Taliban: Shiites Face No Threat for Holding Muharram Mourning Ceremonies

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August 17, 2021

The militants’ official in charge of cultural affairs Molavi Zabihollah Nourani in the north west said they will not create any problems for Shiite citizens of Afghanistan, adding that the group has no problem with Muharram ceremonies.

“Our Shiite brothers can rest assured that they will face no threat from our side and they can go after their activities and mourning ceremonies with peace of mind,” he told Afghanistan’s AVA Press news agency.

In reaction, an Iranian expert on social and religious affairs welcomed the announcement.

“Fortunately the Taliban have no problem with marking of the month of Muharram and have so far had a proper treatment with Shiites,” said Hossein Naderi.

“The current Taliban are different with the Taliban of 20 years ago. They have come to the conclusion that they should keep their Shiite brothers at their side and, as long as I know, the Shiite population [in Afghanistan] is also pleased with how the Taliban are treating them.”

Nearly 14 centuries ago, Shiites third Imam and the grandson of Islam’s holy Prophet Mohammad, along with dozens of members of his family and companions, was martyred on the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram, known as Ashura. Shiites mark the occasion with mourning ceremonies around the world every year.

“Imam Hossein, peace be upon him, does not solely belong to Shiites. He is the grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and belongs to all Muslims and the humanity can follow the Ashura uprising as a model to learn lessons about life,” Naderi said.

This comes as reports from the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan show mourners held street processions on the seventh day of Muharram without facing any disruption or interference by the Taliban.

Iran Allows Import of Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines Despite Earlier Ban

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 16, 2021

“We have issued the permits for imports of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines from their permissible sources and will [continue] to do so. The name of a vaccine does not lead to limitations or prohibition [of imports] but the source of the vaccine should be trustworthy,” said Mohammad Reza Shanesaz.
Shanesaz added that the Health Ministry moves on the issue of vaccine imports based on the guidelines of the Islamic Revolution Leader.

“Purchase and sales of vaccines takes place between governments across the world. Even Pfizer announced that they deliver their vaccines only to governments. No private sector is involved in the purchase and sales [of coronavirus vaccines],” he said.

Back in January, Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei banned imports of coronavirus vaccines from the US and the UK saying they are not trustworthy and may be seeking to test their vaccines on other nations.

US Military Defeat Should Be Used to Restore Lasting Peace in Afghanistan: Raisi

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 16, 2021

The president, who chairs the Supreme National Security Council, told Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that the people of Afghanistan have a right to stability and welfare.

“Iran will work for establishment of stability in Afghanistan, which is the first thing the country needs today, and as a neighboring and brotherly country, calls on all [Afghan] groups to achieve a national consensus,” Raisi said.

The president also stressed Iran believes that with the will of the oppressed people of Afghanistan in place, security and stability with return to the country.

“Iran remains committed to neighboring ties with Afghanistan while attentively monitoring the developments in the country,” He added.

Raisi also tasked Zarif and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Vice Admiral Ali Shamkhani to carefully and continuously monitor the situation in Afghanistan and report the developments to the president.

Iran’s Top Security Official Vows Support for Will of Afghans

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Emad Askarieh

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August 16, 2021

Shamkhani made the comment after the Taliban’s takeover of the Afghan capital Kabul.

“In December 2018, during my visit to Kabul, I had a challenging meeting with the Afghan president. Today’s painful comments by the country’s defence minister reflect the effect of 20-year occupation of Afghanistan by the US and the depth of the infiltration of the Afghan government by Washington and its influence [on Kabul],” he said in a tweet Monday.

“Just like the past 40 years, we support the people of Afghanistan and their will,” he added without elaborating.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also said in a tweet Sunday that he welcomes the establishment of the coordination council by the Taliban leaders. He said Iran will help efforts to restore peace in Afghanistan.

Iran’s Zarif, China’s Special Envoy Discuss Afghan Developments

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 16, 2021

During the Monday meeting, Zarif elaborated on the views of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the recent developments in Afghanistan. He underlined Iran’s support for the coordination council on peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan with the aim of preventing any escalation in violence and breakout of war amid the current situation in Afghanistan.

Zarif touched on the issue of those displaced due to the recent developments in Afghanistan and their flood toward neighbouring countries as one of the most important and vital issues arising from the Afghan developments. He said this needs serious attention especially with regard to the difficult situation the coronavirus pandemic has created.

At the start of the meeting, Zarif also extended his congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Iran and China and, speaking on behalf of the Iranian government, thanked the Chinese government for supplying coronavirus vaccines to Iran.

During the meeting, Yue also extended his congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of political ties with Iran and described the strategic cooperation between the two countries as significant. He also outlined his country’s views on the Afghan developments and underlined the necessity of cooperation among regional countries, especially Afghanistan’s neighbors, on the issue.

Iran Draws Down Diplomatic Staff in Afghanistan: Spokesman

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 16, 2021

“Regarding the status of Iran’s missions in Afghanistan, I should say that out of the five Iranian missions in Afghanistan, including in Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad, Herat and Kandahar, our colleagues have already left three missions in Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat and Kandahar and have been conducting their activities from Kabul,” said Saeed Khatibzadeh when asked by reporters about the status of Iranian missions in Afghanistan.

“Of course, due to some reasons, it had been decided that the closure of these missions not be announced,” he added.

“At the moment, only the security guards and a few local colleagues are present at these three missions,” Khatibzadeh said.

