UK Spy Convicted in Iran Used Foreign Office’s Facilities

By

-

May 21, 2019

Gholam-Hossein Esmaeili told reporters on Tuesday that the spy’s mission was cultural transformation and offering cultural courses against Islamic-Iranian norms.

In addition to her affiliation with the British Council, she had also received training from the UK spy service and enjoyed the UK Foreign Office’s facilities, he added.

Esmaili had earlier announced 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 she received from the UK secret service, and her missions to carry out cultural projects in the country.

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

The British Council recently said it believes one of its Iranian workers, Aras Amiri, is the one who has been sentenced to 10 years in jail in Iran for spying.

Sir Ciarán Devane, chief of the UK organisation, said “We firmly refute the accusation levied against her.”

She was detained in March 2018, and was charged two months later with “acting against national security”.

Wild Bunch to Distribute Iranian Film ‘6.5 per Meter’

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

May 21, 2019

Wild Bunch to Distribute Iranian Film ‘6.5 per Meter’

The Wild Bunch company signed a contract at the Cannes Film Festival whereby it bought the screening copyright for the film from Mohammad Atebbai’s Iranian Independents.

Six and a Half per Meter directed by Saeed Roustaee is a thriller about a policeman, played by Payman Maadi, the leading actor of Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation, who takes on a young local drug kingpin, played by Navid Mohammadzadeh.

The film was first screened at the 37th International Fajr Film Festival. It received the Crystal Simorgh award for the best film from the general public’s viewpoint.

The movie was screened in cinemas across Iran during the Persian New Year holidays in early spring. It has fetched a whopping Rls. 250 billion so far, making it the best-selling non-comedy film in the history of Iran’s cinema.

Wild Bunch AG is a German film distribution and international sales company, originally created in 1979 as Senator Film Verleih GmbH, which later became Senator Entertainment AG. The name Wild Bunch comes from the French company Wild Bunch S.A., created in 2002, which became a subsidiary of Senator Entertainment in February 2015. Senator Entertainment AG renamed itself Wild Bunch AG in July 2015.

Wild Bunch has distributed and sold films such as Land of the Dead (2005), Southland Tales (2006), Cassandra’s Dream (2007), Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), Che (2008), Whatever Works (2009), The King’s Speech (2010), and The Artist (2011).

Wild Bunch is also the international seller of Studio Ghibli’s works.

Baghdad Green Zone Blast Handiwork of US: Sources

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

May 21, 2019

Several security sources close to Iraqi resistance forces dismissed Sunday’s blast caused by a mini-Katyusha rocket as a “childish action” conducted by the United States as part of its efforts to create the impression that Iraq is gripped by insecurity and to hatch a scheme for further moves by the US in Iraq.

The sources told IRNA that the way that American and Western media covered the event strengthens the speculation that the US itself carried out the attack to create a sense of insecurity and pressurize the Baghdad government to get on board with Washington’s anti-Iran policies.

According to the sources, the incident itself, the way it was announced by the US embassy in Baghdad, the way it was reported in American media and the claim that the target of the attack was the US embassy are all suspicious and raise questions.

The sources said there is reliable information the attack was definitely not carried out by Islamic resistance groups in Iraq.

Ski Suit: An Essential Outfit While Going for Skiing

By

IFP Media Wire

-

May 21, 2019

Ski suits come in various kinds of styles suitable for all ages and all trends. Few of them are mainly designed to wear at the competition skiing, which provides you comfortable nature while helping you slightly in the freedom of movement and another would be used for skiing during a short period of time. Both kinds of suits are designed in a similar way with one-piece or two-piece but two-piece suits are more preferable for skiing competition or other snow activities.

Ski suit keeps the body warm

A ski suit has featured with water resistant and wind resistant capability and it is designed by the combination or taking one type of insulating fabrics. They are specialized to keep snow and water out of our body while maintaining the body temperature or retaining heat inside the body. This type of suit is entirely different from regular snowsuits where the person wearing it should need a wider range of movements and struggle to make it available to them. It is made for an outdoor activity in an extended period of time. You may find the suit to be little bulkier than the competition versions of it. It is mostly made up of one-piece to enrich better protection from the elements.

Types of ski suits

One-piece ski suits are designed in such a manner that has a few opens which acts a passage in order to allow snow to enter or heat to escape. It may also come with the attachment of the hood. The materials that are popular in making the ski suits are fleece, nylon, and silk, for the liner. Even the insulating materials may be thinsulate or similar ultra-thin fiber, pile, or down. Probably ski suits are designed in such a way that possesses a weather-proof outer shell through a non-porous material. Sometimes it also uses the chemically treated fabric to make us warm.

