Iran Summons German, French Envoys over ‘Interventionist’ Statements

By

-

December 13, 2020

Germany’s Hans-Udo Muzel, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency, was summoned after the European Union and the German Foreign Ministry released interventionist statements regarding Zam.

In the meeting, the director general for European affairs at the Iranian foreign ministry strongly condemned the statements and dismissed them as interference in Iran’s internal affairs.

Hans-Udo Muzel also received Iran’s strong protest at the tolerance shown towards elements who provoke violence and acts of terror, and have taken refuge in some European countries and target the security of Iranian people.

The German diplomat, in turn, said he will notify EU officials as well as his country of Iran’s protest.

France’s Philippe Thiébaud also received Iran’s strong note of protest from the Iranian official.

The French diplomat, in turn, said he will notify his country’s officials of Tehran’s protest.

Rouhollah Zam had been convicted of acting against Iran’s internal and external security, spying for French intelligence agencies, and desecrating Islamic sanctities. Authorities say his online work inspired deadly anti-government protests in Iran in 2017.

Health Minister Highlights Iran’s Heroic Struggle with Sanctions

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 13, 2020

It is a divine blessing that Iran has managed to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and inaugurate new medical projects under the pressure of sanctions, Health Minister Namaki said in an address to a Sunday event held to open new medical and health projects in South Khorasan Province.

“These days that you saw the coronavirus was being controlled, (you would not believe) what we went through,” the minister added.

After the day of Ashura when the third Shiite imam, Imam Hussein (PBUH), and his companions suffered great hardship, no other nation had ever experienced such difficulties except the Iranian nation, he added.

“They (enemies) closed all ways to us, on the currency and its transaction, on the import of medicine and equipment,” the health minister said.

“The fact that 66 projects are inaugurated in an underprivileged province and tens of other projects are also ready to come on stream at the peak of sanctions and at the peak of a famine affecting the Islamic Republic’s treasury -as this year’s hardship has been unprecedented- once again signifies a divine blessing,” Namaki stated.

In September, Namaki sent a letter to the World Health Organization (WHO), calling for a global campaign to end the US illegal and unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Historical Houses of Yazd Converted into Ecotourism Hotels

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 13, 2020

These houses have three dominant features. There is the basement which most people would use to store food. On the ground was where life was going on, and roofs were places to rest on summer nights because it is cool at nighttime.

Gradually, lifestyle in Yazd changed and roofs were sidelined.

But at the moment, people are extremely keen to visit and experience living in historical homes some of which have been converted into traditional hotels and ecotourist accommodation. Their roofs have also turned into cafés from where one can rest and enjoy the view of the city’s historical fabric.

Currently, most of these places are not allowed to host tourists and visitors in line with restrictions enforced to contain the spread of coronavirus.

1 of 22

Iran, Afghanistan Discuss Bilateral Ties, Peace Talks

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 13, 2020

In the meeting held in Kabul, the two sides exchanged views on peace negotiations, progress in the Doha talks, Iran’s role in ensuring peace in Afghanistan and Tehran-Kabul relations.

During the talks, Abdullah appreciated Iran’s cooperation with his country and its support for the peace trend.

The Iranian official also met with Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Meerwais Nab and National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib.

Among other issues brought up for discussion during Araqchi’s meetings in Kabul were a long-term Comprehensive Iran-Afghanistan Cooperation Document, peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban as well as Iran’s role in building a regional consensus about Afghanistan’s political and security situation, and the promotion of political, economic and trade ties between the two countries.

During Araqchi’s meeting with Meerwais, the Afghan official expressed his gratitude to Iran for hosting Afghan immigrants and Tehran’s support for Afghanistan’s peace negotiations.

He also congratulated both nations and governments on the inauguration of the Khaf-Herat railroad, which was recently put into service in a ceremony which the presidents of both countries attended via videoconference.

Meerwais described the project as a key step toward the further enhancement of Tehran-Kabul relations.

Iranian Starts Producing Superalloys Vital for Various Industries

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 13, 2020

Managing Director of the Paya Mavad Company Jalal Danesh said nickel- and cobalt-based alloys are an integral part of advanced industries.

“Superalloys retain their properties in high temperatures and are mostly used in industries like power stations and for the manufacturing of gas-powered turbines,” the top manager was quoted as saying by the Science and Technology Department of the Presidential Office.

He said one of the key activities of the company is to turn out state-of-the-art parts and equipment which are based on nickel and cobalt alloys.

“Nickel- and cobalt-based superalloys enjoy unique features. For instance, cobalt-based alloys are highly resistant to abrasion and can be very effective in the above-mentioned industries,” he said.

He also touched upon the production of springs made of superalloys, which he added, enjoy high technology and retain their properties in special conditions and temperatures.
He noted these springs are very important in melting industries.

The top executive further said his company also produces superalloy parts used in gas-powered turbines.

“We are active in this area, too, and rebuild and renovate parts, specially big and modern ones. More than 300 types of spare parts for gas-powered turbines are produced in this company,” he added.

He said many of the equipment and parts made of superalloys used to be entirely imported, but now many Iranian companies are making such products.

