Velayati Archives - Iran News Daily

Velayati: US Can’t Stay in Iraq

reporter 1222 — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 14:00:30 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iranian Supreme Leader’s top adviser for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati underlined that the US has no chance to continue its military deployment in Iraq.

“Their attempts are futile. The Iraqi parliament has voted for the US withdrawal from Iraq and the Iraqi people have supported the vote in their rallies,” Velayati told reporters in a press conference in Tehran on Thursday.

“The Americans have no chance to stay in Iraq and they should leave the country,” he added.

Velayati also underlined the need for the American military forces to leave Syria, saying that the resistant and powerful government of Syria will be deployed in the Eastern Euphrates region.

The Iraqi parliament passed a non-binding resolution earlier this month asking the government to expel foreign troops and to cancel the ongoing request for military assistance from the US-led coalition.

There are currently 5,200 US troops stationed at bases across Iraq.

Since the US invasion of Iraq by the Bush administration in 2003, there have been more than 200,000 civilians who have been killed or injured – an invasion described as Washington’s greatest foreign policy disaster since Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has threatened to impose sanctions on Iraq if it continues to demand US withdrawal from the country.

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Velayati calls Trump’s plan shameful

reporter 1222 — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 12:34:42 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Ali Akbar Velayati has denounced US President Donald Trump’s anti-Palestine Middle East plan as “the shameful and deceptive plan of the century,” which is “doomed to failure.”

Ali Akbar Velayati, who is also secretary-general of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening, made the remarks in a Thursday statement in response to Trump’s announcement of the plan that he has dubbed “the deal of the century.”

The statement was released prior to a presser by Velayati on the matter.

While condemning the so-called ‘deal of the century,’ the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening considers it necessary for all Palestinian factions to close their ranks as a “comprehensive strategy aimed at thwarting the ominous goals” of Trump’s plot, he added.

He referred to the Palestinian cause as “the most important” issue facing the Muslim world, saying Muslims are obliged to throw “unequivocal support” behind Palestine by “using all material, spiritual and media capacities, public diplomacy, holding rallies and enlightening public opinion.”

Defying international outcry, Trump on Tuesday announced the general provisions of the plan at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his side.

The scheme — which all Palestinian groups have unanimously rejected — largely meets Israel’s demands in the decades-old conflict, while creating a Palestinian state with limited control over its own security and borders.

It enshrines Jerusalem al-Quds as “Israel’s undivided capital” and allows the regime to annex settlements in the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley, among other controversial terms.

Velayati further warned of the repercussions of such a plan, including destabilizing the region and violating numerous UN resolutions on the Palestine cause.

In order to make up for the US’s failed policies meant to ensure the security of Israel, the Trump administration made an attempt to secure the objectives of the international Zionism lobby by fueling instability in the region.

“The deal of the century will lead nowhere,” but rather consolidate unity in the Muslim Ummah and muster support for the oppressed Palestinian nation from the world’s freedom- and justice-seeking people and the entire international community, Velayati said.

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Buffer Zone in Syria; Velayati Says Iran Opposses

reporter 1222 — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 12:22:35 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – A senior official has reiterated Iran’s opposition to any foreign interference in regional affairs, saying Tehran is against creating a buffer zone in Syria or any other country in the region.

“Iran opposes any kind of foreign interference in the regional countries and will stand up against cruelty, conspiracies, aggression and malicious plots of enemies to undermine and disintegrate the regional states,” said Ali Akbar Velayati.

Velayati who is an adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with a delegation of representatives from Syrian tribes in Tehran on Saturday.

The official stressed Iran’s strong support for Syria, saying any buffer zone and foreign interference in Syria or any other place in the region is tantamount to a demographic change and disintegration of countries.

That would amount to handing over parts of Syria to foreigners, Velayati added.

The Iranian official said the buffer zone would provide a safe haven for foreign-backed terrorists who have committed crimes in Syria. “How is it possible to create security for them and give them a region of Syria?” Velayati asked.

The Iranian official also said that any change in Syria’s constitution should to be made only by the Syrian people and without the intervention of any other country.

He also expressed confidence that the Syrian people and government would soon liberate terrorist-held Idlib province.

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Israel air raids on Syria will be regretted; Velayati says

reporter 1222 — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 10:37:45 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – A senior Iranian official says Israel “will regret” its air raids on Syria, and that the Syrian and Lebanese nations will give a response to the Tel Aviv regime.

“Israel air raids on Syria will not go unanswered, and Tel Aviv will regret these crimes,” Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on international affairs, said in an interview with the Russia Today’s Arabic channel due to be aired on Tuesday night.

“Sooner or later, Israel will receive a response for its aerial attacks and crimes in Syria,” he said, expressing hope that resistance forces in Syria and Lebanon would “stand against the crimes committed by the US and Israel.”

He said that “Israel cannot continue its unlawful aggression in the region without receiving a response.”

Velayati further dismissed as “propaganda” anti-Iran remarks made by Israeli officials, saying, “Tel Aviv is powerless and cannot carry out its threats against Iran.”

The Iranian official also said that the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement will “raze Israel to ground” if the regime dares attack Lebanon.