Two-Piece ski suits are more likely to be worn for a skiing competition. These ski suits are less bulky that makes it not be quite warm. There may be other several reasons for this. The competitor is not going to be skiing for extended periods in most competition style of skiing. The wearer is going to be in high traffic areas where they could be encountered with the chances of not being met in the bad case or situation like an accident or injury. There is a pretty much probability that it becomes non-existent. The wearer needs so much of plenty of freedom that stabilizes the movement other than crossing country or casual skiing. The ski suits are usually worn under the conjunction point with layered garments such as thermal underwear and sweat pants. The skiers are recommended to buy a small backpack with all ski accessories enabling to keep you hotter.

US Seeks Dialogue with Iran ‘If They Are Ready’: Trump

By

IFP Media Wire

-

May 21, 2019

US Seeks Dialogue with Iran 'If They Are Ready': Trump

Trump made the comments to reporters in Washington, DC, as he departed the White House for an event in the US state of Pennsylvania.

“If they call, we would certainly negotiate but that’s going to be up to them. I’d only want them to call if they’re ready. If they’re not ready, they don’t have to bother,” he said.

The US commander in chief further downplayed what he has been trumpeting as “Iran’s threat” to the region and the US interests.

“We have no indication that anything’s happened to or will happen, but if it does, it will be met obviously with great force. We’ll have no choice,” he claimed.

The Republican president also repeated the Unites States’ empty threats against Iran.

“I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything. If they do something, it’ll be met with great force but we have no indication that they will,” he said.

Trump earlier dismissed reports that he was trying to initiate negotiations with Iran in the wake of US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, tightening sanctions against Tehran and even blacklisting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“Iran will call us if and when they are ever ready. In the meantime, their economy continues to collapse – very sad for the Iranian people!” Trump claimed in a tweet.

Iran has time and again asserted that it is not seeking war but is ready to defend its interests in the region.

Foreign Envoys Due in Iran Parliament to Discuss JCPOA

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

May 21, 2019

Iranian lawmaker Ali Najafi, the spokesman for the parliamentary commission on national security and foreign policy, said envoys of Germany, France, Britain, Russia and several other countries will attend the meeting which will be held next week.

The meeting revolves around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Iran’s recent 60-day deadline to the three European signatories to deliver their end of the bargain.

Fed up with Europe’s inaction in the face of US pressure to affect Iran’s economy and zero out its oil exports, Tehran announced earlier this month that it was reducing its commitments under the nuclear deal.

Tehran has made it clear that nothing is off the table including complete withdrawal from the accord once the deadline arrives.

Rouhani Says Referendum Could Solve Social, Foreign Policy Issues

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

May 21, 2019

Addressing a sizable audience of students and the youth from all walks of life, Rouhani said Monday that the Islamic Republic had proven time and again in the past that it had the democratic means to decide everything by popular vote.

“No one should say that we are casting our votes but problems aren’t being solved, of course they don’t go away completely but we can move further ahead with every step,” he said. “We must use the potential of our Constitution,” he said, referring to Article 59 of Iran’s Constitution.

The article, titled “Mandatory Referendum” states that extremely important “economic, political, social, and cultural” matters could be decided by the way of a referendum.

The request for a referendum needs to be approved by a two-third majority in the Iranian parliament, the article adds.

Rouhani further noted that “our Constitution has full potential. Our nation is thriving and our youth are educated and brave.”

“We must be brave, shall not fear, stick together and support each other. Only then we will save the country,” the president added.

He also defended his government’s performance over the past six years, naming the 2015 nuclear deal as an outstanding feat of foreign policy which annulled a number of anti-Iran resolutions at the United Nations Security Council.

Rouhani said Iran had made great strides over the past two years despite a campaign of maximum pressure by the United States and its allies, something he said wouldn’t have happened without direct support from the nation.

“We are the same nation who, thanks to the active presence of the well-educated individuals as diplomats, was able to break free from the hard, suffocating circle the enemies had created,” the president continued.

Iran Increases Production of Low Enriched Uranium by Four Times

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

May 20, 2019

“Iran has increased the capacity for production of low enriched uranium (LEU) in Natanz nuclear facility by four times”, said spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Behrouz Kamalvandi, adding that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been notified of the issue.

The fourfold increase in the capacity to produce LEU was announced today by the Iranian official during a visit by Iranian journalists to the Natanz nuclear facility.

“We will soon be crossing the 300-kg limit in several weeks”, added Kamalvandi without providing further details on the technical measures done to increase the capacity for production of LEU.

Iran made a nuclear announcement recently in reaction to the United States withdrawal from the nuclear deal on 8 May, 2018. The statement of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran said that the country would reduce nuclear commitments under the framework of 2015 nuclear deal, by evading 300-kg limit on the amount of low-enriched uranium, and also 130-tonne limit for storage of heavy water produced at its Arak facility.

On May 8, Iran gave a 60-day ultimatum to the remaining members of the nuclear deal to compensate for the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or else Iran would increase the level of enrichment by as much as 20 percent, and modernize the Arak reactor.

Kamalvandi said that “Iran can resume 20 percent enrichment within four days. Whether to conduct the 20-percent enrichment in Natanz or in Fordow is a question that needs to be considered by the Committee to Monitor and Supervise Implementation of the JCPOA at the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.”

Iranian MPs Vote to Step Up Acid Attack Punishment

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

May 20, 2019

Iranian MPs Vote to Step Up Acid Attack Punishment

The lawmakers voted 147-16 on Monday to almost unanimously approve the bill, marking a momentous day in the history of the Parliament.

The new legislation calls for the “retaliation in kind” of any damage caused to the victims in acid throwing attacks where the perpetrator has carried out the act preplanned and with “malice aforethought.”

When the crime in question is not punishable by eye for eye retaliation and the assailant is forgiven by the survivor, the assailant will still have to pay blood money to the survivor, according to the law.

In case the assailant runs off, the government will pay the blood money and reimburses all the costs once the attacker is in custody.

In addition to the blood money and eye-for-eye retaliation, the assailants will also face up to 25 years in prison.

“Over the past decades we have been seeing a spike in the number of acid attacks as a means of retaliation and violence in countries like the UK, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran,” said lawmaker Hassan Norouzi, who is also the spokesman for the legal and judiciary commission of the parliament.

“These acts have caused irreparable damage and terrorized the society and therefore it is imperative to impose a severe punishment,” he added.

Norouzi said besides social and economic causes, poverty and free access to acid were also among the main reasons behind the increase in such crimes.

On Sunday, the parliament hosted a number of acid attack survivors, who discussed their issues and expectations from the lawmakers. Most of them argued they do not approve of more severe punishments, but called for stricter rules on the sale of acid.

The new legislation still needs to be ratified by the Guardian Council to be signed into law.

The issue of acid attacks jumped to headlines in Iran four years ago, when a spate of acid throwing attacks on four to ten women in Isfahan caused panic in the otherwise peaceful city.

According to eye witnesses, the male attackers riding on motorbikes threw acid on faces of young women while shouting statements against the targeted women’s allegedly loose clothing.

But authorities denied that the assaults had anything to do with the hijab, and some believe that the attacks were aimed at tarnishing the image of the Islamic Republic.

Acid attacks in Iran are usually linked to personal grudges.

1 of 15

Iranian Villager Establishes Museum of Agriculture

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

May 20, 2019

Iranian Villager Establishes Museum of Agriculture

Ebrahim Tajik, 78, from Khaveh village of Varamin County in Tehran Province, has set up the museum in one of the rooms of his home by gathering old family instruments used in agriculture.

Most of the instruments belong to Tajik, his family members or relatives. Even other villagers have become interested in the new initiative. They donate their old instruments or the relevant stuff they have inherited to the museum, a report by ISNA said.

Tajik has brought together various old instruments from light, clock, lock, sickle, and scale to jar and many other things in his museum.

He cites an 80-year-old chair with no bolts in its structure as the most precious item of his museum. Tajik also points to some antique coins and a big jar as other precious items of the home museum. He is also deeply interested in collecting locks.

The museum has its own visitors from villagers to tourists from various parts of the country. The curator of the museum doesn’t believe in making money from it. The museum is open to the public and he himself is the one who explain about the items patiently.

On his main motivation for setting up the museum, he says his main goal is to get the new generations familiar with the ancient customs and lifestyles.

“Now that technology has penetrated into our life, I want to get our children who don’t have any impression of agriculture more familiar with our ancestors and their lifestyles,” he noted.

Sometimes, foreign visitors come to visit his museum. Most of them are surprised by getting familiar with the items held in it.

1 of 7