China's Xi hails strategic partnership with Syria

Xi and Assad met in the eastern Chinese city on Friday afternoon, state media said.

“Today, we will jointly announce the establishment of the China-Syria strategic partnership, which will become an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations,” Xi told Assad, according to a readout from state broadcaster CCTV.

“Faced with an international situation full of instability and uncertainty, China is willing to continue to work together with Syria, firmly support each other, promote friendly cooperation, and jointly defend international fairness and justice,” he added.

Relations between the two countries “have withstood the test of international changes”, Xi said.

“And the friendship between the two countries has been strengthened over time,” he added, France 24 reported.

MNA/PR

Palestinian killed in Israeli military raid in northern occupied West Bank

Israeli military forces have shot and killed a Palestinian youth during a raid in a village in the northern occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials say.

Abdullah Emad Abu al-Hasan, 18, succumbed to wounds from live fire by Israeli occupation forces during an assault on the village of Kafr Dan, located 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) northwest of Jenin, early on Friday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. 

The injured teenager was transferred to a hospital for medical treatment, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that confrontations broke out in the village as young Palestinians tried to repel the Israeli soldiers following the incursion.

Israeli troops fired live rounds, stun grenades and tear gas canisters to disperse the protesting crowd.

The young Palestinians hurled stones at Israeli military vehicles, while resistance fighters exchanged gunfire with the soldiers.

Witnesses said Hasan was struck in the abdomen with a bullet. A number of Palestinians were also shot and injured during the raid, while several others suffered breathing difficulties as a result of Israeli-fired tear gas.

Meanwhile, seven Palestinians, including an elderly woman, were injured and more than 100 others suffered from tear gas inhalation after Israeli soldiers raided the city of Nablus on Friday.

Local sources reported that Israeli special forces stormed Rafidia neighborhood in the western part of the occupied West Bank city, and surrounded a residential building amid heavy gunfire before targeting the house with four rockets.

The Israeli military later announced the arrest of a “wanted” Palestinian and two other young men. Meanwhile, a report by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed identified the arrested Palestinian as Khaled Tabila, one of the founders of Lions’ Den.

Armed clashes erupted in the area, where several residents were injured.

According to Palestinian medical sources, Israeli forces prevented ambulances from reaching the neighborhood where the raid was taking place. 

Israeli forces launch raids on various cities of the West Bank almost on a daily basis under the pretext of detaining what the regime calls “wanted” Palestinians. The raids usually lead to violent confrontations with residents.

More than 200 Palestinians have been killed this year in the occupied Palestinian territories and Gaza. The majority of these fatalities have been recorded in the West Bank.

Those figures indicate that 2023 is already the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since the United Nations began keeping track of fatalities in 2005.

Previously, 2022 had been the deadliest year with 150 Palestinians killed, of whom 33 were minors, according to the United Nations.

No need for foreign combat forces presence in Iraq

The premier made the remarks to Bloomberg on Thursday on the sidelines of his trip to New York, to which he has traveled to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“Our official position is clear – there is no need for foreign combat forces in Iraq,” he said.

“We possess capable security services to maintain order,” al-Sudani added.

Last month too, the premier had lauded the sacrifices that had been made by the Iraqi military forces in the fight against terrorism, noting that the presence of foreign troops was no longer needed in the country.

The United States invaded Iraq on March 20, 2003, leaving a trail of destruction, death, and chaos in the Arab country based on Baghdad’s supposed possession of weapons of mass destruction, an allegation that was later proven to be false.

The US and scores of its allies re-launched a military campaign against the country in 2014 under the pretext of fighting the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh.

The group had emerged in Iraq and neighboring Syria earlier as Washington was running out of excuses to extend its meddling in the West Asia region or enlarge it in scale.

The US military claimed to be ending its combat mission in Iraq in 2021 but said it would retain some 2,500 troops in the country as alleged advisors, although, Baghdad and its allies dealt a decisive defeat to the terror outfit in 2017.

