Iranian Nano-Firms Seeking Market Share in East Asia

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June 9, 2018

Three Iranian firms were among the exhibitors at the Aquatech China 2018 where they put on display their latest products and services in a bid to expand their sphere of activities in East Asia.

One of the three is a company producing water purification nano-systems.

Among the achievements of the company is the development of apparatuses producing nano-powder and nano-coloidal metal using the “electric explosion” method, ISNA reported.

The company has also managed to produce nano-emulsion and homogenization machines, which has been praised by different industries, including those dealing with refining water and treating waste, food and pasteurization, pharmaceuticals, paint and polymer, as well the oil and petrochemical industry.

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”

Another Iranian firm taking part in the exhibition was one which had managed to launch the production line for nano-ceramic layers. The layers are designed and developed to be used at different temperatures and under different pressure levels. They are widely used in water treatment. Dairy products companies, refineries and other industries currently use this technology.

The third Iranian firm attending the exhibit has managed to design and develop state-of-the-art industrial plasma systems by drawing on the expertise of academic and industrial experts in the field of water, waste, air and applicable plasma.

The Aquatech China 2018 held in Shanghai on May 31-June 2 brought together companies active in the domain of water, which showcased their products and services at the event.

“Tehran Welcomes Development of Economic, Defence Ties with Islamabad”

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 9, 2018

In a Saturday meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in China’s Qingdao, Rouhani emphasised the importance of strengthening banking cooperation for the development of economic relations between the two countries.

He also pointed to Tehran-Islamabad cooperation in the field of energy saying that Iran could be a reliable source for Pakistan’s energy needs.

Regarding the nuclear deal, the Iranian president noted that the Islamic Republic has met its commitments and the US government’s withdrawal is contrary to the rules and conventions of international relations. He said members of the international community must respond to Washington’s move.

Rouhani further underlined that Tehran welcomes mutual defence cooperation as the two countries’ common borders must be kept safe on both sides.

“We want to see a safe and stable Afghanistan and thus the cooperation of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan is very important for the security and development of the region,” stressed Rouhani.

For his part, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain referred to the cultural and historical commonalities of the two nations of Iran and Pakistan, underlining that Pakistan, as a friendly and neighbourly country, will always stand by Iran, and is determined to develop relations with the Islamic Republic in all fields.

He also hailed Iran’s role as an observer member of the SCO expressing hope that the country will become a permanent member of this organization as soon as possible.

The coastal city of Qingdao is hosting guests from afar for the upcoming 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

During this weekend, leaders of the eight SCO member states and four observer states as well as heads of international organisations will gather to exchange views on cooperation and the SCO’s development.

Iran Calls for International Cooperation against Cyber Terrorism

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 9, 2018

Deputy Attorney General Abdul-Samad Khorramabadi says terrorist organizations use two types of terrorism in the cyberspace, namely “traditional terrorism” and “new cyber terrorism.

Iran has suffered from both types of terrorism in recent years because of the illegal activity of some foreign social networks, he noted, speaking at a specialized meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Russia.

According to a report by Fars News Agency, Khorramabadi stressed that further judicial cooperation is needed to counter such cybercrimes.

“Creating an interactive security system to facilitate communication between prosecutors across the member states, setting up judicial and police agreements, setting up a computerised system for prompt inquiry on cyber terrorism, and harmonising national laws and regulations regarding cybercrimes are the essential ways to enhance the judicial cooperation of the member states of SCO.”

Representatives from Russia, China, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and South Africa addressed the summit and expressed their concerns about the use of the Internet for terrorist activities, recruitment and financing of terrorism.

“Lebanese Elections Turn Hezbollah into Resistance Government”

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 9, 2018

In a Thursday speech in Kerman province, General Soleimani hailed the victories of Iran’s allies in the region, particularly those in the Iraqi and Lebanese parliamentary elections.

“After the Lebanon’s elections, the resistance group Hezbollah has become a resistance government,” he said, adding that Iran’s allies have also won elections in Iraq.

Hezbollah and its political allies made significant gains in Lebanon’s parliamentary election held early May, wining more than half of the seats.

Hadi al-Amiri’s Fatah Alliance and Haider al-Abadi’s Nasr Alliance, both close allies of Iran, also won a huge number of seats in the May parliamentary elections in Iraq.

