Iran’s Revolution revived regional
resistance: Hezbollah chief
February 10th, 4:04pm
(PressTV)
The Secretary General of the Lebanese resistance movement
Hezbollah says it was the Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979
that revived the spirit of resistance in the West Asia region.
Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Tuesday that
the Iranian Revolution has emerged as a pillar of support for
oppressed people worldwide, as it has raised the banner
of Palestinian liberation while revitalizing resistance
against the United States.
The comments coincided with the 47th anniversary of the Islamic
Revolution, as Iranians and many others around the world are
preparing for a day of celebrations to mark the historic
occasion, which ended Iran's monarchy and
established an Islamic Republic.... under
the leadership of late Imam Khomeini.
Sheikh Qassem congratulated the Iranian nation on the occasion,
saying the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed
Ali Khamenei, has elevated the Islamic Republic to the ranks
of key and influential nations, built upon a foundation of
faith and scientific advancement.
The Hezbollah chief made the remarks during a memorial service
for Hezbollah commander Ali Salhab, also known as Hajj Malek,
who passed away on February 2 after a long period of illness.
He said that Hajj Malek, who was Hezbollah’s military commander
in the Bekaa region of eastern Lebanon, played a decisive and
influential role in confronting Takfiri terrorist groups in
the area.
Hezbollah a national asset
Elsewhere in his remarks, Sheikh Qassem dismissed ongoing
efforts to disarm Hezbollah and undermine its position in
Lebanon. He said that building the future requires the
Lebanese government to embrace the resistance
as a vital support, for its “experience, faith,
and unwavering will”.
“The Resistance constitutes a vital national asset that must
be preserved. No one can prevent resistance in Lebanon
because..... it is constitutionally guaranteed,”
Sheikh Qassem said.
He also said that Israel has failed to achieve its objectives in
Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen, insisting that the regime
in Tel Aviv “is weaker than ever" as it stands exposed
and hollow --- because it has been stripped of
US weapons.
________________________________________________
Iran warns Epstein scandal may be
part of Israel's political project
February 10th, 2:50pm
(PressTV)
Iran says the global scandal surrounding convicted sex offender
Jeffrey Epstein may go beyond a criminal case and be part of
a geopolitical “project” ....intended to serve the Israeli
regime's interests.
A newly released tranche of Epstein files, has sent shockwaves
across media, politics, academia, finance, and even Hollywood,
forcing prominent figures to account for their ties to Epstein.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told reporters on
Tuesday that the documents should not be downplayed or
seen as an issue limited to the US or a single individual.
He said that “given multiple reports indicating that the Israeli
regime or others have exploited these cases and related
proceedings to advance their political objectives, it
strengthens the suspicion.. that the entire affair
may be part of a long-running and extensive
project to further the political goals of
certain parties, particularly the
Israeli regime.”
Baghaei described the scandal as a “human and civilizational
catastrophe,” which has deeply wounded the global public
conscience and could be considered a crime
against humanity.
The revelations, he said, indicate a deep moral crisis within
Western governance systems, particularly given the
involvement of senior political figures in
corruption-related cases.
Baghaei also questioned... why no
formal judicial proceedings have
been publicly pursued so far.
US government documents show Epstein
donated thousands to Israeli army,
settlement organization
Documents released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ)
show that child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein donated
money to the Israeli military and to an Israeli
organization funding illegal settlements.
“The crimes reflected in these reports depict horrific events
and reveal a deeply troubling mindset among this class of
individuals towards women, children, and girls,” he said.
The issue, according to him, requires careful examination
across multiple dimensions..... including political and
security implications, and could affect the region
both now and in the future.
Last week, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) released more
than three million pages of files linked to its long-running
investigation into Epstein, revealing the involvement of
powerful political and business figures, including US
President Donald Trump, his son-in-law Jared
Kushner, and former Israeli prime
minister Ehud Barak.
The released files are part of an estimated
six million documents held by the DOJ.
