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Memri
20 hours ago
- Business
- Memri
The Qatar Weekly Update (QWU) – Part Of The Qatar Monitor Project (QMP) – No. 24, June 20, 2025
Evacuated CENTCOM Al-Udeid Airbase, Qatar, June 17, 2025 (Source: Newsweek) 1. MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 12027, Qatar Supports Iran, Gloats Over Destruction In Israel: The Scenes Of Devastation In The Entity Destined For Extinction Warm The Heart, June 18, 2025. 2. Satellite Imagery Shows Evacuation at Largest U.S. Air Base in Middle East [i.e. CENTCOM in Qatar], Newsweek, June 19, 2025. Hamad bin Jassim, who was at the time Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, told Al-Jazeera that the U.S. cannot use the CENTCOM base to attack Iran. MEMRI TV Clip No. 11192, In 2012 Qatari Prime Minister And Foreign Minister Hamad Bin Jassim: The Americans Know We Will Not Accept Any Hostile Action Against Iran From Qatar, April 1, 2012. MEMRI TV Clip No. 11491, Qatari Prime Minister And FM Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani: 'Qatar Does Not Accept The Launching Of Any Attacks Or Wars From The Al-Udeid Air Base Against Countries In The Region And Beyond, October 15, 2024. According to Iranian media in April 2024, Qatar declared that the U.S. cannot use the CENTCOM base for missions against Iran. Iran International, June 21, 2024. See also MEMRI Daily Brief No. 654, One Move That Will Bolster America's Standing In The World: Relocate The CENTCOM Base Out Of Qatar – Part I, September 23, 2024. 3. According to the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Qatar paid Lumen8 Advisors LLC the following: "$180,000 USD ('Retainer'), payable on the first day of each month, starting (electronic or otherwise) and shall be limited to a cap of 10% of the monthly Retainer." November 1, 2023. Lumen8 Advisors LLC noted that it had performed the following services for Qatar, among others: "Contact Tucker Carlson, The Tucker Carlson Show. Purpose: Interview with Prime Minister of Qatar regarding 'war with Iran? The Prime Minister of Qatar is Being Attacked in the Media for wanting to stop it.'" April 30, 2025. MEMRI Daily Brief No. 737, Tucker Carlson Whitewashes America's Enemies – Part I: Qatar . See Yigal Carmon's article on Tucker Carlon's interview of Qatar's Prime Minister, March 12, 2025. See also Conservative Media Targeted by Qatari Foreign Influence Operations, Washington Examiner, May 17, 2025. 4. Qatari Baha'i facing unjust trial in Doha needs international support to secure his release. Bahai International Community, June 17, 2025 * Yigal Carmon is Founder and President of MEMRI.
Memri
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Memri
EMERGENCY APPEAL: HELP SUPPORT THE MEMRI IRAN STUDIES PROJECT CAMPAIGN – OUR RESEARCHERS ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK; THIS PAST WEEK WE HAVE PUBLISHED OVER 100 REPORTS AND CLIPS
This is a emergency wartime appeal as Israel is battling the Iranian regime. MEMRI needs to double its efforts covering Iranian open sources that reveal a huge amount of vital information. MEMRI's Iran Studies Project, led by native-born Iranians, operates 24/7/365, monitoring, translating, and analyzing content from Iranian TV, social media, websites, blogs, online forums, and more. It identifies trends and provides real-time insight into Iran's thinking and planning, tracking major developments and threats before they happen. Over nearly three decades, the project has produced thousands of translations from Iranian primary sources and hundreds of original analysis pieces on issues of vital importance – and Iranian broadcast content comprises a significant part of MEMRI's nearly 12,000 translated clips. It also maintains a massive archive of translated Farsi media from this research. If you have already donated, thank you very much. No other organization, or government, is doing this vital work. View the MEMRI Iran Studies Project here The New Iran-Israel War Page The MEMRI Iran Studies project's new page for the Israel-Iran war features the dozens of MEMRI reports, clips, and analysis pieces on the subject of Iran and the war that it has published since the early hours of June 13, when Israel first struck military and nuclear facilities in Iran. Visit the Iran-Israel War page here. Producing this content for the Iran Studies Project is very costly. Your help allows us to continue our vital work– you can make a tax-deductible donation here. For a full list of the MEMRI reports, analysis, clips, and announcements published so far by the Iran Studies Project, see below. Please help support our Iran research. Thank you for your consideration, MEMRI TV Clips From The Iran Studies