The trip starts this Tuesday, upon an invitation by Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
During his stay, Asadov will also meet with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, IRNA reported.
Asadov is also set to visit Urmia, the capital of the West Azerbaijan province, to hold talks with senior officials of the northwestern Iranian city.
Mina Torabi, the first female judge in Iran and Lorestan province says the rising trend of women’s working in the judiciary over the past few years has been remarkable, and their sensitivity in dealing with some cases has been useful.
We all have repeatedly heard that women cannot be good judges, and we have sometimes even agreed with it because we believe women are emotional and this may affect their judgment.
Ms Torabi is the first lady appointed as a judge in Lorestan province. She has been working at a court of justice for 23 years and has served in various positions. She has also been the deputy prosecutor of the provincial capital since 2004.
What follows is IFP’s summary of Fars News Agency’s interview with Torabi:
Q: Can women be appointed as a judge? As there is a common belief among people that women cannot be a judge.
A: Yes, they can be appointed at low courts, but not at high courts. In general, judges deal with cases in low and high courts. The initial stages of the case are handled by prosecutors, including the prosecutor and assistant prosecutor, etc. Currently,I am serving in the position of deputy prosecutor and I work as a judge.
Q: What do you think of the sentence that says “judging is not well-matched with the mentality of women?”
A: I do not believe in such a thing. This is the result of cultural weakness in society. What is important in judging is the detection of criminal offenses. Therefore, both men and women can delve into the rulesof law and make the right decision. It is worth noting that in family cases an emotional comprehension can help greatly. In some of the current posts of the judiciary, female judges can play a very effective role.
Q: I read somewhere that you are the first female judge of the country and Lorestan province after the 1979 Revolution. Is that right?
A: Yes, in 1995, after the adoption of the law on recruiting women in the judiciary, I took the entrance test. Along with another womanfrom the north, we passed the test. After six months of training, we beganourjobas the first women in the post-revolution judiciary. Meanwhile, since 2004, I have been working as the deputy prosecutor. No woman had served in this post before me.
Q: Given your long experience in dealing with different cases, what crimes have been on the rise over the recent years?
A: Insults, threats, scams and theft in the cyberspace (among youths) are among the cases seen at courts very often these days. Unfortunately, these crimes are on the rise.
Q: Has there been any casesto emotionally affect you so that you cry for the criminal?
A: We are judges and we have to control our feelings and make wisely decisions. Sometimes, I feel for some defendants, but I have not cried for them because this may change our minds.
Q: What is your best and worst memory of your judging job?
A: I remember a case of murdering a woman by her husband. He had hidden her body in the bed stuff. I was thinking of it for a couple of days. Although it was very difficult for me, many times, I asked for a pardon. Ultimately, the legal guardians of the victim called for Qisas and revenged. A good memory was when a civil dispossession order was issued. The judge had made a mistake and I found it out before the execution. I asked the Supreme Court to drop the ruling, and the Supreme Court accepted.
Q: Would you choose judging again if you return to the past?
A: Of course. Because I feel that the legislator has given me an authority that I canprotect someone’s right. This gives me a pleasant feeling when I defend the right of someone.
The drill, named “Great Prophet 12”, started in the southern island of Qeshm, involving ground, water and coastal operations.
On Friday, IRGC’s Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said Iran will unveil its model for offensive operations developed under its defence doctrine in the drill, Tasnim News Agency reported.
“The experiences of IRGC ground forces in fighting terrorism and maintaining security of borders … have led to the creation of the new tactical doctrines, a part of which will be put to test in the Great Prophet 12 drill,” he said.
General Pakpour said the drills are defensive in nature, adding that Iran poses no threat to any country but it needs to be ready for counterattacks in the face of hostile aggression.
The commander said the IRGC forces have since December 15 been making preparations and receiving training for the drill in the southern province of Fars.
The drill includes rapid reaction units, rangers, airborne forces, including combat support, reconnaissance and unmanned combat aerial vehicle, engineering units, medium-range missiles, and fast attack craft.
Anti-helicopter mines developed by Iranian experts will be used for the first time in the drills.
Following is a video published by Tasnim showing IRGC Ground Forces’ special operations unit, Saberin, infiltrating an island in the Persian Gulf as part of the drill:
The natural and historical canyon is close to the ruins of the ancient city of Bishapur.
