“The Sound of Music” Musical Drama on Stage in Iran

August 10, 2019

“The Sound of Music” musical is based on a 1959 American stage musical of the same name, composed by Richard Rodgers. It was later made into a musical drama film in 1965 produced and directed by Robert Wise, and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, with Richard Haydn and Eleanor Parker.

It is the story of a nun. In Salzburg, Austria in 1938, Maria is a free-spirited young postulant at Nonnberg Abbey. Her love of music and the mountains, her youthful enthusiasm and imagination, and her lack of discipline cause some concern among the nuns. The Mother Abbess, believing Maria would be happier outside the abbey, sends her to the villa of retired naval officer Captain Georg von Trapp to be governess to his seven children. The Captain has been raising his children using strict military discipline following the death of his wife. Although the children misbehave at first, Maria responds with kindness and patience, and soon the children come to trust and respect her.

The Iranian version of the musical drama went on the stage in Iran for the first time in 2013 and was warmly received by the audience. This time, the show is on the stage with a different performance.

The musical will be on the stage until August 22, 2019.

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Iranian Women to Get More Involved in Environment Start-ups

August 10, 2019

The idea came up in a meeting attended by Zeinab Hamidzadeh, an advisor on women’s affairs at the Iranian Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology, as well as expediting teams from the Centre for Innovation and Technology on Water, Environment and Energy (CITWE).

She said the centre specializes in the areas of water, energy and the environment in a bid to lay the groundwork for launching start-ups and knowledge-based companies.

She then mentioned another initiative called the Science and Technology Exchange Program (STEP) put forward in order to exchange science and technology among women in the Muslim world and reinforce the presence of expert Iranian women on the international stage.

The successes pulled off by knowledge-based firms in various technological fields mainly run by women as well a review of the progress made by these companies show women’s involvement in the launch and management of knowledge-based and emerging companies has been a successful experience and needs to be promoted.

Also in the meeting, women attending the Expediting Course held by the CITWE presented their start-up plans.

Israeli Presence in US-Led Coalition ‘Clear Threat’ to Iran’s Security

IFP Editorial Staff

August 9, 2019

Mousavi made the remarks on Friday in reaction to reports of the Zionist regime’s declaration of its preparedness to join a US-led military coalition to “protect the safety of navigation” in the Persian Gulf.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes the coalition is tension-provoking in nature,” the spokesman said.

Mousavi referred to the occupying regime’s “illegitimate existence in the Middle East” as the “basis of insecurity and instability”, and said Iran considers any Israeli presence in this coalition as “a clear threat to its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and a crisis-provoking and destabilizing element in the Persian Gulf Region.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to counter this threat and defend its territory within the framework of the country’s deterrence and defensive policy, and will show no hesitation in translating it into action as part of its defensive policies,” he noted.

“The US regime and the illegitimate Zionist regime are responsible for all the consequences of this dangerous move,” the spokesman warned.

Referring to the US’ attempts to form a military coalition or hold a maritime security conference in the future on the pretext of ensuring the safety of navigation in the Persian Gulf, Mousavi said, “Iran as one of the Persian Gulf littoral states has 1,500 miles of coastline in this region, considers the Persian Gulf as part of its territory, and feels committed to ensure its security and the safety of the navigation of ships in this region based on its historical responsibility.”

“Iran believes the presence of ultra-regional forces in the Persian Gulf under any name and title will not only fail to help reinforce the region’s security, but will more than ever prepare the grounds for tension and crisis in the sensitive Persian Gulf region,” he added

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its opposition to the formation of such coalitions, and considers it as a tension-provoking and deceitful measure.”

He also noted that the organizers, founders, and members of such coalitions will be regarded as the main culprits behind possible tensions and crises that would emanate from such moves.

Mousavi’s comments came after Israel announced it will join the US effort to “boost navigation security” in the Persian Gulf as tensions grow in the strategic region of Persian Gulf.

According to Israel-based Y-Net news, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday August 7 that the Israeli regime is part of the US-led coalition to protect the security of the Persian Gulf.

Katz further said that Israel is determined to stop what he called Iranian entrenchment in the Middle East region and strengthen Israel’s relationship with Persian Gulf countries, Y-Net reported.

The US has announced plans to form a Washington-led force amid its attempts to trouble Iran’s foreign oil sales as part of its sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic.

On June 30, the US officially asked Germany to participate — alongside Britain and France — in the coalition, a request that was declined by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas a day later.

