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Iran, Germany Discuss EU’s Special Payment Mechanism

November 11, 2018

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the latest mutual and regional issues as well as the recent developments of the Iran nuclear deal, particularly the financial mechanism being devised by the EU to give Iran a chance to enjoy its economic benefits under the deal.

They also underlined the need to facilitate the process of making the mechanism operational as soon as possible.

Gabriel is in Tehran on an official visit at the head of an economic delegation consisting of top executives of German firms.

Following the US unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA in May and the subsequent re-imposition of sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the EU vowed to introduce some new measures to guarantee Iran’s economic interests.

Back in September 24, Iran and the remaining parties of the Iran nuclear deal released a joint statement announcing the creation of a “Special Purpose Vehicle” to facilitate continued trade deals with Iran. The mechanism is aimed at bypassing the US’s sanctions on Iran.

Iran FM Highlights Significance of Science Diplomacy

IFP Editorial Staff

November 11, 2018

In an address to members of the Iranian Academy of Sciences, Zarif referred to the changes in concepts related to diplomacy, particularly the concept of sovereignty, and subsequently the changes in the number and variety of the players in the international arenas, and said science diplomacy is far beyond abstract fields.

“For example in various fields related to science like environmental pollution – including the pollution of the Persian Gulf – and safety of nuclear plants and other related issues, one can draw on science diplomacy in foreign policy and launch joint cooperation and build mutual trusts with others,” he said.

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”

The Iranian top diplomat referred to the fact that Iran enjoys rich conceptual resources and high scientific, cultural and literary capacities and said the capacities can be used as a great source for the country to establish connections with other nations and states.

“Through these connections, one can particularly take advantage of the rich literature of Iran,” he concluded.

Entire World Concerned by Trump Decisions: Iran’s Larijani

IFP Editorial Staff

November 11, 2018

He said the US president’s economic decisions have worried the Europeans, his withdrawal from nuclear arms treaty with Moscow has concerned Russians, and his withdrawal from Paris Agreement has upset the whole world.

The Iranian parliament speaker made the comments in meeting with the former President of Brazil and the current senator Fernando Affonso Collor de Mello.

During their Sunday meeting in Tehran, Larijani added that if one looks into the case of international terrorism, it will be revealed that the Americans made a mistake by creating ISIS, and the decision put themselves in trouble.

Regarding the nuclear deal with Iran, Larijani underlined that “the United States itself asked for nuclear talks.

“Obama wrote two letters to Iran, and negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 took a long time that eventually led to a Resolution by the Security Council.”

“However, suddenly, Donald Trump withdrew from the accord, and now he is once again saying he is willing to negotiate. His performance is like a game, and he thinks he can create instability inside Iran.”

For his part, the Brazilian official said “We should not remain silent against bullies, especially when Trump’s moves are to the detriment of worldwide relations.”

The United Nations must be more serious under such circumstances, added de Mello.

FIFA Hails Presence of Iranian Women Fans at Football Match

IFP Editorial Staff

November 11, 2018

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he was happy to see Hassan Rouhani made good on his promise and permitted Iranian women to watch a football match live at the stadium.

“Today is a historic day and a big celebration for football. I was glad to see, in person, that Iranian women football fans have been allowed to be present in official matches for the first time in 40 years,” said Infantino in a Saturday meeting with Rouhani.

“This was a key step in the right direction, and I’m confident that more progress will be achieved in the near future through continued dialogue,” said the FIFA president.

He was referring to the AFC Champions League final match held between the Iranian powerhouse Persepolis and the Japanese team Kashima Antlers, which ended in an aggregate 2-0 win for Kashima.

Hundreds of Iranian women football fans were allowed to enter the Azadi stadium in Tehran to watch the competition.

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Iran Condemns Terrorist Attack in Iraq’s Mosul

IFP Editorial Staff

November 11, 2018

In a Sunday statement, Qassemi denounced the incident as “shameful and inhumane” and offered condolences to the Iraqi government and people as well as the families of the victims.

“By conducting blind and indiscriminate terrorist acts targeting innocent and defenceless citizens, the remnants of terrorist groups intend to take revenge for the defeat they have suffered at the hands of the Iraqi nation and government; however, they will never succeed and will soon be wiped off the region forever,” said Qassemi.

Several people were killed and a dozen wounded Thursday when a car bomb exploded near a restaurant in Mosul around dinner time in a rare terrorist attack since ISIS militants were flushed out last year.

The restaurant is known to be frequented by security personnel.

Europe Determined to Facilitate Trade with Iran: France

IFP Editorial Staff

November 11, 2018

In a Saturday phone conversation, the two sides discussed the latest developments in bilateral relations, the Iran nuclear deal and other topics of interest.

The French foreign minister stressed that Paris and other European countries are determined to create special mechanisms for Iran to enjoy the economic benefits of the nuclear deal.

The mechanism, known as Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), is designed to circumvent the sanctions, under which Washington can cut off any bank that enables oil transactions with Iran.

Iran Urges FIFA to Keep Politics Out of Sports

IFP Editorial Staff

November 10, 2018

The Iranian official said by adopting such policy, the FIFA will play a constructive role in the solidarity of nations.

Jahangiri made the comments in a meeting with the President of the Asian Football Confederation Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa on Saturday ahead of the second leg of the AFC Champions League finale between Iran’s Persepolis and Kashima Antlers from Japan.

