President Rouhani, Lebanese Counterpart Discuss Beirut Blast

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August 6, 2020

In the phone call, President Rouhani expressed sympathy with the Lebanese government and people on behalf of the Iranian government and people, and said, “The Beirut port explosion was very sad and sorrowful for the Iranians as well, and they share the pain of the Lebanese people.”

“The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Health of Iran, as well as the head of the Red Crescent Organisation, have been instructed to be in constant contact with their Lebanese counterparts, so that we can quickly meet any needs and help the friendly and brotherly Lebanese people.”

The President prayed for the victims of the explosion, and wished swift recovery for the injured, giving an assurance to the Lebanese President that whenever they needed any help and support, the Iranian nation and government will be by their side and will not hesitate to cooperate with the Lebanese people.

In turn, Aoun thanked the Iranian government and people for their condolences, saying, “The Lebanese people have always appreciated the attention and kindness of the Iranian people and government towards themselves”.

“Naturally, it is time-consuming to investigate all aspects of this incident and make a list of the damages and the assistance needed, but the history of relations and friendship between the two nations of Iran and Lebanon proves that whenever the Lebanese government and people need help, the Iranian nation and government does not withhold any help,” he noted.

“We are deeply grateful for the fraternal and friendly feelings of the Iranians towards us,” Aoun said.

A massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday evening, leaving at least 100 dead and over 5,000 injured.

The blast has been linked to a large supply of confiscated and potentially unsecured explosive material, stored in a warehouse at the city’s port, close to populated areas. As world leaders and international organizations step in to offer assistance, local officials are also launching an investigation into the blast.

185 More Iranians Die of Coronavirus: Ministry

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 5, 2020

In her press briefing on Wednesday, Sima-Sadat Lari confirmed 2,697 new cases of COVID-19 infection, raising the total number of infections to 317,483.

The spokeswoman said 274,932 patients have so far recovered from COVID-19, but 4,129 are still in critical conditions because of more severe infection.

Lari added that so far 2,587,083 COVID-19 tests have been taken across the country.
She said the high-risk “red” zones include Tehran, Mazandaran, East Azarbaijan, Isfahan, Ardabil, Khorasan Razavi, North Khorasan, Gilan, Alborz, Semnan, Golestan, Markazi, Kerman, and Yazd provinces.

The “orange” zones also include West Azarbaijan, Bushehr, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Hormozgan, Zanjan, Hamadan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Lorestan, Ilam, Fars, Qazvin, and Qom provinces, according to the spokeswoman.

Iranian, Ukrainian Foreign Ministers Discuss January Plane Crash

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 5, 2020

Iran Ready for Talks on Ukrainian Jetliner’s Flight Recorder, Compensation

In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Zarif and Kuleba talked about the results of a recent visit that the Iranian delegation of negotiators made to Kiev over the process of addressing the case of crash of Ukraine’s Flight PS752.

The two Foreign Ministers described the recent meeting between the negotiating delegations as a positive step and expressed hope that the continuation of talks and the exchange of information between the relevant and competent authorities of the two countries would help resolve the case as soon as possible and in a way that is satisfactory to the people of the both countries, particularly to the families and relatives of victims of the tragic incident.

In the conversation, Foreign Minister Zarif also voiced Iran’s readiness to pay the families and relatives of the victims of the accident compensation as a step to alleviate their grief.

For his part, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said a delegation of negotiators from his country is prepared to pay a visit to Tehran in October to proceed with the negotiations.

In remarks on Tuesday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for International and Legal Affairs Mohsen Baharvand reacted to reports that Ukraine would insist on the maximum sum of compensation for the relatives of the jetliner crash victims, stressing that international documents and treaties will be the criteria for the sum of compensation that Iran is going to pay.

The Kiev-bound UIA Boeing 737 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran on January 8, killing all 176 people on board, mostly Iranian and Canadian citizens.

Iran said the plane was hit by an anti-aircraft missile due to human error.

Iran FM Condoles with Lebanon over Deadly Explosion

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 5, 2020

Iran FM Condoles with Lebanon over Deadly Explosion

In his Wednesday phone talks with Charbel Wehbe, Zarif condoled with his Lebanese counterpart as well as the country’s nation and government over the deaths of Lebanese citizens.

The Iranian foreign minister said the Islamic Republic of Iran stands by the Lebanese nation and government at all levels.