Japan has likewise refused to join the force, and France has expressed reservations. Earlier in August, Bloomberg also reported that the US efforts to build the coalition “continue to bear little fruit,” noting that major ally Australia was still undecided whether to join.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf flared up after a series of suspicious attacks on oil tankers, following the US deployment of a new naval group and B-52 bombers to the region amid claims of unspecified Iranian threats.

US-Led Persian Gulf Mission to Sow Insecurity in Region: Iran DM

IFP Editorial Staff

August 9, 2019

Brigadier General Amir Hatami said in phone conversations with his Kuwaiti, Qatari and Omani counterparts that regional security can only be ensured by regional countries.

“We have committed ourselves to [providing] security in the region, especially in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Sea of Oman,” the top general told his opposite numbers on the phone.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will spare no effort to ensure maritime security in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Sea of Oman, and regional security is the common ground between Iran and other neighbours in the Persian Gulf, and, hence, we believe [regional] security should be provided by the countries in the region, which should enter into constructive talks in that regard,” he noted.

He further blamed Washington for insecurity in the region.

“The US regime is the main contributor to insecurity in the region, and we believe security belongs to all regional countries, and we do not approve of insecurity in or against any country and we believe the region should turn into an arena for foreign forces to throw their weight around,” the top general said.

“A military alliance which the United States seeks to form under the pretext of ensuring shipping security will only further escalate insecurity in the region,” said the defence chief.

He also weighed in on reports suggesting the Israeli regime has expressed willingness to join the US military alliance in the region.

“Such a possible move would be very provocative and could lead to disastrous consequences for the region,” he added.

Lovely Family of Three Cycle Around Iran in 400 Days

IFP Editorial Staff

August 9, 2019

Beginning their mission from the northeastern city of Mashhad, the family cycled for 8,400 kilometres passing through 18 provinces. During the adventure, they also held workshops at various stops to promote the culture of cycling across Iran.

Mansourians had embarked on a similar tour five years ago. They started cycling from the northwestern province of Azarbaijan towards Turkey’s Lake Van. Then they decided to continue cycling professionally. So, they began a new tour in the same year in Turkey and cycled from Iran-Turkey border till Antalya (about 1,000 km).

The three-member family have, in an interview with ISNA, shared their experiences of the 400-day cycling across Iran.

The couple said they gained a deep understanding of Iran and came to know that they can also launch journeys to even farther destinations. They said having sensed the positive impressions of cycling on their marital life during the first journeys, they decided to have a child and continue their journey with their child. During the recent journey, they were accompanied by their child.

Cycling a Starting Point for New Lifestyle

Ehsan maintains that cycling has served for them as a starting point for a change in their lifestyle. He said cycling can lead to deep changes in anyone’s life.

On the other hand, he says, cycling can give us a better understanding of the nature. “Leaving the urban life behind provide us with a good sense of the nature.”

No Worry While Cycling in Iran

Shima says as a women and the mother of a little child, she has no fear while cycling in Iran.

“If I was afraid, I could simply do the cycling abroad but we were determined to cycle inside Iran and promote the culture of cycling,” she said.

Shima added it was during this journey that Arsalan began to toddle. She cites it as one of the most exciting experiences of the journey.

During the journey, many vehicles hoot at the cyclists. “This has two meanings. Either, they are warning you to clear the way for them or they say ‘good job’ to us.”

She also referred to the reactions of the vendors along the roads and said they greeted them warmly and gave them great motivations to accomplish their mission.

Ehsan said at first they were very worried about the road’s safety particularly because heavy vehicles move along them.
“But when we embarked on the journey, the fear turned into joy and we felt safe along the roads. They soon turned into the most favourable roads for a cycling family,” he concluded.

Iranian Woman Engineer Joins MIT as Assistant Professor

IFP Editorial Staff

August 9, 2019

Negar received her B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering from Sharif University of Technology in Iran, her Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degree from Columbia University in May 2017, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in electrical engineering at Columbia University.

Maryam Mirzakhani — Iranian Math Genius Mirzakhani Dies of Cancer

She has published in top-tier IEEE IC-related journals and conferences, as well as broader-interest high-impact journals in the Nature family.

Her research has been widely covered in the press and featured in IEEE Spectrum, Gizmodo, and EE Times, among others.

Her research interests span integrated circuits and systems, applied electromagnetics and nanophotonics, with a focus on theory, design and experimental validation of analog, radio-frequency (RF), millimeter-Wave (mm-Wave) and optical integrated circuits, metamaterials and systems for a variety of applications such as emerging wireless communications paradigms, Internet of Things (IoT), imaging, sensing and opto/bio-electronics.

