Iranian Couple Donates Wedding Money to Flood-hit People

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April 14, 2019

The young couple went to the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s Office in their city and donated their wedding money (over 350 USD) to their fellow countrymen.

In addition, the couple asked their relatives to send their wedding gifts to the Red Crescent and send them a receipt to be kept in their wedding album.

The Red Crescent Society gave the couple an honorary membership following their valuable humanitarian act.

Continuous floods that started on March 19 have so far claimed 76 lives, destroyed infrastructures and displaced thousands of people across Iran. Dozens of villages and towns have been evacuated in southern Iran which is home to a number of rivers and dams.

Iran-US Negotiation Unlikely in Near, Far Future: Academic

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 14, 2019

Iran-US — Photo by Carlos Barria - AFP/Getty Images

Zibakalam believes US President Donald Trump’s deep hatred of the Islamic Republic has made impossible any effort to fix the current broken ties between the two sides.

“I think the potential for talks between Iran and the US is near to zero and if there is any in the future, which I’m deeply doubtful about, it is the Leader of the Islamic Revolution who has the final say over the issue,” he said in an interview with Nameh News website.

Zibakalam then referred to the appointment of former Iranian nuclear negotiator Majid Takht-Ravanchi as Iran’s envoy to the United Nations and said if Iran and the US decide to reach détente, Takht-Ravanchi is certainly the best choice in Iran’s diplomacy apparatus for leading any possible talks.

According to Zibakalam, Takht-Ravanchi is deemed a moderate diplomat. “He knows the US power structures and has a very good command of English.”

However, he said, “Unlike some analysts, I don’t think that the appointment has been made with the goal of holding talks with the US.”

The Iranian professor then referred to the Trump administration’s hostility towards Iran and said Trump’s interest in holding talks with Iran belongs to the past and his hatred towards the Islamic Republic is so high today that the possibility of any negotiation between the two sides is near to zero.

“The ties between the two sides won’t get worse and at least in the near future, we won’t see any thaw in ties, either,” he said.

Iranian Jewish MP Condemns US Blacklisting of IRGC

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 14, 2019

Iranian Jewish MP Urges Fellow Jews to Rise Up against Zionism

Siamak Moreh Sedgh noted that the US has blacklisted the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in a situation that this most revolutionary force in the world is serving flood-stricken people.

“At a time when the IRGC is helping flood victims in the country with all its facilities, the Trump administration has not only blocked sending humanitarian aid to people affected by floods, but has inhumanely blacklisted the largest force which is helping the victims,” he told Fars News Agency.

He further noted that the US measure proves that Trump’s hostility is not just against the Islamic Republic and the Iranian government, but it has targeted the people of Iran.

“Trump’s problem is the integrity of Iran as a geographic and political entity, because an independent Iran is incompatible with the interests of the United States,” he noted.

“The United States and its partners seek to turn the Middle East into a group of small and weak countries to have dozens of Israels in the region instead of one Israel. The United States cannot tolerate not only the Islamic Republic, but also any free nation that wants to live independently. Of course, such behaviours are the beginning for the fall of America.”

This Iranian lawmaker concluded that as the Nazi Germany’s crime before World War II led to fall of National Socialism, Trump’s moves herald the end of international Zionism.

President Donald Trump announced last week that Washington is designating Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps a foreign “terrorist organisation”. It was the first time Washington formally branded another country’s military a “terrorist group”.

Responding to the move, the Islamic Republic immediately declared the US a “state sponsor of terrorism” and the US forces in the region a “terrorist group”.

Kafari Strait; Must-See Tourist Site in Western Iran

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Fatemeh Askarieh

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April 14, 2019

The strait is a major tourist attraction of Ilam province and one of the most significant tourist sites of Badreh city.

Overlooking Seimareh River and Dam, the strait is today among the most visited tourist sites in Ilam province. Kabir Mountain, Dinar Mountain and Manesht Mountain are the main natural causes that have created the strait.

The region has been the subject of archaeological excavations over the past years. Studies estimate that the history of the region dates back to 3,000 BCE, and that life has been underway in it from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age.

The strait is also called Shaddad (Solid or Firm). Its water comes from Kabir Mountain.