“Political differences between countries are something usual, but we expect the AFC not to allow political issues to affect football,” the Iranian first VP underlined.

For his part, the AFC President said that Iran not only plays a major role in Asian football, but also is a key player in the world of football.

Sheikh Salman hailed Iran’s achievements saying that the country’s football has shown a brilliant performance both at the Asian level, and at the World Cup.

He added that the AFC is a united entity and there is good solidarity among its members as football should be able to bring nations closer.

Earlier, Iran’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Masoud Soltanifar called on the AFC president not to mix political issues with sports. He said it is the absolute right of Iranian teams to host Saudi teams in Iran, referring to a dispute between Tehran and Riyadh over the hosting of matches between Iranian and Saudi teams.

The Iranian minister said the Islamic Republic considers sports, and especially football, as the link between nations because it develops peace and friendship among nations.

“We did our best to prepare the Azadi Stadium and, fortunately, we are hosting the AFC finale in a good situation.”

He further added that Iran’s capabilities alongside those of the AFC will lead to more success for Asian football.

Persepolis was defeated 2-0 by Kashima Antlers in the first leg in Tokyo, and now needs to show a brilliant performance in the second leg in front of 80,000 spectators at Azadi Stadium.

ECO Agrees to Allocate Seat to Iran’s Hamadan in Vienna

Fatemeh Askarieh

November 10, 2018

Mayor of Hamadan, which is home to the tomb of Persian polymath Avicenna, told a recent press conference held by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) that a request for the seat had been sent to the ECO headquarters and it was approved by the body’s authorities.

Abbas Soufi added that the decision can introduce Hamadan as one of the top cultural cities of the world.

The ECO is a sub-division of the United Nations, Soufi said, adding that such international moves could be effective in the development and introduction of Hamadan.

He stressed that the UNWTO is the best place to introduce the tourist attractions of Hamadan as the capital of Iranian history and civilization to tourists around the world.

“We held meetings with the Austrian, Belgian, Swiss, Greek, Brazilian and Japanese ambassadors, and we held talks on developing the tourism industry in the province,” he mentioned.

Last week, Hamadan was registered at the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) as the world’s first city, and it could be effective in developing the tourism industry in this city, underlined Soufi.

Hamadan was also chosen as Asia’s hub of tourism in 2018 by the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

“As Hamadan is a member of several international institutions, Hamadan International Development Cooperation Centre will be set up in the near future, which will be a hub of the management of these international institutions.”

The 40th World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) forum will be hosted by Hamadan from November 12 to 14 with participation of different countries.

The Economic Cooperation Organisation or ECO is a Eurasian political and economic intergovernmental body which was founded in 1984 in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey. It provides a platform to discuss ways to improve development and promote trade and investment opportunities. The objective is to establish a single market for goods and services, much like the European Union.

Iranian Art of Tobafi to Be Inscribed by World Crafts Council

Fatemeh Askarieh

November 10, 2018

Three experts from the World Crafts Council, an affiliate of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), recently visited Tobafi workshops in Khorashad village of Birjand in South Khorasan province, eastern Iran, to take a closer look at the traditional art.

The team of experts included Kuwaiti head of the World Craft Council’s Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR) Ghada Hijjawi-Qaddumi, Ahmed Saleh al-Farisi from Oman, and Vida Tohidi, and advisor to Iran’s top handicrafts official.

After visiting the workshops, Hijjawi-Qaddumi said the craft used to be made by men in the past, but now Iranian women have revived the precious art.

She praised the efforts made by Khorashad women to revive the art, and said the WCC team enjoyed the works done in this village.

The art has been revived thanks to the great efforts made, and its products are offered on international markets.

The Tobafi art, as the only handicraft skill in the province, has been nominated to receive the originality seal from the country’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism.

In order to weave fabric with the traditional Tobafi method, they first provide raw materials such as cotton, silk or wool. Then they spin them. Afterwards, they boil the spun thread and use flour to make the thread thicker. Then they use the fabric and the fabric-weaving machine to make the final product.

The revival of the traditional fabric-weaving art began in Khorashad, and now there are other artists in other towns who do fabric-weaving.

The managing director of a women’s cooperatives company has been able to revive the 300-year-old art over the past 12 years and is now offering on the world market the handicrafts woven by folks in South Khorasan province.

Since the very first years of her activity, Fatemeh Zakerian has had a successful performance in exhibitions where traditional fabrics were offered.

“One sweet event happened at the New Year exhibition in Mashhad where businessmen from Dubai showed an interest in the traditional fabrics of South Khorasan. The businessmen saw the products in the exhibit and examined the quality of the goods. Then they bought 20 coloured shawls made from plant materials. After they became confident about the quality of the products, they ordered 300 shawls in different colours,” she said.

“These shawls are made from cotton thread and dyed using traditional methods with plant materials by members of the cooperatives company,” she said.

“Traditional dying is done using the skin of different types of crops such as walnut shell, onions, oranges, saffron, garlic and powdered stone,” she added.

One of the advantages of traditional fabrics in South Khorasan is that they are made with natural fibres and the only type of coloured cotton grown in the town of Khusf.

Chemical dye is not used to make traditional clothes in this town.

Governor of the town Mohammad Sahfi’ee says the only type of coloured cotton is grown in the town of Khusf, which is a unique feature of the area.

Another handicrafts and cultural heritage official also says the traditional towels made with this type of cotton are highly absorbent. This type of towel weaving has been registered on the List of National Cultural Heritage.

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