Ex-Israeli PM Barak asked for Epstein’s help for
Trump’s interview with Israeli news outlets,
docs show
Newly released documents show former Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Barak requested the assistance of
convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in
arranging an interview with Trump
for Israeli media.
The documents provide additional evidence
that Epstein had ties to Israeli intelligence.
A declassified FBI memorandum from the Los Angeles field
office in October 2020 reported that one source believed
Epstein “was a co-opted Mossad agent” and described
him as having been “trained as a spy” for Israel’s
intelligence service.
The same document also suggested... that Trump was
vulnerable to Israeli influence through financial and
political leverage, according to the
confidential source.
_________________________________________________
Iran emerges as key link in
China-Europe trade axis
February 10th, 2:32pm
(PressTV)
Iran signed memoranda of understanding on Monday to develop
rail transport and establish logistics villages, a step aimed at
activating the southern branch of the East–West corridor
linking China to Europe.
The agreements were concluded between the Islamic Republic
of Iran Railways... & investors behind logistics villages in Yazd,
Sirjan & Tabriz, focusing on expanding rail freight capacity, &
building logistics infrastructure tied to long-distance transit.
The memoranda cover the development of logistics villages and
dry ports, construction and expansion of rail lines and related
infrastructure, the issuance of operating permits, and the
operation of rail-based logistics and freight services.
Together, they form part of a broader effort to increase the share
of rail in freight movement and to position Iran as a transit route
for intercontinental cargo flows.
The signing follows a steady rise in the number of freight trains
entering Iran from China and continuing toward European
destinations. Sixty such trains have already crossed
into Iran, with additional trains waiting at the
Incheh Borun border crossing.
The increase reflects growing use of overland rail routes
between East Asia and Europe and renewed attention
to the southern East–West corridor that runs
through Iran.
Momentum behind the route has been reinforced by a six-party
rail agreement signed in Istanbul in December by Iran, China,
Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
The agreement introduced a framework for unified tariffs and
reduced transit times along the corridor, measures intended
to improve the commercial attractiveness of the route and
reduce friction at borders.
The logistics villages planned for Tabriz, Yazd and Sirjan are
intended to serve as consolidation and distribution hubs
along the rail network.
These facilities are designed to support trans-shipment,
storage and onward movement of goods, allowing
freight to be transferred efficiently between
domestic and international routes.
The initial focus on northwestern Iran.. reflects the
region’s role as a gateway to Türkiye and Europe.
Globally, logistics and supply chain activities account for
a significant share of economic activity - yet Iran’s role
in transit and logistics has remained limited, despite
its geography.
The country sits at the intersection of East–West and North–
South corridors, with rail links connecting Central Asia to
Turkey and access to southern ports on the Persian
Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The southern branch of the East–West corridor passing through
Iran is positioned ------- as an alternative to maritime transport
between China and Europe. Rail transit along this axis can
reduce delivery times to roughly one-third of those
required by sea, while offering a continuous over
land route across Eurasia. The corridor is also
described as one of the more secure and
economical land options..... for long-
haul freight movement.
Despite these attributes, Iran’s share of East–West rail transit
remains small. At least 60 million tonnes of cargo are moved
annually along the broader East–West rail corridor, but only
a limited portion passes through Iran. The constraint, is
not demand, but infrastructure, particularly at border
crossings - and missing rail links.
The most critical gap - is the absence of a direct rail connection
between Marand and Cheshmeh Soraya on the Turkish border.
The 240-kilometre stretch is seen as essential for expanding
Iran’s role in East–West transit.
Without it, traffic relies on the Razi border crossing into Türkiye,
where annual freight exchange capacity is limited to about
800,000 tonnes.
Razi’s constraints are compounded by geographic & operational
challenges, including the need for trains to transit Lake Van in
eastern Türkiye. These factors --- cap volumes and increase
transit times, reducing the competitiveness of the route.
A direct rail link to Cheshmeh Soraya would remove these
bottlenecks and create a fully rail-based southern
east–west corridor.
Plans for the Marand–Cheshmeh Soraya line aim to raise Iran’s
capacity to handle a larger share of East–West freight, with
a target --- of capturing 10 percent of corridor volumes.
