Iranian MP: No Place for Oil in Next Year’s Budget

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July 21, 2019

23 Iranian Lawmakers Test Positive for Coronavirus

In comments on Saturday, spokesman for the Iranian Parliament’s presiding board, Asadollah Abbasi, said the legislature will be working on the next Iranian year’s budget without considering the share of oil revenues.

The Parliament has devised a plan to run the country irrespective of the oil exports, he added, saying the budget deficit is set to be reduced by squeezing tax from tax dodgers in the Iranian year 1399, which will begin in March 2020.

Abbasi also highlighted the Parliament’s plans for a reform of the oil and gas industry’s financial system, for a tax reform, and for stricter control over the oil incomes.

Iran’s efforts to cut reliance on the oil revenues began long before the US administration announced plans in 2018 to drive the Islamic Republic’s oil exports down to zero.

Tensions between Iran and the US have escalated since US President Donald Trump walked away from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in May 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran.

Fordow Plant in Operation: AEOI Spokesman

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 20, 2019

Kamalvandi said the national vacuum technology centre at the plant is still active, conducting research on vacuum valves.

“The plant is still in use and its national vacuum technology center remains operational,” he was quoted as saying by ICANA.

The spokesman also said that the vacuum valves are used in cutting-edge nuclear industries, and added, “Even David Albright, the leading American atomic scientist has admitted in his latest report that Iran has made huge progress in this area.”

Kamalvani also added that Iran is among the countries enjoying quantum technology and said another major development being made by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is that Tehran was getting closer to a world-class technological revolution, namely the Quantum Revolution.

According to the spokesman, Quantum Revolution will play a key role in the communication area and production of high-tech sensors in the coming decades.

The spokesman said Iran’s National Centre of Quantum is set to conduct a quantum test, adding that the complicated test “will turn Iran into the first country in the Middle East and the Islamic World which has achieved the technology.”

He noted that Iran will be among the few countries with the technical know-how in the quantum and photon parcels fields in the near future.

Iran Slams US Unilateralism as Major Challenge to NAM

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 20, 2019

In an address to the ministerial meeting of NAM in Venezuela’s capital of Caracas on Saturday, Mohammad Javad Zarif called for concerted action in opposing American unilateralism and trying to promote the rule of law at the international level.

He also lashed out at the US government for its malign behaviors such as instigating a failed coup attempt in Venezuela or destroying any bases already set in place to resolve the Palestinian question.

What follows in the full text of the top Iranian diplomat’s speech:

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Mr. Chairman,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to begin by thanking the people and Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the excellent organization of this meeting and for your warm hospitality.

Our regular meetings and consultations as Members of the NAM signal our determination to preserve and strengthen our Movement and enhance our cooperation towards protecting the interests of our nations. In tackling the current daunting challenges and those looming ahead, we need to tap the full capacity of our Movement.

A new wave of American extreme unilateral adventurism is the most important challenge that almost all of us are now facing in one way or another. It is undermining the rule of law at the international level and threatens peace and stability in the whole world in different ways. International cooperation in many fields, including free trade, environment, the rule of law, international organizations and more are being hit in unprecedented ways. While some nations are threatened by unilateral economic sanctions and military aggressions, others are bearing the brunt of a crude American protectionist impulse. Even many US allies are subject to an unprecedented wave of intervention in their domestic affairs. Remembering the catastrophic results of the previous wave of American unilateralism in the early 2000s, including invasions, brutalities and violent extremism, we have a duty to stand up to and repulse the new wave.

My country is at the forefront of resisting the US new unilateral tendencies, which includes outright economic terrorism. Our sincere efforts to address the concern about our nuclear peaceful program, though baseless, is one among many victims of new unilateralism. The US administration is defeating the Iran nuclear deal, despite the investment the whole world made to bring it about. And in the process it has not only breached the relevant Security Council resolution, but also ironically sanctioned those who try to abide by it.

The gross US intervention in domestic affairs of our host, Venezuela, including through instigating the failed coup attempt in last April, is another example of the US malign behavior. The novelty is that the new US administration is shedding the mask and showing open and unveiled disrespect for international law and the rights of sovereign nations. The people of Venezuela, as in every other country, are the supreme authority to elect their president as they did in May 2018. They are now entitled to rise in defense of their elected president.