Elsewhere in his remarks, General Soleimani downplayed the recent threats by the US to use sanctions to destroy the Iranian economy, saying that plots hatched by Iran’s adversaries usually end up preparing the ground for the Islamic Republic’s achievements.

“I’m confident any move by enemies against the country will end up with biggest victories for Iran,”

The remarks came as the US is escalating pressure on Iran after pulling out of the 2015 nuclear accord and vowing to impose the “highest level” of economic bans on Iran.

Iran Defeats Lithuania in Last Friendly before FIFA World Cup

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IFP Media Wire

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June 9, 2018

Iran striker Karim Ansarifard opened the back of the net in the 88th minute.

The friendly was held at the 45,000-seater Otkritie Arena, the home stadium of Spartak Moscow.

The World Cup will get underway on June 14, with the matches set to take place in 11 cities across Russia.

Iran has been drawn in Group B along with 2010 World Cup winner Spain, reigning European champion Portugal and Morocco.

Iran will begin the campaign on June 15 with a match against Morocco.

Hezbollah Chief Urges Financial Assistance for East Jerusalem al-Quds

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IFP Media Wire

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June 9, 2018

Speaking in a televised address to crowds gathered in the Bint Jbeil town of Maroun al-Ras to mark the International Quds Day, Nasrallah said the Palestinians were shouldering the burden of protecting occupied Quds and the holy sites in it, the Daily Star reported.

He added that moving the US Embassy to occupied al-Quds was just one of the many challenges they faced.

“(Another) challenge is the demographic challenge and the challenge in the change of the population structure,” Nasrallah said.

“Since occupying East Quds in 1967, the Zionists have been working (for) a decisive demographic change in East Quds and Quds as a whole.”

He said that the city was facing an Israeli attempt to change its identity through adding further settlements and applying pressure on Palestinian residents to leave.

“The truth is, the biggest burden falls on the Muslim and Christian Arab residents of Quds.

“Their stay and the preservation of their houses is the real battle that they have been spearheading since 1967,” Nasrallah said.

Despite its efforts, the Israeli regime has failed in its plan for demographic change in the city, Nasrallah said, urging all Muslims around the world to extend a helping hand.

“This needs spending money. Spending money in this battle to help residents of Quds to stay in their houses, not to leave the city and to give in to economic and livelihood pressures and the financial temptations that are being offered to them,” Nasrallah said.

He emphasized unified Arab and Muslim support for the Palestinian cause should become a priority again.

Nasrallah criticized those who adopted a pro-Israel position in order to curry favor with the United States. He said that some of the countries in the region seek to undermine the Palestinian plight in order to gain American support.

He further said Hezbollah does not have a special project in Syria.

“We are in Syria, where we should be and where the Syrian leadership has asked us to be,” he said.

“When we bring back our youth and men to Lebanon we will be happy. We will feel victorious and that the mission is done,” Nasrallah said, adding that the group’s armed wing had no desire to stay in Syria longer than necessary.

Nasrallah added that hostility toward Iran was “a favor to Israel,” and that all those who have been betting on regime change in Iran were “delusional.”

Iranian Mango Pickle; A Marvellous Mixture of Flavours

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 9, 2018

The fruit is native to the Indian subcontinent, but it has now become one of the most widely cultivated fruits in the tropics.

It is said that mango seeds were transferred from India to Iran over 300 years ago.

Mango was well adapted to southern Iran, a warm and dry area where the climate is nearly tropical.

The fruit is now cultivated in considerable parts of the southern provinces of Iran.

Mango cultivation has been considered as one of the most desirable potentialities for development of rural areas in southern Iran.

The tree can grow as tall as 25 metres and as wide as 10 metres. It ages between 150 and 200 years.

Mango is harvested from March till the end of May.

The unripe fruit tastes tart and is used for producing pickles and sauces, among other foods.

The following are ISNA’s photos showing various stages of production of mango pickle in a factory in Iran’s southern province of Hormozgan:

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“New US Sanctions on Iran Threat to Petrodollar”

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 8, 2018

The US’ withdrawal from the deal led to international condemnation, with European and Asian countries continuing to honour the agreement and trade with Iran. China will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the US’ sanctions against Iran. China launched its Yuan-backed oil futures in April as part of its policy to expand the currency’s influence. Now that the US sanctions will affect Iran’s oil dealings, China will be able to continue expanding its influence by buying Iran’s crude exports.

