US Withdrawal from Syria, Afghanistan Hit Headlines in Iran

By

-

December 22, 2018

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?

Conflicting Reports of Imminent Filtering of Instagram in Iran

2- Seven Reasons for US Withdrawal from Syria

3- Army of Generals in Ankara: Why Rouhani Took All His Economic Team to Turkey?

From Oil Minister to Central Bank Governor

Hemayat:

1- Harsh Winter of White House

US Defence Secretary Resigns after Trump’s Withdrawal from Syria

2- Defeat of US in Syria [Editorial]

Iran:

1- Alliance against Sanction

Rouhani, Erdogan Agree to Boost Bilateral Trade to $30 Billion

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?

Great Victory for Resistance

2- US Bans Sale of Pharmaceuticals to Iran, but Exports Genetically-Modified Plants

3- Unprecedented Increase in Japan’s Military Budget

Tokyo Preparing for War

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

People in Desert Areas Mark Yalda Night with Special Rituals

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

-

December 21, 2018

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.

Iran Not after Conflict with Regional States: Larijani

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 21, 2018

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.

Iran Hosts “Yalda, Christmas Festival” to Strengthen Inter-Cultural Ties

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

-

December 21, 2018

IMG_20181221_134716_851 — The first festival of “Yalda and Christmas” was held in Tehran on Dec. 20, 2018, on the eve of the Yalda Night, the longest night of the year. / Photo by Sa'adabad Complex's website

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:

1 of 3

US Defence Secretary Resigns over Disagreement with Trump

By

IFP Media Wire

-

December 21, 2018

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.”

Iranian Diplomat, Former Swedish PM Meet in Stockholm

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 21, 2018

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.

Iranian Diplomat, Former Swedish PM Meet in Stockholm — Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi meets Carl Bildt, a former Swedish premier and a chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, on Dec. 20, 2018 / Photo by Iranian Foreign Ministry

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.

Iranian, Turkish Presidents Explore Grounds for Closer Trade Ties

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 20, 2018

Iranian, Turkish Presidents Explore Grounds for Closer Trade Ties — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan speak to reporters in a press conference in Ankara on Dec. 20, 2018 / Photo by president.ir

“No person, power or country is capable of creating obstacles to brotherly relations between Tehran and Ankara,” Rouhani said, following a meeting of the fifth meeting of the high council of Iran-Turkey strategic relations.

Rouhani said the two presidents discussed grounds for stronger economic collaboration between Iran and Turkey, notably banking, industrial, customs, transport, tourism and cultural cooperation.

The Iranian president said the two sides also discussed the Syrian conflict, and reached agreement to strengthen cooperation to bring an end to the seven-year conflict.

“We believe the destiny of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people and the territorial integrity of Syria must be respected. We are on the same page on these things and are determined to boost cooperation in this field,” he said.

Rouhani thanked Turkey for its positions against the unilateral anti-Iran sanctions imposed by the US, saying it shows Turkey is committed to law, shared interests and morality.

Erdogan, in turn, said his government is bent on broadening ties with Iran and will take measures to boost bilateral collaboration.

The Turkish president censured the withdrawal of the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, saying the pact benefits global peace and security and all the parties should keep up fulfilling their commitments.

Erdogan said Turkey will stand by its neighbour in hard times, working with the Iranian government to lessen the impact of the unfair US sanctions.

US Sanctions Not to Remain in Place for Long: Iran

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 20, 2018

Hessamoddin Ashna said it is impossible to impose sanctions on all states which are willing to establish cooperation with Iran.

According to Ashna, the US failed to get the world on board in its efforts to exert massive pressure on the Islamic Republic.

“Therefore, many states which had willingly imposed sanctions on Iran in the previous round of sanctions are unwilling today to impose new round of sanctions. This has challenged the US economic hegemony in the world,” he added.

“Our last national attempt to break the sanctions was the talks we held to achieve the Iran nuclear deal. The talks led to the international treaty, Ashna said, highlighting the significance of the multilateral deal for Iran’s ties with the world.

“After the deal, Iran was no longer subject to the Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations as a global threat. Our peaceful nuclear program was also recognized internationally and we were provided with a chance to establish international cooperation to garner support for our peaceful nuclear technologies,” he said, according to a report by the Iranian government’s official website dolat.ir.

Since the early days of the nuclear deal, the US began to violate its commitments under the deal, he said. “The Obama administration didn’t give Iran the chance to reap its benefits under the deal and the Trump administration pulled out of the deal and re-imposed the sanctions on the Islamic Republic.”

The US announced re-imposition of the “toughest” sanctions ever against Iran in November in an attempt to curtail the Islamic Republic’s oil exports and put extra pressure on the country’s economy.

The new US sanctions also target Iran’s nuclear activities, which the US insists are in breach of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers.

Tehran Condemns Albania’s Expulsion of Iranian Diplomats

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

December 20, 2018

In a Thursday statement, Qassemi said Albania’s decision was made under the United States’ sway.

“This move and scenario came about under the pressure of the US government and the Zionist regime [of Israel]’s security apparatus in cooperation with some anti-Iran terrorist groups on the basis of unfounded allegations,” said Qassemi.

