In a Wednesday speech at the parliament open session, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added the commission, mandated under Article 90 of the Constitution in coordination with the prosecution general will investigate the incident.
In the recent days, videos purportedly released by hackers show prisoners being beaten and dragged by security forces inside Evin Prison.
Taking responsibility for the ‘improper behavior’ at Evin, head of Iran’s Prisons’ Organization, Mohammad Mehdi Hajmohammadi has apologized for the bitter incidents.
He also said the prisoners’ efforts will not be ignored due to these errors.
Iran committee and prosecution general to investigate Evin incidents
Iranians Offer Special Votive Foods during Muharram
On these occasions, people cook votive food in mosques and even in the courtyards. The cooking of the votive food is usually the responsibility of the men of the families or of the skilled and professional cooks.
In different cities of Iran, various kinds of foods are prepared as offerings, some of which we will discuss below.
Saffron Rice Cake of Garmsar:
Garmsar in central Iran is one of the cities that prepares a special food for mourners during Muharram. For this dish, the raw meat is cooked in the drained rice, and the bottom layer of the food in the rice pot, which absorbs all the meat juice, becomes the most delicious part of the dish. Raisins are also sprinkled on the rice. During the Muharram mourning days, people of Garmsar usually leave the doors of their homes open to all those who want to participate in the ceremony, so the mourners can participate in this ceremony and get votive food without being invited.
Qeimeh with Sweet Pilaf of Shiraz and Boushehr:
Qeimeh is an Iranian stew consisting of mutton, tomatoes, split peas, onion and dried lime. The stew that people of Shiraz and Bushehr in the south prepare is like the other regions, but Bushehris are interested in a softer Qeimeh. The special feature of this food is that it is served with sugar pilaf. This pilaf is made of rice, sugar, saffron, tangerine slices and pistachios.
Sholeh of Mashhad:
Sholeh Mashhadi is almost the most famous dish of the northeastern Khorasan province which can hardly be found in other cities. This dish is a type of stew the main ingredients of which are meat and pulses. It is very similar to the Persian Halim. Sholah cannot be easily ordered from any restaurant, even in Mashhad. On normal days, people do not cook that much Sholeh, but during Muharram, unlike the other days, Sholeh is prepared in great amount for mourners. People who are from Mashhad have a high level of admiration for this dish.
Meat and Beans of Kashan:
In Kashan, Meat and Beans or Gousht-e Loubiab is served on religious occasions along with rice mixed with dill. This dish, as its name suggests, is made with meat and beans, but does not have much water and is served with pilaf. Mutton, beans, potatoes and spices are the main ingredients of this dish. You should first season lamb’s meat and braise it with onions and turmeric for a while. Add the white beans and let it cook until the meat and the beans are cooked. You can also add rice, dried lime and dried fenugreek leaves.
Fesenjan Stew of Rasht:
Khoresh-e Fesenjan, is a stew from Iran’s north. It is believed to originate from the Guilan region near the Caspian Sea, mainly the city of Rasht. The people of this city are deeply interested in sour Fesenjan and cook it at weddings and mourning ceremonies. This stew is prepared with meat, walnuts and sour pomegranate paste and its color is dark black when ready to be served.
Lahijan’s Qeimeh with Minced Meat:
The special votive food of this northern city is a dish called minced meat Qeimeh. The only difference from ordinary Qeimeh is the deeply fried minced meat used in it.
Plum Stew of Semnan:
This food is very similar to Qeimeh stew, with the difference that the sour plums native to Semnan in central Iran are added to it. The stew along with rice is distributed among the mourners.
Bibi Seshanbe Potage of Arak:
Bibi Seshanbe, which literally means “The Queen of Tuesday,” refers to a Persian mystical figure, considered as a holy angel who can save and cure poor and desperate people when called upon. This dish is offered as a votive food all year round, but it is also one of the first choices of the Arakis in the month of Muharram. Some say as it is distributed on Tuesdays, the potage is known by this name. The ingredients are peas, beans, lentils and bulgur. Meanwhile, like Halim, it is offered in the morning to the mourners.
Biryani of Isfahan:
Biryani is one of the traditional dishes of Isfahan, in central Iran. It is a fried meat served on a piece of bread with onion and greens on the side. The ingredients are mutton, sheep lungs, tail fat, onions, cinnamon, saffron, walnuts, pistachio and almonds.
