Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Home Blog Page 3072

Iranian, Portuguese Diplomats Meet in Tehran

Da Costa Pereira is in Tehran to attend the second round of political consultations between Iranian and Portuguese foreign policy director generals.

At the Tuesday meeting, the two parties discussed bilateral, regional and international issues.

Referring to 500 years of relations between Tehran and Lisbon, Araqchi expressed satisfaction with the cultural and academic interactions between the two countries and described it as an opportunity to deepen social and popular relations.

Describing the present situation as “sensitive”, Araqchi emphasised the need to operate serious mechanisms to strengthen bilateral ties.

Expressing Tehran’s expectation of European sides to confront unilateralism, he criticised European policies to preserve the JCPOA at no cost.

He stressed that the current tense situation in the Persian Gulf region is affected by US interventionist policies, and that the priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to achieve security, stability and economic prosperity for the entire region.

For his part, Da Costa Pereira expressed his country’s interest in boosting bilateral relations with Iran, saying that Europe is really seeking to maintain the nuclear deal, and Portugal moves in line with the EU policies in this regard.

Russian Orientalists Praise Impact of Iranian Films on World Cinema

The remarks were made during the visit of the Russian orientalists to the Cinema Museum of Iran.

One of these scientists, who is a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the development of Iranian cinema is one of the most important events of the 20th century.

These researchers believe that any orientalist doing research in Middle East must know about this part of the country’s cultural heritage.

“From this angle, the Cinema Museum of Iran has done its best and has been well-organised in terms of displaying cinematic works as well as the location of the halls, since passing through these halls can give a complete picture of the Iranian cinema from scratch.”

A linguistics expert said she enjoyed visiting the Cinema Museum, adding “As a Russian citizen, I am pleased with the combined Russian and Iranian compositions of the 21th century at the Cinema Museum. I was surprised to see the nominations in Russian, and hopefully in the future we will see new and joint works carried out by Iran and Russia at the Iranian Cinema Museum.”

Another member of this team maintained he was interested in the Iranian culture and art in the past, and today he has become more familiar with the Iranian cinema.

“The Iranian cinema has a huge impact on world cinema, including on the Russian cinema, and the Iranian films are widely screened in Russia. Today, we had a closer look at Iranian culture and became familiar with the issues that Iran is dealing with. Iranian films usually deal with social issues that are prevailing around the world.”

Shokouh Sadat Hosseini, Director of International Scientific Cooperation of Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies of Iran, who accompanied the Russian delegation during the visit, referred to the museum’s atmosphere saying that by visiting the Qajar-era monument, the audience can envisage cinema from its beginning till the contemporary era.

Also on the sidelines, a workshop was held on “Genre and Style in Iranian Cinema” for three hours by Parviz Jahed.

The event was co-organised by the Cinema Museum of Iran, Farabi Cinema Foundation and the Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.

Iran Leader Orders Removal of Barriers Facing Young Inventors

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks during his visit to an exhibition of products made by knowledge-based companies and top technologies known as Iran-made Products Exhibit on Tuesday.

During the two-hour visit, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei went to 30 booths of knowledge-based companies and talked to technologists and researchers about the latest scientific and technological achievements and commercialised projects of Iranian youths and professionals.

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

High-tech medical systems in cancer diagnosis, haemodialysis equipment, robotic surgery and neural prosthesis, laboratory equipment, fully native vaccines and advanced drug production, jet engine and aerial engine designs, power grid control systems, production of oil and gas catalysts, deep water reconnaissance and drilling services, construction of steel tanks and tools, advanced optical, scanning, measurement, cutting, simulation and processing systems, industrial freeze drying manufacturing and computer games were among the achievements of the knowledge-based companies presented at the exhibition.

The Leader said one of the complaints of young people at the fair was that sometimes the government imports the same product already made by them.

“You should not let these barriers be erected in front of the active youths. Make as much as efforts you can in this regard, and I will help as much as I can,” reiterated Ayatollah Khamenei.

Iran’s Leader also thanked the researchers, technologists and the exhibition executives, and wrote a text on the [event’s] memorial plaque as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,
“We saw the brilliant manifestation of Iranian talent and the revolutionary endeavour in this exhibition and thanked God. The basic work to use high motivations and abilities must be pursued seriously. This is the most important task of government officials. Trust in God and go ahead with hope and enthusiasm; you will surely be able to put an end to the country’s economic troubles, God willing.”

