Iran, Iraq Weigh Plans to Boost Defence Ties

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July 3, 2020

Iran, Iraq Weigh Plans to Boost Defence Ties

In a Friday meeting in Baghdad, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s military attaché in Iraq, General Mostafa Moradian, and Chairman of the Iraqi Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee Mohammed Redha Al-Haidar discussed the ways to promote security and defense cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides also weighed plans to implement the military and defense agreements that Tehran and Baghdad have already signed, and called for the expansion of bilateral relations in various fields.

In the meeting, also attended by a number of Iraqi lawmakers, Al-Haidar expressed gratitude to Iran for supporting the Arab country in the fight against the ISIS terrorist group, describing the assistance as a sign of fraternity between Iran and Iraq.

In a videoconference with his Iraqi counterpart Juma Anad Saadoun in May, Iranian Defence Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami had called for closer defence cooperation and strategic partnership with the new Iraqi government for regional security and stability.

A Look at Jolfa History: An Exhibition of Iranian-Armenian Lifestyle

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 3, 2020

The exhibition is being held in Vank Cathedral, Jolfa neighbourhood, Isfahan.

It is held on the first anniversary of the establishment of New Anthropological Museum of Jolfa Armenians.

A live exposition of traditional jobs, arts, clothing and lifestyle of Armenians is underway inside the museum.

The first part of the exhibition is dedicated to decorative arts, printing industry and home furniture of Armenians living in Isfahan. The rooms of ladies and offices of gentlemen, as well as their cooking utensils from Safavid to Pahlavi period, are simulated and displayed in the second part.

The third part of the museum includes the church, the school and the old Armenian musical instruments; while the photos of 30 prominent figures of Jolfa are shown in the fourth part.

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Several Miners Killed, Injured in Western Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 3, 2020

Several Miners Killed, Injured in Western Iran

Kourosh Mahmoudian, the governor of Gilan Gharb, told the state TV that two of the injured are in dire conditions.

He said all the miners trapped in the mine have been rescued and taken out to medical centres of Gilan Gharb and Qasr-e Shirin.

Two miners were initially trapped in the mine, and five others got into the mine to save their colleagues, but they were all stranded.

Iran’s COVID-19 Cases Rise to 235,000: Ministry

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 3, 2020

In a press briefing on Friday, Sima-Sadat Lari said 154 people have died of the virus in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall fatalities to 11,260.

She further noted that 196,446 patients have so far recovered from the disease, and been discharged from hospital.

According to Lari, 3,123 patients are also in severe conditions of the disease.

The spokesperson said 1,744,958 COVID-19 tests have been taken across the country.

According to the spokeswoman, Kermanshah, Hormozgan, Bushehr, Khuzestan, Khorasan Razavi, Kurdistan, and Ilam provinces are considered as red zones.

Coronavirus online test — If you are worried that you may have contracted the Coronavirus, take this test right now.

Iran Making Progress in Energy Sector Despite US Bans, Pandemic: President

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 2, 2020

Iran Making Progress in Energy Sector Despite US Bans, Pandemic: President

Addressing a ceremony, held on Thursday via videoconference to open 10 infrastructural and development projects in the water and electricity industries in the provinces of Fars and Kermanshah, President Rouhani said his administration alone has brought 37 water treatment facilities into operation over the past seven years.

He said the Islamic Republic takes pride in making advances in the energy industries while it is under the pressure of sanctions, is fighting against the coronavirus pandemic, and is dealing with the situation when “a tyrant and superpower like the US is mounting pressures, threats and sanctions” constantly.

The people of Iran may rest assured that the administration is fully ready to serve the nation and reduce the problems despite the pressures and sanctions, President Rouhani underlined.

Paying tribute to the Energy Ministry and the private sector for the great job of opening water and electricity projects across the country, the president said 99.9 percent of people in the cities and more than 82 percent of population in the villages enjoy healthy running water at present.

