‘One Single Iranian Firm Able to Produce 1mn COVID-19 Diagnosis Kits Daily’

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December 6, 2020

Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari said Iran has managed to secure considerable achievements in the health sector.

“A large number of companies are working in the health sector and they go into action at times of crisis. One example is the coronavirus crisis. First, were unable to even manufacture mask producing machines, let alone diagnosis kits and medicines for the virus,” he said.

But thanks to the ecosystem which has emerged in the health sector, he added, Iran has now come to a point where only one company has the potential to produce one million coronavirus kits a day.

He added one of the achievements of the country has been to change the structure of the chicken producing industry.

“Many of these companies have turned out products such as vaccines, enzymes, probiotics and medications for cattle and poultry as well as marine animals.

Iran Claims to Have Middle East’s Largest Innovation Ecosystem

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 6, 2020

Sorena Sattari said thousands of companies are working in this field in Iran.
“Over the past 7 years, we made all our efforts in cooperation with all state and private-sector institutions to develop an innovation and technology ecosystem. At the moment, Iran has the Middle East’s biggest innovation ecosystem where more than 5,500 knowledge-based companies are working,” Sattari said in comments on Sunday.

“Firms also stepped into areas such as biotechnology, stem cells and artificial intelligence, and we have a good status in the region in that regard. We sometimes have good rankings in Asia, too,” the official underlined.

He also touched upon the importance of the private sector’s role in research.

“The private sector’s investment in research is one of the pillars of our economy,” Sattari said.

“Products should be the result of the private sector’s investment. The government should provide the infrastructure. When we talk about a [coronavirus] vaccine, it should be developed with the private sector’s investment,” he noted.

Fakhrizadeh Assassination Shows Iran Moving on Right Scientific Path: VP

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 6, 2020

Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari said Iran will keep making scientific breakthroughs on different fronts.

“A serious move has been set in motion in the domain of science and technology. Incidents such as the assassination of Fakhrizadeh indicate these [scientific] developments are running the right course,” he said.

“A move has taken shape in the technology and innovation ecosystem, and developments are emerging in the science and technology field,” he said.

“We should make up for the loss of scientists such as Fakhrizadeh,” he added.

Sattari explained that he had sat down with Fakhrizadeh around one month before his assassination.

“In that meeting, we discussed the coronavirus vaccine and measures adopted in that regard,” said the vice predient.

Women Villagers in Western Iran Earn a Living by Collecting Salt from Rocks

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 6, 2020

Women villagers are busy collecting salt from rocks covered in dried salt-water from the beginning of the spring season until mid-autumn. As of mid-April, the water flowing from a salt spring is channeled onto the rocks. Water evaporates after a few days, leaving behind crystals of salt. Women peel the salt off the rocks with an axe.

Then they bring the separated pieces of salt downhill to mill them using big stones. Afterwards, the crushed salt is put into bowls which function as molds. Then they are put in the sunlight to dry and harden. The dried salt is then carried with pack animals down the valley where trucks arrive from different regions to collect the salt.

This salt contains special minerals suitable for both human and animal use. The reason why the water from the springs contain different minerals is that it flows through different underground layers of rock.

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Grand Mosque of Neyriz: An Ancient Architectural Wonder

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 6, 2020

The grand mosque is one of most fantastic ancient monuments in central Fars province which draws a large number of culture and history enthusiasts both from inside the country and from abroad every year.

The porches left behind at the mosque bear the architecture of the Sassanid era. The stucco decoration on the monument not only serves as a historical document, but contains historical concepts in praise of the Prophet Muhammad and Shiite Imams.

The earliest date left behind at the mosque is 877 AD carved on the altar. The mosque itself was probably constructed before that date.

The most important survey on the mosque was conducted by French architect and archaeologist Andre Godard in the early 20th century. Godard believes the architecture of the mosque dates back to the Sassanid era which was in vogue until the early centuries of the Islamic era.

The monument has been registered on Iran’s List of National Heritage and is currently under the protection of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism.

What follows are Tasnim’s photos of the grand mosque located in Neyriz, Fars province:

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Iran Must Prepare for Continuation of Sanctions undecr Biden: VP

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 6, 2020

“Given the possibility of changes in the future US administration’s policies, we should be ready and have plans for continued sanctions,” Jahangiri said Sunday.

At the same time, he noted that the United States’ “maximum pressure” policy has, by the West’s own admission, been a nonstarter.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Jahangiri touched upon the assassination of eminent Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

“The necessary response will be given to the assassination of Fakhrizadeh in due time,” he said.

The top official said top on the government’s agenda is to meet people’s needs for food and basic commodities.

He also noted that the private sector as well as economic players have had a “good performance” during the sanctions era.

The vice president also urged the three branches of government and economic players to have “one voice” with regards to domestic economic activities.

Iran ‘Torchbearer’ in COVID-19 Vaccine Production: Minister

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 6, 2020

Saeed Namaki noted Iran managed to produce two antiviral medications in a short a period of time.

“We produced Favipiravir and Remdesivir in Iran in two months,” he said.

“Moreover, we managed to produce masks in 56 days and were able to export them as well,” the minister added.

“The world has also accepted that we are among the flag-bearers of vaccine production,” Namaki said.

The health minister underlined he believes the future will be brighter than today.

“I’m confident that we will show our winning cards to the world,” he said.

The minister touched upon Washington’s efforts to prevent Iran from getting the coronavirus vaccine.

“In the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, … we brought the flu vaccine from France, but the US did not allow us to transfer it from an airport in Spain. Now, we are ahead of the US 5-1,” he stressed.

He also thanked people for their cooperation in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

Iran Ready to Export Surplus of Its Homegrown Ventilators: Official

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 5, 2020

In an interview with IRNA, Director of the Strategic Technologies Centre of the Iranian Vice Presidency for Science and Technology Esmaeil Qaderifar said all ICU beds in Iran have been furnished with homegrown ventilators as local manufacturers have fulfilled the need for the device after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Three Iranian knowledge-based companies produce around 1,000 advanced ventilators every month, he added, saying there is no shortage of life support machines or COVID-19 diagnostic test kits inside the country.

He also added that the Iranian producers are ready to export the surplus of test kits, ventilators, and respiratory masks with permission from the Health Ministry and in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade.

After the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in February, the Iranian researchers managed to develop ventilators with a price half that of foreign-made ones.

Since early 2020, the whole world has been gripped by the pandemic, which spreads fast, has infected more than 66 million people, and has killed over 1,520,000 patients.

Rouhani’s Former VP for Women Affairs Sentenced to Prison

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IFP Editorial Staff

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December 5, 2020

A revolutionary court in Tehran on Saturday convicted Molaverdi of disclosing the classified information and documents under the guise of a governmental official and with the purpose of upsetting the country’s security, imposing a two-year sentence.

Molaverdi, 55, has been also given a six-month prison sentence for propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic Establishment.

The former vice-president had earlier been convicted by a criminal court court on charges of encouraging corruption and prostitution and promoting sexual deviation.

The convict used to serve as vice-president for Women and Family Affairs in the first term of President Hassan Rouhani and as his assistant in citizens’ rights affairs in the second term.

She supported a UN-devised global education agenda –known as Education 2030– as a way for equal educational opportunities for boys and girls.