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- Third step: Iran officially informs EU of plan to expand nuclear R&D
- Iran expands nuclear R&D program: Rouhani
- Iran goes ahead in space tech, despite US sanctions: ISA
- Resistance Front undermining Israeli regime power: Top commander
- Iran: 7 crew members of detained UK ship freed
- US addiction to sanction threaten its power: Iran’s Zarif
- Dutch role in 2007 Stuxnet attack on Iran’s nuclear site under scrutiny: Iraian FM Spox.
- Iran: ‘Sustainable Security 2019’ kicks off in Caspian Sea
- Iran’s Zarif leaves Tehran for Moscow
- Shiraz University ranked 1st in liver transplantation: Iranian health official
- Japan’s Abe to meet Iran’s president to discuss easing tension in region
- Downing of US spy drone shattered war threats against Iran: Top IRGC commander
- IAEO head reports development of first ion-therapy hospital in west of Asia
- Iranian Taekwondo team wins 2019 World Cup championship
- US sanctions failed to force Iran to buckle: Report
- Crew fixing Iran oil tanker broken down in Red Sea
- As Iranians hold nerves, US seeks to scare off trade
- Leader expresses concern about Kashmir, urges India to follow fair policy toward Muslim-majority region
- Iran saffron exports down due to smuggling, government restrictions: Exporter
- Iran FM warns US against ‘serious miscalculation’ in Persian Gulf
- Iran’s resistance policy led to release of oil tanker: MP
- Iran in reverse brain drain as top students come home in rising numbers
- Iran official calls for compensation for tanker seizure
- Iran hails N Korea for standing against ‘unilateral’ US demands
- Shia Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Ghadir
- North Korea praises Iran’s anti-US struggle
- Zarif says to meet French president Friday
- Iranian court hearing case of UK oil tanker
- Over half of Japanese voters oppose joining US-led anti-Iran coalition in Persian Gulf: Poll
- IME trade ups by 21 percent in July
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- US anti-Iran policy in high seas harms Europeans: LA Times
- Iran, China confer on Syria
- Iran, Finland share views on Persian Gulf dialogue forum: Zarif
- Iran warns US against seizure of oil tanker
- Iraq eager to benefit from Iranian Police’s experience
- Iran planning 3rd step to reduce nuclear commitments: Spokesman
- Leader grants clemency to over 1,000 Iranian inmates
- Registration for Arbaeen Pilgrimage to begin in Iran on Friday
- Iran, Iraq agree to reopen Khosravi border crossing
- Iran deplores suicide attack at Kabul wedding hall
- Iran to hold int'l hand-woven carpets expo
- Zarif meets with Iran-Kuwait Friendship Group members
- Adrian Darya oil tanker not under any sanctions, says Iran envoy
- ‘Iran to stay in nuclear deal as long as its interests are met’
- India envoy happy with positive trend of trade with Iran
- Iran’s annual export of white meat tops 2.5m tons: Minister
- Iranian scientist discovers new state of matter
- Iran, Japan diplomats discuss bilateral ties
- Iran, Ansarullah, European representatives Yemen developments
- ‘Iran to become self-sufficient in producing aircraft engines'
- US issues seizure warrant for Iranian supertanker 'Grace 1'
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- Iran’s Zarif due in Kuwait on Saturday
- US faces humiliating defeat after Gibraltar releases Iranian tanker: Envoy
- Spokesman rejects claim on Iran’s commitment in exchange for tanker release
- Zarif reacts to release of Iranian tanker in Gibraltar
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- US threatens visa ban as Iranian-operated tanker sets to sail from Gibraltar
- Enemies must factor Iran's global power in their calculations: IRGC's chief commander
- Trump’s administration conflicting messages to Iran baffle go-betweens: Report
- Gibraltar releases Iran-operated tanker despite US pressure
TEHRAN, December 17 - Iran says Saudi Arabia’s decision to invade Yemen is the result of the Riyadh regime’s “delusions” about its military power and the “strategic mistake” it made by undermining Yemeni people’s ability to defend themselves.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Monday the fact that the Saudi side has agreed to sit down with the Houthi movement for peace talks speaks volumes about the thinking process that led Saudi Arabia and its allies to make their move.
“I think the Saudi-led coalition was preoccupied with this delusion that they could fulfill their objectives in Yemen in no time,” Qassemi told Iran’s Arabic language network Al Alam in an interview published Monday.
“They made a strategic mistake and began their operation without having a true understanding of occupation, invasion and Yemen’s history.”
The diplomat blasted Riyadh and its regional allies – including the UAE – for steaming ahead with their plans despite advice from “people who knew the region well and knew what awaits occupation and invasion.”
He said it was obvious from the get-go that Yemen will endure and will do all it takes to defend itself against aggression.
“That is why we were certain from the beginning that a military solution was always bound to fail in Yemen, no matter the size of Saudi Arabia’s and the UAE’s arsenal and how much weapons their allies sent them,” Qassemi continued.
“And as you can see, today we are at a stage wherein both sides have come to the negotiating table to think of a political solution for future,” he added.
Houthi officials traveled to Swedish capital, Stockholm, last week to partake in UN-brokered peace talks with groups loyal to Yemen’s fugitive former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi.
The new UN-led peace initiative aims for, as a first step, an end to the maritime and aerial blockades that Saudi Arabia maintains on the impoverished country.
Iran has hailed preliminary deals between Yemeni parties, including resuming flights from Sana’a airport, expressing hope that they would prepare the ground for the next round of talks in order to reach a final agreement.
Qassemi described the talks as a “great triumph” for the Houthi movement and the Yemeni people. Their resistance, Qassemi said, forced Saudi leaders and the US to come to the negotiation table.
Iran proxy war 'a lie'
Qassemi denied allegations that Iran was providing weapons to the Houthi fighters and said the Saudi blockade in Yemen had made any connection with the Houthis virtually impossible.
He also denounced allegations of a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Yemen as “an obvious and blatant” lie put forward by the coalition.
US 'psychological war'
Qassemi also held a press briefing on Monday, where he dismissed reports that Chinese and Russian companies were withdrawing from Iranian oil projects under US pressure.
He said unless there were any official confirmations, such reports always amounted to “psychological warfare.”
“Of course the US is seeking to pressure energy giants in the West and the East to cut ties with Iran… but any developments in this area will be announced by the Oil Ministry,” he said.
US President Donald Trump promised earlier this year that he would drive Iran’s oil exports to zero under a new sanctions regime but was forced to exempt the eight main purchasers of Iranian crude after failing to find replacements in the global market.
Trade ties to grow despite US pressure
The diplomat also noted that Washington’s threats of financial punishments have failed to affect Iran’s growing trade ties with its western neighbor, Iraq.
Calling Baghdad one of Tehran’s “good partners,” Qassemi said Washington was “trying in vain” to disrupt this relationship.
Source: Presstv
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