Iran FM Arrives in Damascus in Unannounced Visit

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September 3, 2018

Zarif entered Syria on Monday at the head of a political delegation upon an invitation by his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem.

During his stay, Zarif will hold meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Prime Minister Imad Khamis and Muallem to discuss latest developments in Syria and bilateral relations.

Upon arrival at Damascus airport, Zarif was welcomed by Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.

The Iranian top diplomat’s visit comes a week after Defence Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami visited the country and signed several documents of cooperation, boosting defence ties between the two states.

Consultations between Tehran and Damascus come as the Syrian army is preparing to launch a full-scale attack on the militant-held Idlib province in north-western Syria.

On September 7, Tehran is going to host a key trilateral meeting between the presidents of Iran, Russia, and Turkey on the issue of Syria, particularly the Idlib offensive.

“US’ Concern about Iran’s Missile Transfer to Iraq Utterly Ridiculous”

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IFP Editorial Staff

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September 3, 2018

“The US state secretary’s expression of concern over the alleged transfer of Iranian missiles to Iraq and violation of [UN] Security Council 2231 Resolution is really awkward and [an attempt] to deceive public opinion,” Qassemi told ILNA on Sunday.

“The US State Secretary has not only deceived public opinion over a baseless issue such as transfer of missiles, but is citing a resolution that has nothing to do with such invalid issues,” Qassemi said.

The interesting point is that the US has cited a resolution that has been breached by itself, he went on to say.

Stressing the need for the US to refrain from interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs, Qassemi said that “the US’ military presence in the region is the main cause of instability and insecurity in this region.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is the main actor in creating stability and security in this region and it is on the front line of the battle against terrorism and extremism,” he said.

“Today, Iran and Iraq have best-ever ties and the US’ divisive policies cannot hamper long-standing historic, cultural and political relations between the two countries,” he said.

Qassemi was reacting to a tweet by Pompeo who said the US is deeply concerned over reports of Iran moving ballistic missiles into Iraq.

If found to be true, it’s a “gross violation of Iraqi sovereignty” and breaches UNSC Resolution 2231, Pompeo said.

He was referring to a Reuters report that Iran had provided missiles to allied Shiite groups in Iraq in the past few months.

The Reuters report cited unidentified Iranian, Iraqi and Western intelligence officials as its source.

The UNSC 2231 endorsed a nuclear deal in 2015 between Iran and world powers. Iran says the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, which came early May, is a violation of the resolution.

Iranian Woman Using Instagram to Reunite Separated Families

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IFP Editorial Staff

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September 3, 2018

Sorayya created a special Instagram account after a little Iranian girl named Atena Aslani disappeared in her neighbourhood in Ardabil. Since then, her account has turned into a hub for searching and finding missing people, particularly children.

Many children, who had been separated from their families for years, have managed to find their real parents through Sorayya’s account, a report by Shahrvand newspaper said.

Sorayya created the Instagram account immediately after the six-year-old Atena went missing. Although Atena suffered a horrible fate, Sorayya didn’t stop her efforts and managed to bring together many separated families together through her Instagram account over the past years.

Sorayya is a 36-year-old woman with a 20-year-old son. Sorayya didn’t deactivate the Instagram account she had created for finding Atena even after her horrible death.

Today, a growing number of governmental organizations as well as celebrities are putting their weight behind Sorayya from the police departments of Tehran and Karaj to National Organization for Civil Registration, and from attorneys to psychologists inside and outside Iran, contributing to her efforts to find the disappeared persons.

“I created my first Instagram account back in 2017. I’m from Parsabad in the northwestern province of Ardabil where Atena went missing. I decided to create the account immediately after Atena disappeared. I wanted to do something for her. So, I created the account and called on all people to contribute to efforts to find the little girl,” she told in an interview with Shahrvand.

Sorayya went on to say that the account is still active even after the tragic death of Atena and added she has continued her efforts to find disappeared persons by publishing their photos and urging other users to share any information they might have about them.

“To this end, I also created a Telegram account. There are many people who have been separated from their families after being lost in their childhood. Most of them have asked me to play a role in their efforts to find their real parents. So, our accounts in social networks became more active and during this time, we managed to bring together many separated families,” she added.

