islamic Iran.

Explaining the conspiracies of the enemies, the wise and prudent Leader has repeatedly emphasized the maximum presence of the people at the ballot box and expressed valuable indicators and criteria for the presidential candidates and invited them to convince the people and be honest in expressing their capabilities and election slogans. You have tried to inform the people about their legal rights and religious and national duty, and it is hoped that by relying on God’s grace and benefiting from these thoughtful and effective and memorable instructions from you and the presence of the grateful people, you will cause the despair for the sworn enemies. Islam and the holy system of the Islamic Republic of Iran can inspire happiness in the hearts of the lovers of the Islamic Revolution around the world.

In this regard, we, a group of Friday prayer leaders and Sunni scholars of the country as flag bearers of honor and pride and preachers of unity and integrity in Islamic Iran, while renewing allegiance with the lofty ideals of the late Imam and martyrs and responding to the orders of the wise Leader, inform you that the people of Iran, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, with a correct understanding of the sensitive situation in the world, especially the ongoing seditions of global imperialism and international Zionism in the region, believe voting is the inalienable right and duty of every Iranian to participate in determining the destiny and protection of their homeland and national values. They will never let the malevolent ones to disappoint the people by sowing differences and divisions, and the enemies cannot plunder the valuable treasures of the nation, which is the result of the blood of thousands of martyrs.

May the problems of the appreciative and loyal people be solved by electing a valuable popular and serving government, and with the increasing authority of our Islamic country, the ground for the formation of a new Islamic civilization be provided, God willing.”

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During a meeting via video-link with members of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) on Thursday (May 27), the Leader said the Constitutional Council had carried out its duty.

“The respected Constitutional Council did what it had to do and what it deemed necessary to do as its duty, [and] determined the candidates,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader pointed to the criticisms that have been directed at the Constitutional Council and said the critical statements had been made with different motives. Some of the statements were made by people because they had real care for the people and concerns about a low participation in the election, he said, adding that some sides complained because their favorite candidate had not been approved.

Neither of those two groups can be found fault with, Ayatollah Khamenei said, explaining however that a third group of individuals were opposing the concept of the Constitutional Council altogether. “God will not have mercy on these people,” the Leader said.

Iran’s Interior Ministry released a list of approved presidential candidates — drawn up by the Constitutional Council after 10 days of vetting — on Tuesday. Several high-profile figures, including Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri and former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani — were not found qualified to run. That sparked criticism of the Council, mainly by the Reformist camp, which had intended to field Jahangiri as its top choice.

The Leader referred to the concerns about the low participation of the people in the forthcoming election and said he did not believe that people were concerned about names.

“Rather, the people are looking for an individual who has high managerial capabilities and firm will and performance to solve the country’s issues. And it doesn’t matter to people what title that person holds or which party he hails from. Of course, that may be important to the political factions, but not to the general populace,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader thanked all the individuals who nominated to run. “Many of these people undoubtedly entered the scene because they felt a responsibility [before the people].”

Furthermore, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “I have to doubly thank those whose qualification was not approved and was not ascertained by the Council and who reacted nobly. Some of them even encouraged people to participate in the election.”

The Leader said the fact that the Constitutional Council had not been able to ascertain the qualification of certain candidates did not mean that those individuals were not qualified — “they may even be highly qualified” — what it meant was that the Council had not been able to determine such a qualification based on its own recognition, reports, and the available tools.

The election is a race to serve the people, said the Leader, urging the candidates to view the election as such.

Ayatollah Khamenei also advised the candidates to refrain from mud-slinging and leveling accusations against others, or making unfeasible pledges.

“Moral considerations should seriously be taken into account. If the candidates really observe Islamic ethics in the debates and in the interviews that they give, this [behavior] will spread over to the society,” he said.

The Leader also advised the candidates against attempting to break the taboos.

“To be seen and heard more, certain parties come up with the solution of breaking customs, ‘violating the red lines of the establishment’ — as they would say themselves. The Islamic Republic is firmly in place and is there to stay; it is an establishment that has been settled in place; the main contours of the establishment are clear. People should not attempt to somehow earn themselves a position by violating the important boundaries of the Islamic Republic. No status will be earned that way,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader also urged the Iranian people to turn out to vote in the election.

“Dear Iranian nation! Election takes place in one day, but its outcome is there for several years. Participate in the election! Consider the election as belonging to yourselves, because it does belong to you,” the Leader said.

“Do not heed the words of these people who propagate that ‘[taking part] is futile, let’s not go- we won’t go to the ballot box.’ These don’t have the people’s interests in mind. Anyone who does would never ask people not to go to the ballot box,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

The Leader said virtual space and foreign policy were not the immediate concerns of the people.

