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Iran Rejects Pompeo’s Baseless, Interventionist Accusations

Iran Summons Swiss Envoy to Protest US Allegation of Meddling in Election

In a Monday statement, the Iranian foreign ministry said the cheap, baseless, insulting and interventionist remarks made by Mike Pompeo and the accusations he levelled against the great and civilized Iranian nation are indicative of US officials’ despair and desperation in the face of the Iranian nation.

According to the statement, Pompeo’s remarks are also regarded as a cowardly attempt to deflect the world public opinion from Washington’s illegal move (its unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA) and its breach of obligations under the nuclear deal, which is in contravention of international regulations and the UN resolution proposed by the US and adopted unanimously.

“Pompeo’s remarks once again revealed the poor intelligence, weak oversight, analytical backwardness and confusion in decision-making processes in the United States, and showed radical and hawkish currents in the US neither know history, nor can learn lessons from it,” said the statement.

“The American regime which, despite opposition by all countries in the world except a handful of small regimes, has reneged on all its political, legal and international obligations, is not in a position to set conditions for a major country like Iran, which has made good on its commitments,” the statement read.

“The American regime must know that the United States’ evasion of law and violation of its commitments not only will not create any rights for that regime (the US), but puts the international responsibility for the consequences of its breach of law on the shoulders of the officials of that regime as well as its corrupt and mafia-linked supporters both at home and abroad, and this is while a new scandal emerges every day before the world’s public opinion,” the statement noted.

It also said that the United States is not entitled to tell Iran what policies it should or should not adopt in its own region as all the problems facing the Middle East region, including those in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the occupied Palestine, Yemen and Afghanistan, all emanate from the interference and encroachment of Washington and the medieval dictatorial governments of its allies.

“An inherent feature of the United States’ colonialist regime is to support terrorism, especially state terrorism. Terror groups such Al-Qaeda, ISIS, the MKO, Jundallah and other Takfiri terrorist groups, which continue to survive with American taxpayers’ money and with the support of incompetent systems in the Middle East, will incontrovertibly be defeated, and the US government and its allies will be disgraced,” the statement read.

“The fathers of Al-Qaeda and hundreds of other terrorist groups which have jeopardized international peace and security, are not in a position to distort the Islamic Republic of Iran’s stabilizing and anti-terrorism measures in the region and in the whole world, and pursue its domineering illusions,” said the statement.

According to the statement, those plotting coups against legal governments, looting the riches of oppressed nations, massacring innocent and defenceless women and children, violating international agreements and resolutions, producing and using weapons of mass destruction, and violating the rights of humans and minorities and people of colour in their countries, are in no position to threaten independent nations that are standing to all these crimes with glory and honour.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is a system emanating from the Islamic Revolution of Iranian people, who have stood up to, and emerged victorious, in the face of all the wicked conspiracies of the US and its allies over the past four decades, and will continue to survive from now on and make the United States’ new plots go down in defeat,” read the statement.

“We advise the senior officials of the US, especially its secretary of state, to take lessons from the fate of the United States’ past policies vis-à-vis the Iranian nation, and stop its interventionist and failed measures and policies which are seemingly aimed at driving a wedge between Iranian people and the popular system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and not to bring more disgrace upon themselves in the court of the world public opinion,” the statement added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects all the accusations and lies in this so-called new strategy, and regards the US secretary of state’s brazen remarks as gross interference in its domestic affairs and an illegal threat against a member of the United Nations, and reserves the right to take legal action.”

“The responsibility for any hit-and-run, illegal and bullying measure against the Iranian nation lies with the US government,” read the statement.

Pompeo in No Position to Set Conditions for Iran: Rouhani

“The Americans might be able to use threats to advance their interests under some circumstances, but it is not logical that they want to decide for the whole world,” the president said.

“Who you are to decide for Iran and the world and tell Iran what to do and what not to do regarding its nuclear technology?” said Rouhani, according to a transcript of his address to a gathering of academics and doctors in Tehran on Monday.

The president was responding to remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in which he threatened to impose “strongest sanctions in history” against Iran that would ultimately destroy the country’s economy, unless it capitulated to a series of 12 “basic requirements”.

The list not only urged Tehran to permanently shut down any nuclear-related programs, but also to give up its regional policy.

Pompeo called on Iran to halt missile development, “release all US citizens,” withdraw from Syria, and cease support for groups which the US considers to be “terrorist,” namely Hezbollah, according to RT.