The regime sporadically carries out such attacks against Syria using Lebanon’s skies against the position of pro-Damascus forces or what the regime usually claims to be Iranian targets in the Arab country, where Tehran has deployed military advisors.

At Syria’s request, Iran — along with Russia and Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement — has been supporting the Syrian military’s efforts to cleanse the Arab country of anti-Damascus terror groups, many of which have the support of Israel, the US and their regional allies.

Israel views the Islamic Republic’s advisors in Syria as a threat and has openly pledged to target them out until they leave the country.

Both Tehran and Damascus have repeatedly rejected claims of Israeli attacks on Iranian targets as sheer lies and pointless propaganda.

Damascus has repeatedly called on the UN to adopt necessary measures to stop Israel’s acts of military aggression on the Arab country.

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European signatories to the JCPOA are playing with Iran

reporter 1222 — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 05:51:48 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – A top Advisor to Iranian Leader Ali Akbar Velyati has criticized the European signatories to the JCPOA for bringing up the issue of Iranian missile defense capabilities instead of abiding by their JCPOA obligations.

Ali Akbar Velayati made the comments in an interview with the France 24-Arabic Language TV, during which he said that Iran does not trust France as it has not abided by its commitments to the Iran nuclear deal or the JCPOA like other European countries.

It is noteworthy that the French President Macron has been holding regular phone conversation with his Iranian Counterpart President Rouhani with an attempt to save the JCPOA as Iran gradually take steps to reduce its own commitments to the deal in reciprocation for US illegal withdrawal and Europe’s failure to abide by their own obligations under the accord to make up for Iran’s losses.

In response to a question on the promised $15 billion credit line proposed to Rouhani by Macrone in exchange for reversing Iran’s JCPOA commitment reductions, the top advisor to the Leader said that “the main problem is that France and other European signatories to the JCPOA do not keep their promises. Nor did they live up to their promises in the nuclear deal. That is why we do not trust the French government to hold to its promises.”

He added that France like other EU countries are all talk and no action.

The official further lambasted the European countries for bringing up the issue of Iranian missile defense capabilities instead of abiding by their JCPOA obligations.

He called the French and other European states’ gestures with regard to the JCPOA as a show which is aimed at a political victory.

They want to tell the people of the world that they are trying to maintain and realize peace while the case is different, according to Velayati.

He further noted that when the US re-imposes the sanctions on Iran, Europe abides by them.

“France is seeking a political game with Iran,” he noted, adding as long as France does not take practical steps, Iran does not trust it.

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Russia ready to invest up to $50bn in Iran’s oil sector

reporter 1222 — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 12:30:49 +0000

Oil cooperation between and Russia can be boosted to some $50 billion and Moscow has expressed readiness to make this investment, said Iranian Leader’s senior adviser Ali Akbar Velayati on Thursday.

He made the remarks during a live interview with Iran’s state TV on Thursday noon.

Referring to his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier today, Velayati said that the message of Iran’s Leader and president was delivered to the Russian official.

“The meeting lasted for some two hours and it was very constructive, clear and friendly,” he noted, adding, “we talked about topics of mutual interest.”

President Putin highlighted that the volume of trade between the two countries have increased by 36 percent in the first four months of 2018, Velayati added.

The Iranian official went on to say that a $4-billion oil deal with a major Russian firm will become operational in the near future.

Two other major Russian oil companies have also made initial sign contracts with Iran which would be worth $10 billion, he added.

Mr. Putin’s reports in the meeting demonstrated that Iran-Russia oil cooperation can be developed to some $50 billion which is a considerable volume, he said, adding that Russia can appropriately replace Western companies which have left Iran due to US sanctions.

Touching upon nuclear cooperation, Velayati said that a 1000-MW reactor have been established in Iran with the help of Russia and two other reactors are under construction.

He has also proposed that Russia build some 100-MW and 35-MW power stations in the southern regions of Iran, particularly in Makran coastal strip, and also to share the required technology so that Atomic Energy Organization of Iran can build further such reactors to fulfill the water and energy requirements of the region.

Both Iran and Russia expressed satisfaction regarding increased rail cooperation, he said, adding that the operation of electrifying Garmsar-Incheh Borun rail route kicked off some 10 day ago by Russian investment.

President Putin has expressed readiness to further invest in Iran’s rail sector while giving a special attention to North to South corridor which will connect Russia’s St. Petersburg to Iran’s Chabahar. This rail route can save 40 percent in time and cost of shipping to Southeast Asia, he added.

Elsewhere, Velayati said that both Iran and Russia highlighted the need to continue cooperation in the region to support the legitimate governments of Iraq and Syria; President Putin agrees that this cooperation should continue in both the defense and the political sphere, he added.

Both countries emphasized continuation of Astana talks between Iran, Russia and Turkey, he said.

Velayati further quoted Putin as saying that “we don’t accept the sanctions imposed by the United States and others against Iran. Sanctions which are not passed by UN Security Council cannot be accepted and we will not adhere to it.”

