Danish Ambassador to Resume Work in Tehran after 30-Day Hiatus

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November 20, 2018

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.

Iranian Women Gymnasts to Attend Int’l Contests after 15 Years

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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November 20, 2018

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.

Iran Says Frustrated by EU’s Slow Pace in Implementing SPV

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IFP Media Wire

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November 20, 2018

Speaking to the Guardian on Monday, Zarif said he was confident the Iranian oil industry would find markets, even though the US measures have pushed down exports sharply.

“There are always markets for oil, it depends on the conditions and the price,” he said. “I believe Iran will always sell oil.”

Zarif also challenged claims by the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, that the sanctions had been constructed to exempt humanitarian supplies, such as food and medicine.

“The US has imposed financial sanctions on Iran,” he said. “When you want to transfer money, the bank does not ask whether it goes for food or other items – that is why sanctions always hit food and medicine.

“The US is not living up to its promises. We believe all sanctions are unlawful, and against UN Security Council resolutions, but the US is not even truthful to the commitment they have made.”

Zarif further said Iran was frustrated by the slow pace of EU moves to help European companies that want to continue trading with Iran.

A clearing house known as a special purpose vehicle, designed to allow European companies that trade with Iran to bypass the sanctions, is due to be set up within the next few months.

“What is important is that Europe has made the political commitment but, unfortunately, so far as practicabilities are concerned, it has been very slow,” Zarif said. “(British foreign secretary Jeremy) Hunt gave me commitment that the UK believes in the nuclear deal, but we also need to see some action.”

EU countries led by France, Germany and Britain -signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal- want to enable non-US trade with Iran to continue in defiance of Washington.

The EU has devised the SPV to continue trade with Iran and neutralize the US sanctions against Tehran.

On May 8, US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was achieved in Vienna in 2015 after years of negotiations among Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

The US reimposed the first round of its sanctions on Iran in August and the second round took effect on November 4.

Autumn Leaves Decorate Streets of Tabriz

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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November 20, 2018

Users have posted numerous photos of these beautiful scenes which draw the attention of every viewer.

What follows are Mehr News Agency’s photos of the beautiful autumn leaves decorating the streets of Tabriz:

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A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 20

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

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November 20, 2018

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

All papers today covered the delay in Europe’s implementation of its Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a payment mechanism to facilitate doing trade with Iran.

Many Iranian officials, particularly Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, warned Europe about the consequences of failing to do what they have promised.

Also a top story today was the visit of UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to Tehran, where he held separate talks with FM Javad Zarif and Supreme National Security Council chief Ali Shamkhani.

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

Abrar:

1- Iraq President Salih Didn’t Convey Any Message from Iran to Saudi

2- UK Foreign Secretary: We’ll Remain Committed to Iran Deal as Long as Tehran Does

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Zarif Has Not Backed Off, but Won’t Insist Either

2- Tehran Worried about Fate of SPV

3- Counterattack on Unofficial Forex Market: A Report on Central Bank’s New Decision

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Europe Must Compensate for Damages to Iran

2- Shamkhani to Hunt: Level of Iran-UK Ties Not Satisfactory

Ebtekar:

1- JCPOA Message from London to Tehran

2- Change in Shape of Tehran-Baghdad Ties [Editorial]

3- As Blue as Childhood Memories

Offers for Adults to Revive Childhood Memories on World Children’s Day

Etemad:

1- Iran Not to Remain Patient Forever

Hunt Returns to London after Receiving Iran’s Clear Message

2- Iran’s Shamkhani Strongly Warns Hunt

US Will Interfere in UK Ties with Other Countries as Well

3- Why Europe Is Procrastinating? [Editorial]

Ettela’at:

1- Rouhani: Iranian Nation to Give Response to US on Anniversary of Iran Revolution

2- Shamkhani: Working with Trump Administration Makes One Accomplice in US Crimes

Ghanoon:

1- UK Foreign Secretary in Tehran for Special Purposes

2- Hunt, Zarif Seek to Establish SPV

Iran:

1- We’ll Sell Our Oil: Rouhani

2- Do We Have Money Laundering or Not? A Report on Dirty Money

Javan:

1- Europe’s de Facto Withdrawal from JCPOA

Mogherini Refuses to Announce Date of SPV Implementation

2- Crown Prince’s Time Is Over

3- Shamkhani: Iran Has Made Decisions on Possibility of Returning to Pre-JCPOA Era

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Deputy Oil Minister: Iran, Europe in Talks over Establishment of Payment Channel

2- Mogherini Underlines Immediate Implementation of SPV

Kayhan:

1- Iranian FATF Official Asks for US’ Citizenship

2- Turkish Paper: Documents We’d Release on Khashoggi’s Murder Would Shake Bin Salman’s Palace

Khorasan:

1- Iran Warns Europe: Situation Not to Remain the Same

2- Two Important Forex Decisions Made by Central Bank

Resalat:

1- Workers Are in Prison!

