Rear Admiral Shamkhani in Islamabad, Pakistan

Pakistani Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan (L) with IRIN Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, on 28OCT15 at Islamabad, Pakistan.

According to PressTV:

Iran has praised the decision by the Pakistani government not to join Saudi Arabia’s deadly military aggression against its impoverished neighbor, Yemen.

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani hailed the Pakistani government’s refusal to get militarily involved in Yemen during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan’s capital city on Thursday.

[…]

The Pakistani prime minister, for his part, appreciated Iran’s ‘active and constructive’ role in regional matters, especially in the campaign against terrorism.

COMMENTARY: The agenda for Shamkhani’s trip included border security, intelligence-sharing, security cooperation and exploring the prospects of bilateral cooperation after the nuclear-related sanctions are lifted.

Pakistani National Security Advisor Naseer Khan Janjua (L) with IRIN Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, on 29OCT15 at Islamabad, Pakistan.

Naseer Khan Janjua is a retired Pakistani Army Lieutenant General and former commander of XII Corps. He assumed the office of National Security Advisor the same day as his meeting with Shamkhani.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (R) with IRIN Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, on 29OCT15 at Islamabad, Pakistan.

Large portrait on wall bears likeness of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (“Quaid-i-Azam”, “Baba-i-Qaum”), founder of Pakistan.

Shamkhani appears to have arrived 28OCT15 at Islamabad - Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB / OPRN) aboard IRIG Dassault Falcon 50, reg. EP-TFI (cn 120).

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Japanese FM and UN officials in Tehran

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 12OCT15 at the Sadabad Palace in Tehran.

According to Channel News Asia:

Japan and Iran have reached agreement on an investment accord, which may give a boost to Japanese investments into the Islamic Republic once sanctions are lifted as early as next year, the countries' foreign ministers said in a statement.

Japan is keen to boost ties with Iran and invest in resource projects there, as well as increase crude imports from the Middle Eastern country.

Japan's crude imports from Iran plunged more than 40 percent from 2011 levels before tough Western sanctions were introduced in 2012 over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

Japan's top oil and gas explorer Inpex Corp, which in 2010 was forced to give up a stake in Iran's Azadegan oil field because of the sanctions, was among dozens of companies that visited Iran in August.

Iran's chief negotiator for new oil contacts said last week the country would introduce more than 50 exploration and production projects to investors in the near future.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 12OCT15 at the Sadabad Palace in Tehran.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida with Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, Vice President and Head of Management and Planning Organization, on 13OCT15 in Tehran.

Japanese and Iranian delegations in conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Kishida and Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, Vice President and Head of Management and Planning Organization, on 13OCT15 in Tehran.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida with Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iran's Minister of Industries, Mines, and Trade, on 13OCT15 in Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Jan Eliasson, Swedish diplomat and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, on 12OCT15 in Tehran.

According to Tehran Times:

UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson said on Monday that the UN still has a lot to do in putting an end to conflict, poverty, inequalities and repression, noting the UN mission is not accomplished yet.

Eliasson made the remarks while delivering a speech on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the UN celebrated in Tehran.

During his speech in which some Iranian officials and UN diplomats were present, Eliasson admitted that there is much left to be done in the UN. “We all have work to do. Our mission is not accomplished. We need to continue to reform our organization and adapt it to the new global landscape.”

COMMENTARY: Eliasson was part of the UN mission that attempted to mediate the Iran–Iraq War from 1980 to 1986.

Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Jan Eliasson with Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman of Expediency Discernment Council, on 12OCT15 in Tehran.

Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Jan Eliasson with Ali Akbar Velayati, President of Expediency Discernment Council's Center for Strategic Research, on 12OCT15 in Tehran.

Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Jan Eliasson with IRIN Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, on 12OCT15 in Tehran

Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Jan Eliasson with Seyed Kamal Kharazi, Head of Iran's Strategic Foreign Relations Council, on 13OCT15 in Tehran

Ján Kubiš of Slovakia, Special Representative for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on 11OCT15 in Tehran.

According to Mehr News Agency:

UN Secretary-General Special Representative for Iraq Ján Kubiš who is in Iran to discuss latest Iraqi developments with Iranian officials was received on Sunday evening by Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister and head of diplomatic machinery of the country, where he expressed gratitude for the attempts by Mr. Kubiš waged to bring stability and security to crisis-stricken Iraq.

