Thursday, December 25, 2025
type here...
Home Blog Page 2175

Iran negotiator: Differences over sanctions removal decreasing

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Bagheri said differences over sanctions removal known as open parentheses are decreasing.

He made the remarks on Saturday at the end of the of talks with representatives of the P4+1 group, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany in Vienna.

Meanwhile, Russia’s chief negotiator in the Vienna talks Mikahil Ulyanov has in a tweet described the atmosphere at the negotiations as positive and businesslike.

Ulyanov said all his counterparts in the negotiations share this assessment of the Vienna talks.
He said the parties to the talks are moving forward, though not fast but incrementally.

Earlier, experts from the Islamic Republic of Iran and representatives of the P4+1 group met Saturday as part of the eighth round of the Vienna talks on lifting sanctions. At the meeting, the parties assessed the latest status of the talks for the effective and verifiable lifting of sanctions. The meeting happened following an agreement reached at the last session of the Joint Commission of the Iran nuclear deal also known as JCPOA.

The eighth round of Vienna talks began last Monday and has reached a critical stage.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian recently stated in an interview that the Islamic Republic wants guarantees that new sanctions will not be placed on the country and that the existing sanctions are not re-imposed once they have been lifted.

He noted that a good agreement could be reached if the West shows seriousness.

Iran, Turkmenistan call for inclusive govt. in Afghanistan

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The issue was raised on a Saturday meeting between Serdar Berdimuhamedov Vice President of Turkmenistan and Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iran’s Foreign Minister in Tehran.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov has traveled to Tehran as a special envoy heading a preparatory delegation ahead of the upcoming visit of the Turkmen president.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed joint cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy, transportation and transit.

Also, given the imminent visit of the president of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, during this meeting, Amir Abdollahian and Berdimuhamedov exchanged views over the documents to be signed during the Turkmen president’s visit.

Regional issues and the situation in Afghanistan were other topics discussed by the Iranian foreign minister and the Turkmen vice president. The two sides underlined the need for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

During the meeting, the vice president of Turkmenistan underscored the importance of bilateral relations with Iran and the role of the Joint Economic Commission in the development of relations between the two countries.

He also stressed that there are very good capacities for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of transportation, technical and engineering services, electricity, oil and gas.

Given the many historical and cultural commonalities between Iran and Turkmenistan, the two sides stressed the importance of developing economic and cultural relations and described cooperation between the provinces of the two countries as important in this regard.

It should be noted that Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov also attended the meeting and outlined bilateral cooperation and joint projects and programs.

Iran urges expanding energy cooperation with Turkmenistan

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Javad Ouji made the comment in a meeting with a delegation from Turkmenistan in Tehran on Saturday.

He added that there is sufficient infrastructure in Iran for gas imports and swaps.

Referring to the results of his meeting with the Turkmen officials, he said, “Today, we had good talks with Sardar Berdymukhamedov, Deputy Chairman of government and Rashid Murdov, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, over various fields related to energy.”

Ouji outlined the launching of the gas swap from Turkmenistan via Iran to the Azerbaijan Republic since the beginning of January this year, saying, “Our colleagues at the Sarakhs metering station in Turkmenistan are monitoring the implementation of the swap, which starts at 4 to 5 million cubic meters per day, or 1.5 to 2 billion cubic meters per year”.

Ouji noted that Iran and Turkmenistan plan to focus on reviving the gas contract and also discussing increased swaps with neighboring countries.

The oil minister underlined the determination of the Iranian government to develop international relations.

He said, given the determination of the Oil Ministry of Iran and the Energy Ministry of Turkmenistan, we can have the highest level of relations, especially in the field of energy.

President Raisi: Iran facing no vaccine shortages

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Raisi added that this will be conducive to protect public health in Iran. The president also urged all Iranian to observe health protocols despite the downward trend in deaths and infections so as to cut off the chain of the new Coronavirus strain known as Omicron.

Iran’s Health Ministry announced on Saturday the number of triple-vaxxed people in the country is inching toward the 10 million mark. Officials say around 500 Omircon cases have been registered throughout Iran so far.

Raisi also thanked all people involved in the healthcare sector for their efforts to help contain the Covid pandemic in Iran.

Raisi noted that the decision on restrictions imposed on arrivals from countries where Omicron has spread is left to the Ministry of Interior and relevant organizations, so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding the continuation or removal of these restrictions, depending on the situation.

The president, however, said given the reduction in the number of cases and deaths due to widespread vaccination, the National Headquarters Against Coronavirus, as a decision-making authority, has decided that schools and universities can reopen.