It is formed by five villages of the Upper Chogan Canyon, Lower Chogan Canyon, Sassan, Kashkooli and Middle Chogan Canyon.
The strait is home to a rich and unique treasure of art pieces and carvings from Sasanid Empire.
Chogan Canyon is among major tourist attractions of the province, with carvings similar to those of the Taq-e Bostan (Arch of the Garden) in Kermanshah and Naqsh-e Rajab and Naqsh-e Rustam near Persepolis close to Shiraz.
What follows are Tasnim’s photos of this historical canyon:
All newspapers in Iran covered the abrupt decisions by US President Donald Trump to withdraw all US forces from Syria, and half of its forces from Afghanistan. Almost all editorials today were dedicated to the issue, and many headlines described the withdrawals as a victory for Iran and the Resistance.
Also a top story was the resignation of US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis, which followed Trump’s decision to pull the US forces out of the Middle East.
The other top story today was the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Turkey, and his meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which the two sides agreed to counter the US sanctions and boost the value of bilateral trade to $30 billion.
A tragic fire at an elementary school in Zahedan in south-east of Iran, which killed four schoolgirls, also received great coverage.
The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:
Abrar:
1- We Might See New Form of Syria without Assad: Analyst
2- Iran Not to Be Happy with Our Withdrawal from Syria: Trump in Delusional Comments
3- Iran Ready to Supply Turkey’s Energy in Long Term
Aftab-e Yazd:
1- Wrong Prescription Results in Amputation of Patient’s Hand
2- Size of Brides’ Dowries Shrinking Due to Growing Prices
3- Trump’s Complicated Game: Why US Seeking to Leave Syria, Afghanistan
Arman-e Emrooz:
1- Increased Filtering amid ICT Ministry’s Inaction
2- Iran, Turkey Indifferent to Sanctions
Ebtekar:
1- Trump’s Military Earthquake in Middle East
2- Iran-Turkey Relations Cannot Be Undermined: Rouhani
Etemad:
1- Mr Moody: Trump Forces Mattis to Resign
2- Reasons for US Withdrawal [Editorial]
3- Iranian, Turkish Presidents Call for $30-Billion Trade
Ettela’at:
1- Iran, Turkey’s Decisions for Development of Strategic Cooperation
2- Paris Climate Agreement’s Obligations Much Less than Iran’s Legal Commitments: Official
3- Gen. Soleimani among World’s Most Charismatic Military Leaders: General McChrystal
4- Iran to Get Out of Economic Blockade with Victory: Top Security Official
Ghanoon:
1- Factions Disagree over Remaining in or Leaving JCPOA
2- Dangerous Resignation of Mattis
Haft-e Sobh:
1- Filtering Is Coming?
2- Seven Reasons for US Withdrawal from Syria
3- Army of Generals in Ankara: Why Rouhani Took All His Economic Team to Turkey?
Hemayat:
1- Harsh Winter of White House
2- Defeat of US in Syria [Editorial]
Iran:
1- Alliance against Sanction
2- Necessity of Creating Special Platform for Children on Internet
Jame Jam:
1- Great Run: Mattis Leaves Trump Administration
2- Outdated Choices: Why Iranian Official Submission to Oscars Was Not Accepted?
Javan:
1- First Step of US’ Withdrawal from Region
2- We Want Someone Like Ferdowsi to Introduce Epic of 1979 Revolution: Cleric
3- France Suffering from Existential Crisis
4- Another Blow to Glass of Sanctions in Iran-Turkey Strategic Meeting
Kayhan:
1- US Withdrawal from Syria, Afghanistan: Deceit or Escape?