“Presently, the main and the urgent issue of the country is the economy, and the candidates should present their plans to solve the economic issues to the people and convince them that they can resolve those problems,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

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In the 12-day war the Palestinian resistance groups succeeded to fire missiles all across the lands occupied by Israel. Failing to make resistance groups to give in in their missile war against occupation and injustice, finally the Zionist regime agreed to an unconditional ceasefire. The ceasefire brought a wave of joy and happiness to the Palestinians, who poured into the streets showing V signs and waved flags.

The following is the full text of the message posted on the khamenei.ir:

“In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

My greetings to the powerful, oppressed Palestine. Greetings to the brave, zealous Palestinian youth. Greetings to the heroic, resistant Gaza. Greetings to Hamas, Islamic Jihad and all Jihadi and political groups in Palestine.

I thank God, the Almighty, and Omnipotent, for granting His assistance and for the honor He has bestowed on the Palestinian fighters. I ask God, the Beneficent, to bestow tranquility and peace of mind on the injured hearts of the bereaved, to shower His mercy and glad tidings on the martyrs, and to completely heal the wounded. I also extend my congratulations on this victory against the criminal Zionist regime.

The recent test over these few days has honored the Palestinian nation. The savage, wolf-like enemy has realized correctly that it is powerless when facing the unified uprising of Palestine. This test–the cooperation between Quds and the Western Bank with Gaza and the ‘48 territories and Palestinian camps has shown the future solution to the Palestinians. Over the past 12 days, the violent regime committed immense crimes, especially in Gaza. They have proven in practice that it can behave so shamelessly and idiotically as a result of its incapability in confronting the unified uprising of the Palestinians, that it provokes the public opinion of the world against itself. They have added to the hatred against themselves and the Western governments that support it, in particular the criminal U.S. The continuation of their crimes and their request for a truce mean the defeat of the Zionists. The Zionists were forced to accept defeat.

The malicious regime will become even weaker. The preparedness of the Palestinian youth, the show of power by valuable Jihadi groups, and a continual increase in the elements of power will make Palestine stronger day by day, and it will render the usurping enemy weaker and more despicable with each passing day.

The time to begin and to end the clashes depend on the discernment of the great Jihadi and political leaders of Palestine. But being prepared and maintaining a powerful presence in the field cannot be stopped. The experience in Sheikh Jarrah in resisting the aggression of the regime and the mercenary inhabitants of the settlements should become a perpetual plan of action for the courageous people of Palestine. I salute the valiant youth of Sheikh Jarrah.

The entire world of Islam has responsibilities and religious obligations with respect to the Palestinian cause. Political commonsense and experience in ruling and governing confirm and put emphasis on this religious edict. Muslim governments should earnestly enter the field to support the Palestinian nation in both military and financial areas–which is needed more than the past–and to help in rebuilding infrastructures and the ruins in Gaza.

The nations demanding and pursuing this matter is a source of support for this religious and political call. Muslim nations should demand that their governments carry out their duties. Nations themselves have the responsibility to provide financial and political support as much as they are able to.

Another important responsibility is pursuing the matter of the punishment of the terrorist, bloodthirsty Zionist regime. All conscientious people in the world agree that the widespread crime of massacring Palestinian children and women over the past 12 days should not remain unpunished. All of the regime’s agents who were involved in this crime and the criminal Netanyahu himself should be prosecuted and punished by independent international courts of law. And this will surely happen with God’s power, “And Allah has command of His affairs” (Holy Qur’an, 12:21).

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In the meeting with Levan Jagarian, Velayati said that Iran and Russia are important friends and neighbors, adding that the long history of commercial, economic, and cultural relations is the main factor for strategic cooperation in different fields.

Velayati said that relations between Iran and Moscow are based on mutual respect, adding that common resolve to ensure regional security and partnership in the economic development of the regional states have led to deeper cooperation between the two countries.

He also said that an example of cooperation was helping resolve the humanitarian crisis in Syria and Armenia-Azerbaijan dispute over Karabakh.

Russian ambassador, Jagarian, said for his part that strengthening mutual ties between Iran and Russia has helped boost cooperation and that Moscow and Tehran have taken effective steps for upgrading their ties.

Stressing expansion of ties in defense, oil, nuclear, industrial, agricultural, and trade fields, the two diplomats reviewed the latest regional and international developments.

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He went on to add, “Today I want to say this lone word on the JCPOA; we’ve heard a lot of good words and promises, violated and acted against in action. There’s no benefit in words and promises. This time there should be action. If we see action from the other party, we will follow suit.”

The Supreme Leader underlined, “In the situation resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic and prohibition of gatherings, do not forget to do prayers peculiar to the Rajab Month at home.”