MNA/PressTV

Foreign forces presence not solution to regional problems

Speaking in the ceremony of Iranian Armed Forces military parades in Tehran, Ebrahim Raeisi said that September 22, 1980 [ refers to the start of the eight-year Iraqi imposed war against Iran in 1980, known also as Sacred Defense in Iran] is a reminder of bravery, courage, sacrifice and resistance of the great nation of Iran.

Sacred Defense Week is a reminder of the bravery and resistance of Iran’s armed forces against the enemies, he added.

Raeisi praised Iran’s defense achievements and its weapons production capacity, saying that they show how the country’s armed forces have turned the sanctions into an opportunity for growth.

The president said Iran’s enemies thought that the sanctions would stop its defense progress, but the reality is that the sanctions have stimulated Iran’s military development.

“We have transformed from a country that imported and stored other countries’ weapons to a country that produces and exports weapons,” he said, adding that the region and the world recognize Iran’s enhanced military capability, especially in terms of training and equipment.

Raeisi said Iran has now acquired significant deterrent power, which has deterred its adversaries from invading Iran or even imagining confronting its armed forces.

The Iranian president also said Iran has no intention to wage wars on other countries and that its military might be defensive in nature.

“Today, war and domination have no place in Iran’s military doctrine, but [pursuing] a defensive approach [to ensure] sustainable security and assuring deterrence is a definite policy,” he said.

He emphasized his administration’s policy of prioritizing the neighborhood, saying that the country has sought cooperation with its neighbors in defense, as well as trade, technology and other fields.

The president said that regional countries should work together to end the presence of foreign forces in the region, especially in the Persian Gulf.

Raeisi said the presence of foreign military forces is not a solution to the regional problems, but rather a source of them.

He also hailed as a “positive step” Iraq’s recent announcement that it has moved armed anti-Iran groups away from the areas near the Iran-Iraq border to other regions.

He vowed that Iran would not allow any separatist group to have weapons and create unrest against Iran near its borders.

The president said that Iran needed to send experts to Iraq to ensure that these groups have been disarmed according to a March agreement between Iran and Iraq on the relocation of armed groups.

He also commented on Israel’s normalization deals with several Arab countries, saying that no Arab country could truly normalize its relations with the regime, as the Muslim world and other nations hate the regime.

Raeisi said that such normalization deals would not make Israel more secure, as the whole region hated the regime with all their hearts.

He condemned the normalization deals as a “stab in the back of Palestinians” and stressed that the oppressed people would not forgive those who normalized with the regime.

The Iranian president said that the Palestinian issue could not be resolved through normalization deals, and reiterated Iran’s proposal for a referendum on the fate of the Palestinian lands involving all the original inhabitants of those lands.

MNA/5891487

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC chief in NY (+Details)

Amir-Abdollahian who accompanied Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting, met with a number of his counterparts and the Secretary-General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Iran, Singapore FMs meet 

Amir-Abdollahian met with his counterpart from Singapore on the margins of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

In the meeting, the two sides underscored their interest in the expansion of trade and economic ties.

The top Iranian diplomat touched upon the massive economic potential as well as trade ports in Iran along with Singapore’s important trade and economic status, stressing the significance of tapping into the existing potential.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Iran FM thanks Qatar for mediating prisoner swap with US

Iranian foreign minister also met and held talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.

The two top diplomats exchanged views about bilateral issues as well as some regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Amir-Abdollahian praised the Qatari government’s constructive role in advancing bilateral issues including the recent prisoner exchange between Iran and the US.

The Iranian foreign minister expressed pleasure with the growing trend of relations between Tehran and Doha in various fields. Stressing the need to strengthen this aspect, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is ready to strengthen cooperation in regional and international fields.

Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, for his part, extended greetings from the Qatari Emir to the leaders of Iran, voicing his country’s readiness to bolster ties in various bilateral, regional and international areas.

He further said Qatar is prepared to continue its constructive and helpful role in issues of mutual interest and underlined the necessity of taking advantage of the positive climate in the region to further efforts to that end.

