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Iran to Win ‘Battle of Wills’ with US: President Rouhani

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, Rouhani made mention of the consecutive failures suffered by the US in its anti-Iran schemes.

“Today, the tug of war between Iran and the US is at a maximum level, meaning that they (the Americans) have been doing their utmost against the Iranian nation; while Iran has been employing its maximum determination, hope and self-confidence vis-a-vis (the Americans),” he said.

“We have no doubts that the great Iranian nation’s resolve will eventually win against the US,” Rouhani noted.

The president further described the unity between the Iranian nation and the three branches of the government as the key to their triumph in the face of the US pressure campaign.

He also said that the US administration was dealt a blow last year, when the European states refused to follow its example in withdrawing from the nuclear agreement, officially named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The US has unleashed the “toughest ever” sanctions against Iran following its pullout from the JCPOA. The White House has also warned its European allies against seeking to circumvent the anti-Iran bans.

However, France, Germany and Britain defied US threats and recently launched the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchange (INSTEX), a financial mechanism meant to protect Tehran-Europe trade ties against the sanctions.

The Iranian president noted, “We are ready for cooperation and interaction with the world, but the countries doing business with us must be careful not to pursue excessive demands, because the Iranian nation does not retreat from its principles and does not favor such demands when it comes to outstanding issues involving its national interests.”

“Everyone should live up to its commitments, and avoid … raising new expectations. We demand that our friendly relations with the European Union will continue, and they exactly implement what they have promised in front of the cameras, because that’s in the interests of the world and the region,” he noted.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani touched on a recent US-organized conference in Warsaw, Poland, saying the Americans were forced to make changes in the event’s anti-Iran agenda under pressure.

He also noted that Washington’s attempts to persuade other countries to oppose the JCPOA had led to “a humiliating political defeat” for America at the UN Security Council.

During the Warsaw meeting, the Americans were seeking two objectives, namely spreading Iranophobia and consigning the issue of Palestine to oblivion, but they failed to achieve either of those goals, the Iranian president said.

Most global leaders snubbed the Warsaw meeting which was held on February 13-14. The US had initially said the forum would focus on the “important element of making sure that Iran is not a destabilizing influence.”

Later, as officials from various countries indicated their refusal to participate, Washington claimed that the summit was “not a venue to demonize or attack Iran,” in an apparent about-face.

Iran Says Israel Will Be Eliminated by Saudi Nukes

File photo of nuclear power plants under construction in the United Arab Emirates / Photo by ENEC

“The fate of the monarchy’s crown and Saudi Arabia’s nuclear bomb are similarly unpredictable. Israel will be wiped out by Saudi nuclear bombs,” Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, the chairman of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, tweeted on Wednesday.

The tweet came in reaction to a new report by a US congressional committee warning that the Donald Trump administration is bypassing the US Congress to advance the sale of US nuclear power plants to Saudi Arabia.

Security analysts are concerned that the technology would allow Saudi Arabia to produce nukes in the future, Al Jazeera reported.

There are serious concerns about the stability of the Saudi leadership under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman due to the controversial murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the war in Yemen.

“US-Saudi Nuclear Talks Aimed at Pushing Back on Iran”

INSTEX Implementation Not Possible without FATF: Germany

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tasnim News Agency published on Wednesday, Michael Klor-Berchtold said there is no direct connection between the anti-money laundering body (FATF) and the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchange (INSTEX), a special purpose vehicle introduced by the EU to facilitate trade with Tehran under the US sanctions.

However, the mechanism would respect international standards on fighting money-laundering, as it is crucial for gaining the trust of private sector firms willing to use INSTEX, he noted.

“Banks working with European firms … are committed to fulfill the standards of the Financial Action Task Force on fighting money-laundering and financing of terrorism. This means the process for INSTEX transaction would be possible only when their Iranian trade partners are verified based on international standards,” he said.

European powers have announced the mechanism will function under international standards against money laundering and financing of terrorism, hence they expect Iran to “swiftly implement all elements of its FATF action plan”.

The German ambassador rejected assertions that the creation of the mechanism was a symbolic move by Europeans to convince Iran to remain in the pact.

He said Europe’s registration of INSTEX testifies to their strong will to salvage the nuclear accord amid increased US efforts to derail Iran’s foreign trade.

“We established INSTEX to facilitate economic relations between Iran and Europe and once again showed our will and efforts to protect JCPOA’s economic benefits,” he said.

“We and our European partners were determined to protect economic benefits of the Vienna nuclear agreement, as we believe that it is good and important that all parties remain faithful to the JCPOA,” he said.

Earlier this month, Europeans announced they are eager to launch a financial mechanism to enable non-dollar trade between Iran and Europe called Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges.

