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Guardian Council Says Not Worried about Plebiscite on FATF Accession

March 2, 2019

Foreign Ministry Condemns FATF’s Blacklisting of Iran

In reaction to calls by some political figures to hold a referendum on Palermo and CFT conventions, Kadkhodaee said at present the council doesn’t see any justification for holding such a vote.

“Before making any decision, the related bodies should explicitly express their stance towards the bills,” he said Saturday.

The spokesman then referred to the latest remarks by Iranian president who said the Guardian Council is in agreement with the bills. “The Council returned the bills to the parliament after identifying some flaws in them. The Parliament made some changes to the Palermo bill which couldn’t satisfy our demands. On CFT, our required changes have not yet been made.”

He said no one is afraid of a referendum on the bills but as long as legal bodies are busy discussing them, there is no need for such a vote.

His comments about the referendum came after a group of lawmakers said they are working on a motion that, if approved, would put four issues to referendum, one of which is the FATF accession.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Expediency Council dedicated its session to reviewing the Palermo bill, and whether Iran will join the convention; but the session ended with members of the Council postponing their decision again.

This has put the fate of the bill in limbo until the next Iranian year (starting 21 March), a member of the council said.

“Upon the request of Government and Parliament representatives, the fate of the Palermo bill and CFT will be decided by the Expediency Council, which will be given more time to scrutinize the bills,” member of Expediency Council Seyyed Mostafa Mirsalim said on Saturday.

The two Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-related bills have already been approved by lawmakers in the Iranian Parliament and need to gain the approval of the Expediency Council after they were rejected by the Guardian Council.

The bill on Iran’s accession to the convention against the funding of terrorism (CFT) was rejected by the Guardian Council in early November due to some flaws and ambiguities inherent in the CFT bill, deemed contrary to Iran’s Constitution.

These are part of the bills proposed by the Rouhani administration to get Iran out of the blacklist of the global anti-money laundering body.

MPs Meet FM Zarif to Hail His Return to Work

IFP Editorial Staff

March 2, 2019

During the Saturday meeting, the parliamentarians praised the foreign minister for his services and welcomed his return to work following his Monday resignation.

They also highlighted the significance of the country’s foreign policy and the key role played by the foreign ministry.

In the friendly meeting, Zarif also responded to questions raised by certain lawmakers.

President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday officially rejected Zarif’s resignation, saying it runs contrary to national interests.

In a letter addressed to Zarif, Rouhani noted that the top diplomat has been standing on the frontline of resistance against the US pressure campaign.

“I consider accepting your resignation against the country’s interests and therefore, refuse to accept,” Rouhani told Zarif, who had unexpectedly announced his resignation via Instagram on Monday night.

Rouhani further highlighted the expressions of happiness by the “sworn enemies” of Iran, such as the Israeli regime, over Zarif’s intention to step down, which he said serve as the “best evidence” of the top diplomat’s success in performing his duties and the “main reason” why he should stay in office.

Iran Reject’s UAE FM’s False Claims at OIC Meeting

IFP Editorial Staff

March 2, 2019

In a Saturday statement, Bahram Qassemi expressed regret over the recent remarks made by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the opening ceremony of the ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“The raison d’etre of the establishment and completion of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was to create unity and convergence among member states,” Qassemi said.

“Cashing in on the meetings of this organization and bringing up divisive and false issues against other member states are inappropriate and against the objectives and philosophy of this organization and will deal serious blows to interaction among members and their trust in one another,” said Qassemi.

“Basically, when member states host meetings and gatherings of the organization, they should take steps towards further strengthening unity and solidarity in the Muslim community, not abuse the opportunity and bring up policies dictated by countries outside the Muslim world,” said the spokesman.

Among the anti-Iran allegations made by the UAE foreign minister was Abu Dhabi’s claim to the three Iranian Persian Gulf islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs as well as Abu Musa.

In his statement, Qassemi dismissed as false and untrue the allegations made against the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Emirati foreign minister, saying, “Unfortunately, some countries have got used to rehashing such claims in order to cover up the damage caused by their policies to the Muslim world.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s right to sovereignty over the [three] islands is an issue over which there is no doubt, and making such claims will not change or affect the legal status of these islands and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ownership of them,” Qassemi noted.

He also rejected allegations of Iran’s interference in other countries’ internal affairs.

