Iran-Swiss Channel No Sign of US’ Good Intentions: Zarif

By

-

February 3, 2020

Mohammad Javad Zarif - Foreign Affairs Minister of Iran

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Zarif said the first transaction which took place yesterday through the new payment mechanism “does not even show that the US has taken the slightest measure in accordance with its obligations under the interim order of the International Court of Justice, let alone its commitments under the JCPOA.”

Stressing that the ICJ has ruled that the US does not have the right to ban the import of food and medicine to Iran, he said the US policy continues to be the policy of pressure on the Iranian people, depriving the people of the financial resources to pay the costs of food and medicine, and placing restrictions on the methods of using the financial resources.

Describing the Swiss channel as “a very small step,” Zarif said “the Swiss government made efforts, and we appreciate their efforts, but this is by no means a sign of US good will.”

Zarif noted that Iran has a plan under consideration to add “those spreading economic terrorism” against the country to the list of organizations sanctioned by the Iranian government. “One of the organizations active in the area of reinforcing US economic terrorism against Iran is United Against Nuclear Iran, whose whole name from beginning to end is a pack of lies,” said Zarif.

Regarding EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell’s visit to Iran, Zarif said “Mr. Borrell made a request for the visit, and we are waiting to see what he has to say.”

He also pointed to a 14-page letter he submitted to the EU Foreign Policy Chief, and said “the letter emphasizes, with undeniable documentation, the fact that Iran is the country which has the right to use the Article 36. They failed to use the article, and committed flagrant breach of JCPOA. Thereupon, we took compensatory measures [considered in] the article 36.”

He made the remarks in an address to the military professors and cadets at the Iranian Army’s University of Command and Staff.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Foreign Minister Zarif pointed to the martyrdom of top Iranian commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani, saying the people of Iran and the region grieve over the loss of a great man who was the symbol of insight, wisdom and humility for the region.

The foreign minister also noted that the blood of the revered martyr will undoubtedly serve as a source of blessings for the Islamic Revolution.

Foreign Minister Zarif hailed the mass gatherings in commemoration of General Soleimani in Iran, India, Russia, Latin America and even in the United States as one of the impacts of martyrdom of the devoted general, noting that a new era has begun thanks to the blood of martyrs, including General Soleimani.

The top Iranian diplomat further pointed to a major evolution of the structure of international relations, adding, “Today, the elements of power are not evaluated merely on the basis of military components, while the semantic factors of power have taken on great significance. The power of people and beliefs in our country are among the major components of semantic power. As a result, unlike a country that has purchased $67 billion of arms but still depends on the others for ensuring its security, the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken its power from the people.”

“We must employ all of our instruments. Without the presence of people at the ballot boxes, we wouldn’t have had the power to hold talks with six countries in the JCPOA negotiations. We believe that we negotiated well. Those hammering the negotiations are in fact hammering the people. As the foreign minister, my duty is to steer this power to a lasting achievement. Negotiation does not mean surrender,” he added.

Foreign Minister Zarif further highlighted a shift in the centers of power in the international arena, stressing, “Today, the West is no more considered as the center of power, and the world has entered a new age, and such upheaval has been a benefit to us and a loss to the hegemonic powers. We must recognize that the US is no more a superpower. Imam (Khomeini) had also stated that America cannot do a damn thing.”

The Iranian foreign minister then touched on the ominous deal of the century, and criticized certain Arab states for failing to withstand the Zionist regime’s demands.

“As the JCPOA could lay bare the fake image of the US and the Zionist regime and destroyed plans for making Iran a security issue, the ominous deal of the century can also upset the depiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran as an enemy in the Arab world,” Zarif added.

“Our goal must be to serve the people, not to create bipolarity which would shatter the tools of our own power so that the enemy would take advantage of it. No post or election could be worth enough to let the enemy gain such concession,” Foreign Minister Zarif underlined.

Medical Supplies Delivered to Iran through Swiss Channel: Ambassador

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

February 3, 2020

Medical Supplies Delivered to Iran through Swiss Channel Ambassador

The Swiss envoy, Markus Leitner, said that the new financial channel counts not only as a humanitarian instrument but also a political signal, a sign of de-escalation.

