A motion for Iran to quit the nuclear <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-must-sign-npt-to-gain-entry-into-nsg-patient-negotiations-required-china-194132">Non-Proliferation Treaty</a> (NPT) was introduced in parliament on Tuesday, the assembly's news site ICANA reported, in a move that appears to raise the stakes in Tehran's confrontation with the West.

The report did not say when parliament might vote on the motion.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-could-consider-withdrawing-from-npt-if-nuclear-dispute-referred-to-unsc-zarif-275493">Iran could consider withdrawing from NPT if nuclear dispute referred to UNSC: Zarif</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-sounds-alarm-for-democracy-after-candidates-barred-276882">Iran</a>'s Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-stands-by-revolutionary-guards-after-unrest-over-downed-plane-275015">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, makes the final decisions regarding the country's nuclear policy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-could-consider-withdrawing-from-npt-if-nuclear-dispute-referred-to-unsc-zarif-275493">Javad Zarif </a>said last week that Iran could withdraw from the NPT if European countries refer it to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/united-nations-says-six-civilians-killed-in-afghanistan-airstrike-276918">UN</a>&nbsp;Security Council over a nuclear agreement, a move that would overturn diplomacy in Tehran's turbulent relations with Western powers.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-must-sign-npt-to-gain-entry-into-nsg-patient-negotiations-required-china-194132">India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG, patient negotiations required: China</a>

The 1968 NPT has been the foundation of global nuclear arms control since the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/is-koreas-cold-war-about-to-end-178133">Cold War</a>, including a 2015 deal Iran signed with world powers that offered it access to global trade in return for accepting curbs to its atomic program.

The fate of the 2015 pact has been in doubt since US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-trial-of-donald-trump-all-star-defence-team-scared-of-going-near-bolton-276987">Donald Trump</a> pulled the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-top-court-sides-with-trump-on-immigrant-welfare-benefits-276959">United States</a> out of it in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Iran has responded by scaling back its commitments, although it says it wants the pact to survive.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-not-to-ban-huawei-in-europe-but-to-impose-strict-rules-european-commissioner-breton-277078">Britain</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-cancels-lunar-new-year-parade-due-to-chinas-viral-outbreak-276669">France </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-deadly-virus-continues-to-spread-outside-china-276966">Germany</a> declared Iran in violation of the nuclear deal two weeks ago and have launched a dispute mechanism that could eventually see the matter referred back to the Security Council and the reimposition of UN&nbsp;sanctions.

A motion for Iran to quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was introduced in parliament on Tuesday, the assembly's news site ICANA reported, in a move that appears to raise the stakes in Tehran's confrontation with the West.

A motion for Iran to quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was introduced in parliament on Tuesday, the assembly's news site ICANA reported, in a move that appears to raise the stakes in Tehran's confrontation with the West. The report did not say when parliament might vote on the motion. Also read: Iran could consider withdrawing from NPT if nuclear dispute referred to UNSC: Zarif Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in the Islamic Republic, makes the final decisions regarding the country's nuclear policy. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said last week that Iran could withdraw from the NPT if European countries refer it to the UN Security Council over a nuclear agreement, a move that would overturn diplomacy in Tehran's turbulent relations with Western powers. Also read: India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG, patient negotiations required: China The 1968 NPT has been the foundation of global nuclear arms control since the Cold War, including a 2015 deal Iran signed with world powers that offered it access to global trade in return for accepting curbs to its atomic program. The fate of the 2015 pact has been in doubt since US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of it in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Iran has responded by scaling back its commitments, although it says it wants the pact to survive. Britain, France and Germany declared Iran in violation of the nuclear deal two weeks ago and have launched a dispute mechanism that could eventually see the matter referred back to the Security Council and the reimposition of UN sanctions.

Motion for Iran to quit nuclear proliferation treaty enters parliament

Iran's supreme leader is expected to lead the main weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran on Friday, after a traumatic month in which the United States killed its top general Qasem Soleimani and the country's military accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet.

Iran's supreme leader is expected to lead the main weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran on Friday, after a traumatic month in which the United States killed its top general Qasem Soleimani and the country's military accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet. According to Reuters, the last time Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led Friday prayers at Tehran's Mosalla mosque was in February 2012, on the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution and at a time of crisis over the Iran nuclear issue. The supreme leader's appearance comes after Iran retaliated to the killing of Soleimani by launching missile strikes at US military targets in Iraq with a volley of missiles. × The strike, which caused significant material damage, wounded 11 US troops, according to a statement by US Central Command released Thursday, which contradicted the military's previous assessment of no casualties. The strike was followed by Iran ''accidentally'' downing a Ukrainian passenger jet which caused widespread outrage in Iran and around the world. In Iran, the air disaster sparked public outrage and anti-government demonstrations took place every day from Saturday to Wednesday. Security forces were deployed across the capital in response to the protests. The hostility between Washington and Tehran has increased since Trump withdrew the United States from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed biting sanctions. I

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei to lead 'prayers' amid uproar over Ukrainian plane crash 

Iran's supreme leader is expected to lead the main weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran on Friday, after a traumatic month in which the country had appeared on the brink of war with the United States and accidentally downed a Ukrainian passenger jet.

The last time <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khamenei-to-lead-friday-prayers-for-first-time-since-2012-274495">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a> led Friday prayers at Tehran's Mosalla mosque was in February 2012, on the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution and at a time of crisis over the Iran nuclear issue.

His Friday appearance comes at a tumultuous moment for the country which had seemed headed for conflict earlier in January after the United States killed its top general <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eleven-us-troops-injured-in-january-8-iran-missile-attack-in-iraq-274776">Qasem Soleimani</a> in a drone strike in Baghdad, prompting Iran to retaliate against US military targets in Iraq with a volley of missiles.

The strike, which caused significant material damage, wounded 11 US troops, according to a statement by US Central Command released Thursday, which contradicted the military's previous assessment of no casualties.

Earlier in the day President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-iran-conflict-a-high-stakes-bet-on-who-blinks-first-274636">Hassan Rouhani</a> emphasized in a televised speech that Iran "is working daily to prevent military confrontation or war", and maintained that a dialogue with the world was still "possible".&nbsp;

Tensions between Washington and Tehran seemed to subside in the wake of the accidental downing of a Ukrainian passenger airliner hours after Iran's retaliatory strikes, as Tehran was on high alert for US reprisals.

The tragedy killed 176 people, mostly Iranians and Canadians.&nbsp;

Canada's foreign minister on Thursday vowed to push Iran for answers about the tragedy.

Ottawa said earlier that US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trumps-impeachment-trial-officialy-gets-underway-274778">Donald Trump's</a> policies had contributed to the heightened tensions that led to the catastrophe.

In June 2019, Iran and the United States had also appeared to be on the brink of direct military confrontation after Tehran shot down a US drone it said had violated its airspace. &nbsp;

Trump said he called off retaliatory strikes at the last minute.&nbsp;

The animosity between Washington and Tehran has increased since Trump withdrew the United States from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed biting sanctions.

In Iran, the air disaster sparked public outrage and anti-government demonstrations took place every day from Saturday to Wednesday.&nbsp;

Security forces were deployed across the capital in response to the protests.&nbsp;

According to a&nbsp;journalist, around 50 riot police with batons, motorbikes and what appeared to be a tear gas launcher were posted at a major junction in north Tehran on Thursday evening.

Concentrated in the capital, the protests appeared smaller than a wave of national demonstrations in November, prompted by a fuel price hike. They had been met with a crackdown that left at least 300 people dead, according to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icj-ruling-on-urgent-measures-in-rohingya-case-on-january-23-gambia-274450">Amnesty International</a>.&nbsp;

Rouhani implicitly acknowledged a crisis of confidence in authorities, but called Wednesday for "national unity", better governance and greater pluralism.

On Thursday, Rouhani also defended the policy of openness that he has pursued since his first election in 2013, and which Iran's ultra-conservatives criticise.&nbsp;

"Of course, it's difficult," he acknowledged, but added, "the people elected us to lower tensions and animosity" between the Islamic republic and the world.

That said, Khamenei, who maintains that the West is not trustworthy, bans dialogue with Trump.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Rouhani said Iran's "daily enrichment" of uranium was currently "higher" than before the conclusion of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Rouhani, who instigated the negotiations, made the comments while justifying his nuclear policy and Iran's progressive disengagement from the accord. He also stated his willingness to continue dialogue on the agreement.&nbsp;

In response to the US withdrawal from the deal and sanctions, an increasingly frustrated Iran has hit back with a step-by-step suspension of its own commitments under the deal, which drastically limited its nuclear activities.

On Tuesday, Germany, the UK and France, the three European parties to the deal, announced they had triggered a dispute mechanism in response to the latest step back from the deal by Tehran.

Germany on Thursday confirmed a Washington Post report that the US had threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports of European cars if EU governments continued to back the nuclear deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-demand-iran-compensate-relatives-of-plane-crash-victims-274765">Mohammad Javad Zarif</a> accused the European parties of having "sold out" the deal to avoid trade reprisals from the United States, and said Trump was again behaving like a "high school bully".

Iran's supreme leader is expected to lead the main weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran on Friday, after a traumatic month in which the country had appeared on the brink of war with the United States and accidentally downed a Ukrainian passenger jet.

Iran's supreme leader is expected to lead the main weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran on Friday, after a traumatic month in which the country had appeared on the brink of war with the United States and accidentally downed a Ukrainian passenger jet. The last time Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led Friday prayers at Tehran's Mosalla mosque was in February 2012, on the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution and at a time of crisis over the Iran nuclear issue. His Friday appearance comes at a tumultuous moment for the country which had seemed headed for conflict earlier in January after the United States killed its top general Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad, prompting Iran to retaliate against US military targets in Iraq with a volley of missiles. The strike, which caused significant material damage, wounded 11 US troops, according to a statement by US Central Command released Thursday, which contradicted the military's previous assessment of no casualties. Earlier in the day President Hassan Rouhani emphasized in a televised speech that Iran "is working daily to prevent military confrontation or war", and maintained that a dialogue with the world was still "possible". Tensions between Washington and Tehran seemed to subside in the wake of the accidental downing of a Ukrainian passenger airliner hours after Iran's retaliatory strikes, as Tehran was on high alert for US reprisals. The tragedy killed 176 people, mostly Iranians and Canadians. Canada's foreign minister on Thursday vowed to push Iran for answers about the tragedy. Ottawa said earlier that US President Donald Trump's policies had contributed to the heightened tensions that led to the catastrophe. In June 2019, Iran and the United States had also appeared to be on the brink of direct military confrontation after Tehran shot down a US drone it said had violated its airspace. Trump said he called off retaliatory strikes at the last minute. The animosity between Washington and Tehran has increased since Trump withdrew the United States from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed biting sanctions. In Iran, the air disaster sparked public outrage and anti-government demonstrations took place every day from Saturday to Wednesday. Security forces were deployed across the capital in response to the protests. According to a journalist, around 50 riot police with batons, motorbikes and what appeared to be a tear gas launcher were posted at a major junction in north Tehran on Thursday evening. Concentrated in the capital, the protests appeared smaller than a wave of national demonstrations in November, prompted by a fuel price hike. They had been met with a crackdown that left at least 300 people dead, according to Amnesty International. Rouhani implicitly acknowledged a crisis of confidence in authorities, but called Wednesday for "national unity", better governance and greater pluralism. On Thursday, Rouhani also defended the policy of openness that he has pursued since his first election in 2013, and which Iran's ultra-conservatives criticise. "Of course, it's difficult," he acknowledged, but added, "the people elected us to lower tensions and animosity" between the Islamic republic and the world. That said, Khamenei, who maintains that the West is not trustworthy, bans dialogue with Trump. On Thursday, Rouhani said Iran's "daily enrichment" of uranium was currently "higher" than before the conclusion of the 2015 nuclear deal. Rouhani, who instigated the negotiations, made the comments while justifying his nuclear policy and Iran's progressive disengagement from the accord. He also stated his willingness to continue dialogue on the agreement. In response to the US withdrawal from the deal and sanctions, an increasingly frustrated Iran has hit back with a step-by-step suspension of its own commitments under the deal, which drastically limited its nuclear activities. On Tuesday, Germany, the UK and France, the three European parties to the deal, announced they had triggered a dispute mechanism in response to the latest step back from the deal by Tehran. Germany on Thursday confirmed a Washington Post report that the US had threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports of European cars if EU governments continued to back the nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the European parties of having "sold out" the deal to avoid trade reprisals from the United States, and said Trump was again behaving like a "high school bully".