In his speech, the Supreme Leader congratulated Iranians on the beginning of Rajab month.

He said, “I hope everybody enjoys the spiritual blessings of this month. Well, there is no gathering this month and what was possible for the people every year in religious gatherings, this year is not possible. However, do not ignore to do Rajab Month prayers at home. The temporary ban on gatherings should not make us neglect the blessings of this month and praying to the Divine Threshold.”

He said, “I hope everybody enjoys the spiritual blessings of this month. Well, there is no gathering this month and what was possible for the people every year in religious gatherings, this year is not possible. However, do not ignore to do Rajab Month prayers at home. The temporary ban on gatherings should not make us neglect the blessings of this month and praying to the Divine Threshold.”

***Iran’s Azarbaijan a fortress against foreign assault and separationist movements

Describing Iran’s Azarbaijan region as a fortress against foreign assaults, the Supreme Leader underlined, “This means that we have been facing assaults from invading neighbors, either by Tsardom of Russia or former Ottoman Empire or USSR. If Azarbaijan was not there, or Tabriz and people’s resistance, standing, and sacrifice weren’t there, these invasions could reach over central Iran. Azarbaijan has served as a fortified wall and stronghold that has always repulsed these invasions and prevented them.”

“Tabriz and Azarbaijan region had two fixed, perpetual identity features: devotion to the Islamic faith and intense patriotism towards Iran. This has always been present in Azarbaijan and its people have been attaching such importance to Islam and Iran that is considered an important distinction. They have repeatedly stood against the conspiracy of the foes to disintegrated Iran. They stood against secession and maintained Iran’s integrity,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

He also stressed that if the epic movement by the Tabriz people was not done on February 18, 1978, the bloody effort by people of Qom about one month earlier could stand alone and fall into oblivion.

“To be fair, Iranians are not exhausted and you saw the evidence. In the astonishing funeral procession of Martyr Soleimani, and then in the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution (Bahman 22) held amid coronavirus restrictions with a new initiative. They didn’t let Bahman 22 to be shut,” the Supreme Leader emphasized.

The Supreme Leader went on to point to the failures and shortcomings existing in the country and said “(Iranian) people are more sensitive to such shortcomings now compared to early days of the victory of the Islamic revolution in the country. Today, people are sensitive towards corruption, towards social gaps. This is a very good thing.”

This shows people are quite familiar with the ideals of the Islamic Revolution and are still seeking them. That is why they protest. They protest corruption. Wherever there are signs of corruption, people react. This is very important because it reveals people’s true sentiments. This should be reinvigorated.

“It’s our duty to compensate failures and weaknesses with achievements. The foes say vice versa. They highlight failures and tell us to keep eye on failures and forget about achievements. They tell us to leave that path of revolution,” he said.

Leader’s speech through a video conference is held on the occasion of the uprising which took place on February 18, 1978.

The event falls on February 17 this year.

Each year, the Leader used to meet with the people of Tabriz on the occasion but this year, the meeting is held online due to the pandemic which has killed over 2,420,000 worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019.

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With regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event is held with full implementation of health protocols.
The pictures and details of the event will be published soon.

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“Their people also have to know that although they have legitimate demands, those demands can be met only through the framework of legal structures,” he said on Wednesday in rare remarks addressing the wave of demonstrations that erupted in Iraq and Lebanon this month.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Air Defence Academy, Khamenei accused “America and Western intelligence services” of inflicting damage and of creating “chaos” in the region.

“They are destroying security. This is the worst kind of hostility and the most dangerous and spiteful behaviour against a country,” he said.

Iran leader’s speech came as the US called for the formation of a new Lebanese government that would be responsive to the needs of the country’s population.

“The Lebanese people want an efficient and effective government, economic reform, and an end to endemic corruption,” Pompeo said in a statement after the resignation on Tuesday of embattled Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the face of nearly two weeks of mass protests demanding the departure of the country’s entire political elite.

The nationwide protests in Lebanon erupted amid growing anger over official corruption, poor public services and years of economic mismanagement.

While some supporters of Hezbollah and the allied Amal Movement have attacked anti-government demonstrators in central Beirut, the protests have largely been peaceful and united people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Lebanese protesters have rarely called out Iran and Hezbollah, but a common chant, “All means all,” implies that none of Lebanon’s factions, including Hezbollah and its allies, are beyond reproach.

Iraq protests

In Iraq, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets this week in a second wave of protests against a government and political elite they say is corrupt and out of touch.

The mass demonstrations have been met with a combative response from security forces, who have used tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition against those taking to the streets. More than 200 protesters have been killed since the unrest began on October 1.

Many protests say the country’s vast oil wealth has not adequately trickled down to its citizens, with millions lacking access to adequate healthcare, education, clean water and electricity.

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