Sazandegi:

1- Salih Looking for Peace

In First Foreign Visit, Iraq President Tries to Mediate between Iran, Iraq

2- Impeachment of Zarif?

Conservatives to Impeach FM over His Remarks against Money Laundering
Will Parliament’s Majority Support Them?

Sepid:

1- Iran’s Medical Organization to UN Chief: Annul Drug Sanctions on Iran

2- Tehran 12th Most Polluted City of the World

Setareh Sobh:

1- Araqchi: EU Incapable of Registering SPV

2- Senior Reformist Figure: Int’l Coalition to Be Formed against Iran If We Don’t Accept CFT

Shargh:

1- Rouhani: We Won’t Let People Experience Any Problem with Basic Goods

2- UK Foreign Secretary’s Visits in Tehran

Consultations with Zarif
Shamkhani’s Criticisms

3- Choosing Anyone Other than Rouhani to Make Society Radicalized

Sobh-e Now:

1- Pursuing Fate of a New Spy

UK Criminal, Has No Place in Our Domestic Affairs

Digital Photo Frames Great Pick to Decorate Interior Walls

By

IFP Media Wire

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November 20, 2018

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If you desire to make your picture and photos added attractive and prominent then you must use unique photo frames. It is required a frame that would also necessary to make out portrait orientations and adjustment in it. Different old frame cut off the ends and on all the necessary portrait pictures we can have easily. Multiple old frames cut off the locks of hair on all the necessary portrait snaps and pictures.

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It is like one of the best gifts to us and we can use them to decorate easily our old photos and can get print easily. It is best thing as able to giving app and explanation information details to their kids and grand kids. Each and everyone be able to also send pictures whenever they want and as desire. Best thing is about this frame is that once and set up can also essentially be hands off for the person and also has it totally agreed.

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Iranian People Observing National Book Week

By

Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani

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November 20, 2018

Iranian People Observing National Book Week — People attending a hiking event held in Shiraz, southern Iran, to mark the National Book Week

The event, which comes with the motto “The Good Feeling of Reading,” brings together over 60 institutions and organizations from across the nation.

The nationwide event features programs such as conferences, book-reading sessions, competitions, etc. Some areas also host special programs.

A hiking event dubbed “Walking in Pace with Books” attended by family members was held in the city of Shiraz in southern Fars province. Citizens had their photos taken while standing next to the “Book’s Red Carpet”. More than 400 volumes of books written by Shirazi authors and poets were distributed among the participants by the provincial Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance. The event featured draws, competitions and award-giving ceremonies. The hiking event is also covered on social media.

The Book Week was celebrated differently in the central province of Yazd. According to a local cultural official, a program dubbed “Books Saturday” got underway at mosques in Yazd in addition to other programs, namely visiting the province’s public libraries, meeting authors, holding story-writing classes, and visiting the libraries of cultural-arts centres.

Sistan and Baluchestan province in south-east of Iran marked the Book Week by holding 300 special programs involving books such as visiting libraries, visits to schools by book suppliers, holding book fairs, holding story-telling sessions, reading the Shahnameh (Book of the Kings) written by renowned Iranian poet Ferdowsi, reviewing books, introducing books on the radio, free membership in all public libraries and recognizing eminent individuals in the domain of books.

Donating Rls. 100 million worth of books to the Prisons’ Organization is another program of Iran’s National Book Week. As promised, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance also donated one thousand books to quake-hit areas in Sarpol-e Zahab in western Iran.

The last day of the Book Week, November 22, will mark a program where people go to bookshops and purchase books to support those involved in the business.

To that end, Ahmad Masjedjamei, a member of the Tehran City Council, in a message called on people to visit bookshops to help promote the publishing industry.

