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Islamic World News ( 9 Feb 2021, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Ending ‘Turkish occupation’ of Cyprus is a priority: Greek PM

New Age Islam News Bureau

09 February 2021

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gestures during a news conference. (File photo: Reuters)

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• Muslim countries should stand up to Islamophobia, says PM Imran Khan

• Taliban maintains close ties to Al-Qaeda, says Afghan foreign ministry

• Russia to host conference on counter-terrorism

• Turkish-backed militants cut power to 24 Syrian villages for more than a month: SANA

• Tehran is only months away from producing a nuclear weapon: US Secretary Blinken

• Nigeria, Cameroon cooperating in counter-terrorism

• PM Modi breaks down as he bids farewell to 'true friend' Azad, other RS members

• Chinese govt actively supports Islamic education in Xinjiang: scholar

Mideast

• Ending ‘Turkish occupation’ of Cyprus is a priority: Greek PM

• Erdogan’s main rival in Turkey 2018 election to launch party

• IRGC Commander Advises US New Gov’t Not to Repeat Trump’s Failed Policies towards Iran

• Turkey detains 39 more people over suspected affiliation to Gulen movement

• Hamas, Fatah hold Egyptian-brokered reconciliation talks in Cairo

• Being jabbed with COVID-19 vaccine makes you gay? An Iranian cleric thinks so

• DM: Iran’s Active Deterrence Doctrine to Kill in Bud Any Threats

• Deputy Minister: Iran, Russia to Cooperate in Production of Medicine, Vaccine

• Spokesman: Iran to Wait for US Implementation of All N. Deal Undertakings

• Iran, Russia Urge Removal of Trade Barriers

• Yemen’s Houthis in new push to capture Hadi’s last stronghold in north

• Yemeni criminal court tries six people for spying for Britain, acts of sabotage

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Pakistan

• Muslim countries should stand up to Islamophobia, says PM Imran Khan

• Al Qaeda founder Osama bin-Laden funded Nawaz Sharif government in Pakistan, claims PTI leader Farrukh Habib

• PTI allowed paid employees to receive funds, reveals document

• Army denies ‘backdoor contacts’ with opposition

• PM, not opposition, dragging army into politics, says Sherry Rehman

• Punjab, Balochistan to share banned militant outfits’ data

• Speaker to take action against three ‘rowdy’ MNAs

• Only JI can bring about real change: Sirajul Haq

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South Asia

• Taliban maintains close ties to Al-Qaeda, says Afghan foreign ministry

• Two security officials die in separate attacks

• ‘Taliban continue to resort to extreme violence’: Gen. Kenneth McKenzie

• US to stay in Afghanistan beyond May

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Europe

• Russia to host conference on counter-terrorism

• France: Muslims continue to protest Islamic charter

• Germany sees rise in Islamophobic crimes

• Judge spares UK's 'youngest terrorist' from harsh prison sentence

• UK reduces terror threat level from 'severe' to 'substantial' but warns attacks still ‘likely’

• Macron will send adviser to follow up on government formation in Lebanon

• EU’s Borrell, Chinese FM stress full implementation of Iran deal

• Spain welcomes election of Libya’s new interim gov’t

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Arab World

• Turkish-backed militants cut power to 24 Syrian villages for more than a month: SANA

• ISIS ambush kills 26 pro-regime fighters in east Syria, a war monitor says

• Saudi Crown Prince announces 4 new laws to reform Kingdom’s judicial institutions

• Saudi Arabia temporary shuts down 10 mosques after COVID-19 infections

• Iran’s militias pose a threat to Arab countries’ stability: Saudi Arabia’s FM

• Pope Francis hails dialogue ahead of meeting with Iraq cleric al-Sistani

• Egypt heads emergency Arab League meeting on Palestine with Arab FMs

• Pope Francis warns of the consequences of Lebanon’s economic collapse

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North America

• Tehran is only months away from producing a nuclear weapon: US Secretary Blinken

• US will maintain pressure on Iran-backed Houthis: State Department

• In Saddam strongholds that fought America, Iraqis fear a US departure

• Pentagon claims US troops ‘not guarding’ oil fields in Syria

• Biden administration ‘walking a tightrope’ on Iran: Expert

• US warns al-Hol camp run by YPG to breed more terror

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Africa

• Nigeria, Cameroon cooperating in counter-terrorism

• Five die in Tunisia from drinking poisonous bootleg brew

• Morocco underground factory flood kills at least 24: Media

• Sweden deploys military to battle extremists in Mali

• Algeria seeks French admission of colonial crimes

• Somalia: 4 peacekeepers injured as helicopter crashes

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India

• PM Modi breaks down as he bids farewell to 'true friend' Azad, other RS members

• ‘Muslim man can marry more than once without divorcing earlier wife, same does not apply to Muslim lady’

• MP minister bats for love jihad legislation in Bengal

• Allahabad HC Dismisses Plea Claiming Ownership of Land Allotted For Ayodhya Mosque

• Kerala woman arrested for killing her six-year-old son as a ‘sacrifice to Allah’

• I feel proud to be a Hindustani Muslim, says Ghulam Nabi Azad as he retires from Rajya Sabha

• PM Narendra Modi to hold talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Shehtoot dam on agenda

• As India-made vaccines arrive, Afghanistan vows to keep jabs safe from terrorists

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Southeast Asia

• Chinese govt actively supports Islamic education in Xinjiang: scholar

• Two Christians publicly flogged in Indonesia for drinking, gambling

• Singapore deports Malaysian arrested under ISA for supporting Islamic State; Singaporean wife given restriction order

• Peer pressure makes tudungs the norm in schools

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/ending-turkish-occupation-cyprus-priority/d/124261

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Ending ‘Turkish occupation’ of Cyprus is a priority: Greek PM

08 February ,2021

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gestures during a news conference. (File photo: Reuters)

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Ending the “Turkish occupation” of Cyprus and finding a viable solution on the island is a top priority for the country’s foreign policy, said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a joint press conference with Cypriot president Nicos Anastasiades according to Greece’s national news agency.

