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Iran FM to Attend ASEAN Summit in Singapore

July 28, 2018

Iran’s Foreign Minister in Beirut for Talks

In a statement on Saturday, Qassemi said FM Zarif will visit Singapore in the coming days to sign the ASEAN Amity and Cooperation Treaty.

“Consensus among South-east Asian countries on accepting Iran as a member of the ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) indicates the importance of relations and interaction with Iran as an important and influential power in regional and international equations by all members of this Association,” noted Qassemi.

The ministerial summit of the ASEAN member states and its partners is due to be held from July 30 to August 4 in Singapore.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is also expected to attend the summit on August 3, fuelling speculations that there might be a bilateral meeting between top diplomats of Iran and the US after the recent escalation of war of words between Tehran and Washington.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries that promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration amongst its members. It also regularly engages other states in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia is a peace treaty among Southeast Asian countries established by the founding members of the ASEAN.

The treaty has been endorsed by the General Assembly stating that, “The purposes and principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and its provisions for the pacific settlement of regional disputes and for regional co-operation to achieve peace, amity and friendship among the peoples of Southeast Asia [are] in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.”

Iran Sympathizes with Laos over Deadly Dam Collapse

IFP Editorial Staff

July 28, 2018

In a statement on Saturday, Qassemi sympathised with the government and the people of Laos and the families of the survivors of the incident.

It’s been almost a week since the Xepian Xe Nam Noy Dam collapsed, swallowing the villages and towns downstream in more than 5 billion cubic metres of water.

Roads were demolished, houses destroyed and lives lost as the enormous wave of water swept over the southern part of the country.

Government statistics say 27 people have been killed and 131 people are missing – but aid agencies believe the country may be downplaying the scale of the disaster and the final death toll may be considerably higher.

Local residents told the BBC that they believed as many as 300 people may have lost their lives.

Meanwhile up to 3,000 people are reportedly still stranded, their rooftops now islands in the murky floodwater.

“Iran to Reciprocate If Its Interests Jeopardized by Enemies”

IFP Editorial Staff

July 28, 2018

Brigadier General Yadollah Javani, the IRGC’s Lieutenant Commander for Political Affairs, says if others seek to endanger Iran’s interests, the Islamic Republic will use its facilities to endanger their interests in turn.

Speaking to Tasnim News Agency on Saturday, Javani said Iran’s threat to hamper oil flow in the region is “credible”, and its implementation depends on the behaviour of the US administration in the upcoming months.

Javani said without the Islamic Republic, it won’t be possible for others to secure the region’s waterways.

“The security of the waterways is affected by the Iranian political system’s will … that’s why Iran’s mutual threat is credible,” he said.

The US has threatened to cut down to zero Iran’s oil exports as part of its efforts to step up pressure on the Islamic Republic.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested earlier this month that Iran would try to stop oil trade in the region, if the US halts Iran’s oil export.

Sky-Watchers in Iran Amazed by Longest Lunar Eclipse of Century

IFP Editorial Staff

July 28, 2018

Longest Lunar Eclipse of Century_in iran

The Friday eclipse was the longest one in the century, lasting for more than six hours from late Friday to Saturday morning.

A total lunar eclipse, which is one of the most interesting astronomical events, happens when Earth takes position in a straight line between the moon and sun, blotting out the direct sunlight that normally makes our satellite glow whitish-yellow.

During the total eclipse known as “blood moon”, the silver moon turned red for 103 minutes.

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 term comes from the crimson red shade the moon takes when it is in Earth’s shadow.

People equipped with telescopes and binoculars gathered at Tehran’s Milad Tower, Azadi Tower and other places to watch the total lunar eclipse.

Unlike with a solar eclipse, viewers needed no protective eye gear to observe the rare display.

The following are photos taken of the eclipse in various Iranian cities:

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French Video-Mapping Artist Impressed by Iranians’ Lavish Hospitality

IFP Editorial Staff

July 28, 2018

De Gerando, who staged a projection mapping performance at Tehran’s Azadi Tower last week, told IRNA the Iranians’ rich culture and their lavish hospitality has fascinated him.

Projection mapping, also known as video mapping and spatial augmented reality, is a projection technology used to turn objects, often irregularly shaped, into a display surface for video projection.

Accompanied by music, the show was dubbed “Le Labyrinthe du Temps et la Tour Azadi” (The Labyrinth of Time and Azadi Tower).

De Gérando, 53, has written several works for orchestras performed at Radio France and has won national and international awards.

His multimedia works have been staged on numerous sites across the world.

IRNA has conducted an interview with the French artist. The following is the full text of the interview:

Tell us about your goal of staging this performance. Did you intend to convey a message?

In fact, my goal is not to have a goal. I’ve been working on video mapping projects for 20 years, since I was a student. My goal of creating this work is not to have a goal. I wanted to create something that I cannot imagine. I wanted to do something that amazes the way I was amazed by seeing such performances. It is difficult to convey this feeling through the words.

Why did you choose Iran to put on your performance?

I made this decision following talks with one of my Iranian students. Iran’s culture and land has really impressed me and I found Iran has an incredible culture.

Is this your first trip to Iran?

Yes. This is the first time I’m visiting Iran and hear people speaking Persian language.

