A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 22

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November 22, 2018

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Almost all papers today highlighted President Hassan Rouhani’s support for Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif over his controversial remarks about ‘rampant’ money laundering in Iran, which were going to lead to his impeachment.

Also a top story was the pressures on Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli to reject the qualification of Pirouz Hanachi, the reformist figure elected as new mayor of Tehran. Hanachi must be approved by Rahmani Fazli in order to be able to start his work. Vice-Speaker of Parliament Ali Motahari warned on Wednesday that the interior minister could be impeached if he gives in to pressures.

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

Abrar:

1- Iran Has Remained in JCPOA upon Europe’s Insistence: Foreign Ministry

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- An Entire Iran behind Zarif

* Rouhani, Many Officials, Reformists Throw Their Weight behind FM Zarif

2- If a Journalist in Saudi Arabia Writes about Khashoggi, He’d Be Killed

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Will Profiteers Return with Re-Imposition of Sanctions?

2- Rouhani’s All-Out Support for Zarif

Ebtekar:

1- World’s Cold Look at Yemeni Children

Etemad:

1- New Mayor of Tehran under Pressure to Resign

* Vice-Speaker to Interior Minister: Don’t Give in to Pressures; Approve Hanachi

2- Rouhani: Entire World Gripped with Money Laundering

3- White House Turned into Public Relations Firm for Saudi Arabia

Ettela’at:

1- Rouhani: We Should Close Doors to Money Laundering, Corruption

2- Senior Commander of Yemeni Mercenaries Killed in Ansarullah Attack

3- Iranian Sunnis in Kurdistan Celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday Anniversary

Farhikhtegan:

1- Consensus in Criticizing Zarif’s Goof on Money Laundering

* Even Rouhani Advised Zarif Not to Politicize Fight against Money Laundering

2- Government Lacks Transparency

3- Iranian Universities’ Dependence on Government 2.5 Times Higher than Global Average

Iran:

1- Taboo of Sex Education for Children to Be Broken

Javan:

1- Zarif’s Goof Whitewashed by Rouhani

2- Trump on Bin Salman’s Murder of Khashoggi: It Is What It Is!

Kayhan:

1- Haft-Tappeh Crisis Result of Making Economy Dependent on JCPOA, FATF

(Haft-Tappeh is a privatized factory whose workers have gone on strike, demanding their overdue wages, and calling on government to retake the factory)

2- Zarif Has Received Judiciary’s Letter on Money Laundering

* 10-Day Ultimatum for Providing Evidence

3- Trump: Iran Is a Terrorist Nation! We Need Bin Salman’s Petrodollars

4- 14m Poor, 1.5 Million in Absolute Misery: UN’s Description of UK Today

5- Mr Hunt! Your Crimes Have Led to Current Misery of Innocent Yemeni Children

Resalat:

1- Retired Officials Refusing to Leave Office despite New Law

2- Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi Calls for Unity among Sunnis, Shiites

Sazandegi:

1- Zarif’s Comments on Money Laundering Totally Correct: Rouhani

2- New US Envoy to Saudi John Abizaid Believed to Be Second Lawrence of Arabia

Shargh:

1- Apple of the Cabinet’s Eye: Rouhani Strongly Supports Zarif

* Why Should We Fight over Crystal-Clear Issues?

2- Interior Minister to Be Impeached If He Refuses to Approve New Mayor of Tehran

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- Animal Farm: Trump Once Again Calls Iran a Terrorist Nation

2- Silent Scandal in Norway

* Shocking Report of Organized Sexual Abuse in Norway Child Rights Body

Europe’s Iran Payment Mechanism Faces ‘Unforeseen Difficulties’

By

Reza Khaasteh

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November 22, 2018

De Riviere, who is in Tehran for a fresh round of political talks between Iran and France, made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi on Wednesday.

The French diplomat said the establishment of SPV is in its final stages, but unforeseen difficulties have arisen in the course of creating the mechanism.

However, the E3 countries – France, Germany, and the UK – are taking measures to overcome the difficulties and start the implementation of the SPV as soon as possible, he added.

During the meeting, the two sides conferred on the latest situation of the Iran nuclear deal and the commitment of Paris and other European parties to normalizing economic relations with Iran and offsetting the negative impacts of the US’ illegal sanctions.

They also talked about ways to expand bilateral relations and expressed their views on a number of security, regional, and international issues.

The two sides also reviewed the latest developments in other economic and business fields, and weighed in on measures being taken to minimize the impact of US sanctions.