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 18

Abrar:

1- White House: US Worried about Kurds as Turkey Attacks Northern Syria

2- Lebanon 24: Bin Salman Has Decided to Zero Out His Problems with Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Chinese Killing Time: CNPC Leaves South Pars without Paying Compensation

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Donya-ye Eqtesad:

1- Russians Covertly Infiltrating into US: New York Times

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Ebtekar:

1- Rouhani’s VP: Americans’ Plan Has Failed

2- Zarif Denies Iran’s Envoy Target of Biological Assassination

3- Leaving the War or Just a Deal?

* Multi-Faceted Reasons of US Troops Withdrawal from Syria

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Etemad:

1- One Parliament and 17 Women

* Last Intra-Parliamentary Elections Held in Iran Legislature

2- Government Spokesman: We’ll Stand by Iraqi People

3- Erdogan’s Dream Realized: Trump Stops Supporting Kurds with Single Phone Call

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Ettela’at:

1- Worldwide Protests against Climate Change

2- Government Resolved to Develop Underprivileged Regions to Realize Justice: VP

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Hamshahri:

1- Unemployment Rate Decreases in Iran: Less than 3 Million People Jobless

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Javan:

1- US Betrays Its Allies

2- Iraq National Security Advisor: Plot to Overthrow Iraq Gov’t Failed

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Kayhan:

1- Iran Leader’s Message to Assad: Syrian People Our Red Line

2- Le Figaro: Balance of Power Changed in Favour of Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Mardom Salari:

1- European Leader of JCPOA Party: Time Has Come for Long-Term Deal with Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Sazandegi:

1- Iran Leader’s Message a Warning to Assad: People Are Our Red Line

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8


 

Setareh Sobh:

1- Turkey Poised to Eliminate Kurds

2- Trump Terrified of Impeachment

3- Joker Surprises World’s Box Office

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on October 8

Iran, Russia Finalizing Visa Waiver Program for Group Tours

Vali Teymouri said the outlines of the plan have received a green light by both sides.

“The visa waiver agreement for group trips has been implemented by Iranian and Russian foreign ministers, and its generalities have been approved. The details of the program are being reviewed,” said Teymouri, the deputy head of the Iranian Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ministry.

He said an executive plan is to be drawn up to determine the mechanism and process of going forward with the program, and that negotiations have also been held in that regard.

“We are studying different items, so that we won’t run into trouble later on and won’t give special concessions to specific companies. The final process is likely to be announced these days,” said the official.

“This visa waiver program is a bilateral deal and applies to group travels organized by select travel agencies of both countries,” he noted.

Iran Blasts UK Defence Ministry’s Delay in Paying Its Debt

“The legal counsel of the UK Defence Ministry subsidiary company resorts to all possible procedural tactics and lawyerism to delay the payment of Iran’s debt,” Baeidinejad said on his Twitter account on Monday night.

“Pursuant to such efforts, the court decided TODAY to convene its next substantive session after 6 months, in March 2020,” he added in his tweet.

Back in July, a top court in Britain dismissed a complaint lodged by Iran seeking at least £20 million in interest for a debt related to the defense deals.

Judge Stephen Phillips from the High Court in London ruled that the UK does not have to pay the sum that Iran believes has accrued on £387 million owed to Tehran over the failed delivery of more than 1,500 Chieftain tanks and armored vehicles based on contracts signed as of 1971.

The ruling dealt a fresh blow to efforts meant to reduce tensions between Iran and Britain as the two countries are locked in several disputes, including two recent ship seizure incidents and a high-profile legal case related to the imprisonment of dual nationals.

Britain has repeatedly refrained from paying the debt it acknowledges it owes to Iran, citing illegal sanctions imposed by the United States on Tehran.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson once briefed the journalists in February 2018 after a trip to Tehran as foreign minister that the money will be paid back.

However, the payment never took place to the irritation of Tehran which thinks London is trying to use the case to solve other problems, including the much-publicized imprisonment of Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe, an Iranian-British national who is in jail in Iran for espionage convictions.

Iran Planning to Build Smart Self-Driving Car

Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said he urged the relevant institutions to press ahead with the project.

