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At the behest of the Jewish state, the US State Department falsely designated Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist organizations. The same goes for labeling Iran's military the same way.
Longstanding US hostility toward Iran is all about its sovereign independence, unwillingness to subordinate its sovereignty to US interests, opposition to Washington's war on humanity, support for fundamental Palestinian rights, and wanting control over its vast hydrocarbon resources.
Iran's military is solely involved in preserving and protecting the nation from hostile external or internal attacks and threats, its actions strictly defensive. Its involvement in Syria is advisory, aiding Damascus combat US-supported terrorists.
Last Friday, the Trump regime unlawfully sanctioned Iran's Adrian Darya 1 super-tanker captain Akhilesh Kumar - after he rejected a multi-million dollar bribe by ignoring the blood money offer to betray his employer.
Hook turned truth on its head, saying Kumar was sanctioned "for providing material support to a terrorist organization."
Separately according to Press TV and Reuters, Russia and India are committed to maintaining trade relations with Iran - a joint Putin/PM Modi statement saying in part:
"The sides acknowledge the importance of full and efficient implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program for ensuring regional and international peace, security and stability."
Press TV reported that Russia and India "said their decision to respect ties with Iran was in full compliance with international rules and would strengthen a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, known as the JCPOA, which has suffered since the United States withdrew from the agreement last year and began imposing sanction on Iran."
Both "countries have used alternative mechanisms to circumvent (US) sanctions and to continue trade with Iran."
Days earlier, Russia said it intends investing around $10 billion in Iran's oil sector.
From Moscow, Iran's Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian said talks on Russia's investment "will begin in the near future" - with no further elaboration on what project(s) Moscow will invest in.
Press TV explained that "India, Iran's second top buyer of oil before the sanctions, has diversified its trade cooperation with Tehran, mainly thanks to a financial mechanism that enables importers and exporters to settle their payments through local currencies," adding:
"India has also been involved in a series of large-scale infrastructure projects southeast of Iran as it seeks greater access through the country to markets in Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe."
The Islamic Republic of Iran has withstood 40 years of US efforts to transform the country into a vassal state.
Trump regime hardliners are unlikely to achieve what their predecessors failed to accomplish.
VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
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