During excavation operations in the region, the remnants of a site were found about 500 metres away from the strait. The site could be considered as one of the most important areas which flourished in this geographical location from the fourth millennium BCE up to the Sassanid era.

The cultural relics obtained in the current season of excavation can lead to greater understanding about the different historical periods in the region.

The region today is a perfect tourist resort. Locals ride boats along the river and take tourists for a tour of the region. Some others catch fish in the Seimareh River. The passage of the river through the strait is among the main tourist attractions of the region.

Among other beauties of the region, one can refer to a massive oak forest and the presence of various animal species like Iranian squirrel in the region.

The strait is about 2km in length and stands about 700 metres above the sea level. There is a spring about one km away from the strait. There is also a shrine near the strait.

FM Zarif Appoints Khaji as His Senior Assistant

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 14, 2019

A senior diplomat at the Iranian foreign ministry, Khaji has earlier served as a deputy foreign minister for Europe and America affairs, director-general of the Persian Gulf Department, and Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and China.

Khaji will replace Hossein Janeiro Ansari, who has been appointed as Zarif’s deputy for parliamentary affairs.

Qanbar-Polo: Delicious Dish Indigenous to Shiraz

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 13, 2019

This food tastes sweet-sour and is very delicious. It is a nutritious traditional food of Shiraz usually cooked for parties and formal ceremonies.

Ingredients:
Rice: 4 cupfuls
Minced meat: 500gr
Walnut: 100gr
Sultana: 200gr
Pomegranate paste: 4 spoonfuls
Onions: one big onion
Gram flour: 50gr
Salt, pepper, turmeric and oil: as much as necessary

Recipe:
First, put the minced meat in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, gram flour and turmeric, and mix them well. Make meat balls as small as a walnut out of the mixed ingredients, fry them and put them away.

Then shred the onion and fry it in a pan until the shreds turn gold. Afterwards, add crushed walnut and sauté them. Then add pomegranate paste.

Add a little salt and walnut until the pomegranate paste becomes thick. Meanwhile, add the sultanas, which have already been rinsed and washed, so that the sultanas will be sautéd as well. Take care the sultanas are not burned. Mix the ingredients as soon as you add the sultanas.

Put the ingredients in the middle of the rice and allow the dish to be cooked through. You may mix the ingredients and rice when serving the dish.

In Shiraz, this food is served with Shirazi salad and has a very pleasant aroma.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on April 13

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

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April 13, 2019

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Iranian papers today widely covered the Iranian nation’s support for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and their condemnation of the US’ move to blacklist the IRGC.

The ongoing rescue and relief efforts to help the flood-hit people of Khuzestan and Lorestan provinces also received great coverage in today’s papers.

The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:

Abrar:
1- Zarif: Without IRGC, ISIS Would Arrive at Gates of Europe
2- Syria’s UN Envoy: All States, Except for Iran, Russia, Must Leave Syria
3- Mike Pence Accuses Iran of Interfering in Venezuela Affairs

Aftab-e Yazd:
1- Netanyahu to Pave the Way for Trump’s Victory in 2020?
2- Domino of Overthrow of Dictators in Africa
3- Assange Arrested: A Defendant or a Hero?

Arman-e Emrooz:
1- National Support for IRGC: Demonstrators Hold Rally against US’ Move in Iran
2- US Congress Opposed to War with Iran
3- Unemployment to Exacerbate Immigration Problem

Ebtekar:
1- Public Outrage Topples Sudan’s Bashir
2- Flood Endangers People’s Health

Etemad:
1- Unfinished Revolution: Army Dismisses al-Bashir
2- Assange Transferred from Ecuador Embassy to Prison

Ettela’at:
1- Zarif to UN Chief: ISIS Would Be in Europe without IRGC
2- Egypt Withdraws from Anti-Iran Arab NATO
3- Al-Bashir’s Regime Toppled
4- Saudi, UAE Welcome Netanyahu’s Victory in Israeli Elections
5- Friday Prayer Worshippers Rally in Support of IRGC

Iran:
1- Iranian People Join Hands to Counter Flood in Khuzestan
2- Khuzestan vs Flood

Jame Jam:
1- Epic Resistance of Iranian People in Khuzestan against Flood
* Reminiscent of Eight-Year Sacred Defence against Iraq
2- Worn-Out Game of Politics in Horn of Africa

