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Martyred Leader Iraq funeral

Millions of people are getting ready to take part in funeral processions for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. The body of the martyred Leader arrived at Najaf International Airport Tuesday night, and was received in a high-level official ceremony. Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, welcomed the Iranian delegation, which included President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. After a visit to the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (AS) in Najaf, Pezeshkian returned to Tehran. Funeral processions for the martyred Leader will start in Najaf Wednesday morning, and will be followed with mass processions in the holy shrine city of Karbala. Funeral processions in Iraq came after huge crowds of mourners bid farewell to the martyred Leader in the Iranian capital and the city of Qom. From Iraq, the martyred Leader’s body will be taken to the Iranian holy city of Mashhad for a final farewell and burial at the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS).

US Islamabad MoU violations

Iran has strongly condemned the United States’ move to revoke a license that temporarily lifted Iranian oil sanctions, calling it a blatant violation of Clause 10 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the US Treasury's decision to cancel the temporary waiver is another proof to instability and unreliability of the US government. It added that Washington’s anti-Iran move came despite the fact that over the 20 days that have passed since the signing of the MOU, the US has repeatedly violated the memorandum either directly, or through the Israeli regime’s acts of aggression against Lebanon. The ministry noted that since the signing of the memorandum, Iran has worked in good faith and used all its capabilities to fulfill its obligations, but the US has only sought to justify its violations under various pretexts. Warning the US against the consequences of its breaches of the MOU, the ministry asserted that Iran will take any measures it deems necessary to protect its interests and national security.

Rejecting Qatar accusations 

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has rejected Qatar’s accusations about Iran being behind a recent attack on one of its vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry’s spokesman called Qatar’s allegations totally unacceptable, saying they contravene the principle of good neighborly relations. Esmaeil Baghaei said Clause Five of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington authorizes Iran to take necessary measures for the management of the Strait of Hormuz, and provision of maritime services. He added that Iran pursues its commitments seriously and expects regional countries, especially Qatar, and all shipping companies to avoid any measure that is contrary to the provisions of the memorandum. Baghaei noted that some commercial vessels try to transit the Hormuz Strait through routes not authorized by Iran, and take measures to make themselves undetectable by monitoring and safety systems. He asserted that such measures increase the risk of collision and environmental problems, while making the transit route unsafe. Baghaei added that such actions also disrupt Iran's efforts to facilitate safe traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

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