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to lead Friday 'prayers' in Tehran amid Iranian tumult

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while addressing people in the Friday prayers called US President Trump a "clown" while attacking US presence in the region.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khamenei-iran-gave-us-slap-on-face-calls-missile-strikes-day-of-god-274857">Also Read: Iran gave US 'slap on face', calls missile strikes 'day of God', says Khamenei</a>

“Resistance must continue until the region is completely freed from the enemy’s tyranny,” Khamenei said reiterating his message earlier.

“These American clowns who lie and say they are with the Iranian people should see who the Iranian people are,” he said referring to Trump. Iran witnessed large scale demonstrations after authorities conceded the Army was responsible for shooting down the Boeing 737 airliner last week in which 176 people had died.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/irans-khamenei-delivers-friday-sermon-bid-to-quell-public-anger-274853/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

While calling for national unity, Khamenei said: “The Quds Force is a humanitarian organisation with human values that protects people across the region, adding,"they are fighters without borders.”

On the ballistic missile strike in US bases in Iraq, Khamenei said: "The fact that Iran has the power to give such a slap to a world power shows the hand of God." He added that killing of Soleimani showed US’s “terrorist nature”.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while addressing people in the Friday prayers called US President Trump a "clown" while attacking US presence in the region. Also Read: Iran gave US 'slap on face', calls missile strikes 'day of God', says Khamenei “Resistance must continue until the region is completely freed from the enemy’s tyranny,” Khamenei said reiterating his message earlier.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while addressing people in the Friday prayers called US President Trump a "clown" while attacking US presence in the region. Also Read: Iran gave US 'slap on face', calls missile strikes 'day of God', says Khamenei “Resistance must continue until the region is completely freed from the enemy’s tyranny,” Khamenei said reiterating his message earlier. “These American clowns who lie and say they are with the Iranian people should see who the Iranian people are,” he said referring to Trump. Iran witnessed large scale demonstrations after authorities conceded the Army was responsible for shooting down the Boeing 737 airliner last week in which 176 people had died. Watch Video: While calling for national unity, Khamenei said: “The Quds Force is a humanitarian organisation with human values that protects people across the region, adding,"they are fighters without borders.” On the ballistic missile strike in US bases in Iraq, Khamenei said: "The fact that Iran has the power to give such a slap to a world power shows the hand of God." He added that killing of Soleimani showed US’s “terrorist nature”.

These American 'clowns' who lie, says Khamenei in Friday sermon referring to Trump

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a Friday sermon that Islamic Republic had divine support and that Iran's missile strikes on US targets in Iraq this month delivered a "slap on the face" to the United States, reported news agency Reuters.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a Friday sermon that Islamic Republic had divine support and that Iran's missile strikes on US targets in Iraq this month delivered a "slap on the face" to the United States, reported news agency Reuters. × As tension escalated between Iran and US following the killing of Qasem Soleimeni, a powerful Iranian general who was close to Khamenei, Iran launched missiles at US targets on January 8. The day when IRGC's missiles demolished the US military base in Iraq is also one of Allah's days. A nation having the spirit to slap a global, harassing, Arrogant Power in this way shows God's power and is one of Allah’s Days. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 17, 2020 × "The fact that Iran has the power to give such a slap to a world power shows the hand of God," Khamenei said, after referring to the launch of missiles against US targets as a "day of God". After 41 years since the #IslamicRevolution's victory, which power brought this unparalleled, massive crowd to the funeral of Martyr #Soleimani? Who created these love and enthusiasm? What factor could bring such a miracle other than God's power? — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 17, 2020 × His comments were met by chants of "Death to America!". Khamenei led the Friday prayer after 8 years. Last time he led Friday prayers at Tehran's Mosalla mosque was in February 2012, on the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution and at a time of crisis over the Iran nuclear issue.

Iran gave US 'slap on face', calls missile strikes 'day of God': Khamenei

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in Friday's sermon that Iran's missile attacks on US bases in Iraq this month hit the US "slap on the face", giving divine support to the Islamic Republic.

Iran's Khamenei delivers Friday sermon, bid to quell public anger

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the main weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran this week, state news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-are-our-masters-and-we-are-its-servants-says-rouhani-amid-protests-in-tehran-274463">Also Read:&nbsp;People are our masters and we are its servants, says Rouhani amid protests in Tehran</a>

Khamenei is officially the imam of Tehran but usually delegates the task of leading Friday prayers to others.

The last time he led Friday prayers at Tehran's Mosalla mosque was in February 2012, on the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution and at a time of crisis over the Iran nuclear issue.

Meanwhile, President Hassan Rouhani appealed Wednesday for "unity" and flagged the need for radical changes to the way Iran is run, after a wave of angry protests over the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner.

The Kiev-bound Boeing 737 was shot down in a catastrophic error shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people aboard.

One week on from the disaster, Rouhani called for "national unity" in remarks broadcast live on state television.

"If there was a delay" by the armed forces to release information about what happened, "let them apologise," he said.

Rouhani also sought a full explanation after it took Iran days to admit the airliner had been mistakenly shot down.

The blunder sparked four consecutive nights of protests in Tehran calling for those responsible to resign or be prosecuted, leading to at least 30 arrests.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said they were demonstrating after being deceived for days.

"In Iran... people can state their views. Sometimes they state their views in excessive ways, sometimes the reaction is excessive," he said in New Delhi.

"But the fact of the matter is, (over the) last few nights we've had people in the streets of Tehran, demonstrating against the fact that they were lied to for a couple of days."

Iran has been rocked by crisis after crisis since 2018.

In May that year, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from a landmark 2015 agreement that gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

Since then, the US has relentlessly slapped waves of sanctions on Iran as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign.

Washington says the campaign is aimed at reining in Tehran's missile programme as well as its "destabilising behaviour" in the region.

Iran has hit back by progressively reducing its nuclear commitments.

On Tuesday, as tensions mounted over the downed airliner, European parties to the deal launched an arbitration process charging Iran with failing to observe its commitments to the accord. 
&nbsp;

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the main weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran this week, state news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday. Also Read: People are our masters and we are its servants, says Rouhani amid protests in Tehran Khamenei is officially the imam of Tehran but usually delegates the task of leading Friday prayers to others.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the main weekly Muslim prayers in Tehran this week, state news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday. Also Read: People are our masters and we are its servants, says Rouhani amid protests in Tehran Khamenei is officially the imam of Tehran but usually delegates the task of leading Friday prayers to others. The last time he led Friday prayers at Tehran's Mosalla mosque was in February 2012, on the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution and at a time of crisis over the Iran nuclear issue. Meanwhile, President Hassan Rouhani appealed Wednesday for "unity" and flagged the need for radical changes to the way Iran is run, after a wave of angry protests over the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner. The Kiev-bound Boeing 737 was shot down in a catastrophic error shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people aboard. One week on from the disaster, Rouhani called for "national unity" in remarks broadcast live on state television. "If there was a delay" by the armed forces to release information about what happened, "let them apologise," he said. Rouhani also sought a full explanation after it took Iran days to admit the airliner had been mistakenly shot down. The blunder sparked four consecutive nights of protests in Tehran calling for those responsible to resign or be prosecuted, leading to at least 30 arrests. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said they were demonstrating after being deceived for days. "In Iran... people can state their views. Sometimes they state their views in excessive ways, sometimes the reaction is excessive," he said in New Delhi. "But the fact of the matter is, (over the) last few nights we've had people in the streets of Tehran, demonstrating against the fact that they were lied to for a couple of days." Iran has been rocked by crisis after crisis since 2018. In May that year, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from a landmark 2015 agreement that gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. Since then, the US has relentlessly slapped waves of sanctions on Iran as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign. Washington says the campaign is aimed at reining in Tehran's missile programme as well as its "destabilising behaviour" in the region. Iran has hit back by progressively reducing its nuclear commitments. On Tuesday, as tensions mounted over the downed airliner, European parties to the deal launched an arbitration process charging Iran with failing to observe its commitments to the accord.

Khamenei to lead Friday prayers for first time since 2012

Iran on Sunday hinted de-escalation of tensions with the United States which were triggered nearly two weeks ago when top commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by Washington in Iraq.&nbsp;

On Sunday, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said that both countries agreed de-escalation is the "only solution" to the ongoing crisis after he met Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in his visit to Iran.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-sole-female-olympic-medalist-kimia-alizadeh-says-she-left-her-country-for-europe-273826">Iran's sole female Olympic medalist Kimia Alizadeh says she left her country for Europe</a> 
&nbsp;

<img alt="Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Hassan Rouhani" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8b9fc5ef-312a-4883-8d35-60c6f19ae722" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1NN4XQ.jpg" />

(Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (L) and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani | Photo Credit: AFP)

"This visit comes at a critical time in the region," Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/do-not-kill-your-protesters-us-president-trump-to-iranian-authorities-273818">'Do not kill your protesters, world is watching', Trump warns Iran</a>

"We agreed... that the only solution to these crises is de-escalation from everyone and dialogue."

Rouhani said: "We've decided to have more consultations and cooperation for the security of the entire region."

<img alt="Iran protests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8519d58b-2ecb-4685-8a50-3ff30a643aed" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/hqL8YOpo.jpg" />

(A woman shouts slogans as she gathers with people to show their sympathy to the victims of the crash of the Boeing 737-800 plane, flight PS 752, in Tehran,&nbsp;Iran | Photo Credit: Reuters)

Earlier today, Trump tweeted that US NSA suggested that "sanctions &amp; protests have Iran choked off," and will force the country to "negotiate".&nbsp;

"Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and “don’t kill your protesters,” the tweet added.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions &amp; protests have Iran “choked off”, will force them to negotiate. Actually, I couldn’t care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and “don’t kill your protesters.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1216506722153639942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The protests began on Saturday in Iran after Rouhani admitted that "human error" brought down the Boeing 737, which killed 176 people.&nbsp;

Hundreds of students also shouted "death to liars" at a memorial at Tehran's Amir Kabir University on Saturday. Some protests in the Islamic Republic also demanded the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.&nbsp;

On Sunday, heightened tensions were observed once again after security was beefed up near the iconic Azadi Square south of the centre in Tehran.&nbsp;

Riot police were deployed in Amir Kabir, Sharif and Tehran universities and Enqelab Square in the Iranian capital.&nbsp;

Earlier, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said that "Canada and the world still have many questions, questions that must be answered". Trudeau also said it is necessary for Canada to participate in the investigation of the crashed aircraft in which 57 Canadians were killed.&nbsp;

Ukraine demanded that guilty of those responsible in the crash be brought to justice and asked for the payment of compensation to the victims' family.&nbsp;

Iran on Sunday hinted de-escalation of tensions with the United States which were triggered nearly two weeks ago when top commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by Washington in Iraq.

Iran on Sunday hinted de-escalation of tensions with the United States which were triggered nearly two weeks ago when top commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by Washington in Iraq. On Sunday, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said that both countries agreed de-escalation is the "only solution" to the ongoing crisis after he met Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in his visit to Iran. Also read: Iran's sole female Olympic medalist Kimia Alizadeh says she left her country for Europe (Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (L) and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani | Photo Credit: AFP) "This visit comes at a critical time in the region," Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said. Also read: 'Do not kill your protesters, world is watching', Trump warns Iran "We agreed... that the only solution to these crises is de-escalation from everyone and dialogue." Rouhani said: "We've decided to have more consultations and cooperation for the security of the entire region." (A woman shouts slogans as she gathers with people to show their sympathy to the victims of the crash of the Boeing 737-800 plane, flight PS 752, in Tehran, Iran | Photo Credit: Reuters) Earlier today, Trump tweeted that US NSA suggested that "sanctions & protests have Iran choked off," and will force the country to "negotiate". "Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and “don’t kill your protesters,” the tweet added. National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions & protests have Iran “choked off”, will force them to negotiate. Actually, I couldn’t care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and “don’t kill your protesters.” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020 × The protests began on Saturday in Iran after Rouhani admitted that "human error" brought down the Boeing 737, which killed 176 people. Hundreds of students also shouted "death to liars" at a memorial at Tehran's Amir Kabir University on Saturday. Some protests in the Islamic Republic also demanded the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On Sunday, heightened tensions were observed once again after security was beefed up near the iconic Azadi Square south of the centre in Tehran. Riot police were deployed in Amir Kabir, Sharif and Tehran universities and Enqelab Square in the Iranian capital. Earlier, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said that "Canada and the world still have many questions, questions that must be answered". Trudeau also said it is necessary for Canada to participate in the investigation of the crashed aircraft in which 57 Canadians were killed. Ukraine demanded that guilty of those responsible in the crash be brought to justice and asked for the payment of compensation to the victims' family.