He also voiced his country’s readiness to continue negotiations with Iran in the near future in Tehran or Doha, which was welcomed by Amir-Abdollahian.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Iran, Djibouti decide to resume diplomatic relations

Amir-Abdollahian met with his Djiboutian counterpart Mahamoud Ali Youssouf on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York.

In the meeting that was held in a friendly atmosphere, Amir-Abdollahian said, “We have always witnessed very good developments in relations between Iran and Djibouti over many years and there are different areas in which we can work.”

He added that Iran welcomes the expansion of ties with Muslim and brotherly countries and is interested in putting back ties with Djibouti on the right track.

Amir-Abdollahian went on to stress that we see Djibouti as a friendly and brotherly nation, adding that Iran considers relations with that important Muslim country in the Horn of Africa highly important and warmly shakes hands with its Djiboutian brothers.

“We can establish robust ties and expand our cooperation in all areas,” said the Iranian foreign minister.

Pointing to the capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in scientific and technological fields, the Iranian foreign minister said Iran is ready to share these capabilities with Djibouti.

He further extended greetings from the Iranian president to high-ranking officials of Djibouti and invited Mahamoud Ali Youssouf to visit Iran as soon as possible.

The Djiboutian foreign minister also said he was pleased to meet with Amir-Abdollahian, saying Iran and Djibouti have always had good and constructive relations in the past and that his country is fully prepared to strengthen these constructive and good ties in light of the good possibilities of both sides.

He described solidarity among Muslim nations as important and said it is necessary for Islamic countries to be together in critical situations. 

Mahamoud Ali Youssouf stressed that the Republic of Djibouti welcomes the establishment of inclusive relations with Iran.

He also said the two sides have always worked together and this cooperation is continuing and “we are ready to strengthen the relations.”

Amir-Abdollahian and the Djiboutian foreign minister also discussed some regional issues of mutual interest and others that are important to Islamic countries including the Palestinian issue. Both foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian nation and the Palestinian cause.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Iranian FM  reiterates Tehran’s continued support for the Resistance in Lebanon 

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also met with his Lebanese counterpart Abdullah Buhabib on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

In the meeting, the two top diplomats discussed issues of mutual interest and the latest state of the political process in Lebanon.

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran will not hesitate to help with this political process based on any decision that the Lebanese adopt.

The Iranian foreign minister stressed the importance of the Palestinian issue and reaffirmed Tehran’s continued support for the Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine in the face of threats by the Zionist regime.

He further underlined the need for Muslim countries to continue supporting the Palestinian people.

Buhabib, for his part, referred to the latest developments in Lebanon and appreciated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s constructive support of his country.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Tehran welcomes further enhancement of Iran-Swiss cooperation

Iran’s foreign minister sat down with his Swiss counterpart on the fringes of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

In the meeting, issues of mutual interests along with key regional and international issues were discussed.

Amir-Abdollahian underlined that Iran welcomes further enhancement of cooperation between the two countries.

Tehran has no restrictions in expanding ties with Manila

Iranian Foreign Minister and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Enrique Manalo discussed the latest developments in bilateral ties.

Expressing his satisfaction with this meeting, Iran’s top diplomat said that the ancient and friendly relations’ history between the two countries is a very good investment for expanding future relations.

Amir-Abdollahian said that Tehran is ready to expand its commercial ties with Manila and cooperate in scientific and technological fields and other fields of interest.

Referring to the global movement towards multilateralism, he termed this process as an opportunity for Iran and the Philippines, adding that both countries have common views and good cooperation in international organizations.

Touching on the good relations and cooperation between the two countries, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines for his part said, “We have various fields for cooperation and can provide the basis for cooperation between the two countries in new fields of interest.”

Manalo emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural exchanges between the two countries.

He added that we have a common point of view regarding respect for international law and support for multilateralism in the international sphere.

He noted that Iran and the Philippines’s ties have always been good both at the bilateral and international levels, including in the United Nations, voicing readiness to continue bilateral cooperation.

FM invites PGCC secretary-general to visit Iran

Amir-Abdollahian also met with the Secretary-General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York.

