Rafsanjani: shark or kingmaker?

by Simon Tisdall for The Guardian

The man accused by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of masterminding the opposition campaign to oust him from the presidency has dropped out of view since election day. But Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani remains a formidable figure in Iranian politics with a network of well-placed allies straddling the reformist and moderate conservative camps. If any one leader is able to force a re-run of last Friday's disputed poll, it may be the two-term former president nicknamed the "shark".

Rafsanjani was last heard from in public as he cast his vote on Friday. According to the Iranian Students News Agency, he called for a "clean" poll and said a big turnout (favouring the reformists) would boost Iran's regional and international image. Following the ensuing storm over Ahmadinejad's apparent victory, al-Arabiya television reported Rafsanjani had resigned as chairman of the Assembly of Experts and of the Expediency Council, two key government bodies. This report remains unconfirmed.

More intriguing are similarly unsubstantiated claims that Rafsanjani is in the holy city of Qom, where he once studied and where he has strong links to a moderate clerical body, the Association of Combatant Clergy. Rafsanjani was said to be assessing whether he has sufficient votes in the 86-member Assembly of Experts to dismiss Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader and Ahmadinejad's chief patron. Under Iran's constitution, only the assembly has the power to do this.

The super-rich Rafsanjani, his family, and his supporters in the reformist Kargozaran party make no bones about helping finance and direct Mir Hossein Mousavi's campaign to topple Ahmadinejad, whom they despise. But with Mousavi ostensibly beaten, the developing post-election struggle now pits Rafsanjani against Khamenei rather than the president – who is widely seen as a mouthpiece for the hardline fundamentalism typified by the Supreme Leader. Although he is supposed to stay above the fray, Khamenei endorsed Ahmadinejad this time, just as in the second round of the 2005 election.

Rafsanjani has made no secret of his belief that foreign and economic policies pursued during the past four years under Khamenei's guidance have seriously damaged the Islamic Republic. His frustrations came to a head last week after Ahmadinejad was allowed to publicly accuse him of corruption. In an angry letter he lambasted Khamenei for failing to uphold the country's dignity. In what was in effect an unprecedented challenge to Khamenei's authority, he implied the Supreme Leader, normally above criticism, was negligent, partial, and possibly involved in plans to steal the election.

"I am expecting you to resolve this position in order to extinguish the fire, whose smoke can be seen in the atmosphere, and to foil dangerous plots," Rafsanjani wrote. "If the system cannot or does not want to confront such ugly and sin-infected phenomena as insults, lies and false allegations, how can we consider ourselves followers of the sacred Islamic system?"

Rafsanjani remains unpopular with many Iranians who believe the corruption claims and blame him for a murderous, covert campaign to silence dissidents at home and abroad during his 1989-97 presidency. Those latter allegations earned him another nickname: the "grey eminence". At the same time he is respected as one of the Islamic revolution's founding fathers and a close associate of its first leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. As a result he can count on some powerful friends if he decides to try to shame Khamenei into allowing an election re-run or standing down.

Apart from his clerical allies in Qom, prominent establishment conservatives such as Ali Akbar Velayati and Ali Akbar Nateq-Nuri have criticised Ahmadinejad. So, too, has Ali Larijani, the influential Majlis (parliament) speaker and former national security chief. The mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, is another potential ally, as are the former president Mohammad Khatami, Mousavi, the other defeated presidential candidates, and their millions of thwarted supporters.

If mobilised, his would comprise an elite coalition operating inside the hierarchy of the Islamic Republic, rather than from outside on the streets. It would not be a democratic movement; but it would be a dagger held to Khamenei's breast. Not for nothing is the Machiavellian Rafsanjani, pistachio nut millionaire, pragmatist and ruthless political survivor, known by yet another nickname: the "kingmaker". Iran awaits his next move.

Islamic Revolution Leader issued a statement Sunday on the horrendous tragedy of Gaza bloodbath in the hand of the Zionists

Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei issued a statement Sunday on the horrendous tragedy of Gaza bloodbath in the hand of the Zionists, strongly condemning the heinous complicity of the criminal Bush's regime with the Zionists, adding that the silence of some international bodies and some Arab states provided for the crimes.