2- US Bans Sale of Pharmaceuticals to Iran, but Exports Genetically-Modified Plants
3- Unprecedented Increase in Japan’s Military Budget
4- Iran, Turkey Trying to Boost Trade to $30 Billion
Khorasan:
1- Behind Scenes of Trump’s Withdrawal Decisions
2- Turkey’s Clear Positions against Sanctions: Ankara Vows to Remove Banking Problems
3- US Withdrawal from Syria: Neither Tactical, nor Strategic [Editorial]
Resalat:
1- Bones of Satan Break in Levant [Editorial]
2- US’ Cruel Sanctions against Iran Definitely a Terrorist Move: Rouhani
Sazandegi:
1- Fire at Elementary School
2- Details of Leader’s Meeting with 2009 Presidential Candidates
Shahrvand:
1- Most Beautiful Night of the Year [Yalda]
2- Despite All Economic Hardships, People Spent Longer Hours Together This Year
Shargh:
1- Mattis Leaves Office after Trump Leaves Syria, Afghanistan
2- Rouhani: We’re Resolved to Return Stability, Security to Entire Region
Sobh-e Now:
1- Return to Bay of Pigs: Trump Administration Changes Its Regional Behaviour
2- Security Repercussions of US Withdrawal from Syria, Afghanistan
Vatan-e Emrooz:
1- Death of Diplomatic Prestige: Iranian Diplomats Once Again Expelled
2- Escaping the Levant
3- Rouhani’s Performance Not Acceptable: Reformist Figure
Iranian people across the country come together on the eve of winter to mark Yalda Night as the longest and darkest night of the year.
Iranian families use the Yalda Night as a chance to come together and spend longer hours with each other while marking an ancient tradition.
People of South Khorasan have been celebrating the night since a long time ago with rituals which are still alive today.
Visiting relatives to strengthen family relationships is among the main features of Yalda Night among those living in the desert.
Most of the relatives come together in the house of the family’s elder member during the Yalda Night spending the long hours of the night by eating various sweets, nuts and fruits.
Playing traditional games like Gol Ya Pooch, narrating traditional stories, and reciting poems by legendary poet Hafez are among other rituals observed during the night.
Kafzani Ritual
Kafzani ritual is observed by most families of the province during the Yalda Night. Kaf is a type of local sweet or syrup like icecream. To prepare Kaf, the relatives first boil the roots of a special plant in the water and then put them in a large dish after having them cooled down.
Then they add a material called Gaz and blend them until the dish is filled with foam. The blending keeps going on until the foam becomes thick. Then it is served in small dishes garnished by almond or pistachio. It is served as one of the most delicious dishes in the province.
Gifts for New Brides
During Yalda Night, the grooms’ families take gifts to their bride’s home. Recently engaged girls receive special gifts from their groom’s family. During the night, the two sides families come together to spend the night. The gifts are usually accompanied by a tray filled with various nuts and fruits as a sign of promise by the groom to the bride to provide her with a good life in the future.
Special Dish of Yalda Night
Among other rituals of Yalda Night in South Khorasan province particularly in the rural areas one can refer to buying sheep months before the night and fattening them to be used in the nights’ special dishes.
The sheep are beheaded one day before Yalda Night and their meat are cut into small pieces. They are boiled and fayed in a special dish and then served with local breads.
South Khorasan’s Yalda Night ceremony was registered as a national heritage of Iran back in 2012.
The top lawmaker made the remarks on Thursday in a meeting with senior Shiite and Sunni clerics and locals in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Lengeh in Hormozgan province.
“Iran has great facilities including sustainable energy, skilled workforce, and the experience of war. Our Armed Forces have gained their experience not in war games but in the real battlefield, and that’s a sustainable force,” he added.
“The intelligence domination of our Armed Forces over regional movements is at a great level, and the country’s current security is indebted to these forces,” Larijani added.
“Our enemies are too tiny to intimidate us by holding a number of meetings and making nonsense remarks. We rely on our people and enjoy the strategy of peace, and are not afraid of the enemy.”
“According to former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the US president makes bold remarks in order to intimidate and coerce the target countries,” he noted, adding that Tehran is not influenced.
Larijani lashed out at the Western policy of creating sectarian tension in the Middle East, and urged them to change their method and stop pitting religious groups against each other.
Earlier this month, Iran’s Intelligence Minister said Israel and the United States as well as some regional states support terrorists to carry out attacks against the Islamic Republic.
“The security services of the region are involved in these acts of terror. Also, by employing their policies and strategies, the Zionist regime and the US back these terrorist groups,” Mahmoud Alavi said on Dec. 8.
The remarks were made in the wake of a bombing attack on the police headquarters in southeastern Iranian city of Chabahar that killed two people.
In his Thursday comments, Larijani also addressed regional countries and said, “Warmongering and conflict is against your interests. What result was achieved from four years of war in Yemen and many years of bombarding Afghanistan?”
“At this time and juncture, you can no longer win people’s obedience through military occupation,” he added.
Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a brutal war against Yemen in March 2015 in an attempt to reinstall the country’s former Riyadh-allied regime. The Houthi Ansarullah movement, which runs state affairs in the absence of an effective government, has been defending Yemen against the aggression.