The minister stressed the importance of expanding ties between Iran and the southern countries of the Persian Gulf.

He then referred to his recent trip to the Persian Gulf countries and Iran’s initiative, saying, “We proposed the formation of a forum for dialogue and cooperation.”

Amir-Abdollahian added that today, regional leaders show more interest in cooperation than talks, [and] therefore Iran’s initiative was welcomed.

He underlined that any differences in the region must be resolved through constructive diplomatic talks.

Amir-Abdollahian further invited the PGCC secretary general to visit Iran, which was welcomed by Albudaiwi.

Albudaiwi also welcomed the growing trend of ties between Iran and the member states of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, saying the Persian Gulf is a strategic region and fortunately, in this new environment, there is room for greater cooperation between regional countries.

The PGCC chief said tension in the region is harmful to all sides and that the body welcomes Iran’s efforts to boost regional cooperation.

He added that it is necessary to step up efforts to increase dialogue and present initiatives for the purpose of strengthening cooperation. 

This item is being updated…

MNA/

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Amir-Abdollahian who accompanied Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting, met with a number of his counterparts and the Secretary-General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Iran, Singapore FMs meet 

Amir-Abdollahian met with his counterpart from Singapore on the margins of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

In the meeting, the two sides underscored their interest in the expansion of trade and economic ties.

The top Iranian diplomat touched upon the massive economic potential as well as trade ports in Iran along with Singapore’s important trade and economic status, stressing the significance of tapping into the existing potential.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Iran FM thanks Qatar for mediating prisoner swap with US

Iranian foreign minister also met and held talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.

The two top diplomats exchanged views about bilateral issues as well as some regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Amir-Abdollahian praised the Qatari government’s constructive role in advancing bilateral issues including the recent prisoner exchange between Iran and the US.

The Iranian foreign minister expressed pleasure with the growing trend of relations between Tehran and Doha in various fields. Stressing the need to strengthen this aspect, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is ready to strengthen cooperation in regional and international fields.

Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, for his part, extended greetings from the Qatari Emir to the leaders of Iran, voicing his country’s readiness to bolster ties in various bilateral, regional and international areas.

He further said Qatar is prepared to continue its constructive and helpful role in issues of mutual interest and underlined the necessity of taking advantage of the positive climate in the region to further efforts to that end.

He also voiced his country’s readiness to continue negotiations with Iran in the near future in Tehran or Doha, which was welcomed by Amir-Abdollahian.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Iran, Djibouti decide to resume diplomatic relations

Amir-Abdollahian met with his Djiboutian counterpart Mahamoud Ali Youssouf on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York.

In the meeting that was held in a friendly atmosphere, Amir-Abdollahian said, “We have always witnessed very good developments in relations between Iran and Djibouti over many years and there are different areas in which we can work.”

He added that Iran welcomes the expansion of ties with Muslim and brotherly countries and is interested in putting back ties with Djibouti on the right track.

Amir-Abdollahian went on to stress that we see Djibouti as a friendly and brotherly nation, adding that Iran considers relations with that important Muslim country in the Horn of Africa highly important and warmly shakes hands with its Djiboutian brothers.

“We can establish robust ties and expand our cooperation in all areas,” said the Iranian foreign minister.

Pointing to the capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in scientific and technological fields, the Iranian foreign minister said Iran is ready to share these capabilities with Djibouti.

He further extended greetings from the Iranian president to high-ranking officials of Djibouti and invited Mahamoud Ali Youssouf to visit Iran as soon as possible.

The Djiboutian foreign minister also said he was pleased to meet with Amir-Abdollahian, saying Iran and Djibouti have always had good and constructive relations in the past and that his country is fully prepared to strengthen these constructive and good ties in light of the good possibilities of both sides.

He described solidarity among Muslim nations as important and said it is necessary for Islamic countries to be together in critical situations. 

Mahamoud Ali Youssouf stressed that the Republic of Djibouti welcomes the establishment of inclusive relations with Iran.

