‘Iran to Go Beyond %20 Enrichment after EU Deadline’

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May 14, 2019

‘Iran to Go Beyond %20 Enrichment after EU Deadline’

Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has, in an interview with the Al-Alam news network, elaborated on the country’s new measures with regards to the Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Excerpts of the interview follow:

– If we see there is no way out, we will begin moving in that direction gradually. And naturally, we have said before on numerous occasions that if we are supposed to keep moving back, we won’t even settle for the previous spot and will definitely go beyond that. What does that mean?

It means that if we, for example, produced 20-percent [enriched uranium] in the past, we might produce [enriched uranium at a purity level of] even more than 20 percent. As I said, it is like a domino effect. It is not something that the Islamic Republic of Iran has right now decided to do. But if the course of events unfolds in such a way that they fail to deliver on their commitments, well, naturally it would be like we have had an agreement one of whose parties has failed to implement it. So, we won’t keep our side of the bargain, either. That means we will return to the previous situation. But as we have said before, we won’t settle for the previous state, whether in terms of the number of centrifuges, the degree of [uranium] enrichment, or the type of centrifuges because more modern types [of centrifuges] can be used as well.

Russia to Continue Work on Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Facility

The first power station of Bushehr is operating well. Fuel was replaced, too. It has been up and running and it is feeding electricity into the National Grid. Now, power stations 2 and 3 are at issue. They are 3 to 4 months ahead of schedule. We began [building them] more than two years ago. Now, we have been working on them for two years and four months. However, the American did something silly. They said the new power stations at Bushehr nuclear facility are under sanctions. But which country is constructing them? Russia. And this country has announced that it does not accept US sanctions and won’t abide by them. So, what the United States said is just in word, and it cannot impede our work.

Iran was also under pressure when the first power station was being constructed. It was a difficult task from a technical point of view. A technology needed to be replaced with another one. There was also political pressure. However, Russia did its job and now the Russians have announced that sanctions will have no bearing, whatsoever, on Iran-Russia cooperation, especially with respect to the Bushehr nuclear facility. The US is saying something which cannot be done, and the Russians responded to Washington’s move.

Iran, China Discuss Afghanistan Peace in Tehran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 14, 2019

Iran, China Discuss Afghanistan Peace in Tehran

In the Monday meeting, Araqchi emphasised the role of regional countries in helping the Afghan government achieve a lasting peace agreement.

During the talks, the two sides looked into the latest political and security situation of Afghanistan as well as ongoing peace efforts in that country.

In light of the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan, the two sides also stressed the need to support the Afghan peace process under the direction and supervision of the government.

They also focused on the need to develop cooperation in this regard, considering the mutual interests and concerns of the two in relation to Afghanistan.

The meeting between Araqchi and Xijun was held within the framework of regular consultations between the two states on the issue of Afghanistan.

Organs of Brain-Dead Iranian Girl Donated to 57 Patients

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 13, 2019

Organs of Brain-Dead Iranian Girl Donated to 57 Patients

Arefeh Arab Ahmadi, 22, a student from the east-central city of Shahrud, lost her life a couple of weeks ago in a car crash in front of Shahrud University of Technology.

Her brain death was confirmed by doctors after their attempts to revive her ended up in failure.

With her family’s permission, Arefeh’s two kidneys, liver and some of her body’s tissues were donated to four patients, giving them a new life.

In line with the organ donations, Arefeh underwent a bone marrow transplant which can save the lives of at least 53 patients.

Bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft, fatty tissue inside the human’s bones. The bone marrow produces blood cells.

Iran Hails Houthis’ Unilateral Pullout from Three Ports

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 13, 2019

Iran Hails Houthis’ Unilateral Pullout from Three Ports

Under a December agreement brokered by the UN in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, Yemeni warring sides agreed to pull out their forces from the ports to allow desperately needed aid into the country.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said on Monday that on the one hand, the Sana’a government’s move to preserve Stockholm Agreement shows the resolve of Yemen’s National Salvation Government to negotiate and fulfil its obligations, and on the other hand represents the Saudi-led coalition’s obstructionism and non-commitment to this agreement.

Reiterating the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the Stockholm Agreement, Mousavi said its implementation would be an introduction to a comprehensive and final political solution for Yemen.

Considering the numerous barriers created by the Saudi-Emirati-backed coalition, “the United Nations and influential countries must push the coalition forces to comply with their obligations and stop their efforts to obstruct the implementation of the Stockholm agreement,” noted Mousavi.

Houthis recently announced they have begun withdrawing their forces from three key strategic ports that serve as a vital lifeline for food and humanitarian aid into the war-torn country. The UN is now expected to push the Saudi-led coalition to withdraw their forces from the port cities as well.