“The two-state solution proposed by Turkey and the leader of the Turkish Cypriots is unfounded and rejected by the United Nations and the European Union, Turkey should know that the resumption of dialogue on the issue will only be within the framework of the federal union solution, which is the only viable solution,” PM Mitsotakis added.

The PM added that Greece is entering the exploratory talks to demarcate the maritime borders with sincere desire and without naivety, “which is a test of Turkey’s consistency with itself.”

Cypriot president added saying: “We want Turkey to prove its desire for a constructive dialogue through actions away from unilateral measures.”

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/02/08/Ending-Turkish-occupation-of-Cyprus-is-a-priority-Greek-PM

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Taliban maintains close ties to Al-Qaeda, says Afghan foreign ministry

By Mansoor

9th February 2021

Kabul: Despite the Taliban’s claim that it seeks to maintain peace in Afghanistan, the country’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday revealed that the terror outfit still maintains close ties to the terrorist outfit Pakistani Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

According to Khaama News, the ministry announced on Sunday in a released statement that the 27th report of the UN Security Council (UNSC) Watchdog Group on Al-Qaeda, ISIL, and its affiliated groups indicated the Taliban has continued its relations with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

The statement read that the Taliban’s ties to Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and some other terrorist groups are still intact and that the killing of several al-Qaeda commanders, including Husam Abd al-Rauf, known as Abu Muhsen al-Masri, in Taliban-controlled areas is the evidence that backs these claims.

“The UN Security Council report also noted threats and coordination between the Pakistani Taliban, regional terrorist groups, and the Islamic Jihad group, a group of 100 militants that operate in Faryab and Kunduz provinces, in areas under the Taliban influence,” MoFA said in the statement.

Khaama News further reported that based on the findings, UN-Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team considers the situation in Afghanistan to be challenging and widely exposed to terrorism.

The Afghan Foreign Affairs Ministry also called on international partners to uphold the Republic’s rightful stand against the Taliban and push the group for a ceasefire and violence reduction. First Vice President, Amrullah Saleh said the Taliban did not abide by the Doha agreement, He added that from 5,500 Taliban released prisoners, 85 per cent has returned to the battlefield.

https://www.siasat.com/taliban-maintains-close-ties-to-al-qaeda-says-afghan-foreign-ministry-2086013/

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Russia to host conference on counter-terrorism

Elena Teslova

08.02.2021

MOSCOW

Russia plans to hold a conference on counter-terrorism this year with the participation of representatives from Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and Turkey, a government official said on Monday.

The conference is expected to be held in Moscow at the level of the heads of parliaments of these five countries, Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, said during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

"Fight against terrorism and drug trafficking will be discussed. It is necessary to solve these problems through dialogue, development of common approaches and harmonization of legislation," he added.

Meanwhile, during the press conference Ghalibaf said he delivered to Volodin a message from Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/russia-to-host-conference-on-counter-terrorism/2137710

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Turkish-backed militants cut power to 24 Syrian villages for more than a month: SANA

08 February 2021

Turkish-backed militants have deprived several villages in Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah of electricity for more than a month, as they continue to commit various crimes against local populations.

Syria's official news agency SANA quoted Director of Hasaka Electricity Department Anwar al-Okleh as saying on Monday that a total of 24 villages in the Tal Tamer region of the Kurdish-populated province have been suffering from persistent power outages for more than a month due to the Turkish-backed militants’ deliberate attacks on the electricity networks.

He also noted that the militants have stolen transformers and high voltage transmission lines, making it impossible to provide electricity to four villages in the southwestern countryside of Tal Tamer that are fed with electricity through the lines coming from the Mabruka electricity transformer station.

Mabruka power station is located within the areas occupied by the Turkish occupation mercenaries, and it cannot be currently fed with electricity from Tal Tamir station as this requires networks and towers, and they are not available currently, according to the official.

“The locals in 20 villages, which are fed with electricity through Zarkan/Mezri [power] line, have also been living without electricity since the 6th of last January, as a result of the assault launched by the Turkish occupation mercenaries on Tal Tamir power station and the high voltage transmission lines feeding it”, Okleh said, regarding the electricity situation in the northern countryside of Tal Tamer.

The Turkish-backed militants were deployed to northeastern Syria in October 2019 after Turkish military forces launched a long-threatened cross-border invasion in a declared attempt to push forces of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) away from border areas.

Ankara views the US-backed YPG as a terrorist organization tied to the homegrown Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey since 1984.

Turkey has since taken control of several areas in northern Syria in addition to other Kurdish-controlled areas.

The Kurdish-led administration in northeastern Syria says the Turkish offensive has killed hundreds of civilians, including dozens of children since it started.

There has also been a surge in abductions in the areas where the Turkish-backed militants are present, particularly in the key border town of Ra's al-Ayn.

The militants have also launched raids to occupy homes, steal agricultural machinery and power generators, and snatch other precious items.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other senior officials have said that the Damascus government will respond through all legitimate means available to the ongoing ground offensive by the Turkish forces and allied Takfiri militants in the northern part of the war-battered Arab country.

The Turkish military presence is viewed by the Syrian government as an attack against the Arab country’s sovereignty.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/08/644823/Syria-Turkey-militants-Hasakah-villages-electricity-power-outage

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Tehran is only months away from producing a nuclear weapon: US Secretary Blinken

08 February ,2021

Iran is closer than it has previously been to having the ability to produce material needed for a nuclear weapon, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Monday.