Project Chinese Researcher Dr. Victor Gao: Whatever Iran Is Doing Is justified; If Countries Join the War Alongside Israel, Don't Exclude the Possibility That Major Countries Would Join Iran California State University Professor Dr. David Yaghoubian: Iran Must Build Nukes to Protect Itself Against the Zio American Empire Iranian Analyst Emad Abshenas Denies Iranians Are Fleeing Tehran: They Are on Their Way to Vacation at Summer Resorts, While Israelis Hide in Shelters; Iran Controls Israeli Airspace, Not the Other Way Around Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: Iranians Will Never Surrender – Trump's Demands Are 'Vulgar and Unacceptable'; If the U.S. Enters the War, It Will Suffer Greater Harm Than Iran At Melbourne, Australia Pro-Islamic Republic Of Iran Rally, Protesters Chant: We Respond To Your Call, Oh Khamenei, Qasem Soleimani; Away With Humiliation! Lieutenant-Colonel Iman Tajik, Spokesman For Iran's Operation True Promise III: We Control The Skies Over Israel; The Success Of Our Missile Attack Sends A Message To Israel's 'War Mongering' American Ally Iranian MP Mahmoud Nabavian: U.S. Should Prepare 50,000 Coffins Before Even Taking A Hostile Glance Our Way; If They Block Our Oil Flow – No Other Country's Oil Will Flow Tehran Mayor Zakani On Iranian State TV: Trump's Fate Is In the Hands Of Iran; The U.S. Is Complicit In Israel's Attack, No Difference Between Israel And The Great Satan Tehran University Professor Mohammad Marandi: I Advise Israelis To Leave – They Should Go Back To The U.S., Europe, Arab Countries, Or Africa; Israeli Attacks Caused Little Damage, Most Targets Were Decoys; Iran Has Not Yet Used Its More Powerful Weapons Dearborn, Michigan Anti-U.S. And Anti-Israel Activist Tarek Bazzi – Who Was MC At Rally Where Crowd Chanted 'Death To America'– Shares AI-Generated Video Depicting Iran Bombing Israel, Says: The Resistance Is Fighting In The Way Of God, On Behalf Of All Humanity, Against The Arrogant And Tyrannical Forces Of U.S. Imperialism And Zionist Colonialism Lebanese Shi'ite Scholar Yasser Awde In Friday Sermon, Prior To Being Assaulted: October 7 Attacks Were 'Stupid'; Yemen Stood Firmly With Gaza And Lebanon – Where Was Iran? Former IRGC Commander-In-Chief Mohsen Rezaee: If Israel Drops A Nuclear Bomb On Iran, Pakistan Will Drop One On Israel; Iran Will Win And Israelis Will Leave Iranians Celebrate Attacks On Israel: We Came Here To Say 'Death To America! Death To Israel!'; We Will Plant The Iranian Flag On Israeli Soil And Chew Netanyahu's Throat Iraqi-Based Kurdish Leader Hussein Yazdanpanah Calls On Kurds To Attack Iranian Regime Targets, Avenge 'Kurdistan's Martyrs' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: The United States Is Complicit In Israeli Attacks; If Israel Stops Its Aggression, Our Retaliation Will Naturally Stop Senior Iran Navy Commander General Reza Abbasi: Iran Has Only Demonstrated A Fraction Of Its Capabilities — Israel Is Not In Our League; We Have Been Training For This For 26–27 Years Dearborn, Michigan Shi'ite Imam Usama Abdulghani: Iran Is Doing Mankind A Favor, It Will Pulverize Israel And The World Will Cheer – Get Out The Popcorn, Because Iran Is Going To Handle Its Business IRGC General And Majles Member Esmail Kowsari Breaks Down While 'Congratulating' Iranian Nuclear Scientists And Military Leaders On Their 'Martyrdom': They Had Been Hoping For This For Many Years Special Dispatch Reports From The Iran Studies Project Iran's IRGC-Affiliated Tasnim News Agency: Iran Has Adopted A 'New Strategy' To 'Restrain The Rabid Dogs' – i.e. Israel – 'Until They Regret' Their Actions Syrian Journalists And Activists Celebrate Israel's Attack On Iran: This Is One Of Our Most Joyous Days Article In UAE Daily: The Gulf States' Silence On The Iran-Israel Conflict Stems From Fear Of Its Possible Ramifications – Not Neutrality Russian Expert Kortunov: 'Israel-Iran Confrontation Is, To Some Extent, Even Beneficial To Russia' Qatar Supports Iran, Gloats Over Destruction In Israel: The Scenes Of Devastation In The Entity Destined For Extinction Warm The Heart Baloch Support For Israel's Preemptive Strike Against The Ayatollah's Regime Arab Writers: Iran Is An Enemy Of The Arabs; By Attacking It, Israel Did The Job The Arabs Were Afraid Of Pakistani Defense Minister Khwaja Asif: 'All Muslim Countries Should Fight United Against Israel'; We 'Are Standing By Iran In Every Way'; Urdu Daily: 'Pakistan Has Announced The Protection Of Iranian Interests On Every Forum' Hussein Yazdanpana – The Kurdish Leader Calling For The Toppling Of The Islamic Republic Of Iran: 'We Firmly Support Israel's Operation Rising Lion Against The Islamic Republic' From The MEMRI Archives: Iranian Regime Threats