ALSO IN IRAN TODAY

Sunni Insurgents Jaish ul-Adl Attack Again in Southeast Iran, Kill At Least 1 Soldier
Ahmadinejad Challenges Rouhani to a Debate
White House: We Will Explore Iran Having “Limited” Program of Uranium Enrichment
Claim: Leading Technology Website Shut Down by Authorities
Judiciary Spokesman Reaffirms Facebook Block
FM Zarif Calls for Cooperation With Saudi Arabia
Head of Revolutionary Guards Warns US Over Any “Violation” of Iran’s Nuclear Rights
Parliament Pledges to Investigate Ahmadinejad Over $150 Billion in Government Funds
What Diplomatic Offensive? Revolutionary Guards Take a Swing at Saudi Arabia
How to Turn A Decline in Exports Into Good News
British Envoy Makes First Diplomatic Visit to Tehran in 2 Years

Following his weekend visits to Kuwait and Oman, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will travel to the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

Tehran is fulfilling the pledge of President Rouhani and his allies for pursuit of better relations with the Gulf States. The campaign has accelerated after the signature of an interim deal over Iran’s nuclear program on November 24, with the UAE Foreign Minister hosted in Iran four days laters.

See Iran Forecast: Tehran Reaches Out to Gulf States

During his one-day stay in Abu Dhabi, Zarif meet UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Zarif said on Sunday that he intends to follow up the current wave of diplomacy with a visit to Saudi Arabia in the near-future. An EA sources adds that it is possible that President Rouhani will go to Riyadh by March.


Sunni Insurgents Jaish ul-Adl Attack Again in Southeast Iran, Kill At Least 1 Soldier

State news agency IRNA reports that insurgents, armed with an RPG attacked Iranian border guards on Monday night in Saravan in Sistan Baluchestan Province, killing one soldier and wounding four.

The Sunni group Jaish ul-Adl, who killed 14 Iranian border guards in an attack in Saravan in October, claimed responsibility.

The insurgency said casualties were far higher than reported by IRNA:

Ahmadinejad Challenges Rouhani to a Debate

Former President Ahmadinejad, under some pressure because of alleged mismanagement by his Government, has challenged President Rouhani to a debate.

Ahmadinejad claimed that Rouhani had mis-represented his first 100 days in office as a success and wrongly criticized his predecessor.

A senior advisor to Rouhani, Akbar Torkanm responded, “Hassan Rouhani and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are not at a level to want to debate with each other, but in any case, we welcome answers by the Head of the Tenth Administration [Ahmadinejad]….But the condition of the debate is for the Head of the Tenth Administration to be honest.”

Another Presidential advisor, Mohammad Reza Sadegh, was not as receptive: “Unfortunately, the people faced the truth of the difficulties and conditions which were waiting for the government of prudence and hope, and the executive management of the previous eight years must answer to them either in court or in public opinion.”

White House: We Will Explore Iran Having “Limited” Program of Uranium Enrichment

The Obama Administration has indicated, following the interim deal over Iran’s nuclear program, that it will accept an Iranian program of uranium enrichment up to a limited, controlled level.

“Over the next six months, we will explore, in practical terms, whether and how Iran might end up with a limited, tightly constrained, and intensively monitored civilian nuclear program, including domestic enrichment,” National Security Council spokesman Caitlin Hayden said.

She continued, “Any such program would be subject to strict and verifiable curbs on its capacity and stockpiles of enriched uranium for a significant number of years and tied to practical energy needs that will remain minimal for years to come.”

The Joint Agreement, leaked by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, does not formally recognize Iran’s right to enrich but accepts a program of enrichment of 3.5% uranium, provided the overall stock is not increased. Iran has agreed to suspend the production of 20% uranium.

Claim: Leading Technology Website Shut Down by Authorities

Journalist Omid Memarian claim a development cutting against President Rouhani’s promise to open up the Internet in Iran:

[UPDATE: Narenji is “live” and can be accessed from the UK. It is also shown as unblocked by the Blocked in Iran site.]

Judiciary Spokesman Reaffirms Facebook Block

Hojjat al-Eslam Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s policy of filtering Facebook.

