Iran’s Shamkahni Reacts to Brian Hook’s Surprise Resignation

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani reacted to the surprise departure of US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook from his post, saying that Washington’s so-called ‘maximum pressure’ campaign against Tehran has failed.

The ultimate objective of Washington’s so-called ‘maximum pressure’ campaign was Iran’s collapse as well as ‘regime change’ in the country, Shamkhani tweeted on Friday. This aim, however, has now changed as the US administration is seeking to prevent Iran from turning into a wealthy country, he added. “Brian (Hook) like John (Bolton) left the White House without any achievement. Mike (Pompeo) may also need to pack up and leave before (Donald) Trump,” the top official said. Hook, is leaving his post and US special representative for Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, will add Iran to his role “following a transition period” with Hook, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday. Hook, 52, was appointed to the top Iran role at the US State Department in late 2018 and tried to lead Washington’s so-called “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran after Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers. Pompeo did not give a reason for the change but wrote in a tweet that Hook was moving on to the private sector. Source: Iranian Agencies

Supreme Leader Lauds Quds Force as Main Pillar of Regional Diplomacy

Delivering a live televised speech on the occasion of the National Teachers’ Day and International Workers’ Day (May Day), Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei rejected on Sunday the Western powers’ call on Iran to pursue submissive diplomacy in the West Asian region and saying that the IRGC Quds Force is the main pillar of Iran’s diplomacy in the region.

Zarif Sees Positive Signs in Vienna Talks, Regional Cooperation

Announcing the end of his visit to the Persian Gulf countries, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated that glimmers of hope and positive signs are seen in Vienna talks and regional talks.

Leader warns against protracted talks on reviving Iran nuclear deal

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned against protracted talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, reiterating that Iran will only return to its commitments under the accord once it has verified that all US sanctions have been removed.

Israel to build 540 settler units in East al-Quds for first time since Biden inauguration

Israeli authorities have given the green light for the construction of hundreds of illegal settler units in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds in the first such measure since US President Joe Biden assumed office in late January.

Russia: US uses Daesh to hinder political solution to crisis in Syria

Russia says the United States makes use of the Daesh terrorist group to impede a political solution to the decade-long crisis in Syria and supports separatist militants in a flagrant violation of international resolutions.