The top US diplomat criticized the decision by former President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran nuclear deal, as the reason for Tehran’s increased capabilities to manufacture a nuclear weapon within three to four months.

“The agreement had pushed that [ability to make a nuclear weapon] past a year. According to public reports, now it’s down to three or four months and heading in the wrong direction,” Blinken said in one of his public interviews since becoming the secretary of state for President Joe Biden.

As for a new Iran deal, Blinken doubled down on repeated comments made by him and other Biden administration officials. “If Iran returns to compliance with its obligations under the nuclear agreement, we would do the same thing, and then we would work with our allies and partners to try to build a longer and stronger agreement,” Blinken said.

He added that Washington would also bring in some of “these other issues,” such as Iran’s ballistic missile programs and its proxies around the region.

But, Blinken said, the problem now was that Iran had lifted one restraint after another that he claimed were being held “in-check” by the JCPOA.

“We got out of the agreement and Iran started to lift the various restraints in the agreement. And the result is, they are closer than they’ve been to having the capacity on short order to produce material for a nuclear weapon.”

Despite reports suggesting the US is considering different ways of easing economic pressure and sanctions on Iran to lure them back to the negotiating table, Blinken suggested that Iran needed to come back into compliance first.

Saudi Arabia and the Yemen war

Blinken reiterated that Washington was “deeply committed” to the defense of Saudi Arabia and “aggression directed at it from the Houthis.”

Asked if Biden was looking to “substantially change” the US-Saudi relationship, Blinken did not directly answer and spoke about the war in the Yemen.

“Even as we are getting out of supporting the military campaign, we are leaning into playing a leading role and an active role in the diplomacy to try to actually end the war,” he said.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/02/09/Iran-nuclear-deal-Tehran-is-only-months-away-from-producing-a-nuclear-weapon-Blinken-warns

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Nigeria, Cameroon cooperating in counter-terrorism

Olarewaju Kola

08.02.2021

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria

The Nigerian military is currently working with forces from neighboring Cameroon to clear Boko Haram terrorists from the country’s volatile northeast region, the country’s new army chief said Monday.

"We are working in tandem with forces from Cameroon to annihilate Boko Haram," Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru told journalists during an operational visit to troops in northeast Borno State, the heartland of over a decade of terror attacks.

He said his visit, the first since his appointment as army chief on January 26, was to receive briefs from army commanders in the theatre of operations against terrorists.

He disclosed forces from Chad will also be brought into the operation. He said it was a new operational strategy to end terror attacks in the area.

Nigeria shares regional borders with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/nigeria-cameroon-cooperating-in-counter-terrorism/2138074

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PM Modi breaks down as he bids farewell to 'true friend' Azad, other RS members

Feb 9, 2021

NEW DELHI: Bidding farewell to four outgoing members of Rajya Sabha (RS), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sang high praises for Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and broke down several times while reminiscing about his close association with him.

The Prime Minister bid farewell to Ghulam Nabi Azad, Nazir Ahmed Laway, Mohammad Fayaz and Shamsher Singh Manhas, all RS representatives of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, praising them for playing a pivotal role in the Upper House.

Azad passionate about his party, his country: PM Modi

In a rare scene, the Prime Minister was seen getting emotional while eulogising Azad’s traits. As his throat choked, the PM was forced to pause his speech. Only after drinking a few sips of water, he resumed speaking.

Modi said that he has known Azad since before he became J&K chief minister in 2005 and applauded Congress veteran's efforts in rescuing people from Gujarat who were stuck in Kashmir due to a terror attack.

"..he sounded as concerned as if those stuck were his own family members," said Modi.

I will never forget Shri Azad’s efforts and Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s efforts when people from Gujarat were stuck in… https://t.co/f6kRs3gxCs

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1612848017000

PM Modi further reminisced the time when he and Azad served as chief ministers and also spoke about Azad's passion for gardening.

I have known Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad for years. We were Chief Ministers together. We had interacted even before I bec… https://t.co/9Kkg0PACDi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1612847853000

Addressing Azad as a "true friend", PM Modi said that the Congress leader has set high standards as a Member of Parliament (MP) and as the Leader of the Opposition.

"Power comes and goes but (only a few know) how to digest it...therefore like a friend, I respect him on the basis of the things he has done over these years," Modi said while wiping his tears and saluting Azad.

Modi said he believes that Azad's concern for his country won't let him sit and whatever responsibilities he takes in the future would be beneficial for the nation.

"At a personal level, I would request him to not believe that he is not in the House. My door is always open for all of you. I will always expect and value your inputs," he said.

"I will not let you become weak," the Prime Minister told Azad as he closed his comments.

Posts come, high office comes, power comes and how to handle these, one must learn from Ghulam Nabi Azad Ji. I woul… https://t.co/Bdquw5dw9Z

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1612848096000

Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has set very high standards as MP and Opposition leader. His work will inspire generations of… https://t.co/bPujKFavKB

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1612847763000

Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has distinguished himself in Parliament. He not only worries about his Party but also had sim… https://t.co/WyDgJri3E7

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1612847698000

Azad served as J&K chief minister between 2005 and 2008. He had resigned from the post following the withdrawal of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) support to the coalition government.

Azad is set to retire on February 15 and will demit the post of the Leader of Opposition in the Upper House. There have been speculations that Congress might re-elect Azad to RS from Kerala.

The PM had heaped praise on Azad a day before as well while replying to the motion of thanks to President's Address. The PM had also taken a jibe at Congress by referring to G-23, a group of 23 Congress leaders who have been vocal about the party's shortcomings.

On Monday, Azad had also urged the Prime Minister to restore J&K's statehood and had said that government's intention on the matter remains doubtful.

PM Modi bids farewell to Laway, Fayaz and Manhas

Bidding farewell to Nazir Ahmed Laway and Mohammad Fayaz, PM Modi said their passion for Jammu and Kashmir’s progress is noteworthy.