Achieving that level would require.. not only track
construction but also supporting infrastructure
at border terminals and logistics hubs.
Türkiye has already begun work on its corresponding section of
the corridor. Construction is under way on a rail link between
Kars and Dilucu, a stretch of about 250 kilometres designed
to connect with Iran’s network at Cheshmeh Soraya. The
junction point... lies near the foothills of Mount Ararat,
where the two national rail systems are expected
to meet --- within three years.
The East–West corridor --- is only one component of a wider rail
strategy. Other priority projects include the Rasht–Astara line,
which would strengthen the North–South corridor linking
Russia and the Caucasus to the Persian Gulf - and the
Iranshahr–Chabahar connection, which ties inland
networks to Iran’s southeastern port.
Beyond the bilateral dimension, Iran’s rail ambitions ----- are
increasingly tied to cooperation with Central Asian states.
In recent years, Central Asia has emerged..... as a focal
point for changes in Eurasian transport architecture,
driven by greater emphasis on east–west and
north–south land corridors.
Capacity constraints on northern routes, particularly
those passing through Russia and Belarus, have
pushed regional and extra-regional actors to
look for alternative pathways.
Within this context, the southern corridor through Iran has
attracted renewed attention as a viable option. China’s
interest is framed within its Belt and Road Initiative,
under which Beijing is seeking faster and more
secure land routes between East Asia
and Europe.
Iranian officials and regional partners state that, from a
technical and geographic perspective, the Iranian
route has the capacity to become one of the
more efficient overland options.
Projects such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway
are central to this vision. Once connected to Iran’s rail
network, such lines are expected to shorten the
distance between East Asia and Europe by
about 900 km compared with some
alternatives, and to reduce
delivery times by up to
a week.
Central Asian countries.... have adopted a pragmatic approach
towards Iran in pursuing these links. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, are seeking to
diversify their trade routes, to reduce reliance on any
single corridor.
By linking Central Asian rail networks to ports such as Chabahar
and Bandar Abbas, landlocked countries would gain direct
access to open waters, while Iran would position itself
as a conduit for both east–west and north–south
trade flows.
The logistics villages, dry ports and missing rail links outlined in
the recent MoUs are intended to support this role by providing
the physical infrastructure needed to handle higher volumes
of transit freight.
_________________________________________________
President calls for -- a mass turnout at
Islamic Revolution anniversary rallies
February 10th, 2:09pm
(PressTV)
President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the Iranian nation
to participate extensively in the upcoming demonstrations
marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution,
describing the event as a vital display of national
unity against external pressures.
Speaking on Tuesday during an inauguration ceremony for
hundreds of projects under the Ministry of Roads and
Urban Development, the president said the current
geopolitical climate is "sensitive and decisive"
for the future of the Islamic Republic.
President Pezeshkian said a large turnout for the 22nd of
Bahman (February 11) marches would serve as a firm
response to enemies who are actively seeking to
undermine Iran’s internal cohesion and add
to the people’s hardships.
"Our adversaries are striving to weaken our national
unity, consensus, and solidarity," Pezeshkian said.
"The challenges we face are the result of pressures and policies
imposed by governments that claim to support democracy and
human rights, yet pursue a path of increasing pressure on
the Iranian people."
The president said it is essential for the people to show
their strength and national authority at this juncture.
"The message of this presence to the enemies and global
public opinion, will be ------ that the Iranian nation stands
together to protect their country and national interests."
The president said the primary message of the demonstrations
to the international community, would be the Iranian people's
unwavering commitment to their national interests and
territorial integrity.
Acknowledging domestic concerns about the economy,
the president said that despite the pressures, the
Iranian people would not retreat from their
fundamental principles.
The Iranian president said a high-profile turnout would
demonstrate to the world that the "will of the nation
remains unbroken" in the face of international
sanctions and coercive diplomacy.
February 11, 2026, marks the 47th anniversary of the 1979
Islamic Revolution, with millions expected to march
across cities and towns, nationwide.