Ayatollah Khamenei declared Monday as day of general mourning and called on all Muslim people and free men of the world to render their duty towards the tragic issue. The text of the statement is as follows (source here)

Bismillah-e Rahman-e Rahim

"We belong to Allah, and to Him we return"

The horrific atrocity of the Zionist regime in Gaza in which hundreds of innocent men, women and children were massacred pushed the curtain of deception from the blood thirsty face of the Zionist wolves and noted the negligent about the presence of this hostile disbeliever in the heart of the lands of Islamic umma.

The horrendous ordeal is very heavy and moving for any Muslim not to say for any free and noble human being in any corner of the world. However, the larger ordeal is the encouraging silence of some Arab governments which claim to be Muslims. Which ordeal could be larger than the fact that Muslim governments, otherwise expected to support the innocent Gaza people against the usurping and hostile regime, adopted a mood which encouraged the criminal Zionist authorities to impertinently consider them as in harmony with the large tragedy?

Which answer the heads of those countries have prepared to give to the Messenger of Allah (S.A.)? Which answer they have prepared to give to their own nations which are indeed mourning the tragedy? Indeed today the heart of the Egyptian, Jordanian and the people of other Islamic countries is overwhelmed with sorrow about the bloodshed as well as the protracted food and medicine embargos.

By his complicity in the large crime, the criminal Bush's administration in the last days of his shameful rule more darkened the face of the American regime than ever and added to its dossier of war crimes. The European governments with their indifference and sometimes their complicity in the large tragedy once more proved that their claims of advocacy for human rights are false and also showed they are present in the front against Islam and Muslims. Now, I ask the scholars and Alims of the Arab world and the chiefs of the Egyptian al-Azhar center "isn't it the time to feel the threat facing Islam and Muslims?" "Isn't it the time to fulfill the mandatory act of standing against any bullying ruler?" Is an additional, more divulging scene of complicity between the hostile disbelievers and the hypocrites of umma in repressing the Muslims than the current Gaza and Palestine developments is needed to prompt you to feel responsibility?

I have also a question to ask the media and the intellectuals of the world of Islam and especially the Arab world. For how long you have decided to remain indifferent regarding your media and intellectual responsibility?

Has there remained any more face for the scandal-hit human rights bodies of the west and the so-called 'security' council of the United Nations to lose?

All the Palestinian Mujahid and other faithful of the world of Islam are supposed to defend the defenseless people of Gaza. Anyone who is killed in the legitimate and holy defense is a martyr and is hoped to be among the ranks of the martyrs of Badr and Ohud battles in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.).

The Organization of the Islamic Conference must fulfill its historical responsibility in the sensitive conditions and form a solid front, bereft of inaction and preservations, against the Zionist regime. The Zionist regime must be punished by the Muslim governments. The heads of the usurping regime must be tried and punished in person for their crimes and the protracted siege.

The Muslim nations are able to materialize the demands through firm resolve. The duty of politicians, Alims and intellectuals in this juncture is much heavier than others.

I declare Monday a day of general mourning in commemoration of the Gaza tragedy and instruct the country's authorities to fulfill their duties regarding the sad incident.

"And those who do wrong shall surely know by what overturning they will be overturned"

Sayyed Ali Khamenei

Maliki summoned to Tehran

Press TV reports that Maliki will travel to Tehran this Sunday for the discussion of "a further expansion bilateral ties" and that he will meet with both President Ahmadinejad and, more importantly, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. So what are they going to discuss? Opening an Iraqi chamber of commerce in Tabriz or maybe expanding cultural ties? Hardly.

There is no doubt in my mind at all that what will really take place is a very serious discussion about the US SOFA. Since the sentence "existential threat" has become popular in recent times, I would suggest that having 50 US bases in Iraq would constitute an existential threat to Iran and that this is exactly what Supreme Leader Khamenei will tell Maliki.

Hamas' Khalid Meshaal meets with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei

Press TV has just published a short article saying that the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has granted an audience to Hamas' political leader Khaled Meshaal. The AFP provides some more details about the meeting and its context:


Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday told the visiting political supremo of Hamas to keep up the resistance against Israel, warning that abandoning the struggle would lead to disgrace.

The meeting between Khamanei and Khaled Meshaal came a week after Syria and Israel announced they had resumed indirect peace negotiations through Turkish mediators, after an eight-year freeze.