We bid farewell to Rajya Sabha MPs who have played a vital role in the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. I recall my… https://t.co/RKGX2VsR7i

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1612847506000

Laway and Fayaz were elected to the Upper House on the ticket of People Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

PM Modi also praised Shamsher Singh Manhas for his attendance record in the Parliament and for participating in key decisions pertaining to J&K.

About Shri Shamsher Singh Manhas....where do I begin. I have worked with him for years. We have travelled on scoote… https://t.co/6DovdslMBe

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1612847598000

Manhas, one of BJP's influential leader in J&K and a key Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary, has also served as party's state president in the Valley and was elected to the RS in 2015.

The terms of two PDP Rajya Sabha MPs - Laway and Fayaz - will end on February 10 and 15, respectively, while Azad's term ends on February 15 and Manhas' on February 10.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ghulam-nabi-azad-is-a-true-friend-pm-modi-gets-emotional-as-he-bids-farewell-to-rajya-sabha-members/articleshow/80760684.cms

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Chinese govt actively supports Islamic education in Xinjiang: scholar

Feb 08, 2021

By Liu Xin

Editor's Note:

Over the decades, China has made great efforts to provide care to Muslim citizens and ensure their normal needs are met. However, some hostile forces in the West have used every means to smear China's efforts in protecting Muslims and kept making groundless accusations including accusing China of infringing on Muslims' religious freedom. What's the real situation of Muslims in China? What does the government do to protect and improve their life? How is the sinicization of Islam going? Global Times reporter Liu Xin (GT) interviewed Adiljan Haj Kerim (Adiljan), vice president of China Islamic Association, to find answers.

GT: Could you tell us about your experience of studying abroad? How does China educate imams currently?

Adiljan: After graduating from the No 14 Middle School in Urumqi, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, I was chosen to study abroad in March 1982. I was sent to the Al-Azhar University in Egypt to learn languages and religious knowledge. I graduated in June 1991 and then came back to work in the China Islamic Association in July in Beijing.

With the support of the government, 10 Islamic institutions have been established in many places across China, including in the Xinjiang region and in Lanzhou, provincial capital city of Gansu Province.

In recent years, the country has also organized compiling of religious textbooks, laying the foundation for religious teaching. The China Islamic Institute has set up training courses for imams from Xinjiang.

Since 2001, the National Religious Affairs Administration also organized training for interpreting religious classics, with more than 1,000 people from Xinjiang attending.

The education and training system for imams in the Xinjiang region has also been established. In September 2017, the nation put over 100 million yuan ($15.49 million) into building a new campus for the Xinjiang Islamic Institute and eight branches in Kashi, Hotan and other places in Xinjiang, which helped to educate more than 4,000 students and helped maintain Islam in the region.

GT: In recent years, some Western media reports have kept hyping China's policies to guide religions to fit into the socialist society. Does it aim to restrict Islam in China?

Adiljan: Guiding Islam to suit the socialist society is not to restrict or oppress the religion. It aims to use the socialist core values as guidance and to lead the religion to integrate into Chinese culture. It is also about helping religious groups to cultivate self-esteem and a positive attitude toward life.

Loving the country, loving the people, loving our religion is the honorable tradition of Islam in China. By promoting Islam's basic ideals, including peace, love for the country, friendship, equality, forgiveness and benevolence, it can play an important role in deepening love and unity among different ethnic groups and safeguarding stability.

GT: We have noticed that you have frequently communicated with foreign religious groups. What are their questions on Xinjiang? How do you introduce China's policies in Xinjiang to them?

Adiljan: China's Islamic circle has kept friendly relations with Arab and Islamic countries and Islamic organizations. In 2016, we held an international seminar in Urumqi, Xinjiang on Islamic ideals with representatives from Islamic countries attending. In recent years, Xinjiang has also welcomed many foreign groups, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and religious groups from Indonesia, Malaysia and Afghanistan.

They all thought that Xinjiang's religious groups and imams are enjoying freedom of religion and that the local government takes care of them. They also felt the ethnic unity and harmony among different groups as well as the Chinese government's attention and support to the region's development.

We also keep good ties with the Al-Azhar University and Muslim World League, and attend international seminars to introduce Islam in China and the situation of Muslims in China.

These extensive and regular exchanges with other Muslims globally help demonstrate the history and culture of Islam in China and the happy lives of Chinese Muslims as well as deepening mutual trust among these countries.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202102/1215316.shtml

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Mideast

Erdogan’s main rival in Turkey 2018 election to launch party

08 February ,2021

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top rival in Turkey’s 2018 election said on Monday he would quit the main opposition party and establish his own movement.

Muharrem Ince, a former Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP, picked up 30.6 percent of the vote in the last election behind Erdogan with 52.6 percent.

Ince was a combative force during the campaign, building up solid support despite Erdogan and his ruling party’s alliance partner, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), announcing the vote just months in advance.

Since then, Ince has stayed in the limelight and brandished his secular, nationalist credentials in a nationwide tour dubbed the “Motherland movement in 1,000 days” in 2020.

“I am taking a different path,” Ince told reporters in Ankara in front of an image of modern Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Ataturk was also the founder of the CHP, but some within the party have rebelled against its current leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

They include three former CHP MPs who resigned last month from the party, expressing their displeasure with its direction.

They are expected to join Ince’s new party, and he implied there could be others.

Ince promised to unveil the name and logo of his new party “soon.”

“We’re going to present an opportunity for Turkey, a way out, a choice. We’re going to create a free Turkey,” Ince said in a fiery performance.

He took aim at the CHP and its leadership, criticizing the party’s objections to Turkey’s actions in the region and its backing of Azerbaijan in its war with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Ince appeared to indicate he would run for the presidency again by insisting he would get “50 percent plus one” of the vote, which is the margin needed to become president in the first round.