He also informed the Lebanese foreign minister of Tehran’s preparedness – upon the order of the honourable president of the Islamic Republic of Iran – to assist the friendly and brotherly country of Lebanon by meeting their essential and infrastructural needs as well as their urgent needs, especially in the humanitarian field.

Tehran Ready to Provide Medical Aid for Those Injured in Beirut Blast

Tehran Ready to Provide Medical Aid for Those Injured in Beirut Blast

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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August 5, 2020

Tehran Ready to Provide Medical Aid for Those Injured in Beirut Blast

In a Wednesday message to his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aounn, President Rouhani described the huge explosion in Beirut port as a source of deep sorrow and grief.

“As the representative of the nation and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I express sympathy with the families of the victims, and offer my heartfelt condolences to you and the people of your friendly and brotherly country,” he noted.

He wished divine mercy for the deceased, and speedy recovery for those injured in the deadly incident.

“As a humanitarian move, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its preparedness to send medical aid and medicine, help treat the injured and provide any other medical assistance,” Rouhani said.

He also expressed hope that an investigation into the incident will soon be completed and calm will be restored to the city.

A massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday evening, leaving at least 100 dead and over 5,000 injured.

The blast has been linked to a large supply of confiscated and potentially unsecured explosive material, stored in a warehouse at the city’s port, close to populated areas. As world leaders and international organizations step in to offer assistance, local officials are also launching an investigation into the blast.

As day breaks in Lebanon, authorities are scrambling to treat the wounded, search for survivors, and assess the full extent of the damage.

Iran Regrets ‘Alarming’ Explosion in Beirut

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 5, 2020

Iran Regrets 'Alarming' Explosion in Beirut

In a statement on Tuesday night, Mousavi said Iran is following up the news of the incident with deep sorrow.

The spokesman offered the Iranian nation and government’s sympathy and condolences to the Lebanese nation and government, and expressed Iran’s preparedness to help the Lebanese brothers and sisters.

He also underlined Tehran’s solidarity with the nation and government of Lebanon at these difficult and overwhelming conditions.

Lebanon is in mourning after a huge explosion in the capital Beirut killed at least 100 people and injured more than 5,000 others on Tuesday.

The whole city was shaken by the blast, which began with a fire at the port which exploded into a mushroom cloud.

President Michel Aoun said 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored unsafely in a warehouse for six years.

He scheduled an urgent cabinet meeting for Wednesday, and said a two-week state of emergency should be declared.

The country will observe an official period of mourning for three days from Wednesday.

Iran Condemns US Oil Deal with Syrian Kurdish Group

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 4, 2020

Iran Condemns US Oil Deal with Syrian Kurdish Group

In a statement on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned the oil agreement that the US has signed with a Syrian Kurdish group as a measure in contravention of the international law and in violation of Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The signing of the agreement by the US, as an occupier force that is illegally present on the Syrian oil, lacks any legal validity and amounts to another step taken by that country (the US) in plundering Syria’s natural resources,” Mousavi added.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that an American oil company had signed an agreement with Kurdish-led rebels who control northeastern oilfields in what it described as an illegal deal aimed at “stealing” Syria’s crude.

Reports suggest that American company Delta Crescent Energy LLC has secured the contract with the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to develop and export crude oil from northeastern Syria under a deal approved by the US government.

Turkey has also slammed the Washington-approved oil deal as “theft”.

‘Let’s Stay Healthy’ Exhibits Works Created in Quarantine

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 4, 2020

“Let’s Stay Healthy” is a collection of virtual exhibitions curated by Sima Seyghali at Afrand Gallery at the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

The current collection is dedicated to the works of Iranian artist Mohammad Baqer Ziaei, which have been created using organic colours during the coronavirus lockdown in Paris.

What follows are Honar Online’s photos of “Let’s Stay Healthy” exhibition:

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Iran’s Nature in Photos: Reza-Abad Desert

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 4, 2020

Iran’s Nature in Photos: Reza-Abad Desert

The desert is 100 metres away from a village of the same name – a perfect example of a desert, tourist village.

Reza-Abad has been the winter place of Choudari or Choubdari nomads, the Afghan tribes who migrated from Herat to the edge of desert, before the construction of current houses. The nomads still live there in tents.

Sand dunes in various forms, black nomadic tents, brick dome houses, herd of camels and clear skies are among the attractions of this desert region.

What follows are IRNA’s photos of Reza-Abad desert in central Iran.

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