“Mr. Trump bizarrely devotes the FIRST paragraph of his shameful statement on Saudi atrocities to accuse IRAN of every sort of malfeasance he can think of,” Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a message posted on his Twitter account on Tuesday.
He added, “Perhaps we’re also responsible for the California fires, because we didn’t help rake the forests — just like the Finns do?”
When visiting the scene of California’s devastating Camp Fire on Saturday, Trump said Finland had managed to avoid such fires by spending “a lot of time on raking and cleaning and doing things” to clear forest floors.
On Tuesday, Trump released a statement on the murder of journalist Saudi Jamal Khashoggi, starting his first paragraph with baseless allegations on Iran’s role in the region.
“The world is a very dangerous place! The country of Iran, as an example, is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen, trying to destabilize Iraq’s fragile attempt at democracy, supporting the terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, propping up dictator Bashar Assad in Syria, and much more,” he said.
Trump went on to vow to stay a “steadfast partner” of Riyadh despite saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman may have known about the plan to murder Khashoggi in Istanbul.
American tourist JP Salva in a street in Tehran / Photo by his Instagram
After waiting for two years, JP Salva finally received the visa for Iran. The 39-year-old tourist has, so far, visited 175 countries, but he does not like any of them as much as Iran. Iran is his favourite country, Shiraz his favourite city, and Ghormeh-Sabzi his favourite food.
American tourist JP Salva visiting the tomb of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae, Fars Province / Photo by his Instagram
JP was born in Puerto Rico, but lives in the city of Orlando in the US state of Florida. He is a US citizen. He says he worked as a software engineer in the United States and saved money. Seven years ago, he decided to make a journey around the world and see 195 countries.
He told BBC Persian that he had heard good things about Iran from his friends, but that media mostly painted a negative picture of Iran. So, he wanted to see the country first-hand and know more about it. However, his opinion changed about Iran after visiting it.
Arriving in Iran
He has talked about the first minutes after he touched down at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport.
“When I arrived at the Tehranairport, I was very much worried. I was standing in the queue for passport control, but I kept telling people behind me to go first. At the end, there was only me, and I had to go. Worried, I went ahead and submitted my passport to the
American tourist JP Salva posing in front of the ruins of Persepolis in Iran’s Fars province / Photo by his Instagram
airport’s immigration officer. He looked at me and asked if I was American. He smiled and said in Persian ‘You’re welcome’. I thought it would take hours, but he only asked a few questions. Right from that moment, I thought the nice beginning of the trip shows I would continue to enjoy the rest of it, as well,” JP said.
After his visa expired, he went to KishIsland (a free trade zone in southern Iran with easier requirements for foreign tourists and businessmen). He got visa for Iran for a second time. This time, he stayed in the country for one month before having his visa extended for another three months.
He posts photos and videos of his travels to different countries on his Instagram page. His posts usually come with both English and Persian subtitles. He has tried to learn Persian, but says he can only write a few words. He usually wears a hat bearing the word “Iran.” He says the hat has become his brand.
American tourist JP Salva amazed by the beauty of Masouleh village in Gilan province, northern Iran / Photo by his Instagram
A few months in Iranians’ homes
JP says Iranians’ hospitality is unique in the world. Once he was walking in Tehran streets with his backpack when a few people came forward and asked where he was from. JP told them his story, but some people wouldn’t believe it.
“The first time when I was walking, several people talked to me and asked where I lived. I told them I was looking for a hostel. Then they invited me to come and stay with them and their families,” he said.
Almost wherever in the world he is, American tourist JP Salva wears a cap on which it is written “Iran” in Persian / Photo by his Instagram
Accordingly, JP has not spent even one night in a hotel or hostel during his stay in Iran.
“That’s the way it all started. I was staying at a person’s home; then they would ask which city I was going to visit next. I said I don’t know, maybe Isfahan. They said excellent! ‘My cousin lives in Isfahan; you can go and stay with him in his house,’ and it continued the same way for other cities,” the American tourist said.
JP cannot remember the exact number of the cities and regions he has visited during his three trips to Iran, but says maybe 20 to 30 cities.
He says all Iranians are kind and hospitable, but says there is something different about the people of Shirazwhich makes them even more special than other Iranians and which he cannot describe. He also says he loves Faloodeh Shirazi.
Iranians’ friendly treatment has impressed JP. He says he was very much impressed when he says Iranians welcomed him warmly and like him despite all the political tension between the two countries.
In a statement on Wednesday, Qassemi said the new sanctions have been imposed based on false pretexts.
“These useless, futile and ineffective sanctions will never achieve the desired outcome of their designers and creators,” he said, adding that the Americans will sooner or later become aware of the uselessness of what they think.