Wheat Potage of Yazd:
This dish is very similar to Halim. The ingredients are chickpeas, beans, mung bean, wheat and of course meat. It is flavoured with onions and a lot of tail fat. It is a kind of thick soup that has different names in the cities of Yazd province, such as Ash-e Halim, Jah Jah, Shab Esfandi, and Ash-e Imam Hussein. Besides, cooking this typical food has a special ceremony and there are some cooking styles for preparing it. The dish is finally garnished with fried garlic, onion, mint and Kashk or dried yogurt.
Motajannah Broth of Kerman:
This broth has a sour and sweet taste. The ingredients are very diverse, from apricot leaves to dates, pieces of fruit and fenugreek. It is originally from Rafsanjan and very popular in Kerman province. The dish is also very popular on the days of Tasua and Ashura, therefore, many call it Imam Hossein’s broth too.
Hadih Potage of Khoy:
This food is from Khoy in West Azarbaijan province, northwestern Iran. The soup is almost thick. It is made of chickpeas, wheat cooked in milk and very little water. The potage is poured into a dish, and then a layer of roasted raisins and chopped walnuts are added to it.
Peas Qeimeh of Dezful:
In this stew served during Muharram, people of Dezful in the south use ordinary peas instead of split peas. They believe that it is much better to prepare Qeimeh with peas because they soak and peel them, so the food is not flatulent and tastes better.
Vegetable Stew of Ahwaz:
On the day of Ashura, People in the southern city of Ahwaz in Khuzestan province prepare a stew called vegetable stew to offer. This dish is made with very fried vegetables and white beans. It is a bit like Ghormeh Sabzi, the famous Iranian dish.
Geneva envoy: Iran denounces violence, rights abuse in Afghanistan
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council’s special meeting on Afghanistan on Tuesday night in Geneva, Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh said there must be accountability for all crimes committed in the country.
Baghaei Hamaneh added that Afghans are entitled to live in peace and have good relations with neighboring countries without illegal foreign military interventions. The Iranian envoy said, “This will be possible only through an inclusive government made up of all ethnic and religious groups of Afghanistan”.
Baghaei Hamaneh said a peace and reconciliation process led by Afghans themselves should begin for this purpose.
The Iranian diplomat also addressed the root-cause of Afghanistan’s situation, saying what’s happening now is not unrelated to the long US-led occupation of the country.
Baghaei Hamaneh said the US-led occupation is to blame for the destruction of Afghanistan and the unending ordeal and desperation of its people.
He noted that the US cannot dodge responsibility for the ramifications of its disastrous military expedition to Afghanistan.
Baghaei Hamaneh also spoke of Iran’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people. He said the Islamic Republic has close ties with Afghanistan and has hosted millions of Afghan refugees over the past four decades. Iran’s Ambassador to Geneva also urged the international community to meet its responsibility to help vaccinate the Afghan refugees against Covid-19. Baghaei Hamaneh said Iran has done its share to help with Afghanistan’s progress and stability and will do its best to pave the way for peace talks between Afghan factions.
The Geneva meeting is held following the withdrawal of the US and other foreign forces from war-torn Afghanistan.
At the meeting, the High Commissioner for Human Rights urged the Council to craft a mechanism to closely monitor the evolving human rights situation in Afghanistan.
Michelle Bachelet said there are credible reports of serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses taking place in many areas under Taliban control such as summary executions of civilians, restrictions on the rights of women, including their right to move freely and girls’ right to attend schools, and recruitment of child soldiers.
Iranian Artist Wins Appreciation Plaque of Acclaimed Photography Federation
During a festival called “Photo Emotion” which was held in Bosnia and Herzegovina “The Sculpture” by Mehdi Kazemi Boomeh received the prize of the IAAP Photography Association.
The event was held in four sections of coloured photos, monochrome, tourism and emotions.
In this festival, which was jointly held by the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) and the Photographic Society of America, works by photographers who are members of the Focus Photo Club (FIAP representative in Iran) were accepted. Iranian artists including Mehdi Kazemi Boomeh, Marjan Taghipour Fahandari, Omidreza Pournabi, Seyyed Ehsan Mortazavi, Seyyed Ahmad Reza Alavi Pouya, Abbas Haji Hossein Kalantar, Ali Samei, Hadi Dehghanpour, Ahmad Samei and Mir Ali Parandak sent their works to this international festival.
International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), recognized as an international institution in the field of photography by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was founded in 1946 and since then has been a medium for communication between national photography institutes in different countries of the world.