A petrodollar is any US dollar that was used in the purchasing of oil. Most oil purchases by OPEC member states, Russia, and Canada are paid for in dollar. With “Petroyuan” now in play, which Russia will most likely support, the petrodollar will have its first serious contender in the oil market.

Iran already agrees with the idea of accepting Yuan as payment for oil exports. Even before the US removed itself from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran declared that it prefers to trade in currencies other than the dollar, which Iran has little to no access. FXCM published a long-form article on the petrodollar, which discussed how Iran sought payment for signed oil contracts in Euros instead of dollars in 2016. Now, apart from Euros, the country has a major currency backing its oil exports in the form of Yuan.

In April, the Iranian government signed a deal with Russia to conduct all of its business transactions in goods rather than in dollars in order to lessen the influence of the US sanctions.

Other countries Won’t Follow US Sanctions against Iran

Iran’s economy suffered greatly when the UN placed sanctions against the country’s exports. The sanctions restricted Iran’s dealings with UN member countries, and it could only sell its oil to a select few nations.

In January 2016, Tehran announced that the country had adequately dismantled its nuclear weapons program, allowing the UN to lift the sanctions immediately. Except for the US, other UN member states will still honour the lifting of the sanctions, and will not follow Washington’s footsteps in carrying out its restrictions against the Iranian oil.

Germany, one of the most prominent countries supporting the continued lifting of the sanctions, said that it will defend its companies that are transacting with Iran. France is also staying close to Iran. Total – one of the 7 major oil companies in the world headquartered in Courbevoie – has a contract with South Pars gas field. In addition to both countries’ interests in dealing with Iran, the greater European region is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil.

To strengthen its position in the Middle East, China will most likely boost its investments in Iran. The country, after all, is part of China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative, which is a development strategy that focuses on the connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries, primarily China, the Silk Road economic belt, and the Maritime Silk Road. Buying Iran’s oil with Yuan fits the initiative’s objectives.

No Prospect for Dialogue Unless US Uses Language of Dignity: Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 8, 2018

Qassemi made the remarks in reaction to the latest statements by US President Donald Trump on the most severe US sanctions on Iran and his hope for reaching a new comprehensive deal with the Islamic Republic.

“I think Mr Trump needs to call on journalists and observers in the US to provide him with an in-depth report on the historical developments of Iran,” he said.

Throughout their long and glorious history, the Iranians have proved that they do not change their wise thoughts and actions in the face of bullying behaviours and threats and will not do so.

“As long as the US fails to speak with the language dignity instead of threat and sanction in the face of the greatness of the ancient and civilized nation of Iran, there would be no prospect for any dialogue between the Islamic Republic and the US regime in any area.”

Whenever faced with foreign invasion throughout the history, Iranians have used the language of brave resistance, logic, knowledge and wisdom and finally pushing the invaders out of their lands, he said.

He also pointed out that the US’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal was a clear example of the Trump administration’s failure to keep its promises, treason and explicit violation of the international law and regulations.

The US pullout of the JCPOA along with other violations, unilateralism and selfishness by the US against even its own allies have put the country in a historically scandalous situation and defamed it in the world more than ever, he said.

Qassemi underlined that today there are a few independent states from the East to the West which see a bright prospect for establishing cooperation, signing treaties with the US government and remaining confident and optimistic about its behaviours.

He then said the Iranian government and nation reject any form of sanctions, pressure, bullying behaviour and police and illegal measures by any state against others and vehemently condemn such “uncivilized” moves.

“Iran once again remind the US government of the fact that over the past 40 years, Iranians have remained indifferent to the so-called harsh and paralyzing sanctions imposed by various US administrations through resorting to their resolute will and relying on their own capabilities, smartness and seriousness,” he said.

The spokesman said Iran has never bowed before the bullying behaviours of the US and will never do so in the future.

“As an economic terrorist state which threatens other independent states, nations and corporations in the world through sanctions, the US government is too desperate to inflict a blow on the will of the Iranian nation which is resolute enough to preserve its independence, fight against terrorism, and remain committed to stability, security and economic development of the region,” he said.