Iran hints at de-escalating tensions with US

How Iran protested after Islamic Republic admitted it downed Ukrainian aircraft

The Twitter page of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been temporarily suspended.

Khamenei in his last tweet had hit out at Trump administration and said that killing of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-tensions-washington-turns-down-iraqi-request-to-remove-troops-273509">Qasem Soleimani </a>had united people of Iran.

The account was blocked just hours after Iran admitted to unintentionally downing a Boeing 737.

There has been no <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">official statement </a>from Twitter about the reasons behind their decision to suspend Khamenei's account.

Earlier in the day, Khamenei held an emergency meeting during which he called for public disclosure of the probe findings into the tragedy.

The Twitter page of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been temporarily suspended. Khamenei in his last tweet had hit out at Trump administration and said that killing of Qasem Soleimani had united people of Iran.

The Twitter page of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been temporarily suspended. Khamenei in his last tweet had hit out at Trump administration and said that killing of Qasem Soleimani had united people of Iran. The account was blocked just hours after Iran admitted to unintentionally downing a Boeing 737. There has been no official statement from Twitter about the reasons behind their decision to suspend Khamenei's account. Earlier in the day, Khamenei held an emergency meeting during which he called for public disclosure of the probe findings into the tragedy.

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei's Twitter account temporarily suspended

After conducting ballistic strikes on US bases, Iran's ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht Ravanchi, in a letter to the United Nations said his country has full respect for "the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-no-us-troops-hurt-in-iran-strikes-announces-new-sanctions-on-iran-273049">Also Read: Trump says no US troops hurt in Iran strikes, announces new sanctions on Iran</a>

"The operation was precise and targeted military objectives thus leaving no collateral damage to civilians and civilian assets in the area," Majid Takht Ravanchi said in the letter.

<img alt="US air base " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce444f07-0ebb-42c5-931a-34ca999d59a9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2861%29_0.jpg" />

Ravanchi said Iran does not seek escalation or war, a point reiterated by Iran foreign minister Javed Zarif just hours after the missile strikes in Iraq. However, Iraq's foreign ministery said it would be summoning the Iranian ambassador to address the missile strike issue.

Watch Video:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/gravitas-how-irans-missile-strikes-against-us-military-assets-in-iraq-unfolded-273060/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump while addressing the nation from the White House said there were no American casualties after Iran conducted the strikes on US bases in Al-Asad and Irbil.

"All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world. No American or Iraqi lives were lost," Trump said.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while addressing the nation just hours after the funeral of General Qasim Solemani said that missile strikes on US bases in Iraq were "slap in the face" for America.

<img alt="US air base " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64cfcc7c-9d71-4359-94f1-84a34cc3e40b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2859%29.jpg" />

"Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region," Khamenei said, adding, "Today Iran is well equipped," Khomeini said, adding, "More people will join the movement and it will spread outside Iran."

However, world leaders condemned the strike with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urging Iran to "refrain from further violence."

In a joint statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "We believe that exchange of attacks and use of force by any party do not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East."&nbsp;

"We express our commitment to de-escalate the existing tensions in the region and call on all parties to act with restraint as well as commonsense and to prioritise diplomacy," the statement added.

Reiterating the point, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the "priority is more than ever for a de-escalation."

After conducting ballistic strikes on US bases, Iran's ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht Ravanchi, in a letter to the United Nations said his country has full respect for "the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq.

After conducting ballistic strikes on US bases, Iran's ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht Ravanchi, in a letter to the United Nations said his country has full respect for "the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq." Also Read: Trump says no US troops hurt in Iran strikes, announces new sanctions on Iran "The operation was precise and targeted military objectives thus leaving no collateral damage to civilians and civilian assets in the area," Majid Takht Ravanchi said in the letter. Ravanchi said Iran does not seek escalation or war, a point reiterated by Iran foreign minister Javed Zarif just hours after the missile strikes in Iraq. However, Iraq's foreign ministery said it would be summoning the Iranian ambassador to address the missile strike issue. Watch Video: Meanwhile, President Donald Trump while addressing the nation from the White House said there were no American casualties after Iran conducted the strikes on US bases in Al-Asad and Irbil. "All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world. No American or Iraqi lives were lost," Trump said. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while addressing the nation just hours after the funeral of General Qasim Solemani said that missile strikes on US bases in Iraq were "slap in the face" for America. "Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region," Khamenei said, adding, "Today Iran is well equipped," Khomeini said, adding, "More people will join the movement and it will spread outside Iran." However, world leaders condemned the strike with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urging Iran to "refrain from further violence." In a joint statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "We believe that exchange of attacks and use of force by any party do not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East." "We express our commitment to de-escalate the existing tensions in the region and call on all parties to act with restraint as well as commonsense and to prioritise diplomacy," the statement added. Reiterating the point, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the "priority is more than ever for a de-escalation."

We fully respect Iraq's sovereignty, says Iran's UN ambassador after ballistic missile strike

After President Trump in a televised address to the nation said Iran appeared to be standing down after the missile strikes on US bases, the United States informed the UN&nbsp;that the assassination of Iran general Qasim Soleimani was an act of "self defense".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-fully-respect-iraqs-sovereignty-says-irans-un-ambassador-after-ballistic-missile-strike-273064">Also Read:&nbsp;We fully respect Iraq's sovereignty, says Iran's UN ambassador after ballistic missile strike</a>

US ambassador Kelly Craft told the United Nations that the Trump administration was "ready to engage without preconditions in serious negotiations with Iran, with the goal of preventing further endangerment of international peace and security or escalation by the Iranian regime."

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iranian-ambassador-to-india-expect-india-to-play-peacemaker-273078/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Craft cited Article 51 of the UN&nbsp;Charter while justifying the killing of general Soleimani stating clearly that "the United States is prepared to take additional actions in the region as necessary to continue to protect U.S. personnel and interests."

The US ambassador further said that US airstrikes on Iraq and Syria last month and the killing of Soleimani was "in response to an escalating series of armed attacks in recent months by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran-supported militias on US forces and interests in the Middle East."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/key-facts-about-al-asad-us-air-base-in-iraq-attacked-by-iran-272873">In Pics:&nbsp;Key facts about Al-Asad US airbase in Iraq attacked by Iran</a>

Meanwhile, Iran's ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht Ravanchi, in a letter to the United Nations said his country has full respect for "the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq", a day after conducting the ballistic missile strikes on US bases in Al-Asad and Irbil.

"The operation was precise and targeted military objectives thus leaving no collateral damage to civilians and civilian assets in the area," Majid Takht Ravanchi said in a letter to the UN.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-rockets-crash-into-iraqs-green-zone-no-casualties-reported-273079">Read more: Two rockets crash into Iraq's Green Zone; no casualties reported</a>

Tensions between Iran and US mounted on Wednesday after Teheran carried out multiple strikes on US bases, however, there was no report of any US casualties. The Iraqi government also clarified no lives were lost in the strikes.

After the ballistic missile strikes, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the missile strikes was a "slap in the face" for America.

"Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region," he said. 
&nbsp; 
"Today Iran is well equipped," Khomeini said, adding, "More people will join the movement and it will spread outside Iran."

"The US thought they defeated Iraq," he said. "Faith allows us to move mountains," the supreme leader said at a public gathering.

"Faith and honour are as important as the military," Khomeini said.&nbsp;

After President Trump in a televised address to the nation said Iran appeared to be standing down after the missile strikes on US bases, the United States informed the UN that the assassination of Iran general Qasim Soleimani was an act of "self defense".

After President Trump in a televised address to the nation said Iran appeared to be standing down after the missile strikes on US bases, the United States informed the UN that the assassination of Iran general Qasim Soleimani was an act of "self defense". Also Read: We fully respect Iraq's sovereignty, says Iran's UN ambassador after ballistic missile strike US ambassador Kelly Craft told the United Nations that the Trump administration was "ready to engage without preconditions in serious negotiations with Iran, with the goal of preventing further endangerment of international peace and security or escalation by the Iranian regime." Watch Video: Craft cited Article 51 of the UN Charter while justifying the killing of general Soleimani stating clearly that "the United States is prepared to take additional actions in the region as necessary to continue to protect U.S. personnel and interests." The US ambassador further said that US airstrikes on Iraq and Syria last month and the killing of Soleimani was "in response to an escalating series of armed attacks in recent months by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran-supported militias on US forces and interests in the Middle East." In Pics: Key facts about Al-Asad US airbase in Iraq attacked by Iran Meanwhile, Iran's ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht Ravanchi, in a letter to the United Nations said his country has full respect for "the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq", a day after conducting the ballistic missile strikes on US bases in Al-Asad and Irbil. "The operation was precise and targeted military objectives thus leaving no collateral damage to civilians and civilian assets in the area," Majid Takht Ravanchi said in a letter to the UN. Read more: Two rockets crash into Iraq's Green Zone; no casualties reported Tensions between Iran and US mounted on Wednesday after Teheran carried out multiple strikes on US bases, however, there was no report of any US casualties. The Iraqi government also clarified no lives were lost in the strikes. After the ballistic missile strikes, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the missile strikes was a "slap in the face" for America. "Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region," he said. "Today Iran is well equipped," Khomeini said, adding, "More people will join the movement and it will spread outside Iran." "The US thought they defeated Iraq," he said. "Faith allows us to move mountains," the supreme leader said at a public gathering. "Faith and honour are as important as the military," Khomeini said.

Iran general Soleimani's killing was self defense: US Ambassador Kelly Craft to UN

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday addressed the nation from &nbsp;White House after Iran fired ballistic missiles on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-its-time-for-iraqi-response-to-us-drone-strike-says-paramilitary-chief-qais-al-khazali-272966">US airbases in Iraq </a>targeting Al-Asad and Irbil.

Trump, in a nationally televised address from the White House, said that these missile attacks had not harmed any US troops and the damage was minimal, an outcome he said showed Tehran wanted to de-escalate a standoff.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-fires-missiles-at-us-bases-in-iraq-272811">Also read: Iran fires 'more than a dozen' ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq</a>

"All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world. No American or Iraqi lives were lost," Trump said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/key-facts-about-al-asad-us-air-base-in-iraq-attacked-by-iran-272873">In Pics: Key facts about Al-Asad US air base in Iraq attacked by Iran</a>

"The US Administration will impose new sanctions on Iran in response to the attack," Trump said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-slain-general-soleimani-laid-to-rest-in-hometown-kerman-272814">Also Read: Iran's slain general Soleimani laid to rest in hometown Kerman</a>

He termed these sanctions as 'punishing economic sanctions' against the Iran government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-surge-to-new-high-after-iran-attacks-us-bases-in-iraq-272812">Also Read: Oil prices surge to new high after Iran attacks US bases in Iraq</a>

He did not specify how those sanctions would be applied.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/we-have-slapped-americans-on-the-face-ayatollah-khamenei-273042/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier in the day, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had called his country's missile strike on US bases in Iraq a "slap in the face" for America and said that Washington's troops must leave the region.

Khamenei was addressing the public in Teheran just hours after the burial of General Solemani.

"Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region," he said. 
&nbsp; 
"Today Iran is well equipped," Khomeini said, adding, "More people will join the movement and it will spread outside Iran."

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday addressed the nation from White House after Iran fired ballistic missiles on US airbases in Iraq targeting Al-Asad and Irbil.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday addressed the nation from White House after Iran fired ballistic missiles on US airbases in Iraq targeting Al-Asad and Irbil. Trump, in a nationally televised address from the White House, said that these missile attacks had not harmed any US troops and the damage was minimal, an outcome he said showed Tehran wanted to de-escalate a standoff. Also read: Iran fires 'more than a dozen' ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq "All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world. No American or Iraqi lives were lost," Trump said. In Pics: Key facts about Al-Asad US air base in Iraq attacked by Iran "The US Administration will impose new sanctions on Iran in response to the attack," Trump said. Also Read: Iran's slain general Soleimani laid to rest in hometown Kerman He termed these sanctions as 'punishing economic sanctions' against the Iran government. Also Read: Oil prices surge to new high after Iran attacks US bases in Iraq He did not specify how those sanctions would be applied. Watch: Earlier in the day, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had called his country's missile strike on US bases in Iraq a "slap in the face" for America and said that Washington's troops must leave the region. Khamenei was addressing the public in Teheran just hours after the burial of General Solemani. "Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region," he said. "Today Iran is well equipped," Khomeini said, adding, "More people will join the movement and it will spread outside Iran." (With inputs from agencies)

Trump says no US troops hurt in Iran strikes, announces new sanctions on Iran

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called his country's missile strike on US bases in Iraq a "slap in the face" for America and said that Washington's troops must leave the region.