To Assassinate President Trump Free Balochistan Movement: The Way Israel Is Resisting The Iranian State's Expansionism And Terrorism Is Commendable; Extremist And Fundamentalist States Like Iran And Pakistan Are Common Enemies Of Both Israel And The Baloch People IRGC Commander Hossein Salami, Killed In Israel's Strikes On Iran: 'Our Enmity For America Is Essential And Rooted In Faith, And We Are Fighting The Global Arrogance' – The U.S.; Today Iran 'Stands... In The Heart Of A Great Jihad... Facing A Complex And Powerful Array Of Enemies Small And Large As Part Of A Global Satanic Coalition' Writer On Saudi Website: Israel's War On Iran Is A Great Service To Humanity; We Are Grateful To It In Iran, Hints That The Regime Is Already On The Threshold Of Producing A Nuclear Bomb Top Iranian Military Officials Killed In Israeli Strike – Select Clips From The MEMRI Archives A Coalition Of Non-Persian Ethnic Groups In Iran Could Topple The Ayatollahs' Regime In A Few Months Analysis From The Iran Studies Project Iranian Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's 1988 'Poisoned Chalice' Speech Accepting UN Security Council Resolution 598 Ending The Iran-Iraq War – Will Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Make A Similar Decision? Want Real Regime Change In Iran? Support The Minorities First Trump Debunks Offensive Political And Personal Attacks It Is Not Just About Regime Change – It Is About Reshaping The Region: The Post-Ayatollahs Iran Has To Include Non-Persians Regime Change In Iran – The Free Balochistan Movement's 'Democratic Transitional Plan' For The Post-Ayatollahs Era Complimentary Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Reports From The Iran Studies Project Muslim Brotherhood In Syria Rejects Statement From Parent Organization Declaring Support For Iran In War With Israel: We Will Not Side With 'The Criminals Who Have Destroyed Iraq, Syria, And Yemen', Will Prioritize Syria's Interests Iraqi Militia Leader Akram Al-Kaabi Issues Dire Threats Against President Trump, U.S. Nationals, Bases, Warns Against Any Harm Coming To Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Justifying Iranian Missile Strike On Israel's Soroka Hospital, Telegram Channels Supporting Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias Claim Iran Targeted Civilians Following Israeli Strikes On Strategic Sites, Describe Soroka As 'Military Hospital' Saudi-Owned Al-Hadath News Outlet: Hizbullah To Intervene In Israel-Iran War If It Perceives Iranian Regime To Be In Danger Muslim Brotherhood (MB) Expresses 'Complete Support' For Iran; Declares Israel's Operation In Iran 'New Phase' Of Its Aggression On Palestine; Calls On Muslims To Unite Against Israel, Their 'True Enemy' Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq: U.S. Agents, Bases In Iraq Not Safe; Iran Has Missile Arsenal Sufficient For Year Of Attacks Against Israeli, American Targets Pro-Hizbullah Daily: U.S. Interests In Middle East To Become Tehran Target Bank If U.S. Intervenes In Israel-Iran War; Iran Has 'Surprises' To 'Embarrass Washington' Iran-Backed Nigerian Shi'ite Cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, Condemns Israel's 'Violation Of Iran's Sovereignty,' Praises Yemen's Houthis' 'Unwavering' Support For Palestinians Telegram Outlet Linked To Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Publishes Posters Highlighting Iran's Psychological Warfare Against Israel Iranian IRGC-Linked Telegram Outlet Threatens To Target U.S. Bases In Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait Media Outlet Affiliated With Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq: U.S. Intervention In The Fight Against Iran Will Activate The Entire Axis Of Resistance, Exacting A 'Heavy Price' Of American Forces in the Middle East and Around the World Syrian Jihadis Eagerly Anticipate Iran's Imminent Destruction: 'No Iran After Today'; Some Warn Against Empowered Israel In First Since Start Of War With Iran, Houthi Ansar Allah Movement Claims Missile Attack On Israel In Coordination With Iran; Houthi Leader: Opportunity To Inflict 'Great Defeats' On Israel, To Renew 'Equation Of Deterrence' Islamic State (ISIS) Supporters Online Celebrate Israeli-Iranian Escalation, Pray For Conflict To Devastate Both Countries, Lead To ISIS Conquests Palestinian Factions Condemn Israeli Strikes On Iran, Rally In Solidarity With Tehran 'Axis Of Resistance' Responds To Israeli Strike On Iran With Unified Condemnations And Calls For Escalation IRGC-Affiliated Telegram Outlet: IRGC's Aerospace Force Issued Emergency, Exceptional Instructions For Unprecedented Retaliation Against Israel Special Announcements From The Iran Studies Project Visit The New MEMRI Webpage Featuring The Latest Research On The Iran-Israel War Emergency Appeal: Help Support The MEMRI Iran Studies Project Campaign MEMRI Analysis Of The Iranian Regime Over The Past 12 Months
