Iran Condemns New York Court Rulings on 9/11 Attacks

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May 28, 2018

In reaction to the latest anti-Iran court ruling issued by a federal judge in New York, Qassemi said Iran rejects such cross-border and illegal verdicts.

The foreign ministry spokesman said such verdicts are issued while there is no solid evidence on Iran’s role in the 9/11 attack and in defiance of even the US’ official reports admitting that the organizers and culprits of the terrorist catastrophe were from the US regional allies.

According to the spokesman, such rulings mock not only the international legal system but also the American people, particularly the survivors and victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Qassemi went on to say that Iran has lodged its strong protest against the US administration through official channels (the country’s Interests Section).

“Issuing such illegal rulings stands in stark violation of the international commitments, law and accepted procedures which call for judicial immunity of the governments,” he said.

Iran reserves the right to follow up on the issue, adopt measures to strongly challenge the ruling and compensate for the possible damages, he added.

The US federal judge in New York ordered Iran last month to pay $6 billion to the alleged families of 9/11 attacks even though a state investigation has found no link between Tehran and those who carried out the bombings.

The ruling, issued by Manhattan federal judge George Daniels, was also hollow because Iran has never responded to the lawsuit and is unlikely to ever pay. The lawsuit claims that Iran provided technical assistance, training and planning to the al-Qaeda operatives that conducted the attacks.

However, the official investigation on the attacks, known as the 9/11 Commission Report, said that Iran did not play a direct role.

Nevertheless, Daniels insisted that the country was liable to more than 1,000 “parents, spouses, siblings and children” involved in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit is not linked to a case filed against Saudi Arabia, which families of 9/11 victims say provided direct support for the attackers.

Fifteen of the nineteen Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudi citizens.

Iran to Dedicate Special Places to Public Protests

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 28, 2018

Bahram Sarmast, the Director General of the Interior Ministry’s Political Department, said the plan is aimed at providing protesters with special places to have their voices heard.

This plan not only ensures the protesters’ security, but also prevents public properties from being vandalized or other citizens’ business from being hampered, he added.

He said the plan allocates Tehran’s parks, stadiums and public squares to public protests, a report by ISNA said.

Sarmast said although the government has approved the plan, it has not yet implemented it.

Since its approval by Tehran’s City Council in January, the plan has sparked mixed reactions in the Iranian society.

The proponents of the plan underlined the necessity of implementing the Article 27 of Iran’s Constitution which says public gatherings and demonstrations are allowed as long as the participants do not carry arms and do not violate the fundamental principles of Islam.

On the other side, the opponents of the plan maintained that the plan is politically motivated and the city council should not get involved in security issues.

Back in January, a number of peaceful protests over economic problems broke out in several Iranian cities, but the gatherings turned violent when groups of participants, some of them armed, vandalized public properties and launched attacks on police stations and government buildings. At least 21 people including security forces lost their lives during the riots.

Following the violent protests, Iranian officials unanimously recognized the people’s right to express their protest over economic woes but stressed the protests need to be voiced within law.

“Drop in Lira’s Value Due to Turkish Economy’s Dependence on Foreign Assets”

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 28, 2018

Mohsen Rezaee, the secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council, made the comment on his Instagram page.

“The Turkish currency has considerably dropped in value. This is while Turkey is neither under sanctions, nor being threatened, and it is even a NATO member,” he wrote on Monday.

“The sudden decrease in the value of the Turkish Lira showed that making economy dependent on foreign assets could wrest control of a country’s economy from its statesmen and pose risks,” he noted.

He underlined it is not only Iran that needs to strengthen its economy.

Rather, as he added, all countries in the Middle East region need to adopt policies to make their economies stronger.

Turkey is trying desperately to halt a collapse in its currency that could trigger an economic crisis just as the country prepares to vote in an election.

Turkish inflation reached 10.85 percent and the economy has been plagued by fears of overheating despite impressive growth.

Iran, India Resolved to Expand Ties despite US Sanctions

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 28, 2018

In a post on his Twitter account on Monday, Zarif said he held constructive talks with Indian officials on energy, banking, transportation and commerce, building on the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to India back in February

The Iranian foreign minister said Iran and India are resolved to expand their ties in all fields, adding the two sides have agreed to establish special committees to explore ways to expand their mutual relations in the wake of US sanctions.

Zarif also said he held “excellent substantive concluding meeting” with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj.

According to a statement released by India’s External Affairs Ministry, during the meeting, Iranian and Indian foreign ministers discussed bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

“The two sides positively assessed the implementation of decisions taken during the visit of President Rouhani to India. These included bilateral cooperation in the areas of connectivity, energy, trade and promotion of people to people contacts,” the statement read.