Likewise, the US unilateral and rogue impulse is destroying any bases already set in place to resolve the Palestinian question, with the occupation at its center. The illegal US moves, which aims to deny the basic rights of the Palestinian people, are exacerbating the situation in the whole Middle East. Those very few Arab regimes who have aligned themselves with these and other US schemes are not only betraying the Palestinian people, but are also jeopardizing peace and security in the whole region.

Mr. Chairman,

Opposing unilateralism and trying to promote the rule of law at the international level have always been high on the NAM agenda since its inception. As the law-based international order is now threatened more than ever in the past, it is imperative for NAM Member States to close their ranks and focus on how to repel this threat. All of us will lose if we don’t.

Saudi Arabia Lets Iranian Oil Tanker Go

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 20, 2019

Iranian oil tanker ‘Happiness 1’, belonging to the to the National Iranian Tanker Co (NITC), was forced to berth at the Saudi port of Jeddah on April 30 due to a technical failure.

The NITC said a technical problem in the oil tanker caused sea water to leak into the ship’s engine room and stall the engine when the vessel was heading towards the Suez Canal in the Red Sea.

All of the 26 crew on board the oil tanker survived the incident as the ship was taken to the nearest safe port, namely Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah.

However, the kingdom was refusing to let Happiness 1 leave Jeddah after the vessel’s technical problem was resolved. Saudi Arabia was even charging the NITC $200,000 a day for the additional costs of maintenance.

Sources have reported that the oil tanker has been released on Saturday and is returning home with the entire crew.

Iran Releases Video of The Moment IRGC Captured UK Tanker

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 20, 2019

The video shows some IRGC boats surrounding the vessel and a helicopter with IRGC forces in it discussing how to seize the tanker.

This video was released moments after the IRGC spokesman Brigadier-General Ramezan Sharif said the UK’s oil tanker has been escorted by a British small warship when seized.

He added that UK’s Royal Navy small warship intervened and flied two choppers attempting to disrupt IRGC Marine Rangers’ mission.

The IRGC’s Public Relations Department said in a statement on Friday that the vessel named “Stena Impero” had been impounded “at the request of Hormozgan Ports and Maritime Organization when passing through the Strait of Hormuz, for failing to respect international maritime rules.”

IRGC Captures UK Oil Tanker despite Royal Navy’s Interference

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 20, 2019

In a statement released on Saturday, the IRGC spokesperson Ramezan Sharif said the British oil tanker “Stena Impero”, escorted by a Royal Navy’s military frigate, was entering the Strait of Hormuz on Friday without observing the maritime regulations when it was captured by the IRGC naval forces at the request of the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization in the province of Hormozgan.

The UK oil tanker had switched off its transponder, in contravention of international regulations, and was entering the strait from the southern route which is an exit path, he added.

The British oil tanker ignored several warnings from the IRGC Navy and refused to change track, the spokesman noted, adding that the escorting frigate from the UK Royal Navy stepped in as two helicopters scrambled to prevent the IRGC Navy’s commandos from carrying their mission.

Despite the military vessel’s involvement, the IRGC forces captured the oil tanker vigorously and rapidly, and transferred it to the anchorage for legal procedures, he added.

“We act decisively in enforcing the law and (Iran’s) national sovereignty over the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” the spokesperson concluded.

Informed sources have said the UK oil tanker was also polluting the Persian Gulf water heavily by dumping crude oil residue.

Zarif, Hunt Hold Phone Talks over Seized British Oil Tanker

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 20, 2019

In a phone conversation, the two sides talked about the latest developments regarding the seizure of the vessel.

Iran’s Zarif reiterated that unlike the unlawful act of the UK in seizing the vessel carrying Iran’s oil, the Islamic Republic’s move was carried out upon the request of Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran.

He also noted that as the British ship has violated the regulations, this case must go through judicial and legal channels.

The two sides also highlighted the importance of finding lawful solutions to avoid heightened tensions.

Iranian IRGC forces seized a British-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, as tensions mount between Tehran and the West.