Javan:
1- People: We’re All IRGC Members
* Worshippers in Tehran Hold Rally in Support of IRGC
2- British Claw into Throat of the One Who Disclosed US Crimes
3- People of Khuzestan Fighting Flood One on One

Jomhouri Eslami:
1- Nationwide Rallies in Support of IRGC
2- Iran’s Oil Exports Close to Pre-Sanctions Era
3- People of Various Parts of Iran in Khuzestan to Control Flood

Kayhan:
1- Entire Iran against US in Support of IRGC
2- Defenders of Shrines from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan Rush to Help Flood-Hit People of Khuzestan, Lorestan

Sazandegi:
1- Coup against Coup Leader
* Al-Bashir Forced to Resign after 30 Years
2- Where’s Sudan Heading to?

Setareh Sobh:
1- Gold Prices Grow in World, Decrease in Iran
2- Al-Bashir Came to Power with Coup, Left Office with Coup

Shahrvand:
1- Cinema, TV Artists Raise Money for Flood-Hit People at Cinema Azadi
2- Third Wave of Relocation in Khuzestan
* Some Leaving Khuzestan for Tehran, Hormozgan, Other Safe Places to Stay Away from Flood

Shargh:
1- We Didn’t Have Any Talks with US after JCPOA: Iran Envoy to UK
2- Tehran Friday Prayers Leader: IRGC Can Annihilate Tel Aviv If Leader Permits
3- Sudan without Dictator

Saudi, UAE Offer Help to Victims of Iran Floods

By

IFP Media Wire

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April 13, 2019

In a statement Friday, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and the Red Crescent Society of the UAE said that they were drawing up a joint plan to “alleviate the suffering of people affected by the devastating flash floods that recently hit Iran.”

The operation, they, added was being undertaken within the framework of “Islamic brotherhood and in solidarity” with the Iranian nation.

The agencies noted that they were discussing appropriate procedures in order to implement their initiative. There was no reaction from Iranian authorities to the offer on Saturday.

The statement came a few days after the White House labeled the IRGC a “foreign terrorist organization,” drawing rebuke from many governments.

Saudi Arabia went out of its way to welcome the hostile move along with the UAE and Israel.

The IRGC – alongside Iran’s Army, voluntary groups, and locals – has been providing relief aid to those affected in unprecedented floods which have left at least 70 people dead.

Iran has repeatedly expressed readiness to cooperate with the Persian Gulf Arab countries, but those gestures have been ignored by Saudi Arabia which has supported Washington’s belligerent policy toward Tehran, instead.

The US has frozen bank accounts of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) as part of its unilateral sanctions against the Iranian people, making it almost impossible for foreign aid to reach the flood victims.

Under the Trump administration, the US has taken an increasingly hawkish posture toward Iran.

It has also been pushing forward a plan to establish a NATO-like regional alliance to confront Iran. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are members of the so-called “Arab NATO” envisioned by the US.

On Thursday, however, Reuters reported that Egypt had turned its back on the anti-Iran alliance.

Iran, UN to Expand Space Cooperation

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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April 13, 2019

That came in a meeting between Iranian ICT Minister Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi and head of the UN office Simonetta Di Pippo in the Austrian capital, Vienna.

Iranian Ambassador to the UN office in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi was also present at the meeting.

The Iranian minister said Iran has made considerable progress in the outer space domain, and plans to launch a remote sensing satellite as well as two communications ones in the future.

“Iran’s measures are geared to developing peaceful activities in the outer space and reap the benefits of space technology for all Iranian people,” said Azari Jahromi.

He thanked the UNOOSA for its cooperation with regards to the recent flooding in Iran and called for closer cooperation between the two sides.

The UN official, in turn, said the UN office welcomes Tehran’s proposal for closer cooperation and will tap into UNOOSA’s potential in line with the cooperation plan to be put forward by Iran.

Dozens of Flood-Hit Couples Hold Wedding Ceremonies in Iran

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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April 13, 2019

In a recent ceremony called “Scent of Spring”, 35 Shiite and Sunni couple tied the knot despite all the problems they faced following the deadly flood in the province.

What follows are photos of the event retrieved from IRNA:

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