The talks between Iran and the European side come as the US special envoy for Iran threatened last week European banks and firms with fresh sanctions in case of engaging in the SPV.

The SPV is an alternative payment mechanism that can help companies trade with Iran without facing US penalties.

Despite Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in May and the re-imposition of its sanctions on Tehran in November, the three big European Union powers and the EU as a whole have reaffirmed their commitment to the JCPOA, as have Russia and China.

Iran has not left the landmark nuclear deal yet, but stressed that the remaining signatories to the agreement have to work to offset the negative impacts of the US pullout for Iran if they wanted Tehran to remain in it.

Iran and the European side have been discussing ways to conduct non-dollar trade in order to offset the US sanctions.

Iran Denies It’s Preparing to Exit Nuclear Deal

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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November 21, 2018

“These rumours are certainly false, baseless and purposeful,” Qassemi said in a statement on Wednesday.

“They are created by certain domestic and foreign circles with destructive intentions and are aimed at making people worried, creating baseless tensions and negatively impacting the economy and people’s livelihood,” he went on to say.

The spokesman was referring to reports that quoted Monday statements by Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi as a signal that Iran would soon withdraw from the accord.

Araqchi said the EU has failed to create the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the mechanism aimed at facilitating trade with Iran at a time when the US has reinstated anti-Iran sanctions suspended under the nuclear accord.

“We are faced with a situation in which Europe has not been able or unwilling to establish a mechanism to meet Iran’s demands,” Araqchi noted.

Araqchi warned Iran cannot keep fulfilling its JCPOA commitments under such circumstances.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 21

By

Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani

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November 21, 2018

Iranian papers today widely covered the ongoing controversy over Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s remarks about ‘rampant’ money laundering in Iran, which have prompted a group of lawmakers to seek his impeachment.

Also a top story today was the Iranian officials’ criticisms of Europe over its failure to implement the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a payment mechanism to facilitate trade between the two sides.

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

Abrar:

1- EU’s Failure to Implement JCPOA Commitments Not Justifiable: Iran

2- Zarif: Choosing the Country to Host SPV a Challenge for Europe

3- Rouhani: We’ll Give Enemies a Good Lesson

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Parliament Mulling Over Impeachment of Zarif

Etemad:

1- Imran Khan against Trump: Pakistani PM, US President Clash in Twitter

2- Danger of Failure to Ratify CFT [Editorial]

Ettela’at:

1- 60 Dead after Suicide Attack on Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday Anniversary in Kabul

2- Zarif to Le Figaro: We Support Political Solution to Support Syria

3- Mogherini: Iran, EU’s Efforts to End Yemen Crisis Bearing Fruit

4- Army Navy Commander: We Tap Conversations of American Vessels

Iran:

1- Development through Railways

Rouhani Inaugurates Oroumiyeh Railway

Javan:

1- 80% of World’s Money Laundering Is in US, Europe

2- Iran Unveils Mine-Resistant Armoured Vehicle

3- Europe to Join Trump, Netanyahu in Boycotting Iran

4- Israel Has Lost Capability of Harming Resistance Forces

Kayhan:

1- FATF Member States Centres of World’s Money Laundering

2- Released Audio Reveals Details of Khashoggi’s Murder

3- UK Foreign Secretary Visited Iran for Release of Spy Not for JCPOA

A Look at Chain Newspapers’ Tuesday Editions

4- Europe’s Mission Is to Complete US’ Plot

Resalat:

1- Zarif: US Sanctions Not to Bring Iran to Negotiating Table

2- Putin: US Withdrawal from INF Not to Remain Unanswered

Sazandegi:

1- CFT on Boiling Point

Parliament to Insist on Its Stances towards FATF, CFT

2- Riot against Party Leader

16 US Democrats Opposed to Nancy Pelosi’s Re-Election as House Majority Leader
NY Times Calls Them Rioters Seeking to Tarnish Party’s Image

Setareh Sobh:

1- Crown Prince May Be Toppled

Germany Cuts Weapons Exports to Saudi

2- Forex, Gold Coin Rates Decrease

Shahrvand:

1- Rouhani: We’ll Foil Plots If We Remain United

2- Attacks on FM Zarif Are Attacks on Unity of Establishment: Senior Cleric

Shargh:

1- Foreign Ministry Denies It’s Received Ultimatum from Judiciary over Zarif’s Remarks

2- The White Obama from Texas May Be Democrats’ New Candidate for 2020 Elections

Sobh-e Now:

1- Deceitful Peace Plan: Saudis Break Truce by Attacking Yemen

2- Expanding Axis of Resistance to Northern Africa

Zarif: Iran Perhaps Responsible for California Fires!

