Friday, December 26, 2025
type here...
Home Blog Page 3262

Iran Hails Opening of Afghanistan’s Peace Grand Assembly

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani speaks during the first day of the Loya Jirga, or the consultative council in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, April 29, 2019. / Photo by AP

Mousavi’s Tuesday comments came in reaction to the opening of the Peace Loya Jirga (grand assembly) in Kabul.

Thousands of Afghans congregated in Kabul on Monday for a rare consultative meeting aimed at finding ways to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban and end Afghanistan’s war.

The four-day consultative grand assembly, known as a Loya Jirga, is aimed at building consensus among various ethnic groups and tribal factions and is traditionally convened under extraordinary circumstances.

This week’s meeting, being attended by 3,200 tribal elders, and community and religious leaders from all 34 provinces, aims to set out Kabul’s conditions for any peace deal.

President Ashraf Ghani invited the Taliban to the Loya Jirga but they have urged people to boycott it, denouncing it as an attempt by the Western-backed government to deceive the country and extend what the Taliban see as its illegitimate rule.

“Do not participate in the enemy’s conspiracy under the name of Jirga, instead find ways to further sideline the shaky administration of Kabul,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.

In the past, the Taliban have fired rockets at the Loya Jirga tent, and much of Kabul was under virtual lock down on Monday, amid a massive security operation for the meeting.

Western diplomats believe the assembly is an attempt by President Ghani to influence peace talks between the United States and the Taliban, which the Taliban have excluded his government from.

Ghani, who hopes to secure a second term in presidential election set for September, is feeling isolated from the peace process and the Loya Jirga was a bid to broaden his support, Western diplomats in Kabul said.

LG, Samsung Deny Leaving Iran over US Sanctions: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The denial came after media reports said Samsung and its fellow South Korean company LG Electronics were leaving Iran, having already scaled down their activities in the country.

“Samsung has always highly valued its family of fans and consumers in Iran and has kept a strong presence in the country with the latest innovations, technologies, and products. This has not changed, despite all the external and geopolitical developments,” the company was quoted as saying.

LG has not made a statement yet on its current status, but it often mirrors Samsung’s position on Iran.

The two companies have a ubiquitous presence in Iran which is a key market for Samsung and LG products in the Middle East, including smartphones and home appliances such as washing machines, TV sets, air conditioners and telecommunications equipment.

Samsung is officially represented in Iran and runs after-sales service centers in major cities. It opened its latest flagship store northern Tehran in November.

According to Iran’s largest app market Café Bazaar, almost 18 million Iranians had Samsung phones as of February 2018.

Alireza Tavassoli, a senior manager for Samsung smartphones, said the company had invested in the Iranian market and US sanctions would only undermine the South Korean behemoth’s plans in Iran over the long term.

“Samsung does not subject its sales, distribution, and sales policies to instantaneous changes in the market,” he was quoted as saying.

Both Samsung and LG stayed their ground in Iran when the country was slapped with intensified Western sanctions in 2011.

Samsung, however, ran into a storm in Iran in February 2018 when the company’s smartphones were denied to Iranian athletes at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South Korea.

At the time, 4,000 Samsung Galaxy Note 8 tablets were said to have been given to athletes taking part in the games as gifts, except for those from Iran and North Korea.

The move sparked a diplomatic furor, prompting Iran to summon South Korea’s ambassador to Tehran and demand an apology.

Shortly afterwards, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) backed down on its decision, while Samsung said the committee was responsible for distributing gifts at the Olympics and it had no role in the decision.

Son Covers Street in Tehran with 200,000 Tulips in Mother’s Memory

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

It’s been five years that Houman Ardebili is turning Zarafshan Street in Shahrak-e-Gharb, north-west of Tehran, into a major tourist attraction in April and May.

He started with 6,000 tulips in the first, increased them to 30,000 in the third year, and to 200,000 this year, dedicating the flowers to all mothers in the world.

The flowers are planted in an area of 1,600 square metres.

He pays for the tulips from his own pocket in an effort to keep the memory of her late mother, Shahnaz Saberi, alive.