Memri
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Memri
Hizbullah Secretary-General Naim Qassim: 'We In Hizbullah Will Not Remain Neutral In The War Against Iran'
The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here. On June 19, 2025, in a statement, Sheikh Naim Qassim, Secretary-General of Hizbullah, denounced the "Israeli-American aggression" against Iran, framing it as an attack on global resistance and freedom.[1] 'Beacon Of Resistance And Independence' Qassim portrayed Iran as a global symbol of support for the oppressed and resistance movements, particularly in Palestine. He stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran represents a prominent global light in supporting the oppressed, backing the resistance, and providing full support for the liberation of Palestine and Al-Quds. It is a faith-based, ethical, and independent experience of dignity." He highlighted Iran's 46-year "resilience against aggression and blockades," crediting its gains to self-reliance and the leadership of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and noting Iran's role in "inspiring resistance" in Palestine, Lebanon, and beyond. Rejecting Pretexts For War On Iran Qassim dismissed the justification for the strikes on Iran's nuclear program as baseless, emphasizing Iran's peaceful nature and alignment with international law. "What is the flimsy pretext for the Israeli aggression, decided by America and supported by it and the world's tyrants? The pretext is uranium enrichment and its nuclear program for peaceful purposes, which Iran pursues to serve its people and their progress, a right guaranteed by international laws and the International Atomic Energy Agency." He argued that this program poses no threat but contributes to scientific advancement in Iran and in the region. "U.S.-Led Aggression Is Threat To Global Stability" The statement depicted the U.S. and Israeli actions as destabilizing, accusing the two countries of dragging the region into chaos. Qassim warned, "The U.S. threat against the Supreme Leader and Jurist, Imam Khamenei, and the aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, is an aggression against all the peoples of the region and the free people of the world." He added that such actions "take the region into chaos and instability, and the world to open-ended crises," predicting failure and disgrace for the aggressors. Hizbullah's Solidarity With Iran Qassim affirmed Hizbullah's unwavering support for Iran, rejecting neutrality in the face of what he called global injustice. He stated: "We in Hizbullah and the Islamic Resistance are not neutral between Iran's legitimate rights and independence and the falsehood of America's aggression, along with the cancerous tumor Israel and the arrogant powers. We stand by Iran against this global injustice because we stand for our independence, the liberation of our land, and the freedom of our decisions and choices." He pledged to act as Hizbullah deems appropriate to counter the aggression. Call For Unified Resistance Urging global solidarity, Qassim called on free people, resistance fighters, and scholars to rally around Iran and its leadership. "We call on all free people, the oppressed, the resistance, scholars, and those with sound opinions to raise their voices loudly, display strength and courage, and support by rallying around the most honorable and noble leadership of Imam Khamenei (may his shadow endure), and with the brave and generous Iranian people." He stressed that unity is essential to thwart imperialist projects and to achieve the goals of resistance. 'Iran's Resilience and Israel's Failures' Qassim underscored Iran's unbreakable spirit and Israel's recent setbacks, citing the latter's reliance on U.S. support. "America and criminal Israel will not be able to subdue the Iranian people and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. This is a people that cannot be defeated, as proven by the days of past Israeli aggression, which showed the resilience of this people and their defiance of all pressures." "It also revealed Israel's failure and heavy losses, inflicted for the first time in 77 years since the occupation of Palestine," he said, reinforcing the need for continual support for Iran. The statement concluded with a Quranic verse, reinforcing Iran's steadfastness: "Those to whom the people said, 'Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.' But it only increased their faith, and they said, 'Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.'"