Expressing hope that in two or three weeks the channel will be fully operational, he added that Switzerland has invested in the mechanism and wants to ensure that the items will reach Iranian consumers.

The medical shipments have been purchased and imported using the money deposited by the Central Bank of Iran in a Swiss bank. The transactions include procurement of various medicines from Swiss companies worth some 2.3 million Euros.

Switzerland’s launch of the new payment channel comes after INSTEX, a mechanism designed by major European powers to meet their commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal for transactions with Iran, failed to achieve any tangible success.

Iran Develops 3D Printers on Par with European Samples

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

February 3, 2020

Iran Develops 3D Printers on Par with European Samples

The company has been able to build several models of these 3D printers by relying on native power and knowledge.

3D printing involves a set of processes that bind materials in a controlled manner to form a 3D object. Usually this is done in layers.

The “Delta Device” is a 3D DLP desktop printer. Its high speed and high quality coupled with its low cost and convenient use make it the most suitable device for designers and gold workshops as well as dental laboratories.

The Delta has Remote Control (WIFI) capability as well as an industrial computer and touch screen that can transmit information offline and by flash memory.

It does not need large volume of resin for printing. The device works with minimum resin in a 200 grams tank. Easy and fast replacement of materials makes 3D Dreams machines the most efficient 3D printers.

“The Beta Device is a first-level industrial device among the world’s three-dimensional DLP printers. With its large plate size, high production volume and the highest level of quality and accuracy, it meets all the needs of large manufacturing and gold workshops,” said the CEO of the company.

For a brief review of Iran’s achievements in various fields of science and technology, check the book “Science and Technology in Iran: A Brief Review – 2019”

“Beta” has been able to achieve the highest degree of print accuracy and surface quality with optomechanical processing and advanced image processing techniques, and minimizes the use of resin by having an auxiliary mechanism to save on resin consumption.

“Beta” with superior precision has been able to achieve the highest surface quality and minimize the gold fraction in the polishing phase, added the CEO.

In addition to the aforementioned devices, the company also manufactures two Alpha and Landa devices each of which has its own applications.

With the production of these products jobs have been directly created for six people.

The CEO of this knowledge-based company pointed to the price difference of this product and similar ones made in Germany saying that its price is about one-fourth of the European sample.

Rise in Iran’s Sugar Output Saves $1 Billion in Expenses

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

February 3, 2020

Rise in Iran’s Sugar Output Saves $1 Billion in Expenses

Addressing a meeting on the cultivation of spring sugar beet, Abbas Keshavarz said the careful planning and efforts during the past seven years have led to an increase in the domestic production of sugar and helped the country save around $1 billion in imports.

Highlighting the growing transparency in the competition among the local producers of sugar and the government intervention to regulate prices, the caretaker said the domestic farmers have shown more enthusiasm for the cultivation of sugar beet and have also generated more revenue in recent years.

Keshavarz also pointed to the Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts to help farmers get a real price for their products, saying the flooding in the country in the current Iranian year adversely affected the production of sugar beet and led to a rise in the sugar prices.

Sugar beet is a strategic plant that plays a leading role in the production of sugar, forage, and other agricultural produce, he added, and called for efforts to stimulate investment in farming, support the farmers, factories and associations, and to establish processing factories in the areas that are major producers of sugar beet in order to reduce the costs.

Shirazi Yoghurt Broth A Traditional Food of Southern Iran

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

February 3, 2020

Shirazi Yoghurt Broth A Traditional Food of Southern Iran

Yoghurt is one of the byproducts of milk and suits people who are allergic to lactose. Yoghurt is replete with calcium. Each 100 grammes of low-fat yoghurt has 55 calories, and as much high-fat yoghurt has 155. Yoghurt is one of the ingredients of this food.

Ingredients:

Onions: 1 onion

Rice: 500gr

Split peas: Half a cupful

Sour yoghurt: 1kg

Dill and tarragon: 500gr

Sautéd shredded onions: 6 soup spoons

Boneless neck meat: 600gr

Recipe:

First, clean the split peas and put them in a bowl of water. Leave them in water for 5 hours. In the meantime, change the water 2 to 3 times.

Put the meat in a casserole and put it on the heat. Then add the onion along with some salt and pepper. Afterwards, add seven or eight glasses of water and put the lid on, allowing the meat the be cooked through on low heat.