Iranian officials say the IRGC seized the British tanker Stena Impero after it collided with a fishing boat.

The ship, carrying a crew of 23, was empty and heading to Saudi Arabia, said the vessel’s owner Stena AB Group.

The British media try to describe Iran’s move as a tit for tat action in response to Britain’s seizure of the Grace1 super-tanker off the Spanish coast of Gibraltar earlier this month.

But as more information comes to light it appears that the British-owned tanker, Stena Impero, was in breach of international regulations, in addition to posing a threat to the environment.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on July 20

By

Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani

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July 20, 2019

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Abrar:

1- IRGC Releases Drone Footage of US Warship

2- Rouhani to Macron: Increased Sanctions to Create Problem for JCPOA Survival

3- Zarif: We Won’t Hold Talks with Trump

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Riyadh Gives Green Light to Tehran

* Saudi Envoy to UN: We’re Ready for Diplomatic Interaction with Tehran

2- Trump’s Delusions: Trump Claims US Shot Down Iranian Drone

* It Was Later Shown the Downed UAV Wasn’t Iranian

3- Bloomberg: Value of Iranian Rial Up by 30% Despite Sanctions

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- FM: US Must Stop Sanctions So that Talks Can Begin

2- Diplomacy in Strait of Hormuz: Zarif’s New Offer to US

* Adopting Additional Protocol in Return for Sanctions Removal

3- War of Drones [Editorial]

Ebtekar:

1- Zarif to National Interest: Whoever Starts a War Won’t End It

2- White House Fails in War of Drones

3- Rouhani to Macron: Increased Sanctions to Jeopardize JCPOA

Etemad:

1- Delusion of Retaliation: Trump Claims Iranian Drone Downed by USS Boxer

* Araqchi: US May Have Downed Their Own UAS!

Ettela’at:

1- Riyadh: We Seek Diplomatic Interaction with Tehran

2- Rouhani to Macron: We’re Resolved to Leave All Paths Open to Saving JCPOA

3- Zarif: Trump Won’t Get Reward of Talks with Tehran through Maximum Pressure

4- IRGC Chief: Iran’s Defensive Strategy to Become Offensive in Case of Enemy’s Miscalculation

Hamdeli:

1- US Democrat Senator: Trump Isolates US

Iran:

1- Rouhani, Macron Discuss Paths Proposed by Iran to Europe

2- GOP Senator Calls for Talks with Zarif

* Zarif: I’ll Meet Rand Paul as a Senator

3- Iranian Drone Back Home Safe and Sound

* IRGC Releases Drone Footage of USS Boxer to Prove US Wrong

Javan:

1- Zarif: We’ve Only Suffered Losses by Negotiating with US

2- Riyadh Left with No Choice but to Interact with Tehran

* Saudi Envoy: We’ve Held Talks with Tehran over Yemen

Kayhan:

1- IRGC Seizes UK Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz

2- Trump Takes Drone Revenge from Iran, but in His Dreams!

3- Europeans Concerned about Keeping US Nukes in Their Countries

‘Iran Launches Three Counterattacks against US Drones’

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 20, 2019

The top general said over the past weeks, the Iranian Armed Forces have given strong warnings to US drones seeking to violate Iran’s airspace.

“We made at least three defensive operations against American drones over the past weeks,” he said.

He also noted that shooting at American drones has already promoted Iran’s missile capabilities.

According to General Rabbani, one of these drones began its operation from a base in Kuwait on May 26.

“It got close to our territorial waters on several occasions during its 20-hour flight in the region but it was forced to sit back after receiving serious warnings by Iran’s armed forces.”

He went on to say that the US decided to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal after Iran’s huge progress in its missile program.

“Today, our missile program serves as a preemptive measure against our enemies,” he said.

Last month, Iran shot down a US surveillance drone flying over Iranian waters near the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington has been escalating tensions with Iran under Trump. Leading a signature policy of “maximum pressure,” the US quit a United Nations-ratified nuclear agreement between Iran and six world states. It then proceeded to restore the sanctions that had been lifted under the deal.

It has, in addition, sent an aircraft carrier strike group, a bomber task force, an amphibious assault ship, and some 1,500 more forces to the region.