"It is evident today that the Zionist regime is at its lowest ebb and is unable to resist the patient Palestinian people," Khamenei was quoted by state radio as telling the Syria-based Meshaal.

"Thank God the Palestinian people have stood like a mountain despite the disaster. The only way to the liberation of Palestine is to resist faithfully.

"The ones who choose a path that is not one of resistance will pay a price and be disgraced in the eyes of God," he added.

All this is clearly hinting at the context of the Israeli-Syrian negotiations which, sooner rather than later, will result in Syria openly fall under Washington's sphere of influence. Clearly Tehran and Hamas are preparing for the Syrian betrayal.

Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei's condolences to Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah

Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei wrote a message Thursday to pass on condolences to Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah over the martyrdom of the assassinated Lebanese warrior Hajj Imad Mughniyeh.

The text of the message in full follows:

Bismillah-e Rahman-e Rahim

Dear brother Hojjat-ol-Islam Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah

The martyrdom of the dedicated and diligent brother Hajj Imad Mughniyeh was a great accomplishment and a prosperous culmination for the man himself as his heart was brimming with the love of diligence in the path of God; at the same time, it was a source of pride for the Lebanese nation which is rearing and offering such great men to the span of freedom seeking and combat against oppression.

Though a heartrending loss for all noble men and all those who knew him, not least his parents, his wife and his dear children, the life and death of the eminent, diligent freeman and his likes is an epic which would awaken the nations, produce examples to youths and show to every one the path to bright horizons.

The bloodthirsty, criminal Zionists must mind that the pure blood of such martyrs as Imad Mughniyeh would generate hundreds of other Imad Mughniyehs and would double the resistance against oppression, corruption and transgression.

Such men as the great martyr sacrifice their lives, well-being and temporal gains in the path of support for the innocent and combat against the oppression and arrogance. This is a sublime merit to which all the fair-minded individuals would pay homage.

May Allah's Consent be on him as well as on all those who are dedicated to the path of truth.

I offer my congratulations and condolences over the great martyrdom to you and his respected family as well as the prideful youths of Hezbollah and resistance and the overall Lebanese nation.

Greetings to him and you and Mercy of Allah

Sayyed Ali Khamenei
Feb 14, 2008

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, Urges Breach of Gaza Siege

Al-Manar TV reports:

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei on Friday called on Muslim heads of state to join hands to break the Israeli occupation siege of Gaza.

"Muslim governments should break siege of Gaza and the Egyptian government and nation have a heavy duty in that concern. All Muslim nations should help the Egyptian government and nations fulfill the duty," said Ayatollah Khamenei in an address to the Islamic Republic Army Air Force personnel.

His eminence said the problem with Palestine, siege of Gaza and massacre of Gazans are the result of the wrong Middle East policies of the US and of the Annapolis Conference. He added, "At a time when Gaza boils in fire and blood, and (at a time when) the US President's tour of the region has ended up in disaster, any talks between regional states and the US and the usurper Zionist Regime will be futile."

Sayyed Khamenei said Arab states should be watchful that they or others from the Palestinian camp are not used against Gaza people because the dirty act will always remain as a dark stain. Naming resistance as the only way for salvation of the Palestinian nation, his eminence said, "Resistance of the Palestinian nation and of Gazans against huge economic pressure, invasions and massacre is praiseworthy and Palestinian people should be careful of enemies' plot to divide Palestinian nation and the Palestinian government-elect."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei wants a "powerful Russia"

"A sovereign Iran is in the interest of Russia. At the same time, a powerful Russia is in the interest of Iran"

Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei welcomed the Russian President's declaration of Moscow resolve for expanding the bilateral relations with Tehran to unlimited levels adding that the expansion would prove beneficial to both nations.

Ayatollah Khamenei told the visiting Vladimir Putin Tuesday night that the two nations enjoy a variety of grounds to strengthen their mutual bonds.

Ayatollah Khamenei was discontent about the present volumes of trade exchanges between the two countries, noting that enhanced levels of trade ties would serve the interests of both countries.

"A sovereign Iran is in the interest of Russia. At the same time, a powerful Russia is in the interest of Iran," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Islamic Revolution Leader told Putin that the authentic source of power for any country lies in the intrinsic strength of its nation, adding that the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic have opted for perseverance in defending its national interests because it is confident the enemy transgression will never be quenched.

