Video Credit: Reuters - Politics - Duration: 01:34s - Published
Iran's Zarif criticizes Guards in leaked audio
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif used language rarely heard inside Iran to criticize the influence of the country's Revolutionary Guards Corp commanded over foreign affairs.
In a leaked recording, Iran's top diplomat complained that the nation’s elite Revolutionary Guards had more influence in foreign affairs and the country's nuclear program than him.
On the tape, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says he has “zero” influence over foreign policy.
The remarks shine a light on tensions between pragmatists such as Zarif who serve in President Hassan Rouhani’s government, and hardliners in the Revolutionary Guards, or IRGC, loyal to Iran’s Supreme Leader.
These divisions underlie - and could potentially undermine - efforts at rapprochement between Tehran and the West at reviving a 2015 nuclear accord.
In the recording, leaked to a London-based news channel late on Sunday, Zarif said, "I have never been able to tell a military commander to do something in order to aid diplomacy." His spokesman did not dispute the audio's authenticity, but said the channel only aired excerpts of a seven-hour interview.
Perhaps most surprising, Zarif used language rarely heard inside Iran to talk about the late IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani who was killed in a U.S. airstrike last year.
Zarif complained about the extent of the major general’s influence over diplomacy, saying, “He asked me to make this or that concession or point almost every time I went to negotiate.” Although Zarif said he had no intention of running in Iran's June 18 presidential election, some critics said Zarif's comments were aimed at gaining votes from Iranians disillusioned by a stalled economy and lack of political and social freedoms.
Home Office Minister Laura Farris says proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG) a terrorist organisation would threaten the UK's diplomatic relationship with Iran. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour Chair Anneliese Dodds says the party has urged the prime minister to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, while ensuring there is restraint from Israel.
She adds the Labour Party believes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG) should be proscribed in the UK. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
This is the moment Iran launched more than 300 drone and missile attacks on multiple cities in Israel for the first time. Tehran’s attack is in retaliation to an airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus, Syria which killed two generals and several of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers earlier this month. Iran told local media that the attack “achieved all its objectives”, and warned it would use greater force if Israel retaliates. Israel hailed its successful air defences, claiming that it and its allies intercepted most targets. Its military also said that one child had been injured. Report by Bangurak. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday that his country would emerge victorious after the military reported successfully intercepting almost all of the more than 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran, marking a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict. Tehran's attacks, launched in retaliation for a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus on April 1 that resulted in the deaths of officers from the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have heightened the risk of a broader regional conflict.
#Iran #Israel #IranStrikesIsrael #IranDroneAttack #IsraelDroneAttack #BenjaminNetanyahu #JoeBiden #IsraelIronDome #IsraelIranConflict #MiddleEastTensions
~PR.152~ED.102~GR.121~
Iranian state media reported on Saturday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized a container ship near the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the region. This action comes in the aftermath of a deadly Israeli attack on Iran's consulate in Syria, where the IRGC suffered significant casualties, including the loss of seven members, including two generals.
#IranIRGC #IsraelConflict #VesselSeizure #MiddleEastTensions #MaritimeSecurity #InternationalRelations #IranianActions #IsraeliAffiliated #IndianNationals #GlobalConcerns
~HT.178~PR.152~ED.194~GR.124~
Amid escalating tensions, Israel's Foreign Minister warned of direct retaliation against Iran if attacked from its territory. This follows recent killings of Iranian generals in a blast at the Iranian consulate in Syria. Iran's Supreme Leader vowed retaliation, blaming Israel. The conflict underscores longstanding animosity, with Israel targeting Iranian-linked sites in Syria and Hamas in Gaza, while Iran supports militant groups opposing Israel.
#Iran #Israel #MiddleEast #Syria #AyatollahKhamenei #JoeBiden #BenjaminNetanyahu #IsraelIran #IsraelattacksIran #Israelattack #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~HT.99~PR.152~ED.155~
US State Department warns businesses of potential sanctions risks regarding deals with Iran following Iran's engagement with Pakistan. Recent US sanctions target entities aiding Pakistan's ballistic missile program, including Chinese companies. The Pentagon reaffirms positive relations with Pakistan, emphasizing its importance as a regional security partner.
#Biden #JoeBiden #VedantPatel #USSanctions #Sanctionlist #Pakistannews #Irannews #Worldnews #news #Oneinda #Oneindia news
~PR.152~ED.101~GR.125~HT.96~
Hezbollah launched numerous Katyusha rockets at an Israeli army headquarters in northern Israel, retaliating against alleged Israeli incursions into southern Lebanese territories. The Israeli military swiftly responded, targeting the sources of the attack. Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated, with Tehran warning of a harsher response to any further Israeli provocations.
#hezbollahisrael #hezbollahisraelwar #hezbollahisraelnews #hezbollahisraellatestnews #hezbollahisraelattack #hezbollahisraellive #Worldnews #Oneinda #Oneindia news
~PR.152~ED.101~GR.123~HT.318~
Isfahan experiences limited explosions as air defences engage infiltrators. Tehran refrains from retaliating, aiming to prevent region-wide war. Incident.. IndiaTimes
Explosions were reportedly heard over an Iranian city, with sources attributing them to an Israeli attack. However, Tehran has downplayed the incident, stating that it has no plans for retaliation. This response appears to be aimed at preventing a broader conflict in the region. An Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was quoted by the Times of Israel as saying, "The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack."
#IsraelStrikesIran #IsraelIranConflict #Iran #Israel #conflict #retaliation #MiddleEast #geopolitics #security #internationalrelations #diplomacy #escalation
~PR.152~ED.101~GR.125~HT.96~
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a key suspect in connection to the attack on the Indian High Commission in London last year. Identified.. IndiaTimes
A football agent on trial in London has said it would be a "suicide mission" to threaten someone with the "might" of former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich behind.. Sky News
Escaped military horses wreaked havoc through the London streets during morning rush hour this week ... causing injuries and leaving a bloody trail of.. TMZ.com
Karim Sadjadpour explains the significance of a leaked audio tape where Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks out about Gen. Qasem Soleimani and criticizes Russia’s actions in the..