“The fifth ‘Bookshop-Visiting’ event is around the corner, a move which was first launched with the aim of backing bookshops as the hub of distribution of thoughts and with the aim of promoting the presence of the public as the main audience dealing with books in the public and civic atmosphere,” he said in his message.

“Over the past four days, this cultural-social move has fortunately been welcomed and backed by people, media and artists,” read part of the message.

This year, we are counting down to the fifth Bookshop-Visiting event as the profession of book-selling, affected by the society’s general atmosphere, is facing numerous problems, he added.

“In the difficult situation that we are facing this year as well, we will once again go to bookshops and buy books to appreciate those involved in this profession,” Masjedjamei noted.

“‏‌‎Now, in order to revive the culture of book-reading, we are inviting the dear people of Iran to visit bookshops in droves on November 22, 2018, in the form of different groups, includding students, family members and friends, and support publishers, writers and translators of books and other jobs related to books,” he added.

Scientists Produce Edible Chewing Gum that Enhances Memory

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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November 20, 2018

The project manager says the chewing gums in the market are based on synthetic resins, but his team has used natural products based on herbal substances to enhance the nutritional value of the gums.

In an interview with ISNA, Hossein Kaardan added that the resins used in the chewing gum have been achieved from the wild Pistachio trees that are called “Saqqez”.

“The use of these tree resins led to the creation of special properties in these gums, and since this type of gum is natural, it can be swallowed,” Kaardan went on to say.

For a brief review of Iran’s achievements in various fields of science and technology, check the book “Science and Technology in Iran: A Brief Review”

This Iranian researcher pointed out that this kind of chewing gum reduces stomachache while healing constipation and a range of digestive diseases.

Kaardan noted that the product enhances memory, as its formulation consists of Boswellia, a memory enhancer. Therefore, people at risk of developing the Alzheimer’s disease can prevent that by using the gum.

‘France May Host Europe-Iran Payment Channel’

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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November 20, 2018

Amirhossein Zamaninia said the channel would, in the first phase, be used for commodities which are not subject to US sanctions, and may also be used for goods subject to sanctions as of mid-2019.

“It’s been a long time we’ve been waiting for Europe to take action to keep Europe and Iran in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” he said.

“In order to maintain the strategic balance, Europe needs to do something, and Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany as well as Japan, India and Brazil should be able to play their roles at a time when we are under sanctions and new international relations are taking shape,” he said.

The top official noted that Europe is interested in establishing banking relations with Iran.

“We are going to have banking relations with Europe, and the Europeans are after it, but whenever they want to take any action, they understand that the US has a lot of influence; but there is no doubt about Europe’s strategic influence,” he noted.

The idea of setting up the channel was raised after US President Donald Trump in May pulled his country out of the JCPOA. He also re-imposed the “harshest sanctions in history” on Iran earlier this month.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi said on Monday whether unable or unwilling, the European Union has failed to create the Special Purpose Vehicle.

Addressing a conference on regional developments and Iran’s foreign policy in Tehran on Monday, Araqchi pointed to the US moves against the Islamic Republic and said Washington’s pressures aim to prevent the formation of the SPV and cut off ties between Iran and the EU.

The US government has threatened that it would impose sanctions on countries involved in the SPV, the Iranian diplomat added.

“We are faced with a situation in which Europe has not been able or unwilling to establish a mechanism to meet Iran’s demands,” Araqchi noted.

Saffron Harvest Season Begins in Iran

By

Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani

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November 20, 2018

Major exporters of saffron in the world are Iran, Spain, Afghanistan, Portugal, France, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Greece, China, Germany and Switzerland.

Iran’s share of saffron exports in 2016 stood at 42%, while Spain (29%), Afghanistan (8%), Portugal (5%), France (3%), and other countries of the world (13%) ranked next.

However, there is still a high potential for producing high-quality saffron, especially in various cities of Iran’s South Khorasan, North Khorasan, and Khorasan Razavi provinces in north-east of Iran, which are known for their great saffron.

Farouj region is one of these areas known for its vineyards. However, the continuing droughts and the need for irrigation and other problems of production and sale, including the unguaranteed sale of raisins, caused farmers to start growing saffron.

Farouj with 400 hectares of farms has the highest cultivation area in the province, and about 13 tonnes of saffron are harvested annually from these farms.

Here are photos of saffron harvest retrieved from Tasnim News Agency:

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