Rouhani articulates Iran's position on Syria and the war against ISIL/Al-Qaeda

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani, on 27SEP15 at the United Nations

According to Reuters:

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday fighting radical militants like Islamic State in Syria is the top priority and if they are to be defeated then President Bashar al-Assad's government "can't be weakened."

"This does not mean that the Syrian government does not need reform ... Of course it does," Rouhani told an audience of U.S. think-tanks and journalists on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York, but he added that the removal of his ally Assad would turn Syria into an extremist safe haven.

Discussions of political reform in Syria should come after the threat of extremism in Syria has been removed.

Referring to air strikes by a U.S.-led coalition on Islamic State targets in Syria, Rouhani said defeating the militants was "not feasible through air operations only." He said Russia "is ready to fight terrorism" and shares the same desire to defeat the threat of Islamic State.

"If the priority is not to defeat terrorism, we are making a big mistake," Rouhani said.

He added that Russia's and Iran's positions on Syria were "almost identical."

Failing to address the problem of Islamic State properly and forcing out the government would result in the group taking control of Damascus, Rouhani said.

COMMENTARY: There is an unverified indication suggesting Iraq's Abadi government may have instituted denial of Russian supply aircraft traversing Iraqi airspace, bound for Syria.

The Rouhani administration perception of the American priority for the Syrian conflict remains regime change in Syria, rather than the defeat of ISIL and Al-Qaeda.

Iran's military and conservative establishment advance the perception still further, accusing the United States of outright support of ISIL and Al-Qaeda, which is something of a parallel track of accusation to that of United States charges levied against Iran for harboring and releasing five senior members of Al Qaeda earlier this year, including the man who stepped in to serve as the terrorist group’s interim leader immediately after Osama bin Laden’s death.

The beneficiaries to this lack of a unified international front remain ISIL and Al-Qaeda.

Meanwhile, IRNA reports Rouhani will cut short his visit to New York and return to Tehran for the funeral of Iranians killed in the haj tragedy in Saudi Arabia.

Italian Prime Minister Mateo Renzi with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 27SEP15 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 27SEP15 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 27SEP15 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

French President François Hollande with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 27SEP15 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

Bolivian President Evo Morales with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 27SEP15 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 27SEP15 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

Senegalese President Macky Sall with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 27SEP15 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

Afghan CEO Abdullah Abdullah with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 27SEP15 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

France Bombs ISIL Camp in Syria

France said today it had launched air strikes against an Islamic State training camp in eastern Syria, joining Russia as the newest countries planning military intervention against ISIL inside Syria.

A U.S.-led coalition of Western and Arab countries have been conducting airstrikes on ISIL positions in the country, and France will coordinate its combat activities in support of the coalition. Russia is also expected to start its own airstrikes in Syria soon and along with the Syrian air force, which has been conducting limited number of strikes against ISIL, could also coordinate or deconflict combat air missions with the coalition.

File photo: A French Rafale fighter jet above Iraq (AFP)

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Skies over Syria getting crowded, via @Joyce_Karam/Twitter

Russian-Iranian-Syrian-Iraqi military cooperation against ISIL

RuAF Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan at at Bassel al-Assad Airport, near Latakia, Syria

According to Reuters:

Iraq said on Saturday that its military officials were engaged in intelligence and security cooperation in Baghdad with Russia, Iran and Syria to counter the threat from the Islamic State militant group, a pact that could raise concerns in Washington.

A statement from the Iraqi military's joint operations command said the cooperation had come "with increased Russian concern about the presence of thousands of terrorists from Russia undertaking criminal acts with Daesh (Islamic State)."

The move could give Moscow more sway in the Middle East. It has stepped up its military involvement in Syria in recent weeks while pressing for Damascus to be included in international efforts to fight Islamic State, a demand Washington rejects.

COMMENTARY: News of this was first indicated by an anonymous American official last Friday. The next day, Iraqi Joint Forces Command issued statement confirming Russian, Iranian, Syrian and Iraqi military cooperation against ISIL.