Major Iran Sugar Company Returned to Public Sector
The IRIB has quoted Iran’s Judiciary as announcing the return of the company to the public sector. The private sector however said it has not been served the ruling yet. A picture of the verdict, effective immediately, showed the date February 2021. According to the ruling, from the date of issuance thereof, the Iranian government will be responsible for production at Haft Tappeh Sugar Factory and also for payment of personnel salaries.
The company, located in the southern province of Khuzestan, was founded in 1975 to produce sugarcane and related products.
The transfer of the sugar mill to the private sector in 2015 triggered protests and strike by its workers, and its return to the public sector is seen as a victory for them. Following the transfer to the private sector, the workers faced delays in payment of their salaries, which made them angry.
There are also conflicting reports about the arrest of the company’s CEO Omid Asadbeigi. After protests happened at the factory, then Judiciary Chief Ebhraim Raeisi [now Iran’s president] visited the site of the factory and promised the personnel to redress their grievances.
Iran MPs discuss qualifications of President Raisi’s cabinet picks
The proposed Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, Minister of Science and Technology, outlined their plans before parliament. Then proponents and opponents gave their views.
The proposed Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, Seyyed Reza Fatemi Amin defended his plans to get Iran to achieve its rightful economic, scientific and cultural place in West Asia. To that end, Fatmei Amin said, the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade under his command will rely on scientific production, high-speed and sustainable economic growth and increased income levels.
He added all this will help Iran achieve its development targets. Fatemi Amin added that it’s tricky to achieve the 2025 development goals and “we need to redress our backwardness”.
He also said as the Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, he will neuter the anti-Iran sanctions and that he will prioritize economic diplomacy and will get help from the Foreign Ministry for this purpose.
Kazem Mousavi, the member of the Presiding Board of the Economic Commission of Parliament, endorsed Fatemi Amin as a trustworthy person and a young revolutionary. He said the plans outlined by the proposed Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade are good.
However, Ardeshir Motahari, Garmsar’s representative, opposed Fatemi Amin’s confirmation. He questioned Fatemi Amin’s promise to increase the daily production of cars to 3 million and export of 1 million automobiles to other countries. Motahari said the proposed minister has no feasible plans to provide basic goods and balance the market.
The proposed Minister of Science and Technology Mohammad Ali Zolfi Gol also outlined his plans. He said under his supervision, the Ministry of Science and Technology will do its utmost to increase the pace of Iran’s scientific drive and to encourage university students and professors to help with the effort to turn Iran into a global scientific source.
Zolfi Gol said he will reduce the ministry’s dependence on state budget through commercializing the discoveries of Iranian researchers and increasing the revenues of universities from royalties on research projects.
An opponent of Zolfi Gol’s confirmation as Minister of Science and Technology was Tehran’s representative at parliament Ruhollah Izadkhah. He said Zolfi Gol’s plans are “merely general policies”.
Izadkhah however praised Zolfi Gol’s scientific background and his academic seat as a prominent chemistry professor and noted that all this has nothing to do with the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Another MP, Mohammad Khodabakhshi, Aligoudarz’ representative at Parliament, supported Zolfi Gol’s endorsement. He described the proposed Minister of Science and Technology as “being prudent” and “a revolutionary”.
The lawmakers also discussed the qualifications of the proposed Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili at Parliament. He also explained his plans. More than 90 percent of those plans for the fields of culture and art were unanimously approved by the members of Parliament’s Cultural Commission.
They described Esmaeili’s programs as realistic, futuristic, transparent and without ambiguities.
But an MP opposed his confirmation. Ali Asghar Khani, the representative of Shahroud, said the proposed Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance is a graduate of Political Science and his background does not match the post for which he has been picked. Khani added that Esmaeili won’t be able to interact with writers, the media and cinematographers given his working and academic background.
Esmaeili is known for his critical views regarding Iranian cinema and music. Several days ago, the proposed Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance ripped the House of Cinema [Iran’s largest professional organization for film makers] and the House of Music [the musical equivalent of the House of Cinema]. Esmaeili said the House of Cinema “lacks any legal basis” and described the House of Music as “the premier source of crisis”.
Esmaeili says the House of Cinema is with the “the Islamic Revolution’s opposing cultural front” while the House of Music is responsible for “a horrific increase in the entry of foreign [musical] bands”.
His comments caused outrage among many people involved in music and film industries.
Reports say confirmation process for President Raisi’s proposed cabinet members will end on Wednesday.
With 709 killed, Covid deaths hit new record high in Iran
Iran’s Health Ministry figures on Tuesday showed 709 new fatalities over the past day. The total death toll now stands at 103,357. Unofficial sources however say the number of people killed by the disease is much higher than what authorities say.