Khamenei was addressing the public in Teheran on Wednesday just hours after the burial of General Solemani.

"Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region," he said. 
&nbsp; 
"Today Iran is well equipped," Khomeini said, adding, "More people will join the movement and it will spread outside Iran."

"The US thought they defeated Iraq," he said. "Faith allows us to move mountains," the supreme leader said at a public gathering.

"Faith and honour are as important as the military," Khomeini said.&nbsp;

"Solemani was brave and wise, he had a vision," Khomeini said while paying tribute to the slain general.

The Iran leader attacked Israel asserting that the country had "lost good qualities of faith."

"Important events lead to revolution," he said while emphasising that the country cannot rely on the military alone.

Soleimani was one of Iran's most popular public figures. He was laid to rest in his hometown early on Wednesday morning after massive funeral processions in several major cities of Iran.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called his country's missile strike on US bases in Iraq a "slap in the face" for America and said that Washington's troops must leave the region.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called his country's missile strike on US bases in Iraq a "slap in the face" for America and said that Washington's troops must leave the region. Khamenei was addressing the public in Teheran on Wednesday just hours after the burial of General Solemani. "Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region," he said. "Today Iran is well equipped," Khomeini said, adding, "More people will join the movement and it will spread outside Iran." "The US thought they defeated Iraq," he said. "Faith allows us to move mountains," the supreme leader said at a public gathering. "Faith and honour are as important as the military," Khomeini said. "Solemani was brave and wise, he had a vision," Khomeini said while paying tribute to the slain general. The Iran leader attacked Israel asserting that the country had "lost good qualities of faith." "Important events lead to revolution," he said while emphasising that the country cannot rely on the military alone. Soleimani was one of Iran's most popular public figures. He was laid to rest in his hometown early on Wednesday morning after massive funeral processions in several major cities of Iran.

Missile strike a 'slap in the face' for US, says Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today declared it had given its enemy America 'a slap in the face' after pounding two Iraqi bases containing US troops with a stream of ballistic missiles.

'We have slapped Americans on the face' Ayatollah Khamenei

Protestors clashed with police in&nbsp;Pakistan's southern port city of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-issues-advisory-to-its-carriers-to-avoid-pak-airspace-over-extremist-threat-271757">Karachi</a> on Sunday, as&nbsp;thousands&nbsp;of demonstrators attempted to march toward the&nbsp;US&nbsp;consulate to&nbsp;protest&nbsp;the&nbsp;killing&nbsp;of&nbsp;Iranian&nbsp;military&nbsp;commander&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-gather-to-pay-homage-to-slain-iran-general-soleimani-in-tehran-272439">Qasem Soleimani</a>.

Soleimani, a powerful&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-updates-on-iran-general-qassem-soleimanis-death-272457">Iranian&nbsp;military&nbsp;commander</a>&nbsp;and the architect of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East, was killed in a&nbsp;US&nbsp;drone strike in Iraq on Friday.

In Karachi,&nbsp;thousands&nbsp;of Shiite&nbsp;protestors, including women and children, carrying images of Iran's Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-will-be-a-war-crime-if-us-attacks-irans-cultural-sites-foreign-minister-zarif-272268">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, as well as of Soleimani, marched and chanted slogans of "Death to America," and "Death to Israel."

The&nbsp;protest&nbsp;was organized by a diverse group of Shiite Muslim organizations.

Pakistani security forces blocked the road leading to the&nbsp;US&nbsp;consulate in Karachi using shipping containers. However, some&nbsp;protestors attempted to push through the security cordon and climb&nbsp;over&nbsp;the containers, leading to scuffles with security forces.

Police were able to push&nbsp;protestors back and prevent them from getting beyond the barricades. Following a brief period of tension on Sunday evening, the demonstration was called off.

Iran, with a Shiite Muslim majority, enjoys a large support base in&nbsp;Pakistan, it's neighbor to the east. Though&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;is a Sunni Muslim-majority country, it has a fairly large Shiite population.

"Pakistan&nbsp;should not in any way allow its soil to be used against Iran," a senior cleric, Shahanshah Naqvi, said while addressing the&nbsp;protest&nbsp;rally.

A smaller rally was also held in the capital, Islamabad, where&nbsp;protestors burnt&nbsp;US&nbsp;and Israeli flags.

It dispersed without any violence.

Earlier, the spokesperson of&nbsp;Pakistan's Army told local media the country would not allow its soil to be used against anyone, referring to speculation about an imminent military standoff between the United States and Iran.

He quoted&nbsp;Pakistani Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-condemns-the-nankana-sahib-gurdwara-incident-272270">Imran Khan</a> and the Army chief as saying they wanted a peaceful resolution to all disputes.

Protestors clashed with police in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Sunday, as thousands of demonstrators attempted to march toward the US consulate to protest the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.

Protestors clashed with police in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Sunday, as thousands of demonstrators attempted to march toward the US consulate to protest the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani, a powerful Iranian military commander and the architect of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East, was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq on Friday. In Karachi, thousands of Shiite protestors, including women and children, carrying images of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as of Soleimani, marched and chanted slogans of "Death to America," and "Death to Israel." The protest was organized by a diverse group of Shiite Muslim organizations. Pakistani security forces blocked the road leading to the US consulate in Karachi using shipping containers. However, some protestors attempted to push through the security cordon and climb over the containers, leading to scuffles with security forces. Police were able to push protestors back and prevent them from getting beyond the barricades. Following a brief period of tension on Sunday evening, the demonstration was called off. Iran, with a Shiite Muslim majority, enjoys a large support base in Pakistan, it's neighbor to the east. Though Pakistan is a Sunni Muslim-majority country, it has a fairly large Shiite population. "Pakistan should not in any way allow its soil to be used against Iran," a senior cleric, Shahanshah Naqvi, said while addressing the protest rally. A smaller rally was also held in the capital, Islamabad, where protestors burnt US and Israeli flags. It dispersed without any violence. Earlier, the spokesperson of Pakistan's Army told local media the country would not allow its soil to be used against anyone, referring to speculation about an imminent military standoff between the United States and Iran. He quoted Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Army chief as saying they wanted a peaceful resolution to all disputes.

Pakistan: Thousands march toward US consulate to protest Soleimani's killing

Iran condemned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-media-challenges-vice-president-mike-pences-claims-of-soleimani-assisting-911-terrorists-272199">Donald Trump</a> on Sunday as a "terrorist in a suit" after the US&nbsp;president threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites hard if Tehran attacks Americans or US&nbsp;assets in retaliation for the killing of military commander Qassem Soleimani.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Like ISIS, like Hitler, Like Genghis! 
 
They all hate cultures. Trump is a "terrorist in a suit". He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat "the Great Iranian Nation &amp; Culture".<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardRevenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HardRevenge</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QasemSoleimani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QasemSoleimani</a> <a href="https://t.co/N2iQ5AMX7M">https://t.co/N2iQ5AMX7M</a>
— MJ Azari Jahromi (@azarijahromi) <a href="https://twitter.com/azarijahromi/status/1213743924952666114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Like ISIS, Like Hitler, Like Genghis! They all hate cultures. Trump is a terrorist in a suit. He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat 'the Great Iranian Nation &amp; Culture'," Information and Telecommunications Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/foiled-very-big-foreign-cyber-attack-iran-267687">Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi</a> tweeted.

Soleimani, Iran's pre-eminent military commander, was killed on Friday in a US&nbsp;drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport, an attack that has taken long-running hostilities between Washington and Tehran into uncharted territory and raised the spectre of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Soleimani was the architect of Tehran’s overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force.

Giving no indication of seeking to defuse tensions after the strike he ordered, Trump issued a stern threat to the Islamic Republic.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, he said Iran "is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets" to avenge Soleimani's death.

Trump said the United States has "targeted 52 Iranian sites" and that some were "at a very high level &amp; important to Iran &amp; the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD."

He said the 52 targets represented the 52 Americans held hostage in Iran after being seized at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-will-be-a-war-crime-if-us-attacks-irans-cultural-sites-foreign-minister-zarif-272268">US&nbsp;Embassy</a> in 1979 during the country's Islamic Revolution.

Iran's army chief, Major General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lacks-courage-for-military-confrontation-with-iran-iran-army-chief-272304">Abdolrahim Mousavi</a>, was quoted by state television on Sunday as saying the United States lacked the courage for a military confrontation with Iran.

"In a potential conflict in the future, which I don't think they (Americans) have the courage to carry out, there it will become clear where the numbers five and two will belong," he said.

Trump said on Friday Soleimani had been plotting "imminent and sinister" attacks on US&nbsp;diplomats and military personnel. Democratic critics said the Republican president's action was reckless and risked more bloodshed in a dangerous region.

Thousands of mourners turned out to pay respects to the slain commander on Sunday after Soleimani's body was returned to Iran, the official IRIB news agency reported.

While many Iranians have rallied in to show grief over the death of Soleimani, regarded as the country’s second most powerful figure after Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-mourners-pay-respect-as-qasem-soleimanis-body-reaches-iran-272228">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, others worry that his death might push the country to war with a superpower.

On Friday, Khamenei promised harsh revenge and declared three days of mourning.

Soleimani's body was flown to the city of Ahvaz in southwest Iran. IRIB posted a video clip of a casket wrapped in an Iranian flag being unloaded from a plane as a military band played.

Thousands of mourners dressed in black marched through the streets of Ahvaz beating their chests in live footage aired on state TV.

British foreign minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dominic-raab-calls-for-de-escalation-of-tensions-after-killing-of-menace-soleimani-272295">Dominic Raab</a> said on Sunday he had spoken to Iraq's prime minister and president to urge efforts to relieve tensions in the region following the US&nbsp;strike.

Raab, who described Soleimani as a "regional menace" and said he was sympathetic to the situation the United States found itself in, said he also planned to speak to Iran's foreign minister.

"There is a route through which allows Iran to come in from out of the international cold," he told Sky News. "We need to contain the nefarious actions of Iran but we also need to de-escalate and stabilise the situation."

Friday's US&nbsp;airstrike also killed Iraqi militia leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-target-52-iranian-sites-if-americans-are-attacked-donald-trump-272166">Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis</a>.

Iraq's parliament was set to convene an extraordinary session on Sunday where lawmakers told media that they would push for a vote on a resolution requiring the government to request the withdrawal of US&nbsp;troops from Iraq.

"There is no need for the presence of American forces after defeating Daesh (Islamic State)," said Ammar al-Shibli, a Shi'ite lawmaker and member of parliament's legal committee.

Despite decades of enmity between Iran and the United States, Iran-backed militia and US&nbsp;troops fought side by side during Iraq's 2014-2017 war against Islamic State militants.

Around 5,000 US&nbsp;troops remain in Iraq, most of them in an advisory capacity.

The militia was incorporated into government forces under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilisation Forces which Muhandis led.

Many Iraqis, including opponents of Soleimani, have expressed anger at Washington for killing the two men on Iraqi soil and possibly dragging their country into another conflict.

On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone near the US&nbsp;embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighbourhood and two more were fired at the Balad air base north of the city. No one was killed, the Iraqi military said.

The US&nbsp;strike followed a spike in US-Iranian hostilities in Iraq since last week when pro-Iranian militias attacked the US&nbsp;embassy in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-ditches-iran-extends-tacit-support-to-us-over-airstrikes-for-resumption-in-military-cooperation-272236">Baghdad</a> after a deadly US&nbsp;air raid on Kataib Hezbollah, a militia founded by Muhandis. Washington accused the group of an attack on an Iraqi military base that killed an American contractor.

Iran condemned Donald Trump on Sunday as a "terrorist in a suit" after the US president threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites hard if Tehran attacks Americans or US assets in retaliation for the killing of military commander Qassem Soleimani.