He also said the two sides have always worked together and this cooperation is continuing and “we are ready to strengthen the relations.”

Amir-Abdollahian and the Djiboutian foreign minister also discussed some regional issues of mutual interest and others that are important to Islamic countries including the Palestinian issue. Both foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian nation and the Palestinian cause.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Iranian FM holds talks with his Lebanese counterpart in New York

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also met with his Lebanese counterpart Abdullah Buhabib on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

In the meeting, the two top diplomats discussed issues of mutual interest and the latest state of the political process in Lebanon.

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran will not hesitate to help with this political process based on any decision that the Lebanese adopt.

The Iranian foreign minister stressed the importance of the Palestinian issue and reaffirmed Tehran’s continued support for the Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine in the face of threats by the Zionist regime.

He further underlined the need for Muslim countries to continue supporting the Palestinian people.

Buhabib, for his part, referred to the latest developments in Lebanon and appreciated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s constructive support of his country.

Iran FM meets counterparts, PGCC sec.gen. in NY (+Details)

Iran, Swiss FMs hold talks

Iran’s foreign minister sat down with his Swiss counterpart on the fringes of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

In the meeting, issues of mutual interests along with key regional and international issues were discussed.

Amir-Abdollahian underlined that Iran welcomes further enhancement of cooperation between the two countries.

Tehran has no restrictions in expanding ties with Manila

Iranian Foreign Minister and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Enrique Manalo discussed the latest developments in bilateral ties.

Expressing his satisfaction with this meeting, Iran’s top diplomat said that the ancient and friendly relations’ history between the two countries is a very good investment for expanding future relations.

Amir-Abdollahian said that Tehran is ready to expand its commercial ties with Manila and cooperate in scientific and technological fields and other fields of interest.

Referring to the global movement towards multilateralism, he termed this process as an opportunity for Iran and the Philippines, adding that both countries have common views and good cooperation in international organizations.

Touching on the good relations and cooperation between the two countries, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines for his part said, “We have various fields for cooperation and can provide the basis for cooperation between the two countries in new fields of interest.”

Manalo emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural exchanges between the two countries.

He added that we have a common point of view regarding respect for international law and support for multilateralism in the international sphere.

He noted that Iran and the Philippines’s ties have always been good both at the bilateral and international levels, including in the United Nations, voicing readiness to continue bilateral cooperation.

     

This item is being updated…

MNA/

Israel's 'hideous' occupation will not last: PA president tells UN

Addressing the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Palestinian Authority (PA)’s president issues a tirade against the Israeli regime and its continued occupation of the Palestinian territories and aggression against Palestinians.

“My message today to the Israelis is that this hideous occupation against us will not last regardless of their ambitions and delusions, because the Palestinian people are remaining on their land, which they have inhabited for thousands of years, generation after generation,” Mahmoud Abbas told the Assembly in New York on Thursday.

“They cannot leave their land, and if anyone must leave it must be the occupiers and usurpers,” he added.

The Israeli regime claimed existence in 1948 after occupying huge swathes of Palestinian territories during a Western-backed war.

It occupied more land, namely the West Bank, including East al-Quds, and the Gaza Strip, in another such war in 1967.

Ever since, it has built hundreds of illegal settlements upon the overrun territories and deployed the most aggressive restrictions on the Palestinians there.

Tel Aviv withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but has been keeping the coastal territory under an all-out land, aerial, and naval siege as well as regular deadly strikes since a year after it left the coastal sliver.

The PA president denounced the Israeli regime for exercising “apartheid policies on our people under occupation.”

“My message to the international community is that it should assume its responsibilities with full courage and implement its resolutions related to realizing Palestinian rights,” Abbas said.

The United States, Israel’s biggest and oldest ally, has been using its veto power to strike down every anti-Tel Aviv resolution at the UN Security Council.

Palestinians have been condemning the US’s unwavering support for Israel, saying the UN resolutions concerning Palestine would not be implemented as long as Tel Aviv enjoys Washington’s backing.