From an objective military standpoint, such cooperation is logical. It's also possible maintaining of the logistical air bridge over Iraq to Syria was discussed.

An advantage of the Russians and Iranians in the war against Al-Qaeda and ISIL is possession of a reliable partner inside Syria. That reliable partner is the Syrian Arab Republic, a sovereign state recognized by the United Nations. Unfortunately, the United States lacks a reliable partner at anywhere near such a level inside Syria, with attempts to compose one so far rendering unsatisfactory results.

This move comes not only at a time where Russia has landed a significant military force into Syria, but also at a time where Baghdad is experiencing political crisis and military stalemate.

The move further enhances Russia and Iran's peace process for Syria, which will be the subject of discussion on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session now in progress.

It is even being said the Iranians may be included in discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in Yemen, a development a number of European high ranking officials recently advocated while visiting Tehran, seeking post-JCPOA economic ties.

Sacred Defense Week- NEZAJA arms & equipment delivery ceremony

NEZAJA on 26SEP15 during Sacred Defense Week put on display military technology achievements of Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization of the Iranian Army," with claimed deliveries to operational units. Below are Iranian media imagery related to the event:

Teaser image of eight-wheeled AFV based on a modified BTR-60 armored personnel carrier with BMP-2 turret and main armament.

Sarir 4x4 armored personnel carrier (APC). This AFV type was originally unveiled in early 2012.

BTR-60 armored personnel carrier fitted with what appears to be Sedad type 23mm gun (ZU-23-2 with electro-optical sight and stabilizer). If so, this type originally unveiled at previous Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization ceremony in August 2012.

9M133 Kornet launcher produced locally under name of "Dehlavie." This type has been displayed since at least as far back as July 2012.

Displayed missile of the Dehlavie ATGM system

Bostan 122 mm and Karkhe 107 mm disposable rocket launchers, claimed manufactured with composite material

Howeizeh SPG. This type, essentially a refurbished M109, was originally unveiled at previous Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization ceremony in August 2012.

Two Howeizeh SPG units on tank transporters manufactured in Iran

 

NEZAJA Commander Brig. Gen. Pourdastan with a Shaher 14.5mm anti-material sniper rifle. This type was originally unveiled at previous Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization ceremony in August 2012.

VIDEO:

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency, Mehdi Bolourian at Fars News Agency, Abolfazi Arabjavadi at Mehr News Agency

Rising Death Toll From Hajj Stampede

As the hajj religious pilgrimage entered its final day Saturday, the death toll from Thursday’s stampede during the ritual of stoning of Satan at Jamarrat pillars in Mina has risen to 719 people, while 863 were injured, AP reported.

Iranian citizens comprised the largest number of fatalities confirmed so far. Iranian state TV said 134 Iranian pilgrims died and 85 injured, while 354 Iranian pilgrims remain missing. (IRIB, 26 September)

Photo credit: A day after the tragic stampede, Muslim pilgrims walk in a tunnel on their way to cast stones at Jamarrat pillars, a ritual symbolizing the stoning of Satan during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia; Friday 25 September 2015 (AP)

Rouhani flown to JFK for UNGA session in newly acquired A343

Above: President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif aboard newly acquired IRIG (Meraj Air) Airbus A340-313, reg. EP-AJA (cn 257) on 24SEP15, departing THR on RWY 29L, bound for JFK.  [photo: Mehrad Watson]

Livery painting complete, EP-AJA takes the Iranian delegation to New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly session.

Flight details below, click to enlarge [source: Flightradar24]:

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives at New York - John F. Kennedy International (Idlewild) (JFK / KJFK)

President Rouhani transfers to vehicle transport with assistance rendered by United States diplomatic security detail

At the United Nations General Assembly on 25SEP15: President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and UN Representative Gholamali Khoshroo.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 25SEP15 at the United Nations

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 25SEP15 at the United Nations.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Sacred Defense Week - IRIAF exhibit at Mehrabad Airport

Iran media imagery of the Sacred Defense Week exhibition held by Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) at Mehrabad International Airport, commemorating the onset of the Iran-Iraq War that took place 35 years ago.