Iran condemned Donald Trump on Sunday as a "terrorist in a suit" after the US president threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites hard if Tehran attacks Americans or US assets in retaliation for the killing of military commander Qassem Soleimani. Like ISIS, like Hitler, Like Genghis! They all hate cultures. Trump is a "terrorist in a suit". He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat "the Great Iranian Nation & Culture".#HardRevenge#QasemSoleimani https://t.co/N2iQ5AMX7M — MJ Azari Jahromi (@azarijahromi) January 5, 2020 × "Like ISIS, Like Hitler, Like Genghis! They all hate cultures. Trump is a terrorist in a suit. He will learn history very soon that NOBODY can defeat 'the Great Iranian Nation & Culture'," Information and Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi tweeted. Soleimani, Iran's pre-eminent military commander, was killed on Friday in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport, an attack that has taken long-running hostilities between Washington and Tehran into uncharted territory and raised the spectre of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Soleimani was the architect of Tehran’s overseas clandestine and military operations as head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force. Giving no indication of seeking to defuse tensions after the strike he ordered, Trump issued a stern threat to the Islamic Republic. In a series of tweets on Saturday, he said Iran "is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets" to avenge Soleimani's death. Trump said the United States has "targeted 52 Iranian sites" and that some were "at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD." He said the 52 targets represented the 52 Americans held hostage in Iran after being seized at the US Embassy in 1979 during the country's Islamic Revolution. Iran's army chief, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, was quoted by state television on Sunday as saying the United States lacked the courage for a military confrontation with Iran. "In a potential conflict in the future, which I don't think they (Americans) have the courage to carry out, there it will become clear where the numbers five and two will belong," he said. Trump said on Friday Soleimani had been plotting "imminent and sinister" attacks on US diplomats and military personnel. Democratic critics said the Republican president's action was reckless and risked more bloodshed in a dangerous region. Thousands of mourners turned out to pay respects to the slain commander on Sunday after Soleimani's body was returned to Iran, the official IRIB news agency reported. While many Iranians have rallied in to show grief over the death of Soleimani, regarded as the country’s second most powerful figure after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, others worry that his death might push the country to war with a superpower. On Friday, Khamenei promised harsh revenge and declared three days of mourning. Soleimani's body was flown to the city of Ahvaz in southwest Iran. IRIB posted a video clip of a casket wrapped in an Iranian flag being unloaded from a plane as a military band played. Thousands of mourners dressed in black marched through the streets of Ahvaz beating their chests in live footage aired on state TV. British foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Sunday he had spoken to Iraq's prime minister and president to urge efforts to relieve tensions in the region following the US strike. Raab, who described Soleimani as a "regional menace" and said he was sympathetic to the situation the United States found itself in, said he also planned to speak to Iran's foreign minister. "There is a route through which allows Iran to come in from out of the international cold," he told Sky News. "We need to contain the nefarious actions of Iran but we also need to de-escalate and stabilise the situation." Friday's US airstrike also killed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Iraq's parliament was set to convene an extraordinary session on Sunday where lawmakers told media that they would push for a vote on a resolution requiring the government to request the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. "There is no need for the presence of American forces after defeating Daesh (Islamic State)," said Ammar al-Shibli, a Shi'ite lawmaker and member of parliament's legal committee. Despite decades of enmity between Iran and the United States, Iran-backed militia and US troops fought side by side during Iraq's 2014-2017 war against Islamic State militants. Around 5,000 US troops remain in Iraq, most of them in an advisory capacity. The militia was incorporated into government forces under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilisation Forces which Muhandis led. Many Iraqis, including opponents of Soleimani, have expressed anger at Washington for killing the two men on Iraqi soil and possibly dragging their country into another conflict. On Saturday evening, a rocket fell inside Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone near the US embassy, another hit the nearby Jadriya neighbourhood and two more were fired at the Balad air base north of the city. No one was killed, the Iraqi military said. The US strike followed a spike in US-Iranian hostilities in Iraq since last week when pro-Iranian militias attacked the US embassy in Baghdad after a deadly US air raid on Kataib Hezbollah, a militia founded by Muhandis. Washington accused the group of an attack on an Iraqi military base that killed an American contractor.

Iran's I&T Minister MJ Azari condemns Preisdent Donald Trump as 'terrorist in a suit' after attack threat

Thousands of mourners dressed in black paid respect to former general Qasem Soleimani after his body reached the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sunday.&nbsp;

Like yesterday, mourners once again chanted "Death to America" at a mass gathering in the country's southwestern city. The last remains reached Iran after thousands bid adieu to the much-revered commander in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Najaf.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-target-52-iranian-sites-if-americans-are-attacked-donald-trump-272166">US to target 52 Iranian sites if Americans are attacked: Donald Trump&nbsp;</a>

A video clip by official IRIB agency showed that the coffin was wrapped in an Iranian flag and a military band started playing as soon as the coffin unloaded from the plane.&nbsp;
<img alt="Qasem Soleimani last remains" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c6d78a13-5e5f-4e80-9c85-bdb869de53ec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1NG3AV.jpg" />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;(Mourners holding the coffin: Photo Credit: AFP)

The mourners were seen crying, beating their chests and carried portraits of the commander who was the chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force.
<img alt="Qasem Soleimani last remains" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7de93e24-6a0f-4da4-a10e-b827ac124261" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pYcLf0yl.jpg" />
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;(Mourners holding the coffin in Iran: Photo Credit: AFP)

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chants-of-death-to-america-as-iraqis-mourn-death-of-iranian-commander-272136">Chants of 'Death to America' as Iraqis mourn death of Iranian commander Soleimani</a>

Men and women gathered in Mollavi Square with flags in green, white and red, which depicted the blood of "martyrs".
<img alt="Qasem Soleimani last remains" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6dc87dfa-93d9-4448-9f28-6d301385eaf5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/wYBcMV3Q.jpg" />
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (An Iranian carrying Soleimani's photograph: Photo Credit: Reuters)

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-punish-americans-wherever-they-are-within-its-reach-guards-commander-272154">Iran will punish Americans wherever they are within its reach: Guards commander</a>

The 62-year old general was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad international airport on Friday. Iraq's paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the strike.&nbsp;

After Soleimani's killing, ties between Washington and Tehran got even more strained and raised concerns of a new war in the Middle East.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" and declared three days of mourning in the Islamic Republic.

Earlier today, US President Donald Trump, in a tweet, said that the US would target Iran's 52 sites if they killed any American.&nbsp;

Iran "will be hit very fast and very hard," Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

On Sunday evening, it is expected that the last remains will be flown to the Iranian capital Tehran before the funeral in Soleimani's hometown Kerman on Tuesday.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Thousands of mourners dressed in black paid respect to former general Qasem Soleimani after his body reached the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sunday. Like yesterday, mourners once again chanted "Death to America" at a mass gathering in the country's southwestern city.

Thousands of mourners dressed in black paid respect to former general Qasem Soleimani after his body reached the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Sunday. Like yesterday, mourners once again chanted "Death to America" at a mass gathering in the country's southwestern city. The last remains reached Iran after thousands bid adieu to the much-revered commander in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Najaf. Also read: US to target 52 Iranian sites if Americans are attacked: Donald Trump A video clip by official IRIB agency showed that the coffin was wrapped in an Iranian flag and a military band started playing as soon as the coffin unloaded from the plane. (Mourners holding the coffin: Photo Credit: AFP) The mourners were seen crying, beating their chests and carried portraits of the commander who was the chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force. (Mourners holding the coffin in Iran: Photo Credit: AFP) Also read: Chants of 'Death to America' as Iraqis mourn death of Iranian commander Soleimani Men and women gathered in Mollavi Square with flags in green, white and red, which depicted the blood of "martyrs". (An Iranian carrying Soleimani's photograph: Photo Credit: Reuters) Also read: Iran will punish Americans wherever they are within its reach: Guards commander The 62-year old general was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad international airport on Friday. Iraq's paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the strike. After Soleimani's killing, ties between Washington and Tehran got even more strained and raised concerns of a new war in the Middle East. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" and declared three days of mourning in the Islamic Republic. Earlier today, US President Donald Trump, in a tweet, said that the US would target Iran's 52 sites if they killed any American. Iran "will be hit very fast and very hard," Trump tweeted. On Sunday evening, it is expected that the last remains will be flown to the Iranian capital Tehran before the funeral in Soleimani's hometown Kerman on Tuesday. (with inputs from agencies)

Thousands of mourners pay respect as Qasem Soleimani's last remains reach Iran

On Friday, Iran's supreme leader announced that Esmail Qaani would be the leader of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' after the killing of former commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad.&nbsp;

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had earlier described Qaani as one of the "most decorated commanders" of the Guards during the 1980-88 war between Iran and Iraq.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimanis-death-will-be-avenged-at-right-place-and-time-irans-top-security-body-271993">Soleimani's death will be avenged at 'right place and time': Iran's top security body</a>

Watch the video here:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-brigadier-gen-esmail-ghaani-appointed-as-countrys-quds-force-chief-replacing-soleimani-272005/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Qaani's elevation to the top post comes at a time when the tension between Washington and Iran escalated after US's drone strike on Friday that killed Soleimani. So let's look at who is Iran's new head of the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-iranians-general-qasem-soleimani-and-its-consequences-271884">The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences</a>

Qaani became deputy commander of the Quds Force in 1997 when Soleimani became the Force's main commander. He is one of the most influential Iranian figures in Syria where the country backs President Bashar al-Assad.&nbsp;

The new commander is also known for his strong criticism on Israel.&nbsp;

He had also warned US President Donald Trump in 2017 that any military action against Iran would "be regretted". Qaani has repeatedly lashed out at Trump and US-alles and made inflammatory statements in the past.&nbsp;

"We have buried many ... like Trump and know how to fight against America," Qaani had earlier said in 2017, quoted Iranian media.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

On Friday, Iran's supreme leader announced that Esmail Qaani would be the leader of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' after the killing of former commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad.

On Friday, Iran's supreme leader announced that Esmail Qaani would be the leader of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' after the killing of former commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had earlier described Qaani as one of the "most decorated commanders" of the Guards during the 1980-88 war between Iran and Iraq. Also read: Soleimani's death will be avenged at 'right place and time': Iran's top security body Watch the video here: Qaani's elevation to the top post comes at a time when the tension between Washington and Iran escalated after US's drone strike on Friday that killed Soleimani. So let's look at who is Iran's new head of the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Also read: The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences Qaani became deputy commander of the Quds Force in 1997 when Soleimani became the Force's main commander. He is one of the most influential Iranian figures in Syria where the country backs President Bashar al-Assad. The new commander is also known for his strong criticism on Israel. He had also warned US President Donald Trump in 2017 that any military action against Iran would "be regretted". Qaani has repeatedly lashed out at Trump and US-alles and made inflammatory statements in the past. "We have buried many ... like Trump and know how to fight against America," Qaani had earlier said in 2017, quoted Iranian media. (with inputs from agencies)

Man who replaces Soleimani: Meet Iran's Quds Force's new chief, Esmail Qaani

Iran's supreme leader appointed assassinated commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-other-free-nations-will-take-revenge-for-soleimanis-killing-from-criminal-america-iran-president-hassan-rouhani-271885">Qassem Soleimani</a>'s deputy, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, to replace him as head of the country's Quds Forces, Iranian media reported.

The force's programme "will be unchanged from the time of his predecessor," Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement published by state media.

In latest escalation in the Iran-US tension, the United States killed Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force and architect of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East, in a strike at Baghdad airport. Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deputy-head-of-group-irans-quds-force-head-qasem-soleimani-killed-hashed-al-shaabi-271762">killing was authorised by US President Donald Trump</a>, State Department announced later.

So far Trump has not reacted on officially on the killing but earlier in the Day he tweeted an image of the US flag.

In response to the killing, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vowed revenge against "criminal America".

Watch:&nbsp;Oil price rises over 4% after US air strike kills Iranian military commander

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Rouhani also said that "Soleimani's martyrdom redoubled the determination to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values".

"There is no doubt that the great nation of Iran and the other free nations of the region will take revenge for this gruesome crime from criminal America," Rouhani said, referring to Iran's allies across the Middle East.

<img alt="Burning debris are seen on a road near Baghdad International Airport" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="114b0408-f81d-4764-93ee-3d3f9b5c1206" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_8.jpg" />

Soleimani's "martyrdom ... by the aggressor and criminal America has saddened the heart of the nation of Iran and all the nations of the region," he said in a statement posted on the Iranian government website.

<img alt="Burning debris are seen on a road near Baghdad International Airport" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8126062-da54-4b92-9ea0-a81f4dcfff94" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2810%29_12.jpg" />

His death had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values", said Rouhani.

Soleimani, who led the Quds Force, the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and had a key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq, had acquired celebrity status at home and abroad. Over two decades he had been at the forefront of projecting the Islamic Republic's military influence across the Middle East.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran's supreme leader appointed assassinated commander Qassem Soleimani's deputy, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, to replace him as head of the country's Quds Forces, Iranian media reported.