Mr. Kubiš believe[s] that the key to safely coming out of the current situation in Iraq is national unity. He also said that international and regional players were also important in helping manage the situation in the country; “promoting national reconciliation process, supporting strong central government, and focusing global participation in tackling economic, security, and social issues in Iraq are UN’s priorities,” he added.

Mr. Kubiš asserted that he would speak to any country and player as his mission for reaching a realistic analysis of the pandemonium in Iraq and finding a viable and effective solution, and believed that Iran’s role in Iraq and its benign advice on Iraq was absolutely invaluable for this reason.

Ján Kubiš of Slovakia, Special Representative for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), with Ali Akbar Velayati, President of Expediency Discernment Council's Center for Strategic Research, on 11OCT15 in Tehran.

 

Wilfried Lemke of Germany, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, looking over photos of disabled Iran-Iraq War veterans engaging in sport, on 12OCT15 in Tehran.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

High ranking officials in Tehran from Netherlands, Japan and IAEA

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 20SEP15 in Tehran

According to DutchNews.nl:

Koenders arrived in Iran at the weekend in what is the first visit by a Dutch minister in 14 years.

According to the NRC, Zarif said the oil and gas industry, water sector and farming are all areas which offer prospects to Dutch companies. He also said he regretted the fact that the long relationship between the two counties had suffered because of sanctions.

At a press conference after their meeting, Koenders said the Netherlands is keen to strengthen economic, political and cultural ties between the two countries ‘on equitable terms’.

In addition, he said that Iran is ‘indispensible’ in a ‘very difficult region in which we have to find peace and stability’. ‘I also welcome the involvement of the Iranian government in trying to engage in productive talks… on issues like Syria and Yemen,’ the Dutch minister said.

COMMENTARY: Following the signing of JCPOA in Vienna, Zarif has received in Tehran high ranking officials from France, Italy, United Kingdom, Austria, Syria, Iraq, Brazil and now Netherlands and Japan (see below).

Zarif has also undertaken diplomatic trips to Syria, Lebanon, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Russia, China and Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Bert Koenders and female member of Dutch delegation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 20SEP15 in Tehran.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders with Iranian Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, on 21SEP15 in Tehran

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders with Iran Navy Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, on 21SEP15 in Tehran.

Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kentaro Sonoura with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 20SEP15 in Tehran.

According to PressTV:

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says a nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in July will prepare the ground for more economic relations between Iran and Japan.

“Japan, by making an investment in different sectors, can restore its previous economic position in Iran,” Zarif said in a meeting with Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonoura in Tehran on Sunday.

According to Tehran Times:

A trade delegation, led by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Chairman Hiroyuki Ishige, is scheduled to visit Iran on October 7, according to the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI).

The delegation will be comprised of CEOs of some companies from the Japanese private sector, the IRNA news agency reported on Sunday.

Ishige is planned to visit TPOI Director Valiollah Afkhami-Rad to explore ways for the expansion of trade and economic ties between Iran and Japan.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano and Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, on 20SEP15 in Tehran.

According to AFP:

Amano held talks with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani as well as atomic agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi.

Under a deal sealed in July with six world powers aimed at ending a 13-year standoff, Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear activities that experts say would make any dash to produce a weapon all but impossible.

Amano also addressed a 12-member committee set up by the Iranian parliament to examine the deal

IAEA delegation with Iran parliamentary committee, on 21SEP15 in Tehran

COMMENTARY: In the above photo, among the Iranian committee members, the following individuals can be identified: Sayyid Hossein Naqavi, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Hojjat al Eslam Vahid Ahmadi and Alireza Zakani.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Visits to Tehran by high ranking officials from Brazil, Iraq, South Korea

Visits to Tehran during the weekend of 12-13 September 2015 by high ranking officials representing Brazil, Iraq and South Korea:

Brazilian Foreign Minister Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 13SEP15 in Tehran.

According to Tehran Times:

Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, the foreign minister of the Federative Republic of Brazil, arrived in Tehran on Saturday afternoon.

The purpose of the trip is to strengthen the friendly ties between the two countries, enhance political dialogue and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, an announcement by the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said.

Vieira will hold meetings with President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif, and the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.

Elsewhere in the report, the [Brazilian] embassy said partially due to international sanctions against Iran, the value of trade ties between the two countries shrank from $ 2,367 billion in 2012 to S$ 1,444 billion in 2014.

“It is expected that new opportunities for increasing trade and for investment will arise from the implementation of the agreement.”