Health Ministry officials also on Tuesday registered over 40-thousand new infections in 24 hours. Iran’s total Coronavirus caseload has crossed the grim milestone of 4.7 million.
Authorities in Iran blame the fifth wave of the pandemic including deaths and infections on the more contagious Delta variant of Covid-19.
Iran started a nationwide vaccination drive months ago to contain the disease. The Iranian Health Ministry says 17,233,661 Iranians have so far received the first dose of the vaccine while 6,476,773 people have been fully inoculated.
The Health ministry also announced on Tuesday more than 572,000 people have been vaccinated over the past 24 hours. The Iranian government is getting criticized by many citizens for its handling of the Coronavirus crisis. This came after vaccine imports happened with delay. Iran is among few Middle Eastern nations that domestically develop vaccines including COVIran Barekat to fight the pandemic.
The Iranian Health Ministry has now classified 359 cities and towns as Covid red zones where the rate of infections and hospitalizations are very high.
Teahouse Paintings: Iran’s History in Pictures
As political revolutions are born from within lower and middle classes of society, teahouse paintings, too, emerged from low and labour classes of society without belonging to any special school of art, thus turning into a school itself and a trailblazer in the field of art.
The “teahouse painting” is an expression used to describe a type of narrative oil painting illustrating concepts such as wars, religion and rituals.
Teahouse paintings were created by artists not officially trained in any school of art during the Constitutionalism Era.
These works of art were based on popular-religious traditions and were inspired by the naturalistic style of painting which was all the rage at the time.
Hossein Gholler Aghasi (1890-1966) & Mohammad Modaber (died 1967) were among the most prominent teahouse painters.
Meanwhile, some believe the teahouse painting dates back to the Safavid era.
Teahouse paintings have, for three centuries, been used to decorate the walls of teahouses, religious sites, etc.
Teahouse paintings are sometimes referred to as “imaginary” paintings as artists involved in this art consider themselves as imaginative painters.
“The Ashura Imaginary Paintings” is the title of an exhibition which opened on August 13, 2021 in Tehran and showcases the works of Nargess Eshghi with the “Teahouse Painting” theme.
“As, in the past, teahouses where popular hangouts for the general public, and imaginary illustrations met the cultural needs of society under different circumstances, especially during mourning ceremonies and religious occasions, the holding of such an exhibition can be in line with this original Iranian-Islamic culture,” explains Eshghi.
“The teahouse painting is a popular art which emerged at the time of the encroachment of foreign arts by drawing on the original Iranian art associated with the national-religious culture,” she adds.
She says at the moment, tourists, collectors and enthusiasts make the majority of the audience of teahouse paintings.
She believes it is possible to amalgamate the teahouse painting style with other forms of arts.
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Iran: No Kabul-bound plane hijacked
Mohammad Hassan Zibakhsh said the Boeing-737 belonging to Afghanistan’s Kam Air landed in the Iranian city of Mashhad for refueling and flew to the Ukrainian capital city of Kiev from Mashhad at 9 pm local time where it landed safely.
Western media outlets earlier quoted Ukraine’s officials as saying the plane that landed in Kabul to evacuate Ukrainian nationals from Afghanistan was hijacked by unknown people who flew it into Iran.
Iran: US Afghan entry a plight, its withdrawal a mess
“The Islamic Republic of Iran invites all parties to exercise restraint, believes the establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan is what people of the country and the regional countries wish and hopes that Afghan people and factions use, to the best, the opportunity created by the withdrawal of foreign forces to from an inclusive, transparent and accountable government that reflect [the wishes of] all Afghan ethnicities and keeps good relations with neighboring countries. The history of Afghanistan shows the crisis in the country does not have a military solution and just as occupation was not the solution in the country, there is no military solution for resolving problems. The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to facilitate an agreement among different parties in Afghanistan.
Over the past 40 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always stood next to the Afghan people and will continue to do so in the current sensitive chapter. The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates to all ethnicities and groups the necessity of protecting the lives, properties, and families of the people as well as historical buildings and assets and scientific achievements [of Afghanistan],” the spokesman said during his weekly presser.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the past 40 years. The people of Afghanistan are our neighbors. We have deep ties with them and they are within our civilizational sphere. Therefore, we have done as a neighbor would do. In the current situation, we ask all parties to create a calm atmosphere in Afghanistan and focus all efforts on people having peace of mind in their place of residence.”