The next presidential election is expected in June 2023.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/02/08/Erdogan-s-main-rival-in-Turkey-2018-election-to-launch-party

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IRGC Commander Advises US New Gov’t Not to Repeat Trump’s Failed Policies towards Iran

2021-February-8

“The conditions indicate that resistance has yielded results. Growing stronger is our definitive path because in today world we should either be strong or surrender and there is no third way,” General Salami said, addressing a ceremony to deliver 340 new speedboats to the IRGC Navy with the capability to fire different missiles and rockets and support diving operations in the Southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Monday.

“We tell the Americans that you have failed in the battlefield of pressure against the Iranian nation. Do not repeat the failed policies. The Iranian nation will not exchange its independence with (removal of sanctions); we have overcome the embargo and its consequences and defeated its architects; what (progress) you see today was achieved during the embargos era,” he added.

General Salami also referred to the normalization of ties between a number of Arab states and Israel, and said, “We tell them not to overspend in the friendship with the Zionists, this is an unhappy marriage that will put both of you on the precipice of fire. Muslims do not accept such behavior from their rulers.”

“Allowing the presence of Zionists on Islamic lands is nothing but enmity with the Muslims and Arabs,” he warned.

His comments came after Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that his country will not take steps to return to its nuclear deal undertakings unless it will be able to verify the US practical measures in removing the sanctions against Tehran.

"Iran has fulfilled all its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal, not the US and the three European countries ... If they want Iran to return to its commitments, the US must lift all sanctions first," Ayatollah Khamenei said, addressing the Iranian Army Air Force commanders and staff on the anniversary of the historical pledging allegiance of Air Force commanders with late Imam Khomeini on February 8, 1979.

He underlined that the side with the right to set conditions to return to the JCPOA undertakings is Iran since it abided by all its commitments, not the US or the 3 European countries which breached theirs, adding, “If they want Iran to return, the US should lift all sanctions. We'll verify and if it's done properly, we’ll return to our undertakings."

“This is the definite policy of the Islamic Republic and it is also agreed upon by the officials of the country and we will not return from this policy,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, stressing that no one in Iran listens to what the US and European officials say about preconditions for lifting sanctions.

He also underlined the US miscalculation in understanding the Iranian nation during the 1979 Revolution, and said, "Therefore, they failed. During the 2009 sedition, the Democrat president backed the sedition. Trump failed in his Maximum pressure policy too. They're still miscalculating."

"One of the first-rate fools in the Trump administration had said they would celebrate New Year 2019 in Tehran. He was thrown into history’s trash bin. His boss was also kicked into history’s trash can, while the Islamic Republic is standing strong," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

"One should know the US properly. Their recent incidents were a fiasco. Trump’s fall wasn't just the fall of an unfit president. It was the decline of the US power and social order. Speaking of US’s decline from within and the start of a post-US era are the words of some US experts, not ours," he added.

"The US is truly declining, and this has distressed and stunned some of their allies in the region. The Zionist officials’ nonsense (words) stems from their fear of the US domestic situation and they've realized this well. The world is watching US power decline internally and internationally," the Iranian Leader stressed.

"Some regimes' biggest mistake is that they want the US to bring them national security. They spend billions of dollars, are humiliated and in the end the US doesn't give them security when needed. Examples are what happened to US allies in Egypt, Tunisia, and Pahlavi in Iran," he said.

Iranian officials have several times underlined the need for Washington to lift all sanctions against the country before Tehran’s steps to reverse its modified nuclear deal undertakings.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf last Sunday blasted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent remarks, saying that Tehran is waiting for the Biden government’s practical measures to lift sanctions rather than speaking of preconditions.

“Mr. Biden's administration should clarify how it wants to fulfill its promise of removing sanctions in practice rather than setting preconditions for implementing its undertakings,” Qalibaf said, addressing an open session of the parliament in Tehran.

He described Blinken’s recent comments as “disappointing”, and said, “If the US believes in the nuclear deal, it should display its commitment to it in practice instead of setting preconditions.”

Qalibaf’s remarks came after Blinken in his recent remarks said, "With regard to Iran, President Biden has been very clear in saying that if Iran comes back to compliance with obligations under the JCPOA, the United States would do the same thing."

"And then we would use that as a platform to build with our allies and partners what we call a longer and stronger agreement and to deal with others issues that are deeply problematic in the relationship with Iran," he added.

Qalibaf said that the Iranian people are so much smart not to enter a game which wants Iran to adopt practical measures vis a vis mere promises.

Also, last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani voiced pleasure with the end of Trump’s tenure, saying that the new administration in the White House should take the opportunity to implement all Washington’s nuclear deal undertakings.

“Today, thanks God, Trump's black page will be closed forever, and we say thanks God when any oppressor is overthrown,” Rouhani said, addressing a cabinet meeting in Tehran.

He added that during his 4-year tenure, Trump left no legacy but making the US society bipolar, adding that Washington DC has become a military garrison for the swearing-in ceremony of the new president and all these Armed Forces have come to establish security in this city, and this is one of the fruits of Trump's naive or authoritarian actions.

“We have never seen a president in the US who explicitly admits assassination of a major military commander (General Soleimani) in another guest country (Iraq) to make the official announcement that he had ordered the assassination. I mean, we really saw a stupid terrorist in history, and state terrorism was recorded in the forehead of the White House, and he did it,” Rouhani said.

He called on the new US administration to return to the international laws, undertakings and the UNSC resolutions, specially Resolution 2231, and said, “Of course, if they return to the law, our answer will be positive, and if they show their sincerity in action based on the law, the resolution that they voted for and the undertakings that they have signed, we will naturally fulfill all our undertakings too.”

