US Procedures to Avert 'New ISIS'

File Photo, Putin/ AFP
File Photo, Putin/ AFP
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US Procedures to Avert 'New ISIS'

File Photo, Putin/ AFP
File Photo, Putin/ AFP

Special US presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Brett McGurk said that the US-led coalition would take a series of procedures in east Syria and west Iraq to prevent the emergence of a new version of ISIS in the region.

In a letter to members of the 74-nation anti-ISIS coalition, the envoy said operations in the first quarter of 2018 would focus on ending the presence of the terrorist group.

He said that later, the coalition’s work over the coming year would require intensified effort to stabilize communities liberated from ISIS.

“The US is prepared to remain in Syria until we are certain that ISIS is defeated, stabilization efforts can be sustained, and there is meaningful progress in the Geneva-based political process,” he said.

On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin set three priorities for Moscow in Syria, in his annual New Year's letter addressed Saturday to head of the Syrian regime, Bashar Assad.

According to the Kremlin, Putin told Assad that Russia would continue supporting Syria's efforts to defend its sovereignty.

Russia would “continue to render every assistance to Syria in the protection of state sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, in the promotion of a political settlement process, as well as in efforts to restore the national economy,” the Kremlin reported.

Putin’s comments on Syria’s sovereignty expect to pave the way for a confrontation with the United States.

Moscow continues to offer support to Assad and still ignores the crimes committed by the regime against the people.

Head of Russia's Federation Council (upper house) International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev told Ria Novosti news agency on Saturday that the US calls that Russia pushes the Syrian regime to stop assaults against its people, only aim to undermine the position of Bashar Assad in any future political settlement in Syria.



Iran Media: Russian Rocket Puts Iran Satellite into Space

A Soyuz-2.1b rocket booster with a Fregat upper stage, carrying two Ionosfera-M satellites and 18 payloads, including Iran's Nahid-2 telecommunications satellite, blasts off from its launchpad at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the far-eastern Amur region, Russia July 25, 2025. Roscosmos/Ivan Timoshenko/Handout via REUTERS
A Soyuz-2.1b rocket booster with a Fregat upper stage, carrying two Ionosfera-M satellites and 18 payloads, including Iran's Nahid-2 telecommunications satellite, blasts off from its launchpad at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the far-eastern Amur region, Russia July 25, 2025. Roscosmos/Ivan Timoshenko/Handout via REUTERS
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Iran Media: Russian Rocket Puts Iran Satellite into Space

A Soyuz-2.1b rocket booster with a Fregat upper stage, carrying two Ionosfera-M satellites and 18 payloads, including Iran's Nahid-2 telecommunications satellite, blasts off from its launchpad at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the far-eastern Amur region, Russia July 25, 2025. Roscosmos/Ivan Timoshenko/Handout via REUTERS
A Soyuz-2.1b rocket booster with a Fregat upper stage, carrying two Ionosfera-M satellites and 18 payloads, including Iran's Nahid-2 telecommunications satellite, blasts off from its launchpad at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the far-eastern Amur region, Russia July 25, 2025. Roscosmos/Ivan Timoshenko/Handout via REUTERS

A Russian rocket put an Iranian communications satellite into space on Friday, Iranian state media reported, the latest achievement for an aerospace program that has long concerned Western governments.

"The Nahid-2 communications satellite was launched from Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome using a Soyuz rocket," state television said.

Weighing 110 kilograms (over 240 pounds), the satellite was designed and manufactured by Iranian engineers, the broadcaster added.

Western governments have long expressed concern that technological advances made in Iran's space program can also be used to upgrade its ballistic missile arsenal, AFP reported.

The launch was announced shortly before nuclear talks between Iran and Britain, France and Germany opened in Istanbul.

In December, Iran announced it had put its heaviest payload to date into space, using a domestically manufactured satellite carrier.

In September, Iran said it had put the Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit using the Ghaem-100 carrier, which is produced by the Revolutionary Guards' aerospace division.