Note that we need the meat juice, so we shouldn’t turn up the heat to keep the meat juice from evaporating. After the meat is cooked through, pour the juice into a big bowl and leave the meat at the bottom of the casserole to go completely dry. Then turn off the heat and allow the meat to get cold.

Afterwards, put split peas into a sieve and wash them before putting them in a casserole. Add almost 6 cups of meat juice to the split peas and add some salt and pepper. Then put the mixture on low heat until the split peas are cooked through.

Then wash the dill and tarragon clean and put them into the sieve to drain before chopping them up and putting them aside.

Now, wash the rice and add it to the split peas and allow it to cook on low heat and become mashed. Then sprinkle some salt on the mixture and add the herbs.

Wait for 30 minutes until the herbs are cooked through. Bring the yoghurt out of the refrigerator until it gets as warm as the ambient temperature. In the meantime, mash the meat well. After the herbs are cooked, add the mashed meat to the mixture.

Now, allow the broth to remain on the heat to become thicker. Stir the broth from time to time. After 20 minutes, the broth has become thick enough. Turn off the heat as all the ingredients are cooked through. Now, add yoghurt to the broth and mix them well. Now you may serve the dish and garnish it with sautéd shredded onions.

Envoy Asks Iran to Avoid Inessential Restriction on Chinese Travelers

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

February 2, 2020

Envoy Asks Iran to Avoid Inessential Restriction on Chinese Travelers

In an interview with Tasnim on Sunday, Chang said the advisories issued by the World Health Organization have not put any restrictions on the travels to China and have not advised excessive caution while travelling to China either.

The ambassador said he understood the Iranian officials’ concerns about the outbreak of coronavirus, but requested that Iran heed only the advisories issued by the WHO and avoid taking unnecessary measures in dealing with the Chinese travelers.

He also described the novel coronavirus as a global challenge, the fight against which requires collective cooperation from the international community.

The plenipotentiary ambassador also highlighted the Chinese government’s serious, urgent and scientific measures to contain the coronavirus, saying the Chinese president is directly overseeing a countrywide system to control and prevent the spread of the respiratory virus.

China has the necessary economic power and experience to fight the disease, Chang emphasized, saying he has also held meetings with the Iranian Minister of Health to coordinate cooperation between Beijing and Tehran.

China is currently at a key stage in the fight against the new coronavirus, the envoy noted, pointing to the progress his country has made in this course.

The approaches adopted by China have outstripped the international healthcare instructions, Chang noted, expressing confidence that his country’s strategies will ultimately produce positive results.

As of Sunday, at least 304 people in China have died from the virus, which has infected more than 14,500 worldwide, mostly in China.

Many countries have rushed to evacuate their citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of outbreak of the virus, while many have also imposed extraordinary travel restrictions and airlines have suspended flights to and from China.

Riyadh Abuses Privilege of Hosting OIC, Bars Iran from Jeddah Summit

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

February 2, 2020

Iran Officially Announces Termination of UN Arms Embargo

In comments on Sunday, Mousavi provided a description of the Saudi government’s move to prevent Iran from participating in an OIC meeting in Jeddah.

“Following the US president’s unveiling of the Zionist plan known as ‘deal of the century’, it was decided – at the suggestion of the Palestinian National Authority and at the invitation of secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – that an extraordinary meeting of the executive committee of the OIC would be held at the level of foreign ministers of the Member States on Monday, February 3, 2020, at the headquarters of the OIC secretariat in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah in order to examine that plan and adopt stances on it.”

“Although the secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation had invited the Islamic Republic of Iran as an active member of the Organisation to take part in the Jeddah meeting, the Saudi government – which hosts the Organisation’s secretariat in Jeddah – violated the definite commitments as the government hosting this international Organisation as well as the plain principles stipulated in the modus operandi of such organisations, such as the necessity of ensuring the free and unrestricted participation of the Member States in all activities of the Organisation, and denied the Islamic Republic of Iran’s delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari visa until the final hours before the meeting,” Mousavi added.

“The trend in excluding the delegations representing certain Member States, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s meetings and conferences held in Jeddah at the OIC secretariat has been intensified by Saudi Arabia over the past months,” he noted.