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Velayati says his strategic mission to Moscow not affected by ‘itinerant’ Netanyahu

reporter 1222 — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 04:30:29 +0000

Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution who is in Russia for an official visit, has shrugged off the concurrent trip to Russia by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying “nobody cares” about the Netanyahu’s “baseless and illogical remarks”.

“He (Netanyahu) is an itinerant person who travels to somewhere in the world every day,” Velayati told reporters upon his arrival in Moscow.

“Therefore, his presence or absence in Russia has no effect on our strategic mission,” he added.

Velayati asserted that Iran and Russia’s ties are “strategic”, citing mutual fight against Daesh in Syria, cooperation at the United Nations and also Russia’s support for crafting the 2015 nuclear deal as “other examples of strategic and long-lasting ties”.

“Besides these, mutual relations in the fields of defense, politics, economy, nuclear technology, and security point to a long-term agenda shared by the two countries.”

Velayati is in Moscow to submit messages from Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Tuesday that the letters are aimed at “emphasizing the importance of expanded relations between Iran and Russia”.

Velayati will likely hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

On his visit to Russia, Velayati said, “The current situation is very sensitive as the world is under the influence of a sinning person under the title of the president of America, therefore, such cooperation becomes more and more necessary, which is why I am being honored to carry the messages of the Supreme Leader and the president.”

Velayati to depart to China after Russia visit

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said Velayati will also pay a visit to China to convey messages from Ayatollah Khamenei and Rouhani to Chinese leaders.

Qassemi said that after the U.S. withdrawal from 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was a strategic mistake by the U.S. president, Tehran decided to send special envoys to convey the messages of top Iranian leaders to other countries.

“In these messages, our country’s views and stances regarding the United States’ selfish and illegal behavior are explained to other countries,” he said.

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Yemeni Army, Houthis, Ansarullah advancing in Hudaida: Velayati

reporter 1222 — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 13:15:08 +0000

A senior adviser to Iran’s Leader said Wed. that the Yemeni forces are advancing against Western-backed Saudi and UAE-led coalition in Yemen’s Hudaida front, stressing that Saudis will be the once again the loser of the conflict.

“Saudi Arabia, which is a US puppet, has been bombing Yemen for three years now but has failed [to achieve its intended results]. The UAE has come to help while other countries such as Britain have also come [to help Saudis] and they are trying to shut down the port of Hudaida but have failed again,” Ali Akbar Velayati told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Tehran on Wednesday.

With respect to the latest development in Iraq after the elections, Velayati said “we are glad that the Iraqi elections were held without any problems and in a safe environment,” hoping the new government will be formed very soon.

The senior advisor to the Leader also addressed the developments in Syria, saying “US created ISIL and al-Nusra in Syria and they have occupied the east of the Euphrates river,” adding “Syria and the east of Euphrates will turn into another Vietnam for the US.”

Regarding the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council, Velayati said that human rights is a political tool in the hands of the Americans; “when they see it is not useful to them anymore, they discard it,” he added.

Elsewhere, Velayati said that Iran has already set its own conditions for the talks with E3 to keep the nuclear deal alive, stressing that Europeans need to fulfill their duties and stand against the US demands.

“Iran has already declared its conditions [for talks with E3] and will not compromise. Europeans have to fulfill their duties and compel the United States to stop its unconstructive actions,” he added.

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Velayati skeptical of Europeans’ support for JCPOA

reporter 1222 — Sun, 20 May 2018 14:30:18 +0000

A senior adviser to Iran’s Leader is highly skeptical about Europe’s support for the nuclear deal with Iran, saying he does not trust their current manner of dealing with it.

“Some members of the European Union say they are committed [to the deal]. Some also say that they are developing economic relations [with Iran]. Meanwhile, some European officials have stated that they cannot offer guarantees in the face of US sanctions,” Ali Akbar Velayati said.

Velayati expressed his hope that the Iranian officials will be able to gain the necessary guarantees in the negotiations with Europeans.

He pointed to the French company ‘Total’ as an example of European paradoxical behavior, calling for achieving necessary guarantees in line with the guidelines of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian top official referred to Iraq’s recent developments, congratulating the successful parliamentary elections on the people and government of Iraq.

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Iran to drop out of nuclear deal if US withdraws

reporter 1222 — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:30:46 +0000

Senior Adviser to Iran’s Leader Ali Akbar Velayati, pointing to Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks regarding JCPOA, said Iran is committed to the historical deal without slightest violation, but if America retreat from it, Iran will not remain either.

Iran accepts the nuclear deal as it has been prepared and will not admit any change, Velayati said on Thursday.

He stressed that even US allies, especially the European states, are willing to revise the already signed deal to remain in JCPOA, surely one of our options is to retreat.

Pointing to his meeting with the representative of Kurdish tribes in Syria, Velayati added the presence of Syria’s main Kurdish leaders in the Islamic Republic of Iran and their concordance with our principled policies, is a crushing response to the United States and Saudi Arabia.

“Americans imagine that they have settled in the eastern Euphrates and the Kurdish regions, but they must know that sooner or later they have to leave those areas; the freedom of the eastern Euphrates is approaching, especially since the Kurdish tribesmen living in regions of Al-Hasakah, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor, have a long history of fighting with aliens,” he underlined.

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