COMMENTARY: In 2010 the Obama administration green-lighted a diplomatic push by Brazil (and Turkey) aimed at resolving the nuclear issue with Iran. The Obama administration believed the Iranians would not accept their pre-approved terms put forward by the Brazilians. When the Iranians did indeed accept the terms, the Obama admininistration reacted by rejecting the agreement and immediately slapping another round of UNSC sanctions on Iran. The Brazilians expressed both a sense of betrayal and disappointment.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 13SEP15 at Sa'dabad Palace in Tehran.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado with Iran Navy Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, on 13SEP15 in Tehran.

COMMENTARY: The Brazilians have a recent history of expressing an inclusive approach towards attempting to resolve the Syrian conflict.

While Western media typically depicts the government of the Syrian Arab Republic and its President Assad as diplomatically isolated and supported solely by Iran and Russia, it has to be conceded that during the 2014 presidential election in Syria, more than 30 countries sent observers to that war-torn country and subsequently issued a statement in support of the "transparent and free" elections, among those was Brazil.

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 12SEP15 in Tehran

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri with Iran Navy Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, on 12SEP15 in Tehran.

According to Tehran Times:

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani says the campaign against the ISIL terrorists in Iraq is Baghdad’s top priority.

Shamkhani made the remarks in a meeting with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Saturday.

“Countering organized efforts by Iraq’s enemies, who are using religious extremists and remnants of the Baath regime to cause political and religious split, requires vigilance of the country’s political leaders,” Shamkhani said as quoted by the Press TV.

The Iraqi parliament speaker, for his part, commended Iran’s constant support for his country and called for the expansion of bilateral relations.

Jabouri said Iran plays a key role in establishing security and stability in the region, adding that Baghdad seeks to reinforce stability in the region and boost national economic development by improving cooperation with Tehran.

COMMENTARY: Salim al-Jabouri is an ethnic Sunni, elected Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament on 15 July 2014.

There appears to be a complex interplay between clerical, military and political cross-factions in Iraq and Iran, that in ways might even be described in terms expected of a single national entity, rather than two.

South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Morteza Sarmadi, on 12SEP15 in Tehran.

According to Mehr News Agency:

Iranian Deputy FM Sarmadi received his S Korean counterpart Kim Hong-kyun in Tehran on Saturday. As Seoul steps up efforts to bolster bilateral ties after the landmark Vienna agreement of July 14, South Korea’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun arrived in Tehran on Friday to hold high-level policy consultation meetings.

Visiting Kim Hong-kyun Deputy Minister for Political Affairs met with Iranian First Deputy Foreign Minister Morteza Sarmadi on Saturday.

The Korean official voiced hope for opening of a new chapter in bilateral ties with Iran in areas of politics, economy and culture.

After the implementation of the US-led anti-Tehran sanctions, bilateral trade and exchanges decreased sharply, triggering concerns among businessmen that South Korea could lose the market with a population of 80 million. Two-way trade volume, which stood at around $17.4 billion in 2011, had dipped to $8.6 billion last year.

Photos: Mahmood Hosseini, Mohammad Hassanzadeh and Hamed Malekpour at Tasnim News Agency, and Islamic Republic News Agency

Syrian and Russian foreign ministries meet with Iran's leadership in Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif leads Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem into a conference room on 05AUG15 in Tehran.

Iran will soon submit a four-point plan to end the Syrian civil war to the United Nations, its deputy foreign minister said Wednesday. [source: Reuters] That plan will likely encompass an immediate cease-fire, creation of a national unity government, rewriting of Syria’s constitution to include the majority of Syrian ethnic groups, and hold national elections under international supervision. The plan may also provide for joint regional negotiations to end the conflict, that include Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.

Interesting to see Iranian and Syrian woman participants among the foreign ministry delegations, in conference

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem with Iran Navy Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.

What may be members of Russian delegation on hand to meet Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, seen here with Iran Navy Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem was scheduled to meet with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to the Middle East, on the evening of 04AUG15 in Tehran.

The Interfax news agency quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry on 05AUG15 as saying that a delegation of the Syrian National Coalition opposition group has been invited to visit Moscow next week.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Claimed ‘top secret’ directives on nuclear deal coverage sent to Iranian media

According to BBC Persian:

The Iranian authorities have ordered the media not to criticise the recent nuclear agreement with world powers, it has emerged.

A top secret document sent to newspaper editors has surfaced on the internet.

Issued by the ministry in charge of the press, the two-page document faxed to media organisations relays directives from Iran's Supreme National Security Council. It says editors should praise the deal and the negotiating team.