The UN says the conflict in the impoverished country has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The country is on the brink of famine, and an estimated 80 percent of Yemenis, or nearly 25 million people are in need of aid.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 13

By

Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani

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May 13, 2019

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Abrar:

1- Iran Leader Donates $95,000 for Release of Needy Prisoners

2- Pompeo: We Welcome Opportunity of Holding Talks with Iran

3- Zarif’s Explanations about Letters Sent to Other States on US Violations of JCPOA

4- Aerospace Commander: US Bases in Region like Tender Flesh in Our Mouth

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Children with Iranian Mothers to Receive Iran Citizenship

2- Americans Have Our Phone Number: Araqchi to Trump

3- Erdogan: We Won’t Give in to West’s Pressures

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Iranian Mothers to Be Able to Pass Nationality to Children

Ebtekar:

1- A Phone Number Which Is Not Available

2- Iran Leader’s Donation to Release of Needy Inmates

3- Why Can’t JCPOA Protect Itself? [Editorial]

Etemad:

1- Missile Warnings by Resistance Forces Work

* Netanyahu Backing Off Step by Step from Gaza Siege

Ettela’at:

1- Thousands of Britons Protest in London against Israeli Atrocities

2- Europe Must Take Iran’s Ultimatum Seriously

* Iran’s New JCPOA Announcement Effort to Save It, Not to End It

3- Egypt Enters into Libya War by Supporting Haftar

Javan:

1- Negotiation Not at All: Rouhani Tells Reformists

2- Trump’s C Plan to Change JCPOA

* US to Use Military Forces to Force Iran into Sitting for Talks

3- UAE Oil Tankers on Fire

* UAE Finally Confirmed 4 Vessels Damaged, Described It as Dangerous

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Pompeo: White House Welcomes Opportunity of Talks with Tehran

2- Protest Rally in Berlin against Arms Exports to Saudi Arabia, UAE

Kayhan:

1- Iran to Produce 16.8 Million Tonnes of Wheat Next Year

2- EU Think Tank: Take Iran’s Ultimatum Seriously

Sazandegi:

1- Rouhani: We Won’t Give in

2- Iran Gave Negative Response to 19 Calls by Obama for Talks: Rouhani

Setareh Sobh:

1- Democrats’ Victory to Make Everything Favourable for Iran: Analyst

2- Now It’s Not Time for Negotiation

3- Expert: JCPOA a Win-Win Deal, Shouldn’t Be Turned into Lose-Lose One

Shargh:

1- Rouhani: Gov’t Doesn’t Have Authority to Do Whatever It Is Asked to

2- Deadly Silence of Trump’s Rivals

* Why Democrat Candidates Don’t Take Stances on Int’l Issues

Sobh-e Now:

1- UAE on Fire: Abu Dhabi on Fie!

2- EU’s Council of Foreign Relations: Save JCPOA

Iran Sees US Military in Persian Gulf as ‘Targets’, Not ‘Threats’

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IFP Media Wire

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May 13, 2019

Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Division, made the remarks on Sunday, when explaining the situation of the United States’ military bases in the region and the IRGC’s missile capability.

“If Americans make a [mistaken] move, we will hit them on the head.”

“This is the current state of affairs in the region…. It was not like this in the past. These [American forces] were previously a threat to us, but they are not an opportunity,” General Hajizadeh added.

The Iranian commander added that if the Americans say nothing about waging war against Iran it is because “they are vulnerable.”

The IRGC commander emphasized that Iran’s missiles are capable of targeting US vessels from a distance of 300 kilometers and the new missiles have an even enhanced range of 700 kilometers, which enables them to hit targets beyond the Persian Gulf.

“An aircraft carrier with at least 40 to 50 fighter jets and 6,000 personnel was a serious threat for us in the past, but is now a target and threats have turned into opportunities,” Hajizadeh said.

The US Air Force acknowledged Friday that B-52 bombers ordered by the White House to be deployed to the Persian Gulf to counter unspecified threats from Iran have arrived at a major American air base in Qatar.

Images released by the US Air Force’s Central Command show B-52H Stratofortress bombers arriving at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Thursday night.

Others landed at an undisclosed location Wednesday in “southwest Asia,” the Air Force said. The US military in the past has described its presence at both the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates and Al Udeid as “southwest Asia.”

On Sunday, the White House announced it would send the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and the bombers into the Persian Gulf to counter Tehran. The USS Abraham Lincoln on Thursday passed through the Suez Canal on its way to the Persian Gulf.

Head of the Iranian Parliament’s Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh said on Sunday that the United States does not seek a military confrontation with Iran and is only waging a “psychological war” against the Islamic Republic.