Raisi said, “Whenever the situation of the Covid outbreak changes, the National Headquarters Against Coronavirus will decide and act accordingly with sensitivity and accuracy”.

Iran, P4+1 hold expert meeting in Vienna

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Vienna talks

At this meeting, the parties assessed the latest status of the talks for the effective and verifiable lifting of sanctions. According to IRNA, the meeting is based on an agreement reached at the last session of the Joint Commission of the Iran nuclear deal also known as JCPOA, and representatives of the countries participating in the talks stressed the priority of lifting the illegal and oppressive sanctions.

It added, at the meeting, the parties focused on determining the frameworks, indicators, and criteria for verifying the removal of sanctions and guarantees that the United States will not repeat its illegal actions.

The Vienna talks are being pursued as the vast majority of the negotiating delegations agree on the progress made in reaching a final agreement in the ongoing talks on lifting sanctions in Vienna.

Meanwhile, Russia’s chief negotiator in the Vienna talks Mikahil Ulyanov has in a tweet described the atmosphere at the negotiations as positive and businesslike.

Ulyanov said all his counterparts in the negotiations share this assessment of the Vienna talks.

He said the parties to the talks are moving forward, though not fast but incrementally.

The eighth round of Vienna talks began last Monday between Iran the P4+1 group, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, and has reached a critical stage.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian recently stated in an interview that the Islamic Republic wants guarantees that new sanctions will not be placed on the country and that the existing sanctions are not re-imposed once they have been lifted.

He noted that a good agreement could be reached if the West shows seriousness.

Around two dozen killed in Pakistan snow-related traffic jam

By
IFP Media Wire
-

Police reported that at least six people had frozen to death in their cars, while it was not immediately clear if others had died from asphyxiation after inhaling fumes in the snowdrift.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said the military had mobilised to clear roads and rescue thousands still trapped near Murree, around 70 kilometres (45 miles) northeast of the capital, Islamabad.

Video and images shared on social media showed cars packed bumper-to-bumper, with one-metre-high (three-foot) piles of snow on their roofs.

“People are facing a terrible situation,” Usman Abbasi, a tourist stuck in the town where heavy snow was still falling, told AFP by phone.

For days, Pakistan’s social media has been full of pictures and video of people playing in the snow around Murree, a picturesque resort town built by the British in the 19th century as a sanatorium for its colonial troops.

The Punjab province chief minister’s office announced Murree had been declared a “disaster area” and urged people to stay away.

Prime Minister Imran Khan stated he was shocked and upset at the tragedy.

“Unprecedented snowfall & rush of people proceeding without checking weather conditions caught district admin unprepared,” he tweeted.

“Have ordered inquiry & putting in place strong regulation to ensure prevention of such tragedies,” he added.

Authorities warned last weekend that too many vehicles were trying to enter Murree, but that failed to discourage hordes of daytrippers from the capital.

“It’s not only the tourists, but the local population is also facing severe problems,” tourist Abbasi told AFP, noting, “Gas cylinders have run out and drinking water is not available in most areas — it’s either frozen or the water pipes have been damaged due to severe cold.”

He announced hotels in the town were running out of food, and mobile phone services were patchy.

The town of around 30,000 clings to the side of steep hills and valleys and is serviced by narrow roads that are frequently clogged even in good weather.

Sheikh Rashid stated residents had sheltered people trapped in the town and provided blankets and food to those they could reach on the outskirts.

Authorities said schools and government buildings had taken in those who could make it to the town from the clogged roads.

Helicopters were also on standby for when the weather cleared.

Rescue 1122, Pakistan’s emergency service, released a list naming 21 people it said had been confirmed dead. It included a policeman, his wife and their six children.

Hasaan Khawar, a spokesman for the Punjab government, noted they had frozen to death inside a trapped car.

Kazakhstan unrest: Thousands arrested  by police

By
IFP Media Wire
-

“In several regions of the country, law enforcement agencies continue measures to identify and detain criminals. The number of detained is currently 4,404,” the statement said.

The special services of Kazakhstan have also detained former head of the National Security Committee Karim Masimov on suspicion of treason, press service of the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan said on Saturday.

“On January 6 of this year, the National Security Committee launched a pre-trial investigation into high treason under Article 175 of Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On the same day, on suspicion of committing this crime, former chairman of the National Security Committee Karim Masimov and other people were detained and placed in a temporary detention center,” the statement reads.

56-year-old Masimov was relieved of his post by decree of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on January 5 and was replaced by Yermek Sagimbayev.

The country’s Interior Ministry also announced on Saturday at least 11 organizers and instigators of the riots were detained in the Aktobe region of Kazakhstan.

On Saturday afternoon internet access in Kazakhstan was blocked amid ongoing riots in parts of the country, Globalcheck project announced on Telegram.