Expansion of Economic Ties with Neighbours a Priority: Iran VP

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 13, 2020

COVID-19 Punishes Those Who Sanctioned Iran’s Oil: First VP

First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri described Iran’s relations with its neighbours as “strategic,” saying, “we should not allow our economic exchanges to decrease because of some peripheral political issues.”

The top official said plans should be drawn up to handle economic relations at the time of sanctions.

“We should have precise programs for when sanctions might remain in place or be lifted; but assuming that conditions will improve and there will be opportunities for cooperation with European countries, we should bear in mind that neighbouring countries take priority when it comes to the expansion of ties; moreover, we should not forget the countries which worked with us during tough times,” he said in a joint meeting of heads of joint chambers of commerce of Iran and neighbouring countries.

The official then described Iran’s geographical situation as unique.

He said Iran lies on the routes of the North-South and East-West corridors and has 15 neighbours, which are good opportunities for the country’s development.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the vice president noted the private sector should become more active, adding those working in the economic arena should be supported.

Turkish FM Calls Zarif to Reaffirm Respect for Iran’s Sovereignty

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 12, 2020

In the Saturday telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Cavusoglu underlined the close and friendly relations between Turkey and Iran, and highlighted Ankara’s definite policy of good neighbourliness.

Foreign Minister Cavusoglu also gave an assurance that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fully respects Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The senior Turkish diplomat explained that President Erdogan had not been aware of the sensitivities surrounding the lines he recited in Baku and associated the poem only with Lachin and Karabakh, which is why he recited it in the recent event in Azerbaijan Republic.

For his part, Foreign Minister Zarif underscored the significance of friendly relations between the two neighbours that signify mutual respect.

Highlighting the cordial ties between the president of Turkey and the high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Foreign Minister Zarif expressed hope for the expansion of bilateral relations on the basis of mutual trust.

The phone call from the Turkish foreign minister came after President Erdogan provoked controversy when he recited lines from a folk song that promises a reunion of Azeri-speaking people from Iran and Azerbaijan Republic, who are now separated by the Aras border river.

The Turkish leader made the comments at a speech to the “Victory Parade” in Baku on Thursday.

800,000 Iranians Recover from COVID-19: Health Ministry

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 12, 2020

Iran Reports Lowest One-Day COVID-19 Fatalities in Two Months

In a press briefing on Saturday, Sima-Sadat Lari said the virus has killed 221 patients since Friday noon, increasing the overall death toll to 51,949.

She said 1,100,818 patients have contracted the novel coronavirus so far, including 8,201 new cases identified in the past 24 hours.

The number of new fatalities reported on Saturday was the lowest since October 12, and that of new infections was also a record-low since November 3.

Lari said 5,739 patients are also in critical conditions caused by more severe infection.
The spokeswoman noted that 6,657,974 COVID-19 tests have been taken across the country so far.

She said currently 12 cities are in the “red zone”, 231 in the “orange zone”, and 205 in the “yellow zone” in terms of coronavirus outbreak.

The “red zones” include Zarrindasht in Fars province, Baft in Kerman province, Gomishan in Golestan province, Astara, Bandar Anzali, Rudsar and Talesh in Gilan province, and Amol, Behshahr, Ramsar, Galugah, and Neka in Mazandaran province.

Iran Urges CICA to Counter US Economic Terrorism amid Pandemic

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 12, 2020

photo_2020-12-12_17-50-27 — A map of CICA member states (blue) and observers (green)

The comment was made by Reza Najafi, the director general for international peace and security at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who represented Iran at a meeting of senior officials of member states of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

The event chaired by Kazakhstan was held via video conference on December 11, 2020.
The meeting was themed on reviewing the situation of the region and using member states’ experience in fighting the coronavirus pandemic aimed at boosting their development and cooperation with one another.

Iran’s delegate at the meeting congratulated Kazakhstan on assuming the presidency of CICA for the years 2020-2022 and wished its new Secretary General Kairat Sarybay success.

Najafi also appreciated efforts by CICA member states to tackle existing challenges.

In his speech, the Iranian representative touched upon hot-button issues such as fighting the COVID-19 pandemic as the biggest global crisis, the importance of constructive and efficient cooperation in the regard, countering unilateralism and boosting multilateralism, the necessity of making sure that all humans across the world have equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine, opposition to pursuing any illegal moves, countering the destructive effects of the United States’ coercive and unilateral moves and economic terrorism on the campaign against the coronavirus pandemic.

He also appreciated relentless efforts by different state and private institutions which are seeking to find a way to end the coronavirus crisis.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he referred to the assassination of top Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, saying most CICA members have already condemned the terrorist act.
Najafi said the assassinated scientist played a key role in medical and peaceful nuclear activities, especially in the development of the first Iranian coronavirus diagnosis kit and supervising the production of the vaccine.

He highlighted the perpetrators and the terrorist regime behind Fakhrizadeh’s assassination will pay the price for their crime in due time.

He also said Iran is fully prepared to work with other CICA members in exchanging expertise and knowhow on all issues of mutual interest, especially the COVID-19 pandemic.
A meeting of senior officials of CICA is held biannually aimed at making decisions on the implementation of agreements reached and decisions adopted at meetings of CICA heads of state and ministers.