Iran's supreme leader appointed assassinated commander Qassem Soleimani's deputy, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, to replace him as head of the country's Quds Forces, Iranian media reported. The force's programme "will be unchanged from the time of his predecessor," Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement published by state media. In latest escalation in the Iran-US tension, the United States killed Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force and architect of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East, in a strike at Baghdad airport. Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed. The killing was authorised by US President Donald Trump, State Department announced later. So far Trump has not reacted on officially on the killing but earlier in the Day he tweeted an image of the US flag. In response to the killing, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vowed revenge against "criminal America". Watch: Oil price rises over 4% after US air strike kills Iranian military commander × Rouhani also said that "Soleimani's martyrdom redoubled the determination to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values". "There is no doubt that the great nation of Iran and the other free nations of the region will take revenge for this gruesome crime from criminal America," Rouhani said, referring to Iran's allies across the Middle East. Soleimani's "martyrdom ... by the aggressor and criminal America has saddened the heart of the nation of Iran and all the nations of the region," he said in a statement posted on the Iranian government website. His death had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values", said Rouhani. Soleimani, who led the Quds Force, the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and had a key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq, had acquired celebrity status at home and abroad. Over two decades he had been at the forefront of projecting the Islamic Republic's military influence across the Middle East. (With inputs from agencies)

After US killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran names deputy commander Esmail Qaani new Quds chief

Iran's supreme leader has agreed that people killed in nationwide unrest last month who had no role in fomenting it should be treated as "martyrs" with their families compensated.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was responding to a report on the protests made by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, his official website said Wednesday.

He ordered that its recommendations "be implemented as soon as possible".

Demonstrations erupted in Iran on November 15 against a surprise <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-erupt-in-iran-over-fuel-price-hike-262533">hike in petrol prices</a> by as much as 200 per cent.

Iran has yet to give overall figures for the number of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-disputes-exaggerated-protest-death-tolls-265440">people killed or arrested</a> when security forces moved in to quell the unrest that saw buildings torched and shops looted.

London-based human rights group Amnesty International said on Monday that at least 208 people had died.

But Iran has dismissed the high death tolls reported by foreign sources as "utter lies".

Khamenei agreed to the recommendation that "normal citizens with no role in the recent protests and riots who died in the clashes" be treated as "martyrs" with their families eligible for support from the Martyrs and Veterans Foundation.

Iran usually grants the title of a martyr to soldiers killed on duty and the foundation is tasked with providing their families with financial benefits and better housing, employment and education opportunities.

Khamenei said that families whose loved ones "lost their lives in any way during the demonstrations" would be "paid their blood money as restitution".

Blood money is an Islamic legal term for financial compensation payable by law to the families of murder victims.

Even the families of those "killed while armed and in clashes with security forces" would not be held accountable for their loved ones' actions&nbsp;but would be shown "Islamic clemency" and "compensated proportionally", Khamenei's statement said.

Iran has blamed the violence that broke out during the protests on "thugs" backed by its foes the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

It has also accused exiled royalists and the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK), an exiled former rebel group which it considers a "terrorist" cult, of being behind the violence.

Israel and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-not-mulling-14000-more-troops-for-middle-east-pentagon-266317">United States</a> have seized on the protests as evidence Tehran's authority is "tottering" in the face of the crippling US sanctions President Donald Trump reimposed last year.

Iran's supreme leader has agreed that people killed in nationwide unrest last month who had no role in fomenting it should be treated as "martyrs" with their families compensated.

Iran's supreme leader has agreed that people killed in nationwide unrest last month who had no role in fomenting it should be treated as "martyrs" with their families compensated. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was responding to a report on the protests made by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, his official website said Wednesday. He ordered that its recommendations "be implemented as soon as possible". Demonstrations erupted in Iran on November 15 against a surprise hike in petrol prices by as much as 200 per cent. Iran has yet to give overall figures for the number of people killed or arrested when security forces moved in to quell the unrest that saw buildings torched and shops looted. London-based human rights group Amnesty International said on Monday that at least 208 people had died. But Iran has dismissed the high death tolls reported by foreign sources as "utter lies". Khamenei agreed to the recommendation that "normal citizens with no role in the recent protests and riots who died in the clashes" be treated as "martyrs" with their families eligible for support from the Martyrs and Veterans Foundation. Iran usually grants the title of a martyr to soldiers killed on duty and the foundation is tasked with providing their families with financial benefits and better housing, employment and education opportunities. Khamenei said that families whose loved ones "lost their lives in any way during the demonstrations" would be "paid their blood money as restitution". Blood money is an Islamic legal term for financial compensation payable by law to the families of murder victims. Even the families of those "killed while armed and in clashes with security forces" would not be held accountable for their loved ones' actions but would be shown "Islamic clemency" and "compensated proportionally", Khamenei's statement said. Iran has blamed the violence that broke out during the protests on "thugs" backed by its foes the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia. It has also accused exiled royalists and the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK), an exiled former rebel group which it considers a "terrorist" cult, of being behind the violence. Israel and the United States have seized on the protests as evidence Tehran's authority is "tottering" in the face of the crippling US sanctions President Donald Trump reimposed last year.

Khamenei orders Iran unrest victims treated as 'martyrs'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/wion-edit-what-would-an-unstable-iran-mean-for-the-world-263349">Iran'</a>s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday praised the country's people for foiling a "very dangerous" plot after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-banks-and-government-sites-burned-in-iran-unrest-interior-minister-abdolreza-rahmani-fazli-264898">violence erupted during protests</a> this month against a fuel price hike.

New York-based Human Rights Watch meanwhile accused the Islamic republic of "deliberately covering up" more than 100 deaths and thousands of arrests during the crackdown.

The demonstrations first flared on November 15, hours after a midnight shock announcement that petrol prices would immediately go up by as much as 200 per cent in the sanctions-hit country.

The unrest soon turned violent and saw protesters attack police stations, torch petrol pumps and loot shops, before being quashed within a few days.

Iranian officials have confirmed five people were killed and so far announced about 500 arrests, including of some 180 "ringleaders".

The extent of the bloodshed remains unclear, however, mainly due to a near-total internet blackout imposed during the unrest -- a move Iran's critics say aims to curb the spread of videos of the violence.

London-based Amnesty International said on Monday that 143 people were killed and up to 7,000 arrested, citing what it said were "credible reports".

Foreign enemies

Iran has blamed the street violence on "thugs" backed by its foreign enemies, including the United States, Israel and the People's Mujahedeen of Iran, an exiled opposition group it considers a "terrorist" cult.

"The people foiled a deep, vast and very dangerous conspiracy on which a lot of money was spent for destruction, viciousness and the killing of people," Khamenei said, quoted by state television.

The Iranian leader was speaking at a gathering of the Basij -- a militia loyal to the Islamic republic's establishment.

On Twitter, Khamenei expressed his "heartfelt gratitude and appreciation" to the Iranian nation in a post that featured pictures of a massive pro-government rally held in Tehran on Monday.

"The people proved again that they are powerful and great, and defeated the big conspiracy of the enemy with their presence on the scene," it said.

"Police and security forces ... performed their duty, but what the nation did during this week was more important than any other measure," said another tweet.

The tweets blamed the unrest on the "#GlobalArrogance and #Zionism" — referring to Iran's arch-enemies the US and Israel.

'Fear and retribution'

The United States said it had received thousands of messages from Iran about protests after appealing to demonstrators to defy restrictions on the internet.

"We've received to date nearly 20,000 messages, videos, pictures, notes of the regime's abuses through Telegram messaging services," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, referring to the encrypted app.

Iran has yet to respond.

Long-fraught links between Tehran and Washington plunged to a new low in May last year when the US unilaterally withdrew from an international accord that gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

In its report released in Beirut, Human Rights Watch accused Iran of "deliberately covering up the scale of the mass crackdown against protesters".

HRW called Iranian authorities to "immediately announce the number of deaths, arrests, and detentions... and permit an independent inquiry into alleged abuses".

Its deputy Middle East director, Michael Page, criticised Iran for having so far "refused to provide an accurate death toll and instead threatened detainees with death".

"Keeping families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones while ratcheting up an atmosphere of fear and retribution is a deliberate government strategy to stifle dissent," Page said.

Internet connectivity has returned to much of the country in recent days, except on mobile telephone networks, said NetBlocks, a site that monitors internet disruptions.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday praised the country's people for foiling a "very dangerous" plot after violence erupted during protests this month against a fuel price hike.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday praised the country's people for foiling a "very dangerous" plot after violence erupted during protests this month against a fuel price hike. New York-based Human Rights Watch meanwhile accused the Islamic republic of "deliberately covering up" more than 100 deaths and thousands of arrests during the crackdown. The demonstrations first flared on November 15, hours after a midnight shock announcement that petrol prices would immediately go up by as much as 200 per cent in the sanctions-hit country. The unrest soon turned violent and saw protesters attack police stations, torch petrol pumps and loot shops, before being quashed within a few days. Iranian officials have confirmed five people were killed and so far announced about 500 arrests, including of some 180 "ringleaders". The extent of the bloodshed remains unclear, however, mainly due to a near-total internet blackout imposed during the unrest -- a move Iran's critics say aims to curb the spread of videos of the violence. London-based Amnesty International said on Monday that 143 people were killed and up to 7,000 arrested, citing what it said were "credible reports". Foreign enemies Iran has blamed the street violence on "thugs" backed by its foreign enemies, including the United States, Israel and the People's Mujahedeen of Iran, an exiled opposition group it considers a "terrorist" cult. "The people foiled a deep, vast and very dangerous conspiracy on which a lot of money was spent for destruction, viciousness and the killing of people," Khamenei said, quoted by state television. The Iranian leader was speaking at a gathering of the Basij -- a militia loyal to the Islamic republic's establishment. On Twitter, Khamenei expressed his "heartfelt gratitude and appreciation" to the Iranian nation in a post that featured pictures of a massive pro-government rally held in Tehran on Monday. "The people proved again that they are powerful and great, and defeated the big conspiracy of the enemy with their presence on the scene," it said. "Police and security forces ... performed their duty, but what the nation did during this week was more important than any other measure," said another tweet. The tweets blamed the unrest on the "#GlobalArrogance and #Zionism" — referring to Iran's arch-enemies the US and Israel. 'Fear and retribution' The United States said it had received thousands of messages from Iran about protests after appealing to demonstrators to defy restrictions on the internet. "We've received to date nearly 20,000 messages, videos, pictures, notes of the regime's abuses through Telegram messaging services," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, referring to the encrypted app. Iran has yet to respond. Long-fraught links between Tehran and Washington plunged to a new low in May last year when the US unilaterally withdrew from an international accord that gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. In its report released in Beirut, Human Rights Watch accused Iran of "deliberately covering up the scale of the mass crackdown against protesters". HRW called Iranian authorities to "immediately announce the number of deaths, arrests, and detentions... and permit an independent inquiry into alleged abuses". Its deputy Middle East director, Michael Page, criticised Iran for having so far "refused to provide an accurate death toll and instead threatened detainees with death". "Keeping families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones while ratcheting up an atmosphere of fear and retribution is a deliberate government strategy to stifle dissent," Page said. Internet connectivity has returned to much of the country in recent days, except on mobile telephone networks, said NetBlocks, a site that monitors internet disruptions.

Iranian citizens successful in foiling a dangerous conspiracy: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran has largest missile force in Middle East, capable of hitting Israel, Saudi Arabia: Pentagon report

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday supported government's decision to hike petrol prices and blamed the opponents of the Islamic Republic for the vandalism on Saturday's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-erupt-in-iran-over-fuel-price-hike-262533">protests</a>.&nbsp;

"Some people are no doubt worried by this decision ... but sabotage and arson is done by hooligans not our people. The counter-revolution and Iran's enemies have always supported sabotage and breaches of security and continue to do so," Ayatollah Khamenei said, reports Iran's state television.&nbsp;

Forty people have been arrested&nbsp;in the central Iranian city of Yazd for clashing with the police during protests on Saturday,&nbsp;the semi-official ISNA news agency reported Sunday. The police added that those arrested participated in the vandalism and most of them were not locals.

Khamenei added that if heads of three departments have made a decision on the price hike, then he will support the decision. &nbsp;

On Saturday, protests erupted in Iran a day after the government surprised with a decision to ration petrol and hike its price.&nbsp;

Iran's news agency IRNA said that the demonstrations were "severe" in Srijan in central Iran where protesters even attacked a fuel storage warehouse and tried to set fire to it.

The protests were also held in other cities such as&nbsp;Mashhad, Birjand, Ahvaz, Gachsaran, Abadan, Khoramshahr, Mahshahr, Shiraz and Bandar Abbas.&nbsp;

On Friday, Iran imposed petrol rationing and raised pump prices by at least 50 per cent, claiming that the move will help citizens in need with cash handouts. The move is expected to bring 2.55 billion&nbsp;per annum,&nbsp;the head of the country's Planning and Budget Organisation, Mohammad Bagher Nobakht said.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Iranian&nbsp;President Hassan Rouhani said that "75 per cent of the country are under pressure" and the extra revenue will go only&nbsp;to them not the treasury.&nbsp;

Iran's economy is facing serious trouble since last May when US President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear agreement and imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic.&nbsp;

Inflation is high as much as 40 per cent and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that the country's growth will shrink 9 per cent in 2020 and stagnate in 2020.