“Analysis of the behavior of Americans shows that they do not seek a military confrontation with Iran and are only waging a psychological war against the Islamic Republic,” the Iranian lawmaker said, adding that the US government is trying to combine its psychological war against Iran with sanctions and other forms of economic pressure.

Iranian Task Force to Counter US’ Cyber Threats: Minister

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IFP Media Wire

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May 13, 2019

Azari Jahromi on Monday said the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has developed initiatives to counter the US government’s acts of cyber-terrorism and hostile measures, such as removing Iranian mobile phone applications from Apple company’s iPhones.

“In order to counter those threats, we have set up a task force in the National Center of Virtual Space since a year ago, which has studied various scenarios, threats and sanctions, and the necessary approaches have been adopted,” the minister said.

The bulk of US sanctions on Iran’s cyber sector have been imposed over the past year, he noted, adding that the country’s cyber space has not been disturbed although all international cloud computing providers have ceased providing Internet service to Iranian companies.

The minister said, however, that the US government’s unilateral sanctions have put pressures on Iranian online businesses.

Azari Jahromi went on to say that the necessary plans have been devised to address a possible Internet disconnection, saying his ministry’s initiatives to counter the US sanctions will be soon publicized.

In October 2018, the head of Iran’s Civil Defense Organization said a series of arrangements have been made to counter the US hostile strategies and its potential move to block Iran’s access to the Internet.

Brigadier General Gholam Reza Jalali said the US decision to cut off Iran’s access to the Internet would keep Washington unaware of Iran’s internal developments, adding that Tehran is nonetheless ready to counter such a possible threat.

In August 2016, Iran launched the first phase of its national data network after a gap of eleven years.

The national network offers a new internet system with higher security which officials say will be up to 60 times faster than the best speeds currently available. It is also designed to be more secure to potential cyberattacks.

Iranian National Gets 10-Year Jail Term over Spying for UK

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IFP Media Wire

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May 13, 2019

Judiciary Spokesman Gholam Hossein Esmaili said on Monday that the convict was in charge of the ‘Iran desk’ at the British Council.

He said the convict, who was arrested by Iranian intelligence and security organizations, had been cooperating with the British espionage service and was tasked with designing, managing and planning cultural infiltration projects in Iran.

The spokesman said the convict has confessions about the process of being recruited by and cooperating with the so-called cultural council of the UK, trainings he received from the UK secret service, and his missions to carry out cultural projects in the country.

A court sentenced the individual to 10 years in prison after the confessions, Esmaili added.

Ashgabat Says Resolved to Broaden Ties with Tehran

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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May 13, 2019

He made the remarks in a Monday meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Ashgabat.

During the long meeting, the two top diplomats discussed a wide range of issues in bilateral relations as well as regional and international cooperation.

The Turkmen foreign minister described the visit of his Iranian counterpart to Ashgabat as a very important and timely move.

He said Turkmenistan has the political will to broaden its all-out relations with Iran.

For his part, Zarif referred to his meeting with the President of Turkmenistan this morning, and stated, “Our commonalities are more than those of neighbours, and the Islamic Republic is fully prepared for further expansion of ties between the two friendly and neighbouring countries.”

Cooperation in international organisations and associations, regional issues particularly that of Afghanistan, the holding of Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Economic Commission, the visit of Turkmen president to Iran, transit and rail cooperation, collaboration in the fields of energy and electricity, the nationals imprisoned in the two countries, and the Caspian Sea were other topics discussed by the two officials.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani paid a visit to Ashgabat in March 2018. The two leaders oversaw the signing of 13 agreements covering a wide array of bilateral fields, from culture, arts and education to customs, agriculture, and aviation. The main topic of interest for both Tehran and Ashgabat, however, is energy.

Iranian Artist Uses Nomadic Life to Create Unique Sculptures

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 13, 2019

The exhibition of Seyyed Ali Seyyed Alikhani’s works, known as “Vargah”, is underway in Tehran’s Iranshahr Gallery.

Nomadic life in Iran has survived many ups and downs throughout the centuries, and people from different tribes have always been living their lives through the use of their available materials.

Black tents are the most prominent feature of nomadic life, and they are made using animals’ wool. All the stages of shearing, yarn spinning and tent weaving are done by the people of tribe.

Seyyed Alikhani has also directly used the black tent’s material and created special sculptures by combining other materials. These works are made in different shapes using wool, wood, and horns.

He did not intend to achieve different forms of composition in a known format. Instead he has created an abstract form or forms derived from the appliances of nomadic life.

Another feature of these works that has made them unique is their being handmade.

Watching these sculptures, the audience understands the history and culture of their background and understands the intricate spirit of them.

This exhibition runs through May 13 at Iranshahr Gallery in central Tehran.

What follows are Honar Online’s photos of the exhibition:

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