“Iran has also drawn down staff members at its embassy in Kabul, and a number of our colleagues have returned, leaving only enough personnel to handle the embassy’s essential activities,” he explained.

He also weighed in on the situation of Iran’s consulate general in Herat, saying, “Our diplomats are in full health and have no problem travelling to and from Iran, but to be on the safe side, we preferred them to stay at the mission for now,” said the spokesman.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 15

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 15, 2021

Abrar Newspaper:

1- Coronavirus Kills 466 More Iranians

2- Tehran Government Offices, Businesses, Banks to Close as of Monday

3- All Roads to/from Tehran to Remain Closed Until Aug. 27

Afkar Newspaper:

1- Raisi: All Illegal Traffic Must Be Stopped

Aftab-e Yazd Newspaper:

1- Another Period of Useless Shutdowns to Contain Coronavirus

2- Insisting on Wrong Decisions [Editorial]

* Experts Believe This Type of Shutdown Will Only Help Spread Virus

Ebtekar Newspaper:

1- New Coronavirus Restrictions: Lockdown to Be Imposed from Monday to Saturday

Etemad Newspaper:

1- Raisi: Iran to Buy 30 Million Doses of Vaccine

Ettela’at Newspaper:

1- National Resolve to Counter Coronavirus

Farhikhtegan Newspaper:

1- Iran to Accelerate Import of Vaccines

Hamshahri Newspaper:

1- Number of Children Contracting Coronavirus Increasing

Javan Newspaper:

1- Coronavirus Won’t Be Contained with Such Lax Lockdown (Photo of Traffic Jam in Iran Roads)

Kayhan Newspaper:

1- Lockdown Holidays Will Double COVID-19 Deaths If Used for Going on Vacation

Khorasan Newspaper:

1- Be Strict This Time!

* Massive Lockdown, Preventing Traffic as of Sunday Night

Mardom Salari Newspaper:

1- A Review of Coronavirus Mismanagement

* Will One-Week Lockdown Decrease COVID-19 Deaths?

Quds Newspaper:

1- Fifth Peak of Coronavirus: We’re the Culprits

* A Report on How People Don’t Observe Health Protocols

SMT Newspaper:

1- Iran at Centre of A Mega-Crisis

Shargh Newspaper:

1- Muharram Mourning Ceremony at Iran Leader’s Hussainya without People’s Presence

2- National Solidarity against Coronavirus

Tejarat Newspaper:

1- Countering COVID-19 with Five-Day Shutdown of Gov’t Offices and Businesses

2- Iran’s Economy Lagging Behind Due to Coronavirus, Blackouts, Growing USD Rates

3- Coronavirus Decreases Plane Ticket Prices

Vatan-e Emrooz Newspaper:

1- Major Change in Management of Pandemic

* Massive Spread of Mutated Virus Killing 500, Infecting 40,000 in Iran Every Day

Ancient Objects Unearthed at Site of ‘Lost City’ in Western Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 15, 2021

“Until before 2005 when the Cultural Heritage Department of Hamadan Province invited [archaeologist] Mahdi Rahbar to make speculations in Dokhaharan neighbourhood, no action had been taken to explore the Laodiseh district,” said Mohsen Janjani, the head of the team of archaeologists, as quoted by the Public Relations Office of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Research Centre.

The lead archaeologist underlined that speculations and excavations had been conducted in four seasons in 2005, 2011, 2012 and 2019.

“Given the densely constructed buildings in Dokhaharan neighbourhood, which is regarded as an underprivileged district in Nahavand, the team of archaeologists faced numerous problems, including choosing a proper location for speculation.

He touched upon the ongoing excavations at the site as well as the outcome of those excavations, saying, “Antiquities belonging to the Seleucid and Parthian eras, including capitals, columns and pottery were found.”

He underlined search is underway to discover the Laodiseh temple, expressing hope it will be found in the upcoming excavations.

Laodiseh is known as the lost city of Seleucid whose discovery will bring to light well-kept secrets of this historical dynasty.

This historical site and the Dokhaharan area where the Laodiseh temple is thought to have been located was registered as cultural heritage on Iran’s List of National Monuments.

Archaeologists Looking for Lost Greek Temple in Iran’s Nahavand

Ferdows Garden: A Mesmerizing, Ancient Monument in Heart of Tehran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 15, 2021

The foundation of the summertime resort mansion was established by Haji Miraghasi, the grand vizier of Mohammad Shah Qajar.

An edifice built in the northern part of the garden was constructed as a palace and a luxurious place of residence since the very beginning.

The Ferdows Garden is an invaluable and historical monument located in an old neighbourhood, bearing the same name, in Shemiran district in northern Tehran.

The ancient garden turned into a cinema museum in 2002.

The land of the garden measures 20,000 square meters. Its mansion has three storeys with a total area of 10,000 square metres.

The garden is full of impressive stucco decorations. There are thick, round columns artistically decorated with stucco

The monument was registered on Iran’s List of National Heritage sites on August 2, 1997.

The garden is currently a cozy location for artists’ get-togethers due to its green space, numerous café and the cinema museum.

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Stargazers Get Chance to Observe Impressive Phenomenon of Preseids

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 15, 2021

The Perseids are a prolific meteor shower caused by the remaining masses of particles from the comet Swift–Tuttle, and are active for around a month. The meteors are called the Perseids because the point from which they appear to hail lies in the constellation Perseus.

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