In December 2018, Rouhani tried to increase the fuel prices but his move was blocked in the Parliament due to intense protests that lasted several days. The speaker of the Parliament had said during that time that the move is not in the interests of the people of Iran.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday supported government's decision to hike petrol prices and blamed the opponents of the Islamic Republic for the vandalism on Saturday's protests.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday supported government's decision to hike petrol prices and blamed the opponents of the Islamic Republic for the vandalism on Saturday's protests. "Some people are no doubt worried by this decision ... but sabotage and arson is done by hooligans not our people. The counter-revolution and Iran's enemies have always supported sabotage and breaches of security and continue to do so," Ayatollah Khamenei said, reports Iran's state television. Forty people have been arrested in the central Iranian city of Yazd for clashing with the police during protests on Saturday, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported Sunday. The police added that those arrested participated in the vandalism and most of them were not locals. Khamenei added that if heads of three departments have made a decision on the price hike, then he will support the decision. On Saturday, protests erupted in Iran a day after the government surprised with a decision to ration petrol and hike its price. Iran's news agency IRNA said that the demonstrations were "severe" in Srijan in central Iran where protesters even attacked a fuel storage warehouse and tried to set fire to it. The protests were also held in other cities such as Mashhad, Birjand, Ahvaz, Gachsaran, Abadan, Khoramshahr, Mahshahr, Shiraz and Bandar Abbas. On Friday, Iran imposed petrol rationing and raised pump prices by at least 50 per cent, claiming that the move will help citizens in need with cash handouts. The move is expected to bring 2.55 billion per annum, the head of the country's Planning and Budget Organisation, Mohammad Bagher Nobakht said. On Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that "75 per cent of the country are under pressure" and the extra revenue will go only to them not the treasury. Iran's economy is facing serious trouble since last May when US President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear agreement and imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Inflation is high as much as 40 per cent and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that the country's growth will shrink 9 per cent in 2020 and stagnate in 2020. In December 2018, Rouhani tried to increase the fuel prices but his move was blocked in the Parliament due to intense protests that lasted several days. The speaker of the Parliament had said during that time that the move is not in the interests of the people of Iran. (with inputs from agencies)

Fuel price hike: Iran supreme leader Khamenei voices support

Iran's supreme leader said Friday that calls for the abolition of Israel which have sparked outrage in the West target the "imposed state" not the Jewish people.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the future of the land should be decided by Palestinians of all faiths, Jewish as well as Christian and Muslim.

"The 'abolition of the Israeli regime' ... does not mean the abolition of Jewish people; we have no problem with them," Khamenei told a meeting of Islamic countries in Tehran, according to his official website.

It means "abolition of the imposed regime and state, that the Palestinian people, whether Muslim, Christian or Jewish... choose their own government and oust thugs like (Benjamin) Netanyahu," he added, referring to Israel's prime minister.

The Iranian government does not recognise Israel, referring to it as the "Zionist regime", and support for the Palestinian cause has been a constant feature of its foreign policy since the Islamic revolution of 1979.

Iran openly supports Israeli foes like Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the occupied Palestinian territories and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"We are not anti-semitic. Jews are living in utmost safety in our country. We only support the people of Palestine and their independence," he said.

Khamenei said that the "enemies of Islam," including Israel and the United States, seek to sow discord between Islamic countries and called for unity in the face of the "common enemy".

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have soared since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal last year and reimposed crippling sanctions as part of a policy of "maximum pressure".

Since then the arch-foes have come to the brink of military confrontation after drones were downed and tankers and Saudi oil installations mysteriously attacked.

Iran's supreme leader said Friday that calls for the abolition of Israel which have sparked outrage in the West target the "imposed state" not the Jewish people.

Iran's supreme leader said Friday that calls for the abolition of Israel which have sparked outrage in the West target the "imposed state" not the Jewish people. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the future of the land should be decided by Palestinians of all faiths, Jewish as well as Christian and Muslim. "The 'abolition of the Israeli regime' ... does not mean the abolition of Jewish people; we have no problem with them," Khamenei told a meeting of Islamic countries in Tehran, according to his official website. It means "abolition of the imposed regime and state, that the Palestinian people, whether Muslim, Christian or Jewish... choose their own government and oust thugs like (Benjamin) Netanyahu," he added, referring to Israel's prime minister. The Iranian government does not recognise Israel, referring to it as the "Zionist regime", and support for the Palestinian cause has been a constant feature of its foreign policy since the Islamic revolution of 1979. Iran openly supports Israeli foes like Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the occupied Palestinian territories and Hezbollah in Lebanon. "We are not anti-semitic. Jews are living in utmost safety in our country. We only support the people of Palestine and their independence," he said. Khamenei said that the "enemies of Islam," including Israel and the United States, seek to sow discord between Islamic countries and called for unity in the face of the "common enemy". Tensions between Tehran and Washington have soared since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal last year and reimposed crippling sanctions as part of a policy of "maximum pressure". Since then the arch-foes have come to the brink of military confrontation after drones were downed and tankers and Saudi oil installations mysteriously attacked.

Khamenei says Iran wants removal of Israel state not people

Iran should come to the negotiating table with world powers and Gulf countries to seek a new deal that would deescalate regional tensions and revive its economy, a senior United Arab Emirates official said on Sunday.

Tensions in the Gulf have risen since attacks on oil tankers in a vital global shipping lane this summer, including off the UAE coast, and a major assault on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Washington has blamed Iran, which has denied being behind the attacks on global energy infrastructure.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Iran said it had resumed uranium enrichment at its Fordow nuclear site, stepping further away from its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers after the United States pulled out of it.

"Further escalation at this point serves no one and we strongly believe that there is room for collective diplomacy to succeed," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a speech in Abu Dhabi.

He warned against a "false choice" between war and the "flawed" atomic deal.

The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran since pulling out of the pact as part of its "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran.

Gargash said new talks with Iran should not just deal with the nuclear issue but also address concerns over its ballistic missile programme and regional interventions through proxy groups.

These topics mean regional countries would need to be involved in the discussions, he said at an annual strategic debate in the UAE capital.

The UAE, which says Iran is a destabilising force in the region, backed US President Donald Trump's maximum pressure campaign against Tehran but called for de-escalation after the attacks.

"I believe there could be a path to a deal with Iran that all parties might soon be ready to embark on. It will be long, and patience and courage will be required," Gargash said.

It was important that the international community be on the same page, especially the United States and European Union countries, as well as regional states, he added.

Washington says it hopes the sanctions, which are aimed at halting all Iranian oil exports, will force Iran into negotiations to reach a wider deal.

But Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has banned Iranian officials from holding such talks unless the United States returns to the nuclear deal and lifts all sanctions.

Iran should come to the negotiating table with world powers and Gulf countries to seek a new deal that would deescalate regional tensions and revive its economy, a senior United Arab Emirates official said on Sunday.

Iran should come to the negotiating table with world powers and Gulf countries to seek a new deal that would deescalate regional tensions and revive its economy, a senior United Arab Emirates official said on Sunday. Tensions in the Gulf have risen since attacks on oil tankers in a vital global shipping lane this summer, including off the UAE coast, and a major assault on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia. Washington has blamed Iran, which has denied being behind the attacks on global energy infrastructure. On Thursday, Iran said it had resumed uranium enrichment at its Fordow nuclear site, stepping further away from its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers after the United States pulled out of it. "Further escalation at this point serves no one and we strongly believe that there is room for collective diplomacy to succeed," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a speech in Abu Dhabi. He warned against a "false choice" between war and the "flawed" atomic deal. The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran since pulling out of the pact as part of its "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran. Gargash said new talks with Iran should not just deal with the nuclear issue but also address concerns over its ballistic missile programme and regional interventions through proxy groups. These topics mean regional countries would need to be involved in the discussions, he said at an annual strategic debate in the UAE capital. The UAE, which says Iran is a destabilising force in the region, backed US President Donald Trump's maximum pressure campaign against Tehran but called for de-escalation after the attacks. "I believe there could be a path to a deal with Iran that all parties might soon be ready to embark on. It will be long, and patience and courage will be required," Gargash said. It was important that the international community be on the same page, especially the United States and European Union countries, as well as regional states, he added. Washington says it hopes the sanctions, which are aimed at halting all Iranian oil exports, will force Iran into negotiations to reach a wider deal. But Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has banned Iranian officials from holding such talks unless the United States returns to the nuclear deal and lifts all sanctions.

UAE calls for Iran talks with world powers, region

The United States imposed sanctions on nine people with ties to Iran's Supreme <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-new-iran-sanctions-but-waives-others-259135">Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, including his chief of staff, one of his sons and the head of Iran's judiciary, the US&nbsp;Treasury Department said on Monday.

The United States also sanctioned Iran's Armed Forces General Staff, the department said in the statement, which came 40 years after Iran seized the US&nbsp;embassy in Tehran, taking more than 50 Americans hostage.

"Today the Treasury Department is targeting the unelected officials who surround Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and implement his destabilizing policies," US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

"These individuals are linked to a wide range of malign behaviours by the regime, including bombings of the US&nbsp;Marine Barracks in Beirut in 1983 and the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association in 1994, as well as torture, extrajudicial killings, and repression of civilians," Mnuchin added.

Those targeted by the US&nbsp;sanctions include Khamenei's chief of staff Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani as well as Vahid Haghanian, who the department said "has been referred to as the Supreme Leader’s right hand."

Ebrahim Raisi, who Khamenei appointed in March 2019 to lead Iran’s judiciary, and Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei's second son, were also sanctioned, Treasury said.

US&nbsp;sanctions block any US-controlled property or interests held by those targeted and prohibit anyone or any entities in the United States from dealing with those sanctioned.

The United States imposed sanctions on nine people with ties to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including his chief of staff, one of his sons and the head of Iran's judiciary, the US Treasury Department said on Monday.

The United States imposed sanctions on nine people with ties to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including his chief of staff, one of his sons and the head of Iran's judiciary, the US Treasury Department said on Monday. The United States also sanctioned Iran's Armed Forces General Staff, the department said in the statement, which came 40 years after Iran seized the US embassy in Tehran, taking more than 50 Americans hostage. "Today the Treasury Department is targeting the unelected officials who surround Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and implement his destabilizing policies," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "These individuals are linked to a wide range of malign behaviours by the regime, including bombings of the US Marine Barracks in Beirut in 1983 and the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association in 1994, as well as torture, extrajudicial killings, and repression of civilians," Mnuchin added. Those targeted by the US sanctions include Khamenei's chief of staff Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani as well as Vahid Haghanian, who the department said "has been referred to as the Supreme Leader’s right hand." Ebrahim Raisi, who Khamenei appointed in March 2019 to lead Iran’s judiciary, and Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei's second son, were also sanctioned, Treasury said. US sanctions block any US-controlled property or interests held by those targeted and prohibit anyone or any entities in the United States from dealing with those sanctioned.

US imposes sanctions on nine Iranians with ties to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Thousands of Iranians chanted "Death to America" near the old US&nbsp;embassy on Monday, the 40th anniversary on the seizure of the mission, with the country's army chief comparing the United States with a poisonous scorpion intent on harming Iran.

State television showed crowds packing the streets around the former mission, dubbed the "den of spies" after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution. Marches and rallies were being held in some 1,000 communities across the country, state media said.

Hardline Islamist students stormed the embassy soon after the fall of the US-backed shah, and 52 Americans were held hostage there for 444 days. The two countries have been enemies ever since.

"Our fight with America is over our independence, over not submitting to bullying, over values, beliefs and our religion," army chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said in a speech at the rally outside the former embassy.

"They (Americans) will continue their hostilities, like the proverbial poisonous scorpion whose nature it is to sting and cannot be stopped unless it is crushed," Mousavi said in remarks carried by state TV.

On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei renewed a ban on talks with the United States, describing the two countries as implacable foes.

"Those who believe that negotiations with the enemy will solve our problems are 100 percent&nbsp;wrong," he said.

Meanwhile, Iran's parliament gave initial approval to a measure requiring schoolbooks to inform students about "America's crimes". Lawmakers also chanted "Death to America".

Relations between the two countries have reached a crisis over the past year since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump abandoned a 2015 pact between Iran and world powers under which it accepted curbs to its nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions.