"On the same ground, the Iranian nation and government will keep the aware and powerful logic and at the same time will avoid adventurism or leaving any excuse to the enemy," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The IR Leader then praised the Russian nation for their persevering mood in many historical occasions.

"We have a bright and fine image from the Russian nation in our mind which originates from the prudent resistance it has shown in different junctures," Ayatollah Khamenei appreciated.

Ayatollah Khamenei then proscribed US transgressive and excuse-seeking mood. "Americans keep dissent towards any country or government which stands up to their illegitimate interests or acts independent from the country. However, the nations could not be put down by such transgressions," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.

The IR Leader recalled the incessant US intimidation over the years after the Islamic Revolution was triumphed in Iran, noting however that the country has always harvested an otherwise reverse outcome.

"America has left no stone unturned to deal a blow to the Iranian nation. However, its adventurism has been always working in the opposite direction," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Concerning the nuclear issue, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined Iran's familiar readiness for building confidence, adding that Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue as a rational and precise job.

"We are determined to satisfy our country's need to nuclear energy and for the same reason we seriously hold to the enrichment issue," Ayatollah Khamenei affirmed.

Concerning the idea of forming an organization in the nature of OPEC to handle gas market affairs, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the good talks held between the Russian side and the Iranian officials. The IR Leader expressed hope the talks would help produce a brighter future in the two countries' relations.

Ayatollah Khamenei concluded his remarks by assuring Vladimir Putin that the Iranian side would deliberate on the proposals and statements of the visiting President delivered in his trip to Iran.

Vladimir Putin for his part described his talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was also present in the meeting, as comprehensive and excellent.

The Russian President said that in his Tehran talks more entente were eyed by the two sides in terms of full-scale and unconstrained cooperation in energy, transit, and aerospace.

"We developed a very bright perspective for the bilateral ties between the two countries," Putin added.

The Russian President affirmed that a powerful and influential Iran was in the interest of the Russian nation and that Moscow would consider no limit in expanding relations with Tehran and would march ahead without preservation.

"Russia has respect for Iran's position regarding nuclear issue and considers peaceful use of nuclear energy as the right of the country. At the same time, it opposes any coercion against Iran," Putin underlined.

Putin welcomed IRI-IAEA cooperation and said that Moscow would support the initiative which Iran had taken.

Putin warns against Iran attack during landmark visit

by Stuart Williams

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday warned against military action on Iran and backed its right to nuclear energy, during the first visit to the country by a Kremlin chief since World War II.

Putin, attending a summit meeting of Caspian Sea states, arrived in the Iranian capital amid heavy security and secrecy over his travel plans after reports that a squad of suicide bombers planned to kill him.

"It is important... that we not only do not use any kind of force but also do not even think about the possibility of using force," Putin told the four other Caspian Sea leaders gathered for the summit.

"It is also important that we talk about the impossibility of using our territory for other countries to carry out aggression or military action against other Caspian littoral states."

Along with the presidents of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, Putin declared the states "would not allow their territory to be used by a third country to commit military action against one of the parties."

The United States has never ruled out military action against Tehran, but Iran's northern neighbour Azerbaijan, a US ally, has repeatedly insisted it would not allow the US military to launch an attack from its soil.

Tuesday's declaration also supported Iran's right to nuclear energy, which the United States claims Tehran only wants as cover for an atomic weapons drive.

It backed the right of Non-Proliferation Treaty members to "research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful ends, without discrimination, within the framework of this treaty and the mechanisms of the UN nuclear watchdog."

Putin's comments highlighted the differences between Russia and the West, which is seeking more unilateral and UN sanctions to punish Tehran for its nuclear defiance.

Russia has insisted that diplomacy is the way to solve the standoff and has said it is not convinced by the Western claims Iran's nuclear programme is military in nature. Tehran insists its atomic drive is entirely peaceful.

However, Putin was downbeat on the work to complete Iran's first nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr, which is being built by a Russian contractor.

He said the much-delayed project was being held back by "worn-out equipment" dating back to the time the project was started in the 1970s by Germany's Siemens under the deposed shah.

"This is one of the problems preventing swift completion of the work in Bushehr," Putin said after talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who he also invited to visit Russia.