Khatibzadeh also touched on the United States’ actions in Afghanistan, saying Washington learnt a lesson in the country.
“The US entered Afghanistan as an aggressor. Its entry was a plight and its withdrawal was a mess. This is a historical lesson for all. Wherever the US has stepped in, it has caused destruction, rather than establishing peace and security. Images that came out of Afghanistan breaks the heart of anyone and is historical shame for the self-proclaimed champions of human rights, who do not say a word in this situation, except to justify their acts of aggression. We advise Washington to respect the rights of nations and international law,” he noted.
The spokesman was also asked about Iran’s position on the anti-Taliban resistance, taking shape in Panshir Valley of Afghanistan.
“We invite all parties to exercise restraint and engage in talks and seek a political solution.
Everything that happens in Afghanistan and any move toward the formation of a stable government should reflect the population and ethnic structure of Afghanistan and this can be a result of a political solution and talks among Afghans,” he said.
Khatibzadeh also confirmed an upcoming visit by the Pakistani foreign minister to Tehran.
“The visit by the Pakistani foreign minister is planned, at his request, for Thursday. The objective of the visit is surely bilateral issues and especially Afghanistan. It is natural for Iran as a pillar of promotion of peace and security in this region, to have its contacts and consultations with all countries,” he noted.
Khatibzadeh also touched on the Vienna talks concerning the nuclear deal and the change in the executive branch of power in Iran.
“Some changes due to changes in the executive branch of the Iranian government are natural. Of course, the state position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is what have been announced time and again. The negotiating parties should not miscalculate. Our position is what it was; removal of all sanctions related to the nuclear deal and verification of commitment to the agreement. The date [for the next phase of the talks] will be announced after the changes are finalized and we are confident in [the positions] of our negotiating parties as part of the 4+1 [group of countries],” he said.
The spokesman also called energy commerce an ordinary issue, when asked about shipment of Iran’s fuel to Lebanon.
“Normal trade in the energy sector is an ordinary and common decision. We have sold and sell our oil and [other] goods based on our own decision and demand from our clients. On this specific issue, we cannot watch the pain and suffering plotted against the people of Lebanon. The Lebanese are proud people suffering this shortage due to behind-the-scenes horse-trading, in which Zionist elements are involved. This is despite the fact that they are both a rich nation and have the financial means to buy energy shipments. The Islamic Republic of Iran surely does not allow the arrogant powers to treat people of the region like that,” he said.
The spokesman also rejected the joint statement by the UK, France and Germany, in which they expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.
“What Iran has done has been in compliance with the NPT and the Nuclear Safe Guards Agreement, under the supervision of the IAEA and Iran’s activities, and its recent move, have been conducted for peaceful purposes. This political statement does not clear the three European countries of their responsibility for breaching the nuclear agreement. These statements are not only political but also illegal. These three countries should explain where they were and what statement they issued and what step they took after the US withdrawal from the accord and the maximum pressure campaign of the aggressive government of the US against Iran and [Washington’s] state terrorism in the economic sector, and even in the health sector, against the people of Iran,” he said.
“We try to make sure Vienna talks are meaningful if other parties fulfill their obligations.”
The spokesman also talked about the recent visit by the Japanese foreign minister to Iran, saying “there was no talk of mediation” during his meetings with Iranian officials.
He added that a new time will be naturally set for the Vienna talks but he warned that “time is not passing in favor of the nuclear deal”.
The spokesman also addressed the comments by the former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and his hostile remarks on former Iranian IRGC commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated by the US in Iraq.
“What was said by the current Fox News commentator and former extremist US secretary of state is regrettable. When he was the state secretary, proper answers were given to him.
Americans, themselves, say that the Trump administration was a circle of villains and this person was well-known among them. He has acknowledged time and again that he masters theft, deception and all other normal process in the intelligence and security services of the US.
“He does not know or has not been told that martyrdom for God is the highest honor for us. The most peace-making General of the region was martyred by the most vicious people. We have announced time and against that we do not allow those who were involved in the cowardly assassination, moved to implement it, made a decision to carry it out and executed it escape without punishment. What we did in Ain al-Asad [Airbase] was a response to their [Americans’] act of aggression, not their assassination of General Soleimani. Definitely, we will hold to account all those involved in this. We have held no meeting with other countries or with international organizations except that we raised this issue there,” he said.
“The Fox News commentator should watch on what topic he comments. Anyone who witnesses what has happened in Afghanistan [clearly] sees the mess the US has created for the people in the region and Afghanistan.”