Memri
2 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Iranian Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's 1988 'Poisoned Chalice' Speech Accepting UN Security Council Resolution 598 Ending The Iran-Iraq War – Will Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Make A Similar Decision?
Introduction On July 17, 1988, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder and leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution, announced his agreement to accept UN Security Council Resolution 598 of that month pertaining to a ceasefire in the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, after rejecting the ceasefire for years. On the 2012 anniversary of Khomeini's decision, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei published several statements casting Khomeini's decision to end the war in a positive light, attributing it to Iran's grave economic problems at the time. He also stressed Iran's achievements because of this decision. It should be noted that Khamenei translated into Farsi the book The Peace Treaty of Hassan – the Second Imam bin Ali (625-670) who is Khamenei's role model. The book analyzes the circumstances of Hassan's 661 concession on his demand to rule to his rival, the Umayyad Caliph Mu'awiya ibn Abu Sufyan, and justifies Hassan's decision to sign a peace treaty ceding the caliphate, because he was in a much weaker position than the Sunni Mu'awiya and his forces For his translation of the book, Khamenei added to the title the subtitle "The Most Heroic and Glorious Flexibility [narmash-e kaharmananeh] in History," underlining Hassan's tactical decision in negotiating with forces much stronger than his. See MEMRI Inquiry and Analysis No. 1846, The Iranian Shi'ite Regime's Built-In Religious Mechanisms For Dealing With Grave Military Threats: Tactical And Temporary Concessions – Which It Calls 'Heroic Flexibility' – That It Has Employed Several Times Since Its Establishment In 1979, June 11, 2025. At this time, as Israel's attacks continue against the infrastructure of the Iranian regime's nuclear and ballistic missile projects in Iran that threaten Israel, Iran's Arab neighbors, and the West, Khamenei is at a crossroads. Will he order continued attacks against Israel, risking more Israeli attacks on Iran and, subsequently, the U.S.'s entry into the fray, which could lead to the collapse of Iran's Islamic regime? Or will he agree to enter into negotiations with the U.S., which will ultimately force him to relinquish Iran's nuclear and missile programs, by means of which he had sought to ensure the survival of the regime by threatening Israel, the Arab countries, and the West? Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei's Considerations: Continue The War Or Negotiate/Surrender? In Favor Of Negotiations Or Surrender 1. The top echelon of the military command of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the senior conservative group that has surrounded Khamenei for the past 30 years and accompanied him since the days of the Iran-Iraq war, was eliminated in the first days of the Israeli strikes. 2. The Iranian regime no longer has the power of its proxies to operate in Iran's stead or even at its side. It should be noted that the Iranian regime's policy throughout the years has been to wage war against its enemies – that is, Israel, the Sunni Muslim countries, and the West – by means of proxies. However, in the past two years, most of the elements of the axis of resistance that Iran built over the past three decades have been struck hard and severely damaged or disabled. 3. The decision by Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the Islamic Revolution, to accept the terms of surrender in UNSC 598 and stop the war was made under unique circumstances, after eight years of fighting, most of which in a war of attrition that cost Iran about a million lives, severe public resentment, near paralysis of its economy and military, and loss of hope of things ever getting better. 4. The Iranian regime is sending distress signals in the diplomatic arena and asking for direct talks with President Trump at the White House, apparently via Iran's representatives to the UN or Iran's figurehead president, who is a ceremonial figure because the leadership of the regime is reserved for the supreme leader, Khamenei. This change reflects a retreat in the Iranian regime's ideological stance of refusing to acknowledge the U.S. – the "Great Satan." In Favor Of War 1. Khamenei's right hand man today, his son Mojtaba, who is in his fifties and is even more extreme than his father, is the heir apparent of Khamenei, who is 86. Mojtaba relies on a circle of IRGC officers who are younger and more extremist than the veteran IRGC, and who have in recent years demanded a harsher approach to Israel. This generation of IRGC officers did not experience Iran's 1980-88 war against Iraq – in which Iraq was supported by both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. That war was a founding experience for the regime, and this new IRGC generation has not tasted that defeat. 