Rouhani said the remarks reminds one of the language used by the government led by George W. Bush, who was tough on Iran and called the county a member of “axis of evil”.

“The Americans experienced the [language] used by Bush and came to the conclusion that it was wrong and took steps to make up [for the mistake]. But now some people are repeating the same [mistake],” Rouhani said.

“The Iranian people have defied such [threats] and will continue to defy them and follow their path,” he said.

The incumbent US government has returned to gunboat diplomacy towards Iran, reviving the nearly forgotten US mantra that all options, including military ones, are on the table when it comes to Iran.

US President Donald Trump on March 8 pulled the country out of the 2015 nuclear deal, which was signed by his predecessor Barack Obama to place confidence-building curbs on Iran’s nuclear program in return for the removal of anti-Iran international sanctions.

European leaders have strongly condemned the US move, seeing it as undermining regional security and a direct attack on their economic interests.

Russia and China, two other parties to the agreement, have also criticized the US move and vowed to maintain trade with Iran.

Six Iranian Ministers, Two MPs Call for Unlocking Twitter

In a letter to Iran’s Prosecutor General, Six cabinet ministers and two lawmakers, members of the Committee of Determining Instances of Criminal Content, called for unlocking the social network.

The letter came in response to “the growing public demands for unlocking twitter to provide media professionals and young generations with an appropriate ground for cyber activities,” a report by the government’s website said.

In the letter, the officials called on the prosecutor to remove the ban on Twitter after raising and exploring the issue in the Committee of Determining Instances of Criminal Content.

The officials referred to some “logical and substantiated” reasons for removing the ban saying Twitter can turn into a ground for the media staff and youths to play their leading role in the society and have a louder voice in the international media arena.

The signatories of the letter are Communications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, Education Minister Mohammad Bathaee, Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi, Justice Minister Alireza Avayi, Science Minister Mansour Gholami, Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Abbas Salehi, Representative of Sabzevar in the Parliament, Ramezanali Sobhanifar and the Representative of Malayer in the Parliament Mohammad Kazemi.

The Committee of Determining Instances of Criminal Content has twelve members, and thus Twitter is expected to be unblocked with the positive vote of the signatories to the letter.

Although Twitter has been banned in Iran for several years, it is widely used in other ways, and many Iranian media outlets and officials are active on Twitter.

Tehran Hosting Public Iftar Ceremonies in Ramadan

The Iftar dinner is held after collective reciting of the Holy Quran and congressional prayers following sunset during the holy month.

The meal includes a piece of bread, a cup of tea, a piece of cheese, a bowl of haleem, some dates and water.

Iftar is the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Muslim people break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer.

This is their second meal of the day; the daily fast during Ramadan begins immediately after the pre-dawn meal of Sahur (or Sahari in Persian) and continues during the daylight hours, ending with sunset with the evening meal of Iftar.

What follows are Mizan News Agency’s photos of the Iftar ceremonies in Tehran’s Imam Hussein Square:

Iranian Universities Ready to Admit Students Studying Abroad

University

Mojtaba Seddiqi said given the problems created for the students studying abroad including the financial difficulties due to rising prices of foreign currencies, they can return to Iran and continue their studies in Iranian universities.

“As the Ministry for Science, Research and Technology has announced repeatedly, the Iranian universities are ready to admit these students in case they decide to return to Iran and take up their studies in the country,” he was quoted as saying in a report by ISNA.

He went on to say that students at various educational levels can apply to domestic universities and continue their education in Iran.

“The transfer of students will be carried out smoothly according to administrative procedures,” Seddiqi noted.

“We don’t have any problem in admitting students studying abroad at master’s level. Administrative efforts are underway for facilitating the transfer of students at other educational levels as well,” he noted.

Seddiqi said the students can apply to domestic universities based on their majors and level of education.

The Iranian official then said the US sanctions on Iran and its illogical behaviour towards the country have never had a deep impact on the educational status of Iranian students in foreign universities over the past decades.

“There were some periods during which the Iranian students studying abroad had to struggle with the consequences of the US sanctions. This time, I think, they once again will go ahead with their education without any serious problems,” he concluded.

Iran Hails Venezuela Election as Victory for Democracy

Iran Hails Venezuela Election as Victory for Democracy

“Holding the presidential election in spite of domestic pressure and foreign threats and sanctions is a great victory and achievement for democracy in Venezuela,” Qassemi said in a Monday statement.

The spokesman also congratulated incumbent Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for his re-election and said the Islamic Republic hopes foreign states respect the choice of Venezuelan people in the country’s presidential election and support political stability and economic development in this state.