This is a glory for the Islamic Republic that the administration has been inaugurating a dam every two months in average, a sewage treatment plant every month, and a municipal water treatment plant every 50 days, the president added.

Before ordering the official opening of six solar power plants in the southern province of Fars, President Rouhani said solar power plants could be a very suitable option for the generation of electricity given the climatic conditions of Iran, considering that they generate clean power, without pollution, and without the need for water consumption.

“This is very important that we have moved forward from the kilowatt (scales) to the megawatts in solar power plants,” the president noted.

President Rouhani finally proposed the idea of promotion of rooftop solar systems across Iran, saying development of the solar technologies would enable everybody to turn the roof of their house into a solar power plant, to use the electricity they require, and to sell the excess to the government.

In April, Iran unveiled plans to construct its largest hydro power plant in central Yazd province with foreign investment.

Coming with a price tag of €300 million, the plant will be able to generate 300 megawatts of electricity, while the investor has the necessary permits to directly export that electricity to Iran’s neighboring countries.

Iran’s COVID-19 Fatalities Exceed 11,000: Spokeswoman

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 2, 2020

Over 22,000 Iranians Die of COVID-19: Health Ministry

In a press briefing on Thursday, Sima-Sadat Lari confirmed 2,652 new cases of COVID-19 infection, raising the total number of infections to 232,863.

According to the spokeswoman, 194,098 patients have so far recovered from COVID-19, but 3,097 are still in severe conditions of the disease.

She said so far 1,719,451 COVID-19 tests have been taken across the country.

Lari said unfortunately the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized across the country is increasing.

US ‘Deliberately’ Downed Iranian Airliner in 1988: Foreign Ministry

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 2, 2020

US ‘Deliberately’ Downed Iranian Airliner in 1988: Foreign Ministry

“What is US human rights? Answer: Unparalleled commitment to killing people!” the official account of the Iranian Foreign Ministry tweeted on Thursday, on the anniversary of the tragic incident.

“Persian Gulf has long witnessed US crimes in the region. 32 years ago, the US deliberately shot down an Iranian airplane. 290 were killed. US has not yet apologized nor embarrassed,” it added.

Back in 1988, the Iran Air Flight 655 with 274 passengers and 16 crew members on board was climbing inside an internationally recognized route to Dubai when the US cruiser, the USS Vincennes, fired two SM-2MR surface-to-air missiles at it, one of which hit the plane and killed all the people on board.

US officials claimed their warship had mistaken the airliner for a supersonic and variable-sweep wing Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter jet.

The allegation was made even as the warship was equipped with highly sophisticated radar systems and electronic battle gear, and the passenger plane was transmitting Mode III 6760 squawk code, typical of a civilian aircraft, and maintained radio contact in English with appropriate air traffic control facilities.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on July 2

By

Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani

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July 2, 2020

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 18

Iranian Newspapers

Abrar Newspaper:

1- Hook: US Prefers Extension of Iran Arms Embargo to Other Sanctions
2- Zarif: Iran Has Decisive Options against Extension of Arms Embargo
3- Rouhani: Iran Won’t Tolerate US’ Political Blow to JCPOA
4- Saudi Envoy to UN: We’ve Shown Maximum Restraint vis-a-vis Iran

Afkar Newspaper:

1- UN Security Council Won’t Support US’ Move against Iran: Envoy
2- Tangible Efforts Must Be Made to Stop Israeli Policies: Qalibaf

Aftab-e Yazd Newspaper:

1- Iran Leader Sends Message of Condolence over Tehran Clinic Fire
2- US’ Isolation Biggest Fruit of UNSC Meeting: Analyst

Arman-e Melli Newspaper:

1- Iran Leader Urges Officials to Prevent Recurrence of Tehran Clinic Blast
2- Iran Won’t Tolerate US’ Political Blow to 2015 Nuclear Deal: Rouhani

Ebtekar Newspaper:

1- Iran’s Air Defence Not Dependent on Other Countries: Army Chief
2- Tehran, Moscow, Ankara Strongly Committed to Syria’s Independence, Territorial Integrity
3- Rouhani: Exaggerating Problems Won’t Resolve Anything
4- Qalibaf’s Parliamentary Diplomacy against Annexation Plan
* In Separate Messages to Int’l Officials, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Urges Attention to Issue of Palestine

Etemad Newspaper:

1- Dialogue for Peace: Iran, Russia, Turkey Hold Video Teleconference on Syria

Ettela’at Newspaper:

1- Rouhani: US Terrorists Must Immediately Leave Region
2- Foreign Policy: UNSC Meeting on Iran Results in US Isolation

Iran Newspaper:

1- Moderation Inside, Constructive Interaction with the World: Rouhani
2- We Still Have a Lot to Do on INSTEX: Outgoing German Envoy

Jomhouri Eslami Newspaper:

1- US Once Again Defeated against Iran at UNSC
2- Iran, Russia, Turkey Strongly Committed to Unity, Independence of Syria

Kayhan Newspaper:

1- Iran Leader Extends Condolences over Deadly Blast in Tehran Clinic
2- Israel Backs Off from Annexation Plan: Int’l Pressures Work

Sazandegi Newspaper:

1- White House Defeated in New York: UNSC Meeting on Iran Yields No Fruit for US

Shargh Newspaper:

1- Iran, Russia Dissatisfied with Caesar Sanctions

Vatan-e Emrooz Newspaper:

1- Resistance Front’s Missile Surprise
Palestinian Groups Test Fire New Generation Missiles in Gaza in Reaction to Annexation Plan

Fire at Natanz Nuclear Facility Leaves No Casualties: Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 2, 2020

Cause of Accident at Iran’s Natanz Nuclear Site Discovered — Photo of the shed in Natanz nuclear facility which caught fire early Thursday / Source: Atomic Energy Organization of Iran

AEOI spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said the Thursday accident had no casualties and did not disrupt running operations at the facility.

He said there is no cause for concern over possible contamination as the warehouse was not operational.

He said expert teams are now on the ground to look into the causes of the accident.

Later in the day, Natanz governor said it was a fire, but “there is no need for concern from any aspect”.

No further details are available at this point.

Harkareh; A Traditional Stone Pot Used to Heal Ailments

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 2, 2020

Harkareh; A Traditional Stone Pot to Heal Ailments 16

The people of Mashhad in north-eastern Iran make special pots using the rocks taken from Kouh-e Sangi, the most famous mountain around the city.

Despite the influx of Teflon and Pyrex utensils, some families still prefer to make broth or even some stews in these pots.

“Serpentine” stone with the local name of “Harkareh”, which means a pot that does everything, is taken from the southern mountains of Mashhad and is transferred to workshops to be turned into dining utensils, such as stone pots, bowls, glasses, decorative items, samovars, etc.

Harkareh is famous for its flexibility. Enjoying iron and magnesium ions in their structure, these dishes have many medicinal and effective properties against diseases such as anemia and osteoporosis.

In addition to reducing the amount of water in the food, these utensils provide the nutrients needed by the body by releasing the beneficial salts in the stone, and gradually provide the food with the extra flavour it needs.

Stone utensils can be used to cook broth, stews, and other dishes, but they never cook rice or fry anything in them.

Recipe for Dizi, Famous Traditional Persian Food

After being extracted from the mine, the stones were polished with tools such as an axe, and compass in the workshop.

With the help of a hatchet, they cut the unevenness of the stone and make a hole in it. After that the desired inscriptions are etched on the container.

Today, despite the new technology, this is done with a machine, which both facilitates the work and speeds up the production of dishes.

Mines of this particular stone can be found in region such as Zanjan, Sistan, Kerman, Khoy, Mako, Sabzevar, Torbat Heydariyeh and Birjand, but its major source of extraction is the mines around the holy city of Mashhad.

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