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Europeans Have No Excuse for Delaying INSTEX Launch: Iran

Zarif

Zarif said after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the accord Europeans in April 2018 set forth a number of commitments that needed to be met through launching the financial mechanism known as INSTEX.

The Europeans no longer have any excuses for delaying the enforcement of the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchange, he added.

The UK, France and Germany unveiled INSTEX in late January, to protect their companies against US sanctions, and enable them to continue trade with Iran. Following its withdrawal from the Iran deal last year, Washington threatened to put sanctions on any company doing business with Tehran.

“The Europeans are very far behind the schedule and they should not think the Islamic Republic of Iran keeps waiting for them. We have very good relations with our neighbours, and we have launched similar mechanisms with many countries that are currently active, and I do not know how much time Europeans need to launch a preparatory mechanism,” he reiterated.

The foreign minister further mentioned that to set up this mechanism, it was needed to launch a corresponding mechanism in Iran. This mechanism was launched last week and now Europeans have no excuse to delay its inauguration.

Regarding Washington’s labeling of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity, the Iranian top diplomat said the first retaliatory move was that the Supreme National Security Council issued a statement and branded the US forces in West Asia, known CENTCOM, as a terrorist group and introduced the US as a state sponsor of terrorism.

He further pointed out that Iran’s foreign ministry and parliament are holding negotiations about other moves.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif slammed the US attempts to block international humanitarian aid from entering flood-hit regions of Iran. “We have collected documents indicating that banks, even the European banks, are refraining from accepting foreign aid from Iranians and other people who are willing to help fold-stricken people, and that’s because of concerns over US measures.”

Zarif finally maintained these documents will be released shortly.

The Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) is a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) established in January 2019 by France, Germany and the United Kingdom to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran. The SPV is headquartered in Paris, France, and is headed by German diplomat Per Fischer, who formerly served as Head of Financial Institutions at Commerzbank.

Iran Says Ready to Work with France to Settle Regional Woes

Zarif made the comments in a Sunday meeting with the new ambassador of the French Republic to Tehran, Philippe Thiebaud, during which he presented a copy of his credentials at the beginning of his mission

In the meeting, FM Zarif referred to the historical and long-term relations between the two countries and the positive attitude of the people of Iran towards France, and called for the removal of the barriers in bilateral relations relying on the wisdom and prudence of the two states’ authorities.

Zarif pointed to the presence of the MKO terrorist group on French soil, and described it as a problem between Tehran and Paris.

The Iranian foreign minister also announced the Islamic Republic’s readiness to hold talks and have cooperation with the French officials to solve the problems of the region.

Pointing to the dangerous developments that recently unfolded in North Africa, including Libya and Sudan, FM Zarif noted they were the result of the intervention of some Arab countries in the region.

Elsewhere in his remarks, FM Zarif criticised the recent statement by the Group of Seven and the French ambassador to the United States regarding the peaceful nuclear activities of Iran, saying that such positions would destroy the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers.

For his part, the French ambassador referred to the recent talks between the presidents of Iran and France, underlining that Paris is willing to continue talks with Tehran on regional and international issues.

“The position of France, as underlined in the telephone conversation of the French president with President Rouhani, is to remain in the JCPOA and support and fulfil both sides’ obligations,” he noted.

Thiebaud referred to Iran’s fulfilment of its obligations under the JCPOA, and highlighted the efforts made by France and the role it played in the establishment and introduction of INSTEX, the European special purpose vehicle aimed at facilitating trade with Iran under the US sanctions.

‘Pompeo’s Claim about Iran’s Interference in Venezuela Ridiculous’

In a Sunday statement, Mousavi said the US under Trump seeks to turn Latin America into its backyard, just like the 19th century.

However, he added, nations of the world, especially the people of Latin America, have awakened and the wheel of time does not move backwards.

“While Iranian specialists are trying to improve the water and electricity systems in Venezuela at the request of the government of Caracas, the US has looted $30 billion worth of Venezuela’s foreign-exchange reserves,” Mousavi noted.