By

IFP Media Wire

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November 21, 2018

“Mr. Trump bizarrely devotes the FIRST paragraph of his shameful statement on Saudi atrocities to accuse IRAN of every sort of malfeasance he can think of,” Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a message posted on his Twitter account on Tuesday.

He added, “Perhaps we’re also responsible for the California fires, because we didn’t help rake the forests — just like the Finns do?”

When visiting the scene of California’s devastating Camp Fire on Saturday, Trump said Finland had managed to avoid such fires by spending “a lot of time on raking and cleaning and doing things” to clear forest floors.

On Tuesday, Trump released a statement on the murder of journalist Saudi Jamal Khashoggi, starting his first paragraph with baseless allegations on Iran’s role in the region.

“The world is a very dangerous place! The country of Iran, as an example, is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen, trying to destabilize Iraq’s fragile attempt at democracy, supporting the terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, propping up dictator Bashar Assad in Syria, and much more,” he said.

Trump went on to vow to stay a “steadfast partner” of Riyadh despite saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman may have known about the plan to murder Khashoggi in Istanbul.

US Tourist: Iran Best Country I’ve Ever Visited

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

November 21, 2018

US Tourist: Iran Best Country I’ve Ever Visited — American tourist JP Salva in a street in Tehran / Photo by his Instagram

After waiting for two years, JP Salva finally received the visa for Iran. The 39-year-old tourist has, so far, visited 175 countries, but he does not like any of them as much as Iran. Iran is his favourite country, Shiraz his favourite city, and Ghormeh-Sabzi his favourite food.

JP was born in Puerto Rico, but lives in the city of Orlando in the US state of Florida. He is a US citizen. He says he worked as a software engineer in the United States and saved money. Seven years ago, he decided to make a journey around the world and see 195 countries.

He told BBC Persian that he had heard good things about Iran from his friends, but that media mostly painted a negative picture of Iran. So, he wanted to see the country first-hand and know more about it. However, his opinion changed about Iran after visiting it.

Arriving in Iran

He has talked about the first minutes after he touched down at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport.

“When I arrived at the Tehran airport, I was very much worried. I was standing in the queue for passport control, but I kept telling people behind me to go first. At the end, there was only me, and I had to go. Worried, I went ahead and submitted my passport to the

airport’s immigration officer. He looked at me and asked if I was American. He smiled and said in Persian ‘You’re welcome’. I thought it would take hours, but he only asked a few questions. Right from that moment, I thought the nice beginning of the trip shows I would continue to enjoy the rest of it, as well,” JP said.

After his visa expired, he went to Kish Island (a free trade zone in southern Iran with easier requirements for foreign tourists and businessmen). He got visa for Iran for a second time. This time, he stayed in the country for one month before having his visa extended for another three months.

He posts photos and videos of his travels to different countries on his Instagram page. His posts usually come with both English and Persian subtitles. He has tried to learn Persian, but says he can only write a few words. He usually wears a hat bearing the word “Iran.” He says the hat has become his brand.

A few months in Iranians’ homes

JP says Iranians’ hospitality is unique in the world. Once he was walking in Tehran streets with his backpack when a few people came forward and asked where he was from. JP told them his story, but some people wouldn’t believe it.

“The first time when I was walking, several people talked to me and asked where I lived. I told them I was looking for a hostel. Then they invited me to come and stay with them and their families,” he said.

Accordingly, JP has not spent even one night in a hotel or hostel during his stay in Iran.

“That’s the way it all started. I was staying at a person’s home; then they would ask which city I was going to visit next. I said I don’t know, maybe Isfahan. They said excellent! ‘My cousin lives in Isfahan; you can go and stay with him in his house,’ and it continued the same way for other cities,” the American tourist said.

JP cannot remember the exact number of the cities and regions he has visited during his three trips to Iran, but says maybe 20 to 30 cities.

He says all Iranians are kind and hospitable, but says there is something different about the people of Shiraz which makes them even more special than other Iranians and which he cannot describe. He also says he loves Faloodeh Shirazi.

Iranians’ friendly treatment has impressed JP. He says he was very much impressed when he says Iranians welcomed him warmly and like him despite all the political tension between the two countries.