He then said it is better for the US and President Trump to stop using threats, sanctions, pressure, violation and unilateralism against other states and nations of the world instead of expressing hope to reach a new comprehensive deal with Iran.

President Trump claimed Thursday that his decision to abandon the Iran nuclear deal had already curbed Iran’s aggressive behaviour and hoped for reaching a new comprehensive deal with Tehran.

Trump’s decision to unilaterally pull out of the Iran nuclear deal back on May 8 has sparked tensions between the US and its major allies in Europe.

Iran has announced that if its benefits under the JCPOA are not guaranteed by the European sides of the nuclear deal, it sees no further reason to remain in the deal.

Iran’s Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei ordered the country’s atomic energy body on Monday to prepare itself for an increase in uranium enrichment capacity up to 190,000 SWUs if the nuclear deal with world powers falls apart after the US pulled out.

Iranians Hold Rallies in Support for Palestinian Cause on Quds Day

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 8, 2018

Marking the international al-Quds Day, the marchers, chanting “death to Israel”, called for an end to the seven-decade Israeli occupation of Palestine, which has been enabled by the widespread support of western countries.

Quds Day falls on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which millions of demonstrators around the world expressed their protest against the occupying regime.

The day was named by the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, back in 1979, following the Iranian Islamic Revolution.

Need for Unity

In a final statement released at the end of their rally, the demonstrators in Tehran said the dream of Palestine liberation has grown popular worldwide and the Zionist regime has failed in realizing its goal of controlling areas neighbouring the usurper regime.

However, the Israeli regime and its backers are carrying out new plots, working to consolidate their control over Jerusalem al-Quds by introducing it as their capital and mend ties with Arab states, the statement said.

It stressed Iranian people see the Palestine conflict as the top issue of the Muslim world and will never cease their efforts to put an end to sufferings of millions of Palestinians.

The statement urged Muslim countries to join hands to champion the Palestinian cause, saying they should stand against efforts aimed at normalization of ties between the regime and some Arab countries.

Iran says its support for the Palestinians’ fight against the Israeli regime is the reason behind hostile policies of the US and its western allies against the country since the 1979 revolution.

Trump’s Deal of Century Doomed

High-ranking government officials and military commanders also participated in the annual event.

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said recent developments have proven resistance is the only option for Palestinians to restore their rights, which raises hopes they can eventually stop the decades-long occupation of Palestine.

Pointing to the so-called “deal of the century” put forward by US President Donald Trump, Larijani said the plan is doomed to failure, according to a report by Fars News Agency.

Larijani said Washington seeks to push Palestinians to forget about their rights, including their right to return to their lands, in return for receiving money.

“They think the Palestinian people are simple-minded. But the Palestinians in the past 70 years have been fighting not for money but for their honour,” he said.

Speaking in an address to Iranians observing Friday prayers in Tehran, Larijani said
“The plan, which aims to exchange patriotism with money, will be shelved sooner than [previous peace] plans,” he said.

The plan recognizes Jerusalem-Al Quds as the capital of Israel and says Palestinians can develop their own capital from villages and neighbourhoods around the city.

It also keeps Palestinian security and borders in the hands of Israel and leaves the settlements and the final borders to future negotiations.

Glorious Presence

Judiciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani told reporters on the sidelines of the rallies in Tehran the strong presence of people in the rallies helps disrupt plots hatched by the US and Israel.

“The glorious presence of the people puts on display the might and unity of the Muslim ummah. The US and their client states cannot do a damn until people have such presence,” ISNA quoted him as saying.

First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri told reporters the rallies drew more people to streets this year, due to recent “strange” moves by the US that heightened tensions in Palestine.

“This year, the US president took a strange step and relocated the US embassy to Jerusalem al-Quds, which I believe hurt feelings of Muslims and prompted them to have stronger participation in this event,” he said, according to a report by Al-Alam.

Tension has mounted in the Palestinian territories since last December, when Trump announced a decision to recognize Jerusalem-Al Quds as the Israeli regime’s capital.

Since March 30, at least 118 Palestinians demanding their right to return to their lands have been killed and thousands more injured by Israeli army gunfire near the Gaza-Israel border fence.
The new building of the US embassy in Jerusalem-Al Quds was inaugurated on May 14.

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