Abbas continued his remarks by blaming Israel for the deadlock that has afflicted talks on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, referring to the negotiations’ collapsing in 2014 due to Tel Aviv’s continuing its illegal construction activities on the Palestinian territory.

He asserted, “Whoever thinks peace in the Middle East is possible before our people achieved their full national right is delusional.”

Sacred Defense era; Great example of Iran's national unity

On September 22, 1980, the Ba’athist regime of Saddam Hussein, fully supported by the West, invaded Iran. The war imposed by the Iraqi dictator Saddam’s Baathist regime against Iran began 19 months after the Islamic Revolution’s victory. The attack was not unexpected because the arrogant powers of the world were extremely angry with the victory of the Islamic Revolution. 

With the imposition of war on our country by Iraq, a unique unity was formed. Minority group representatives asserted their communities’ desire to defend their country. Zoroastrian, Assyrian, and Christian communities not only offered their support and contributions but also took action.

The enthusiastic presence of Christian compatriots and other religious minorities portrayed Iranian unity at that time. Religious minorities also contributed cash and non-cash donations and dispatched technical, medical, and engineering teams to support the soldiers.

Sacred Defense era; Great example of Iran's national unity

The war, which lasted for eight years, is known as the Sacred Defense or Holy Defense in Iran. The Iranians commemorate the memory of the martyrs who lost their lives for the sake of defending the country by holding Sacred Defense Week on the anniversary of the beginning of the war.

Reasons behind launching the imposed war against Iran

In one of his speeches in 1991 that was delivered on the occasion of the Sacred Defense, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei touched upon the reasons behind the attack imposed on the country. 

Sacred Defense era; Great example of Iran's national unity

Ayatollah Khamenei said that Saddam’s regime and his supporters started the war to destroy the Islamic system or to force it to surrender.

“This made no difference to them. They wanted to bring about the downfall of the Islamic Republic with the troubles due to the occupation and war. Or if this didn’t bring its downfall – like most of the countries that have suffered from such calamities and eventually ended up turning to one of the world powers – maybe the nation of Iran and the great Imam [Khomeini] would end up surrendering to their enemies too. Maybe they too would reach out to them [for help] and say, “Alright, we give up. Don’t let Iraq trounce on us like this anymore.” That was undoubtedly their goal, but this wish was also in vain,” he cited.

Sardasht chemical attack

In 1987, almost seven years after the regime of Saddam Hussein waged a war on Iran, Saddam’s army launched a chemical attack on the northwestern Iranian city of Sardasht, leaving 8,000 people of the city’s 12,000-strong population maimed.

Sacred Defense era; Great example of Iran's national unity

During the war, which lasted eight years, the Iraqi army continuously employed chemical weapons against Iranian combatants and civilians, leaving tens of thousands dead on the spot and many more suffering for years to come.

Over 100 people were killed in the Sardasht attack and thousands more were exposed to chemical agents.

After three decades, many of the survivors of the chemical attack still have to live with the long-term respiratory and even psychological effects of inhaling mustard gas used in the attack.

In a message issued on the occasion of the anniversary of the Sardasht chemical attack in June,  Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran has undeniable documents that indicate the involvement of several Western governments including the US, the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany in those massacres by equipping the Saddam regime with chemical weapons.

Sacred Defense era; Great example of Iran's national unity

Although 36 years have passed since this crime, Iran’s international legal pursuits on punishing the perpetrators and the supporters of the Sardasht disaster have not led to reaching the desired results due to the obvious irresponsibilities of the Western governments, he added, naming the West’s medicine embargo against Iran as another inhumane crime against humanity.

Iranian women in the Sacred Defense era

Sacred Defense era; Great example of Iran's national unity

The role of women in eight years of Sacred Defense against foreign aggressors both on the streets and on the battlefield was remarkable. Though not utterly neglected, their deeply effective contributions to resistance in various capacities certainly deserve much more attention.

During the imposed war era, Iranian women regardless of their gender and some social restrictions, took on defeding their homes along with men and soldiers, creating many great epics.