The Islamic Republic of Iran once again underlines the significance of creating deep unity between the Venezuelan government and nation, he noted.

The spokesman also said Tehran is completely prepared to further enhance its mutual relations with Caracas.

Venezuelan President Maduro won re-election, extending his term for another six years. With more than 90 per cent of the votes counted, the incumbent has nearly 68 percent of the ballots against 21-percent cast for his main rival, Henri Falcon.

Maduro was widely believed to be the winner in the poll boycotted by the main opposition party. Addressing the victory rally, the socialist leader hailed the results and called for dialogue to deal with problems.

The opposition has rejected the election as illegitimate and has demanded a new poll. The opposition has long blamed Maduro for wanting to tighten his grip on power.

The government denies the allegations, saying the main opposition boycotted the vote because it saw no chance of victory.

“Iran Not to Leave Syria before Assad Gov’t Wants It to”

Bahram Qassemi

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Monday, Qassemi pointed to recent reports about Russia’s call for the withdrawal of all foreign military forces from Syria and said, “No one can force Iran to do anything.”

“As long as terrorism exists and the Syrian government wants, Iran will have presence (in the Arab country),” he stressed.

“Those who have entered Syria without the consent of the Syrian government should leave,” the spokesman added.

In comments published Friday, Russian presidential envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev confirmed that President Vladimir Putin’s remarks on the need to withdraw foreign troops from Syria had implied Iranian forces and Hezbollah fighters as well as Turkish and American troops.

On the heels of a meeting between Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Russian resort of Sochi on Thursday, Lavrentiev added, “This statement involves all foreign troops in Syria including the Turkish, American, Iranian and Hezbollah.”

Lavrentiev stressed that Putin’s statement on this issue represents a “political message”, but added “not to view it as the beginning of a withdrawal process of foreign troops from Syria.”

Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (ISIS or ISIL), fighting against its central government.

In the meantime, Iran has remained a close ally of Syria and supported its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.

Iran Unveils Handmade Carpets Woven for FIFA World Cup

Hossein Kazemi-Hamed, the weaver of the carpets, expressed his profound gratitude to Tabriz Mayor Iraj Shahin-Baher and veteran athletes of East Azarbaijan province as people gathered to get a glimpse of the works of art.

Kazemi-Hamed added that weaving the seven carpets took six and half a months to complete.

The Iranian artists noted that three of the carpets will be presented to the captains of Morocco, Portugal and Spain men’s national football teams in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup, while three others will be donated to the Russian Football Union, the FIFA World Football Museum and the Astan Quds Razavi Central Museum in the holy northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.

The seventh carpet will be given to the Iran men’s national football team, domestically known as Team Melli, in case it manages to advance to the next level.

During the official 2018 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony at Kremlin State Palace in the Russian capital city of Moscow on December 1, Team Melli joined the Portugal national football team, nicknamed A Selecção, Spain’s La Furia Roja and Atlas Lions of Morocco in the preliminary round of the tournament.

The host nation, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay form Group A in the upcoming quadrennial international sports event.

France is drawn in Group C, and is pitted against Australia, Peru and Denmark.

Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria are drawn in Group D.

Group E consists of Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.

While the 2014 FIFA World Cup champion Germany, Mexico, Sweden and South Korea shape Group F, Belgium, Panama, Tunisia and England are in Group G.

Group H has Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 14 to July 15. Russia will open the event against Saudi Arabia in a Group A fixture at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.

A total of 64 matches will be played in 12 venues located in 11 cities.

Iran will start its World Cup campaign against Morocco at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on June 15.

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

The top story in all papers today was a closed session in the Iranian parliament attended by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, top security official Ali Shamkhani, and economy minister Masoud Karbasian. The session was focused on the issues of the Iran nuclear deal and the country’s accession to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Also a top story was Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s meeting with members of Iran’s national football team, who were going to leave Iran for their pre-world cup preparatory camp in Turkey.

The end of Cannes Film Festival, and the awards won by Iranian artists, also received great coverage today.

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

 

19 Dey:

1- President Rouhani, 12th Member of Iran’s National Team

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Abrar:

1- MP Quotes Zarif as Saying: JCPOA Is a Dying Patient

2- Lawmaker: Central Bank Weak Point of Rouhani’s Administration

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Fate of Lake Urmia Depends on Caspian Sea?