“This behaviour by the Albanian government, which is unjustifiable and lacks any logical basis, was completely based on false and fabricated information provided by some security services,” the spokesman noted, describing the move as an unacceptable and condemned one.

“It is regrettable that those who piece together scenarios against Iran have, this time, directed their evil schemes at Albania, which has always enjoyed good relations with Iran,” he said.

Qassemi further noted that the move was part of the anti-Iran campaign, and was aimed at disrupting and affecting Iran-Europe ties.

“We regard this injudicious move, which has been imposed on this country (Albania), as part of a policy of disrupting and straining Iran’s foreign relations, especially with Europe, and [regard it as a move] aimed at bothering Iran and promoting Iranophobia, which has always been pursued by the Americans and Zionists,” he said.

“The childish and naïve delight of some American officials, especially the US secretary of state, and their rush to take a position and their expression of foolish joy over this move bears testimony to the efforts made, in recent years, by unprofessional individuals who are in the pay of terror groups,” the spokesman noted.

“We have witnessed in recent months that as Iran and Europe have got engaged in more serious cooperation to render the United States’ unilateral and illegal sanctions ineffective, more scenarios have been engineered in order to harm Iran-Europe ties; of course, those scenarios will fail due to both sides’ vigilance, prudence and shrewdness,” Qassemi added.

His comments came after Albania said it had expelled two Iranian diplomats for what it called security reasons. Albania claimed the diplomats were suspected of “involvement in activities that harm the country’s security.” It said the decision was taken in consultation with other countries.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 20

By

Seyedeh Maryam Hosseini Lahijani

-

December 20, 2018

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Several papers today covered the visit of President Hassan Rouhani to Ankara, and his praise of his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his positions against the US sanctions.

Also a top story was the ongoing UN-brokered ceasefire in the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah, and the UN’s efforts to monitor and safeguard the truce.

An anti-Iran human rights resolution passed by the UN General Assembly also received great coverage.

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

Abrar:

1- US Endorses $3.5-Billion Missile Deal with Turkey

2- Iran Not to Remain Silent towards Violation of Commitments

3- US State Department Welcomes UN’s Anti-Iran Human Rights Resolution

4- Araqchi: Europeans Must Take Operational Steps to Safeguard JCPOA

5- Guterres Calls for Deployment of Int’l Observers to Monitor Hudaydah Truce

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- US Troops to Withdraw from Syria

2- Iran, Switzerland to Launch Payment Channel

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- European Ambassadors Growing Interest in Iranian Foods, Hobbies

2- Illusion of Senate

Top MP Says Some Dream of Turning Expediency Council into Senate

Ebtekar:

1- Zarif Not after Any Particular Objective in 2021 Presidential Elections

2- Afghanistan Peace, from Words to Deeds

A Review of Peace Talks with Taliban in UAE

3- Long Peace Process in Syria

Etemad:

1- Rouhani in Ankara to Develop Political, Economic Ties with Turkey

2- Trump Backs Off against Erdogan

US Taking New Measures to Appease Turkey

Ettela’at:

1- Rouhani: US Can’t Dictate Its Policies to Middle East from Far Away

2- ICT Minister: Cycle of Space Technology in Iran Completed

3- Saudi Royal Palace and Hatred of Public Opinion

Javan:

1- Europe’s Financial Channel Turns into Narrow Passage

US Supports Switzerland Hosting SPV

2- US Very Likely to Be Gripped by Economic Downturn in 2019

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Europe Warns US over Deal with Palestine

2- Economic Criminal Returned to Iran

3- Netanyahu: US in War against Iran through Sanctions

4- Turkey Releases New Photos of Those behind Khashoggi’s Murder

Kayhan:

1- Kuwait Envoy to UNHRC: You Don’t Know How Riyadh Begging Iran

2- The Guardian: Yellow Vest Movement Is Everywhere in Europe

3- UN Calls Israel Infanticidal Regime

Mardom Salari:

1- MPs Initially Approve Punishment for Insulting Iranian Ethnic Groups, Religions, Faiths

2- Turkey Adopted Decisive Positions against Plot of US Sanctions: Iran President

3- Europe in Fear, Feel Lonely: Hackers Disclose European Diplomats’ Correspondence

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

US Withdrawal from Syria, Afghanistan Hit Headlines in Iran

People in Desert Areas Mark Yalda Night with Special Rituals

Iran Not after Conflict with Regional States: Larijani

Iran Hosts “Yalda, Christmas Festival” to Strengthen Inter-Cultural Ties

US Defence Secretary Resigns over Disagreement with Trump

Iranian Diplomat, Former Swedish PM Meet in Stockholm

Iranian, Turkish Presidents Explore Grounds for Closer Trade Ties

US Sanctions Not to Remain in Place for Long: Iran

Tehran Condemns Albania’s Expulsion of Iranian Diplomats

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 20

About Us

Popular Articles

Smoked Mozzarella Recipes (5 Recipes!)

Iranian woman sets record by making 137 types of jam

Editor Picks

Tehran unveils “Kneeling Before Iran” monument at Enghelab Square

Iran marks Khorramshahr liberation anniversary