“Such an approach adopted by the Saudi government has been deplored by a number of the Member States, which have accused that country (Saudi Arabia) of abusing the privilege of hosting this international Organisation and of improper exploitation of the OIC to fulfill its own political interests and objectives,” the Iranian spokesman added.

Iran Says Open to Dialogue with Neighbours after Saudi Signal for Talks

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs submits a formal note of protest to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s secretariat, the contents of which will be also distributed among the Organisation’s Member States, highlights Saudi Arabia’s abuse of hosting the Organisation’s headquarters in order to obstruct the process of its activities, including by restricting the free participation of the Member States in the Organisation’s meetings in Jeddah, particularly on a major subject like Palestine, and declares that the competence of this regime (Saudi Arabia) to continue playing host to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s headquarters has been seriously questioned,” the Iranian spokesman concluded.

Explore the Wonders that Mesmerize Minds

By

IFP Media Wire

-

February 2, 2020

Spending your vacation in one of the busiest destinations will be more fun and relaxing than it sounds.

The stunning designs and architecture of the buildings, along with the city’s historical past, will allow you to fall in love with such an exciting place.

Atlanta Welcomes You to Diversities

You can visit the city of Atlanta and create numerous experiences that will add beauty to your vacation. The city is beautifully diverse, with historical centersand also busy city life areas. This trip will be worth your time and will make a mark in your traveling memories.

Don’t miss these places on your trip to Atlanta

• Atlanta Botanical Garden
You can enjoy your walk through this lush greenery and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of nature. The gardens offer you a chance to walk through the treetops, and to understand the varieties of plant species in the garden. This breath-taking beauty has all upgraded facilities that help in preserving the diversities of flora in the area.
• Atlanta History Center
This history museum attracts tourists with the gardens, wildlife trails, and woodland areas. You can also witness the exhibitions reminding people of the civil war, African-American heritage, and southern folk art. A special wing here is dedicated to freshening up the memories of the Centennial Olympic Games of 1996. This museum allows visitors to walk through ancient times to provide a pleasant experience.
• Skyscrapers
As Atlanta is a developed city, there are many attractive skyscrapers in this area. Most of them are shopping malls, offices, or hotels. Westin Atlanta is such a beautiful 73-story hotel where you can spend time for rest. The taller buildings have shaped the style and look of the city to a great extent.
• Georgia Aquarium
The aquarium takes you to magical underwater visuals, which is an attraction on this trip. This paradise shows you different varieties of fishes like whale sharks, belugas, otters, and many others. The main attractions of this place arethe dolphins and fish exhibitions, which always attracts more people to the aquarium.
• Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain is one of the most remarkable attractions on your trip, as it offers something for travelersof all ages to enjoy. The nighttime laser show is an eye-catching event in the park, and inthe day time, you can engage in fun activities like hiking, biking, jogging, or playing golf. Whether you go alone or with family and friends, all will get peace of mind and enjoy the moments spenthere with joy.

Plan your trip to the modern beauty of Atlanta, which preserves the historical remains as a valuable piece of the exhibit. Enjoy your stay at Westin Atlantaduring your trip to enjoy the journey and toget a pleasant stay.

Iran, Turkey Urge Muslim World to Stand against ‘Sale of Palestine’

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

February 2, 2020

Iran, Turkey Urge Muslim World to Stand against 'Sale of Palestine'

During the phone call, the two sides discussed the latest developments of the Muslim world, particularly the issue of occupied Palestine and the so-called “Deal of the Century”, and underlined the need for the Muslim world to take a decisive stance against the sale of Palestine.

The US had announced the so-called deal of the century — a brainchild of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner and other key pro-Israeli figures — years ago, but had withheld the details.

One-Sided ‘Deal of Century’ Doomed to Fail: IRGC General

Trump revealed the general provisions of the scheme on Tuesday, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his side. Palestinian sides were conspicuous by their absence at the ceremony given their vociferous disagreement with the plot.

Under the scheme, the US would continue to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “undivided capital,” Trump said, endorsing his 2017 move concerning the city.

He said the deal featured an economic portion that earmarks $50 billion in monetary allocations to Palestinians, Jordan, and Egypt. Palestinians have denounced this as a means of bribing them into selling their rights.