He lashed out at the US government for targeting the Venezuelan nation with its economic terrorism, asking them to either riot against their legitimate government or face starvation.

“The US move is a blatant and arrogant interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs, and is strongly condemned,” Mousavi added.

His comments came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed there is “no doubt” that Iran has a financial presence in South America and that Tehran remains a “global threat.”

“Iranian money remains in South America being used for malign purposes, supporting Hezbollah, supporting transnational criminal organizations, supporting efforts at terrorism throughout the region,” Pompeo claimed on April 13 in an interview with Voice of America during a visit to the region.

“This is Iran intervening in South America. That’s not in the best interests of the South American people, and the United States stands ready,” he added.

Pompeo spoke during a stop in Paraguay on a trip that Washington has said will focus on developments in Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro is faced with street riots triggered by the US and the self-declared interim President Juan Guaido.

Iran Summons New French Envoy over Araud’s Tweets

Iran Appoints Female Ambassador to Denmark

Seyyed Hossein Sadat Meidani, the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s secretariat in charge of following up on the implementation of the JCPOA, summoned Philippe Thiebaud on Sunday to protest against tweets attributed to France’s envoy to the United States.

Tehran believes the contents of the tweets by Gérard Araud are not acceptable at all, Thiebaud was told.

The Iranian official also called for the French government’s explanation, and stated that if the French government endorses the remarks, and if they represent the official position of Paris, this would be in obvious contradiction to the goals and provisions of the Iran nuclear deal.

“If the issue is not resolved in a satisfactory way, the Islamic Republic will follow it up based on the mechanisms envisaged in the nuclear deal, and reserves the right to give any appropriate response.”

In turn, the French ambassador to Tehran said he was not aware of the tweets attributed to his country’s ambassador to Washington, but he would immediately report the issue to Paris.

He also underlined the French government’s political will to fully implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Iran summoned Thiebaud after the French ambassador to Washington posted a tweet about Iran’s nuclear program after 2025, which was in direct contradiction to the text of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

While the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has in 14 reports confirmed Iran’s full compliance with the nuclear deal, the French ambassador to the United States claimed that there is no reason for Iran to enrich uranium after the end of this agreement.

Gérard Araud’s remarks led to the reaction of Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi.

Araqchi wrote on his official Twitter account, “If tweets by Gerard Araud represent French position, we’re facing a major violation of the object and purpose of the JCPOA and UNSCR 2231. Needs immediate clarification by Paris, or we act accordingly.”

Araud said Saturday that “As we said in 2002 that enriching uranium without a credible civilian program was illegal under the NPT, we’ll be able to react likewise in 2025 if necessary. Sanctions were imposed. Sanctions could be reimposed. There is no “sunset” after the JCPOA”.

“It’s false to say that at the expiration of the JCPOA, Iran will be allowed to enriching uranium.

Under the NPT and its additional protocol, it will have to prove, under strict monitoring, that its nuclear activities are civilian,” Araud added.

Following Iran’s strong reaction, Araud deleted the tweets on Sunday afternoon.

Foreign Ministry Holds Ceremony to Introduce New Directors

The event was attended by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as well as executives and personnel of the ministry.

The new directors introduced at the ceremony included Hossein Panahi-Azar as the new director of the Administrative and Financial Department, Hossein Jaberi Ansari as the new deputy foreign minister for consular and Iranian expatriates’ affairs, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi as the new spokesperson of the ministry as well as the new head of the Public Diplomacy and Media Centre, and Ali-Asghar Khaji as the foreign minister’s new senior assistant for special political affairs.

Also, former foreign ministry spokesman and the ex-chief of the Public Diplomacy and Media Centre Bahram Qassemi (appointed as Iran’s new ambassador to France); Panahi-Azar, the former deputy foreign minister for consular and Iranian expatriates’ affairs; Jaberi Ansari, the foreign minister’s former senior assistant for special political affairs; and Saberi, the ex-director of the ministry’s Administrative and Financial Department (appointed as Iran’s new ambassador to Tajikistan) were praised at the ceremony in recognition of their services.