2. Khamenei's situation today is not like Khomeini's in 1988, since not even a week has passed since Israel's first strikes on Iran, and despite the pinpoint damage to Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure, Khamenei has conveyed that he is determined to continue attacking Israel. The following is a translation of Khomeini's 1988 letter to the Iranian people informing them of his decision to accept the ceasefire. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's 1988 Statement Accepting A Ceasefire In The Iraq-Iran War "At present, after our military men, both of the army and the Revolutionary Guards, who are experts at warfare, openly admit that the Islamic army [of Iran] will not attain victory soon, and considering that military and political officials who support [the regime of] the Islamic Republic do not view a war going forward to be in the best interest of the country, and strongly asserting that 1/10th of the weapons placed by the Eastern and Western Arrogance [i.e. the USSR and the U.S.] at the disposal of Saddam [Hussein, Iraq's then-ruler] cannot be bought, anywhere in the world, for any price, and considering the horrifying letter from the Chief of the IRGC [Yahya Rahim Safavi], which was one of dozens of military-political reports I received after the recent defeats, and [in light of] the acknowledgement of the Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff [Hashemi Rafsanjani] saying that the IRGC chief is one of the only commanders who believe in continuing with the war, provided that war supplies are made available, and considering the enemy's widespread use of chemical weapons, and having no means to neutralize them, I accept a ceasefire, and in order to clarify the reason for making this bitter decision, I refer to several points in the letter from the IRGC chief, written on June 23, 1988. "[The commander wrote:] It is possible that we will not achieve any victories for the next five years. It is possible that if we have the means to purchase [what is needed] over the next five years, we will gain the power to carry out destructive operations or counterattacks. And [in five years,] in 1992, if we have 350 ground divisions, 2,500 tanks, 3,000 cannons, 300 fighter jets, and 300 helicopters... which are required for the war during that period, with God's help we may be able to carry out offensive operations. [The commander] says that it should be noted that the IRGC must grow to seven times its current power and that the army must be increased to two and a half times its size. He also mentioned, of course, that we must expel the U.S. from the Persian Gulf, otherwise we cannot succeed. This commander considered the most important factor in the success of his plan to be budgeting and preparing facilities in a timely manner, and noted that it is unlikely that the government and central command could meet their obligations. Of course, while mentioning this, he added that we must fight again, and that this is no longer a mere slogan. "The Prime Minister, [following the] statements by the Ministers of Finance and Budget Planning, announced that the regime's financial situation is at a deficit. Official war authorities say that the cost of the weapons we have lost in just the most recent defeats is equal to the annual budget allocated to the IRGC and the army. Political authorities say that since the people realized that a quick victory will not be achieved, their desire to join the front lines has diminished. "You, my dear ones, know more than anyone that this decision is like deadly poison to me, but I am satisfied by the will of Almighty God and will give all I have to protect [God's] religion and the [regime of] the Islamic Republic. "Oh God, we have risen up for the sake of Your religion, we have fought for Your religion, and we accept the ceasefire in order to defend Your religion. "Oh God, You are witness that we are not compromising with America, the Soviet Union, and all the superpowers of the world for even one moment, and that we see compromising with the superpowers as a betrayal of our Islamic principles. "Oh God, we are strangers to the world of polytheism, unbelief, and hypocrisy, to the world of money, power, and deceit. Please help us. "Oh God, throughout history, when the prophets, the first [imams], and the religious scholars decided to reform society, to combine knowledge and action, and to create a society free of corruption and ruin, they were met with resistance from the Abu-Jahels and Abu-Sufyans of their day.[1] "Oh God, we have sacrificed the children of Islam and our revolution for You, we have none but You, help us carry out your commandments and laws. "Oh God, I beseech You to grant me shahada [martyrdom] as soon as possible. "I have said that a meeting must be held to explain the ceasefire to the people. Beware, hotheaded aggressors may use revolutionary slogans to draw you away from what is best for Islam. I say clearly that all your efforts should be directed at justifying this [the ceasefire]. Any deviation is forbidden, and will incur a response. You know that the regime's leaders made this decision with reddened eyes and hearts full of love for Islam and our Islamic homeland. Look to God and know that all that is happening is for the best, peace be unto us and God's servants." *Ayelet Savyon is Director of the MEMRI Iran Studies project.