“Claims that the Islamic Republic of Iran is meddling in other countries’ domestic affairs are unfounded, and I recommend this Emirati official take a look at the situation in Yemen and the humanitarian crisis caused by the military aggression of the UAE and several other countries and get to realize the real meaning of his respective country’s interference in other Islamic countries’ affairs and the destructive human and material consequences of the aggression against Yemen,” he said.

The spokesman concluded by touching upon the presence of the Iranian delegation at the meeting.

“Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs is present at the meeting, heading a political delegation. While actively participating in the conference, he will give the necessary reactions to the mischief and non-constructive actions and behaviour of certain countries as well,” he said.

Last Friday, the UAE foreign minister speaking at the OIC meeting in Abu Dhabi called on Iran “to revisit its policies, stop interfering in other countries’ internal affairs, stop the promotion of chaos and sectarianism, stop supporting groups which trigger such conflicts, and halt financial and arms support for terrorist and paramilitary groups which blatantly breach OIC and UN charters as well as true human values.”

Iran, India, Afghanistan Discuss Investment in Chabahar Port

Emad Askarieh

March 2, 2019

Iran, India to Sign Preferential Trade Agreement Pact

The event was aimed at increasing the transit of goods, absorbing investment from the private sector, boosting marine cooperation among countries in the region, and encouraging more members to join the Chabahar agreement.

Accordingly, several memoranda of understanding on investment and development were signed between the General Department for Ports and Marine Transportations and Iranian as well as foreign private sectors in the presence of a host of domestic and foreign guests.

In line with holding the conference, deputy transportation ministers of India and Afghanistan as well as Iran’s minister of roads and transportation said the two guest countries’ businessmen and investors warmly welcomed investment in Chabahar port.

Some of the memoranda of understanding signed on the fringes of the event provide for the establishment of Chabahar-Muscat and Chabahar-Karachi shipping lines and the inauguration of an international passenger terminal. The MoUs were inked between the General Department of Ports and Marine Transportation and an Omani company. Iran, Oman, India and Pakistan also signed memoranda of understanding on working together to establish a commercial shipping line for the transit of goods from Chabahar to ports in the United Arab Emirates and Oman as well as an MOU on the establishment and inauguration of a specialized container yard to set up a commercial shipping line.

Afghanistan’s deputy transport minister said at the conference that Iran, India and Afghanistan had undertaken to run projects in Chabahar. The three countries are also conducting surveys to create a competitive market there in order to attract more investors from the private sector.

India’s deputy transport minister also said Iran enjoys rich oil and natural gas reserves, an opportunity that Indians can utilize by investing in Chabahar port.

Iran FM Holds Talks with UN Chief, Iraqi Counterpart

IFP Editorial Staff

March 2, 2019

During the Saturday talks, Zarif and Guterres discussed the most important international and regional issues and developments.

The Iranian top diplomat also conferred with Iraq’s Alhakim on the latest developments in bilateral ties, particularly the upcoming visit of the Iranian president to Iraq.

President Hassan Rouhani is set to pay an official visit to Iraq on March 11 in order to boost bilateral ties between the two neighbours amid US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Zarif and his deputy Seyyed Abbas Araqchi as well as Minster of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh and Central Bank Governor Abdoldnaser Hemmati have all – in their recent trips to Iraq – made preparations for Rouhani’s upcoming visit.

It will be Rouhani’s first visit to Iraq during his 5 years in office.

Zarif had earlier said that Rouhani’s trip was organized at an official Iraqi invitation.

Iraq shares a 1,450-kilometer border with Iran. The two countries enjoy close relations in different fields.

At Baghdad’s request, Iran has been providing military advisory assistance to Iraq in its counter-terrorism campaign.

Iraq relies heavily on Iranian natural gas to feed its power stations, importing almost 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day. It also imports electricity and a wide range of goods from Iran.

Iran Slams UK’s Listing of Hezbollah as Terror Group

IFP Editorial Staff

March 2, 2019

In a Saturday statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said the British government’s move comes at a time when Hezbollah in Lebanon has a very large social and popular base.

“Like other parties in the country, Hezbollah has an active and constructive presence in the elections and official activities of the Lebanese government, including municipal elections and trade unions elections,” he went on to say.

Qassemi further noted that Hezbollah currently not only has several seats in the parliament, but also is part of the Lebanese cabinet and has been backed up by a wide range of Lebanese and regional people thanks to its brilliant history of defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon against the Zionists’ occupation and aggression.