She is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including Forbes’ “30 under 30,” a Paul Baran Young Scholar award, a Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship, and multiple IEEE awards and fellowships.

Any New War Major Threat to Israel: IRGC Chief

IFP Editorial Staff

August 8, 2019

Major General Hossein Salami said the United States has no interest in a conflict with Iran.

“We are sure that the Americans are not interested in [getting engaged in] a war with Iran because a new war will expose the Zionist regime [of Israel] to full-scale threat,” said General Salami.

He noted that even Tel Aviv and its regional allies wouldn’t like to see a war break out as they know the geographical sphere of such a conflict would be so vast.

General Salami also said Iran’s elements of power have made Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) desperate and.

The top general stressed that Iran’s power “has scared Zionists and forced them to remain silent and tell lies.”

He noted the Israeli regime is even under threat in other places.

“Some power has emerged in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and elsewhere, and the enemy knows that any new war may expose the Zionist regime to full-scale threat and irreversible annihilation,” he said.

Iran Could Play Key Role in Afghan Peace Talks: Expert

IFP Editorial Staff

August 8, 2019

Iran Could Play Key Role in Afghan Peace Talks: Expert — File photo of a militant fighter wearing US military uniform while attacking the Afghan Interior Ministry building / Photo by Rahmat Gul, AP

Entezar Khadem has told Fars News Agency that Iran as a neighbour of Afghanistan has an important role to play in the peace process, and it can do several vital tasks for peacekeeping.

“Iran can cooperate with Afghanistan on terrorism and stop the growth of terrorism in this country,” he added.

On the other hand, given its position, Iran can persuade the leaders of the Taliban group to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan, Khadem stressed.

The Afghan expert also noted that Tehran could help the Taliban to turn Afghanistan into a place free from terrorism and a country that no longer is a threat to various countries, including the United States.

Last Saturday, Afghanistan’s former president Hamid Karzai said Washington’s failure to preserve security in the country is considered a defeat following the 17-year presence of US forces there.

Karzai said the US forces vowed to bring security as they entered Afghanistan, but they bombed innocent people and created insecurity in the country.

In an interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), he said the United States never backed up its words with action in Afghanistan. Karzai said the Afghan peace efforts will succeed through negotiations between Afghan groups, as well as an understanding with regional countries. He said Afghanistan wants friendship with its neighbours and the US efforts should not be against that.

The United States and the Taliban have begun their eighth round of talks in Qatar on Saturday, and the two sides are likely to agree to end the war in Afghanistan.

A Taliban source said the efforts are underway to organise a meeting between US envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar who is also the head of the militant group’s political office in Doha.

Officials close to the talks say they’re hopeful of a peace agreement by September one, before the Afghan polls due at the same month and ahead of the 2020 U-S presidential election. The initial deal to end US’ 18-year war is expected to reduce American troops in Afghanistan by half and in exchange, the Taliban would hold direct talks with Kabul and abide by a ceasefire.

A coalition led by Washington ousted the Taliban in late 2001 accusing it of harbouring Al-Qaeda who claimed the September 11 attacks against the US that killed many people.

But despite a rapid conclusion to the conventional phase of the war, the Taliban have proved formidable insurgents, bogging down US troops for years.

Lake Urmia in Photos: From Gradual Death to Revival

IFP Editorial Staff

August 8, 2019

The lake is located between the provinces of East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan in Iran, and west of the southern portion of the Caspian Sea.

At its greatest extent, it was the largest lake in the Middle East and the sixth-largest saltwater lake on Earth, with a surface area of approximately 5,200 km2, a length of 140 km, a width of 55 km, and a maximum depth of 16 m.

The lake shrank to 10% of its former size due to damming of the rivers that flow into it, and the pumping of groundwater from the surrounding area, but it’s been revived during the past couple of years thanks to the measures taken by the government and the good level of precipitation in the area.

Lake Urmia used to be a great wildlife refuge for 290 species of birds, 30 percent of which were indigenous and the rest were migratory. Following the decrease in the level of the lake’s water, many of those birds stopped coming to Urmia, but now with the revival of the Lake, they are once again being spotted.

The following photos of the lake taken by Bardia Sa’adat and released by the Young Journalists’ Club, have captured various parts of the Middle East’s biggest salt lake, from the days when it was drying up, to the past few months when it’s been relatively revived.

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