“The Internet was turned off again. It worked a little over 7 hours,” the statement added.

The damage to business in Kazakhstan during the riots amounted to over 88.1 bln tenge (more than $200.4 mln), according to Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan.

“The total amount of damage to business, according to rough estimates, reached over 88.1 bln tenge. In the city of Almaty, the figure reached 86.8 bln tenge ($197.4 mln),” the statement said.

It was noted that 920 affected business entities were identified in 10 regions of Kazakhstan, including 856 in Almaty.

Tokayev stated on Saturday that the arrival of peacekeepers in the capital Nur-Sultan under the mandate of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation allowed sending more security forces to the flashpoint city of Almaty.

“After the joint CSTO peacekeeping force took over protective functions in Nur-Sultan Kazakhstan had enough of law enforcers freed up to move them to Almaty where they took part in the counterterrorist operation,” the presidency cited Tokayev as saying in a statement.

The unrest in Kazakhstan began earlier this month and was sparked by a twofold increase in fuel prices. People hit the streets in the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau, and later the protests spread across the country, resulting in violent clashes with the police, looting, arson, and vandalism.

In Almaty, the old capital and Kazakhstan’s most populous city, hundreds of people stormed the mayor’s office and the old presidential residence. The rioters also attacked the police HQ, set buildings on fire, and engaged in numerous shootouts.

To curb the unrest, Tokayev introduced a state of emergency and dismissed the government. He also requested assistance from the country’s allies in the CSTO, who are sending peacekeeping forces to guard strategic objects in the country while Kazakh law enforcement agencies and the military re-establish order.

Iran covid: 26 killed, vaccination going on

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

The number of triple-vaxxed people in the country is inching toward the 10 million mark.

Health Ministry figures show that until Saturday, January 8, 9,841,553 people received their third dose of Covid vaccine also known as the booster shot.

The total number vaccine doses administered so far stands at 122,434,219. The vaccination drive that was rolled out last summer is credited with the current downward trend in Coronavirus deaths and infections.

Official figures show that 26 people died from Friday to Saturday. 701 new cases were also recorded. The cases include 168 hospitalizations.

These figures are way lower than the peak of the 5th wave of Covid that hit Iran several months ago.

At the time, daily fatalities reached as many as 800 with many hospitals in Tehran and other cities having reached capacity.

Despite the downward trend, a member of Iran’s National Headquarters Against COVID-19 on Friday warned against complacency or relaxation of health protocols, adding that it’s likely the new Covid strain dubbed Omicron will invade Iran in the coming weeks.

Russia says all parties recognize progress in nuclear talks

By
IFP Media Wire
-

“Now all the participants in the Vienna Talks recognize that some progress is being made towards an agreement on restoration of JCPOA and sanctions lifting,” Russia’s Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov, who heads the Russian delegation at the talks, wrote on Twitter.

“However persistent additional efforts are necessary to achieve this goal,” he added.

Ulyanov has recently stated that progress in Vienna talks is visible and main stumbling blocks are becoming clearer.

On Friday, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said progress has been made regarding the nuclear negotiations in Vienna although time is running out.

“I remain convinced we can reach a deal. But time is running out,” Le Drian told BFM TV and RMC Radio.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price has also noted those nuclear deal talks with Iran in Vienna had shown modest progress, and that Washington hopes to build on the progress that had been made.

The eighth round of talks kicked off in Vienna on December 27. The negotiations seek to restore the JCPOA in its original form and bring the US back into the agreement.

Iran insists that the talks must lead to the removal of all American sanctions that were imposed against Tehran following Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the landmark agreement in May 2018. Tehran has also demanded credible guarantees that Washington will not abandon the deal again.

Russian deputy FM backtracks on comments against Iran’s Zarif

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

In a tweet, Mikhail Ulyanov congratulated Zarif on his birthday. He said he had attended several meetings before along with the former top Iranian diplomat, adding that he holds him in high regard. Ulyanov also said Russian officials will not forget numerous examples of successful cooperation between the two countries regarding the Iran nuclear deal, JCPOA. Many now regard Ulyanov’s latest tweet as a u-turn on the part of the chief Russian negotiator in Vienna.

In his previous comment on Twitter, Ulyanov said Zarif made some remarks regarding Russia’s role in the talks that led to the signing of the JCPOA “under the influence of toothache, headache or something else”.

The former foreign minister of Iran had said Moscow played a negative role at times during the negotiations over the nuclear deal.

1...2,1742,1752,176...5,125Page 2,175 of 5,125

© All Content by IFP News ( Iran Front Page ) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Us

Popular Articles

Editor Picks