Movie Stars Gather in Tehran to Raise Fund for Flood Victims

Sponsored by Iran’s House of Cinema, an event called “The Flood of Kindness” brought together Iranian artists to collect public donations for the flood-hit people in various parts of the country.

The ceremony, held in front of Azadi Cinema Complex in the capital Tehran on Friday, was attended by a large number of movie stars including directors, actors, producers, and so on, who wore the uniforms of the Iranian Red Crescent Society and asked their fans for help.

In an interview with Mehr news agency, Head of the House of Cinema, Homayun Asadian, said at least two Iranian movies donated the sales of their Friday screening to the flood-hit people.

The ceremony attracted a large number of people. “We are planning to dispatch a delegation of Iranian movie artists to the flood-hit areas in the coming days and distribute the collected donations among the flood-hit people in a process monitored by the representatives of the related municipalities and Red Crescent officials,” Asadian said.

Iranian officials have warned of new flash floods in several eastern and western provinces amid predictions of heavy downpours. Relief operations are underway in Khuzestan and Lorestan provinces in the West following recent floods. They are the latest in a series of unprecedented rain-triggered floods that have hit Iran since March 19, killing at least 76 people.

Iranian Researchers Mass Produce DNA, RNA Extraction Kits

Researchers at Topaz Gene knowledge-based company worked on the project considering the high cost of importing DNA and RNA extraction kits and biological enzymes, materials and devices such as buffer solutions for genetic biotechnology laboratories.

According to ISNA, the quality of these products is totally based on high-quality American kits.

The products are widely used in genetic laboratories for livestock and agriculture, biotechnology, and molecular biology, and are the most essential and most used materials in these laboratories.

Iranian scientists have in recent years made great progress in molecular genetics, especially in extraction of DNA, minimizing the time of costly laboratory tests and paving the way for further diagnoses.

Over the recent years, biotechnology has witnessed a tremendous progress in a short span of time. Diagnosing various genetic diseases even before birth, determining kinship relations and identifying criminals through genetic tests are among the main developments achieved so far. But the list is much longer.

There are many knowledge-based companies in Iran involved in molecular genetics, biotechnology and other areas related to life sciences. At present, scientists can precisely diagnose pathogenic mutation through modern knowledge of biotechnology and identify various causes of genetic diseases. The new knowledge serves as a good opportunity to diagnose vectors or genetic diseases before birth.

Some of the main developments in this area include identifying defective genes, diagnosing diseases before birth, various types of genetic diseases, pregnancy syndrome, males’ sterility and determining relativity connections through genetic sciences.

Today, determining the racial authenticity of animals like horses is also deemed significant. At present, the process is carried out through scientific methods.

Blood preservation cards which provide users with a chance to keep their blood and DNA for a long time, various types of cards for preserving saliva and amniotic fluid are the main products in this area.

Dr Zeinali, a faculty member at the Pasteur Institute of Iran and the founder of Kowsar knowledge-based company says, “Given the high amount of protein and low number of embryonic stem cells in amniotic fluid, extracting DNA from the fluid is hard and we need to use an appropriate method to do so. Extraction kit is a fast, precise and good method for extracting DNA from the fluid.”

So far, tens of various and efficient domestic medical equipment have been designed and developed by Iranian specialists and designers. The equipment can play a key role in creating an appropriate and clean area with the least amount of pollution.

With the progress made so far in molecular genetics, the scientist can minimize the time of costly laboratory tests and pave the way for further diagnoses.

Iran FM, Top Italian Lawmaker Hold Talks in Tehran

In the Sunday meeting in Tehran, Zarif touched upon strong relations between Iran and Italy over the past four decades, expressing hope the current coalition government in Rome will maintain its good economic ties with Tehran as before.

“Iran has set up a corresponding institution to INSTEX (Europe’s Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges) and announced its establishment to the European Union,” Zarif added.

The top Italian official, in turn, said his trip to Iran comes amid good relations between the two countries. He touched upon the age-old relations between Tehran and Rome, calling for further promotion of mutual ties.