What follows are photos of this year’s flowers, retrieved from IRNA and Tehran Picture Agency:

FM Zarif Describes Persian Gulf as ‘Iran’s Lifeline’

By
IFP Media Wire
-
History Will Not Allow Distortion of Persian Gulf’s Name: VP

Every year, Iranians observe the Persian Gulf Day on the 10th of Ordibehesht, the second month on the Persian calendar, which usually falls on April 30.

The date coincides with the anniversary of a successful military campaign by Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1622, which drove the Portuguese navy out of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway which separates the Persian Gulf from the Sea of Oman.

The national occasion is meant to call attention to the fact that the inland sea has been referred to by historians and ancient texts as the Persian Gulf since the Achaemenid Empire was established in what is now modern day Iran.

‘Special focus on the word Persian’

Honoring the national day in an Instagram post on Monday, Zarif released a video of his recent interview with the Asia Society last week, in which he underlined the historical identity of the Persian Gulf and clarified that those who use the fictitious name the “Arabian” Gulf to refer to the sea are, in fact, attempting to “revise history.”

Zarif was apparently referring to certain Arab states and their allies, which have recently mounted attempts to remove the word ‘Persian’ from the name of the gulf.

“It’s called [the] Persian Gulf and we repeat the word Persian so that people know it’s not the Gulf of Mexico. People just call it “the Gulf” because it’s easier, and people confuse that it may be the Gulf of Mexico that we’re talking about.”

The top Iranian diplomat warned the US against any measure to prevent Tehran from using the Strait of Hormuz as a safe passage for the transit of its oil.

“The Persian Gulf is our lifeline … so stability of [the] Persian Gulf, freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf, [and] free flow of oil in the Persian Gulf [are] in our vital national security interest,” Zarif said.

“We guarantee [the security and stability of the Persian Gulf] as long as it is in our national security interest. If we are prevented from using [the] Persian Gulf for our national security, then why should we guarantee it?” he added, noting, “If the United States takes the crazy measure of trying to prevent us from doing that, then it should be prepared for the consequences.”

The administration of US President Donald Trump has stepped up its attempts to cut Iranian oil sales, threatening sanctions on countries that continue purchasing Iranian crude after May 1.

The Persian Gulf — which spans some 250,000 square kilometers —  is bounded by the Arvand River in the north, which forms the frontier between Iran and Iraq, and the Strait of Hormuz in the south, which links the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean.

The Persian Gulf is also important as an international trade route connecting the Middle East to Africa, India and China.

Iran to Continue Oil Exports despite US Sanction: Rouhani

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Hassan Rouhani - President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani addresses a meeting with Iranian labourers on National Workers' Day in Tehran on April 30, 2019 / Photo by president.ir

Rouhani said all Iranian officials unanimously agree that Washington’s decision to bring the country’s petroleum sales to zero is a wrong move.

“We won’t allow this decision to go into effect,” said Rouhani in a Tuesday meeting with workers and labourers in Tehran on the occasion of the International Labour Day.

“First of all, we are faced with an unjust and illegal US sanction whose pressure is directly exerted on our dear people, especially dear workers as well as middle- and low-income families,” the president added.

He said Washington’s decision to slap sanctions on Iran’s oil sales aims to reduce the country’s forex income.

“A major source of our foreign currency earnings has always been the sales of oil and gas condensates together with certain industries linked to oil and [natural] gas production,” President Rouhani noted.

He underlined Iran should also try to boost its non-oil exports to increase forex income.

“This is one of the steps in countering the United States,” he said.

Rouhani said the Americans will come to realize in the coming months that Iran will continue to export its oil. He said if Washington “closes one door to us,” Iran will export its petroleum through other channels.

Last Monday, US President Donald Trump said he would not renew waivers that allow eight countries to buy Iranian oil without facing Washington’s sanctions.

In a statement, the White House said the Trump administration would not reissue Significant Reduction Exceptions when they expire in early May. The statement said the move is aimed at bringing Iran’s oil exports to zero.

Trump’s Policy Is ‘Israel First’, Not ‘America First’

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tel Aviv even takes precedence over Washington in US policies.

“The principle ruling the United States’ foreign policy, especially in the country’s incumbent administration, is not ‘America first,’ but ‘Israel first’,” he said as quoted by Fars News Agency.