Collection of IRIAF aircraft assembled for exhibition during Sacred Defense Week 2015

Newly unveiled Mohajem 92 ("Attacker 92") unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Claimed specifications include 6-hour flight endurance, 200 kph speed at the sea level, a weight of 80 kilograms and operating radius of 100 km. [source: Tasnim News Agency]

Displayed aircraft, in order:
- IRIAF Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer tandem-seat training aircraft
- IRIAF Bell 214C Isfahan medium-lift helicopter
- IRIAF Boeing (Elicotteri Meridionali) CH-47C Chinook (219) heavy-lift helicopter
- IRIAF Fokker F-27-400M Troopship transport aircraft
- IRIAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules (L-382) transport aircraft

Far left: IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1EQ, serial 3-6202

Detail of IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1EQ, serial 3-6202

Photo: Mehrad Watson

Foreground: IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat, serial 3-6030 / 160328 (H-30) from Isfahan/Shahid Babaei TFB-8

Detail of IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat, serial 3-6030 / 160328 (H-30)

Photo: Mehrad Watson

Foreground: IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter bomber of 91st TFS from Bandar Abbas/Shahid Abdulkarimimi TFB-9.

Detail of IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter bomber of 91st TFS from Bandar Abbas/Shahid Abdulkarimimi TFB-9.  [photo: Erfan Arabzadeh]

Pair of Owj JT2-2 Tazarve (“Pheasant”) prototype jet training aircraft

IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 “Fulcrum” of 11th TFS from Tehran/Shahid Lashkari TFB-1

IRIAF Chengdu FT-7N Airguard, serial 3-7723 of 85th TFS from Isfahan/Shahid Babaei TFB-8

Detail of IRIAF Chengdu FT-7N Airguard, serial 3-7723 of 85th TFS from Isfahan/Shahid Babaei TFB-8

Photo: Erfan Arabzadeh

Foreground, left: IRIAF Northrop F-5F Tiger II, serial 3-7167 / 50694 (cn Z1014) of 21st TFS from Tabriz/Shahid Fakoori TFB-2.
Background, right: IRIAF Northrop (HESA) F-5F Saeghe II ("Thunderbolt II"), serial 3-7182 of 23rd TFS from Tabriz/Shahid Fakoori TFB-2.

Detail of IRIAF Northrop F-5F Tiger II, serial 3-7167 / 50694 (cn Z1014)

Photo: Mehrad Watson

IRIAF Boeing 747-131(SF) from Transport Wing at Tehran/Mehrabad

IRIAF Boeing (Elicotteri Meridionali) CH-47C Chinook (219), serial 5-9307

IRIAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules (L-382), possible serial 5-8501 (cn 382-4115) of 11th TAS from Transport Wing at Tehran/Mehrabad.

Saha Air Boeing 707-3J9C, reg. EP-SHV (cn 21125/912)

Note: vintage aircraft currently used for cabin crew training at Saha Air training center

IRIAF Lockheed L-1329 JetStar 8, serial 5-9001

Photo: Mehrad Watson

IRIAF display of air-launched weapons (1)

IRIAF display of air-launched weapons (2)

General Electric J79 axial-flow turbojet engine from F-4 Phantom II aircraft

IRIAF display of air crew flight gear

Left to right:
- Unidentified IRIAF major, TFB-1 base security
- Unidentified cleric
- IRIAF colonel, F-5 Tiger II pilot "Agressor Squadron" flight instructor
- IRIAF Deputy Commander Brigadier General Alireza Barkhour
- IRIAF Brigadier General 2C Mohammed Tasviyehchi, commander of TFB-1
- Unidentified IRIAF Brigadier General 2C

Photos: F. Samadi at Islamic Republic News Agency, Mehrad Watson and Erfan Arabzadeh