Although, women combatants were fewer in numbers in comparison to male combatants; throughout all those years of the defense of a nation against enemy troops, history tells us that the presence of men on the battlefields was not the only factor that secured victory for Iran.

Sacred Defense era; Great example of Iran's national unity

In the Sacred Defense, Iranian women handed over their jewelry and precious belongings to the combatants, they participated in political, social, and cultural activities, and showed the glorious presence of women in the eight-year Sacred Defense.

Taking care of their families and moral support for men who were dispatched to the front; migrating from war zones and becoming familiar with other social environments; and becoming involved in economic issues that had arisen due to the war and international economic sanctions were among the other challenges that Iranian women faced them during the wartime. 

Sacred Defense era; Great example of Iran's national unity

Ayatollah Khamenei also pays special attention to the books written by Iranian female authors about that era. 

“Faranguiss” [a book compiled by Ms. Mahnaz Fattahi containing the memoir of Ms. Faranguiss Heidar-Pour on the 8-year Saddam imposed war on Iran] is among the most known books that were paid heeded by the commendation of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

“The books that these ladies have written–those I have read and seen–are among the best stories in terms of imagery and the like; they are not novels; rather they are memoirs. But they are truly beautiful. I really thank you for your work,” said Ayatollah Khamenei on the sidelines of a meeting with the publishers of the book “Faranguiss” in 2018.

In a meeting with the publisher and production team of ‘One Woman’s War: Da’ [a memoir by Seyyedeh Zahra Hosseini detailing her experiences during the Iran–Iraq War] in 2010, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated, “The book ‘Da’ which is actually a fine book and presentable to the world, is related to a small part of the history of the imposed was and this shows that our 8-year holy defense has to potential to produce thousands of books in order to convey Islamic culture and values to society and to the world.” 

He also appreciated Ms. Zahra Hosseini, the narrator of ‘Da’, and Ms. Azam Hosseini, the author of the book.

Victory of Iran in the imposed war

With the resistance of Iran’s armed forces and people, the enemy was defeated after eight years, and the memory of the sacrifices remained in the Iranians’ hearts and minds as the Sacred Defense.

Sacred Defense era; Great example of Iran's national unity

After eight years of Iraq’s invasion of Iran, the world witnessed that even the smallest of the enemy’s goals was not accomplished.

“It (the enemy) wasn’t able to overthrow the Islamic government nor was it able to weaken it. Rather, the Islamic government became even stronger in the world with the amazing, divine management during the time of the war … It appeared even stronger in the eyes of the people of the world. They weren’t able to change our borders by even the size of a needle. They weren’t able to weaken our sovereignty. Rather, we were able to further consolidate our sovereignty over the areas that they wanted to weaken. They weren’t able to dissuade us from our principles either,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in September 1993, addressing the issue.

Compiled by Mohaddeseh Pakravan

Iraq reiterates its rejection of foreign combat presence on its soil


File photo of American military forces in Iraq

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has reiterated the Arab country’s position of rejecting the presence of foreign forces on its soil.

The premier made the remarks to Bloomberg on Thursday on the sidelines of his trip to New York, to which he has traveled to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“Our official position is clear – there is no need for foreign combat forces in Iraq,” he said.

“We possess capable security services to maintain order,” al-Sudani added.

Last month too, the premier had lauded the sacrifices that had been made by the Iraqi military forces in the fight against terrorism, noting that the presence of foreign troops was no longer needed in the country.

The United States invaded Iraq on March 20, 2003, leaving a trail of destruction, death, and chaos in the Arab country based on Baghdad’s supposed possession of weapons of mass destruction, an allegation that was later proven to be false.

The US and scores of its allies re-launched a military campaign against the country in 2014 under the pretext of fighting the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh.

The group had emerged in Iraq and neighboring Syria earlier as Washington was running out of excuses to extend its meddling in the West Asia region or enlarge it in scale.

The US military claimed to be ending its combat mission in Iraq in 2021 but said it would retain some 2,500 troops in the country as alleged advisors, although, Baghdad and its allies dealt a decisive defeat to the terror outfit in 2017.