Iran Condemns US Treasury’s New Sanctions

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

November 21, 2018

In a statement on Wednesday, Qassemi said the new sanctions have been imposed based on false pretexts.

“These useless, futile and ineffective sanctions will never achieve the desired outcome of their designers and creators,” he said, adding that the Americans will sooner or later become aware of the uselessness of what they think.

Washington imposed fresh sanctions on the Islamic Republic on Tuesday, accusing Tehran of creating a complex web of Russian companies and Syrian intermediaries to ship oil to Damascus, which in turn financed Hezbollah and Hamas.

In a statement, the US Treasury said that Iran is working with Russian companies and provides millions of barrels of oil to the Syrian government.

The Syrian government, in turn, eases the movement of hundreds of millions of US dollars to the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) for onward transfer to Hamas and Hezbollah, reads the statement.

Iran FM Due in Italy to Attend Mediterranean Dialogues Conference

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

November 21, 2018

Iran’s Foreign Minister in Beirut for Talks

On Thursday morning, Zarif will meet his Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero and a group of Italian entrepreneurs.

Later in the day, he will participate in Mediterranean Dialogues Conference (MED), an annual high-level initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in Rome.

The event is aimed at drafting an agenda for the Mediterranean by stimulating debate and promoting new ideas, rethinking traditional approaches and addressing shared challenges at both the regional and the international level.

Zarif is among the speakers of the conference. Other speakers include NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, Italy’s Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta and many others.

Iran Holds Talks with UN Envoy, Syrian Opposition Figures in Switzerland

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

November 21, 2018

During the Monday and Tuesday meetings, the two sides held consultations on the resolution of problems in formation of the Syrian Constitution Committee and the forthcoming round of the Syrian International Peace Talks in Kazakhstan’s Astana.

The peace talks are scheduled to be held at the end of next week in the capital city of Kazakhstan.

Jaberi Ansari, who is Iran’s top negotiator at Syria Peace Talks, last week met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, and some other political and security officials to discuss the latest developments in the Arab country and issues related to the constitutional committee.

During those meetings Jaberi Ansari expressed hope that, in light of successful consultations, the way for the formation of the Syrian Constitution Committee would be paved.

He also raised hope that such a move will lead to a serious Syrian-Syrian dialogue.

‘Zaghari-Ratcliffe Citizen of Iran, Tried Based on Iran’s Law’

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

November 21, 2018

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Tuesday that on Hunt raised the issue of the dual citizen jailed in Iran on the sidelines of his meetings with Iranian officials.

In response, the Iranian authorities reminded him of Zaghari’s conviction in the court and the independence of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.

Hunt was also told that she is a citizen of Iran and has been tried and convicted according to the country’s domestic laws, Qassemi noted.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, claimed to be a charity worker affiliated with the London-based charity Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested in April 2016 just before taking the flight out of Iran, and is now serving a five-year term for espionage.

Her case drew considerable attention after former British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in 2017 that she was training journalists in Iran, contradicting claim by the foundation that she was simply on holiday visiting relatives.

Johnson came under pressure to resign after his comments, which confirmed charges by the Iranian judiciary that Zaghari-Ratcliffe was teaching people how to secretly prepare anti-government content and send them to the Persian service of the British-run news agency BBC.

In his Tuesday comments,Qassemi further noted that Hunt’s one-day trip had been planned a long time ago and was made despite some domestic political problems inside the UK.

“In separate meetings, the British official met with Iran’s Foreign Minister and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and discussed a wide range of issues, including the Iran nuclear deal and the commitments of European countries, notably the E3 (Germany, France and the UK),” he noted

“The two sides also exchanged views on the most important developments in the region, especially the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen, and the necessity of ending the Western countries’ arms support for those who attacked Yemen’s innocent people.” Qassemi added.

During the meetings, Iran’s viewpoint on these subjects was elaborated in detail, he noted.

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 22

Europe’s Iran Payment Mechanism Faces ‘Unforeseen Difficulties’

Iran Denies It’s Preparing to Exit Nuclear Deal

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 21

Zarif: Iran Perhaps Responsible for California Fires!

US Tourist: Iran Best Country I’ve Ever Visited

Arriving in Iran

A few months in Iranians’ homes

Iran Condemns US Treasury’s New Sanctions

Iran FM Due in Italy to Attend Mediterranean Dialogues Conference

Iran Holds Talks with UN Envoy, Syrian Opposition Figures in Switzerland

‘Zaghari-Ratcliffe Citizen of Iran, Tried Based on Iran’s Law’

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