Rouhani referred to Trump’s economic terrorism against Iran which even blocked the country’s purchase of medicine and vaccine, and said, “Thanks God, they have failed. Today, we see that despite all these pressures, our non-oil exports path is normalizing, and our oil exports are much better than the previous months, and our oil products export are moving in the right direction and this means complete failure of this policy.”

He said that Trump was not a politician but was a businessman and a tower builder, adding that the new US administration includes people who are familiar with political affairs.

“If they give a signature on their undertakings under the Resolution 2231, they will see a signature in Iran, and if they issue a decree, they will see a decree for it in Iran too, nothing more; if they fulfill their undertakings effectively, they will witness effective implementation of all undertakings by this side too. Today the ball is in the US and Washington’s court,” President Rouhani stressed.

He noted that Trump’s political life has ended and the nuclear deal is still alive, adding, “He made every attempt to destroy the nuclear deal but he failed, and the extremists in Israel and Saudi Arabia all sought this but failed, and the nuclear deal is alive and well today better than yesterday.”

Rouhani stressed that the maximum pressure policy has failed completely.

Also, last month, Iranian Envoy and Permanent Representative to the UN Majid Takht Ravanchi underlined that if Biden decides to return to the nuclear deal, Washington should comply with all its undertakings in exact accordance with the internationally-endorsed agreement.

“We make decision and take reciprocal action considering Biden's moves vis a vis the nuclear deal. We have repeatedly demanded the US to return to the nuclear deal and this return should be complete and without preconditions, that is to say, no issue related or unrelated to the nuclear deal should be put forward for discussion,” Takht Ravanchi said.

“It should only be clear that the US international undertakings cannot be half-fulfilled. If they claim to return to the nuclear deal, this return should be accompanied by the full implementation of their undertakings with no hesitation or controversy,” he added.

Takht Ravanchi stressed Iran’s clear position towards the nuclear deal, and said, “We live up to our undertakings.”

He referred to the parliament’s bill to take strategic measures to counter the US sanctions against Iran, and said, “There is a timetable in the parliament’s bill and we are moving in the same direction, so we (at the foreign ministry) are not entitled to specify the period for how long we will wait. In the first place, we make decisions based on national interests, and secondly, we should act on the basis of and within the framework of the parliamentary bill.”

His remarks came after Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi announced that the country is at present producing nearly half a kilo of uranium enriched to the 20% purity level, meantime, saying that Tehran’s steps to reduce nuclear deal undertakings after the West’s disloyalties can all be backtracked.

“Based on the latest news I have, they (the Iranian scientists at nuclear installations) are producing 20 grams (of 20% enriched uranium) every hour; meaning that practically, we are producing half a kilo every day,” Salehi said in an interview with the Persian-language Khamenei.ir website released last month.

“We produce and store this 20% (enriched uranium) and if they return to the nuclear deal, we will return to our undertakings too,” he added.

Asked about the recent bill approved by the parliament to adopt strategic measures to remove sanctions against Iran, Salehi said that the AEOI is required to implement it.

“It is a reality and both the government and the AEOI have declared that they do not have any technical problems with implementation of the parliament’s bill and we launched 20% enrichment within 24 hours,” he said.

Salehi also underlined the need for Washington to remove all sanctions against Iran, specially those which prevent the country’s oil sales and banking transactions.

Iranian legislators had in January praised the AEOI for restarting enrichment of uranium at 20-percent purity level, and called for the full implementation of the recent parliamentarian law to counter the illegal US sanctions against the country.

In a statement, 190 legislators expressed their support for the AEOI’s resumption of 20% uranium enrichment and urged the body to fully and precisely implement the law ratified as a counteractive move to the sanctions illegally imposed on the country, especially those by the United States.

The lawmakers said the parliament approved the ‘Strategic Counteractive Plan for Lifting Sanctions and Safeguarding Rights of Iranian People’ to highlight Iran’s legitimate right to use peaceful nuclear technology and the importance of lifting all cruel sanctions against the country.

The Iranian parliamentarians in a meeting on December 1, 2020 ratified the generalities of a bill to adopt strategic measures to remove sanctions against the country and defend the nation’s interests.

The lawmakers, in November, had given the green light to the single-urgency of the strategic motion, but the plan turned into a double-urgency on Sunday after the assassination of the Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh's car was targeted by an explosion and machinegun fire in Damavand's Absard 40 kilometers to the East of Tehran on Friday November 27, 2020.

Under the bill, the AEOI is required to start in two months after the approval of the present bill to produce at least 120 kg of 20%-enriched uranium annually at Fordow nuclear site and store it inside the country, increase the enrichment capacity and production of enriched uranium to at least 500 kg per month, start the installation of centrifuges, gas injection, enrichment, and storage of materials up to proper purity levels within 3 months, via at least 1000 IR-2m centrifuges in the underground part of Shahid Ahmadi Roshan facility in Natanz, transfer any enrichment, research, and development operations of IR-6 centrifuges to the nuclear site of Shahid Ali Mohammadi in Fordow, and start enrichment operation via at least 164 centrifuges and expand it to 1000 by the end of 20 March 2021 (end of the Iranian calendar year) and return the 40 megawatts Arak heavy water reactor to its pre-JCPOA condition by reviving the heart (calandria) of the reactor within 4 months from the date of the adoption of this law.

Also, the government is required to suspend the nuclear deal-based regulatory access beyond the Additional Protocol within 2 months after the adoption of the law based on the articles 36 and 37 of the nuclear deal.

Also, after 3 months from the adoption of this law, if Iran's banking relations in Europe and the amount of oil purchases by them from Iran is not back to normal and to satisfactory conditions, the government is required to stop the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol.

Meantime, if after 3 months from the adoption of the law, the nuclear deal parties return to fulfill their undertakings, the government is required to submit a proposal to the parliament for Iran's reciprocal action to return to the nuclear deal undertakings, the bill said.

