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Iran’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, recently met with newly elected Pope Leo XIV, symbolizing a promising step in Iran-Vatican relations. Mokhtari congratulated the Pope, expressing optimism for enhanced cultural, religious, and diplomatic cooperation. He emphasized that international collaboration can strengthen peace and promote justice and coexistence. Leo XIV, the first American pope at 69, succeeded Pope Francis, who passed away at 88. Prior to his papacy, Leo XIV served extensively in Latin America. This meeting highlights potential opportunities for mutual benefit in their pursuit of peace and collaboration.
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Friday prayers in Iran have shifted from vibrant community gatherings to political briefings, particularly affecting middle-aged and older generations who recall their revolutionary significance. Initially popular post-revolution and during the Iran-Iraq war, attendance has declined due to dissatisfaction with the Islamic Republic’s leadership and economic issues. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has restructured the Friday prayer system, appointing younger, military-aligned clerics. Currently, around 850 imams serve across Iran, primarily appointed after 2017. These imams not only lead prayers but also oversee local governance and enforce Islamic norms, reflecting Khamenei’s tighter control over religious and political life.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei recently addressed escalating tensions with the European Union over human rights and nuclear energy issues. In response to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s comments, Baghaei condemned the EU’s accusations, emphasizing that the real threat to global peace is Israel’s nuclear arsenal and its actions in Gaza. He rejected claims of Iran’s involvement in the Ukraine crisis and criticized the EU’s support for Ukraine’s NATO membership. Baghaei also highlighted the EU’s failure to uphold the 2015 nuclear agreement and called for diplomatic resolutions, asserting that blame-shifting will not resolve ongoing disputes.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi emphasized the importance of ombudsman institutions in Islamic diplomacy during the Fourth OIC Ombudsman Association General Assembly in Tehran. He highlighted their role in preventing corruption, promoting transparency, and enhancing governmental accountability. Gharibabadi expressed Iran’s willingness to share successes in regulatory frameworks and emphasized the importance of establishing a network among Islamic nations for better information exchange to combat corruption and human rights abuses. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen justice and governance across the Islamic world, ensuring the protection of human rights and fostering sustainable development.