Under INSTEX, European companies would initially sell food, medicine and medical devices to Iran in return for oil, the statement suggested.

 

E3 Efforts Significant

Responding to the criticism that the EU has been slow to implement the new mechanism, the ambassador said the EU has not been dragging its feet.

“Believe that creating such a mechanism for clearing private transactions was highly complicated and costly. We had to reach agreement inside the E3 and coordinate with other EU members and the union itself,” he said.

“With INSTEX, we walked into a politically unknown land. This great political effort should not be underestimated,” he said.

 

INSTEX Not Against Any Country

Asked about Europe’s stance toward the US officials who blame Europeans for making attempts to circumvent their anti-Iran sanctions, the ambassador said INSTEX is not against any country.

“INSTEX is not against any country and its aim is not to violate or circumvent US sanctions. INSTEX seeks to prepare the ground for legal deals,” he said.

 

INSTEX to Go Operational Soon

Asked when the mechanism would start working, the ambassador said the mechanism could begin operations after the Iranian side establishes an institution similar to the European institution.

“It’s necessary that the Iranian side create a similar mechanism … which can register and settle financial claims and payment commitments of Iranian firms,” he said.

 

Success of INSTEX Hinges on Building Trust

The ambassador said the facts on the ground would determine how fast the mechanism could work to facilitate Iran-EU trade.

“… It largely depends on the trust of economic players on the transparency of the whole process, which includes the mechanism of the Iranian side,” he said.

“Trust is created when both structures are working transparently and ensure that only legal transactions are made according to international standards,” he said.

It is up to Iranian and European firms to work with each other and nobody can force them to engage in trade, he said.

“We are certain INSTEX would help firms whose business plans have reached deadlock,” he said.

 

INSTEX under Development

The ambassador said the mechanism would in the first phase focus on goods that are most needed in Iran and comprise a major part of Europe’s export to Iran.

The ambassador noted that the mechanism in the next phases support other goods traded between the two sides.

“We are holding intense talks with German and European economic officials to develop INSTEX,” he said.

US Hypocrisy Further Exposed by Nuclear Sales to Saudi: Iran

Iran FM

“Day by the day it becomes clearer to the world what was always clear to us: neither human rights nor a nuclear program have been the real concern of the US,” Zarif said in a Wednesday tweet.

“First a dismembered journalist; now illicit sale of nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia fully expose US Hypocrisy,” he added.

His comments came after a congressional report revealed the United States is rushing to transfer “highly sensitive nuclear technology” to Saudi Arabia, with President Donald Trump being “directly engaged” in the push.

The House of Representatives’ Oversight and Reform Committee released the 24-page report on Tuesday, listing the actions taken by the Trump administration in an attempt to win government support for American firms to construct nuclear power plants in Saudi Arabia, in what could increase the risk of spreading nuclear weapons technology.

The report is based on whistle-blower accounts and documents showing communications between administration officials and nuclear power companies.

“Experts worry that transferring sensitive US nuclear technology could allow Saudi Arabia to produce nuclear weapons that contribute to the proliferation of nuclear arms throughout an already unstable Middle East,” says the report.

The report said the probe was “particularly critical” because the administration’s efforts to hand over the technology to the kingdom appear to be ongoing.

Trump is reportedly “directly engaged in the effort.”

Zarif’s comments about a dismembered journalist also pointed to the slaughter of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in October 2018, which almost the entire world blamed on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Iran Exports $490m Worth of Handicrafts in 9 Months

In an address to the people of Meybod in the central province of Yazd on Tuesday, Ali Asghar Mounesan said a total of $190 million worth of handicrafts has been exported through customs points.

“The rest, namely $300 million, has been exported by foreign tourists who visited Iran in the first nine months of the current Persian year,” he was quoted as saying in a report by ISNA.

Iran, as one of the most ancient civilizations of the world, and the land of many tribes so different in culture, lifestyle, and tradition has enjoyed a wide variety of handicrafts during the history. Persian handicrafts, each narrating the stories of the culturally diverse populations in different parts of Iran, are among the best souvenirs for the tours to Iran.

Iranian weavings are well-known for their antiquity, elegance, durability and variety. The most famous one is Persian carpet. It has been used as the covering for floors for thousands of years in Great Persia. Different geometrical shapes, medallions, tendrils, and figures of plants and animals woven with local materials specific to each area, inspired by the natural environment, remind people of colourful Persian gardens; full of flowers and birds. Persian rugs woven by nomads are different in style and design. The most prominent nomad rugs include Gabbeh, Kilim and Jajim.