He said this comes as US President Donald Trump had stressed during his election campaign that the United States would be the number-one priority for him.

The top diplomat said Washington even breaches the fundamental principles of international law and common norms.

Takht-Ravanchi was speaking in a meeting on the Palestinian crisis in his first speech at the United Nations Security Council as Iran’s new ambassador.

“This crisis started with the occupation of a territory, and will end only when the occupation ends,” he said.

He recalled the UN Security Council’s legal responsibility with regards to the maintenance of international peace and security. He said all the international body has done in the past seven decades has been to adopt resolutions which have practically had no effect in restoring the rights of Palestinians.

“This council should make the occupying regime [of Israel] end its occupation of Palestine,” he said.

He noted whenever the UN Security Council has intended to issue a resolution to pressure Israel, the US has vetoed it.

“As a result, the Zionist regime [of Israel] was emboldened in the implementation of its expansionist policies and committing its illegal actions and pressing ahead with international crimes, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression,” he said.

The Iranian diplomat also touched upon Israel’s aggression against its neighbours as well as its more-than-a-decade-long inhumane embargo on Gaza.

“That’s not all because the situation has seriously changed in the current US administration and this country itself blatantly violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions a clear example of which is the relocation of its embassy [from Tel Aviv] to al Quds and the recognition of the Israeli regime’s sovereignty over occupied Golan heights in Syria,” he noted.

He categorically condemned such US moves, dismissing them as illegal and ineffective.

“The policy this country has adopted toward Palestine over the past 70 years proves that US proposals, namely those related to the so-called ‘Deal of the Century,’ cannot be trusted,” he said.

“The inalienable rights of nations cannot be taken away through intense military, political and economic pressure, nor can they be bought with petro-dollars,” he said.

Takht-Ravanchi also recalled international backing for the restoration of Palestinians’ rights, calling for the support to continue until an independent Palestinian state is established with holy Quds as its capital.

“The international community should resist efforts by the US and some of its partners, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, to change the nature of threat in the Middle East from the issue of Palestine to other fabricated threats aimed at deflecting the world public opinion from realities,” he noted.

Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s new ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, presented his credentials to UN Secretary General António Guterres on April 23, 2019, officially commencing his work in his new capacity. He used to be the deputy chief of staff of the Iranian president for political affairs. He has also served as the deputy foreign minister for European and American affairs and a member of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team.

At Least 3 Dead in Iran Tunnel Blaze, Collapse

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

The blaze took place on Tuesday at 8:58 am (local time) at the tunnel located near Siahbisheh before Zanguleh Bridge.

The emergency choppers and ambulances were immediately dispatched to the scene, and all nearby hospitals were told to be on standby, according to Iranian emergency officials.

An official in charge of construction and development of the freeway said the compression of the methane gas in the major Alborz Tunnel resulted in a blaze on the northern side of the tunnel.

Eight workers were also wounded in the fire. They have all been pulled out of the tunnel.

Five of the wounded have sustained 60 to 100-percent burns.

Rescue workers are still checking the scene to see if any other people are stranded.

At Least 3 Dead in Iran Tunnel Blaze, Collapse

Iranian Teacher to Swim from Oman Sea to Persian Gulf

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Persian Gulf

Mohammad Amiri Roudan from Hormozgan province in southern Iran will begin his adventurous swim from the port city of Khasab in the Musandam governorate of Oman.

“The teacher is expected to reach Bandar-e Abbas on May 2, marking Teachers’ Day in the Iranian calendar,” a report by ISNA said.

Over the past few years, Amiri Roudan has always set new records to mark Teachers’ Day. The project is expected to be carried out in two phases in Iranian and Omani waters.

“I’m a tourist and over the past twenty years, I’ve set unprecedented records across the world in swimming and mountaineering. For example, I’ve travelled from Bandar Abbas shore to the peak of Geno Mountain, traversing a nearly 53km distance. Meanwhile, last year, I swam the distance between Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas as part of a big environmental campaign,” he said.

In addition to the National Teachers’ Day, Amiri Roudan’s move also coincides with the National Day of Persian Gulf.