Sa’adabad Cultural and Historical Complex in northern Tehran hosted the festival on Thursday with the aim of creating peace and promoting friendship with an emphasis on cultural commonalities of Yalda and Christmas.
Saeedeh Yaraqi, a cultural activist and organiser of this project, believes that Yalda is one of the elements that create unity among Iranians. She says Yalda could be used as a model for establishing a coherent national identity.
She believes that like other ancient celebrations, Yalda can be used as an effective means to restructure the modern world, and its cultural capacity can be tapped to develop friendship with other cultures.
“In our belief, Yalda night is the time when the Goddess of Mehr (sun) is born during an astronomical event. This Goddess lengthens the time of the day to let the supremacy of Sun continue,” she said, referring to the belief that Yalda Night is the beginning of lengthier days in winter.
“The coincidence of the birth of Jesus Christ, and of course the Christmas celebration, is a good opportunity to think of peace and unity beyond the political boundaries,” she added.
Yaraqi went on to say that for the Iranian dynasties, who were affiliated with Mehr ritual, the red colour was the symbol of sunlight.
The red colour of pomegranate, watermelon, and placing of red apples and Persian olive on Yalda table may also refer to this issue, she added.
“These elements have some commonalities with Western culture,” said Yaraqi. “The importance of red and green colours in Yalda and Christmas is one of the features shared by these two ancient celebrations.”
“By this initiative, we are after delivering the message of peace and friendship to the world through a cultural connection,” she added.
What follows are photos of the ceremony held on Thursday in Tehran:
Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general who was known as a stabilizing force in President Trump’s cabinet, will leave his job at the end of February, Trump said in a tweet on Thursday.
“General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administration as Secretary of defence for the past two years,” Trump tweeted.
Trump also announced he would nominate a successor to Mattis shortly.
Despite Trump’s talk of retirement, Mattis said in his resignation letter that he was stepping down so Trump could have a defence chief whose views align more closely with his own.
His departure had been anticipated since Trump announced on Wednesday that he was withdrawing US troops from Syria despite opposition from US allies and top US military officials.
Mattis joins a long list of former Trump administration senior figures who have either quit or been removed, some unceremoniously like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who Trump fired via Twitter in March.
Trump’s White House has had the highest turnover of senior-level staff of the past five presidents, according to the Brookings Institution think tank.
Speculation that Mattis might not last long in his post grew in October when Trump said in a CBS interview that the general was “sort of a Democrat” and might be leaving.
During an interview with CBS, the president was asked if Mattis – with whom he has at times reportedly had a strained relationship – was going to leave.
“I don’t know. He hasn’t told me that,” he said. “I have a very good relationship with him. I had lunch with him two days ago. I have a very good relationship with him. It could be that he is. I think he’s sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth.”
He added, “General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves. Everybody. People leave. That’s Washington.”
However, Trump said in the same interview there were some people in his administration he is “not thrilled with”.
Speculation intensified in September with the publication of Bob Woodward’s Fear: Trump in the White House, which claimed the former military officer had described Trump as an idiot and told colleagues the president “acted like – and had the understanding of – a fifth- or sixth-grader”.
Woodward quotes one scene in which the president reportedly told the defence secretary to “kill” Bashar al-Assad after the Syrian leader was accused of using chemical weapons in an alleged attack on civilians in April 2017.
The book said Mattis told the president that he would get right on it. But after hanging up the phone, he told an aide, “We’re not going to do any of that. We’re going to be much more measured.”
During the unofficial meetings, which were held on the second day of Araqchi’s visit to Sweden, the two sides conferred on the latest developments regarding the Iran nuclear deal as well as other regional and international issues.
Araqchi also joined the Iranian ambassadors to Sweden, Denmark, and Norway in a daylong consultative meeting held at the Islamic Republic’s embassy in Stockholm.
The senior diplomat will depart for Moscow on Thursday night to take part in a fresh round of bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Ryabkov.
Earlier on Wednesday, Araqchi held talks with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, his opposite number Annika Soder, and Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee of Sweden’s Parliament Hans Wallmark.
Held as part of the fourth round of Iran-Sweden political consultations, the meetings mainly focused on the latest international efforts to bring an end to the Yemen crisis, as well as the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the JCPOA.
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