Washington imposed fresh sanctions on the Islamic Republic on Tuesday, accusing Tehran of creating a complex web of Russian companies and Syrian intermediaries to ship oil to Damascus, which in turn financed Hezbollah and Hamas.
In a statement, the US Treasury said that Iran is working with Russian companies and provides millions of barrels of oil to the Syrian government.
The Syrian government, in turn, eases the movement of hundreds of millions of US dollars to the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) for onward transfer to Hamas and Hezbollah, reads the statement.
On Thursday morning, Zarif will meet his Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero and a group of Italian entrepreneurs.
Later in the day, he will participate in Mediterranean Dialogues Conference (MED), an annual high-level initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in Rome.
The event is aimed at drafting an agenda for the Mediterranean by stimulating debate and promoting new ideas, rethinking traditional approaches and addressing shared challenges at both the regional and the international level.
Zarif is among the speakers of the conference. Other speakers include NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, Italy’s Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta and many others.
During the Monday and Tuesday meetings, the two sides held consultations on the resolution of problems in formation of the Syrian Constitution Committee and the forthcoming round of the Syrian International Peace Talks in Kazakhstan’s Astana.
The peace talks are scheduled to be held at the end of next week in the capital city of Kazakhstan.
Jaberi Ansari, who is Iran’s top negotiator at Syria Peace Talks, last week met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, and some other political and security officials to discuss the latest developments in the Arab country and issues related to the constitutional committee.
During those meetings Jaberi Ansari expressed hope that, in light of successful consultations, the way for the formation of the Syrian Constitution Committee would be paved.
He also raised hope that such a move will lead to a serious Syrian-Syrian dialogue.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Tuesday that on Hunt raised the issue of the dual citizen jailed in Iran on the sidelines of his meetings with Iranian officials.
In response, the Iranian authorities reminded him of Zaghari’s conviction in the court and the independence of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
Hunt was also told that she is a citizen of Iran and has been tried and convicted according to the country’s domestic laws, Qassemi noted.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe, claimed to be a charity worker affiliated with the London-based charity Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested in April 2016 just before taking the flight out of Iran, and is now serving a five-year term for espionage.
Her case drew considerable attention after former British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in 2017 that she was training journalists in Iran, contradicting claim by the foundation that she was simply on holiday visiting relatives.
Johnson came under pressure to resign after his comments, which confirmed charges by the Iranian judiciary that Zaghari-Ratcliffe was teaching people how to secretly prepare anti-government content and send them to the Persian service of the British-run news agency BBC.
In his Tuesday comments,Qassemi further noted that Hunt’s one-day trip had been planned a long time ago and was made despite some domestic political problems inside the UK.
“In separate meetings, the British official met with Iran’s Foreign Minister and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and discussed a wide range of issues, including the Iran nuclear deal and the commitments of European countries, notably the E3 (Germany, France and the UK),” he noted
“The two sides also exchanged views on the most important developments in the region, especially the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen, and the necessity of ending the Western countries’ arms support for those who attacked Yemen’s innocent people.” Qassemi added.
During the meetings, Iran’s viewpoint on these subjects was elaborated in detail, he noted.
In a statement on Tuesday, Qassemi expressed sympathy with the Afghan nation and government and offered condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of this tragic and unforgivable crime.
The horrible operation was carried out during the ceremonies marking the birthday anniversary of the Prophet of Mercy and Compassion, which led to the martyrdom of several Sunni scholars, he said.
“Those behind these cowardly terrorist operations have no purpose other than provoking ethnic, sectarian and religious conflict.”
He expressed the hope that the Afghan people, with the support of the central government, and by preserving their unity and using their past experiences in the fight against terrorism, would strongly and tactfully pass these days in which terrorist acts and brutal and menacing crimes are on rise.
He also raised the hope that Afghans take firm steps towards establishing lasting peace and security in their country, stressing that in this way, they will always enjoy the full support of the Iranian government and nation.
A suicide bomb blast that targeted a religious ceremony in Kabul killed scores of people and injured many more on Tuesday evening.
Officials say a suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside a large wedding hall where hundreds of scholars and clerics had gathered to mark the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Right after the tragic incident, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani strongly condemned the attack and declared Wednesday a day of national mourning.
No one or group has yet shouldered responsibility, but both the Taliban and ISIS have stepped up attacks on Kabul.
The events will be held as part of the Festival of the Prophet of Kindness, which is going to be held during the Islamic Unity Week in 10 special places and main squares of Tehran.
According to ISNA, several workshops of calligraphy, music, narration, poetry, illustration, painting, caricature, wood carving and mosaic, pottery and ceramics, and doll making would be run during the week.
Ten food exhibitions, along with a black tent of Iranian ethnic groups in 10 places of Tehran, will be open to visitors during the festival.
Moreover, six flower caravans will move in six directions across Tehran for 6 days.
Cultural and artistic programs along with the performance of tribal music are among other programs, during which flowers will be given to the people.
