1 Report for

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Daily Report for Thursday, October 19, 2017

1 Report for

Thursday,

October 19, 2017 Mehr 27, 1396

* Highlights. Page 2

* News Briefs. Page 3

* Why did Trump rock the boat? Page 3

* Iran to accelerate development of missile program. Page 3

* What should be done? Page 4

* Kirkuk, Achilles Heel to both Iraq and Kurdistan. Page 5

* Korean news corner. Page 8

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2 Highlights

 Iran’s former deputy foreign minister Abbas Maleki believes that Iran should open communication channel with the American Congress. (See Page 4)

 The conservative news website Khabar Online argues that the truth is the Kirkuk crisis is so sensitive it could lead to a heavy conflict between the Kurdistan region and the central government. (See Page 5)

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3 Briefs

* Farsi-language Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reports that First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri was officially welcomed on Thursday by the Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım. Jahangiri arrived in Ankara on Wednesday evening to attend the Developing 8 (D8) Summit which is to be held on Friday in Istanbul.

* Farsi-language Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reports that Secretary of Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei stressed that Iran will never negotiate with any country over its missile and defense might.

* Farsi-language Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reports that MP Ghassem Ahmadi Lashki says that Iran should increase the number of foreign students studying in its universities.

* Farsi-language Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reports that Kerman Province Public and Revolutionary Court is pursuing legal cases against several bank officials and employees on charges of financial corruption and irregularities.

* Farsi-language Aftab News website reports that Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami held telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart General Sergey Shoygu. The two sides emphasized on fighting violence, terrorism, and extremism on a phone conversation on Thursday and discussed the most recent international and regional developments.

* Farsi-language Aftab News website reports that Mohsen Hashemi, son of late Hashemi Rafsanjani, says that he has no plans to run for presidency, and that he prefers to concentrate on his duties in the Tehran City Council.

Why did Trump rock the boat?

Farsi-language hardline conservative newspaper Kayhan writes that Iran, America, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany are hiding the boat named JCPOA. Now that American President Trump is rocking the boat and threatening to sink the boat, what should be done?

Political analyst Mohammad Sarfi writes that Ayatollah Khamenei has said, “We will not tear the nuclear deal apart as long as the other side does not do so, but if they ripped it apart, we will shred it.” He writes that this is the

“most intelligent” reaction to Trump’s behavior. This means, he writes, that Iran is not scared of madness shown by American Congress and President Trump.

Sarfi writes that this “intelligent strategy” is the product of “accurate calculation”. He goes on to write that the Americans are rocking the boat but are not sinking it. He writes: Those are scared and peaking at the paddles should know that they are only increasing the possibility that the boat will be sunk rather than just being rocked.

The game is complicated and it is just beginning.

IRGC: Iran to accelerate

development of missile program

Farsi-language Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reports that IRGC has taken a swipe at Trump’s hostile stances, saying Iran will continue to develop its missile capability in a faster pace. The IRGC has, in a statement, thanked Iranian officials and people from all walks of life for their unflinching support in giving a crushing response to US President Donald Trump’s gibberish against this revolutionary institution, and stressed it remains determined to press ahead with its fight against the hegemony system and Zionism and to further develop the country’s missile defense capability.

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“The hostile positions of the rogue and bird-brained US president in insulting the Iranian nation and speaking of imposing unfair new sanctions against the IRGC indicate the failure of the evil policies of the authorities of the White House and the Israeli regime to change the map of the region and disintegrate and weaken Islamic countries and also show their anger at the IRGC’s a role in this domain,”

reads part of the statement.

The statement notes that national unity and consensus in offering unflagging support to the IRGC and the condemnation of Trump’s ranting and raving all have a meaning.

“This popular institution (IRGC), based on its revolutionary and basic mission, will continue its incessant fight against the hegemony system and Zionism with a vengeance, and will not hesitate, even a moment, to defend the Islamic Revolution and the country’s national interests,” the statement underscores.

The statement also thanks Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei for his backing, and appreciates the support of all people, top religious clerics, heads of the three branches of government, Islamic seminary schools, universities, political parties and elites as well as cultural, artistic, sports and scientific figures together with Iranian expatriates.

The statement has stressed that the IRGC, backed by popular support and under the command of the Leader, has worked in

tandem with other branches of the Armed Forces to safeguard the Revolution and the country. By God’s grace, and much to the chagrin of the enemies, especially the US and the evil international network of Zionism, Iran’s regional influence will grow and its missile capability will further be developed, reads the statement.

What should be done?

Farsi-language reformist newspaper Etemad writes that former deputy foreign minister Abbas Maleki says that

“unfortunately” Iran has no connection and

“public relations” with American Congress which has more than 500 members. He believes that this is where Israel is most active and “we are currently witnessing the influence of the Saudi Arabia”.

He went on to say: Finally, we have to contact Congress representatives one day.

We should familiarize them with the realities in Iran. But this will take time.”

He said: American Congress will debate JCPOA. Some of the Congresspersons and Senators will present proposals to take harsher actions against JCPOA. But if we have a close cooperation with the Europeans, then it is possible the situation may change.

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini will visit Washington in near future. She is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Congress. This could prove to be beneficial for Iran.

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5 Kirkuk, Achilles Heel

to both Iraq and Kurdistan

Given Kirkuk’s economic significance for both the Iraqi government and Kurdistan, the province has a strategic status for both sides.