“Our young people have always developed the best [things]. I told the research centre of the Telecommunications Company to push ahead with developing the technology to produce driverless smart cars in cooperation with universities,” the minister tweeted on Tuesday.

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

“We are not behind when it comes to artificial intelligence and general know-how about data. Now it’s time to make the product. It will be available in a short time,” he said.

He gave no further details about the possible cost and features of the product.

Iran Hails Successful Elections in Tunisia

Supporters of Tunisia's former defence minister and presidential candidate Abdelkrim Zbidi during his presidential electoral campaign in Monastir / Photo by EPA

In a statement on Tuesday, Mousavi offered congratulations to the nation and government of the brotherly and friendly country of Tunisia, and said the elections and the smooth transition of power in Tunisia indicate the reinforcement and strengthening of democracy and the major role of the people in this country.

He also pointed to the presidential run-off which is due to be held in coming days, and expressed hope that the second round would also be held successfully in the North African country.

The first round of presidential elections was held in Tunisia on 15 September 2019, the second direct vote for the presidency since the 2011 revolution.

The elections had originally been planned for 17 and 24 November, but were brought forward after the death of incumbent president Beji Caid Essebsi on 25 July to ensure that a new president would take office within 90 days, as required by the constitution.

As no candidate received a majority of the vote in the first round, a runoff will be held on 13 October between the top two candidates, the retired law professor Kaïs Saïed, and Nabil Karoui who is currently in jail.

Said and Karoui’s success in beating established political leaders including the prime minister, two former premiers and a former president, during the first round, was seen as a sharp rebuke to Tunisia’s ruling elite after years of economic discontent.

Last Tuesday, a court ruled that Karoui must stay in detention for now on suspicion of financial crimes that he denies.

The electoral commission has however warned that Karoui’s detention may violate his right to a fair hearing with voters, putting it at odds with Tunisia’s judiciary, which has repeatedly ruled that he must stay behind bars.

Iran Says Pullout of US Troops from Syria ‘Long Overdue’

In a statement on Tuesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denounced as “illegitimate” the presence of American troops in Syria, and said the US decision to end the occupation of Syrian territories and withdraw its forces from the Arab country was long overdue.

It also expressed hope for the establishment of peace and stability in Syria and the region following the recent move by the US.

The statement further noted that Iran is closely monitoring the worrying reports about the possibility of Turkish military forces entering the Syrian territories.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry believes such a move, in case of occurrence, would not only fail to address Turkey’s security concerns, but also will inflict heavy material and humanitarian damages, it said.

“Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran is opposed to any possible military operation,” it added.

Iran Says Pullout of US Troops from Syria ‘Long Overdue’
Zarif Objects to Turkish Military Action in Syria

“The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to make immediate contacts with the Turkish and Syrian officials in order to address the existing concerns in a peaceful manner, and stresses that respect for Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the Adana agreement would be the appropriate basis for the negotiations,” the statement noted.

Turkey started its military incursion into northern Syria on Monday night, after the US in a major shift in its policy gave the green light to Ankara to launch the operation against Washington’s long-time Kurdish allies in northern Syria.

In a phone conversation on Monday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu assured his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif that Ankara’s military operation in northern Syria is a temporary one.

Zarif, in turn, expressed Iran’s opposition to Turkey’s military action, and said the Adana Agreement is the best approach for Syria and Turkey to address their concerns.

The Adana Interstate Agreement on Combating Terrorism was signed between Turkey and Syria on October 20, 1998. It clearly stated that the Damascus government would not allow any activities of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant group on Syrian soil, and would block any terror activities that could threaten Turkey’s sovereignty.

Iran to Provide Neighbours with Lab Services

The manager of the Iran High-Tech Laboratory Network (LabsNet) of the country’s Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology says it is to provide access and facilitate the provision of laboratory services to neighbouring countries in a more regular and systematic way.

Reza Asadi-Fard noted that currently, laboratories in Iranian border cities are providing services to neighbours, but plans have been developed to provide them with services more systematically, using the existing capabilities of Iran High-Tech Laboratory Network.

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

According to Asadi-Fard, using the capabilities and services of other countries’ laboratories to enhance the country’s research potentials is the next cornerstone of the lab.

The goal of LabsNet is making connection with other countries especially Iran’s neighbours to share research and laboratory experiences and services. Its job includes providing laboratory services, interlaboratory comparisons, training, standardization and other international affairs.