Memri
3 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Pro-Hizbullah Daily: U.S. Interests In Middle East To Become Tehran Target Bank If U.S. Intervenes In Israel-Iran War; Iran Has 'Surprises' To 'Embarrass Washington'
The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here. On June 18, 2025, while Arab and Western media increasingly debated whether the U.S. would join the Israel-Iran war to assist Israel, the pro-Hizbullah Lebanese Al-Akhbar daily published two wide-ranging articles that detail the threat posed by Iran to American forces in the Middle East. The articles also relate to harsh consequences they claim the U.S. will face on land and at sea, if it interferes in the fighting. One article reviews the deployment of American forces in the Middle East and suggests that these forces will become "a bank of strategic targets" for Iran, if the U.S. joins the war. A second article states that the Iranian missile arsenal comprises types of missiles that have yet to be revealed, and hints at additional "tactical surprises" in the hands of the Iranians which, according to Al-Akhbar, would "embarrass Washington."[1] The above illustrative photograph appeared with the first article referred to below. The following are the main points raised in the Al-Akhbar articles that appeared on June 18, 2025: One of the articles titled "Washington's Assets in the Region: Valuable Target Bank for Tehran," details the deployment of American forces in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa and states that the U.S. army has more than 50 bases in countries that are allies of the U.S., from the area of the Persian Gulf to Turkey and the Horn of Africa, including "an undeclared presence" of American forces on Israeli territory. The article provides the names of the bases, their locations, and the scope of the deployment of the forces stationed there. According to the article there are 2,500 American soldiers stationed at seven bases across Iraq; 1,500 in Syria, also stationed at seven bases; 2,000 stationed at one base in Turkey; 3,000 across four bases in Jordan; 3,000 across five bases in Saudi Arabia; 9,000 across three bases in Bahrain; 13,000 at one base in Qatar; 5,000 on three bases in the Emirates; and in Oman it says that there are 600 American soldiers stationed at six bases. These numbers don't include the soldiers on several aircraft carriers and destroyers that are already in the region or en route to the Middle East, as well as additional forces on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The article implies that the network of American bases in the Middle East "will become a bank of strategic targets for Iran." A second article titled "Iranian Surprises that Await the Americans: This is What Iran Has Up Its Sleeve" claims that the Iranian missile arsenal contains missiles of a range that has not yet been disclosed, as well as "tactical surprises which are likely to embarrass Washington." It lists the main types of missiles that Iran has, and among other things mentions that Iran has extended the range of its missiles and improved their accuracy so that they can hit a target with an accuracy of seven to 50 meters. The article also claims that Iran has enlarged its missiles' warheads to a weight of two tons, and improved their ability to maneuver and their resistance to the electronic warfare employed by the enemy. It further states that Iran has developed hypersonic missiles, long-range cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles with a range of up to 300 km., and various types of drones with a range of 2,000 km. The article states that Iran focused on developing missiles that will enable it to go to war with the U.S., to attack its bases, and to wear down its forces in the region. It claims that Iran has a large supply of long-range missiles to enable it to wage an open-ended war against Israel, and that to this end it built "missile cities" across the country that can store great quantities of missiles. According to the article, to date Iran has only revealed that it has missiles with a 2,000 km. range, although it is believed that it actually possesses missiles with a range of 4,000 km, whose existence it chose not to disclose so as not to arouse the concern of countries in Europe. The above photograph, published with the second article referred to in this report, shows the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on northern Israel. These articles in the Al-Akhbar daily follow similar reports published on June 17 by media outlets affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-backed militias in Iraq, which highlight the vulnerability of U.S. military bases in the Middle East to Iranian missile strikes,[2] and warn that American interference in the war against Iran will activate the regional axis of resistance and claim "a heavy price" from the U.S. in the Middle East and across the world.[3]