By listing Hezbollah as a terror group, the UK is deliberately overlooking a large number of the Lebanese people and the legitimacy of Hezbollah in the Lebanese administrative and political structure, he added.

“In order to understand the facts, we advise the British government to check the number of Hezbollah’s votes in the recent parliamentary elections and other elections,” noted Qassemi.

“Hezbollah itself has been a victim of Takfiri and Zionist terrorism. In addition to the positive and effective role it played in preserving the territorial integrity of Lebanon in the past decade, it has been one of the pillars and main elements of the fight against terrorism and terrorist groups like ISIS and their defeat in the region.”

The spokesman said certainly the wrong act of the British government cannot diminish this role and will not affect the will and faith of Hezbollah and its supporters to continue to fight terrorism and Zionism in the region.

Qassemi said “the Islamic Republic of Iran considers Hezbollah a legitimate force that plays an effective and undeniable role in contributing to the political stability and security of their country.”

“Tehran believes that putting Hezbollah on the terrorist list is a wrong and irresponsible act that not only does not contribute to the stability and security of Lebanon, but in violation of the international law ignores a large group of people of an independent state and their real representative.”

In a Friday statement, Hezbollah condemned the British government’s decision to list it as a terrorist organisation, saying the move showed London’s “servile obedience” to the United States.

The statement referred to Hezbollah as a “resistance movement against Israeli occupation”, describing the British move as an “insult to the feelings, sympathies and will of the Lebanese people that consider Hezbollah a major political and popular force.”

Britain said on Monday it planned to ban all wings of Hezbollah due to its “destabilising influence” in the Middle East, classing it as a terrorist organisation.

Pakistan Asks Iran to Help Resolve Tension with India

IFP Editorial Staff

March 2, 2019

The Pakistani embassy’s statement censured the Indian media’s approach to Pulwama incident on 14 February 2019 in Jammu & Kashmir.

“The prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan announced immediately after the incident that he is willing to share any information regarding the event with the Indian government and is ready to discuss the controversial issue of Kashmir through dialogue and negotiation,” reads the statement.

“Unfortunately, the Indian government did not welcome this move, and instead launched an offensive operation inside Pakistan which forced Islamabad to defend itself.”

Elsewhere in this statement, it has been stressed that the best way to solve all issues is through a peaceful way.

The Pakistani embassy in Tehran further mentioned that peace and stability in the region is in grave danger adding that it is necessary to examine the current situation immediately and consider it a serious threat to the peace and security of the region and the world.

The statement once again called on the international community to help reduce tensions between the two countries.

It also emphasised that the international community must condemn India’s attack and support the easing of tensions and urge India to stop violating human rights in the “occupied” Kashmir to promote peace and stability in the region.

The standoff between New Delhi and Islamabad triggered by a February 14 attack on Indian paramilitary forces in the Pulwama district of the disputed Kashmir region.

India blamed the attack on a militant group based in Pakistan. Islamabad repeatedly asked for evidence, which India said it has shared with Pakistan.

India started airstrikes on what it called terrorists’ positions in Kashmir, but Pakistan then downed an Indian fighter jet and captured an Indian pilot. New Delhi also claimed that it shot down a Pakistani warplane.

The pilot was finally handed over to New Delhi as sign of goodwill.

Iran’s Beauties in Photos: Rocky Mosque of Azarshahr

IFP Editorial Staff

March 2, 2019

Located 200 metres from the historical cemetery of Qadamgah near Badamyar village in the southern part of Azarshahr, the mosque has been dug in rocky hills.

The building was used as a temple in pre-Islamic periods. After Islam, it was used as a mosque with villagers and tourists often carrying out religious ceremonies of the months of Muharram and Ramadan at this place.

What follows are photos of the mosque retrieved from Mizan Online:

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Tehran Citizens Share Joy of Bike Riding Together

Fatemeh Askarieh

March 2, 2019

The event started at Mother Square in northern Tehran, where a group of champions, sport veterans and people of all ages took part. The event was held in collaboration with the Municipality of Tehran’s 3rd District with the motto of “Let’s Take Care of Our City”.

Famous veteran footballers like Mohammad Panjali, Parviz Boroumand, Hamid Estili, Behrouz Rahbarifard, Sirous Din-Mohammadi, Mohammad Nawazi, Edmond Bezik, Esmail Helali, Mehdi and Morteza Fonounizadeh and Nasser Mohammad-Khani were among the salient figures present at the sporting event.

Here are photos of the event retrieved from IRNA and ISNA:

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