Student chorus groups are scheduled to sing songs for 6 days in subway stations. Every day, they would have four performances.
The International Festival of the Prophet of Kindness, with the presence of foreign and domestic groups, will run from November 22 to 25 with the performance of folk music groups. Musicians from Kurdistan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Lorestan, Khorasan, Bushehr, Gilan, Golestan and Khuzestan provinces, as well as bands from Turkey, Azerbaijan, India, Syria and Iraq will perform in selected cultural centres.
1,000 daf playing programs will also be carried out on the occasion of the birthday of the holy Prophet.
Also on the night of the birthday of the Prophet (PBUH), an amphitheater will be inaugurated and the movie “Muhammad: The Messenger of God” directed by Majid Majidi will be screened free of charge for three days. The movie would also be screened in mobile cinemas.
In order to get acquainted with the Islamic culture of Iran, foreign guests will be taken to tours of Tehran’s attractions.
Buses and subways give free-of-charge services on the day, and all cultural, sporting, and artistic centres give citizens services with 50% discount.
The Islamic Unity Week is an annual event commemorated by both Shiite and Sunni Muslims as a sign of solidarity among different Islamic schools of thought.
The week is held between two dates of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad: one of the dates is narrated by Sunnis and the other narrated by Shiites.
The week was named so by Imam Khomeini based on a proposal by Ayatollah Montazeri in reaction to Saudi Muftis’ attacks on Sunnis and Shiites.
The two dates are the twelfth of Rabi Al Awwal (Nov. 20 this year), the first week of the third lunar month of the Islamic calendar, according to Sunnis, and the seventeenth of Rabi al Awwal (Nov. 25 this year), according to Shiites.
Morteza Moradian, the Iranian ambassador to Copenhagen, said in a Tuesday tweet that his Danish counterpart would get back to work tomorrow.
“I had a short conversation with Danny Annan today. He said he will return to Tehran. We expressed hope that the problems would be resolved through the efforts of the two embassies,” he added.
Back in late October, Denmark said it was recalling its ambassador to Iran and would push for fresh EU-wide sanctions against Iran.
The decision came after Danish intelligence chief Finn Borch Andersen claimed that an Iranian intelligence service had tried to carry out a plot to assassinate an Iranian Arab opposition figure on Denmark’s soil.
He said the suspect had been arrested on October 21 on the accusation of helping an unspecified Iranian intelligence service “to act in Denmark” and on alleged involvement in the assassination plot.
He, however, did not name the suspect but said he had denied any wrongdoing and was being held in pre-trial custody until November 8.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Annan shortly after the allegations, and said that the publication of such “spiteful” media reports and its attribution to Iran was a plot by enemies to affect Tehran’s growing relations with European countries.
It’s been almost 15 years since the last time Iran’s national women’s gymnastics team attended international contests. Nevertheless, after years of staying away from global arenas, the athletes are to take part in the competitions of Muslim countries.
The Iranian national women’s gymnastics team is to participate in women’s competitions of Islamic countries on Kish Island in southern Iran in February 2019 to savour the taste of attending an official contest once again after several years.
Gymnastics is a generally neglected field of sport in the country. Despite efforts by officials at the Iranian Gymnastics Federation, gymnastics has not yet been able to regain its real status in Asian and international contests.
Due to the special type of outfit required for this sport, Iranian women gymnasts kept practicing gymnastics all these years only out of interest and were not able to show off their skills in international competitions.
In an interview with IRNA, Head of the Iranian Gymnastics Federation Zahra Incheh Dargahi has weighed in on the presence of the Iranian national gymnastics team in an international event after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
“Following the Islamic Revolution of Iran, friendly contests were held in 1992, which were a prelude to Muslim countries’ women’s contests. I happened to be the coach of the team. However, the competitions slated to be held in the city of Tabriz in 1993 were canceled due to bad weather,” she said.
She said the Iranian national women’s gymnastics team was formed again in 2001, and preparation camps were held until 2003.
“But afterwards, once again Iranian women gymnasts were unable to attend international events until now that arrangements have been made for that,” she added.
“This round of competitions will be held in all sections under Islamic regulations and without the presence of men,” she said.
“Of course, my only concern is the presence of all Islamic countries in the contests. Because such competitions have not been held for a long time, there is not enough mentality about it and it has become rather difficult to draw in [competitors from] Islamic countries,” she added.
The head of the federation also touched upon the issue of clothes for the participating teams.
“Given that the competitions are being held in an atmosphere without the presence of men and cameramen, the contests are held based on the regulations governing international matches and there will be no change in the women athletes’ outfits,” she said.
She noted that the vice-chairperson of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is scheduled to visit Iran on December 5, 2018, in a bid to support women’s gymnastics and help plan and hold the competitions.