COMMENTARY: There is a long history of alleged official documents later determined to be forgeries-- recall the Makhmalbaf-Satrapi “leaked government document" of 2009. This latest claim has yet to be authenticated.

The BBC Persian account as rendered possesses a serious flaw. It seems incredible that “top secret” level documents were sent by fax to media organizations! Perhaps BBC Persian meant "confidential" and not "top secret" level of documents.

It could turn out that a list of guidelines or directives on media presentations regarding the nuclear agreement have been sent, but the evidence requires scrutinizing.

If authentic, this can be taken as a positive indication that SNSC Secretary Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani is indeed tabling JCPOA with its assessment to be provided to Iran's relevant branches of  government, in parallel to current deliberations at U.S. Congress.

IAEA Chief to Visit Iran as Nuclear Talks Gain Momentum

Significant Meeting with Shamkhani

 

IAEA chief Yukiya Amano will visit Tehran on Thursday and will meet with President Hassan Rouhani and Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the IAEA announced today. (Bloomberg, 1 July)

IAEA has sought to re-visit Parchin military complex outside Tehran, where its investigators allege to have credible evidence that nuclear weapons-related experiments took place. Resolving Iran’s past nuclear weapon work is an important element in the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the world power. Access to all declared and suspected nuclear sites was part of the framework agreement announced on 2 April in Lausanne. But last week, Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, declared military sites, like Parchin, off-limits to IAEA inspectors, creating a major obstacle to reach a nuclear accord during talks in Vienna.

Amano's meeting with Shamkhani is significant, as he is a key security official with military oversight. Reporters covering the Vienna talks said on Tuesday that the U.S. might have offered a new proposal on how to resolve Parchin’s inspection. Amano’s trip to Tehran could facilitate ways acceptable to the Iranians to conduct probes into the country’s past work on nuclear weapons.

Photo credit: IAEA chief Yukiya Amano (Carsten Koall/Getty Images/Bloomberg)

Iraqi Prime Minister, Army Chief of Staff and PMF leader in Tehran

Commentary on Iran media imagery depicting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's state visit to Tehran on 17JUN15:

Iraqi prime minister delegation arrived at Tehran -Mehrabad International Airport on 17JUN15 at 07:55 hrs. They would depart for Baghdad International Airport same day, at 17:44 hrs.

Aircraft is Iraqi Airways Being 737-81Z, reg. YI-ASF (cn 40105), a recent construction delivered to Iraq on 17DEC13.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reviews Iranian honor guard, with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. Ground transport for the prime minister appears to be late model Mercedes-Benz S-class.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi meets with Iran Navy Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran. It should be noted Shamkhani held a previous post as IRGC-N commander.

The Iraqi prime minister appears much more cordial with his hosts then on his previous visit to Tehran, which took place not long after he was selected for his post based primarily on American preferences at the time.

The Iraqi prime minister's visit came the same day that USSECDEF Ash Carter told a congressional hearing the United States called for a "greater commitment" from Iraq's government in the fight against ISIL, as it lamented Baghdad's failure to deliver enough soldiers for training and underscored the need to empower Sunni tribesmen.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Speaker of Parliament Salim al-Jabouri is in the United States to rally military support for Sunni forces, seeking assistance with arming a Sunni force to include up to 10,000 recruits from local tribes and other groups.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi gestures approvingly towards Iraqi Deputy Chairman of Popular Mobilization Committee Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, as the latter shakes hands with Iranian Presdient Hassan Rouhani.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis is a PMF field commander and former Kata'ib Hezbollah commander, more recently participating in the Second Battle of Tikrit. He remains designated a terrorist by USG for armed resistance activities directed against the preceding U.S. military occupation, and before that was assisted by IRGC in efforts targeting the Baath regime of Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi meets with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei

Among those seated in the room with SL Khamenei and PM Abadi is General Babakir Zebari, chief of staff of the Iraqi Army (outfitted in civvies, fourth from left).

General Zebari, an ethnic Kurd, spent a period of exile in Iran some thirty years ago, followed by periods of Iranian-assisted efforts against Saddam Hussein and Baath regime.

A seldom seen expand view of hall where Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei appears photographed with visiting foreign dignitaries.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

A Russo-Iranian strategic axis?

File photo: Russian S-300 long-range SAM systems during a past parade rehearsal at Red Square
[AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev]

A recap of significant Russo-Iranian developments that have flurried the 13APR15 news cycle:

According to Reuters:

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ending a self-imposed ban on delivering the S-300 anti-missile rocket system to Iran, removing a major irritant between the two after Moscow canceled a corresponding contract in 2010 under pressure from the West.