The Indian Ministry also called on all signatories of the JCPOA to engage constructively for peaceful resolution of the issues that have arisen with respect to the agreement.

Earlier, in response to a question on India’s stance towards the US decision to quit the Iran nuclear deal, India’s external affairs minister told a press conference that India only abides by sanctions imposed by the United Nations and not those imposed by any other country, including the ones announced by the US against Iran.

Meanwhile, the Iranian foreign ministry released a statement on the meeting. Based on the Iranian side’s statement, Swaraj has referred to the significance of the Iran nuclear deal and underlined India’s strong support for preserving the nuclear deal during the Monday talks.
For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister thanked India’s principled stance in support of the JCPOA and briefed his Indian counterpart on efforts underway to preserve the deal.

He also praised Iran and India’s mutual ties and said bilateral political and economic relations between Tehran and New Delhi have always been at a good level.

Zarif also said the leadership of the two sides have made good agreements on further enhancing mutual economic relations.

During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on further expansion of ties in banking, energy, trade, insurance, shipping, use of national currencies, Chabahar projects and Chabahar-Zahedan railway.

The Iranian and Indian top diplomats also discussed regional and international issues in a later banquet.

Zarif arrived in India early on Monday heading a politico-economic delegation to hold talks with Indian officials on US pullout from JCPOA and ways to expand energy and transport cooperation.

Iran is India’s third largest oil supplier and there were apprehensions about possible impact of the US decision on India’s oil imports.

Iran Dismisses Reports on Indirect Talks with Israel in Jordan

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 28, 2018

In a Monday interview with IRNA, Qassemi referred to certain reports by the Zionist and Saudi media outlets on indirect talks between the Islamic Republic and the Zionist regime in Jordan and called them totally baseless and false.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran does not at all recognize the fabricated, terrorist and occupying regime of Israel [to sit for talks with it],” he said.

Motivations behind such misleading reports are completely clear, Qassemi said, adding that such absurd and biased reports are released to deflect the world’s public opinion from the recent crimes of the Zionist regime against the Palestinians.

The release of such reports by websites affiliated with the Arab-Hebrew axis is not surprising in the wake of certain Arab states’ betrayal of the Palestinian cause and their efforts to break the ten-year resistance and resilience of the Palestinians against Israel’s aggressions, he added.

Earlier, the Israeli daily Jerusalem Post quoted the Saudi-owned website Elaph claiming Iran and Israel engaged over the weekend in indirect negotiations in Jordan regarding fighting in southwestern Syria.

Elaph reported that the Iranians pledged not to participate in expected battles in southwestern Syria between President Bashar Assad’s forces and militant groups. Meanwhile, according to the report, Israel has made it clear that it will not intervene in the battles in the tri-border area, as long as Hezbollah and the Iranian-backed fighters are not involved.

The unconfirmed report added the negotiations were conducted last weekend between Iran’s ambassador to Jordan, who was in one hotel room in Amman with Iranian security personnel, while in the next room there were senior Israeli security officials, including the deputy head of the Mossad.

The report said a Jordanian mediator carried messages between the sides.

Elaph sources claimed that “the talks with the Israelis were related to fighting in Syria and the nearing campaign in southern Syria, particularly in Dera’a and Quneitra.”

China to Make $2bn Investment in Iranian Oil Refinery

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 28, 2018

China to Make $2bn Investment in Iranian Oil Refinery

Mazandaran Province’s Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs, Mousa Qaempisheh, said the Chinese company has already obtained the legal licence and carried out all administrative procedures to construct the refinery.

In an interview with IRNA, he said the company is seriously following up on the project which can pave the way for further foreign investments in Mazandaran province.

He went on to say that since the beginning of the current Persian year (March 20), at least three licences have been issued for establishing three power plants with a $37-million investment by German, Chinese and Austrian firms.

“The German firm is now involved in a joint project with Iran’s Electro Bonyan Company to establish a 12MW power plant in an industrial town in Mazandaran province with a $5.3-million investment,” he said.

Qaempisheh said meanwhile, two Chinese and Austrian firms have received the certificates to establish two 15MW power plants with a $32m investment.

He referred to guaranteed purchase of the power output as the main reason behind the growing interest of foreign firms in investing in power plants in Mazandaran province and said over the past year, foreign firms invested over $90m in the province which shows a 10-percent growth compared with the previous year.

According to the official, at least 27 licences have been issued for foreign projects worth $554m in the province over the past two decades. “23 of 27 projects have already been completed.”

Qaempisheh said the investments have been mainly made by Canadian, German, Austrian and Chinese firms in power plants, greenhouses and electrolysis of water.