In response to a question on the number of separated families reunited through her social media accounts, Sorayya said, so far 12 separated families have been brought together and between 20 and 30 missing children have been found.

“I’ve not been alone in these efforts. I had the backing of many people and together we could perform a miracle,” she said.

Sorayya also referred to contributions made by some organizations and celebrities and said there are many people who offer services free of charge. “For example, one attorney took the advocacy of a separated family free of charge.”

She cited the death of Atena as one of the most horrible memories of her efforts to help find the disappeared persons.

As one of her sweetest memories during this period, she referred to finding Yeganeh Younesi, a four-year-old girl who had been abducted by an unknown couple back in 2013 in the south-western city of Ahvaz.

“The girl was found four years later when she was eight through efforts made by my Instagram account. The kidnappers wanted to sell Yeganeh to pay their debts. I burst into tear as we found Yeganeh and brought a separated family together. It was one of the sweetest moments of my life,” she concluded.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 3

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IFP Editorial Staff

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September 3, 2018

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

The top story in all papers today was the remarks made by the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with a group of air defence commanders. During the meeting, the Leader said the country’s armed forces must boost their defence capabilities even though there is no possibility for a military conflict.

Also a top story was a Sunday parliamentary session, during which Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to questions raised by a conservative lawmaker. Other MPs finally announced they had been convinced by Zarif’s comments.

The final court session of Esfandyar Rahim-Mashaei, the former chief of staff and a close ally of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, also received great coverage.

A decision by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to dismiss his national security advisor also remained a topic of discussion in many papers today.

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

Abrar:

1- Parliament Not to Impeach President Rouhani

2- I Only Bow to Iranian Flag: FM Zarif

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- The Issue of Diapers!

* Price of Diaper Soars in Iran

2- We Need No One’s Help in Reconstructing Syria: FM

3- Why US Angry with Pakistan

Ebtekar:

1- Three Close Aides of Ahmadinejad to Be Tried

2- Air Defence Base at Frontline of Fight against Iran’s Enemies: Leader

3- MPs Convinced by Zarif’s Answers

Etemad:

1- From MI-6 to Mossad: Names Raised in Trial of Ahmadinejad’s Ex-Deputy

2- Workers Back at Work: End of Two Weeks of Strike in Haft-Tappeh

Ettela’at:

1- Chief-Commander of Iran’s Armed Forces: Military Conflict Not Going to Happen

2- Syria Says Ties with Iran Not Open to Bargaining

Iran:

1- VP for Women Affairs: Negative, Discriminatory Looks at Women Decreased

2- Reformist Figure: It’s Not a Good Time to Negotiate with US Now

Javan:

1- Zarif: I Limited, Regulated Soros Foundation’s Ties with Iran

2- Based on Political Calculations, There’s No Possibility for Military Conflict: Leader

3- Ayatollah Khamenei Praises Performance of Iranian Athletes at Jakarta Asian Games

Kayhan:

1- People Expect President to Practically Respond to MPs’ Unanswered Questions

2- The Person Zarif Calls a Patriot Is Now in Prison for Espionage!

Khorasan:

1- Parliament Approves Plan to Distribute Basic Goods in Cheap Prices

2- Strange Secrets behind a Dismissal in Iraq

Resalat:

1- Actors, Rules, Regulations Change in Iraq on Daily Basis: Analyst

2- Decisions on Iran’s Foreign Policy Taken at Highest Level: FM

Shargh:

1- Mourners against Trump

2- We Shouldn’t Trust Erdogan’s Turkey [Editorial]

3- Diplomacy Doesn’t Mean Romantic Relationship: Zarif

Sobh-e Now:

1- Parliament May Impeach Trade Minister after Sacking Economy, Labour Ministers

2- Iran, Iraq Ditch US Dollar in Trade Ties

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- Saudi Arabia: We Attacked Wrong Target in Yemen!

2- Mr Government! “Shake Yourself”!

3- Erdogan: We Should End US Dollar’s Monopoly

Iran, UN Discuss Issue of Afghan, Syrian Refugees

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IFP Editorial Staff

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September 2, 2018

Iran, UN Discuss Issue of Afghan, Syrian Refugees — A group of Afghan kids whose families have taken refuge in Iran

During the Sunday meeting in Tehran, the two sides exchanged views on the latest situation of Syrian and Afghan refugees, and other issues of mutual interests.

The UN high commissioner arrived in Tehran after his visits to Syria and Lebanon.

His regional tour comes as there are discussions on the possible repatriation of some 5.6 million refugees in the region.

Meanwhile, the issue of Afghan refugees in Iran has always been a key point of talks between Tehran and the UN as Iran has been hosting hundreds of thousands of these refugees since the late 1970s, when their country was occupied by the Soviet Union troops.

Although many of those refugees have returned to their country voluntarily, there are still many documented and undocumented Afghans in Iran.

Leader, President Praise Iranian Athletes’ Performance in Asian Games

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IFP Editorial Staff

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September 2, 2018

Leader, President Praise Iranian Athletes’ Performance in Asian Games — Iranian men's volleyball team after winning the gold medal of 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia / Photo by Alireza Karami

In his message on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei offered congratulations to all “dear medal winners of Iran’s athletic teams”, and thanked them for winning the highest ever number of medals for Iran in the sports event.

“You made the Iranian nation happy and brought glory to the raised flag of Iran,” he added.

Earlier on Saturday night, President Rouhani appreciated efforts made by the athletes, their coaches and the teams’ crew in the 2018 Asian Games.

He also congratulated the athletes for their mighty and brilliant performance in the competition that resulted in the best ever result achieved by Iran in the Asian games.

“I would also like to acknowledge Iranian female athletes’ proud presence in these games, who observed Islamic and national values and won the most medals to break the record of the previous games, hoisting the Iranian flag to portray the confidence and power of our country’s women in different fields of competition,” Rouhani added.

Iran came sixth in the medal standings of the 2018 Asian Games with 62 medals, including 20 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze, Tasnim reported.

In another message, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani also praised the athletes taking part in the 2018 Asian Games, saying the brave Iranian men and women did a great job in the games, which was an opportunity for unity of the nations and stronger friendship.

Asian Games is the world’s second-biggest multi-sport event after the summer Olympics.

Iran, UK Say Ready to Cooperate on Ending Syria Crisis

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IFP Editorial Staff

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September 2, 2018

During the Saturday meeting in Tehran, Jaberi Ansari said a central plank of Iran’s regional policy is the necessity of putting an end to the Syria crisis.

“Humanitarian issues have always been of great significance to Iran during the Syria crisis, and Iran’s policy in that regard is crystal clear,” said the senior Iranian official.

Jaberi Ansari said Iran, as one of the biggest victims of chemical weapons, is seriously opposed to the use of such arms in any conflict in whatever shape or form.

He said Tehran is adamantly opposed to unilateral actions by certain countries which have described themselves as the prosecutor, judge and executioner of decrees and seek to take advantage of this issue as a tool to realize their failed political objectives in Syria.

Jaberi Ansari elaborated on the efforts being made within the framework of the Astana talks aimed at settling the Syria crisis, saying Iran has always sought an intra-Syrian dialogue and tried to boost confidence between the Syrian government and people.

He said Iran also stands ready to work closely with European countries, including the UK, to help end the crises in Syria and Yemen as soon as possible.

The British Syria envoy, in turn, expounded on his country’s policies vis-à-vis the Syria crisis and expressed misgivings over the situation and future of Idlib as well as the possibility of chemical weapons being used in the region.

He welcomed Iran-Britain cooperation on the Syria crisis and expressed London’s readiness to contribute to efforts to end the Syria conflict and return stability to the country.

Leader Rules Out Possibility of US War with Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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September 2, 2018

Based on political calculations, there is no possibility for a military conflict against Iran, but the country’s armed forces must still work to enhance their defence capabilities, Ayatollah Khamenei noted.

“Although wars are not possible, Armed Forces must be vigilant and with effective management boost their human and equipment capabilities …,” the Leader said in a Sunday meeting with commanders of the Iranian Army’s Air Defence Base.

The Leader, who was speaking on the occasion of the National Air Defence Day, described the army’s air defence base as a highly sensitive part of the armed forces which is on the front line of the battle against enemies.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for improving preparedness and capabilities of the air defence forces.

The Leader’s comments come as the US has in recent months been hardening its line on Iran, drawing out of the nuclear deal and reimposing anti-Iran sanctions suspended under the accord.

The US is also working to hamper Iran’s trade with Asia and Europe and cut down to zero Iran’s export of oil.

Tehran has threatened it would move to block the region’s oil flow in case its oil trade is stopped.

US officials have announced they will prevent Iran from blocking the Hormuz Strait, a narrow waterway in the Persian Gulf that handles about one-third of the world’s oil traffic.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 2

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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September 2, 2018

Several papers today covered the remarks made by Ali Larijani, the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, about the European leaders’ promise to secure Iran’s interests under the nuclear deal in case the country remains in JCPOA.

Also a top story was the recent developments in Iraq, particularly the protest rallies against corruption and a decision by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to dismiss his national security advisor, who is a possible candidate to replace the PM.

Speculations on a possible military conflict in Syria, especially amid the Russian war games in the Mediterranean Sea and the US’ alleged preparations to launch an attack on the Arab country, also received great coverage today.

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

Abrar:

1- Sadrists Hold Protest Rally against Corruption in Najaf

Iraqi Protesters Set Fire on Basra Governor’s Office

2- American Delegation Visiting Middle East for Talks on Syria, Iran

3- Mogherini: It’s Good News IAEA Once Again Confirmed Iran’s Commitment to JCPOA

Afkar:

1- Europe, US: Two Different Approaches with One Common Goal on Iran

2- Larijani: EU Unlikely to Make Correct Decision

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Tehran Once Again Expresses Preparedness to Hold Talks with Riyadh

2- They Left Iran, but Will Come Back: A Report on Migration of Afghan Workers from Iran

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Good End of Jakarta

Ebtekar:

1- Zarif: EU Must Take Practical Measures along with Its Political Commitments

2- Calm before Storm in Middle East

Russia Starts War Games in Mediterranean Sea amid Israelis’ Threat, US Officials’ Visit

Etemad:

1- Hellish Days of Trump: Almost Half of Americans Calls for Trump’s Impeachment

Ettela’at:

1- Larijani: Iran Remained in JCPOA at EU’s Request

2- CNN: US Has Prepared List of Targets to Attack in Syria

Iran:

1- Where Will Train of Impeachment Finally Stop?

2- Rouhani’s Chief of Staff: Holding Free Outdoor Concerts Very Good Initiative

Jame Jam:

1- 62 Medals for United Iran: Iranians Break Their Record in Asian Games

2- Iraq PM under Fire for Dismissing National Security Advisor

PM Abadi’s Suspicious Decision Probably Prescribed by US

Javan:

1- 150,000 Basij Volunteer Forces to Help People in Deprived Regions

2- American Nuclear Negotiator Says She’s Regretful

Wendy Sherman Takes Back Her Words that ‘Deceit is in Iranians’ Blood’

Kayhan:

1- Economic Stability Hinges on Reforming Banking System

2- Huge Anti-US Protests in Baghdad: People Say US Embassy Source of Terrorism

3- Iran, UK Hold New Round of Talks in Tehran

Khorasan:

1- Sistan and Baluchestan Hit by Sand Storm for Past 52 Days

Sazandegi:

1- US Withdraws from Leading the World’s Economy

Trump Pulls US Out of NAFTA, Threatens to Withdraw from NATO as Well

2- Inflation Rate May Increase to %20 in Second Half of Current Year

Shahrvand:

1- No One Unemployed in Lalejin, the World City of Pottery

Shargh:

1- Larijanii: Leaders of UK, France, Germany Asked Us to Remain in JCPOA

2- New Opening in Iran-Saudi Ties

3- Banking in the Way Young Elites Do

80-Year-Old Musician Entertains Tourists in Northwestern Iran

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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September 2, 2018

Also known as Ashik Qoshooni, he entertains tourists with his music and songs all year round, especially in spring and summer, in different locations such as the Babak Castle, the Dorsi Castle and Arasbaran Forest.

In return, tourists tip him in gratitude for his performance. His lovely face and the decorations he has attached to his musical instrument prompts tourists to take photos with him as well.

Ashik Qoshooni sings Azeri songs in his musical performances. He also joins families and youth and narrates Azeri epic and romantic stories to them.

What follows are Mizan News Agency’s photos of the old musician:

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