Since 2003, when Saddam Hussein was ousted, the President of Kurdistan Regional Government Masoud Barzani was intent to annex the region to the Kurdistan territory.

The unstable situation in the Iraqi Kurdistan and the significance of the Kirkuk

Province was codified in Article 140 of the constitution that stipulate Kirkuk should be under control of the central government before a final decision was made.

The referendum deepened the rift between the central government and the Iraqi Kurdistan, because the government is trying to force Kurdistan to recognize Kirkuk as part of the central government.

When the central government forces went to Kirkuk, the military forces of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan helped the Iraqi army and surrendered the city.

The truth is the Kirkuk crisis is so sensitive it could lead to a heavy conflict between the Kurdistan region and the central government.

Ankara has claimed that PKK forces have launched operations against the country from Kirkuk, and it will get involved to take control of some oil wells in the west Kirkuk.

Khabar Online conservative news website. Pro-Ali Larijani: A three-day conflict broke out in Kirkuk between the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga forces following the Kurdish independence referendum that took place in late September. With the help of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the Iraqi central government has turned out to be the winner in the skirmish which ended yesterday with recapturing the oil-rich city. We have consulted Hassan Hanizadeh on the crisis.

How do you evaluate the recent developments in Kirkuk?

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Given Kirkuk’s economic significance for both the Iraqi government and Kurdistan, the province has a strategic status for both sides. Since 2003, when Saddam Hussein was ousted, the President of Kurdistan Regional Government Masoud Barzani was intent to annex the region to the Kurdistan territory. The unstable situation in the Iraqi Kurdistan and the significance of the Kirkuk Province was codified in Article 140 of the constitution that stipulate Kirkuk should be under control of the central government before a final decision was made.

Do you believe that the bulk of oil revenues have flowed to the Iraqi Kurdistan?

Over the past 14 years, Barzani has taken advantage of Kirkuk’s oil more than anybody else. Barzani deposited revenues gained by exporting 900 bpd from Kirkuk to Turkey into his own personal accounts abroad. The referendum deepened the rift between the central government and the Iraqi Kurdistan, because the government is trying to force Kurdistan to recognize Kirkuk as part of the central government.

It is in doing so that Haider al-Abadi has deployed special forces of the Iraqi army to Kirkuk, seizing control of the strategic regions in the province. The situation in the Iraqi Kurdistan does not seem to be in favor of Barzani. The central government has sent messages to the Kurdistan region for talks, to be mediated by Fuad Masum, the Kurdish President of Iraq.

Barzani has called Kirkuk developments result of a treason. What does that mean?

The differences already existing between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party over the referendum have become worse. After the demise of Jalal Talabani, Barzani thought he had rid a strong rival. However, Talabani’s deputies followed his policies and opposed the independence referendum and secession. When the central government forces went to Kirkuk, the military forces of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan helped the Iraqi army and surrendered the city.

Do you predict tension to become more severe? How has Iran responded?

Iran does not intervene in Iraq’s domestic issues but closely monitors the situation in the country. Due to intense sensitivities, even the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMD) have declined to get involved.

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The truth is the Kirkuk crisis is so sensitive it could lead to a heavy conflict between the Kurdistan region and the central government. Barzani is looking for it while Fuad Masum wants to end the crisis by intermediation. Kirkuk is the Achilles heel of both sides as it is an oil-rich region, of vital importance for the region and the central government.

Where does Turkey stand? Is there a likelihood it becomes involved in the ethnic conflict?

Ankara has claimed that PKK forces have launched operations against the country from Kirkuk, and it will get involved to take control of some oil wells in the west Kirkuk. At the moment, Turkish forces are busy in Idlib and cannot start another operation in Kirkuk. However, if PKK wants to use Kirkuk to organize attacks against Turkey, Ankara will not hesitate to act.

How do you evaluate international responses to the Kirkuk development?

The US and the West claim to have little involvement in the Kurdistan crisis but they will also become more involved if the grounds are prepared with tension rising to a bloodshed level. At the moment, time is not ripe for them to intervene in favor of one side.

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8 Korean news corner

 Farsi-language Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reports that on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and South Korea, an exhibition showcasing Iran’s metal arts will be held at Niavaran Palace with the support of Republic of Korea’s Embassy in Tehran. Office of Handicrafts Export and the Republic of Korea Embassy are jointly hosting this exhibition. More than 60 art works of Iranian artists will be on display. This exhibition will be held from October 23 to 26, 2017, from 09:00 to 15:00 at Niavaran Cultural Historical Complex.

 Farsi-language Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reports that North Korea International Travel Company, one of North Korea’s most important travel agencies, says that about 90% of foreign travelers to North Korea are Europeans. North Korea is one of the most closed political systems in the world. Traveling to this country as a tourist is very complicated and entails many restrictions. Nevertheless, there are reports of foreigners take the adventurous step of visiting this country every year.

 Farsi-language Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reports that Pyongyang’s latest threat to America is that America will be faced with unexpected and unprecedented attacks at the most unexpected time. At a time, when America’s most sophisticated

weapons are stationed in South Korea, Pyongyang has warned that America has brought targets right under North Korea’s nose. This is madness, North Korea says, and that America should expect unimaginable attack at an unexpected time.