But Putin reaffirmed that Moscow was committed to finishing the plant within a timetable the currently sees the plant going online in late 2008.

Putin also held talks with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, when the Russian president said Moscow had an interest in a "strong Iran" and predicted that relations would expand further, state television reported.

Reports on Russian news agencies of an assassination threat had cast doubt over whether Putin would go ahead with the visit but to the relief of Iranian officials, his plane landed at Tehran's Mehrabad airport early on Tuesday.

The arrangements for Putin's departure were also being kept under wraps.

Russia's Interfax news agency, citing a source in the Russian special services, had reported on Sunday that a group of suicide bombers would try to kill Putin in Tehran. The Kremlin said Putin had been notified of the report.

Iranian media reported that Putin's armour-plated car had been air-freighted into Tehran ahead of his visit to ensure his security.

The Islamic republic has regularly hosted allies who share its antipathy towards the United States such as Belarus President Aleksander Lukashenko, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez.

But a visit by a statesman of Putin's stature -- his country is a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council -- was a major event.

The last Kremlin chief to visit Iran was Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, who attended the famous conference of the "Big Three" World War II Allied powers in Tehran in 1943 alongside Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei views on women in Islam

Islam's emphasis on women's family role never means it refuses their presence in other parts of society

Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei told an elite assembly of Iranian women Wednesday that in Islam's view, the responsibility of running the society and country falls on every individual men and women alike whereas the prime assignment of women at every social status lies in the foundation of family.

Ayatollah Khamenei extended congratulations to the audience on the auspicious birth anniversary of the grand woman of all time, Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (Allah's peace be upon her) which coincides the birth anniversary of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, may Allah confer mercy on him.

"Islam's emphasis on women's family role never means it refuses their presence in other parts of society rather it is meant to prioritize the maternal and spousal role against other social functions especially when the survival and spiritual development of the mankind and the well being of society is a tribute to fruition of their function," the IR Leader said.

The Islamic Revolution Leader considered the large elite woman population in the country as proof to substantiate the views of Islam and the Islamic Republic regarding the women issue.

"No time ever the country has enjoyed such a scale of female researchers, scientists, intellectuals, authors, artists or activists as it does today. It shows that the Islamic views about Hijab never bar women from progress or sublimity rather they serve their talents and facilitate their growth," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Ayatollah Khamenei was critical about the western views which run afar women's innate calls and treat them as if they are a second hand copy of men. "The views in fact belittle women. However, sometimes a perfect woman proves worthier than a perfect man," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged the country's elite women to rectify the false western views towards women, adding that in Islam's view, being woman is a merit originally and that women and men have their own status and role in the sagacious Divine Creation.

Ayatollah Khamenei described the Western manipulative treatment of women as oppression against the human community and betrayal of women rights.

"Woman is the gorgeous, fine, draped part of the Creation. The deadliest sin westerners are accountable for is that they demoted woman to a tool for publicity of commodities, money raising or awry sexualities, making incurable problems to befall on human community," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The IR Leader criticized the scattered efforts for the alignment of Islam Statute with women-related foreign conventions, adding however that some of the women-related decrees developed in jurisprudence were not the final say so that a seasoned, parameter-oriented jurisprudential research could derive newer points out of the Statute.

"Nevertheless, the attempt of several west-fascinated individuals to add to or cut part of the Islamic Statute or align them with some of the international conventions is absolutely wrong," the IR Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei appealed to the country's research bodies, universities and jurisprudential schools to provide quality argument against feminist views and propagandas. The IR Leader described the undertaking as a true service to all women in the world.

The IR Leader deplored maltreatment of family relations practiced in different countries in the world, adding that men are not allowed to bully women within families or oppress them by abuse of their physical might or other male characteristics.

"Islamic ethics in family discourage men from bullying women. Nonetheless, ground must be prepared for due family relations either through consultation or law," the IR Leader said.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez meet with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei

Iran: US no more a wall of fear

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution says the false façade of the US, which used to intimidate other nations, has dissipated.

He made the comment in his meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who is in Tehran on a three-day visit.

"Its shaky political structure as well as the ongoing domestic complications it has to deal with has proven the bullying policies of the US government," Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei added.

Referring to the futile efforts of the US to debilitate both Venezuela and Iran, which have independent popular governments, the Leader said, "Therefore, cooperation between the two nations is not only natural but needs to be boosted as well."