2- Iranian People’s Heated Debate over Make-up of Queen’s New Bride

  • Controversial Ceremony in Britain

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Europe’s Guarantee in Vienna

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Asrar:

1- Araqchi: We Won’t Negotiate with Europeans over Issues beyond JCPOA

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Ebtekar:

1- Europe Afraid of Italy’s Exit from EU

2- Quarrel in Iran Parliament over JCPOA

  • A Report on Parliament’s Closed Session on JCPOA, FATF

3- Japanese Tragic Story vs. Farhadi’s New Mystery Film

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Etemad:

1- Iranian Cheetahs Warmly Received by President before Departing for FIFA World Cup

2- Iran Envoy to OPCW: Iran Has Repeatedly Expressed Preparedness to Help Identify Those behind Syria Chemical Attacks

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Ettela’at:

1- Rouhani: Gov’t Believes in Open Atmosphere for Communication between People

2- France: US Not Gendarme of World Economy

3- Chomsky: Trump Resolved to Destroy Humanity

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Ghanoon:

1- Money Earned from Iranian Oil Rig Spent on Trump’s Presidential Campaign

  • Lawyer Elaborates on Details of Fortuna Oil Rig

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Iran:

1- Iran President Wishes Success, Honour for Team MelliA Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Jame Jam:

1- Apples of Cannes Film Festival’s Eyes: A Report on Effective Lobbies in Cannes

2- Four European Think-Tanks Urges EU to Remain Independent to Save JCPOA

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Javan:

1- Iran Leader Donates over $95,000 for Release of Prisoners

2- Araqchi: We Are Doubtful Whether Europe Is Capable of Saving JCPOA

3- Zarif: EU’s Commitment to JCPOA Implementation Not Consistent with EU Firms’ Withdrawal from Iran Market

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Government Briefs Parliament on Bright Prospect of JCPOA Talks with Europe

  • In Closed Session, Lawmakers Hold Talks with Zarif, Shamkhani, Economy Minister

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Ka’enat:

1- Economy Analyst: It Was Wrong to Say JCPOA Could Save Iran’s Economy

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Kayhan:

1- Secrets behind Government’s Insistence on Approval of FATF’s Last Request

2- Result of Wedding Ceremony that Costs $46 Million

  • Britons Call for End of Royal System

3- Palestine’s Islamic Jihad Envoy: Tyrannical Rulers of Arab Regimes Dirtier, More Zionist than Bibi

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Resalat:

1- Chomsky: Trump, Worse than Hitler, Is Destroying the World

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Sazandegi:

1- I’m Jafar Panahi from Iran

  • Cannes Film Festival This Year Surprised Everyone by Awarding Godard, Farhadi, Panahi

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Setareh Sobh:

1- Deputy Parliament Speaker: Efforts to Remove Problems of FATF Bills

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Shargh:

1- Serious Disagreement in Closed Sessions

  • Motahari’s Account of Zarif, Shamkhani’s Presence in Parliament

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21


 

Sobh-e Now:

1- End of World’s Most Politicized Film Festival

  • Cannes 2018 Wraps Up with Success, Failure for Iranian Directors Who “Make Films for Festivals”

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 21

Iran Establishes Nano Export Hub in Indonesia

Head of the a Working Group for International Affairs at Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC), Ali Beitollahi, says Iran has recently promoted its cooperation with Indonesia in the field of nanotechnology.

“We have established our first nano export hub in Indonesia to export our domestically-manufactured nano-products to Asian markets,” he said, stressing the need for further international cooperation in this field.

Speaking to Mehr News Agency, Beitollahi said given Iran’s growing presence in the field of nanotechnology, many foreign countries have expressed their interest in establishing cooperation with the Islamic Republic.

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

Based on Iran’s second ten-year nanotechnology development plan, the country is to raise its share in the global market to two percent, he told.

He said the second nanotechnology development plan is mainly focused on industrial and commercial development, adding this requires further domestic and foreign investments.

The INIC official said so far Iran has exported its nano-products to at least 45 countries including China. He voiced his satisfaction with the level of cooperation between Iran and China in the nanotechnology area.

He also highlighted the dire need to have access to larger nano markets and said, “To further promote the value of Iran’s nano exports, the country has to reach further and larger markets.

“To achieve the goal, we need to establish deeper cooperation with our friendly and brotherly countries.”

Iran’s progress in nanotechnology has grabbed the attention of other countries, he said, adding that Iran has a number of plans to expand its international ties in nanotechnology area.

He also noted that the country plans to turn nanotechnology into a significant part of its economy in the future.