The Judiciary Spokesman’s comments follow those of Chief of Police, Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam who criticised officials who are active on blocked social media, in particular Twitter.

FM Zarif Calls for Cooperation With Saudi Arabia

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has called for greater cooperation between Tehran and Saudi Arabia in order to improve regional security.

Describing Iran and Saudi Arabia as “two great countries in the region,” Zarif emphasized that through Tehran-Riyadh cooperation, “We can further guarantee the security and stability of the region.”

“We hope that the misunderstandings that have existed will clear and that we expand our ties with Saudi Arabia in a good fashion,” Zarif added.

Head of Revolutionary Guards Warns US Over Any “Violation” of Iran’s Nuclear Rights

The head of the Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Ali Jafari — without renouncing the interim nuclear deal signed in Geneva on November 24 — has warned the US and other countries:

If officials observe any sort of infringement, disloyalty, or violation of our country’s incontrovertible nuclear rights, or misuse of the accord and its interpretation of its acceptance by the West and America, the agreement should be treated with full authority as null and void.

Jafari had more tough words for Washington and Israel:

[They] know well that they have been unable to take any military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and if they make any foolish move of this sort, there are many options on the table for Iran and deadly responses will be received, one example being the elimination of the Zionist regime….

If America and its rabid dog in the region [Israel] had any power to initiate military action against Iran, America and its allies would not be sitting at the negotiations table with Iran.

And the commander also had a caution for the Rouhani Government:

The people expect the officials to demand the complete nuclear rights of the nation of Iran, including the whole nuclear fuel cycle, complete and official recognition of the right to enrich, and the elimination of all unjust sanctions.

Parliament Pledges to Investigate Ahmadinejad Over $150 Billion in Government Funds

The head of Parliament’s Article 90 Commission, tasked to supervise Government, has pledged to investigate an allegation that the Ahmadinejad Government mis-appropriated $150 billion in funds.

Last week Ahmadinejad failed to appear before a criminal court over charges in nine cases.

The allegations include a delay in the operation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, a failure to implement the structure of the National Iranian Oil Company, and a failure to allocate the budget for Tehran’s transport system.

What Diplomatic Offensive? Revolutionary Guards Take a Swing at Saudi Arabia

Foreign Minister Zarif may be in the midst of engagement with Gulf States, but not everyone in Iran is sharing the warm words.

Fars News, linked to the Revolutionary Guards, proclaims, “Report: Saudi Arabia Recruiting Salafis for Fight against Houthis in Yemen“:

Arab media reports said Saudi Arabia is recruiting the Salafi Muslims in Algeria to fight against Shiite Houthi groups in Yemen in return for huge sums of money.

Fars has carried out a systematic campaign denouncing Saudi Arabia’s leadership, especially head of intelligence Prince Bandar. It has accused Bandar of masterminding the Syrian insurgency, organizing “takfiri terrorists” against President Assad.

See Iran Analysis: When A Top Diplomat Says Syria’s “Al Qa’eda” Insurgency is “Under Command of Saudi Prince Bandar”

How to Turn A Decline in Exports Into Good News

State outlet Press TV headlines, “Iran 8-Month Non-Oil Exports Surpass $24 Billion”:

The Islamic Republic of Iran has exported over $24 billion of non-oil commodities in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21) despite the US-engineered sanctions against the country.

Later it sneaks in the note, “[The revenue is] a 12.7 percent decline in value compared to the corresponding period last year.”

British Envoy Makes First Diplomatic Visit to Tehran in 2 Years

Britain’s newly-named non-resident envoy to Iran, Ajay Sharma, will arrive in Tehran on Tuesday — the first diplomatic visit by London’s officials since the British Embassy was stormed by a crowd in November 2011.

Britain and Iran named non-resident envoys following discussions between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his British counterpart William Hague in New York in September. Each envoy will be based in his home country but will make periodic visits to the other.

The Iranian non-resident envoy, Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, said Sharma will visit British diplomatic buildings and meet with Foreign Ministry officials.

Hague announced the visit on Twitter, “We’ll improve UK-Iran ties on a step-by-step, reciprocal basis.”

After the raid on its embassy two years ago, Britain withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran and expelled the Iranian delegation in London.