Iranian fabric named Qalamkar is made by hand drawing or printed by the use of patterned wooden stamps. Termeh is another Iranian hand-woven cloth, primarily produced in Yazd. Its weaving is very delicate and time-taking. The most famous of the factories producing traditionally woven Termeh is called Rezaei Termeh.

Another kind of Persian weaving embroidery is Zardoozi. It is making designs using gold and silver threads, pearls and precious stones. Nowadays, copper wires polished by gold or silver, and silk threads are used as well. It also includes Goldoozi (embroidery stitches), Baluchi Suzandoozi (needlework), Sekkeh doozi (shisha embroidery), Rashti Qollabdoozi (special kind of broderie), and Kermani Pateh doozi (a style of Iranian embroidery).

Persian art of handicrafts go beyond textile weaving. It includes metal works, wood works, pottery, miniature, calligraphy, straw-made products, mosaic and stone.

IRGC Calls for Withdrawal of Chinese Fishing Ships from Iran Waters

“Chinese ships must leave Iran’s waters and any contract on this should be cancelled,” he said.

Brigadier General Alireza Tangsiri made the statement in a meeting with local fishermen in the Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday.

The Iranian general said Iranian ships must be equipped with the equipment needed for fishing in the sea of Oman.

Chinese vessels are authorized to fish in Iranian waters at a depth of 200 meters based on long-term permits. But reports that the Chinese vessels are involved in excessive fishing operation in Iranian waters have caused uproar.

Opponents believe that overfishing by Chinese ships in Iranian waters has put fish resources at risk, negatively affecting local fishermen’s livelihood.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

The top story in all papers today was the visit of a high-ranking Iranian delegation to China for expansion of ties amid the US sanctions and ahead of the Saudi crown prince’s visit to Beijing.

The Iranian delegation includes Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh, Economy Minister Farhad Dejpasand, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati.

The opposition of 16 US states to President Donald Trump’s declaration of national emergency, and Bernie Sanders’ decision to once again run for president also received great coverage.

The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:

 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Northern Iranian Province May Consider Giving Visa to National Immigrants!

* Mazandaran, a Destination for Iranians Fleeing Cities, May Consider Idea of Choosing Its Guests

2- Khatami’s Term, Rouhani’s First Term Have Highest Satisfaction Rates: Reformist

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- People Want Both Freedom, Justice: Reformist Figure

2- 16 States File Lawsuit against Trump

3- Playing in Jerusalem, Serious Concern of Women Footballers of Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Ebtekar:

1- Decrypting Mysterious Moves of Pakistan

2- Iran Looking for Balance in Number of Tourists Exchanged with Turkey

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Etemad:

1- In Pursuit of Hope

2- Tehran-Beijing Ties on Path of Deepening Strategic Ties

3- Iran’s Guaranteed Partner in East

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Ettela’at:

1- We Won’t Leave Terrorists’ Move Unanswered: Intelligence Minister

2- Appointing Women to Executive Posts Not Just for Show: VP

3- Indians Hold Massive Rallies against Bin Salman’s New Delhi Visit

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Ghanoon:

1- Eastern Strategy

2- Zarif, Pelosi vs Trump: Global Efforts to Maintain JCPOA

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Haft-e Sobh:

1- Difficult Mission of Top Iranian Officials in China

2- What Does Iran’s Law Say about Women Riding Motorcycle?

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Hemayat:

1- Nationwide Rallies against Trump

2- 22,000 Prisoners Released So Far after Leader’s General Amnesty

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Iran:

1- The Non-United States of America

2- We Should Turn Iranophobia into Iranology: Iran’s First Sunni Woman Ambassador

3- Private Sector Unanimously Calls for Adopting FATF Standards

4- Europe Has Set No Condition for Iran: German Envoy

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Javan:

1- State-Owned Car Manufacturers Raising Prices

2- Only Iranian Forces to Be Used in Completing 4th Phase of Persian Gulf Star Refinery

3- Iran Has Plans to Defeat World Powers: IRGC General

4- 61% of Americans Opposed to Trump’s National Emergency

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Khorasan:

1- First Trial of Rouhani’s Brother Held in Tehran

2- Sanders Declares Candidacy in 2020 US Elections

3- Suicide Bomber behind Zahedan Attack Was Pakistani

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Sazandegi:

1- Is N Korea Moving Away from Socialism?

2- Top Cleric of Iran’s Ahvaz Resigns after Controversy over His UK Visit

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Shahrvand:

1- Iran Not Yet Ready for Fight against Corruption

2- Tehran’s Reformist City Council Creating Further Transparency

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Shargh:

1- It’s Not Time for Amending Constitution: Guardian Council Spokesman

2- Details of Loan Iran Will Get from Russia

3- Against Trump, Towards Political Revolution; Sanders Declares Bid to Run for President

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20


 

Sobh-e Now:

1- Iranian Diplomacy in Beijing for Realization of Win-Win Game

* Agreement behind Wall of China

2- Rouhani’s Brother Appears in Court

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on February 20

Romanians Warmly Welcome Exhibition of Iranian Culture, History

The exhibition, which was held last week, put on display old maps and hand-written books on the Persian Gulf held in the Romanian Academy.

