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- Dutch role in 2007 Stuxnet attack on Iran’s nuclear site under scrutiny: Iraian FM Spox.
- Iran: ‘Sustainable Security 2019’ kicks off in Caspian Sea
- Iran’s Zarif leaves Tehran for Moscow
- Shiraz University ranked 1st in liver transplantation: Iranian health official
- Japan’s Abe to meet Iran’s president to discuss easing tension in region
- Downing of US spy drone shattered war threats against Iran: Top IRGC commander
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- Iranian Taekwondo team wins 2019 World Cup championship
- US sanctions failed to force Iran to buckle: Report
- Crew fixing Iran oil tanker broken down in Red Sea
- As Iranians hold nerves, US seeks to scare off trade
- Leader expresses concern about Kashmir, urges India to follow fair policy toward Muslim-majority region
- Iran saffron exports down due to smuggling, government restrictions: Exporter
- Iran FM warns US against ‘serious miscalculation’ in Persian Gulf
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- Iran in reverse brain drain as top students come home in rising numbers
- Iran official calls for compensation for tanker seizure
- Iran hails N Korea for standing against ‘unilateral’ US demands
- Shia Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Ghadir
- North Korea praises Iran’s anti-US struggle
- Zarif says to meet French president Friday
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- IME trade ups by 21 percent in July
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- US anti-Iran policy in high seas harms Europeans: LA Times
- Iran, China confer on Syria
- Iran, Finland share views on Persian Gulf dialogue forum: Zarif
- Iran warns US against seizure of oil tanker
- Iraq eager to benefit from Iranian Police’s experience
- Iran planning 3rd step to reduce nuclear commitments: Spokesman
- Leader grants clemency to over 1,000 Iranian inmates
- Registration for Arbaeen Pilgrimage to begin in Iran on Friday
- Iran, Iraq agree to reopen Khosravi border crossing
- Iran deplores suicide attack at Kabul wedding hall
- Iran to hold int'l hand-woven carpets expo
- Zarif meets with Iran-Kuwait Friendship Group members
- Adrian Darya oil tanker not under any sanctions, says Iran envoy
- ‘Iran to stay in nuclear deal as long as its interests are met’
- India envoy happy with positive trend of trade with Iran
- Iran’s annual export of white meat tops 2.5m tons: Minister
- Iranian scientist discovers new state of matter
- Iran, Japan diplomats discuss bilateral ties
- Iran, Ansarullah, European representatives Yemen developments
- ‘Iran to become self-sufficient in producing aircraft engines'
- US issues seizure warrant for Iranian supertanker 'Grace 1'
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- US faces humiliating defeat after Gibraltar releases Iranian tanker: Envoy
- Spokesman rejects claim on Iran’s commitment in exchange for tanker release
- Zarif reacts to release of Iranian tanker in Gibraltar
- Israel, UAE engaged in secret talks on Iran arranged by US: Report
- US threatens visa ban as Iranian-operated tanker sets to sail from Gibraltar
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- Gibraltar releases Iran-operated tanker despite US pressure
TEHRAN, December 20 - An American academic and political commentator said the Zionist regime of Israel is colluding with the US and Saudi Arabia to form a new “strategic” coalition against the Palestinian nation.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - “…the US and Israel have been colluding with Saudi Arabia to forge a new strategic anti-Palestinian and anti-Iranian coalition to further their joint hegemonic interests in the region,” Dennis Etler, a professor of Anthropology at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California, told the Tasnim News Agency.
Following is the full text of the interview:
Tasnim: Recently, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem (al-Quds) as the Israeli capital despite global warnings. Defying warnings from around the world, Trump announced his decision. What is your take on this?
Etler: Trump recognized Jerusalem (al-Quds) as capital of Israel for a number of reasons. Personally, his closest adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner is an orthodox Jew and ardent Zionist who has contributed to organizations that promote illegal Israel settlements in the West bank. Politically, his base of support includes a large number of Evangelical Christian Zionists who support Israel and advocate for Jerusalem as its capital as a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Geopolitically, Trump has been instrumental in forging an alliance of the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East. A key component of that alliance is the establishment of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. It is the confluence of those three factors which led to Trump’ decision.
Tasnim: Media reports suggest that the US administration had coordinated the move with Arab leaders prior to the decision to ensure they would help contain Palestinian and Arab reactions. Do you believe so?
Etler: As mentioned above the US and Israel have been colluding with Saudi Arabia to forge a new strategic anti-Palestinian and anti-Iranian coalition to further their joint hegemonic interests in the region.
Tasnim: Saudi Arabia has blasted Donald Trump's shift on Jerusalem as “irresponsible”. How much do you think the Saudi regime is sincere in its stance? How do see the kingdom’s role in Trump’s decision?
Etler: The Saudi leadership is compelled to save face by describing Trump’s shift on Jerusalem as “irresponsible.” That, however, is a very mild rebuke that conceals their acquiescence to Trump’s move and their tacit support of it.
Tasnim: It seems that the man behind all Trump’s Middle East decisions is Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and senior adviser. What do you think about him?
Etler: Kushner, married to Ivanka Trump, is a son-in-law and young protégé of Trump’s. He is an Orthodox Jew and ardent Zionist. He has established a close working relationship with the young Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman who is Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler. Both Kushner and bin Salman are of similar age and temperament and share the same ideology. Although considered a senior adviser to Trump, Kushner lacks any foreign policy background and is a novice when it comes to Mideastern affairs. He is driven by a personal desire to support Greater Israel in conjunction with US power and Saudi support.
Source: Tasnim
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