Mazandaran province provides investors with good advantages for investment as it is close to the capital city of Tehran, attracts over 30 million tourists annually, enjoys a 338km coast line along the Caspian Sea, and hosts at least three strategic ports including Amirabad with access to railroad network and an international airport.

Iranian Villager Uses TV Sets to Build His Strange House!

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 28, 2018

As the viral photo shows, the villager has collected a number of old TV sets and used them as the main material in building the walls of his house.

Persian Gardens in Photos: Pahlavanpour Garden of Yazd

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Fatemeh Askarieh

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May 28, 2018

This is one of the nine registered Persian gardens that were collectively registered under the name of Persian Garden in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2011.

The heavenly garden was built more than 170 years ago by Ali Pahlavanpour, a well-known merchant in the Qajar era in the 19th century.

The garden includes a summerhouse, a winter quarter, janitor’s unit, a public bathroom and a kitchen.

Pahlavanpour garden has a special attraction due to its flowing water which originates from the famous aqueduct of Hassanabad.

There is also a traditional hotel inside the garden which has an eye-catching landscape.

The following are photos of the garden retrieved from various sources:

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A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 28

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 28, 2018

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Almost all papers today highlighted the remarks made by senior Iranian negotiator and deputy foreign minister, Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, who talked about the Iran nuclear deal and the re-imposing of US sanctions on Iran.

Al Jazeera Arabic’s interview with Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was also a top story today.

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

19 Dey:

1- Rouhani: It Was a Mistake that Clerics Entered into Political Factions

2- Larijani: Convergence between Gov’t, Parliament, Judiciary Can Resolve Banking Woes

Abrar:

1- Judiciary Spokesman: We’ll Punish Any Movement that Seeks to Disrupt Iran’s Security

2- Poland: Europe to Follow US Policies against Iran

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Man with Huge Debts to Iran’s Banking System Escapes

2- Psychological War against Iran President: Consequences of US Sanctions against Dena Airways

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Where Do Iranians Make Their Investments?

A Report on Reasons, Consequences of Flow of Iranian Assets to Other Countries

2- Massive Crowds of People Attend Funeral Ceremony of Famous Actor

3- Iran Has Given Final Ultimatum to Europe: Araqchi

Asrar:

1- Araqchi: Iran to Stop Negotiations Once It Feels Europeans Dragging Their Feet

2- China’s CNPC, Petropars to Replace Total

Etemad:

1- Against Macron: Protests in Paris Continue against Government’s Reforms

Ettela’at:

1- Zarif: We Won’t Remain in Iran Nuclear Deal If Europe Fails to Give Enough Guarantees

2- Rouhani: Engagement with World, Economic Calm, Fighting Poverty Top Priorities

3- Shamkhani: Iran Not to Give in to US Excessive Demands

Iran:

1- Rouhani: Sanctions Can Be Overcome If Private Sector Takes the Lead

2- 500 Female Prisoners Waiting to Be Released

Javan:

1- Iranian Economy without JCPOA, with People

Analysts Discuss Ways to Boost Iran’s Economy after JCPOA

2- Seoul: North Korea Doesn’t Trust America’s Words

3- Araqchi: Iran’s Decision on JCPOA Hinges on Talks in Coming Weeks

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Ansarullah: Yemenis’ New Deterrent Weapon to Be Used in Saudi-led War

Kayhan:

1- A Look at Dark Record of Europe: Long List of Europe’s Violation of Commitments

Khorasan:

1- GOP Senator Rand Paul Tries Pompeo in Senate

You Can’t Ignore Israel, Saudi Nuke Program and Tell Iran It Shouldn’t Have Missiles

Resalat

1- Shamkhani: US Strategy against Iran Based on Bullying, Shouting

Sepid:

1- Deputy Health Minister: 55 Billion Cigarettes Smoked in Iran

It’s Not Easy to Fight Such Lucrative Business

Setareh Sobh

1- Parliamentary Factions Ready to Take Larijani’s Seat as Speaker

Hardline MP: Parliament Must Be Run by Factions, Not with Monopoly

Shargh:

1- Shamkhani: We’ll Remain in Syria as Long as Damascus Wants Us

Sobh-e Now:

1- Maryam Smiles at French People’s Mocking of Her

Controversy Sparked after French Minister Strongly Protests Muslim Student’s Hijab

Iran’s Beauties in Photos: Daryasar Plain

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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May 28, 2018

The plain is located over 2,000 metres above the sea level and is surrounded by four mountains, with the tallest of them being Alamut.

Daryasar is in fact a connecting point between northern Iran’s forests and Alamut’s snowy environment.

The region’s golden chamomile flowers make it very attractive and spectacular in spring, prompting local people to nickname it as the tourist paradise.

What follows are Tasnim’s photos of the gorgeous plain:

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