The exhibition saw huge crowds of visitors including the Romanian people, diplomats, academic figures and Iranians residing in Bucharest.

Morteza Aboutalebi, the Iranian ambassador to Romania, said in the opening ceremony of the exhibition that the Iranian culture has deep roots in the region’s history.

The ambassador said the name of the Persian Gulf has been mentioned in old maps, showing that it is the region’s real name despite what some Arab countries claim.

“The Persian Gulf is the origin of cultural and local values that have been connected to our region’s identity and life and today, thanks to the legacy, the Persian Gulf has become a symbol of the region’s history and culture,” he said.

The deputy chairman of the Romanian Academy, Rizvan Theodorsko, said in the ceremony that the Romanian people need to know more about Iran, particularly the Persian Gulf.

“It is highly important for the Romanian people to know that Iran’s civilization is one of the most important civilizations in the world and Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid and other [Iranian] empires have made major contributions to Europe’s civilization,” he said.

‘US Warns Travel Agencies against Arranging Tours of Iran’

Foreign tourists visiting the city of Isfahan in central Iran

Deputy Ambassador of Malaysia to Iran and some Chinese tour leaders say some US agents have contacted them warning against establishing cooperation with Iran in the tourism area.

“This time the US has blatantly threatened Iran’s tourism industry. Foreign travel agencies are not allowed to take anyone on a tour of Iran, otherwise it would ban them and create legal problems for the tourists who visited Iran when they want to enter the US,” a report by Mehr news agency said.

In a press conference on the sidelines of the International Tourism Exhibition recently held in Tehran, Deputy Head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran, Vali Teymouri, said some people from the US embassies in different parts of the world contact the host countries’ travel agencies threatening them with ban over any efforts promoting Iran’s tourism industry.

“The diplomats explicitly say if the agencies run tours of Iran, they will face serious problems,” he noted.

His statements were confirmed by some Chinese travel agencies visiting Iran. They said the US has already warned some leading travel agencies in China against working with Iran.

Rostam Yahya, Malaysian Ambassador to Iran, also said he has received some threatening letters from a number of US missions warning him against any cooperation with the Islamic Republic in the tourism area.

Speaking on the sidelines of a tourism exhibition in Tehran, he said Malaysia’s embassy doesn’t take the letters seriously.

“Iran is our good partner not only in tourism but also in commercial and educational areas,” he said.

Yahya also described the US sanctions on Iran as unilateral, adding Malaysia adopts its diplomacy based on its own national interests.

“Despite the threats, the number of Malaysian tours of Iran has increased over the past weeks,” he said.

Rosewater Has Unbelievable Healing Properties for Eyes

Rosewater Has Unbelievable Healing Properties for Eyes

As a nice flower symbolizing love, rose plays an extraordinary role in keeping our skin fresh, decreasing our stresses and healing any inefficiency in our eyes.

In the daily lives, most of us sit for hours in front of our computers or TV sets, staring at the screen. This, along with air pollution, is highly harmful to our eyes.

Rosewater, however, can be very helpful in protecting our eyes against health problems. Below, you can find some of the healing properties of rosewater for our eyes.

Anti-Bacterial, Disinfection Properties of Rosewater

The anti-bacterial and disinfection properties of rosewater highly contribute to eyes’ health in various ways. It protects our eyes against dust, pollution, inflation and the harms of cosmetics. Pick two cotton balls and soak them in rosewater. Then put them on your eyes for at least 10 to 15 minutes.

Use Rosewater to Remove Eye Fatigue

Wash your eyes with rosewater. It can significantly decrease the fatigue of your eyes after sitting for a long time before the computer or TV set. To this end, mix some drops of rosewater with water and then use the solution to wash your eyes with a cotton ball.

Rosewater as Eye Drop

Rosewater can also be used as a beneficial eye drop. Pour two to three drops of rosewater in each eye while lying on the ground. Then close your eyes for at least 10 minutes. This would relax the eyes while washing them.

Removing Dark Tissues around Eyes

Rosewater is also a good solution for removing the dark tissues created around our eyes. Mix rosewater with some milk and soak a cotton ball in the new solution. Then put the ball on your eyes for ten minutes on a daily basis. Within three to four weeks, you could vividly sense the removal of the dark tissues around your eyes.

Qamsar, Hub of Rosewater Extraction in Iran (+Photos)