"Given the fact that world powers have always tried to weaken independent countries, these nations must beef up cooperation in all sectors," he stated.

He also stressed that the bilateral agreements between the two countries should be implemented.

In the meantime, Chavez pointed to the large number of contracts between the two countries in the fields of oil and gas, petrochemical sectors and said that Caracas is seriously seeking stronger ties with Tehran.

He said the recent developments in Latin America and the emergence of independent anti-American governments indicates that imperialism is declining.

"Independent nations should look forward to the future,” he added.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also present at the meeting.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei: Iran won't Give Up Nuclear Rights

TEHRAN, June 30-- The Supreme Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Saturday that the Iranian nation will not give up its nuclear rights, stressing that the Western powers' hue and cry will not have an impact on the nation's strong determination.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the Iranian nation has shown that the government officials will enjoy public support wherever they choose the right path.

The leader said the US government has faced consecutive setbacks in the Middle East and, therefore, tries to divert the public attention from its humiliating failures.

Ayatollah Khamenei said senior US officials have made serious miscalculations in their Middle East policies and have now resorted to baseless anti-Iran accusations to conceal their mistakes.

In a meeting with members of the cabinet and the executive directors from throughout the country, the leader said that the ninth government has acted bravely in line with the objectives and values of the Islamic Revolution.

Meanwhile, a team from the UN nuclear watchdog will visit Iran on July 11-13 to discuss how to resolve questions about Tehran's peaceful nuclear activities.

"A team consisting of the agency's deputy director and some officials will come to Tehran to study a working plan that will answer all the remaining issues in regard to Iran's nuclear program," Iran's IAEA envoy, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, told ISNA news agency.

Olli Heinonen, the UN agency's global head of inspectors, would lead the delegation.

Iraq's President Talabani meets Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei in Teheran

Presence of occupiers, the main problem facing Iraq

Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei told the visiting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and his accompanying delegation Tuesday evening that the paramount issue facing Iraq at the moment is the presence of the occupiers and lack of security.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to give unstinting support to the serving Iraqi government, its president, its premier, its administration and its parliament which are elected by the Iraqi people," Ayatollah Khamenei reaffirmed.

The IR Leader said the Iraqi people had shown such a presence and balloting performance which had had no precedence in the history of the country.

"The opponents of the status quo are actually playing discontent with the will and interests of the Iraqi people. America and Britain top the opponent circle and some of the regional states are unfortunately acting against the interests of the Iraqi people as well."

Ayatollah Khamenei underscored readiness on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran to extend all cooperation to the government and nation of Iraq to restore security in the country.

"Americans are against the expansion of relations between Iran and Iraq and try to disrupt the ties. We must stand up to their attempt," Ayatollah Khamenei urged Talabani.

The Islamic Revolution Leader urged the Iraqi nation, especially its political and cultural elites to enhance their unity and solidarity, adding that the spy services of America, Zionist regime and some countries on their turf in particular are to blame for the Iraqi insecurity and the ongoing atrocities.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to America's move to arm several terrorist outfits inside Iraq, saying that the issue will prove harmful to America as they once faced the consequences of a similar move in Afghanistan a few years ago where they moved to arm some Afghan outfits.

Ayatollah Khamenei then warned about America's incendiary policy in the region, especially in Palestine, adding, "The Palestinian situation, namely the infighting between the Palestinian brethren and the imposed pressure on the people-elected government are really heartrending."

"Under such conditions, the regional nations and countries has no solution but to bolster their might and enhance their ranks against the bullying powers," Ayatollah Khamenei underlined.

Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that the regional nations can indeed stand against the superpowers by working together, adding that had the nations put on resolve, they can do any work they wish among others to bring America to heel.

In the meeting, which was also attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iraqi President praised the IRI's nation and government for their unwavering support to the Iraqi nation.

Jalal Talabani said that the Iraqi government views expansion of relations with Iran as a necessity and will follow the course seriously whatever the enemies' desire and will surrender to no foreign pressure in this regard.

Concerning the lack of security in Iraq, the Iraqi President revealed that the Iraqi Police go unarmed. "Currently, out of five Iraqi policemen only one police carries weapon," he said, adding that to counter insecurity, the Iraqi government had adopted decisions to arm the Police and other forces.