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Leader Rules Out Possibility of US War with Iran

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.

80-Year-Old Musician Entertains Tourists in Northwestern Iran

IFP Editorial Staff

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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Iranian, Russia, Iraq, Syrian Top Generals to Meet Soon

IFP Media Wire

September 2, 2018

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces for International Affairs Brigadier General Qadir Nezami, who is in Iraq at the head of a military delegation, said on Sunday that he had attended a quadrilateral meeting with his Russian, Iraqi, and Syrian counterparts in Baghdad.

During the meeting, the participants discussed the latest situation of the campaign against the Daesh (ISIS or ISIL) terrorist group in Iraq and Syria and the performance of a joint committee tasked with coordination among the four countries’ armed forces, he said.

According to Brigadier General Nezami, the four countries also agreed to hold a meeting of the chiefs of staff of the countries’ armed forces in the near future.

Daesh militants made swift advances in much of northern and western Iraq over the summer of 2014, after capturing large swaths of northern Syria.

In November 2017, the self-proclaimed caliphate of Daesh collapsed after Syrian and Iraqi armed forces and their allies managed to recapture the terror group’s last strongholds in the two Arab countries.

Tajrish: A Lovely Neighbourhood North of Tehran

IFP Editorial Staff

September 2, 2018

Tajrish: A Lovely Neighbourhood North of Tehran

Tajrish neighbourhood, which is located in northern Tehran at an altitude of 1,612 metres above sea level, has a cold climate thanks to its proximity to Alborz Mountain range.

During the Qajar period, Tehran was chosen as the capital of Iran. At the same time, Tajrish became the summer resort of Tehran citizens. Many of aristocrats built gardens there for their summer residence.

There are several Qanats in the district. Some of them still have water supplies. As people moved from other parts of the country to Tehran and its suburbs, some of them settled in Tajrish. As a result, the region became a part of the city and was not a sheer summer resort anymore.

Today, the only thing left from the old Tajrish neighbourhood is its traditional market and several houses next to Imamzadeh Saleh Shrine.

Tajrish Square, located at the end of Tehran’s Vali-e Asr Avenue, is one of the city’s busiest commercial centres.

The old market, the great Tajrish Tekyeh (a place where Shiites gather for mourning of Muharram) and Imamzadeh Saleh Shrine are among the most beautiful attractions of this neighbourhood.

What follows are Tehran Picture Agency’s photos of the neighbourhood:

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Iranian, French FMs Discuss Bilateral, Regional Issues

IFP Editorial Staff

September 2, 2018

During the Saturday phone talk, Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran and his French opposite number Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed the latest status of bilateral relations, the Iran nuclear deal and regional developments.

The phone conversation came a few days after Le Drian told a gathering of EU foreign ministers in Vienna that Iran must respect the fundamentals of the 2015 nuclear deal and should be prepared to negotiate on its future nuclear plans, ballistic missile arsenal and alleged meddling in conflicts across the Middle East.

Iran “cannot avoid discussions, negotiations on three other major subjects that worry us — the future of Iran’s nuclear commitments after 2025, the ballistic question and the fact that there is a sort of ballistic proliferation on the part of Iran… and the role Iran plays to stabilize the whole region,” he said.

In reaction, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi rejected the call for talks on Tehran’s missile program and regional policies, saying the West has left no trust for Iran to sit for talks on non-nuclear issues.

In a statement on Friday, Qassemi said Le Drian’s comments were “undue concerns” founded on a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge about Iran.

Qassemi said Iran had always proved that it was not afraid of talks and that it strongly believed in dialogue.

The nuclear talks revealed Iran’s good faith and commitment to the principle of negotiation, and could in turn serve as a yardstick against which to measure the West’s commitment to its pledges, he noted.

However, he added, the West failed to live up to its commitments after US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – while other parties stood idle and kept mum.

“Under current circumstances … there is no reason, need, reliability or trust for holding fresh talks on any topic, let alone non-negotiable issues,” he said.

Iran Dismisses “Absurd” Reports on Moving Missile to Iraq

IFP Editorial Staff

September 1, 2018

In a Saturday statement, Qassemi dismissed the reports as absurd, meaningless and ridiculous.

The claim has been raised by certain notorious centres and media outlets, and is totally irrelevant and basically false, he added.

According to Qassemi, such reports are aimed at spreading fear among the regional states and are part of the enemies’ Iranophobia and anti-Iran policies.

The main purpose of these false and ridiculous reports is to negatively impact the Islamic Republic’s foreign relations particularly with its neighbours, Qassemi noted.

Back on Friday, Reuters cited some unknown Iranian, Iraqi and western intelligence officials as claiming that Iran has begun moving missiles into Iraq.

The report identified the missiles as Zelzal, Fateh-110 and Zulfiqar models with ranges varying from 124 to 435 miles.

It also claimed that the Islamic Republic is contributing significantly to the construction of a new missile production facility in Syria.

Mud Therapy in Lake Urmia; A Mixture of Healing, Recreation

IFP Editorial Staff

September 1, 2018

The Lake’s mud is among the best-performing medical ones thanks to its mineral salts, especially chlorine, sulphate, sulphur, radioactive materials, iodine, iron and numerous organic substances.

It is effective in the treatment of many diseases, such as skin and rheumatic diseases, psychosomatic illnesses, gynaecological diseases, especially pelvic inflammation and menstrual disorders, and many other diseases.

In the past, the Lake’s mud used to be exported to several other countries as well as the Soviet Hospital of Tehran, which is now called Khordad 15th Hospital for the treatment of patients.

However, unfortunately in recent years, except for the general public and tourists, no one else makes use of this therapeutic method.

Nowadays, by using new methods and building modern health centres near Lake Urmia, effective steps could be taken not only in the development of tourism industry, but also in helping patients.

These centres can effectively help to develop new therapeutic approaches in the healthcare system of the country and become a reference environment for other countries, especially the neighbours.

What follows are ISNA’s photos of tourists receiving mud therapy in Lake Urmia’s shores:

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US Trying to Mislead ICJ on Iran’s Lawsuit: Official

IFP Editorial Staff

September 1, 2018

In an interview with IRNA, Araqchi slammed the US lawyer’s remarks in a recent ICJ hearing, saying that instead of responding to the logical and legal arguments of Iranian lawyers, the US attempted to provide non-technical and non-relevant justifications.

Araqchi said the US’ lawyer interrupted the senior officials of Iran, including himself (Araqchi), and provided incorrect translations and interpretations in a bid to mislead the court and evade accountability.

“I stated in my interview that, although the court’s decision was binding as per the international law, the international bodies’ power to force the US into abiding by the decision is very limited. In the past, Washington had openly refused to abide by The Hague’s verdicts on several occasions in spite of the clarity of the lawsuits against the United States,” he added.

“We knew that even if the ICJ issues a fair ruling and confirms that Iran’s rights have been violated by the US sanctions, the United States will not possibly accept it in any case. However, we decided to take our case to the court in order to prove Iran’s rightfulness.”

The breath-taking controversy of Iranian-American legal teams ended at the International Court of Justice on Thursday, and it will be clear in the coming weeks which side will win the case.

The first hearing session on Iran’s complaint against the re-imposition of unilateral sanctions by the United States was held on August 27 in The Hague, Netherlands, and at the Peace Palace of the International Court of Justice.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tehran has complained to the ICJ against United States’ violation of 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights.

He also noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran has filed a lawsuit against the US at The Hague on this basis.

The International Court of Justice has 15 qualified judges, elected by the General Assembly of the United Nations and the Security Council for a period of nine years.

Iran’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Alireza Jahangiri, had previously stated that if the vote would be in favour of the Islamic Republic, the UN Security Council must implement it and could enforce it on Washington. But even if the verdict is vetoed by the United States at the Security Council, it can still put great pressure on Washington.

The 1955 treaty was signed between Tehran and Washington before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

It consists of an introduction and twenty-three articles calling for friendly ties while encouraging bilateral trade, investments, and regulating consular relations. The treaty was signed in Tehran just a week before the second anniversary of the 1953 Coup. The treaty came into force in June 1957. Ever since, it has been considered as the legal framework for bilateral ties between Tehran and Washington.

Tehran Hosts First Free Outdoor Concert

IFP Editorial Staff

September 1, 2018

The event was marked by performances by the Orchestra of National Musical Instruments.

The orchestra conducted by Aliakbar Qorbani featured vocals by Mohammad Mo’tamedi, a renowned traditional signer.

It was the first musical performance free of charge for the public and was held at Water-and-Fire Park on August 30, 2018.

At the beginning of the concert, Narrator Mirza-Ali recited pieces about Imam Ali.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and was warmly welcomed by the people on its first night, though there were some problems such as a shortage of seats for the audience and the long time it took to tune up the instruments.

However, the concert went very well with the cooperation of the people and no security incidents came up during the performances despite earlier concerns.

The audience stood up to honour the “Oh, Iran” piece played without prior rehearsal and sang along in harmony with the orchestra.

“With such performances, we intend to show the police that such events will not be problematic for public security,” said Mo’tamedi.

The National Musical Instruments Orchestra comprises musicians playing such instruments as the Tar, Santoor, Tumbak and flute.

The idea of holding such free outdoor concerts was first raised by famous singer Homayoun Shajarian, who said such performances may help ordinary people forget about their economic problems for a few hours.

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