A senior government official said separately that Russia has started supplying grain, equipment and construction materials to Iran in exchange for crude oil under a barter deal.

According to Press TV:

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said Russia’s decision to lift the ban indicates the political will of the two countries’ officials to improve cooperation in all fields.

According to YJC:

Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan received an official invitation from Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to speak at the International Security Conference to be held in Moscow on April 16 and 17, 2015.

According to YJC:

IRIN Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani met with Russia’s Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council referred to Iran-Russia collaboration efforts.

Shamkhani stated: "The principled policy of the two countries in enhancing regional cooperation and balancing the transferable capacities in the diverse political, economic and security spheres has had a decisive role in the management of security crises across the region."

M.K. Bhadrakumar take on these Russo-Iranian developments, from Asia Times Online:

The Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision today to sign the presidential decree to forthwith supply S-300 missiles to Iran and the reported commencement of the $20 billion oil-for-goods swap deal between Russia and Iran effectively signifies the end of the sanctions regime against Iran. Putin has “liberated” Iran from the curse of sanctions. The Kremlin de facto opened the floodgates for Iran’s integration as a full-fledged member of the international community.

[…]

Indeed, the ramifications of today’s development, signifying the coming into being of a Russo-Iranian strategic axis, are going to be profound on several theatres of international security in a wide arc stretching from Central Asia through the Caucasus and the Caspian to the Middle East proper. Simply put, the US is staring at a catastrophic setback in its regional policies on several fronts. Without doubt, Iran is a pivotal state and it is a game changer for Russian policies to have such a regional power on its side as a close ally.

Conceivably, Moscow and Beijing are coordinating their moves on Iran. The Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to pay a visit to Iran at an early date and Chinese officials had openly hinted that there could be some “dramatic” announcements during the visit.

For sure, Iran has taken a great leap forward toward induction into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

COMMENTARY: It has become increasingly evident that Iran is benefitting from tensions between the United States and Russia, over developments at Ukraine.

The Iran nuclear negotiating team at Lausanne displayed an unusual sense of confidence, going so far as to remain steadfast before an impending deadline. Perhaps this confidence was provided by Russian assurances. Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett have described the Iranians as "not putting all their eggs in the American basket," with regards to nuclear negotiating.

In addition to today's announcement by the Kremlin that it is prepared to deliver the S-300 long-range SAM system to Iran (with some sources claiming an "upgraded variant"), Russia also announced its first export sale of the S-400 Triumf mobile SAM system to China.

Of special interest for 14APR15 will be whether or not Russia vetoes the impending UNSC resolution on the Yemen conflict; a resolution which effectively supports the Saudi-led coalition in the war against Ansarullah and Pro-Saleh forces. Amid the current flurry of diplomatic activity observed between Iran and Russia, were the Russians to veto the resolution it may follow what would appear to be Foreign Minister Zarif's successful lobbying effort last week in Pakistan, where the Pakistani parliament elected to remain neutral during the Yemen conflict.

IRINS Damavand enters service with 4th Naval Region fleet

On 09MAR15 the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) held a ceremony at Bandar Anzali, formally inducting the IRINS Damavand frigate into service with the 4th Naval Region fleet on the Caspian Sea.

IRINS Damavand (77) Moudge class guided missile frigate (FFGH)

Assembled officers, sailors, military band and color guard, marking the induction ceremony of IRINS Damavand into service with IRIN 4th Naval Region fleet

Look-down view of IRINS Damavand at the port city of Bandar Anzali

Iran considers its frigates as destroyers, going so far as to use the hull classification symbols of "DDG" as seen on the gangway banner at far left. In addition, there appears to be contradictory classification among Iranian military leaders as well as Iran media as to the class of this warship, with some references identifying the ship as Moudge class and others as Jamaran II class.

View of IRINS Damvand's bow-mounted Fajr-27 (OTO Melara type) 76 mm naval defense gun

Engineers, specialists and workers of Shahid Tamjidi Industries, responsible for the construction of IRINS Damavand guided missile frigate.

Military leadership on hand at the induction ceremony of IRINS Damavand (front row, left to right):
- IRIN RDML Gholam Reza Khadem Biqam, IRIN lieutenant commander
- IRGC BG Hossein Dehghan, IRI defense minister
- IRIN RADM Ali Shamkhani, SNSC secretary
- IRIN RDML Habibollah Sayyari, IRIN commander

VIDEO:

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency