A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 5

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November 5, 2018

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

The top story in all papers today was the nationwide November 4 rallies held in Iran to condemn the US policies towards the country, particularly the sanctions it just re-imposed.

Several papers also covered the Guardian Council’s controversial decision to reject a bill on Iran’s accession to the Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) convention, which had been earlier passed by the Parliament.

Many reformist papers criticized the timing of the legislation watchdog’s announcement, arguing that rejecting the bill on the day when the US sanctions were to be re-imposed was a gift to US President Donald Trump.

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

Abrar:

1- Intelligence Minister: New US Plot to Result in Nothing but Failure

2- EU Ambassador to Russia: We’ll Work to Protect Iran’s Economic Interests

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- CFT Rejected

2- IRGC Chief-Commander to Trump: Don’t Ever Threaten Iran

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Rouhani’s VP: Government Will Once Again Revise CFT Bill

Ebtekar:

1- Death to American on Day of US Sanctions

2- Risks of Not Ratifying CFT Law

Etemad:

1- Day of Shouting: People Chant Slogans against Arrogance on Day of Sanctions

2- Turkish Ambassador to Tehran: We Told Americans We Can’t Stop Oil Imports from Iran

Ettela’at:

1- IRGC Chief-Commander: Enemy’s Economic War Doomed to Failure

2- Guardian Council Says Government’s Bill on Joining CFT Has 20 Flaws

Hamshahri:

1- Guardian Council’s Rejection of CFT Bill Leads to Fall of Tehran Stock Exchange

Iran:

1- CFT Back in Parliament

2- Response to Sanctions on Anniversary of US Embassy Takeover

Jame Jam:

1- Rejection of CFT Provides Opportunity for Diplomacy

2- Iran Parliament Weighing Plan to Punish Those Cooperating with US Sanctions

Javan:

1- The Most Anti-American Nov. 4 Rallies Held across Iran

2- IRGC Chief: Revolution Couldn’t Survive without Takeover of US Embassy in 1979

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- World Bank: Iran’s Ranking in Ease of Doing Business to Improve by 45 Positions

2- Europe Accelerates Efforts to Create Financial Mechanism for Iran

Kayhan:

1- People, Guardian Council Deal Heavy Blow to US on Nov. 4

2- Iran’s Oil Exports Still Ongoing on Nov. 4

3- Washington Post: American Forces Afraid of Clash with Iran in Persian Gulf

Sazandegi:

1- Suspension of CFT

2- Trump Being Duplicated in the World

Many Call Brazil’s New President Bolsonaro another Version of Trump
Trumpism Growing across the World

Shahrvand:

1- Guardian Council’s Bad Timing for Rejecting CFT Bill

Experts Say Legislation Watchdog’s Decision to Make Situation More Complicated

Shargh:

1- IRGC Chief-Commander to Trump: Don’t Threaten Us with Military Action

2- CFT U-Turn: Guardian Council Announces Its Decision on Nov. 4

Sobh-e Now:

1- Young Iran in Clash with Old America: Analyst

Iran Thwarts Israeli Cyber-Attacks on Its Communications Infrastructure

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IFP Editorial Staff

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November 5, 2018

Hamid Fattahi said in a tweet that sporadic attacks by the occupying regime were launched on some of Iran’s communications infrastructure, all of which have been thwarted strongly.

“It’s no surprise to the world that they claim to be advocates of human rights while killing a nation in cold blood,” reads his message.

He further mentioned that they falsely claim the Islamic Republic has launched cyberattacks while they arrange such attacks themselves.

Minutes after Fattahi’s post on Twitter, Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said in a separate tweet that the regime, which has a background of using cyber-attacks in cases like Stuxnet, was trying this time to inflict damage on Iran’s communications infrastructure.

“Of course, thanks to the vigilance of the technical teams, they returned empty-handed. We will pursue this hostile act through international bodies,” added Azari Jahromi.

A malware dubbed Stuxnet was deployed against Iran’s nuclear facilities back in 2011. The Washington Post reported in June 2012 that the US National Security Agency (NSA), its spy service CIA, and Israel’s military had worked together to launch Stuxnet against the facilities.

Iran-US Talks Possible Had They Kept Their Promises: Rouhani

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IFP Editorial Staff

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November 5, 2018

“When I was in New York, the leaders of the four great countries came to me asking for holding a meeting with the President of the United States,” Rouhani said in a televised speech on Monday.

“Such an issue does not need any intermediaries. We have no problem with holding talks, provided that the other party does not break its promises,” underscored the Iranian president.

Addressing the White House officials, Rouhani stated that “you fulfill your obligations, then we will talk. We have no problem in holding negotiations. If the other party holds its promises, there is no problem with negotiating.”

He further noted that Tehran will “proudly” bypass the sanctions imposed by the United States that took effect on Monday targeting the country’s oil and financial sectors.

“I hereby announce that we will proudly bypass your illegal, unjust sanctions because it’s against international regulations,” said Rouhani in a televised speech.

He further added that “we are in a situation of economic war, confronting a bullying power. I don’t think that in the history of the United States, someone has entered the White House who is so much against the law and international conventions.”

He went on to say that fortunately, today the United States is more isolated than ever.

“You see how many countries are supporting Washington’s move (in reinstating sanctions) and how many are opposed to such a decision. We have achieved great success in the political arena, in shaping public opinion, and also in legal areas; it is not an easy job to see the United States insisting on its stance while the whole European Union resisting against it.”

Rouhani called it a victory of diplomacy and foreign policy for Iran.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he pointed out that some assume the success at nuclear negotiations was great, but the US undermined it. “That’s not the case, this is a misinterpretation.”

“We at least have this political achievement today. During the nuclear negotiations an overwhelming majority of countries of the world, with the exception of two or three countries, threw their weight behind the deal.”

President Rouhani further noted that today, almost all countries in the world are against the United States. He said they are supporting Iran, and this is the success of Tehran’s diplomacy.

“You saw at the United Nations General Assembly how public opinion received the Iranian officials’ speech, and how they received the White House officials’ statements. At the Security Council they did their best to put the final nail in the nuclear deal’s coffin, but everyone saw how the Security Council session turned into a gathering to support the nuclear accord.”

The Iranian president also called for unity among the Iranian people and vowed that the nation will never be weakened in the face of US sanctions.

Iran Ready to Work with Europe in Probe into Assassination Plot

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IFP Editorial Staff

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November 5, 2018

Iran’s readiness for cooperation was expressed in a meeting between a senior foreign ministry official and the ambassadors of the three European countries to Tehran, who had been invited to the foreign ministry following the recent anti-Iran accusations over assassination plots in France and Denmark, Qassemi said on Sunday.

During the talks, the Iranian official once again dismissed the European allegations levelled against Tehran, describing them as part of the Zionist regime’s plot and clumsy scenarios, the spokesman added.

“At the meeting, the Iranian foreign minister’s assistant and director general of European affairs announced that Tehran was ready for all-out cooperation, including in security areas and launch of joint fact-finding investigations, with the respective countries,” noted Qassemi.

According to Qassemi, the official has also laid emphasis on the responsibility borne by Norway, Sweden, and Denmark to confront terrorism, saying that sheltering those who have officially claimed responsibility for the recent terror attack in Iran’s Ahvaz is unacceptable.

He further underlined that the joint efforts to identify the terrorist elements, who have found sheltered in Europe, had earlier been emphasised during the meeting of the Netherlands’ new ambassador with Iran’s deputy foreign minister for political affairs, Qassemi said, adding that the issue was also raised in phone conversations with foreign ministers of Germany, France, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Denmark recently accused Iran “of planning to assassinate an Iranian activist on Danish soil”. The accusation came shortly after a similar allegation by France.

Tehran has vehemently rejected these claims saying such allegations are in line with the conspiracies and plots of the enemies of Iran who cannot stand the good and growing relations between Iran and Europe in the current special situation.

US Sanctions on Iran to Further Destabilize Mideast: Syria

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IFP Editorial Staff

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November 5, 2018

US Sanctions on Iran to Further Destabilize Mideast: Syria — A meme inspired by TV series 'Game of Thrones' posted by US President Donald Trump ahead of the re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran

In a statement on Sunday, Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the US move is a continuation of Washington’s policy of creating instability and insecurity in the region.

The statement also adds that Damascus strongly rejects the United States’ unilateralism in imposing its cruel sanctions against countries that do not give in to their demands.

“The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes this policy of the US is against the United Nations Charter, the basics of international law, and the multilateral trading system.”

The Trump administration on Friday announced the re-imposition of all US sanctions on the Islamic Republic that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal – but with an exemption for eight oil-buying nations.

US officials say Washington will also add 700 individuals and entities to its Iran blacklist and pressure the global SWIFT banking network to cut off ties with Tehran.

Tehran Blames Riyadh for Abduction of Iranian Border Guards

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IFP Media Wire

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November 5, 2018

Speaking to reporters in the western city of Khorramabad on Sunday, General Ramezan Sharif said due to the strategic and special conditions of the southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan, terror cells affiliated to foreign intelligence services always try to hit Iranian border guards there.

Over the past year, anti-Iran grouplets have made more than 50 attempts to abduct Iranian guards in various parts of the border, especially in Saravan, he said, adding that in most of the cases the attacks have been foiled.

The spokesman further emphasized that since the “tragic event” of the abduction of border guards in Sistan and Balouchestan occurred, the IRGC has been pursuing the issue with all its power.

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour traveled to Pakistan on October 22 to pursue the issue of the Iranian border guards who had been kidnapped and taken into Pakistan by Takfiri terrorists earlier that month.

Pakistani-based terrorists kidnapped 14 Iranian forces at a border post in Mirjaveh region in Sistan and Balouchestan on October 15.

Iranian military forces along the southeastern border areas are frequently attacked by terrorist groups coming from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Tehran has frequently asked the two neighbors to step up security at the common border to prevent terrorist attacks on Iranian forces.

Iran Slams Bahrain for Handing Life Sentence to Opposition Leader

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IFP Editorial Staff

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November 5, 2018

In a Sunday statement, Qassemi highlighted the moderate and peaceful approach of the prominent Shiite cleric and his anti-violence stances, saying that the verdict leaves no room for any doubt in public opinion and the international community that the government of Bahrain is not after bringing about reforms but it intends to intensify its crackdown on the dissent and deteriorate the situation.

“Instead of relying on other governments and spending hefty money on purchasing security from others, the Bahraini officials should abandon their police and security approaches towards the self-made crisis in the country and start meeting their own people’s legitimate demands by holding real and serious talks with the critics and opponents,” he went on to say.

He also urged Manama to put an end to its inhumane behaviour of issuing brutal verdicts and imposing restrictions on the Bahraini nation.

Sheikh Ali Salman was handed a life sentence earlier Sunday after the Court of Appeal found him guilty of spying for Qatar. This comes as months ago, the Bahraini High Court of First Tier had acquitted Salman of the charge of “colluding” with the rival state.

The sentence has sparked national and international outcry. Al-Wefaq party has slammed the life sentence saying the verdict has once again showed Bahrain’s judiciary is dominated by the ruling regime.

Meanwhile, Human rights group Amnesty International has described the decision as a “travesty of justice” amid Bahrain’s “continued crackdown on dissent”.

Number of Foreign Tourists Visiting Iran’s Yazd on Arba’een Up by 30%

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IFP Editorial Staff

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November 4, 2018

The news was announced by Director General of Yazd’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department.

The tourists attended mourning events held to commemorate the fortieth day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein in various parts of the province including the grand (Jameh) mosques of Yazd, Ardakan and Meybod cities, the official said.

According to the official, tourists from France, Germany, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, China, Spain, Lithuania, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Czech Republic took part in Arba’een ceremonies held in Yazd province.

Meanwhile, Alireza Mirjalili, an official with an International Conference titled “Yazd, the Hussaynia of Iran”, said the Arba’een ceremonies in Yazd were attended by dozens of visitors from 15 countries.

He said the ceremonies are held to promote the real face of Islam and use the capacities of the peaceful religion to attract more foreign tourists to the province.

Along with Fars and Isfahan provinces, Yazd consists what is known as the golden triangle of Iran’s tourism industry.

The city is one of the first destinations of most foreign visitors. The number of foreign tourists of the province has increased by five times over the past years paving the way for further promotion of tourism industry in the province.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added the historical part of Yazd in central Iran to its list of world heritage sites on July 19, 2017.

Iran Urges Pope Francis Not to Remain Indifferent to US Sanctions

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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November 4, 2018

Iran Urges Pope Francis Not to Remain Indifferent to US Sanctions — Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican, May 24, 2017. / Photo by Alessandra Tarantino, Reuters

Seyyed Mostafa Mohaqqeq Damad, the head of the Department of Islamic Studies at the Iranian Academy of Sciences, asked the Pontiff in a letter to speak out against the sanctions imposed by a large Christian country against the Iranian nation.

Despite reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which for 12 times confirmed Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal, “the US president unilaterally withdrew his country from the deal,” Mohaqqeq Damad said in the letter.

“As you know the principle of sticking to on one’s commitments is highly respected in all religions. The US president has also gone further by making bitter decisions which are directly hurting the Iranian nation. The sufferings which are to be inflicted on the Iranians are no secret anymore and they are not restricted to the shortage of food and medicine,” the letter said.

He said the human conscience can never accept the suffering of children, the elderly, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups of the society.

“Such inhumane decisions put these people in trouble and they may even lose their lives due to severe shortage of basic commodities. Regrettably the decisions are being made by the leader of a country which is mostly Christian-populated and its people follow the instructions of the prophet of peace, friendship and love.”

“It is more regrettable that the decisions are made in an era during which you hold the leadership of the world’s Catholic Christians and are highly respected by the followers of other religions,” he noted.

The letter comes as the Trump administration is going to re-impose the US sanctions on the Islamic Republic on November 5.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 4

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

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November 4, 2018

Newspapers today widely covered the comments made by the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei about the failure of US policies towards Iran in the past four decades.

The top story, however, was the re-imposition of the US sanctions on Iran and the meme the US president tweeted about it, which sparked widespread reactions on social media.

The first leg of the final match of AFC Champions League between Iran’s Persepolis and Japan’s Kashima Antlers, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Iranian side, also received great coverage. Several particularly covered the broadcast of the match for Iranian schoolchildren across the country, which was realized after a rare decision by the Education Ministry.

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

Abrar:

1- Iran Foreign Ministry: Re-imposition of Sanctions Ethical, Political Failure for US

2- Zarif Holds Phone Talks with Mogherini, German, Danish, Swedish FMs