As a highly important day for the Iranians, the National Persian Gulf Day is marked annually on 30 April. It has been celebrated since 2004. The Persian Gulf, in Western Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.

The date coincides with the anniversary of Abbas I of Persia’s successful military campaign to drive the Portuguese navy out of the Strait of Hormuz in the Capture of Ormuz (1622).

The decision to name April 30 as the National Persian Gulf Day was taken in protest at certain Arab circles’ move to change the Persian identity of the ancient gulf. The controversy over the Persian Gulf identity began in 2001 when the National Geographic Magazine released a new map of the region with the name Persian Gulf changed into Arabian Gulf.

Cyprus; A Tax Haven for an Entrepreneur

By
IFP Media Wire
-

4 interesting peculiarities of Cyprus taxation system

  1. The country offers the lowest income tax rate ever among the European countries. It equals 12.5%.
  2. Capital growth is subject to taxation, yet not very high — 20%. The tax is applicable only to bargains on trade of shares which were not registered on the country’s stock markets and also to bargains on selling immovable property located on the country’s territory.
  3. In 2015 the government imposed the status of “non-domiciliary tax resident”. Citizens who possess such status do not pay any taxes on income they receive abroad.
  4. According to Cyprus citizenship by investment program, physical persons who have become the citizens of this country can receive a number of tax allowances. Just to name a few – dividends, income deriving from rent and deposits opened on the territories of other states are not subject to taxation.

These are the reasons why many foreign entrepreneurs receive Cyprus dual citizenship under “Citizenship by investment” program.

The program offers two options:

  • Contribution to real estate: developers’ projects, as well as dwelling and commercial objects. The minimal investment sum equals 2 000 000 euro.
  • Investment in business: it is possible to contribute to buying current company located in Cyprus or to company creation. Contribution sum must be at least 2 000 000 euro.
  • Additional donation of 150 thousand euros to the state fund.

One more attractive factor is that investments are refundable: an investor has to keep them for 3 years and then is able to refund all the expenses except for those which he has invested in immovable property for the purpose of his own dwelling.

Note. The government has made amendments to the program: the term of investment withholding will be enhanced to 5 years. Amendments are expected to come into effect in May 2019.

To receive a passport of Cyprus, you have to purchase real estate residential property of at least 500 000 euro if you want to invest the all sum of money in business or commercial real estate.

According to Migronis (https://migronis-citizenship.com/cyprus), the applicant’s wife/husband, children under 28 years old and parents can receive citizenship together with the main applicant. Citizenship is inherited.

Interesting fact: the country’s government has made changes in the scheme of Cyprus golden visa. The criteria have become stricter. Now the applicants must have Schengen visa. Also, the applicants who have been refused in other EU countries are automatically refused in Cyprus.

Cyprus citizenship by investment is an opportunity to benefit from all tax advantages of the country.

Iran to Build Mideast’s Biggest Power Plant in Central Province

By
IFP Media Wire
-

Speaking at a press conference in the central city of Saveh, Markazi Province, on Sunday night, Mohammad Reza Mansouri said constructing the Middle East’s biggest power plant with a capacity to produce 3,000 megawatts (MW), is on the agenda, adding that its production capacity would be three times bigger than that of the current biggest power plant in teh country.

The construction project will cover an area of 4,000 hectares in a private property in Saveh, the parliamentarian said.

He added that the funding of the project, which amounts to $6.5 billion, would be provided by the private sector.

In December, Iran’s nominal capacity to produce electricity reached over 80,000 MW following the connection of a number of power plants to the country’s national grid.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Tehran back in February 2018, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardekanian highlighted the country’s self-sufficiency in the area of power generation and said the Islamic Republic is the top producer of electricity in the Middle East.

About 90 percent of power generation equipment, even complicated parts like turbines and generators, are currently manufactured inside the country, the energy minister said at the time.

He added that Iran’s capabilities in the area of power generation have developed over the past four decades so much that the country has become the top producer of electricity in the region.

“At present, we have energy exchanges with all the countries that share land borders with us,” he said.

1...3,2613,2623,263...5,126Page 3,262 of 5,126

© All Content by IFP News ( Iran Front Page ) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Us

Popular Articles

Editor Picks