He said an Iran-Italy parliamentary friendship group has been established at the Italian Senate. The top Italian parliamentarian also offered condolences to the Iranian government and people for the recent flooding in Iran, and said his country would send humanitarian aid to flood-stricken people.

The two sides also discussed Washington’s hostile policies towards Iran, international developments, regional issues as well as developments in North Africa.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Abrar:

1- Trump Threatens ICJ

2- Pakistani PM to Visit Iran in Late April

3- France: Europe Resolved to Stay in JCPOA

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Decrease in Dollar, Euro Rates in Unofficial Market of Iran

2- Rouhani’s VP: I’m Optimistic about Ratification of Palermo Convention, CFT

3- Big Lie about Hawizeh Marshes

* Oil Ministry Never Prevented Flood from Flowing into Hawizeh

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- EU Spokesperson: Europe Not to Join Anti-Iran Sanctions

2- Make Economy People-Based [Editorial]

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Ebtekar:

1- Khuzestan Temporarily Bids Farewell to Dust Pollution

2- Relief Workers Whose Boat Capsized in Recent Floods Named ‘Martyrs’ by Leader

3- Kim Continues War of Words with Trump

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Etemad:

1- Trump Flag-Bearer of Islamophobia in White House

* US President Joins Those Who Attack Muslim Congresswoman

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Ettela’at:

1- First VP: Most Important Issue of Iran Today Is to Compensate for Flood Damages

2- Rouhani: Supporting Women Sports among Government’s Top Priorities

3- Media in Iran Not Feeling Well: Culture Minister

* We Need to Improve Islamic Republic’s Image in World

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Iran:

1- Recent Floods Caused $3.5 Billion in Damages

2- New Foreign Ministry Spokesman: I’ll Be More Active on Social Media

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Javan:

1- Kim’s Ultimatum to Trump

2- Even UK Mail Withdraws from Iran Nuclear Deal

* UK Mail Stops Working with Iran

3- West Doesn’t Want Iranians with Chemical Injuries to Be Noticed in World

* War Veteran Talks of Efforts to Promote Rightfulness of Those with Chemical Injuries in Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- People of Khuzestan Building Embankments Again!

2- Continued Flow of Int’l Humanitarian Aid to Flood-Hit Iranians

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Kayhan:

1- Young People of Khuzestan Battling Devastating Flood

2- Young Palestinians Show Full Support for IRGC against US Plot

3- Paradox of Supporting FATF While Condemning US Move against IRGC

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Sazandegi:

1- Einstein Was Right

* Recent Black Hole Image Proved Physics Should Still Follow Einstein’s Theories

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Shahrvand:

1- Iranian People Break Record of Donating Money: IRR 1,000 Billion ($7.5m) Raised

2- Countdown for Beginning of Game of Thrones’ Final Season

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14


 

Shargh:

1- EU Spokesperson: We’ll Study Our US Partners’ Unlawful Measures

2- Mousavi Appointed New Spokesman of Iran Foreign Ministry

3- Disaster of Natural Disasters [Editorial]

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 14

Flood-Hit People of Iran Saved by IRGC Vehicles: Commander

IRGC Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said on Saturday that his forces have used “Khashayar” (Xerxes) personnel carriers to rescue people stuck in the flood-stricken areas.

He said the IRGC military vehicles have ferried people out of the disaster zone in the villages of Khuzestan Province, southwest of Iran.

The commander also noted that the IRGC Ground Force’s armored unit, military engineering and transportation division have deployed more than 400 machines to Khuzestan for rescue and relief operations.

Record spring rainfall that has battered Iran in the past weeks caused serious flooding in many areas, mainly the provinces of Golestan, Lorestan, Khuzestan, Fars and Ilam, forcing thousands to leave their homes.

While residents in some western areas are still in need of relief aid, the Army Ground Force, the IRGC, and Basij have deployed forces, heavy military machinery, aircraft and boats to the disaster zones.

The death toll in the disaster is now reported to be at least 70.

Last week, the IRGC Aerospace Force rescued around 200 people trapped by flood waters in the province of Ilam.