The United States has reimposed sanctions aimed at halting all Iranian oil exports, saying it seeks to force it to negotiate to reach a wider deal.

Khamenei has banned Iranian officials from holding talks unless the United States returns to the nuclear deal and lifts all sanctions.

Thousands of Iranians chanted "Death to America" near the old US embassy on Monday, the 40th anniversary on the seizure of the mission, with the country's army chief comparing the United States with a poisonous scorpion intent on harming Iran.

Thousands of Iranians chanted "Death to America" near the old US embassy on Monday, the 40th anniversary on the seizure of the mission, with the country's army chief comparing the United States with a poisonous scorpion intent on harming Iran. State television showed crowds packing the streets around the former mission, dubbed the "den of spies" after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution. Marches and rallies were being held in some 1,000 communities across the country, state media said. Hardline Islamist students stormed the embassy soon after the fall of the US-backed shah, and 52 Americans were held hostage there for 444 days. The two countries have been enemies ever since. "Our fight with America is over our independence, over not submitting to bullying, over values, beliefs and our religion," army chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said in a speech at the rally outside the former embassy. "They (Americans) will continue their hostilities, like the proverbial poisonous scorpion whose nature it is to sting and cannot be stopped unless it is crushed," Mousavi said in remarks carried by state TV. On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei renewed a ban on talks with the United States, describing the two countries as implacable foes. "Those who believe that negotiations with the enemy will solve our problems are 100 percent wrong," he said. Meanwhile, Iran's parliament gave initial approval to a measure requiring schoolbooks to inform students about "America's crimes". Lawmakers also chanted "Death to America". Relations between the two countries have reached a crisis over the past year since US President Donald Trump abandoned a 2015 pact between Iran and world powers under which it accepted curbs to its nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions. The United States has reimposed sanctions aimed at halting all Iranian oil exports, saying it seeks to force it to negotiate to reach a wider deal. Khamenei has banned Iranian officials from holding talks unless the United States returns to the nuclear deal and lifts all sanctions.

Iranians chant 'Death to America' to mark United States embassy seizure

Iran will maintain its ban on talks with the United States, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday, describing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-unveils-new-anti-united-states-murals-at-former-embassy-259530">two countries as implacable foes </a>a day before the 40th anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran.

"One way to block America's political infiltration is to ban any talks with America. It means Iran will not yield to America's pressure. Those who believe that negotiations with the enemy will solve our problems are 100% wrong," Khamenei, who is Iran's top authority, was quoted by state TV as saying.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-strikes-initial-deal-to-rebuild-syrian-power-grid-259489">Relations between the two foes have reached a crisis</a> over the past year after US President Donald Trump abandoned a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and world powers under which Tehran accepted curbs to its nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions.

Washington has reimposed sanctions aimed at halting all Iranian oil exports, saying it seeks to force Iran to negotiate to reach a wider deal. Khamenei has banned Iranian officials from holding such talks unless the United States returns to the nuclear deal and lifts all sanctions.

Watch: Takeaways from Iran's Major General Soleimani's rare interview

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The anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy shortly after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution is marked in Iran with demonstrations of crowds chanting "Death to America" across the country.

The embassy capture cemented the hostility between the two countries which has remained a central fact in Middle East geopolitics and an important part of Iran's national ideology. Iran, which accused the United States of supporting brutal policies of its ousted Shah, held 52 Americans for 444 days at the embassy, which it called the Den of Spies.

"The US has not changed since decades ago ... it continues the same aggressive, vicious behaviour and the same international dictatorship," Khamenei said.

"America has always borne hostility towards Iran."

Iran will maintain its ban on talks with the United States, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday, describing the two countries as implacable foes a day before the 40th anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran.

Iran will maintain its ban on talks with the United States, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday, describing the two countries as implacable foes a day before the 40th anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran. "One way to block America's political infiltration is to ban any talks with America. It means Iran will not yield to America's pressure. Those who believe that negotiations with the enemy will solve our problems are 100% wrong," Khamenei, who is Iran's top authority, was quoted by state TV as saying. Relations between the two foes have reached a crisis over the past year after US President Donald Trump abandoned a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and world powers under which Tehran accepted curbs to its nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions. Washington has reimposed sanctions aimed at halting all Iranian oil exports, saying it seeks to force Iran to negotiate to reach a wider deal. Khamenei has banned Iranian officials from holding such talks unless the United States returns to the nuclear deal and lifts all sanctions. Watch: Takeaways from Iran's Major General Soleimani's rare interview × The anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy shortly after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution is marked in Iran with demonstrations of crowds chanting "Death to America" across the country. The embassy capture cemented the hostility between the two countries which has remained a central fact in Middle East geopolitics and an important part of Iran's national ideology. Iran, which accused the United States of supporting brutal policies of its ousted Shah, held 52 Americans for 444 days at the embassy, which it called the Den of Spies. "The US has not changed since decades ago ... it continues the same aggressive, vicious behaviour and the same international dictatorship," Khamenei said. "America has always borne hostility towards Iran."

Iran's Supreme leader Khamenei renews ban on talks with US; says will not yield to pressure

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Iran on Sunday on a mission to act as a "facilitator" between Tehran and Riyadh and try to defuse rising tensions in the Gulf.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Iran on Sunday on a mission to act as a "facilitator" between Tehran and Riyadh and try to defuse rising tensions in the Gulf. Khan landed in Tehran around midday and met with President Hassan Rouhani at the presidential palace. He was also scheduled to hold talks with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, before travelling to Riyadh on Tuesday. "The reason for this trip is that we do not want a conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran," Khan told reporters as he stood alongside Rouhani. "Whatever it takes we must never allow this conflict to take place, because we know, Mr. President, that there is a vested interest that wants this to take place," he told Rouhani. Noting that it was a "complex" issue that can be resolved through talks, Khan warned that any conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia would "cause poverty in the world". Pakistan has strong relations with Saudi Arabia, with more than 2.5 million of its nationals living and working in the kingdom, but it also maintains good relations with Iran and represents Tehran's consular interests in the United States. This is Khan's second visit this year to Iran, which shares a border of about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) with Pakistan. Emphasising that the visits to Tehran and Riyadh were Pakistan's "initiative", Khan said he was also approached by US President Donald Trump to "facilitate some sort of dialogue between Iran and the United States". Tehran and Washington have been at loggerheads since the US withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in May last year and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic republic. Rouhani repeated Iran's official line that the United States must return to the deal and lift sanctions before any talks can take place. "Any goodwill gesture and good words will be reciprocated with a goodwill gesture and good words," he said. Tanker attacks Rouhani said he had expressed Iran's concern about Gulf security and especially a "missile attack" Friday on an Iranian vessel off the Saudi coast. "We expressed our concerns to the prime minister about the incidents happening to oil tankers, especially the Iranian oil tanker in the Red Sea on Friday," he said. Tehran says the Iranian-flagged Sabiti tanker was hit by two separate explosions off the Saudi port of Jeddah, making it the first Iranian vessel targeted since a spate of attacks in the Gulf that Washington has blamed on Tehran. Rouhani said he had presented Khan with evidence from the incident and that investigations were ongoing. "If a country thinks that it can cause insecurity in the region and not receive a proper response, it is mistaken," Rouhani said, without elaborating. There has been a series of still-unexplained attacks on shipping in and around the vital seaway involving Iran and Western powers, as well as drone attacks on Saudi oil installations. Washington has accused Tehran of attacking the vessels with mines and of being behind the drone assault, something it strongly denies. Khan met both Rouhani and Trump at the United Nations General Assembly last month, shortly after he visited Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia. The Pakistan premier said he was "very encouraged" by talking to Rouhani and will go to Saudi Arabia "in a very positive frame of mind", hoping the two countries can "iron out their differences."

Pakistan PM in Tehran on mission to 'facilitate' Iran-Saudi talks

As India gets ready to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second<a href="http://cms.wionews.com/world/india-pak-should-resolve-kashmir-issue-bilaterally-says-china-ahead-of-xi-modi-summit-in-chennai-254619"> India-China informal summit</a>, it was history and PM Modi's desire to showcase other parts of India that clinched Mahabalipuram as the venue of the meet between two most important leaders of Asia.

While the Indian authorities looked at many locations, Mahabalipuram's world heritage tag "with a strong connection with China" and PM's view "that we need to show other parts of India and particularly southern India" became the deciding factor a source told WION.

Chinese President Xi is an enthusiast of history and culture and it was "evident to PM during the first informal summit in Wuhan" so India was "looking for the venue with a world heritage site" the source explained.

Mahabalipuram is a world heritage site and was listed in 1984. Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang had visited Kanchipuram during Pallava dynasty and spoken about his visit elaborately. Mahabalipuram has been a major port city during the Pallava kingdom in the 7th century.

Bodhidharma who had spread Zen Buddhism to China had set sail from the coast of Tamil Nadu and landed in present-day Guangdong (Canton) Province. A small temple has been constructed at a place where he landed and former President Pranab Mukherjee paid a visit there in 2016.&nbsp;

And then there is the sea connect. There has been a major trading connection between Pallava and Chola kingdoms of South India with the southeastern coast of China particularly the province of Fujian and city of Quanzhou. A large amount of physical evidence has been found like coins and pottery from China's Song dynasty in and discovery of Indian temple architecture that part of china. China's song dynasty had maintained diplomatic ties with the Chola kingdom. It is interesting to know, President Xi has been the governor of Fujian, which "clinched the venue."

A source said, "We were given clear guidance that we are to look for a venue outside the national capital. PM has been favouring practise of taking foreign dignitaries outside the national capital and showcase other parts of India. Outside objective to do outside Delhi."

Visiting global leaders like President Xi has been previously taken to Ahmadabad, French President Emmanuel Macron has been to Varanasi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been to Bengaluru, Japanese PM Shinzo abe has been to both Ahmedabad and Varanasi.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Overall the idea was to showcase "tourism potential of Tamil Nadu" also played in the background when the venue was being decided.

The town, which according to one estimate is one of the most visited towns of south India has "group of Hindu monuments" which are UNESCO world heritage sites as its key focus points.&nbsp;

The monument consists of 7th and 8th century-old open-air rock sculptures such as "descent of the Ganges" and famous Shore temple.

As India gets ready to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second India-China informal summit, it was history and PM Modi's desire to showcase other parts of India that clinched Mahabalipuram as the venue of the meet between two most important leaders of Asia.

As India gets ready to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second India-China informal summit, it was history and PM Modi's desire to showcase other parts of India that clinched Mahabalipuram as the venue of the meet between two most important leaders of Asia. While the Indian authorities looked at many locations, Mahabalipuram's world heritage tag "with a strong connection with China" and PM's view "that we need to show other parts of India and particularly southern India" became the deciding factor a source told WION. Chinese President Xi is an enthusiast of history and culture and it was "evident to PM during the first informal summit in Wuhan" so India was "looking for the venue with a world heritage site" the source explained. Mahabalipuram is a world heritage site and was listed in 1984. Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang had visited Kanchipuram during Pallava dynasty and spoken about his visit elaborately. Mahabalipuram has been a major port city during the Pallava kingdom in the 7th century. Bodhidharma who had spread Zen Buddhism to China had set sail from the coast of Tamil Nadu and landed in present-day Guangdong (Canton) Province. A small temple has been constructed at a place where he landed and former President Pranab Mukherjee paid a visit there in 2016. And then there is the sea connect. There has been a major trading connection between Pallava and Chola kingdoms of South India with the southeastern coast of China particularly the province of Fujian and city of Quanzhou. A large amount of physical evidence has been found like coins and pottery from China's Song dynasty in and discovery of Indian temple architecture that part of china. China's song dynasty had maintained diplomatic ties with the Chola kingdom. It is interesting to know, President Xi has been the governor of Fujian, which "clinched the venue." A source said, "We were given clear guidance that we are to look for a venue outside the national capital. PM has been favouring practise of taking foreign dignitaries outside the national capital and showcase other parts of India. Outside objective to do outside Delhi." Visiting global leaders like President Xi has been previously taken to Ahmadabad, French President Emmanuel Macron has been to Varanasi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been to Bengaluru, Japanese PM Shinzo abe has been to both Ahmedabad and Varanasi. Overall the idea was to showcase "tourism potential of Tamil Nadu" also played in the background when the venue was being decided. The town, which according to one estimate is one of the most visited towns of south India has "group of Hindu monuments" which are UNESCO world heritage sites as its key focus points. The monument consists of 7th and 8th century-old open-air rock sculptures such as "descent of the Ganges" and famous Shore temple.

Historical relationship played a clinching role in Mahabalipuram hosting second India-China informal summit

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