How many days will you stay in Iran after the performance?

I will be in Iran for one more week. These days are a big opportunity for me to get familiar with this culture.

What was your perception of Iran before coming to our country? Has this trip changed the perception?

I’ve talked about Iran with my Iranian friends in France and my perception of Iran has always been positive. The Iranian people are known for their cordiality and hospitality. During my trip to Iran, it was quite interesting for me to see Iranians approaching us with a smile and being eager to talk with us.

Describe Iran in words?

Breadth, culture, goodness, cordiality, generosity and dynamism.

Will this video mapping project run only in Iran?

This performance comes out of 20 to 30 years of experience. Art does not belong to a special place and it belong to the whole globe. Art is a way of creating connections and getting to know cultures. Yes, this show is about Iran, but it is not exclusive to Iran.

Tell us about your future plans?

After Iran, I will stage a performance in Berlin. Next year, I intend to give more performances in Iran, particularly Shiraz.

What follows are photos of the video-mapping performance in Tehran’s iconic Azati Square:

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Imran Khan Says Pakistan Will Draw Closer to Tehran in His Term

IFP Editorial Staff

July 28, 2018

“Improving relations with all neighbouring countries, particularly Iran, will be a priority for Pakistan’s foreign policy. Boosting ties with Tehran is to Pakistan’s benefit,” said Imran Khan, the head of Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as largest party in the Wednesday’s general elections.

Imran Khan claimed victory and declared himself as the new prime minister of Pakistan on Thursday, as results trickled in a day after the vote.

Pakistan to Resume Iran Gas Pipeline Project

Speaking to Fars News Agency, Imran Khan said Islamabad will work to boost trade with Tehran, and it will work to implement a gas pipeline contract with Tehran.

“Unfortunately, the peoples party government could not resist pressures imposed by the US to prevent construction of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, but Tehreek-e-Insaf party will do its best to import energy from Iran,” he said.

In 1990s, Iran, Pakistan and India agreed to build a pipeline transferring Iran’s gas. Dubbed the “peace pipeline”, the plan was initially designed to pass through Pakistan into India but New Delhi quit the project in 2009.

Iran says it has completed work on its side of the pipeline up to the border of Pakistan and is ready to deliver the gas but Islamabad has yet to start construction of the line on its territory.

There are speculations that Pakistan has been under pressure to follow other options, including a proposed pipeline from Turkmenistan, nicknamed TAPI.

Pointing to TAPI pipeline, Imran Khan said it won’t be enough to fulfill Pakistan’s demand.

“This pipeline is not comparable to Iran pipeline and even if this project is implemented, Islamabad will need to supply energy from Iran,” he said.

“Iran’s gas is cheaper than LPG imported by Pakistan,” he said.

Defusing Iran-Saudi Arabia Tensions

Imran Khan said his government could play a big role in easing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which are provoked by Israel.

“Differences between Iran and Saudi Arabia, like other Muslim countries, are a plot by the west and foreign powers. Islamabad and Tehran can work to foil that plot,” he said.

Imran khan said Iran and Pakistan could also work to settle issues in the Muslim world, including those related to extremism and terrorism.

Pakistan’s US Policy to Be Revised

The next government will also reorient its policy towards the US, Imran Khan said.

“The incoming Pakistani government will reconsider its relations with the US. Ties with the country should be based on common interests and mutual respect,” he said.

The latest Election Commission of Pakistan official partial results showed Khan’s party won 115 seats out of the 268 seats counted

Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had 63 seats, the results showed.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of assassinated two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was third with 43 seats.

Iran Congratulates Pakistan on Successful Holding of Elections

IFP Editorial Staff

July 28, 2018

In a Friday statement, Qassemi hailed the parliamentary votes and people’s great turnout, and expressed the hope that the developing relations between the brotherly and neighbouring countries of Iran and Pakistan will be further strengthened in the new government.

“Like in the past, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to work to expand the all-round cooperation between the two Muslim countries, especially in the new era, in line with the interests of the two great nations of Iran and Pakistan,” added Qassemi.

General elections were held in Pakistan on 25 July 2018 to elect the members of the 15th National Assembly and the four Provincial Assemblies.

The former Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan and his party Tehreek-e-Insaf won the country’s parliamentary elections, promising a new Pakistan following a vote that was marred by allegations of fraud and militant violence.

Khan, who aspires to be the country’s next prime minister, said in a televised address to the nation that “thanks to God, we won and we were successful”.

Fishermen’s New Year; The Day When No Fish Is Caught

IFP Editorial Staff

July 27, 2018

The ceremony is held every year in the last days of July or the first days of August in Qeshm Island in southern Iran.

Persian Gulf settlers believe that all the fish are free to reproduce during Nowruz-e Sayyad, so the fishermen refrain from any fishing and eating aquatics on this day.

In this ceremony, the villagers wear new clothes and paint their animals with a red mud called Gelak and take them to the sea. On this day, the indigenous women receive guests with cooked pastries made from dates called Ranginak.

The 15th festival of Nowruz-e Sayyad was recently held in the village of Salakh in Qeshm Island. At this festival swimming, diving, snorkelling, beach volleyball, and local sports competitions were held.

What follows are photos of this festival retrieved from Mehr News Agency:

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