Iran signed the JCPOA with six world states — namely the US, Germany, France, Britain, Russia, and China — in 2015.

Trump, a stern critic of the historic deal, unilaterally pulled Washington out of the JCPOA in May 2018, and unleashed the “toughest ever” sanctions against the Islamic Republic in defiance of global criticism in an attempt to strangle the Iranian oil trade, but to no avail since its "so-called maximum pressure policy" has failed to push Tehran to the negotiating table.

In response to the US’ unilateral move, Tehran has so far rowed back on its nuclear commitments four times in compliance with Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, but stressed that its retaliatory measures will be reversible as soon as Europe finds practical ways to shield the mutual trade from the US sanctions.

Tehran has particularly been disappointed with failure of the three European signatories to the JCPOA -- Britain, France and Germany -- to protect its business interests under the deal after the US' withdrawal.

On January 5, 2020, Iran took a final step in reducing its commitments, and said it would no longer observe any operational limitations on its nuclear industry, whether concerning the capacity and level of uranium enrichment, the volume of stockpiled uranium or research and development.

Meantime, Biden has recently said in a CNN article that he wants a renegotiation of the contents of the deal before he agrees to rejoin the agreement.

“I will offer Tehran a credible path back to diplomacy. If Iran returns to strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the United States would rejoin the agreement as a starting point for follow-on negotiations. With our allies, we will work to strengthen and extend the nuclear deal's provisions, while also addressing other issues of concern,” he wrote, mentioning that he wants changes to the contents of the nuclear deal and guarantees from Tehran that it would be open for compromise to strike multiple deals over its missile and regional powers as well as a number of other issues that have been the bones of contention between the two sides in the last four decades.

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had stressed that the US has violated the nuclear deal and is in no position to ask for any conditions for its return to the JCPOA, adding that it's Tehran that has its own terms to allow the US back into the internationally endorsed agreement.

The foreign minister has reiterated time and again that Tehran would not change even a single word of the agreement, and cautioned the US that it needs to pay reparations for the damage it has inflicted on Iran through its retreat from the nuclear agreement and give enough insurances that it would not go for initiating the trigger mechanism again before it could get back to the deal.

In relevant remarks earlier this month, Spokesman for the AEOI Behrouz Kamalvandi said his country enjoys the capability to produce 120 kg of uranium with 20% purity in 8 months, that's 4 months faster than the one-year period required by a recent parliament approval.

https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/13991120000547/IRGC-Cmmander-Advises-US-New-Gv%E2%80%99-N-Repea-Trmp%E2%80%99s-Failed-Plicies-wards

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Turkey detains 39 more people over suspected affiliation to Gulen movement

08 February 2021

Turkish security forces have arrested dozens of people on suspicion of affiliation to a movement led by US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having orchestrated the July 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Police sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said authorities in the northwestern Balikesir province issued arrest warrants for 54 people, including 36 on-duty soldiers as well as former and retired military officials, as part of an investigation led by the provincial prosecutors into the activities of the movement, branded by the Turkish government as the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

The sources added that anti-terror police raided the residences of the suspects in 38 provinces and have so far arrested 39 of them. Operations are underway to arrest the remaining suspects.

During the 2016 botched putsch, a faction of the Turkish military declared that it had seized control of the country and the government of Erdogan was no more in charge. The attempt was, however, suppressed a few hours later.

Ankara has since accused Gulen of having orchestrated the coup. The opposition figure is also accused of being behind a long-running campaign to topple the government via infiltrating the country’s institutions, particularly the army, police and the judiciary.

Gulen has denounced the “despicable putsch” and reiterated that he had no role in it.

Turkish officials have frequently called on their US counterparts to extradite Gulen, but their demands have not been taken heed of.

Turkey ended the nationwide state of emergency, imposed since the coup, in July 2018, after seven three-month renewals.

Tens of thousands of people have been arrested in Turkey on suspicion of having links to Gulen and the failed coup. Many more, including military staff, civil servants and journalists, have been sacked or suspended from work over the same accusations.

The international community and rights groups have been highly critical of the Turkish president over the massive dismissals and the crackdown.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/08/644813/Turkey-detains-39-more-suspects-over-affiliation-to-Gulen-movement

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Hamas, Fatah hold Egyptian-brokered reconciliation talks in Cairo

February 9, 2021

GAZA: Leaders of rival Palestinian factions began Egyptian-brokered reconciliation talks in Cairo on Monday to try to heal long-standing internal divisions, ahead of planned Palestinian elections later this year.

Egypt has tried in vain for 14 years to reconcile Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s nationalist Fatah faction and its bitter rival Hamas, the armed militant movement that opposes any negotiations with Israel.

No Palestinian elections have been held in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem for 15 years.

As well as Hamas and Fatah there are thought to be around a dozen other factions represented in the Cairo talks. Among those invited was Islamic Jihad, a militant group which boycotted the 1996 and 2006 elections and which, Palestinian sources said, is now considering whether to take part this year.

But such is the mistrust between the rivals that issues on the agenda include electoral basics such as how ballot stations will be guarded and how courts will adjudicate election disputes.

There is widespread scepticism that the elections will even happen.

Many Palestinians believe they are primarily an attempt by Abbas to show his democratic credentials to the new administration of President Joe Biden, with whom Abbas wants to reset relations after they reached a new low under President Donald Trump.

“There are equal chances for success and failure,” said Hani Al-Masri, a political analyst in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, who is taking part in the talks as an independent.

Abbas’s western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA), which has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, plans to hold parliamentary elections on May 22 and a presidential vote on July 31.

There are 2.8 million eligible voters in Gaza and the West Bank, and more than 80 percent of them have so far been registered with the Central Election Commission. Palestinian voting age is 18 years old.

The last ballot in 2006 ended in a surprise win by Hamas in its first parliamentary elections. That set up a power struggle between Hamas, with its power base in Gaza, and Fatah in the West Bank.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1606309/hamas-fatah-hold-egyptian-brokered-reconciliation-talks-in-cairo

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DM: Iran’s Active Deterrence Doctrine to Kill in Bud Any Threats

2021-February-8

“Our doctrine is active deterrence, and we are watchful to suppress any threat against us,” General Hatami said on Monday.

He referred to the western officials’ allegations about Iran's interference in the region, and said, “They ask us why we are present in the region and they mean that we need to leave to let them start threats against us, while this region belongs to us and its security should be established by us and not those who have come from thousands of kilometers away.”

General Hatami underlined the home-grown defense and security power of Iran, saying that the country will not lose this power.

In relevant remarks earlier this month, General Hatami warned that the US and Israel are attempting to use the terrorist groups to boost their influence and attain goals in the region.

General Hamati made the remarks in India's Bangalore last Thursday, addressing a meeting of defense ministers of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

He called for a re-engineering of the world order based on "the emerging power elements and liberation from polarization."

General Hatami said that the tragic events of the last decade have proved to us that the prescribed patterns and models of the hegemonic powers have achieved nothing but violence, extremism, terrorism, killing, border disputes, war, insecurity, and destruction.

In an apparent reference to the previous Trump administration in the United States, he said that everyone could see that how the world can become more dangerous and on the verge of a pandemic of insecurity with the arrival of incompetent, arrogant, outlaw, and seditionist rulers in power, specially in the big and influential countries.

The Iranian minister further referred to the US unlawful and unilateral pullout from international agreements such as the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement, saying that the big powers cannot be trusted anymore.

He also pointed to the US assassination of Iran’s Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi PMU commander Abu Mahdi Muhandis in his remarks as well as more recently the top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, condemning the US state terrorism.

He also warned against the US and Israeli attempts to use terrorism as a tool to extend their influence in the region, expressing Iran’s readiness to share its experience in fighting terrorism to the countries of the region.

Elsewhere in his speech, he touched upon the geopolitical importance of Iran, expressing Iran’s willingness to play a more significant and active role in maintaining the security of the Indian Ocean region.

https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/13991120000735/DM-Iran%E2%80%99s-Acive-Deerrence-Dcrine-Kill-in-Bd-Any-Threas

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Deputy Minister: Iran, Russia to Cooperate in Production of Medicine, Vaccine

2021-February-8

“The two sides enjoy considerable capacities in the field of supplying drugs and different vaccines and given the cooperation that will be accelerated as of today, we will be able to meet many medical and drug needs of Iran,” Shanehsaz, who has traveled to Moscow, said.

“Iran enjoys many capacities in production of vaccine and we have used Russia’s know-how too to pave the ground for strengthening the pharmaceutical technology in addition to exports (of medicine),” he added.

Reports said on Sunday that Tehran and Moscow are due to cooperate on manufacturing coronavirus vaccine to finalize the mutual project for production of Sputnik V vaccine.

An Iranian delegation has arrived in Moscow on Sunday to finalize a joint cooperation agreement to make the Sputnik V vaccine between Iran and Russia.

Shanehsaz arrived in Moscow on Sunday to pursue the plan.

He is going to negotiate with Russian officials, including the Minister of Health, and will sign a joint cooperation agreement for producing the Sputnik V vaccine between Iran and the Russian Gamaleya Research Institute.

The first cargo of Russian COVID-19 vaccine "Sputnik V" was loaded by Iranian airline Mahan Air and delivered to the country last Thursday.

Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow Kazzerm Jalali said on Thursday that by the next two weeks, the second cargo and by February 28, the third cargo of Sputnik V will be delivered to Iran, adding that the process will continue every two weeks and every month.

Iran is in a parallel move trying to produce home-made vaccine to fight against coronavirus.

https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/13991120000567/Depy-Miniser-Iran-Rssia-Cperae-in-Prdcin-f-Medicine-Vaccine

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Spokesman: Iran to Wait for US Implementation of All N. Deal Undertakings

2021-February-8

“Iran has prepared the necessary atmosphere for the US and Europe to make up for the past and their violations,” Khatibzadeh told reporters in a press conference in Tehran on Monday.

“We do not prevent the US from growing wise and welcome the US ending of its bullying. We will wait for the other side’s return to all its undertakings and when they implement all their undertakings, we will choose the path to return to our undertakings,” he added.

“The US should revive its undertakings under the UNSC Resolution 2231,” Khatibzadeh underlined.

He also dismissed any need for a mediator for implementation of the nuclear deal, and said, “Europe and the current US administration should seriously distance themselves from the past and show that they are a creditable party to the UN Security Council because this trust has been completely distorted and we have observed their non-compliance, and if they want to continue the previous path, our response has been stated at the highest level by the Supreme Leader.”

“We do not attach importance to words. But the basis of our judgment and action is action. Its framework has been specified by the nuclear deal and the Resolution 2231. The US should return to the nuclear deal and its undertakings under Resolution 2231, and then, once it has returned to its commitments, it may sit at the negotiating table (within the framework of the G5+1),” Khatibzadeh said.

Asked about Iran’s next step in case of the US avoids removing the sanctions and returning to the nuclear deal, he said that based on the recent law approved by the parliament, the Iranian government will stop the UN nuclear watchdog’s supervision beyond the safeguards agreement, including the Additional Protocol to the NPT, on February 21.

The spokesman, meantime, said that Iran’s return to the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol will be possible if the US revives its the nuclear deal undertakings.

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that his country will not take steps to return to its nuclear deal undertakings unless it will be able to verify the US practical measures in removing the sanctions against Tehran.